Non-player character

The first NPC introduced in the Pokémon series, Pallet Town's Professor Oak

A non-player character (commonly abbreviated as NPC) is a character in a Pokémon game whose actions cannot be controlled by the person operating the console. The direct opposite of an NPC is the player character.

Functions of non-player characters

Non-player characters are typically present in main series games to further the progress of the player. Their duties vary. Early in the games they tend to offer advice for new players, similar to the Trainer tips signage. Later in the game, as the player is more experienced, this function is less prominent, however at this point there still remain characters who encourage or hint at a visit to a certain area to fulfill a given task.

NPCs also supply the player with free items once, or with Pokémon in an in-game trade or as gifts. Sometimes, these cannot be received in another manner without trading. Several NPCs hand out items on a daily basis, such as the Berry Masters of Hoenn and Sinnoh.

The final typical variety of non-player characters is of those who compete or battle with the player, including villainous teams, the player's rival(s), Gym Leaders, and the Elite Four. This interaction may occur in Contests or Musicals; or battles in routes between cities, Pokémon Gyms, the Pokémon League, or Battle Towers, for example.

Important non-player characters

Kanto

• Professor Oak - Professor Oak works in his laboratory in Pallet Town, giving away starter Pokémon to first time Trainers. He gives Red, Blue and Leaf their first starter Pokémon in Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen. He is an idol to many Trainers and researchers, including Professor Elm, and always plays an important supporting role in the many games that he appears in.

• Blue - Blue is the grandson of Professor Oak and is the main character's rival in the Generation I games. Blue becomes the Pokémon Champion but is quickly defeated by Red/Leaf, the player's character. He is notable for being cocky and arrogant whenever the player's character encounters him; after losing, his typical way to bid goodbye is "Smell ya later!"

• Bill - Bill is a talented and famous inventor. He invented the original Pokémon Storage System and Time Capsule. In Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, Bill can be found at the Cerulean Cape, initially performing an experiment on Pokémon teleportation. He will also give away an S.S. Ticket so that the player can board the S.S. Anne.

Johto

• Professor Elm - Professor Elm is the resident Pokémon Professor of New Bark Town in Johto. Saying so himself, Professor Elm studies unusual Pokémon abilities. He also specializes in Pokémon breeding, and is credited with the discovery of Pokémon Eggs. Elm gives one of the three starter Pokémon of Johto—Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile—to the player so that he or she will have an easier time of getting to Mr. Pokémon's house.

• Silver - Silver's first appearance was when he was seen lurking near a window to the Elm Pokémon Laboratory; he later broke in, stealing a Pokémon. He later used this Pokémon to battle Ethan/Kris/Lyra, doing this many times as they journeyed through Johto. This is not the only Pokémon he has stolen, as he also stole a Sneasel from a man in Cianwood City, and uses it in battle for the rest of the game.

• Eusine - Eusine appears in Pokémon Crystal and their enhanced remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. He is first seen researching the Burned Tower, together with Morty. Later, he battles the player in Cianwood City after seeing Suicune escaping from the town, hoping that by battling the player he will earn Suicune's respect as a Trainer. After Suicune has been captured, he returns to his hometown, Celadon City, and can be found in Celadon Pokémon Center waiting for the player to catch all three legendary beasts.

• Ethan/Lyra - Ethan/Lyra appears as the player's neighbor and teach the player how to catch Pokémon.

Hoenn

• Professor Birch - Professor Birch distributes Pokédexes and one of the three starter Pokémon of Hoenn: Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, to aspiring Hoenn Trainers in the Generation III games. In addition, after Trainers complete the Hoenn Pokédex in Pokémon Emerald, he will give them one of the three starter Pokémon of Johto: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. He is known to be more outgoing than the other Pokémon Professors, and oftentimes his research takes him outdoors. His field of study is primarily how Pokémon behave in the wild.

• Brendan/May- Brendan/May is the original rival in the Hoenn games. He or she gives up being a Trainer.

• Wally - Wally is a sick young boy who asks Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader, to help him catch a Pokémon before he moves to Verdanturf Town to live with his aunt and uncle. Norman allowed his child, the player of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald to assist Wally, and loaned Wally a Zigzagoon. Using this, Wally was able to capture a Ralts. Wally eventually runs away from home and challenges the player at the end of Victory Road in Ever Grande City, seemingly totally recovered from his illness. He remains there, and it is possible to fight him several times per day.

