Trying to catch them all, is but one goal in
the eyes of the avid Trainer. The other aspect of their ambition relies solely
on their ability to raise their caught Pokemon to the best of their battling
ability. Growth is certain, growth is necessary; progression into the heart of
the game relies on a balanced and diverse Pokemon roster, a tried and tested
team that becomes your signature method of Battling.
Sure the NPC Trainers dotted around the
routes and cities are fun elements on their own, but the only real challenge
that appears is the Gym Leaders.
8 victories against these individuals will
grant you access to the regional Pokemon League where the Elite 4 serves as the
penultimate test of your battling prowess before the inevitable battle with the
region’s Champion (We are currently 6 Generations strong and I wrote a post
highlighting a Countdown to who I think is the best Champion, feel free to
scroll through the blog and give it a read).
But then, one day 12 years ago, Pokemon
Emerald came out and we were treated to a new avenue of battling within the
game; ‘The Battle Frontier’.
 |
| Battle Frontier in Hoenn |
 |
| Battle Frontier in Sinnoh/Kanto |
The Battle Frontier is a special post
Pokemon-League area that houses several facilities all catering to the battling
needs of only the most accomplished Trainers. Players ascend the ranks of the
facilities in an order of their choosing, trying to best the toughest NPC
trainers making their way to the Leaders of the facilities; the ‘Frontier
Brains’.
 |
| Frontier Brains - Gen 3 |
For me, this was a sure shot win from the
part of the development team and I was ecstatic to know that there was now more
to do in-game apart from the tedious task of completing the PokeDex; in my
simmering enthusiasm for the aforementioned I wanted to present to you all, a definitive
Ranking of the Battle Frontier Facilities.
After a thorough deliberation of all
aspects of a facility, a hefty sample of fellow Trainers used a rigorous
scoring system that I made, based off of an average. This is surely the most
rounded acknowledgment of the Battle Frontier that I could muster.
Participating Trainers scored each Facility
themselves within the following categories:
·
The level of Difficulty
 |
| Frontier Brains - Gen 4 |
·
The preparation involved in
Pokemon-team building
·
The length/duration
·
Originality of concept and
design
·
The Frontier Brain *(the
decision to include this was unanimous)
Note that this is a Battle Frontier
Facility List, so I didn’t discriminate between the regional Hoenn and Sinnoh
counterparts of the battle islands – it made the comparison that much more
competitive. Also the two Battle Towers and two Battle Factories will largely
be treated as one and the same because of their identical natures.
Let’s jump right in.
 |
| Battle Palace |
This is actually sad. I don’t know for the
life of me, why they chose to include the Battle Palace as a Frontier Facility.
What were they thinking?
The Pokemon basically are made to battle on
their own, with the Trainer just sitting there and mashing the A button in
inconsequential angst. We are made to believe that the Pokemon’s choice of
moves is purely deliberated by its innate Nature. For example Sassy Pokemon
will focus on Attacking moves and Gentle Pokemon will rely more on their
Defense. I mean why?
 |
| Palace Maven Spenser |
Whatever competitive edge the developers
were trying to employ in this Facility is well beyond my comprehension and is
probably the main reason why it sits at the base of this list. If ‘Palace
Maven’ Spenser accounts for anything it is solely that in-game old people are
as susceptible to becoming senile as the rest of us. Weird move guys, I’m not
about this life.
9. Battle Arena {7.3)
Housed in a Japanese Dojo of sorts, the
Battle Arena is definitely unique. Where some battles are notorious for being
unnecessarily time consuming, this Facility is based on a very particular
dynamic, which is that the Pokemon battle has to conclude one way or the other
in 3 turns.
 |
| Battle Arena |
 |
| Inside the Dojo |
Moves used during only these 3 turns are
rated on their effectiveness and tact and the Pokemon team that has the higher
score gets to continue. Elements that lead to a higher score includes the
amount of HP that the Pokemon still have, the effectiveness of moves against
their opponent as well the accuracy, not withstanding Protect/Detect dodges.
 |
| Arena Tycoon Greta |
The Battle Arena was not a massive fan
favourite mainly because it seemed too much of a filler tactic. Yes tedious
battles are quite frustrating but setting up a 3 turn time limit along with a
certain lack of information in the points system leaves the Trainer wanting
more. No one likes an arbitrary abuse of power. Quality over quantity guys,
it’s that simple.
No offence to you ‘Arena Tycoon’ Greta,
you’re alright!
8. Battle Tower {7.8}
The Battle Tower in both Hoenn and Sinnoh
has been the signature Facility at any Battle Frontier. This tall structure
situated at the heart of the area is all about consecutive matches and winning
streaks.
 |
| Inside the Main Lobby |
 |
| Battle Tower |
The Battle Tower is simple enough to
understand. You embark on floor after floor of Pokemon battles after which your
Pokemon team gets healed and your perishable Items are replaced.
 |
| Tower Tycoon Palmer |
 |
| Salon Maiden Anabel |
There is a variety of battles you can
choose from; Single, Double and Multi. Matches in the Battle Tower get
increasingly difficult to surmount as time goes on, with the initial few being
speedy with not fully evolved Pokemon. Going on further you realize that the
opponents move’s are fully strategized and you are up for a big challenge if
you are able to make it all the way to ‘Salon Maiden’ Anabel or ‘Tower Tycoon’
Palmer, depending on which version you’re playing.
