Cynthia’s Roserade is one of the memorable Pokémon on the Sinnoh Champion’s team, combining powerful special attacks with Grass and Poison typing. If you’re preparing for the Pokémon League in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, understanding this Pokémon can make your final battle much easier.
This guide covers Cynthia’s Roserade level, moveset, strengths, weaknesses, and the best ways to counter it. You’ll also learn how her Roserade compares across different Pokémon games.
What Is Cynthia’s Roserade?

Cynthia’s Roserade is a Pokémon used by Cynthia, the Champion of the Sinnoh region. Roserade is the final evolution of Budew, following its evolution into Roselia. It combines Grass and Poison types, giving it useful offensive coverage against several common Pokémon.
Cynthia is known for building a balanced team rather than relying on a single Pokémon type. Consequently, Roserade provides strong special attacks and helps cover weaknesses in her overall lineup. Its presence also makes the Champion battle more demanding for players who rely heavily on Water, Ground, or Rock-type Pokémon.
In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Roserade appears during Cynthia’s first Champion battle. It can punish unprepared teams with moves that cover multiple types, so planning your counter before entering the Pokémon League is worthwhile.
Cynthia’s Roserade Level and Moveset
In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Cynthia uses Roserade at level 60 during the initial Champion battle. It holds an Expert Belt, which increases the damage of super-effective attacks. Its Poison Point ability can also poison an opponent that makes direct contact.
The following table summarizes Roserade’s main battle details in the original Champion encounter.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pokémon | Roserade |
| Level | 60 |
| Types | Grass and Poison |
| Ability | Poison Point |
| Held item | Expert Belt |
| Energy Ball | Grass-type special attack |
| Sludge Bomb | Poison-type special attack |
| Shadow Ball | Ghost-type special attack |
| Dazzling Gleam | Fairy-type special attack |
Roserade’s four attacks give it coverage against more than just Water- and Ground-type opponents. For example, Shadow Ball threatens certain Psychic-type Pokémon, while Dazzling Gleam can punish Dragon, Dark, and Fighting types. Therefore, switching blindly can expose your team to an unexpected attack.
What Are Cynthia’s Roserade Weaknesses?

Roserade has five type weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Ice, and Psychic attacks deal super-effective damage, while its dual typing also makes it vulnerable to these same four attacking types rather than creating a separate fifth weakness. In other words, the correct total is four weaknesses, not five.
Fire-type Pokémon are often a practical choice because they can exploit Roserade’s Grass typing. Flying-type attacks are another useful option, especially when your Pokémon has enough Speed to strike first. However, you should still consider your chosen Pokémon’s level and defensive stats before committing to a matchup.
Ice-type attacks can also work well, although an Ice-type Pokémon may not always be the safest switch against Roserade’s coverage. Psychic-type attackers offer another option, but they should avoid unnecessary exposure to Shadow Ball.
Your safest strategy is to use a Pokémon with a strong super-effective move and enough HP to survive a possible attack. Rather than relying only on type advantages, compare your team’s Speed, damage output, and remaining healing items before the battle.
Best Pokémon to Counter Cynthia’s Roserade
A Fire-type attacker can be an excellent counter to Cynthia’s Roserade. Infernape is particularly useful in a Sinnoh playthrough because it combines Fire and Fighting typing with strong offensive potential. If your Infernape has a reliable Fire-type move and sufficient Speed, it can pressure Roserade before the battle becomes prolonged.
Staraptor is another practical choice. Its Flying-type attacks can exploit Roserade’s weakness, and its offensive stats make it useful against other opponents throughout the game. However, you should check its current moveset rather than assuming it automatically has the best attack available.
Psychic-type Pokémon can work too, provided they have a suitable attack and can handle incoming damage. An Ice-type attacker may also help, although it is important to avoid treating every Ice-type Pokémon as a guaranteed counter.
The key is to build a counter around your existing team instead of training an entirely new Pokémon for one encounter. A well-leveled Pokémon with the right move can perform better than an underleveled Pokémon chosen only for its type advantage.
Cynthia’s Roserade in Different Pokémon Games
Cynthia’s Roserade has appeared in more than one Pokémon setting, but its exact role and battle details depend on the game. The original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games feature a different Roserade moveset from the remakes, while the anime presents battles through a separate storyline.
In the original Diamond and Pearl, Cynthia’s Roserade is level 60 during the Champion battle and can use Sludge Bomb, Energy Ball, Extrasensory, and Shadow Ball. In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, its moveset includes Dazzling Gleam instead of Extrasensory. This change matters because it affects the coverage players need to prepare for.
In the anime, Cynthia also uses Roserade in competitive battles. However, game mechanics, levels, and move availability should not be assumed to match every animated appearance. If you’re searching for the strongest counter, identify the specific game or episode before following a strategy.
How to Prepare for Cynthia’s Roserade
Preparation begins before you enter the Pokémon League. Make sure your team has at least one reliable Fire, Flying, Psychic, or Ice-type attack. You do not necessarily need four different counters, but having a backup option can prevent one unexpected knockout from ruining your strategy.
Next, review your Pokémon’s moves and healing supplies. Roserade’s Expert Belt makes super-effective attacks more threatening, so avoiding unnecessary type disadvantages is important. In addition, a Pokémon that survives the first hit may still need healing before facing Cynthia’s remaining team.
Finally, remember that Roserade is only one part of the Champion encounter. Cynthia also uses Pokémon such as Spiritomb, Lucario, Milotic, and Garchomp in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Saving all your strongest resources for Roserade may leave you unprepared for the rest of the battle.
For more preparation, consider reading [our Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl team-building guide] and [our guide to beating Cynthia’s Garchomp]. You can also consult the official Pokémon website for game information and character details.
Conclusion
Cynthia’s Roserade is a dangerous opponent because its Grass and Poison typing combines with strong special attacks and useful coverage. In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, its level 60 moveset includes Energy Ball, Sludge Bomb, Shadow Ball, and Dazzling Gleam, making the right preparation essential.
Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Ice attacks can all exploit its weaknesses. Choose a strong counter, review your moves, and prepare for Cynthia’s entire team rather than focusing on Roserade alone. If this guide helped you plan your battle, explore our other Pokémon strategy guides for more tips.
FAQs
What level is Cynthia’s Roserade?
Cynthia’s Roserade is level 60 during the initial Champion battle in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Its level and moves can differ in other games or rematch encounters, so check the specific version you’re playing before choosing your strategy.
What moves does Cynthia’s Roserade know?
In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Cynthia’s Roserade uses Energy Ball, Sludge Bomb, Shadow Ball, and Dazzling Gleam. These special attacks provide coverage against several Pokémon types, so a counter should have both a useful type advantage and enough durability to withstand an attack.
What is Roserade weak against?
Roserade is weak to Fire, Flying, Ice, and Psychic-type attacks because it combines Grass and Poison typing. Fire-type attackers are often a practical option, while strong Flying or Psychic moves can also work. Your Pokémon’s level, Speed, and available attacks still matter.
Is Infernape good against Cynthia’s Roserade?
Yes, Infernape can be a strong counter because its Fire typing gives it an advantage against Roserade. A reliable Fire-type move and suitable level can help it deal substantial damage. However, you should consider its current HP and Speed before using it in the Champion battle.
Does Cynthia use Roserade in the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl?
Yes, Cynthia uses Roserade in the original Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games. Its initial Champion battle moveset differs from the remake version, so players should check which game they are playing. The anime also features Cynthia’s Roserade, but animated battles follow their own story context.
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