Archer

Archer アポロ Apollo
Art from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Gender	Male
Eye color	Teal
Hair color	Black (II), Teal (IV)
Hometown	Unknown
Region	Johto
Trainer class	ExecutiveGSCHGSS AdminFRLG
Generation	II, III, IV
Games	Gold, Silver, Crystal, FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Stadium 2
Member of	Team Rocket
Rank	Executive, Interim Boss

Archer (Japanese: アポロ Apollo) is one of the four Team Rocket Executives introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver. However, he went unnamed until Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

In the games

At first, Archer seems to make an appearance in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, as an unnamed male Team Rocket Admin in the Rocket Warehouse on Chrono Island. He is the leader of the Sevii Islands branch of Team Rocket, and accuses the player of spreading rumors that Team Rocket has disbanded, something he does not believe. When the player defeats him, he recognizes the Earth Badge and accepts that Giovanni has been defeated, finally disbanding Team Rocket, but he vows to find him and resurrect Team Rocket someday. The computer he was working on mentions the effect of radio waves on Pokémon evolution, foreshadowing Team Rocket's actions three years later.

Three years later, Archer is the interim head of Team Rocket during the absence of Giovanni. He leads the team in its takeover of the Goldenrod Radio Tower, aiming to locate his missing leader and bring him back to the team.

Just like other Executives, Archer received a major overhaul in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, where his identity was expanded on. In addition, his color scheme was noticeably switched, where he now wears white clothes on the topmost layer, as opposed to the traditional black outfit.

Pokémon

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Rocket Executive Goldenrod Radio Tower Gold, Silver, and Crystal Reward: $2520

Types: Dark Fire Held item: None Houndour♂ Lv.33 Faint Attack Dark   --       Ember Fire   --       Bite Dark   --       Roar Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.33 Sludge Poison   --       SmokeScreen Normal   --       Tackle Normal   --       Haze Ice   --       Types: Dark Fire Held item: None Houndoom♂ Lv.35 Faint Attack Dark   --       Ember Fire   --       Bite Dark   --       Smog Poison   --

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Team Rocket Admin Rocket Warehouse FireRed and LeafGreen Reward: $1760

Types: Poison Flying Ability: Inner Focus Held item: None Golbat♂ Lv.53 Shadow Ball Ghost   --       Sludge Bomb Poison   --       Confuse Ray Ghost   --       Air Cutter Flying   --       Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Levitate Held item: None Weezing♂ Lv.54 Thunderbolt Electric   --       Shadow Ball Ghost   --       Explosion Normal   --       Sludge Bomb Poison   --       Types: Dark Fire Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Houndoom♂ Lv.55 Flamethrower Fire   --       Crunch Dark   --       Shadow Ball Ghost   --       Iron Tail Steel   --

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Executive Archer Goldenrod Radio Tower HeartGold and SoulSilver Reward: $3040

Types: Dark Fire Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Houndour♂ Lv.35 Faint Attack Dark Physical   --       Fire Fang Fire Physical   --       Bite Dark Physical   --       Roar Normal Status   --       Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Levitate Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.35 Sludge Poison Special   --       SmokeScreen Normal Status   --       Tackle Normal Physical   --       Haze Ice Status   --       Types: Dark Fire Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Houndoom♂ Lv.38 Faint Attack Dark Physical   --       Fire Fang Fire Physical   --       Bite Dark Physical   --       Smog Poison Special   --

Pokémon Stadium 2

Round 1

File:S2 Rocket ExecutiveM.png Rocket Executive Johto Gym Leader Castle Pokémon Stadium 2 Reward: N/A