• Scott - Scott appears throughout Pokémon Emerald in various locations in Hoenn, where he can be talked to by the player. He appears in Petalburg City after Wally catches his first Pokémon, Pokémon Trainer's School, before beating Roxanne, Slateport City near the Battle Tent, and several other locations. When the player first arrives at the Battle Frontier, Scott will award him or her with 1BP for each time they spoke.

• Mr. Briney - Mr. Briney is first seen near the Rusturf Tunnel, asking the player to recover his Wingull, Peeko, from a Team Aqua or Team Magma Grunt. Once Peeko is rescued and returned to Mr. Briney, he will offer to give the protagonist rides in his boat to Dewford Town and Slateport City until he/she gains the Badge from his/her father. He later becomes the captain of the S.S. Tidal. His house is located on Route 104.

• Mr. Stone - Mr. Stone is the president of the Devon Corporation. After recovering the Devon Goods from either a member of Team Aqua or Team Magma, he gives the main character a PokéNav and asks them to deliver a letter to Steven in Dewford Town. Once the letter is delivered, he will give the player an Exp. Share.

Sinnoh

• Professor Rowan - Professor Rowan works in Sandgem Town with Dawn/Lucas and their family. This makes him the only Professor from the handheld games who does not live in the player's hometown. He left to go to Kanto to study Pokémon with Professor Oak for four years, until coming back reaching a conclusion: that Sinnoh holds greater secrets. He has a stern personality that makes him seem intimidating and mean, but he is actually very kind and patient. He also has lots of energy as shown when he was attacked by Team Galactic; he tried to fight back and was hard to handle.

• Barry - Barry is always in a hurry and extremely impatient, and because of this, often crashes into other people or misses important details. He is incredibly determined and it is very difficult to discourage him; the only thing that has done this so far was his crushing loss to the Team Galactic Commander, Jupiter at Lake Acuity. Barry is also one to take risks and quickly jump into action; it was this behavior that caused the player and himself to be attacked by wild Starly, setting off the chain reaction that would result in the player receiving his/her first Pokémon.

• Looker - Looker is the codename for a character introduced in Pokémon Platinum. In Pokémon Platinum, Looker is an important character, encountering the player multiple times over their journey across Sinnoh. He speaks with odd grammatical constructs, implying that he is not a native speaker of the national language. He first meets the player in Jubilife City, giving them the Vs. Recorder, and appears often when Team Galactic is near. His motives are clear: his mission is to stop Team Galactic from causing havoc in the Sinnoh region.

• Lucas/Dawn - Lucas/Dawn serves as Professor Rowan's assistant. They will teach the player how to catch Pokémon and help in some parts of the game, such as teaming up with the player against Team Galactic for Double Battles.

Unova

• Professor Juniper - Professor Juniper debuted in Generation V, where, like the other professors, she will give the player a Pokédex in her lab; however, in Black and White she leaves a present containing the starter Pokémon at the player's house for the player, Bianca, and Cheren. She also demonstrates how to catch a Pokémon to the player. She specializes in the origins of Pokémon. She is the first main series Pokémon Professor who is female.

• Bianca - Bianca is a childhood friend and rival of the player in Pokémon Black and White. Though she is somewhat unreliable and a bit of an airhead, she also has a strong side, as shown when she embarks on a Pokémon journey despite her father's strong opposition. In Black 2 and White 2, she presents the player with their starter Pokémon.

• Cheren - Cheren is a childhood friend of Hilbert/Hilda who, like the player, lives in the starting town of Nuvema Town. He is an intelligent boy knowledgeable in Pokémon, and will as such offer the player advice during the course of their journey. His goal is to become the Champion. He is also a rival.

• N - N is the leader of Team Plasma who appears in Pokémon Black and White. Throughout the game, he seems to be a strange, mysterious man who constantly battles the player, until he asks the player to ride Nimbasa City's Ferris wheel with him. At this point, he reveals he is the leader of Team Plasma. He is encountered twice more before interrupting the player's battle with Alder. He summons his castle from the earth and challenges the player to battle him. The player chases him through the castle, where the final battle occurs with N having caught either Reshiram or Zekrom. After his defeat, his guardian Ghetsis is disappointed once again and battles the player. N then disappears, not to be seen again until Black 2 and White 2.

