The ZA DLC officially deposes the strongest Pokemon trainer in the series after 19 years

Pokemon Legends: ZA's Mega Dimension DLC came out less than a week ago, and it's already shaking up the game in a meaningful way with 19 new Mega Evolutions and a slew of recurring moves like TMs. You can get all new moves from an NPC in Pokemon Legends: ZA that trade TMs for Mega Shards, and they can be incredibly good for the base game Pokedex as well as Hyperspace Lumiose. For example, a medium Pokemon like Leafeon gets a big buff with Solar Blade, while a powerhouse like Skarmory gets Magnet Bomb. In addition to new moves and Megas, the DLC also adds a new trainer battle that is officially the hardest in the series, even more so than an iconic trainer from almost 20 years ago.

In terms of anime, Ash is arguably the strongest Pokemon trainer out there, becoming a Pokemon champion in a large tournament including the likes of Leon, Diantha, Cynthia, and other powerful trainers. But before Pokemon Legends: ZAThe video game series has always had a strongest trainer chosen by the fans, and that is the original version of Cynthia as the Champion of the Pokemon League in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. There have been a few challengers over the years, or previous title holders, and they are:

• Whitney (Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal): Whitney's Miltank is one of the hardest Pokemon to beat in the series for inexperienced players, and it probably did some serious damage to you too, back in the day. This is hardly the most challenging fight in the series, but it is quite difficult for its intended level.
• RED (Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal): The legendary Pokémon trainer, Red, was battled atop Mt Silver, using a team of high-level animals, including the three Kanto starters, Pikachu, Snorlax, and Espeon. Despite the high level team, Red isn't too hard to beat, as the game favors some strategies and overrules others.
• Volo (Pokemon Legends: Arceus): Fixed PLA's Volo is technically harder to beat than Cynthia, thanks to his powerful team of six high-level Pokémon, he is a lone trainer. Yes, he strikes a blow and makes it extremely difficult with a seventh Pokémon on his team, Giratina, who also has a second form after being defeated, but Cynthia was the last fight after the Elite Four.

Now, Pokemon Legends: ZAs DLC adds what is arguably the hardest battle ever in the form of Taunie/Urbain, which features six level 100 Pokémon, with four capable of Mega Evolving, and the others with powerful setups and items. This battle also requires you to fully beat the game to unlock, giving further credence to the fact that it's meant to be the ultimate challenge.

It's time to welcome the hardest trainer in Pokemon games

How Pokemon Legends: ZA's DLC Taunie and Urbain Battle Beat Cynthia

While Pokemon Legends: ZAs story isn't exactly the hardest to beat in the series, there are several difficult battles to overcome in order to fully beat the game. The fight against Taunie or Urbain towards the end of the story can be difficult; the boss fight against Ange takes time and effort; and the fight against Taunie or Urbain after 15 rounds of Infinite ZA Royale is just easy with fully maxed teams.

Still, the Mega Dimension DLC gives Taunie/Urbain another tough fight, and it's the toughest in the series when looking at their team. This includes:

• Mega Meowstic (Lv. 100) – Item: Meowsticite

  • Moves: Light Screen, Reflect, Psychic, Wish

• Goodness (Lv. 100) – Item: Assault Vest

  • Moves: Surf, Acid Spray, Draco Meteor, Blizzard

• Avalug (Lv. 100) – Item: Leftovers

  • Moves: Icicle Crash, Icicle Spear, Stone Edge, Protect

• Mega Manectric (Lv. 100) – Item: Manectite

  • Moves: Snarl, Thunder, Overheat, Shield

• Meganium (Lv. 100) – Item: Meganiumite

  • Moves: Frenzy Plant, Earth Power, Dazzling Gleam, Giga Drain

• Mega Feraligatr (Lv. 100) – Item: Feraligit

  • Moves: Rage, Liquidation, Sword Dance, Earthquake

• Mega Emboar (Lv. 100) – Item: Emboarite

  • Moves: Flare Blitz, Stone Edge, Melee, Bulk Up

While the list includes all three Mega Evolutions for Pokemon Legends: ZAs starters, Taunie/Urbain only uses two of them based on the starter you chose. The one that is super effective against your starter will be the last Pokemon they use in battle.

Cynthia's Team in Pokemon Gen 4 Explained

By comparison, Cynthia's team in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl is much weaker, but it is unexpectedly optimized and powerful for its level. It includes:

• spirit omb – Lv. 61
• Rosed – Lv. 60
• Gastrodon – Lv. 60
• Lucario – Lv. 63
• Milotic – Lv. 63
• Garchomp – Lv. 66

Pokemon Legends: ZA's second hardest DLC battle isn't as bad as it looks

A full team of six Pokemon at level 100 is already a huge feat, but it will be the hardest battle of the series as Taunie/Urbain will Mega Evolve four of them in a single battle. The only other trainer in the series to accomplish this is Korrina, who becomes a potential contender in Infinite ZA Royale after capturing Rayquaza in Pokemon Legends: ZA.

Korrina uses six Pokémon, but they are not max levels and range from level 95 to 100. These are:

• Mega Gallad (Lv. 95) – Item: Galladite

  • Moves: Holy Sword, Melee, Bulk Up, Psycho Cut

• Mega Crabominable (Lv. 95) – Item: Crabomite

  • Moves: Ice Hammer, Iron Defense, Dynamic Punch, Mach Punch

• Mega Medicham (Lv. 97) – Item: Medichamite

  • Moves: Zen Headbutt, Dynamic Punch, Ice Punch, Recover

• Mega Hawlucha (Lv. 99) – Item: Hawluchanite

  • Moves: Flying Press, Swords Dance, Feather Dance, Brave Bird

• Mega Chesnaught (Lv. 99) – Item: Chesnaughtite

  • Moves: Spiky Shield, Melee, Wood Hammer, Stone Edge

• Mega Lucario Z (Lv. 100) – Item: Lucarionite Z

  • Moves: Focus Blast, Hyper Beam, Detect, Flash Cannon

Technically, this fight can be even harder than Taunie/Urbain's, but with two big caveats:

• Korrina's Pokemon are not level 100 except for Lucario Z, and since then Pokemon Legends: ZAs Hyperspace Lumiose zones require level 100 Pokémon to tackle the DLC content effectively, players will inevitably have a full team of level 100 animals.

• Korrina specializes in Fighting-type Pokemon, meaning a mix of Psychic, Flying, and Fairy critters will easily secure the win.

As such, Korrina's new fight is still tough, but probably not as tough as Cynthia's when considering these factors. The new Taunie/Urbain battle may take you a few tries to get right though.

System

Released

16 October 2025

ESRB

All 10+ / Fantasy violence, in-game purchase

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