Types: Dark Fire Held item: Scope Lens Doomap♂ Lv.50-100 Sunny Day Fire   --       SolarBeam Grass   --       Crunch Dark   --       Flamethrower Fire   --       Types: Poison Flying Held item: Burnt Berry Golbap♂ Lv.50-100 Giga Drain Grass   --       Confuse Ray Ghost   --       Wing Attack Flying   --       Bite Dark   --       Type: Normal Unknown Held item: PSNCureBerry Persiab♂ Lv.50-100 Slash Normal   --       Thunder Electric   --       Faint Attack Dark   --       Iron Tail Steel   --       Type: Ghost Unknown Held item: Mint Berry Misdreavap♀ Lv.50-100 Curse ???   --       Shadow Ball Ghost   --       Psychic Psychic   --       Pain Split Normal   --       Types: Grass Poison Held item: PRZCureBerry Victreap♂ Lv.50-100 Sunny Day Fire   --       SolarBeam Grass   --       Razor Leaf Grass   --       Sludge Bomb Poison   --       Type: Psychic Unknown Held item: Bitter Berry Wobbuffap♀ Lv.50-100 Counter Fighting   --       Mirror Coat Psychic   --       Safeguard Normal   --       Destiny Bond Ghost   --

Round 2

File:S2 Rocket ExecutiveM.png Rocket Executive Johto Gym Leader Castle Pokémon Stadium 2 Reward: N/A

Types: Dark Fire Held item: MiracleBerry Dooap♀ Lv.50-100 Fire Blast Fire   --       Sunny Day Fire   --       Crunch Dark   --       SolarBeam Grass   --       Type: Water Unknown Held item: Scope Lens Tillerap♀ Lv.50-100 Surf Water   --       Swagger Normal   --       Psybeam Psychic   --       Screech Normal   --       Type: Psychic Unknown Held item: Focus Band Buffap♀ Lv.50-100 Counter Fighting   --       Safeguard Normal   --       Mirror Coat Psychic   --       Destiny Bond Ghost   --       Type: Psychic Unknown Held item: PRZCureBerry Hypnap♂ Lv.50-100 Psychic Psychic   --       Shadow Ball Ghost   --       ThunderPunch Electric   --       Swagger Normal   --       Types: Bug Grass Held item: BrightPowder Sectap♂ Lv.50-100 Sludge Bomb Poison   --       Swagger Normal   --       Giga Drain Grass   --       Stun Spore Grass   --       Types: Rock Dark Held item: Quick Claw Tyranap♂ Lv.50-100 Rock Slide Rock   --       Swagger Normal   --       Earthquake Ground   --       Screech Normal   --

Quotes

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

• Before battle

"Oh? You managed to get this far? You must be quite the trainer. We intend to take over this Radio Station and announce our comeback. That should bring our boss Giovanni back from his solo training. We are going to regain our former glory. I won't allow you to interfere with our plans."

• Being defeated

"No! Forgive me, Giovanni!"

• After being defeated

"How could this be? Our dreams have come to naught. I wasn't up to the task after all. Like Giovanni did before me, I will disband Team Rocket here today. Farewell."

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

• Before battle

"That's quite enough of you playing the hero, kid. Spreading lies about how Team Rocket has disbanded… It's such an obvious attempt to cause confusion in our ranks. Fortunately, we're not so ignorant to fall for the lies of a child! And now, I'll show you how scary an angry adult can be!"

• Being defeated

"Urgh… You were too strong… … Th-that's Giovanni's Badge! So it's true? Team Rocket really has disbanded?"

• After being defeated

"We will abandon this Warehouse… But don't think this is over. I won't let this be the end. I will find Giovanni. And I will resurrect Team Rocket! I will… Until then, farewell!"

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

• Before battle

"Oh? You managed to get this far…? You must be quite the Trainer. We intend to take over this Radio Tower and officially announce our comeback. That should bring our boss Giovanni back from his solitary training. We are going to regain our former glory… I will not allow you to interfere with our meticulous plans!"

• After sending out last Pokémon

"We can't have you getting in the way before news of our resurgence reaches Giovanni!"

• Last Pokémon low on health

"That's impossible…"

• Being defeated

"No! Forgive me, Giovanni!"

• After being defeated

"How could this be…? Our dreams have come to naught. I was not up to the task after all. Like Giovanni has done before me, I will disband Team Rocket here today. Farewell…"

Pokémon Stadium 2

• After defeating the Olivine Gym

"Before you go any further, let's see how you far against us, Team Rocket!"

• Before battle

"Oh? You're come all this way? Fine. I’ll accept your challenge."

