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

Arven is one of the trainers you can fight in the Academy Ace Tournament. In the very first tournament, he will always be your Round 1 opponent.

From the second tournament onwards, you can randomly encounter him as a opponent during the first three rounds.

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 Arven (Academy Ace Tournament)¶

Arven uses the same team from his final fight during the Path of Legends story, but his Pokémon are higher Level: 66 to 67, to be precise. Ideally, you’ll want a varied team of Level 66+ Pokémon.

Here are some recommendations, if you need help:

• The Level 75 Tera Lucario at Dalizapa Passage, in the underground tunnel. Can easily take out 4 of Arven’s Pokémon, at least.
• The Level 75 Tera Dragonite, north-east from Levincia. To deal with the remaining 2 Pokémon.
• Chien-Pao, a powerful Dark and Ice Legendary, found in one of the sealed shrines.

What Pokémon Does Arven (Academy Ace Tournament) Use?¶

Greedent¶

First up is Greedent, an oversized squirrel. Like before, it can use Body Slam for Normal STAB and to potentially paralyze, Psychic Fangs to scare Fighting types, Bullet Seed to punch through Rock types and Earthquake to shake Steel types.

Despite Psychic Fangs, Fighting is the best choice here; Close Combat can do some hefty damage. Ghost may also work, since they’re immune to Body Slam, provided you have non Ghost moves.

Cloyster¶

Cloyster has high Defense, but abysmal Special Defense. Like last time, it’s carrying Liquidation and Icicle Spear for STAB, Rock Blast for additional coverage and Light Screen to weaken your special moves. Thanks to its Skill Link ability, Icicle Spear and Rock Blast will always hit 5 times.

Electric and Fighting are the safest options. Lucario with Aura Sphere is great to take advantage of Cloyster’s poor Special Defense.

Scovillain¶

The double headed pepper creature returns! It has the same moves as before: Energy Ball and Fire Blast for STAB, plus Zen Headbutt to counter Poison types and Crunch for general coverage.

Flying types are ideal. Poison types may also work, if they’re strong enough or their name is Skuntank (who’s immune to Zen Headbutt).

Toedscruel¶

Toedscruel can be somewhat tricky if you lower your guard. It can use Earth Power and Power Whip for STAB, Sludge Bomb to hit opposing Grass types and Spore for guaranteed Sleep.

Ice types are its bane, dealing quadruple damage. Fire, Flying and Bug types should also do well here. If you get hit by Spore, cure it ASAP with a Full Heal etc.

Garganacl¶

The giant salt golem makes a reappearance. Its moveset is also unchanged: Stone Edge for hard-hitting STAB, Earthquake to hinder Steel types, Body Press for additional coverage and Stealth Rock to damage switch-ins.

Take it out with a reliable Grass, Water, Ground or Steel type.

Terastallized Mabosstiff¶

Finally, Arven will send out his trusty Mabosstiff and Terastallize it. It can use Crunch for Tera and STAB-boosted damage, Psychic Fangs to annoy Fighting types, Fire Fang to scorch Bug types and Play Rough as another means of annoying Fighting types. Its Intimidate ability will also lower your Pokémon’s Attack when it enters battle.

We highly recommend a Fairy type, since they’re super-effective and resist Crunch, Mabosstiff’s strongest move.