A few times during the game your rival will challenge you to a battle. Usually appearing in key story locations, his team will always be a few levels higher than most other trainers in the area, on par with what you'd expect on the next route over. His team is quite balanced so approach him with caution; however, by the second or third fight it predictably turns into the same few Pokemon (including an elemental trio) and their respective evolutions.

Encounter #1 - Oak's Laboratory

Location: Pallet Town

Details:
The first fight takes place right after obtaining your starter. Your rival will always choose the one with a type advantage over yours; however, since the only attacks either of you have at the beginning belong to the Normal-type, you have nothing to fear. It should be an easy first match as long as he doesn't score a critical hit.

Rival Bulbasaur
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 5
Attacks:
Tackle
Growl

Squirtle Chosen
Rival Charmander
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 5
Attacks:
Scratch
Growl

Bulbasaur Chosen
Rival Squirtle
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 5
Attacks:
Tackle
Tail Whip

Charmander Chosen
Encounter #2 - Route 22

Location: Route 22

Details:
Left of Viridian City your rival will be training his starter and newly caught Pidgey; this remains applicable until you pick up your first badge. Though the first should be easy enough with your starter, though if you're having trouble you can always pick up a Pikachu in Viridian Forest (double helpful if you chose Charmander as Pikachu will laugh at both Pidgey and Squirtle).

Rival Pidgey Bulbasaur
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 9 Level 8
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack

Attacks:
Tackle
Growl
Leech Seed
Squirtle Chosen
Rival Pidgey Charmander
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 9 Level 8
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack

Attacks:
Scratch
Growl

Bulbasaur Chosen
Rival Pidgey Squirtle
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 9 Level 8
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack

Attacks:
Tackle
Growl
Bubble
Charmander Chosen
Encounter #3 - Nugget Bridge

Location: Cerulean City

Details:
On the way to the Sea Cottage on Route 25, your Rival will be waiting on Nugget Bridge for your challenge. Rather than helping Bill change back from being a Pokemon, your rival decides hanging out on the bridge is better use of his time. His team has expanded to include a Rattata and Abra; as well, his Pidgey has evolved into a Pidgeotto. As his starter will still be in its basic stage the most you'll have to worry about is Pidgeotto's Sand Attack blinding your Pokemon and Rattata's Hyper Fang inflicting massive damage. Abra is essentially useless as it is unevolved and only knows Teleport. It's handy to use turns against Abra to heal or switch your own Pokemon.

Rival Pidgeotto Rattata Abra Bulbasaur
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 18 Level 15 Level 15 Level 17
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Attacks:
Tackle
Tail Whip
Quick Attack
Hyper Fang
Attacks:
Teleport


Attacks:
Tackle
Growl
Leech Seed
Vine Whip
Squirtle Chosen
Rival Pidgeotto Rattata Abra Charmander
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 18 Level 15 Level 15 Level 17
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Attacks:
Tackle
Tail Whip
Quick Attack
Hyper Fang
Attacks:
Teleport


Attacks:
Tackle
Growl
Leer
Ember
Bulbasaur Chosen
Rival Pidgeotto Rattata Abra Squirtle
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 18 Level 15 Level 15 Level 17
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Attacks:
Tackle
Tail Whip
Quick Attack
Hyper Fang
Attacks:
Teleport


Attacks:
Tackle
Growl
Bubble
Water Gun
Charmander Chosen
Encounter #4 - S.S. Anne

Location: S.S. Anne

Details:
Again, your rival feels battling you is a more worthy cause instead of helping someone in need, this time the sea captain. His starter has evolved now as has his Abra and Rattata. A more formidable team than before, the rival will use stronger moves and a bit more strategy (such as his potential Ivysaur attempting to Leech Seed you) to bring you down. Switch often if you need to - there's no penalty to doing so except for a forfeited turn which, and a clever switch can save you in a hectic match. Be wary of Kadabra's high Special and Speed stats and use the priority move Quick Attack if you have something with it.

Rival Pidgeotto Raticate Kadabra Ivysaur
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 19 Level 16 Level 18 Level 20
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Attacks:
Tackle
Tail Whip
Quick Attack
Hyper Fang
Attacks:
Teleport
Confusion

Attacks:
Tackle
Growl
Leech Seed
Vine Whip
Squirtle Chosen
Rival Pidgeotto Raticate Kadabra Charmeleon
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 19 Level 16 Level 18 Level 20
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Attacks:
Tackle
Tail Whip
Quick Attack
Hyper Fang
Attacks:
Teleport
Confusion