• Hugh - Hugh is a childhood friend and rival of the player in Black 2 and White 2. He is described as feeling passionately for Pokémon battles and Pokémon strength. He is also a doting older brother to his sister; he hates Team Plasma because it stole a Purrloin he had caught for his sister. He battles with and against the player many times throughout the game.

• Nate/Rosa - Nate/Rosa appears in Nimbasa City. They will team up with the player to fight against the Subway Bosses Ingo and Emmet. After defeating them, Nate/Rosa will give the player a Vs. Recorder, and will reappear as the player's tag partner for the Battle Subway's Multi and Super Multi battles.

Complete list of named non-player characters

Non-player characters in the core series games Kanto Professor Oak • Mom (Kanto) • Mom (LGPE) • Red • Blue • Green • Trace • Daisy • Old man • Bill • Celio • Mr. Fuji • Safari Zone Warden • Copycat • Primo • Koichi Pokémon Fan Club Chairman • Erik and Sara • Teala • Mina • Cal • Steven Stone • Maylene • Cameron • Mr. Game • Morimoto Team Rocket • Gym guide • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • Professor's aides • Magikarp salesman • Name Rater • Day-Care Person • Mr. Hyper Johto Professor Elm • Professor Oak • Mom • Ethan • Lyra • Silver • Mr. Pokémon • Eusine • Lance • Red • Kiyo • Baoba • Magnus • Earl • Kurt • Carrie • Dude Mary • Buena • Radio Director • Haircut brothers • Webster • Master • Li • Wilma • Primo • Maximo • Jet • Caitlin • Cynthia • Cameron • Mr. Game • Felicity • Teala Team Rocket • Gym guide • Gym Leaders • Frontier Brains • Kimono Girls • Week Siblings • Name Rater • Poké Seer • Day-Care Couple • Professor's aides Hoenn Professor Birch • Mom • May • Brendan • Wally • Wanda • Steven Stone • Wallace • Scott • Mr. Briney • Mr. Stone • Gabby and Ty • Lanette Brigette • Professor Cozmo • Pokémon Fan Club Chairman • Rydel • Winstrate family • Captain Stern • Trick Master • Treasure Hunter • Dock Apprentice • Pokémon Center Ladies • Old guys • Mr. Bonding • Teala • Aarune • Lisia • Zinnia • Looker • Inver • Chaz • Fossil Maniac • Kiri • Memory Girl Team Aqua • Team Magma • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • Frontier Brains • Battle Chatelaines • Gym guide • Name Rater • Day-Care Couple • Stats judge Sinnoh Professor Rowan • Professor Oak • Johanna • Barry • Lucas • Dawn • Cynthia • Looker • Stat Trainers (Cheryl • Riley • Mira • Buck • Marley) Bebe • Teala • Felicity • Roseanne • Rad Rickshaw • Eldritch • Wilma • Jasmine • Caitlin • Julia • Jordan • Dexter • Keira • Mr. Backlot • Morimoto Underground Man • Mr. Goods • Mr. Fuego • Pokétch Co. President • Dr. Footstep • Pokémon Fan Club Chairman • Helena • Ketch Appy Team Galactic • Gym guide • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • Frontier Brains • Name Rater • Day-Care Couple • Professor's assistants • Stats judge Unova Professor Juniper • Mom (BW) • Mom (B2W2) • Cheren • Bianca • Bianca's father • Hugh • Hugh's sister • Cedric Juniper • Fennel • Amanita Cilan • Chili • Cress • Lenora • Hawes • Loblolly • Charles • Iris • Drayden • Alder • Benga • Curtis • Yancy • Brycen • Sabrina • Pop Roxie Hilbert • Hilda • Nate • Rosa • Ingo • Emmet • Cynthia • Looker • N • Colress • Morimoto • Nishino • Pokémon Fan Club Chairman Team Plasma • Clyde • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • PWT participants • Name Rater • Day-Care Couple • Judge • Magikarp salesman See also: Sevii Celio • Bill • Lostelle • Lorelei • Selphy • Teala Team Rocket • Day-Care Couple Kalos Professor Sycamore • Grace • Calem • Serena • Shauna • Tierno • Trevor • Alexa • Cassius • Inver • Sina • Dexio • Gurkinn Bonnie • Diantha • AZ • Looker • Emma • Mr. Bonding • Phil the Photo Guy • Memory Girl • Pokémon Fan Club Chairman Team Flare • Gym guide • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • Battle Chatelaines • Name Rater • Day-Care Couple • Judge Alola Professor Kukui • Mom • Lillie • Nebby • Hau • Rotom • Professor Burnet • Molayne • Samson Oak • Ryuki • Mohn Red • Blue • Wally • Cynthia • Grimsley • Colress • Sina • Dexio • Looker • Anabel • Necrozma • Morimoto • Iwao Team Skull • Aether Foundation • Ultra Recon Squad • Team Rainbow Rocket Trial Captains • Island kahunas • Elite Four • Name Rater • Judge • Mr. Hyper • Gester Galar Professor Magnolia • Mum • Hop • Bede • Marnie • Sonia • Leon Sordward • Shielbert • Mustard • Klara • Avery • Honey • Hyde • Peony • Peonia • Calyrex • Ball Guy Watt Traders • Ingredients Sellers • Digging Duo • Camping King Team Yell • Macro Cosmos • Dan • Gym Leaders • Morimoto • Cara Liss • Jack Hisui Cogita • Arceus • Choy • Anthe • Miss Fortunes (Charm • Clover • Coin) • Vessa Galaxy Team • Diamond Clan • Pearl Clan • Ginkgo Guild Paldea Professor Sada • Professor Turo • Mom • Nemona • Koraidon • Miraidon • Geeta • Arven • Penny • Heath Clavell • Jacq • Dendra • Miriam • Raifort • Saguaro • Salvatore • Tyme • Harrington Carmine • Kieran • Briar • Cyrano • Terapagos • Billy and O'Nare Team Star • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • Pokémon League representatives Kitakami Carmine • Kieran • Briar • Caretaker • Yukito and Hideko • Ogerpon • Pecharunt • Perrin • Billy and O'Nare Koraidon • Miraidon • Jacq • Nemona • Arven • Penny • Terapagos • Professor Sada • Professor Turo Blueberry Cyrano • Briar • Carmine • Kieran • Koraidon • Miraidon • Geeta • Rika • Clavell • Perrin • Snacksworth • Synclaire BB Elite Four • Special Coaches • Guidance counselors