This facility is fairly simple, it is
straightforward and focuses on battle tact more than anything else. The pace at
which you engage it is all up to you as you can retire, save or leave the
competition as a whole at any point after your battle.
The Battle Resort, which I don’t think
deserved a slot on this list, is a watered down version of the same, but in XY
and ORAS it is usually more about procuring rare Items from the shop with your
Battle Points than it is about actual bragging rights. The Trainer Tower in
FR/LG is absolutely the same thing.
As far as its position on the Battle
Frontier goes, the Battle Tower is a safe cornerstone to bank on; but
unfortunately, it is little else.
7. Battle Pike {8.0}
 |
| Battle Pike |
Do you feel lucky punk? Do ya? Well by all
means, enter the serpentine structure and put it to the test!
By far one of the most novel structures at
the Battle Frontier and an ode to a truly underrated Poison type favourite, is
the Seviper-inspired Battle Pike. Here, the Trainer has to keep on going
forward, room through room, where all manners of fates can befall them. They
might encounter a Wild Pokemon that will cause a status affliction, or other
Trainers who have to be defeated to progress. Maybe someone will come along and
heal your Pokemon? That’s always a welcome treat, or maybe you just enter a
room and nothing happens.
 |
| Room after room |
No guarantees, no safety nets and
definitely no going back. All the Player has going forward into the coils of
the Seviper is their sheer luck. Who knows what might befall them on their way
to ‘Pike Queen’ Lucy?
 |
| Pike Queen Lucy |
The Battle Pike’s concept was novel to the
series. Yes, with all elements of the game, luck has a lot to do with
individual growth, but here its all there is to bank on. The developers liked
the idea so much that they tweaked it where they needed to and gave us the
Battle Arcade in Sinnoh as a prize for all our blessed hearts.
6. Battle Pyramid {8.1}
 |
| Battle Pyramid |
 |
| At the top! |
Never has gaming frustration been so
satisfying. The Battle Pyramid was the hardest Symbol to achieve because of how
complex and arbitrary the endeavor was.
The Trainer is handed a Battle Bag and then
embarks on the 7 floor maze which is the Battle Pyramid. Dark rooms where the
line of sight only expands on defeating opponents, while falling victim to a
vicious barrage of status ailing wild Pokemon (which you cannot Run Away from)
the Player traverses floor after floor.
 |
| Every floor has limited visibility |
 |
| Pyramid King Brandon |
The claustrophobic environment is palpable,
as is the relief one feels when they reach the top of the structure, only to
face one of the toughest and most unforgiving Frontier Brains, ‘Pyramid King’
Brandon.
The Battle Pyramid utilizes all the
resourcefulness that a Trainer stuck in a tight corner can amount to. From
salvaging and rationing Health Items to avoiding running around in a circle,
while simultaneously trying to maintain an able bodied Pokemon team to face off
against the scattering of tough NPC’s, this Frontier Facility is a true
testament to the spirit of the Battle Frontier.
5. Battle Factory {8.2}
 |
| Battle Factory - 3rd Gen |
The Battle Frontier isn’t all about
battling. It’s also about research. But because we’re not academically inclined
within the game we don’t have to care too much about that. I love the Battle
Factory; Trainers are meant to go in with nothing but a truckload of smarts.
You have to select Pokemon for your team from a random assortment presented to
you, and fully engage your sense of foresight.
 |
| Battle Factory - 4th Gen |
 |
| Rental Pokemon Selection Screen |
With these Rental Pokemon you can now start
your challenge with other opponents who are using the Factory’s Pokemon as
well. Before every subsequent battle the Player gets some fleeting information
about their opponent and it is completely up to them if they would like to
alter their team, if at all, in light of the new information. So whether you
end up facing ‘Factory Head’ Thorton or Noland it doesn’t matter, as their
respective teams are as random as yours.
 |
| Factory Head Noland |
 |
| Factory Head Thorton |
This facility is definitely not for the
novice player: as type advantages, attack combinations and particularly the
individual stats of these Rental Pokemon come largely into play. For the
veteran however, the Battle Factory is a battling playground. For me
personally, it really helped me get a grasp of how diverse every single Pokemon
can be. Adding to the mix is the fact you have to quickly adjust your mental
reflexes to newly acquired Pokemon because usually we have a particular Team with
us at all times and we know our strategies forwards and backwards. This breaks
that momentum by completely shaking our foundation up.
More of this please, all the time!
4. Battle Arcade {8.4}
 |
| Battle Arcade |
Pokemon Battling meets the Game Corner at
the Battle Arcade. I wouldn’t be half surprised if Team Rocket was behind the
whole situation (that’d be a really cool plot twist).
