View source for Proton

{{CharInfobox|
color=666666 |
corecolor=CCCCCC |
bordercolor=CC0000 |
name=Proton |
jname=ランス |
tmname=Lance |
text=white |
slogan=no |
image=HeartGold SoulSilver Proton.png |
size=200px |
caption=Art from {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}} by [[Takao Unno]]<ref>[[a:File:TeamRocketTrickeryUndaunted78.jpg|Team Rocket's Trickery (Undaunted 78)]]</ref> |
colors=yes |
eyes=Green |
hair=Green |
gender=Male |
hometown=Unknown |
region=[[Johto]] |
relatives=Unknown |
trainer=yes |
trainerclass={{tc|Team Rocket Grunt|Rocket Grunt}}{{sup/2|GSC}}<br>{{tc|Executive}}{{sup/2|GSC}}{{sup/4|HGSS}} |
game=yes |
generation={{Gen|IV}} |
games=[[Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Gold, Silver]], {{v2|Crystal}}, [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|HeartGold, SoulSilver]], {{pkmn|Masters EX}} |
leader=no |
type=no |
elite=no |
team=yes |
teamname=[[Team Rocket]]|
teamrank={{tc|Executive}}|
brain=no |
anime=no |
|gameanim=yes
|envagame=Clifford Chapin<ref>[https://twitter.com/CliffordChapin/status/1527281240885166080 Clifford Chapin on Twitter]</ref> <small>({{pkmn|Masters EX}})</small>
|javagame=Shō Okumura <small>({{pkmn|Masters EX}})</small>
}}
'''Proton''' (Japanese: '''ランス''' ''Lance'') is one of the [[Team Rocket]] {{tc|Executive}}s introduced in {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}. In [[Generation II]], Proton's role was filled by two separate characters: an ordinary {{tc|Team Rocket Grunt|Grunt}} in the [[Slowpoke Well]] and an unnamed Executive in the [[Goldenrod Radio Tower]].

==In the core series games==
In {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, Proton is first seen and battled in the [[Slowpoke Well]], where [[Team Rocket]] is trying to cut off {{p|Slowpoke}} tails to make a profit. Later, the player meets and battles him for the second time in [[Goldenrod Radio Tower]].

Proton is labeled as the scariest and cruelest of Team Rocket, yet also remains one of the more popular Executives. A Grunt in the Radio Tower admits to how she admires him. Proton seems to be very easily aggravated.

In [[Generation II]], the character of Proton is, in reality, two characters: an ordinary {{tc|Team Rocket Grunt|grunt}} originally taking his place in [[Slowpoke Well]] and a Rocket Executive encountered in the [[Goldenrod Radio Tower]]. These two are amalgamated into Proton for [[Generation IV]], who shares both their single Pokémon.

===Pokémon===
===={{game2|Gold|Silver|Crystal}}====
=====First battle=====
{{Party/Single
|color=666666
|bordercolor=CC0000
|headcolor=CCCCCC
|sprite=Spr GS Rocket Grunt M.png
|prize={{PDollar}}560
|class=Rocket
|name=Grunt
|game=GSC
|location=Slowpoke Well
|pokemon=1}}
|style="margin:auto"|{{Pokémon/2
|game=Crystal
|ndex=109
|pokemon=Koffing
|gender=male
|level=14
|type1=Poison
|move1=Tackle|move1type=Normal
|move2=Smog|move2type=Poison
|move3=Poison Gas|move3type=Poison}}
{{Party/Footer}}

=====Second battle=====
{{Party/Single
|color=666666
|bordercolor=CC0000
|headcolor=CCCCCC
|sprite=Spr GS Rocket Executive M.png
|prize={{PDollar}}2592
|class=Rocket
|name=Executive
|game=GSC
|location=Goldenrod Radio Tower
|pokemon=1}}
|style="margin:auto"|{{Pokémon/2
|game=Crystal
|ndex=042
|pokemon=Golbat
|gender=male
|level=36
|type1=Poison|type2=Flying
|move1=Wing Attack|move1type=Flying
|move2=Confuse Ray|move2type=Ghost
|move3=Leech Life|move3type=Bug
|move4=Bite|move4type=Dark}}
{{Party/Footer}}

