Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Alfornada Psychic-Type Gym Guide To Beat Tulip

By the time your Pokémon Scarlet and Violet journey winds its way to the Psychic-type gym in Alfornada, you’ll want to be properly prepared as Tulip is only behind final gym leader Grusha when it comes to pure power. However, Tulip is a necessary step if you want to secure the Psychic Badge and continue the Victory Road towards the Pokémon League.

If you’ve got a strong Ghost- or Dark-type that helped defeat Ryme at the Ghost-type gym in Montenevera, it may continue to be a valuable asset when you arrive in Alfornada. With the strategies in this Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Psychic-type gym leader guide, you can ensure victory ahead of each challenging battle with Tulip.

In this article, you will learn: 

• What kind of test you’ll face at the Alfornada gym
• Details on every Pokémon that Tulip will use in battle
• Strategies to make sure you’re able to defeat her
• What team you’ll face in the Tulip rematch

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Alfornada Psychic-type gym guide

When it comes to gyms across Paldea, most of the more challenging ones are difficult to stumble upon before being ready. Gym leaders like Ryme and Grusha can’t be reached on the Glaseado Mountain until you’ve knocked out some of the Titans and upgraded your mount, but if you’ve got at least some abilities, you can meander your way into Alfornada while exploring.

If you haven’t been there before, head to the Pokémon Center in West Province (Area One) before following the path south towards Alfornada Cavern. Even if you can work your way to Alfornada earlier on, don’t make the mistake of waltzing into the gym test and ensuing battle if your team isn’t up to snuff.

Alfornada gym test

As becomes the expectation in the more challenging gyms, you’ll have a combination of a gym test with some additional battles. The test itself is fairly straightforward with the challenge of pressing the right button to match a given expression. After each round of ESP (Emotional Spectrum Practice), you’ll take on one of the following trainers:

• Gym Trainer Emily
  • Gothorita (Level 43)
  • Kirlia (Level 43)
• Gym Trainer Rafael 
  • Grumpig (Level 43)
  • Indeedee (Level 43)
  • Medicham (Level 43)

Just as will become the case for your battles against Tulip, there’s a concentration of Psychic-type Pokémon throughout the Alfornada gym test. One strong Ghost- or Dark-type may be able to take care of things, but be careful with the latter as Medicham offers a Fighting-type counter that could give you trouble. You’ll earn 6,020 Pokédollars for each victory.

How to beat Tulip for the Psychic Badge

Something you’ll have likely noticed if doing these gyms in order of their levels is that, more and more, the trainers will include Pokémon that have moves to directly counter their team’s weaknesses. Factoring this in, whether by training to higher levels or diversifying your team, becomes increasingly important.

Here are the Pokémon you’ll face when earning the Psychic Badge from Tulip:

• Farigiraf (Level 44)
  • Normal- and Psychic-type
  • Ability: Armor Tail
  • Moves: Crunch, Zen Headbutt, Reflect
• Gardevoir (Level 44)
  • Psychic- and Fairy-type
  • Ability: Synchronize
  • Moves: Psychic, Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball
• Espathra (Level 44)
  • Psychic-type
  • Ability: Opportunist
  • Moves: Psychic, Quick Attack, Shadow Ball
• Florges (Level 45)
  • Fairy-type
  • Tera Type: Psychic
  • Ability: Flower Veil
  • Moves: Psychic, Moonblast, Petal Blizzard

Depending on whether you brought only Ghost- or Dark-type Pokémon in Montenevera, you may have to do a little more team-building before tackling Tulip. In fact, having a strong attacker with a Ghost-type move and one with a strong Dark-type move can be massively beneficial, as Tulip has Pokémon which defensively counter each.

Farigiraf will be your first task, as it is immune to Ghost-type moves and should be taken down with Dark- or Bug-type attacks. On the flip side of things, Gardevoir is not weak to Dark-type moves and will be better to hit with Poison-, Steel-, or Ghost-type attacks. Espathra is purely a Psychic-type, but Shadow Ball can cripple many Ghost-type attackers.

Florges will be the Terrastalized option, and once again using Dark-, Ghost-, or Bug-type moves will be your best path just as any pure Psychic-type. After securing victory, you’ll receive 8,100 Pokédollars, the Psychic Badge, and TM 120 which teaches Psychic. If this is your seventh badge, this win also makes all Pokémon up to Level 55 obey you.

How to defeat Tulip in your gym leader rematch

Continue your path down the Victory Road until you’ve challenged and defeated the Pokémon League, and afterwards the pieces will come together for the Academy Ace Tournament. As things are getting set up, you’ll be tasked with going across Paldea to defeat every gym leader again in a new extra challenging rematch.

Here are the Pokémon you’ll face in the Alfornada gym rematch against Tulip:

• Farigiraf (Level 65)
  • Normal- and Psychic-type
  • Ability: Armor Tail
  • Moves: Crunch, Zen Headbutt, Reflect, Iron Head
• Gardevoir (Level 65)
  • Psychic- and Fairy-type
  • Ability: Synchronize
  • Moves: Psychic, Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball, Mystical Fire
• Espathra (Level 65)
  • Psychic-type
  • Ability: Opportunist
  • Moves: Psychic, Quick Attack, Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam
• Gallade (Level 65)
  • Psychic- and Fighting-type
  • Ability: Steadfast
  • Moves: Psycho Cut, Leaf Blade, X-Scissor, Close Combat
• Florges (Level 66)
  • Fairy-type
  • Tera Type: Psychic
  • Ability: Flower Veil
  • Moves: Psychic, Moonblast, Petal Blizzard, Charm

Most of the strategies you used in the first battle with Tulip will carry over, it’s just that her entire team is significantly stronger. The biggest change you’ll have to adapt for is the addition of Gallade to Tulip’s team, as all four of its powerful offensive moves could be a major roadblock. Gardevoir also adds a slight twist thanks to Mystical Fire.

Just like before, Florges will become Terrastalized once Tulip sends it out into battle, and all of the usual Psychic-type counters should be able to take Florges out so long as you’re at an appropriate level. With the various strategies outlined in this Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Alfornada Psychic-type gym guide, you can make sure Tulip is taken down both times you square off.