How to Win Against Tulip in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (Alfornada Gym Guide)

Alfornada is the seventh gym that the majority of players will face in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, and the home of Tulip, the Psychic-type Gym Leader.

Though Pokemon Scarlet & Violet allows players to face Gym Leaders in any order, there is a recommended order based on the levels of each Gym Leader’s Pokemon. On paper, Tulip, the Psychic-type Gym Leader, is the second-strongest Gym Leader in the game, which is why Alfornada Gym is the seventh gym most players choose to visit.

Alfornada is located southwest of Paldea, close to the Cortondo Gym and its Bug-type Gym Leader Katy. Tulip’s Psychic-Type Pokémon, unlike Katy’s, can be a real handful if players enter the gym unprepared; however, by exploiting their weakness to Bug, Dark, and Ghost-type attacks, players should have little trouble defeating them and earning their seventh badge.

When players first enter the lobby, Nemona will appear and challenge them to a battle if this is the seventh gym they are challenging. She has a level 42 Lycanroc, a level 42 Sliggoo, and a level 42 Pawmot, in addition to her level 43 starter Pokémon.

How to Prepare for Alfornada’s Fitness Center

Assuming that players chose to acquire one or two Sneasel for the battle with Ryme at the Montenevera Gym, they will be well-prepared for the battle with Tulip. This is because Beat Up, along with all other Dark-type moves, will once again be incredibly effective. Those who chose Fuecoco or Sprigatito as their starter Pokémon are also in luck, assuming they’ve evolved them to their final forms, due to their Dark and Ghost secondary typings, respectively.

Regarding Ghost-type Pokémon, it’s not a bad idea to acquire a Haunter for the Alfornada Gym, but there are better options. If players capture a Greavard and evolve it into Houndstone, the evolved Pokémon will learn the move Last Respects. This powerful Ghost-type attack does more damage the more unconscious Pokemon a player’s team has, so it’s advisable to keep it in reserve as a last resort. It is important to note, however, that Ghost-type Pokémon alone will not be sufficient to defeat Tulip, as her Farigiraf is a Normal/Psychic-type Pokémon and is therefore completely immune to Ghost-type attacks.

How to Pass the Alfornada Physical Fitness Test (Practice Emotional Spectrum Skills!)

The Alfornada Gym test requires players to press a button based on the on-screen symbol. Players can press the button once, multiple times, or – as it turns out – not at all, as it appears they will pass regardless (at least at the time of writing, anyway). Therefore, the quickest way to complete the gym test is to place the controller on the ground and do nothing during the ESP sections.

There are two rounds of ESP, and after each round, players must defeat a Psychic-type trainer in battle. The first trainer, Emily, has level 43 Gothorita and Kirlia, while the second trainer, Rafael, has level 43 Grumpig, Medicham, and Indeedee. The player should be able to defeat all five Pokemon with relative ease using a Beat Up Sneasel, for which they will receive 12,040 (6,040 from each trainer).

How to Defeat Tulip at Alfornada Fitness Center

Sneasel should be able to handle Tulip’s first Pokemon on its own, but if players fail to deplete its HP on their first turn, Gardevoir will likely eliminate it with a single Dazzling Gleam (Sneasel should be faster, allowing players to get in one attack before Gardevoir acts). At this time, players can switch to another Sneasel to finish off Gardevoir, if they have one, and then use the same tactic to quickly dispatch Espathra.

As with Gardevoir before it, Tera Florges will be able to one-shot Sneasel (or any Dark-type Pokémon) with Dazzling Gleam, but only after Sneasel has reduced its HP by approximately 90% with Beat Up. If the player’s next Pokemon has a base speed stat of 76 or higher, they should be able to switch to it and finish the battle quickly, even if they aren’t targeting a weakness this time.

Tulip will surrender 8,100 in prize money and the Alfornada Gym badge upon her defeat. Assuming it’s their seventh, this badge makes it easier for players to capture Pokemon up to level 55 and ensures that they always obey battle commands. She will also present TM120, Psychic. Upon returning to the lobby, players will be introduced to another member of the Elite Four. Then, it’s time to head back north to the Glaseado Gym and its Ice-type Gym Leader, Grusha.

If players have not already done so, they may wish to travel north to the Asado Desert and defeat the Earthquaking Titan that resides there. Players will then be able to fly to previously visited Pokemon Centers, allowing them to return to the Montenevera Gym and then make the short journey to Glaseado.