===={{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}====
=====First battle=====
{{Party/Single
|color=666666
|bordercolor=CC0000
|headcolor=CCCCCC
|sprite=Spr HGSS Proton.png
|prize={{PDollar}}480
|class=Executive
|name=Proton
|game=HGSS
|location=Slowpoke Well
|pokemon=2}}
|{{Pokémon/4
|game=HeartGold
|ndex=041
|pokemon=Zubat
|gender=male
|spritegender=male
|level=8
|type1=Poison|type2=Flying
|ability=Inner Focus
|move1=Leech Life|move1type=Bug|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Supersonic|move2type=Normal|move2cat=Status}}
|{{Pokémon/4
|game=HeartGold
|ndex=109
|pokemon=Koffing
|gender=male
|level=12
|type1=Poison
|ability=Levitate
|move1=Poison Gas|move1type=Poison|move1cat=Status
|move2=Tackle|move2type=Normal|move2cat=Physical
|move3=Smog|move3type=Poison|move3cat=Special
|move4=SmokeScreen|move4type=Normal|move4cat=Status}}
{{Party/Footer}}

=====Second battle=====
{{Party/Single
|color=666666
|bordercolor=CC0000
|headcolor=CCCCCC
|sprite=Spr HGSS Proton.png
|prize={{PDollar}}1320
|class=Executive
|name=Proton
|game=HGSS
|location=Goldenrod Radio Tower
|pokemon=2}}
|{{Pokémon/4
|game=HeartGold
|ndex=042
|pokemon=Golbat
|gender=male
|spritegender=male
|level=28
|ability=Inner Focus
|type1=Poison|type2=Flying
|move1=Wing Attack|move1type=Flying|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Confuse Ray|move2type=Ghost|move2cat=Status
|move3=Leech Life|move3type=Bug|move3cat=Physical
|move4=Bite|move4type=Dark|move4cat=Physical}}
|{{Pokémon/4
|game=HeartGold
|ndex=110
|pokemon=Weezing
|gender=male
|level=33
|ability=Levitate
|type1=Poison
|move1=Sludge|move1type=Poison|move1cat=Special
|move2=Double Hit|move2type=Normal|move2cat=Physical
|move3=SmokeScreen|move3type=Normal|move3cat=Status
|move4=Smog|move4type=Poison|move4cat=Special}}
{{Party/Footer}}

==In the spin-off games==
===[[Pokémon Masters EX]]===
{{main|Proton (Masters)}}
Proton forms a [[sync pair]] with {{p|Golbat}} in [[Pokémon Masters EX]]. Proton became a playable sync pair on September 6, 2023.

Proton first appeared as an NPC during the [[Johto]] chapter of the [[Villain Arc]]. He also made notable appearances later in the Villain Arc.

{{PairDex/h|Red|Dark}}
{{PairDex|180|Proton|trainerlink=Proton (Masters)#Golbat|trainerimg=Proton|0042|Golbat|gender=male|Flying|Ice|Support|exrole=Tech|6|Variety Sync Pair Scout}}
|}