"I have received reports that your skills are not insignificant."

"I'm sorry to say this, but this is the end. I will eliminate you."

• Sending out first Pokémon

"<Pokémon>!"

• Sending out a new Pokémon

"<Pokémon>!"

"Next, <Pokémon>!"

"Then <Pokémon> it is!"

• Recalling a Pokémon

"A failed gambit."

"Merely acceptable, no?"

• Own Pokémon faints

"Oh, I see."

"Rubbed out..."

• Player's Pokémon faints

"Oh, the poor thing. How disappointing for you."

• Player's Pokémon lands a critical hit

"Oh, you hit its weak spot. Nicely done."

• Commanding his Misdreavus to use Curse

"Allow me to show you a horrific technique."

• After being defeated

"This does not mean that you have dashed our grand designs."

"As reported, you are indeed talented."

"It pains me to see your talent go to waste!"

• After winning

"Have you considered giving up?"

"You may have qualities to become an Executive."

Sprites

Sprite from Generation II	Sprite from FireRed and LeafGreen	Sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver	VS sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver
			File:S2 Rocket ExecutiveM.png
Overworld sprite from Generation II	Overworld sprite from FireRed and LeafGreen	Overworld sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver	Portrait from Stadium 2

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Archer in Pokémon Adventures

Archer appears in the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc alongside the other three Executives as their leader. He, along with his teammates, take control of Team Rocket from Carr, saying that they will stay true to Giovanni's intentions.

While the other three have their tasks related to the legendary Pokémon Arceus, Archer's task is the capture of the Pokémon itself. Archer, Petrel, and Proton arrive to see Ariana having defeated Crystal on Route 38. Suddenly, Arceus appears in front of them and Crystal attempts to capture it, shocking the Generals in the process. Despite her tenacity, Crystal ultimately fails in capturing the Pokémon and is sent flying into a tree.

The Generals chase Arceus down and find it battling Gold at the Ruins of Alph. Once Arceus uses its powers and transports them all to the Sinjoh Ruins, the four Generals restrain Arceus and force it onto the Mystri Stage. Archer takes control of Arceus and with the Plates, demonstrates its great and varied abilities to Gold, Silver, and Crystal. Archer forces Arceus to use its great powers to create the legendary Pokémon Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.

Believing he has pleased his boss, Giovanni, Archer starts breaking down into tears. However, his joy is quickly destroyed when Silver flies off to distract the Generals while Gold and Crystal finish off the three Pokémon Arceus created. Having done so, Arceus, now freed from its restraints, uses its powers to send Archer and the other Generals flying and completes itself by absorbing the Plates. Much to the shock of Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the clones begin reforming, to which Archer reveals that because the creation process started, it cannot be stopped. Archer snaps, and begins claiming that everything is destined; the creation of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina, Arceus completing itself, the world becoming Team Rocket's, all destined. His insanity begins to scare his teammates.

When Giovanni returns, Archer is delighted to see that his plans worked and the person he considers the true boss of Team Rocket has returned. However, Archer becomes shocked when Giovanni starts to attack the Pokémon that he worked so hard to create. Archer begs for Giovanni to stop but Giovanni brushes him off. Outraged, Archer declares that Giovanni is not the man whom he thought was and decides to capture Arceus and rule Team Rocket himself. Having lost his mind, Archer runs towards the stage to capture Arceus, only to be easily kicked away. He lands on Petrel and is knocked unconscious. After the battle had ended, Giovanni has Archer carried away and states that he will be given punishment later on.

Pokémon

On hand

Crobat

Debut	All About Arceus III

Crobat is Archer's main mode of transportation. It was seen carrying Archer towards the light being emitted by Arceus along with the other Generals. Later, it helped drag Arceus to the Mystri Stage.

None of Crobat's moves are known.

Houndoom

Debut	All About Arceus III

Houndoom was first seen being used to drag Arceus to the Mystri Stage. Later, it was seen nearly choking Petrel to death with its powerful tail when Petrel revealed what happened to him after his loss to Silver.

None of Houndoom's moves are known.

