Whoever said Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is exclusively for kids hasn't arrived in Alfornada Town yet. The Gym Test here involves finding one's emotional well-being. That can be a funny concept to children. For adults, it's just too real.

Related: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: How To Get Armarouge And Ceruledge

Alfornada's Gym Leader, Tulip, is one of the tougher fights in the Victory Road storyline. Compounding matters, Alfornada can be a bit of a challenge to reach — even if its placement on the map seems to suggest otherwise. We'll help you get there in due time, ruminate over the complex spectrum of emotional needs (not really), and snag that badge.

Updated on June 9, 2023 by Quinton O'Connor: It's been a good several months now since players were introduced to the scenic Paldea region, but Pokemon springs eternal. To keep newcomers informed on how to get to Tulip and best her for a badge, we've added a more detailed explanation all-around.

Reaching Alfornada Town: The Quick Climb Cave

If you have Koraidon/Miraidon's climb ability unlocked, you can just, well, climb over the mountains and arrive in Alfornada in minutes, just by passing through the cave at the end of the map's obvious path to Alfornada.

The trouble is, unlocking climb involves taking on the most difficult of your targets in the Path of Legends plot, the Level 55 'False Dragon'.

Still, no doubt some of you will have already achieved this before setting out to Alfornada. If that's you, head through that cave!

Reaching Alfornada Town: The Mountain Trail Cave

For the rest of us, start by exit Cortondo, and descend to the grassy cliff at the western edge of the zone. You'll know you're in the right spot if you can see a rocky bridge-like pass in the distance, over the water.

In case you're focusing on our image, note that you don't actually need the flying ability to do this; you can simply drop multiple times.

Follow the grassy cliff as it wraps around the mountainside, which leads you to a separate cave where you can make an easy trek to Alfornada.

Alfornada Town Gym Test

Compared to getting here without climbing, Alfornada's Gym Test is a walk in the park. Or rather, a stand-around-in-a-vaguely-park-like-scenario.

Once you've registered, chat up Dendra (!) at the nearby court to get started. The 'emotions' she instructs you to display are linked to your controller's face buttons. Ample time and a generous pace makes this even easier than Levincia's spot-the-Clavell fare.

Between rounds, you'll battle trainers. If you struggle against either of them, especially the second one's Medicham, consider training up some more before the big event.

Alfornada Town Gym Leader: Tulip

Flowers are soft. Tulip is not. This will be a fairly tough bout if your Pokemon aren't at least approachable in level. If they are? Great. It'll mostly be like all the rest of them, except Tulip's generally more capable, with an above-average moveset and no truly weak links in her lineup.

The cavern en route to Alfornada contains a medley of Pokemon suitable for combat against Tulip, like Sableye and Banette, a pair of Ghost-types.

Furthermore, of the three Paldean starter Pokemon, the only one who won't be of much aid here is Quaquaval; Skeledirge with the Fire/Ghost setup and Meowscarada with Water/Dark are both fantastic.

When Florges Terastallizes, beware its powerful Moonblast. If you had Meowscarada out against the rest of the pack (even Gardevoir's Dazzling Gleam shouldn't one-hit KO it if you're equal in level), now's the time to call it back, along with any other potential Dark-type you've been using in its stead.

Consider keeping Skeledirge in play if you've got it; otherwise, Armarouge for Scarlet owners, or any Steel-type to withstand the blows. Or the aforementioned Sableye and Banette, for that matter!

Next: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Which Version Should You Get?