Petrel

Petrel ラムダ Lambda
Art from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Gender	Male
Eye color	Black
Hair color	Purple
Hometown	Unknown
Region	Johto
Trainer class	Executive
Generation	II, IV
Games	Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, SoulSilver
Member of	Team Rocket
Rank	Executive

Petrel (Japanese: ラムダ Lambda) is one of the four Team Rocket Executives introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver. However, his true identity wasn't revealed until Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

In the games

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Petrel is apparently Team Rocket's master of disguise. He is first seen dressing as Giovanni and then battled in the Team Rocket HQ. After this a Murkrow will imitate Petrel's voice to allow the player to progress. In Goldenrod Radio Tower he appears again, using his disguise skills again, this time dressed as Radio Tower Director.

Petrel's motives on Team Rocket are more mild-mannered, as he freely gives out information such as passwords and the location of the Director. He even considers himself a "nice guy" and hands over the key. In fact, it is his giving out of this information that leads to many of Team Rocket's defeats, despite his opinion that the player can't use the information anyways.

Petrel's position has existed since Pokémon Gold and Silver, although he did not disguise himself as Giovanni in Generation II. However, his existence was easy to miss because all male Rocket Executives used the same sprite (now adopted as Archer's canonical design) and were not identified by name, making it seem to some like there was only one male Executive. The Rocket Executive that Petrel is based on was then given a canonical design and an official name in HeartGold and SoulSilver, along with the other three Executives, to distinguish them as individuals. Proton's case is the same.

Pokémon

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

First battle

Rocket Executive Rocket Hideout Gold, Silver, and Crystal Reward: $1584

Types: Poison Flying Held item: None Zubat♂ Lv.22 Leech Life Bug   --       Bite Dark   --       Supersonic Normal   --       Confuse Ray Ghost   --       Type: Poison Unknown Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.22 Smog Poison   --       Tackle Normal   --       Sludge Poison   --       Selfdestruct Normal   --       Type: Normal Unknown Held item: None Raticate♂ Lv.24 Hyper Fang Normal   --       Quick Attack Normal   --       Scary Face Normal   --       Tail Whip Normal   --

Second battle

Rocket Executive Goldenrod Radio Tower Gold, Silver, and Crystal Reward: $2160

Type: Poison Unknown Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.30 SmokeScreen Normal   --       Tackle Normal   --       Sludge Poison   --       Selfdestruct Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.30 SmokeScreen Normal   --       Tackle Normal   --       Sludge Poison   --       Selfdestruct Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.30 SmokeScreen Normal   --       Tackle Normal   --       Sludge Poison   --       Selfdestruct Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.30 SmokeScreen Normal   --       Tackle Normal   --       Sludge Poison   --       Selfdestruct Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Held item: None Weezing♂ Lv.32 SmokeScreen Normal   --       Tackle Normal   --       Sludge Poison   --       Explosion Normal   --       Type: Poison Unknown Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.30 SmokeScreen Normal   --       Tackle Normal   --       Sludge Poison   --       Smog Poison   --

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

First battle

Executive Petrel Team Rocket HQ HeartGold and SoulSilver Reward: $880

Types: Poison Flying Ability: Inner Focus Held item: None Zubat♂ Lv.22 Astonish Ghost Physical   --       Bite Dark Physical   --       Wing Attack Flying Physical   --       Confuse Ray Ghost Status   --       Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Levitate Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.22 Smog Poison Special   --       SmokeScreen Normal Status   --       Assurance Dark Physical   --       Selfdestruct Normal Physical   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Guts Held item: None Raticate♂ Lv.24 Hyper Fang Normal Physical   --       Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Scary Face Normal Status   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --

Second battle

Executive Petrel Goldenrod Radio Tower HeartGold and SoulSilver Reward: $1200

Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Levitate Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.30 Sludge Poison Special   --       SmokeScreen Normal Status   --       Selfdestruct Normal Physical   --       Tackle Normal Physical   --       Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Levitate Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.30 Sludge Poison Special   --       SmokeScreen Normal Status   --       Selfdestruct Normal Physical   --       Tackle Normal Physical   --       Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Levitate Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.30 Sludge Poison Special   --       SmokeScreen Normal Status   --       Selfdestruct Normal Physical   --       Tackle Normal Physical   --       Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Levitate Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.30 Sludge Poison Special   --       SmokeScreen Normal Status   --       Selfdestruct Normal Physical   --       Tackle Normal Physical   --       Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Levitate Held item: None Weezing♂ Lv.32 Tackle Normal Physical   --       Sludge Poison Special   --       SmokeScreen Normal Status   --       Explosion Normal Physical   --       Type: Poison Unknown Ability: Levitate Held item: None Koffing♂ Lv.30 Sludge Poison Special   --       SmokeScreen Normal Status   --       Selfdestruct Normal Physical   --       Tackle Normal Physical   --

Quotes

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Team Rocket HQ

• Before battle

"What? Who are you? This is the office of our leader, Giovanni. Since disbanding Team Rocket three years ago, he has been in training. But we're certain he will be back some day to assume command again. That's why we're standing guard. I won't let anyone disturb this place!"

• Being defeated

"I… I couldn't do a thing… Giovanni, please forgive me…"

• After being defeated

"No, I can't let this affect me. I have to inform the others…"

Goldenrod Radio Tower

• Before battle

"Y-you! You came to rescue me?"

"Is that what you were expecting? Wrong! I'm an imposter! I pretended to be the real thing to prepare for our takeover. Do you want to know where we hid the real Director? Sure, I'll tell you. But only if you can beat me!"

• Being defeated

"OK, OK. I'll tell you where he is."

• After being defeated

"We stashed the real Director in the underground warehouse. It's at the far end of the Underground. But I doubt you'll get that far."

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Team Rocket HQ

• Disguised as Giovanni

"Muhahaha, we've been waiting for you. So, you are <player>… Me? You don't know who I am? It is me, Giovanni. The majestic Giovanni himself! Wahahaha! …Huh? I don't sound anything like Giovanni? I don't even look like Giovanni? How come? I've worked so hard to mimic him!"

• Before battle

"I am a Team Rocket Executive! You must be trying to sneak into the radio-transmitter room. Well, that's not going to happen. That room is protected with a special password. The password is "Hail Giovanni". Surprised to hear it from me? Knowing the password won't help you though. The door won't open unless I say the password. It only reacts to my voice."

• After sending out last Pokémon

"Hey, you're good!"

• Last Pokémon low on health

"Wow, strong!"

• Being defeated

"I… I couldn't do a thing… Giovanni, please forgive me…"

• After being defeated

"Since disbanding Team Rocket three years ago, our Giovanni has been missing. But we're certain he's been waiting for the right time for our revival... Wahahaha! Losing to you won't change the fact that you are unable to get in the radio-transmitter room! You need my voice to unlock it!"

Goldenrod Radio Tower

• Disguised as the Director

"Ahem, do you hear me? ...I am the Director. We have decided to broadcast wonderful shows to praise Team Rocket! Everyone, I don't want to hear you complain. Just do a good job to... Yikes! I am busy impersonating the... Who are you? ...Oh no, it's you again, <player>?"

• Before battle

"No, no, no! I was pretending to be the Director to influence the entire region to support Team Rocket! This time I won't hold back! Give me all you've got!"

• After sending out last Pokémon

"What? Am I losing?"

• Last Pokémon low on health

"Hey, wait, are you serious?!"

• Being defeated

"OK, OK. I'll tell you where he is."

• After being defeated

"Listen carefully. We stashed the real Director in the underground warehouse. It's at the far end of the Goldenrod Tunnel. I am a nice guy. I will give you the Basement Key to get to the underground warehouse. Take it with gratitude!"

"Hahaha... I doubt a child like you'll get that far."