==Gallery==
===Sprites and models===
{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; font-size: 80%; {{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #CC0000; background: #666666;"
|- 
| style="{{roundy|80px}} border: 2px solid #CC0000; background: #CCCCCC; width:80px"| [[File:Spr GS Rocket Grunt M.png]]
| style="{{roundy|80px}} border: 2px solid #CC0000; background: #CCCCCC; width:80px"| [[File:Spr GS Rocket Executive M.png]]
| style="{{roundy|80px}} border: 2px solid #CC0000; background: #CCCCCC; width:80px"| [[File:Spr HGSS Proton.png]]
| style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #CC0000; background: #CCCCCC; width:80px"| [[File:VSProton.png]]
|- style="color:#fff;"
| {{tccolor|Team Rocket Grunt|fff|Grunt}} sprite from<br>{{color2|fff|Generation II}}
| Sprite from<br>{{color2|fff|Generation II}}
| Sprite from<br>{{color2|fff|Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|HeartGold and SoulSilver}}
| VS sprite from<br>{{color2|fff|Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|HeartGold and SoulSilver}}
|-
| colspan="2" style="{{roundy|80px}} border: 2px solid #CC0000; background: #CCCCCC; width:80px"| [[File:Rocket Grunt M II OD.png]]
| colspan="2" style="{{roundy|80px}} border: 2px solid #CC0000; background: #CCCCCC; width:80px"| [[File:Proton OD.png]]
|- style="color:#fff;"
| colspan="2" | Overworld sprite from<br>{{color2|fff|Generation II}}
| colspan="2" | Overworld sprite from<br>{{color2|fff|Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|HeartGold and SoulSilver}}
|}

==Quotes==
{{main|Proton/Quotes}}

==In the manga==
===Pokémon Adventures===
[[File:Rocket Executives Adventures.png|thumb|220px|Proton and his teammates in Pokémon Adventures]]
Proton appears alongside the other three Executives. He, along with his teammates, take control of Team Rocket from [[Carr]], saying that they will stay true to {{adv|Giovanni}}'s intentions. 

While Petrel is tasked on finding the Plates related to {{adv|Arceus}}, Ariana is tasked on stopping intruders from stopping them, Proton is tasked with finding the [[Sinjoh Ruins]]. While Ariana battles {{adv|Crystal}} on {{rt|38|Johto}}, he and the other Executives arrive on the scene. Suddenly, Arceus appears in front of them and Crystal attempts to capture it, shocking the Executives in the process. Despite her tenacity, Crystal ultimately fails in capturing the Pokémon and is sent flying into a tree.

The Executives chase Arceus down and find it battling {{adv|Gold}} at the Ruins of Alph. Once Arceus uses its powers and transports them all to the Sinjoh Ruins, the four Executives restrain Arceus and force it onto the Mystri Stage. Using its great powers, they force Arceus to create the legendary Pokémon {{DL|Pokémon of Myth (Adventures)|Dialga}}, {{DL|Pokémon of Myth (Adventures)|Palkia}}, and {{DL|Pokémon of Myth (Adventures)|Giratina}}.

Believing they have pleased their boss, Giovanni, Proton, Ariana, and Archer begin tearing up. However, Silver distracts them by flying towards the Pokémon so Gold and Crystal can finish off the other legendary Pokémon. Once they do so, Arceus, now freed from its restraints, uses its powers to send Proton and the other Executives flying. During the final battle with Arceus, Proton stayed away from the fight by hiding behind a rock with his teammates. After the battle had ended, Proton left with the other Team Rocket members and {{adv|Giovanni}}.

====Pokémon====
{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Proton
|pkmn=Zubat
|type1=Poison
|type2=Flying
|gender=male
|img=Proton Zubat Adventures.png
|epnum=PS447
|epname=Fortunately for Feraligatr
|desc={{p|Zubat}} is Proton's mode of flight transportation. He was used to help restrain and pull Arceus into the Mystri Stage. Later, he fought {{adv|Gold}}'s [[Sudobo]].

None of Zubat's moves are known.}}

{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Proton
|pkmn=Weezing
|type1=Poison
|img=Proton Weezing Adventures.png
|epnum=PS447
|epname=Fortunately for Feraligatr
|desc={{p|Weezing}} was seen alongside Proton when he was communicating with the Rocket Grunts about the Plates. 

