Japanese Title: Chōji Gym! Ice Battle!
Original Airdate: February 28, 2002
US Airdate: March 8, 2003
Having earned Pryce's respect and permission to face the trainer in a gym battle, Ash makes the unlikely choice of sending out Cyndaquil, a Fire Pokémon, to face his opponent on an Ice battlefield. Fortunately, Ash's strategy pans out as he leads the gym leader to lower his defenses, allowing Ash to take the first victory in a two-on-two match. Next the gym leader sends out his trusty Piloswine, which immediately unleashes a Blizzard attack that completely alters the battlefield, allowing it to make quick work of Ash's defending Pokémon. With one victory each, the round enters sudden death with each trainer playing his oldest, most reliable Pokémon. A seasoned duo, Ash and Pikachu may match the teamwork of the gym leader and his Piloswine, but will this be enough in a slippery ice arena that is second nature to Piloswine, but whereon Pikachu struggles even to stand?
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Batman Gambit: Ash banks on Dewgong's superb aquatic ability giving and Pryce underestimating Ash's own tactics giving them the confidence for a close range fight underwater. This gives Cyndaquil an easy opening for him to knock out Dewgong in only two attacks.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Piloswine knocks out Cyndaquil with a single Take Down.
- Hidden Depths: Shiela is a certified referee for the Johto League.
- Healing Factor: Piloswine's Rest, which is put to use after taking a particularly nasty Thunder.
- Home Field Advantage: Pryce's gym stands out amongst the rest in that it in its entirety has been perfectly constructed for Ice types while most others have had a fairly neutral battlefield. There's even a pool for his Dewgong to use.
- Scissors Cuts Rock: Yet another episode where Pikachu shocks a Ground type.
- Took a Level in Kindness: To further reiterate his Character Development, Pryce spent the entire night tending to Piloswine.
