This is a guide for defeating Nemona during the Academy Ace Tournament in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.

Nemona, your classmate and fellow Champion, is one of the trainers you can fight in the Academy Ace Tournament. She’s a random participant during the second tournament onwards. She can appear during the fourth round.

What is the Academy Ace Tournament?¶

The Academy Ace Tournament is a single elimination tournament, consisting of 4 rounds, that you can participate in during the postgame. Your opponents will be trainers and faculty members from Naranja/Uva Academy.

To unlock the Academy Ace Tournament, you must complete the Area Zero story, perform the Gym Inspection for Geeta and report the results to her back at Naranja/Uva Academy.

Recommended Pokémon for Nemona (Academy Ace Tournament)¶

Nemona has the same team she used at the end of the Victory Road story. Her team has a variety of types, so your team should also be varied. A Fighting type or two is highly recommended since they’re strong against half of Nemona’s team (more if you picked Fuecoco).

Her Pokémon are Level 71 to 72, so you should aim to bring Pokémon of around Level 70+ into the fight.

Here are some recommendations, if you need help:

• Your starter fully evolved. Pretty much a no-brainer, since Nemona will use the starter that’s weak to yours. That said, if you benched your starter, it’s not a deal breaker.
• The Level 75 Tera Lucario at Dalizapa Passage, in the underground tunnel. High level and a good all-rounder.
• The Level 75 Tera Dragonite at the eastern edge of Paldea. High level with exceptional Attack.
• If playing Scarlet, Koraidon, a powerful Dragon and Fighting Legendary obtained in the postgame.
• If playing Violet, Miraidon, a powerful Electric and Dragon Legendary obtained in the postgame.

What Pokémon does Nemona (Academy Ace Tournament) have?¶

Lycanroc¶

To begin with, Nemona will send out her Midday Form Lycanroc. It can use Stone Edge for hard-hitting STAB, Accelerock to sneak in an attack before you, Drill Run to damage Steel types and Stealth Rock to damage switch-ins.

Ground or Fighting types would be perfect here, to deal super-effective damage and resist Stone Edge. A fast victory is advised, in case it sets up Stealth Rock. The Tera Lucario won’t break a sweat.

Goodra¶

This gooey dragon can use Dragon Pulse for STAB, Muddy Water to lower accuracy, Sludge Bomb to damage Fairy types and Ice Beam for additional coverage.

We recommend fielding an Ice type. If you caught the Level 75 Tera Dragonite or use your Legendary Koraidon or Miraidon, you can demolish it with Dragon moves though.

Dudunsparce¶

Nemona shows off her rare three-segment Dudunsparce again. It can use Hyper Drill for STAB, Drill Run to get through Steel types, Dragon Rush to look cool, and Coil to boost its Attack, Defense and Accuracy.

Fighting types are the natural choice here. If you have the Level 75 Tera Lucario, it’ll be gone before you can blink.

Orthworm¶

This pure Steel type (not a Bug!) can use Iron Tail for STAB, Earthquake to punish Fire types, plus Body Press and Rock Blast for coverage. It has the Earth Eater ability, which absorbs Ground type damage.

Again, you should use a Fighting type here. Another easy job for the Tera Lucario.

Pawmot¶

Nemona’s Pawmot can use Double Shock for massive Electric STAB damage, but removes its Electric type afterwards, Close Combat for powerful Fighting STAB, but lowers its defensive stats, Ice Punch to tickle Ground types and Quick Attack to try and attack first.

We recommend Psychic or Fairy types. Double Shock is a little dangerous, but after using it, Pawmot will lose its Electric STAB, making it less threatening.

Terastallized Skeledirge¶

Nemona will Terastallize her ace into a pure Fire type, further boosting its Fire attacks and retaining its Ghost STAB.

Her Skeledirge can use Torch Song for Fire STAB and to boost its Special Attack, Shadow Ball for Ghost STAB, Snarl to lower your Special Attack and Earth Power to hit Rock and opposing Fire types.

Water types, especially Quaquaval, are highly recommended. Besides dealing super-effective damage, it’s a good idea to find ways to mitigate the damage from Tera-boosted Torch Song.

Terastallized Meowscarada¶

Nemona will Terastallize her ace into a pure Grass type, further boosting its Grass attacks and retaining its Dark STAB.

Her Meowscarada can use Flower Trick for Grass STAB (never misses and always criticals), Thunder Punch to target Flying types, Play Rough to counter Fighting types and Shadow Claw for additional coverage.

Fire types are highly recommended. If using your starter Skeledirge, you may want to Terastallize it so it loses its Ghost weakness.

Terastallized Quaquaval¶

Nemona will Terastallize her ace into a pure Water type, further boosting its Water attacks and retaining its Fighting STAB.

Her Quaquaval can use Aqua Step for Water STAB and to boost its Speed, Brick Break for Fighting STAB and to shatter screens, Ice Spinner to hurt Grass types and destroy terrain and Aerial Ace just in case.

This one’s a tough cookie. Grass types would’ve been ideal, but Ice Spinner can take a good chunk of their HP. Meanwhile Electric types will take the full brunt of Aqua Step, which isn’t ideal, especially since Quaquaval is likely to outspeed you afterwards.

Your starter Meowscarada is also susceptible to STAB Brick Break, although you can Terastallize to remove the Fighting weakness.

If you’re stuck, try grabbing the Tera Tsareena from Socarrat Trail. You can use its Trop Kick to deal super-effective damage and lower Quaquaval’s Attack at the same time. Most likely, Quaquaval will try and use Ice Spinner or Aerial Ace, but you can Terastallize to remove your weakness. After one Trop Kick, Quaquaval should be less dangerous.