Summary

• Ash's gym battles showcase his skills and growth as a trainer, with each region presenting unique challenges and strategies to overcome.
• Unconventional tactics, type advantages, and strategic thinking are key elements in Ash's victories against tough gym leaders.
• From facing fire with fire to adapting friend's strategies, Ash's battles are intense and highlight the strength and versatility of his Pokémon.

The gym battles in Pokémon are some of the series' most compelling moments. They highlight the strength of trainers throughout each region, while also showcasing the growth Ash and his companions have gained over the course of their journey. However, not all gym battles are created equally and some have been far tougher than others.

Ash has traveled through numerous regions, battling a variety of gym leaders in the majority of them. Yet there have been some that are more challenging than others. From rematches to unconventional type match-ups, Ash and his Pokémon have delivered their best against incredibly strong foes. While many of his early gym battles don't count in a traditional sense, he has had several since that reveal just how good of a trainer he is and just how skilled his Pokémon are.

10 Charizard Fights Fire with Fire Against Blaine

Kanto Region, Indigo League: Episode 59, "Volcanic Panic," 1999

After a failed gym battle against the Cinnabar Island gym leader, Blaine, and an interruption from Team Rocket, Ash gets a one-on-one rematch atop a volcano. Locked together, Magmar drags Charizard into the volcano, resulting in Ash panicking and tearing up, believing his Pokémon will suffer fatally from the magma. Instead, Charizard emerges from the volcano with Magmar on its back. Shifting the battle with an Aerial Submission and moving into its signature Seismic Toss, Charizard wins, as his foe is unable to stand following the barrage. Unfortunately, it's incredibly short, taking up just the final five minutes of the episode.

9 Fairy-Type Pokémon Take Focus In A Gym For The First Time

Kalos Region, Pokémon the Series: XY: Episode 75, "Fairy-Type Trickery!," 2015

At the Laverre City Gym, Ash faces off with Valerie in a two-on-two battle. Fighting with Fairy-type Pokémon, Valerie begins with Sylveon, matched up against Ash's Fletchinder. The two exchange blows evenly, up until the Fairy Eeveelution grabs hold of Fletchinder with its ribbons, restricting its movements, swinging it around, and hitting it with Fairy Wind. Using the proximity to his advantage, Ash increases Fletchinder's speed with Flame Charge, turning the battle in his favor. Against Spritzee, Ash's first battler isn't as capable. Shifting to Hawlucha, Ash displays his fervor for type disadvantage battles.

Although Spritzee's Trick Room presents a major hurdle, Ash and his Hawlucha manage to overcome it through alternate type advantages and skillful movements. Using the walls of Trick Room as a springboard, Hawlucha counters the Psychic attack with X-Scissor, before finishing the battle with High Jump Kick. This battle shows a very even exchange of physicality but also highlights Ash's ability to think his way to unexpected solutions when he doesn't seem to have any advantages. This is also the first and only Fairy-type gym match-up that has been seen in the series, presenting a new and exciting challenge for viewers to enjoy.

8 Ash's Unconventional Battle Style Stuns Jasmine's Steelix Masterfully

Johto Region, Master Quest: Episode 224, "Nerves of Steelix!," 2002

Ash's battle against Jasmine at the Olivine City Gym highlights the way he thinks his way out of tough spots. In this two-on-two Pokémon battle, the match begins with Pikachu and Magnemite. This fight doesn't take long and isn't the main reason this gym battle is so impressive. It's when Jasmine sends out her Steelix that the match takes a big twist. Steelix makes quick work of Pikachu thanks to its Iron Tail attack. Ash follows up with Cyndaquil, employing a type-advantage against his opponent that ultimately pays off. Trading blows continuously, Ash has a hard time especially with Steelix's Sandstorm.

With his unconventional battle style, Cyndaquil manages to avoid attacks by aiming his fire at a nearby wall. Nonetheless, it still faces a barrage that nearly forces it out of the battle. Using its Flamethrower with all the power it has left, while Steelix uses Sandstorm gives Cyndaquil the upper hand, turning its foe into an unexpected flaming cyclone. The stamina, determination, and power Cyndaquil displays in this battle put it over many other Johto Gym matches. Despite its smaller stature, using its Flamethrower for both offense and defense shows Cyndaquil's and Ash's versatility and quick thinking.

7 Olympia's Psychic Double-Battle Required Perfect Timing

Kalos Region, Pokémon The Series: XY: Episode 93, "All Eyes on the Future!," 2015

Olympia is the leader of the Anistar City Gym and one of several Psychic trainers Ash faces throughout his travels. This is a double-battle in which Ash's Frogadier and Talonflame team-up against Olympia's male and female Meowstic. Between Helping Hand, Lightscreen, Future Sight, and Dark Pulse, the Meowstic duo quickly takes the lead in a tough battle. Their tag team is also aided by their abilities, which include Prankster and Keen Eye, giving them further advantages in this match-up. Once more, Ash is forced to use unconventional methods to defeat this gym.

Taking advantage of attack timing, Ash is able to create an opening for victory. Knowing how long Future Sight will take to hit after Talonflame and Frogadier take damage, his Pokemon are able to launch the Meowstic at just the right moment so they're hit with their own attack. Ash doubles down on this technique, luring and avoiding a Dark Pulse attack from one Meowstic to hit the other Meowstic. Battling against Psychic-types allows room for unconventional movements and strategies, making this one of Ash's most impressive victories.