The player walks into a dark room facing
one side of the wall projecting a giant game board. Before the battle begins,
in true roulette fashion, we get to hit a switch, which will determine the
condition of the ensuing battle.
 |
| Battle Arcade Stadium with the Game Screen |
 |
| Arcade Star Dahlia |
There are various different effects that
the game board can trigger. These include Pokemon leveling up or down, status
conditions, weather changes on the field. Pokemon from either side can even be
given choice Berries or even the use of Held Items being completely nullified.
Rising up the ranks makes the game board
increasingly arbitrary so at some point you can not rely on timing. Everything
is up to chance, which makes all the more sense when you face off head to head
with ‘Arcade Star’ Dahlia amidst all her theatrical fanfair.
I really really liked the Battle Arcade;
its scores were one of the most consistent when compared to other Battle
Facilities. From difficulty-level to duration to the concept itself, were all
applauded by various Trainers. The Battle Arcade has my vote for remaining a
staple of all future Battle Frontiers.
3. Battle Hall {8.6}
 |
| Battle Hall |
Have you ever had a favourite Pokemon? Well
this is where you take it to shine!
The Battle Hall is supremely unique as it
features the use of only One Pokemon. Housed in a battle stadium with a huge
ramp, once the Player chooses their Pokemon, they make their way to the center
of the stage and decide which Type of Pokemon they would like to battle.
 |
| Battle Hall Stadium |
But just when you might think that this is
as simple as it might get, you realize that the PokeDex boasts a large variety
of dual types and here in the Battle Hall, the element of surprise will catch
up to you. Trust me, when I went in with my Luxray and was on a streak of battling
Water Pokemon, I was caught unaware when a Gastrodon came at me, rendering all
my Electric moves null and void.
 |
| Hall Matron Argenta |
 |
| Final Battle with Argenta |
As the player wins against each Type, that
Type raises in rank causing the Pokemon of the Type challenged to be raised in
level and battle strategy. But its all in good fun, as when you finally face
off against the ‘Hall Matron’, Argenta’s Pokemon is as randomly selected as
Noland’s or Thorton’s.
To completely conquer the Battle Hall, you
would have to have fought 10 Pokemon of each Type that there is present in the
game, which is truly a remarkbale feat. Needless to say you all know which
Pokemon I used to conquer it – my dear, dear Empoleon.
2. Battle Dome {8.8}
 |
| Battle Dome |
I loved the Battle Dome, it was Pokemon
games meets Pokemon anime in a Battling Tourney till the finish.
 |
| Tourney Tree |
The concept is simple enough that you start
with your team in a sample of 16 trainers and eliminate the competition in a
streak reminiscent of the top contenders of the Pokemon League in the anime
series. Before each battle starts you can get quite a comprehensive insight
into the opponent that you would be battling.
Each tournament if successful throughout
would be 4 battles won consistently. After the 4th and 10th
completion of the Dome you had the chance to battle ‘Dome Ace’ Tucker, a
flamboyant artiste who was by far the only Frontier Brain who the anime did
justice to in the actual series.
 |
| Dome Ace Tucker |
The Battle Dome is fun, it doesn’t get
repetitive and is challenging in equal measure. I feel it deserves the position
it has achieved on this list.
1. Battle Castle {9.0}
Oh boy, here we are – the best that the
Battle Frontier has to offer, the coveted Battle Castle!
 |
| Battle Castle Stadium |
 |
| Final Battle with Darach while Caitlin looks on |
 |
| Frontier Brain Darach |
In a decadent facility, inlaid with gold
carpets and expensive furniture, the Trainer goes through a series of battles
in an elaborate foyer while being watched by the premier of the castle, the
Lady Caitlin and it is her butler Darach who directs the players throughout.
Your performance in battle helps you earn
Castle Points determined by Caitlin which in turn can be used as currency
within the Castle itself to grant you special benefits, like restoring your
Pokemon’s HP, PP or even buy Berries. Furthermore you can even choose to spend
your CP’s to view your oppoenents’ Pokemon before hand or decrease their level
before the battle starts.
The Lady Caitlin and her ‘Valet’ Darach are
the Frontier Brains here and he is an extremely formidable opponent. We are
made to feel that his urge to win is grounded in his Lady’s approval and he for
sure, does not hold back with his Pokemon team.
 |
| Castle Valet Darach and Princess Caitlin |
The Battle Castle sits firmly at the top of
this Facility list for all the right reasons. It scored great amongst all the
categories that we assigned, from its level of increasing difficulty, to conceptual
design. It brings in the element of Castle Points that urges you not to be
hasty in your decisions as every move counts towards your eventual victory
against Darach – so rationing, foresight and resourcefulness all comes into
play.
Another point to note is the subtle
back-story that we see here in the Battle Castle, where the Lady Caitlin due to
a reasons largely unknown has resigned from battling herself because of an
accident in the past which she allegedly caused by an upsurge in psychic
energy. She in turn has handed over the reigns to battle opponents to her
trusted Valet, who we feel has unrequited feelings towards his princess.
 |
| Caitlin as a member of the Unova Elite 4 with her Musharna |
Luckily we don’t have to worry too much about Caitlin’s fate as we find out in
due time that she has made her way up the ranks as a Master Psychic Trainer of
the Unova Elite 4 in the 5th Generation.