Attacks:
Tackle
Growl
Leer
Ember
Bulbasaur Chosen
Rival Pidgeotto Raticate Kadabra Wartortle
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 19 Level 16 Level 18 Level 20
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Attacks:
Tackle
Tail Whip
Quick Attack
Hyper Fang
Attacks:
Teleport
Confusion

Attacks:
Tackle
Growl
Bubble
Water Gun
Charmander Chosen
Encounter #5 - Pokémon Tower

Location: Lavender Town

Details:
This is where rival's team really takes shape. By now his Raticate has left the party (strange considering he speaks of dying Pokemon and is hanging around infront of a grave...) and been replaced with the second and third of the elemental trio he'll have in coming battles. Your team should be reasonably balanced and ready to handle Kadabra like last time as well as Pidgeotto and the starter. Fortunately his movepools leave much to be desired still so use that to your advantage. If your rival is using a Gyarados watch for the Thrash attack which can present a real problem with the Pokemon's obscene Attack power.

Rival Pidgeotto Kadabra Growlithe Gyarados Ivysaur
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 25 Level 20 Level 23 Level 22 Level 25
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Teleport
Confusion
Disable
Attacks:
Bite
Roar
Ember
Attacks:
Thrash
Tackle
Bite
Attacks:
Growl
Leech Seed
Vine Whip
PoisonPowder
Squirtle Chosen
Rival Pidgeotto Kadabra Exeggcute Gyarados Charmeleon
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 25 Level 20 Level 23 Level 22 Level 25
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Teleport
Confusion
Disable
Attacks:
Barrage
Hypnosis

Attacks:
Thrash
Tackle
Bite
Attacks:
Growl
Ember
Leer
Rage
Bulbasaur Chosen
Rival Pidgeotto Kadabra Exeggcute Growlithe Wartortle
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 25 Level 20 Level 23 Level 22 Level 25
Attacks:
Gust
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Teleport
Confusion
Disable
Attacks:
Barrage
Hypnosis

Attacks:
Bite
Roar
Ember
Attacks:
Tail Whip
Bubble
Water Gun
Bite
Bulbasaur Chosen
Encounter #6 - Silph Co

Location: Silph Co.

Details:
By now the rival has given his Pokemon some decent moves and gotten the starter, Pidgeot, and Alakazam to their final forms. Though still not terrific by any stretch of the imagination, moves like Dragon Rage on Gyarados might be a problem if they catch you off guard so beware. A good idea is to have an Electric-type on your team if you chose Bulbasaur at the start; the majority of his team will fall to a fast Thunderbolt. Get rid of Alakazam as soon as possible: Psybeam can wreck your team with its speed and precision or confuse you if you stay alive.

Rival Pidgeot Alakazam Gyarados Growlithe Venusaur
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 37 Level 35 Level 38 Level 35 Level 40
Attacks:
Wing Attack
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Psybeam
Confusion
Disable
Recover
Attacks:
Dragon Rage
Tackle
Bite
Leer
Attacks:
Roar
Ember
Leer
Take Down
Attacks:
Leech Seed
Vine Whip
PoisonPowder
Razor Leaf
Squirtle Chosen
Rival Pidgeot Alakazam Exeggcute Gyarados Charizard
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 37 Level 35 Level 38 Level 35 Level 40
Attacks:
Wing Attack
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Psybeam
Confusion
Disable
Recover
Attacks:
Reflect
Hypnosis
Leech Seed
Stun Spore
Attacks:
Dragon Rage
Tackle
Bite
Leer
Attacks:
Slash
Ember
Leer
Rage
Bulbasaur Chosen
Rival Pidgeot Alakazam Growlithe Exeggcute Blastoise
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 37 Level 35 Level 38 Level 35 Level 40
Attacks:
Wing Attack
Sand-Attack
Quick Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Psybeam
Confusion
Disable
Recover
Attacks:
Roar
Ember
Leer
Take Down
Attacks:
Reflect
Hypnosis
Leech Seed
Stun Spore
Attacks:
Bubble
Water Gun
Bite
Withdraw
Charmander Chosen
Encounter #7 - Route 22

Location: Route 22

Details:
This match might be a little nostalgic if you didn't pass up on his second challenge earlier in the game. He's done a bit more searching in the Safari Zone and caught a Rhyhorn, which has good Attack and Defence but poor Speed and Special. By now you should know what you're doing; whatever it is, keep doing that! Alakazam has a frighteningly strong Psychic attack and Pidgeot can become faster than anything with an Agility or two. If he has Gyarados it'll have the strong Hydro Pump move; if Exeggcute, the annoying Poisonpowder/Leech Seed combo, and if Growlithe...Take Down? This team is a good warm up for the Elite Four...and the champion after that.

