Leon (Pokémon Sword and Shield)

We’ve gotta give our flowers to the no thoughts, head empty king that is Galar’s Pokémon League Champion. Leon’s team is a group of powerhouses, and even with him choosing one of the starters you didn’t pick at the beginning of Sword and Shield, he manages to change up his team to accommodate what his team lacks with off-the-wall picks (though nothing your chosen starter can’t handle, as Mr. Rime, Rhyperior, and Seismitoad take up the modular spot).

But each of Leon’s Pokémon is built to counter typings you might not expect, and that means he can catch you off-guard if you’re relying on the same ol’ tactics. His Charizard can Gigantamax, which allows it to circumvent Solar Beam’s usual charge-up time, giving him a devastating counter to your water-type friends, and his Dragapult is equipped to handle any ice, dragon, or ghost-type Pokémon you throw at it. A lot of Leon’s strategy relies on subverting expectations and counterplay, and that’s how you know he’s got the game down.