How strong is Prof. Kukui?

[CMButch]

Can't we agree Incineroar alone would defeat Ash-Greninja because of BLASTO BURN?

Honestly, when I saw that move, I though that was Flamethrower maybe even Overheat. BB on the ground is much better and unique than Flamethrower-like attack.

 

[Red and Blue]

What would help solidify Kukui's strength is if we knew the capabilities of his sixth Pokemon that never got a chance

 

[Emboar_Rulez]

Kukui is probably around frontier brain level in my opinion considering how strong his Incineroar is.Also the kahunas are around gym leader strength and if Kukui did the island trial that means he beat them therefore being stronger than gym leader strength.

 

[AuraChannelerChris]

If the Kahunas are Gym Leader level, Ash shouldn't be dominating them by having standing members by the end of the match. He bodied Hala, would have screwed Olivia without effort hadn't his rocky puppy lash out due to his nature, said rocky puppy solo'd 3 of Nanu's team (with a recovery item before the last one, but still), and owned Hapu because she had the bright idea of fighting right next to a huge body of water (like, that only shows how stupid she is).

If anything, Kukui is barely Gym Leader level...but certainly not Roxie Gym Leader level. Ha ha.

 

[Emboar_Rulez]

If the Kahunas are Gym Leader level, Ash shouldn't be dominating them by having standing members by the end of the match. He bodied Hala, would have screwed Olivia without effort hadn't his rocky puppy lash out due to his nature, said rocky puppy solo'd 3 of Nanu's team (with a recovery item before the last one, but still), and owned Hapu because she had the bright idea of fighting right next to a huge body of water (like, that only shows how stupid she is).

If anything, Kukui is barely Gym Leader level...but certainly not Roxie Gym Leader level. Ha ha.

Hapu fought near the water because it was the traditional site for the grand trials.

 

[AuraChannelerChris]

Hapu fought near the water because it was the traditional site for the grand trials.

Then the ancestors who decided on that place aren't the brightest bunch if their Kahuna is into Ground-types. Like, why not place the Grass-type Kahuna at the top of a volcano?

 

[Emboar_Rulez]

Then the ancestors who decided on that place aren't the brightest bunch if their Kahuna is into Ground-types. Like, why not place the Grass-type Kahuna at the top of a volcano?

I think they do it purposely at a place where the Kahunas are at a terrain disadvantage so that they can learn to cover that weakness.Or to see if the challenger is smart enough to use the water to their advantage like Ash did.

 

[AuraChannelerChris]

I think they do it purposely at a place where the Kahunas are at a terrain disadvantage so that they can learn to cover that weakness.Or to see if the challenger is smart enough to use the water to their advantage like Ash did.

That's not stated in the episode at all, so it's stupidity.

 

[ChampioN-Trainer-BriaN]

Definitely not an elite four. Elite four and champions are wayy strong. I would say that he is strong enough to win the league after putting some effort. But weak enough to be beaten by first ever elite he battles.

 

[Thumbs2]

If the Kahunas are Gym Leader level, Ash shouldn't be dominating them by having standing members by the end of the match. He bodied Hala, would have screwed Olivia without effort hadn't his rocky puppy lash out due to his nature, said rocky puppy solo'd 3 of Nanu's team (with a recovery item before the last one, but still), and owned Hapu because she had the bright idea of fighting right next to a huge body of water (like, that only shows how stupid she is).

If anything, Kukui is barely Gym Leader level...but certainly not Roxie Gym Leader level. Ha ha.

Didn't Hapu beat Ash the first time using a Pokemon she didn't use in the rematch?

 

[AuraChannelerChris]

Didn't Hapu beat Ash the first time using a Pokemon she didn't use in the rematch?

Was that an official match?

 

[SH65]

He's at best low to mid BF level.

 

[Thumbs2]

Was that an official match?

That doesn't change how strong they are, like at all. It just means Ash gained nothing by winning.

 

[CMButch]

Neither of 4 Kahunas are stronger than Wulfric or Volkner(maybe some other gym leaders, but those gym leaders like Wulfric are like mid FB level). I'd put Kahunas at low-mid gym leader level. Kukui's 4 Pokemon are at best high gym levels so stronger than Kahuna's) and Incienroar is like low/mid FB level).

 

[TheWanderingMist]

Didn't Hapu beat Ash the first time using a Pokemon she didn't use in the rematch?

Yeah, but the only extra advantage Golurk had was being immune to Quick Attack, and Mudsdale basically became immune to both of Pikachu's physical moves through Stamina.

 

[Leonhart]

I put Kukui-hakase at Frontier Brain level or slightly higher at most. I would've said that he's on-par with the Four Heavenly Kings, but seeing as how Satoshi managed to beat him, I'm starting to think that Kukui-hakase wasn't quite that strong.

 

[TheWanderingMist]

I put Kukui-hakase at Frontier Brain level or slightly higher at most. I would've said that he's on-par with the Four Heavenly Kings, but seeing as how Satoshi managed to beat him, I'm starting to think that Kukui-hakase wasn't quite that strong.

"The funny thing is, if they showed Kukui battling and beating any of the E4 right now, half of the comments calling them way stronger than Kukui here would flip to calling the E4 member weak just so they could continue denying Ash's strength."

-Paraphrase of myself on the second page of this thread

 

[mehmeh1]

I'll say that probably around Aaron or Bertha, but would still lose to say, Flint, Siebold, or Caitlin.

 

[CMButch]

I'll say that probably around Aaron or Bertha, but would still lose to say, Flint, Siebold, or Caitlin.

Why Bertha? Aaron I understand since he kinda IIRC battled TR and lost.. but that was outlier..obviously. I mean he later battled Cynthia even though he lost, he still challenged her. That would mean TR would do better than him against Cynthia and that's a no. So, actual Aaron > Kukui and current Aaron with Mega >>>>> Kukui. Why Bertha?

 

[Fernsday]

I know there has been a similar thread to this months ago but I thought I’d have a poll and see what y’all vote, I’m curious about what you all think.