6 Adapting His Friend's Strategies Places Ash Ahead of Roark

Sinnoh Region, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl: Episode 18, "O'er the Rampardos We Watched!," 2007

Ash's victory over the Oreburgh City Gym leader, Roark, required a rematch, specialized training leading up to it, and impressive quick thinking. This is a three-on-three battle, but it's the final match that makes this challenge stand out above others. Pikachu makes quick work of Roark's Onix and Geodude, largely due to its Iron Tail and a spinning defense. Dawn had used this move before, as Piplup and Buneary demonstrated in the episode prior that launching and spinning could help them evade attacks. This becomes Ash's primary strategic move throughout the match with Roark.

However, Roark's Rampardos runs its way through two of Ash's three Pokemon quickly, knocking out Pikachu and Aipom. This leaves Ash with only his Turtwig left. After a lengthy fight, with both trainers exchanging attacks, the Grass-type is able to gain an advantage. Using unconventional battle strategies once more, Turtwig uses its Razor Leaf against Rampardos' flamethrower to create a smokescreen, spins underneath Rampardos to avoid it, and hits it with another Razor Leaf attack at close range. Despite the quick lead Ash takes early in the battle, Rampardos is one of the toughest gym opponents his team has faced, making this one of Ash's hardest-fought victories.

5 Ash's Signature Unconventional Battle Strategy Downs Pryce

Johto Region, Master Quest: Episode 238, "Nice Pryce Baby," 2003

Ash battles Pryce at the Mahogany Town Gym in a battle that features type advantages and disadvantages. Facing off against Ash's Cyndaquil, Dewgong seemingly has the upper hand repeatedly, freezing it in ice and diving underwater. The fire starter uses its flame to melt the ice, then shuts it off to dive underwater and use its Swift attack at close range. Pikachu takes point in the final match-up, using the ice to slide under its opponent, placing it in great range for a Thunder attack after a Blizzard barrage. Between the electric mouse's speed and stamina, Pryce eventually forfeits the match to save his Piloswine from further damage.

4 Volkner's Electrifying Fight Against Infernape Marks Big Power Shift

Sinnoh Region, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors: Episode 179, "The Eighth Wonder of the Sinnoh World!," 2010

Volkner and Ash's battle at the Sunyshore gym is one of the most intense in the series. The three-on-three match includes Volkner's Electivire, Jolteon, and Luxray facing Ash's Torterra, Pikachu, and Infernape. It is one of the best battles that involves abilities. This begins with Electivire facing Torterra, and despite the type-advantage the Grass-type has, it is quickly defeated. Pikachu takes over, but quickly finds itself at a disadvantage thanks to Electivire's Motor Drive ability. This negates Electric-type attacks and increases its speed. Thankfully, Pikachu's own Static ability paralyzes its foe and is able to use Iron Tail to get around its previous disadvantage.

The highlight of this battle comes in the final match, after Ash's Infernape knocks out Jolteon and once Pikachu is knocked out by Luxray. Infernape had been seen losing control with its ability, Blaze, since it was a Chimchar at the start of Diamond and Pearl. When pushed to its limit in this battle, Blaze activates, but for the first time ever, Infernape is able to control it - and take control of the battle, achieving victory. This highlights Infernape as one of Ash's strongest Pokémon and also presents one of the best character arcs in the series.

3 Ash's Ghost Match-Up Shows His Strategization Skills Early

Johto Region, Pokémon: Johto League Champions: Episode 182, "From Ghost to Ghost," 2001

Though very early episodes - and even some in later regions - show Ash as a seemingly bumbling trainer, his match-up against Morty at the Ecruteak City Gym paints a different story. Two of his three Pokémon are knocked out in this battle, but his use of Noctowl's Foresight multiple times puts him ahead in a big way. Allowing him to see his Ghost-type opponents, his preparation ahead of time shows that Ash can think ahead AND employ effective team management in battle. He uses Noctowl sparingly to begin with, before it becomes his closer, allowing him to have Foresight throughout the full match.

2 Ash's Effective Strategies Down Clair's Dragons

Johto Region, Pokémon: Master Quest: Episode 253, "Better Eight Than Never," 2003

After using several new Pokemon throughout the Johto region, Ash's fight against Clair in Blackthorn City brings the return of Snorlax and Charizard. Snorlax's stamina and Hyper Beam prove highly effective against Kingdra, wearing it down. Pikachu faces Gyarados effectively with speed and electric attacks. Charizard takes on Dragonair, using fire to thwart its advantage of hiding in water, shifting the battle to the skies, and ending with a Seismic Toss. Each match-up is thrilling, with no weak points compared to other impressive gym battles, such as in the case of Roark's Geodude. It's a perfect way for Ash to conclude his Johto journey and head to the Johto League Championship.

1 Lt. Surge Defines Pikachu's Character for Decades

Kanto Region, Indigo League: Episode 14, "Electric Shock Showdown," 1998

Ash's battle against Lt. Surge belongs in a Hall of Fame for the way it allowed Pikachu's character arc to be defined for the length of the series. After losing to Raichu, Pikachu has the opportunity to evolve but chooses not to. In its rematch within the same episode, a strategy Ash develops with Brock's aid proves that the electric mouse doesn't have to change who it is to be victorious and strong. Using its speed to its advantage as well as its quick thinking, Pikachu proves it can battle effectively as it is in one of the most emotionally powerful episodes of Pokémon.

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