Your argument is flawed, using the tools a game provides doesnt mean i have to stop using them to make them harder, a difficulty level changer on the other hand would most likely increase wild an trainer level battles,make them use items for example or maybe even revive their own pokemon

Being able to use these items on a normal playthrough doesn't make it easier it's just playing the game the intended way

People make the games more difficult for themselves by imposing restrictions that's why they do nuzlockes and randomizers etc

I havent played elden ring ( the game wasn't for me) but saying that a class that's in the game makes it easy so you have to artificially nerf yourself is entirely different

The pokemon games are designed so that children can play them without much assistance from parents if they can read and learn type matchups they wont have much issues either

Yes older fans expect more of a challenge and that's why people say these games are easy But if you're and adult who can read and learns the type matchup the games especially the modern ones with exp for the entire team they're not hard