Rival Pidgeot Alakazam Rhyhorn Growlithe Gyarados Venusaur
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 47 Level 50 Level 45 Level 45 Level 47 Level 53
Attacks:
Wing Attack
Agility
Quick Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Psychic
Psybeam
Reflect
Recover
Attacks:
Fury Attack
Stomp
Horn Attack
Tail Whip
Attacks:
Ember
Leer
Take Down
Agility
Attacks:
Dragon Rage
Hydro Pump
Bite
Leer
Attacks:
Vine Whip
PoisonPowder
Razor Leaf
Growth
Squirtle Chosen
Rival Pidgeot Alakazam Rhyhorn Gyarados Exeggcute Charmander
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 47 Level 50 Level 45 Level 45 Level 47 Level 53
Attacks:
Wing Attack
Agility
Quick Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Psychic
Psybeam
Reflect
Recover
Attacks:
Fury Attack
Stomp
Horn Attack
Tail Whip
Attacks:
Dragon Rage
Hydro Pump
Bite
Leer
Attacks:
Leech Seed
Poisonpowder
SolarBeam
Stun Spore
Attacks:
Flamethrower
Slash
Rage
Leer
Bulbasaur Chosen
Rival Pidgeot Alakazam Rhyhorn Exeggcute Growlithe Blastoise
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 47 Level 50 Level 45 Level 45 Level 47 Level 53
Attacks:
Wing Attack
Agility
Quick Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Psychic
Psybeam
Reflect
Recover
Attacks:
Fury Attack
Stomp
Horn Attack
Tail Whip
Attacks:
Leech Seed
Poisonpowder
SolarBeam
Stun Spore
Attacks:
Ember
Leer
Take Down
Agility
Attacks:
Hydro Pump
Bite
Skull Bash
Withdraw
Charmander Chosen
Champion - Blue

Elite Four: Rival
Specialty: None

Details:
The circle is now complete. Your first and last challenge is with your rival, and he'll have just as many tricks as ever to face you. With a fully rounded out team you'll be hard pressed to find one Pokemon to take everything out; however, if you don't mind legendaries, I recommend Zapdos for its Electric-type (good for beating literally up to 2/3 of the team depending on who he chose, or at the very least half) and Flying-type (provides STAB and good speed to take out Alakazam with a quick physical move). If not, balance everything out as always: don't train just one Pokemon (seriously don't) and make sure your type coverage is astute. His team has a few flaws you can exploit: Arcanine, if he has it, laughably knows Ember as its Fire-type attack, Gyarados's Hyper Beam makes it stall a turn if it doesn't wipe you out, Exeggutor only has three attacks (both damage-inflicting ones of the Normal-type), and Rhydon has a low-accuracy OHKO move it'll try on you. An alternate approach to this is to just use Toxic on everything (use PP Up if you're doing this) and stall it out with Chansey or another bulky Pokemon. It's not exactly enthralling but if it's what works go for it. Good luck!

Champion Blue Pidgeot Alakazam Rhydon Arcanine Gyarados Venusaur
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 61Level 59Level 61Level 63Level 61Level 65
Attacks:
Wing Attack
Mirror Move
Sky Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Psybeam
Psychic
Reflect
Recover
Attacks:
Leer
Tail Whip
Fury Attack
Horn Drill
Attacks:
Roar
Leer
Ember
Take Down
Attacks:
Dragon Rage
Hydro Pump
Hyper Beam
Leer
Attacks:
Growth
Mega Drain
Razor Leaf
SolarBeam
Squirtle Chosen
Champion Blue Pidgeot Alakazam Rhydon Gyarados Exeggutor Charizard
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 61Level 59Level 61Level 63Level 61Level 65
Attacks:
Wing Attack
Mirror Move
Sky Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Psybeam
Psychic
Reflect
Recover
Attacks:
Leer
Tail Whip
Fury Attack
Horn Drill
Attacks:
Dragon Rage
Hydro Pump
Hyper Beam
Leer
Attacks:
Hypnosis
Barrage
Stomp
Attacks:
Fire Blast
Rage
Slash
Fire Spin
Bulbasaur Chosen
Champion Blue Pidgeot Alakazam Rhydon Exeggutor Arcanine Blastoise
Battle Type
Single Battle
Items
Level 61Level 59Level 61Level 63Level 61Level 65
Attacks:
Wing Attack
Mirror Move
Sky Attack
Whirlwind
Attacks:
Psybeam
Psychic
Reflect
Recover
Attacks:
Leer
Tail Whip
Fury Attack
Horn Drill
Attacks:
Hypnosis
Barrage
Stomp
Attacks:
Roar
Leer
Ember
Take Down
Attacks:
Hydro Pump
Blizzard
Bite
Withdraw
Charmander Chosen