None of Weezing's moves are known.}}

===Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure===
[[File:Proton JBA.png|thumb|135px|Proton in Jō's Big Adventure]]
Proton appears in ''[[JBA2|The Revived Team Rocket]]'' where he arrives with some {{tc|Team Rocket Grunt}}s by the [[Slowpoke Well]] where they rob some {{p|Slowpoke}} in order to profit their tails. He cameos later on where Jō battles the grunts in Team Rocket's hideout in Mahogany Town.

====Pokémon====
{{TrainerPoké
|width=80%
|trainer=Proton
|pkmn=Zubat
|type1=Poison
|type2=Flying
|img=Proton Zubat JBA.png
|epnum=JBA2
|epname=The Revived Team Rocket
|desc={{p|Zubat}} was sent out to battle [[Jō's Totodile]]. It was simultaneously defeated in the end along with Koffing.

None of Zubat's moves are known.}}

{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Proton
|pkmn=Koffing
|type1=Poison
|img=Proton Koffing JBA.png
|epnum=JBA2
|epname=The Revived Team Rocket
|desc={{p|Koffing}} was sent out to battle [[Jō's Totodile]]. It had the upper hand after {{p|Zubat}} gave piercing damage to Totodile. However, it got defeated along with Zubat in the end, not before being commanded to use Selfdestruct.

Koffing's only known move is {{m|Self-Destruct}}.}}

==In the TCG==
This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Proton in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].

{{cardlist/header|Related cards|Supporter|char=yes}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Undaunted|Team Rocket's Trickery|78}}|type=Supporter|enset=Undaunted|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=78/90|jpsetlink=Undaunted|jpset=Reviving Legends|jprarity=Uncommon|jpnum=076/080|jpset2=Tyranitar Constructed Standard Deck|jpnum2=018/019}}
{{cardlist/footer|Supporter}}

==Trivia==
* Proton's name was changed in the English, Spanish, and Italian localizations of {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, presumably due to his original name matching that of [[Lance]], who is present in the same games.

==Names==
{| class="roundy" style="float:left; background: #666; border: 3px solid #cc0000"
|- style="color:#fff;"
! Language
! Name
! Origin
|- style="background:#FFF"
| Japanese
| ランス ''Lance''
| From ''{{wp|MGM-52 Lance}}'', a surface-to-surface missile system used by the US Army
|- style="background:#FFF;"
| English
| Proton
| From ''{{wp|Proton (rocket family)|Proton}}'', an expendable launch system used for commercial and Russian government space launches
|- style="background:#FFF"
| German, French, Vietnamese
| Lance
| From his Japanese name
|- style="background:#FFF"
| Spanish
| Protón
| From his English name
|- style="background:#FFF"
| Italian
| Milas
| From ''Milas'', anti-submarine variant of the Italian {{wp|Otomat}} missile
|- style="background:#FFF"
| Korean
| 랜스 ''Lance''
| From his Japanese name
|- style="background:#FFF"
| Chinese ({{tt|Mandarin|Taiwan and Mainland China}})
| 蘭斯 / 兰斯 ''Lánsī''
| rowspan="2" | Transcription of his Japanese name
|- style="background:#FFF;"
| Chinese ({{tt|Cantonese|Hong Kong}})
| 蘭斯 ''Làahnsī''
|}

{{-}}

==Related articles==
* [[a:Category:Proton|Images on the Bulbagarden Archives]]

==References==
<references/>

{{Team Rocket}}<br>
{{Team Rocket Adventures}}
{{Project CharacterDex notice}}

[[Category:Members of Team Rocket]]
[[Category:Gold, Silver and Crystal characters]]
[[Category:HeartGold and SoulSilver characters]]
[[Category:Pokémon Adventures characters]]
[[Category:Poison-type Trainers]]

[[de:Lance]]
[[es:Protón]]
[[fr:Lance]]
[[it:Milas]]
[[ja:ランス]]
[[zh:蘭斯]]