Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: How to Beat Gym Leader Larry (Rematch)

In the post-game of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, players will have an opportunity to challenge the fan-favorite Gym Leader Larry to a rematch at the Medali Gym. This will mark their third battle with Larry, who doubles as a member of Paldea’s Elite Four using Flying-type Pokémon. However, Larry reinstates his former team of Normal-type monsters in his second gym battle with trainers, showcasing the true strength of his beloved Pokémon. Since their first battle in Medali, Gym Leader Larry’s team has leveled up significantly, and trainers will need to call on strategies they used in previous battles against the seasoned gym leader in order to beat him again.

After defeating Larry as both a gym leader and a member of the Elite Four in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, players may not have high expectations for their third battle with the disgruntled Normal-type expert. However, Larry utilizes Pokémon and strategies from both of his previous battles in a rematch, skillfully demonstrating how much he and his partners have grown as a team. While he is not exactly confident upon entering battle once more with Paldea’s newest Champion, Larry has greatly improved as a gym leader, and his team has become exceptionally formidable. To beat him again, players will find it helpful to recall the strengths and weaknesses of the Pokémon that Larry used in both their first gym match and their League battle.

Overview of Gym Leader Larry’s Team

After some chit-chat about Larry’s terrible boss in Scarlet & Violet, the rematch begins with the Normal-type specialist’s lead Pokémon, Oinkologne, followed by Braviary, Komala, Dudunsparce, and Staraptor. Rather than implementing a consistent battle strategy, Larry relies on the unique strengths of his team members, commanding each Pokémon with skill.

If given the opportunity to land a super-effective move, his harder hitters like Braviary and Dudunsparce are sure to one-shot their opponents with devastating attacks such as Brave Bird and Drill Run. In addition to powerful move-sets, players should also be prepared to take on Larry’s Staraptor, whose Intimidate ability will lower the physical attack stat of its opponent upon entering battle, weakening the power of their physical moves.

How to Beat Gym Leader Larry Again

While undeniably strong, Gym Leader Larry’s team of Normal-types does sport a whopping 4X weakness to the powerful Fighting-type Pokémon in Scarlet & Violet, allowing trainers to effectively sweep his team with just one or two of their own monsters. However, Larry’s team is capable of countering some of the most popular Fighting-type monsters like Lucario, Heracross, and Pawmot with Flying- and Ground-type moves.

Because of this, Pokémon like the Psychic/Fighting-type, Gallade, and the Fighting/Ghost-type, Annihilape, would make much better picks in this battle, as demonstrated by YouTuber ZoruaGaming. Paldea’s fully evolved Water/Fighting-type starter, Quaquaval, would also make a fantastic partner against Larry as it has access to super-effective Fighting- and Ice-type moves.

Apart from dealing a lot of damage with super-effective hits, players can also make use of helpful held items during their rematch against Gym Leader Larry. Some commonly used items include the health-restoring Leftovers and the Shell Bell. Alternatively, players can deal damage against their opponents with each hit their Pokémon takes by equipping them with the Rocky Helmet.

Finally, players can use the Choice Band in Scarlet & Violet, a life-saving battle item that raises its holder’s attack stat and allows the Pokémon to deal a significant amount of damage with each physical move that it lands, leading players to victory in their rematch against Gym Leader Larry in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.

Source: ZoruaGaming/YouTube

• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

  Franchise: Pokemon

  Platform: Nintendo Switch

  Released: 2022-11-18

  Developer: Game Freak

  Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokemon Company

  Genre: RPG, Adventure, Action

  Multiplayer: Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer

  ESRB: E

  Summary: Pokémon returns in its next installment series: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Set in a fictional town near Mediterranean Spain, gamers will explore Paldea, catching new and classic Pokémon. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is the first ever open-world game in the series and features new Pokémon that can transform into vehicles. Pokémon staples like gym battles are still present, but co-op exploration and Terastallize battles are also introduced.

  How Long To Beat: 31 Hours

  Prequel: Pokémon Sword and Shield

  Mode: Single Player, Multiplayer