NPCs of Orre Rui • Eagun • Beluh • Professor Krane • Lily • Jovi • Dr. Kaminko • Chobin Willie • Mayor Es Cade • Justy • Cail • Fateen • Duking • Silva Chief Sherles • Officer Johnson • Vander • Agnol • Ancha Kids Grid (Nett • Bitt • Megg • Perr • Secc • Marcia) • Makan Mr. Verich • Adon • Trest • Hordel • Battlus • Infin • Inity Name Rater • Move Teacher • Move Deleter • Cipher • Team Snagem

Non-player characters in the Pokémon Ranger series Fiore Lunick • Solana • Spenser • Joel • Cameron • Elita • Murph • Aria • Percy • Chris • Lind Leilani • Keith • Freddie • Professor Hastings • Larry • Drowsy Guy • The Go-Rock Squad Almia Barlow • Crawford • Luana • Ollie • Elaine • Keith • Rhythmi • Isaac • Melody • Professor Hastings • Erma • Wendy • Sven • Linda Murph • Pamur • Mrs. Winter • Ponte • Ms. April • Lamont • Mr. Kaplan • Ms. Claire • Janice • Mr. Woodward • Mimi • Kyle • Oscar Webster • Brook • Henry • Little Tim • Big Bertha • Vatona and Nage • Herbert • Go-Rock Quads • Drowsy Guy • Brighton Hall Team Dim Sun • Team Debonairs Oblivia Ben • Summer • Ukulele Pichu • Booker • Burkhart • Ralph • Nick • Nema • Nixie • Rand • Leanne • Murph • Professor Hastings • Supurna Steelhead • Tanvir • Kira • Ravio • Edward • Arley • Kasa • Hocus • Go-Rock Quads • Drowsy Guy • Pokémon Pinchers

This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.