Controlled

Arceus

Debut	Out-Odding Oddish

Archer used Arceus's powers to change its type with the Plates and had it create the legendary Pokémon Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. Although he believed that it was he who cause the events to happen, Arceus did it all on its own as a test to see if humanity was worth saving if they could come together to stop the three Pokémon it created. While Giovanni, Pryce, Lance, Silver, and Crystal faced the others, Gold stayed behind to calm Arceus's rage. After connecting with his Togebo, he managed to reach Arceus, proving to it that humanity is worth saving. Afterward, Arceus left to parts unknown.

Arceus's only known move is Judgment and its Ability is Multitype.

Dialga

Debut	All About Arceus V

Archer created this Dialga after dragging Arceus to the Mystri Stage. Although it was seemingly destroyed by a combination of Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn, and Hydro Cannon, it quickly reformed itself. After arriving to help, Pryce fought Dialga and demonstrated an immunity to its ability to manipulate the flow of time. After the battle had ended, Dialga flew off, where it would eventually serve its role in the Diamond & Pearl and Platinum arcs.

Dialga's only known move is Roar of Time.

Palkia

Debut	All About Arceus V

Archer created this Palkia after dragging Arceus to the Mystri Stage. Although it was seemingly destroyed by a combination of Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn, and Hydro Cannon, it quickly reformed itself. After arriving to help, Lance fought Palkia and exploited his Dragonite's ability to change the direction of its Hyper Beam to hit Palkia even after it sent the move to another area. After the battle had ended, Palkia flew off, where it would eventually serve its role in the Diamond & Pearl and Platinum arcs.

Palkia's only known move is Spacial Rend.

Giratina

Debut	All About Arceus V

Archer created this Giratina after dragging Arceus to the Mystri Stage. Although it was seemingly destroyed by a combination of Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn, and Hydro Cannon, it quickly reformed itself. After arriving to help, Giovanni fought Giratina, much to Archer's horror. When Giovanni's disease prevented him from continuing the battle, Silver stepped in to defend his father from the attacking Renegade Pokémon. After the battle had ended, Giratina was forced back into the Distortion World by Dialga and Palkia, where it would eventually serve its role in the Diamond & Pearl and Platinum arcs.

None of Giratina's moves are known.

In the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jou's Big Adventure manga

Archer in Jou's Big Adventure

When Jou and Tsubaki were battling Team Rocket, Archer was spying on them via camera. After noticing that the grunts lost to the two Trainers, he takes action in his own hands by sending out Houndoom. However, Houndoom was not able to defeat them, which made Archer upset.

Pokémon

Houndoom

Debut	Jou VS Team Rocket

Houndoom was sent out by Archer after the grunts lost to Jou and Tsubaki. Houndoom was quickly defeated by Totodile.

None of Houndoom's moves are known.

Trivia

• Archer's design in Generation IV is based upon the original sprite of all male Rocket Executives from Generation II. The other two male Executives (now known as Proton and Petrel), who also used that sprite, were given entirely new designs. Similarly, Ariana's design is based on the original female Executive sprite, being the only female Executive in Johto.
• Before Archer's name and identity were revealed in Generation IV, Pokémon Adventures and Golden Boys had adapted the original male Executive as Carl and Grey, respectively. Having similar roles to Archer and owning a Houndour, they should be considered as his cross-canon counterpart.
• Considering Saturn is left the assets of Team Galactic in Cyrus's absence, Archer could be seen as his parallel, as he controls Team Rocket in Giovanni's absence.

Names

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	アポロ Apollo	From the US Apollo program, the US spaceflight program with the goal of landing on the Moon. It also may also come from Apollo, the god of the light and the sun.
English, Italian	Archer	May be a reference to the AA-11 Archer (also known as the Vympel R-73), an air-to-air missile from the Soviet Union. In addition, it may allude to his Japanese name, as Apollo, the Greek god, is an archer.
French	Amos	From Amos, a family of Israeli communications satellites
German, Spanish	Atlas	From Atlas, a family of US space launch vehicles
Korean	아폴로 Apollo	From his Japanese name
Chinese (Mandarin)	阿波羅 Ābōluó	From his Japanese name

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.