New Pokémon Winds and Waves Leak Hints at Unique Elite Four Concept

With nine generations of Pokémon games spanning three decades, you’d think Game Freak would have explored every conceivable Elite Four elemental affinity. Surprisingly, there are still several elemental types missing from the Elite Four lineup, and with Pokémon Windsand Waves on the horizon, those gaps might finally be addressed.

For those in the know, the Elite Four represents a significant challenge towards the end of a Pokémon adventure, where players must defeat the toughest trainers in the region. Surviving these four consecutive battles leads to a showdown with the regional champion. Players are required to stick with the same team throughout and can only utilize items they have on hand.

Recent leaks suggest that the Elite Four in Windsand Waves will embody the spirit of all Pokémon games. Reportedly, the lineup will feature specialists in fire, grass, and water (the classic starter types), along with electric and normal types. Notably, grass and electric types have never been represented in the Elite Four before. Additionally, the leaks indicate that the champion will not be a normal-type trainer, which is a welcome change; some fans might find a normal-type champion too simplistic for the climactic battle.

Interestingly, two other elemental types—normal and fairy—have yet to make their Elite Four debut. While Pokémon of these types have appeared in past teams, they haven’t been the focus of an elite trainer. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk DLC introduces Lacey, a fairy-type expert, but she isn’t part of the main game, and the DLC features its own Elite Four. Larry, a gym leader, initially battles players as a normal-type leader but switches to a flying-type team when he becomes part of the Elite Four.

Previous leaks about the upcoming open-world monster-catching games have hinted at the map layout and the types of gym leaders players will encounter, including grass, poison, flying, fighting, dark, normal, steel, and fairy types—assuming these leaks hold true and Game Freak hasn’t altered its plans since the Terraleak a few years back.

What remains unclear is how players will navigate the game and the level of freedom they will have in tackling these challenges. Will gyms be accessible in any order? Will the Elite Four present unique challenges or puzzles before they can be defeated? Are any gyms or Elite Four members reachable only through flying or diving?

With no release date for Pokémon Windsand Waves yet, all we can do is speculate until Game Freak provides further updates. Alternatively, players can dive into Pokémon Pokopia’s new underwater DLC.

A series of unconnected leaks all suggest Game Freak’s RPG will have a scientific theme.