Sprites

Sprite from Generation II	Sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver	VS sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Overworld sprite from Generation II	Overworld sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver	Overworld sprite, disguised as the Radio Director, from Generation II	Overworld sprite, disguised as Giovanni, from HeartGold and SoulSilver	Overworld sprite, disguised as the Radio Director, from HeartGold and SoulSilver

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Petrel in Pokémon Adventures

Petrel appears in the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc alongside the other three Executives. He, along with his teammates, take control of Team Rocket from Carr, saying that they will stay true to Giovanni's intentions. In this series, Petrel is a master of disguise, and has the ability to quickly disguise himself as any person he has met.

Petrel uses his Koffing to attack Silver and Clair at the Dragon's Den but loses and has his Plate stolen. Later, he attacks Silver and Eusine at the Johto Safari Zone to recover the Plate he lost. Using his Pokémon, Petrel gains an advantage over the two and nearly sends them off a bridge. However, Silver manages to rise up from the water, defeat Petrel, and take the two Plates he had with him. Using his disguise skills, Petrel manages to escape from Silver's grasp.

Later, he joins his teammates to finish their plan to capture the Mythical Pokémon Arceus. They arrive at the Ruins of Alph and witness Gold battling Arceus. After Arceus sends them all to the Sinjoh Ruins, the Four Generals restrain Arceus and force it onto the Mystri Stage.

Using its great powers, they force Arceus to create the Legendary Pokémon Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. While Archer, Ariana, and Proton start tearing up at the thought of pleasing Giovanni, Petrel reveals to Silver that he knows that he is the son of their boss. He reveals to Silver that he intends to betray his teammates by lying to Giovanni by telling him that Archer, Proton, and Ariana attacked Silver. With this information, Giovanni would destroy the three while Petrel would become Team Rocket's second-in-command for acting like he was protecting Silver.

Despite being blinded by Petrel's Golbat, Silver manages to escape his grasp and fly to where Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina and still being created. Using himself as a distraction, Silver manages to stall the Four Generals long enough for Gold and Crystal to destroy the Pokémon Arceus was forced to create. Now freed from their control, Arceus uses its powers to send Petrel and his teammates flying.

As Archer begins to lose his mind, Petrel becomes scared and decides to escape. Knowing that his teammates would stop him if he appeared as himself, Petrel decides to disguise himself as Giovanni so that he can walk freely. Before his plan can be executed, the real Giovanni arrives and stops him.

After the battle with Arceus had ended, Petrel attempted to escape once more by disguising himself as Bugsy. Gold quickly notices him, and Lance captures Petrel by having his Dragonite lift him up in the air. When Gold asks how a coward like Petrel could defeat him, Lance reveals that it was because Petrel disguised himself as a Trainer with the same powers and birthplace as him.

Pokémon

Koffing (multiple)

Debut	Dealing With A Koffing Fit

Petrel owns many Koffing that he relies on for battling his enemies. They were first used to attack Silver and Clair at the Dragon's Den. Silver managed to defeat them and take the Plate one was holding. Later, they were used to stop Silver from reaching the Pokémon Arceus was creating.

None of Koffing's moves are known.

Raticate

Debut	Weavile Wobbles But It Won't Fall Down

Raticate was first used to battle Silver at the Johto Safari Zone. Using its powerful jaws, Raticate nearly sent Silver and Eusine falling off a bridge. Later, it was used to stop Silver from reaching the Pokémon Arceus was creating.

Raticate's only known moves is Hyper Fang.

Golbat

Debut	Fortunately for Feraligatr

Golbat is Petrel's mode of flight transportation. It was first used to battle Silver at the Johto Safari Zone. Later, it restrained Arceus and pulled it into the Mystri Stage. Petrel later used it to blind Silver by licking it with its long tongue, blinding his eyes and paralyzing his throat with its venom.

Golbat's known moves are Air Cutter and Lick*.

In the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure manga

Petrel's role in Jō's Big Adventure becomes a bit similar to the games. Jō meets Petrel in the Lake of Rage where he has a Tag Battle with Jō and Lance. Later, he is seen in Team Rocket's hideout watching Jō battle the grunts.

Pokémon

Raticate

Debut	Jō VS Team Rocket

Petrel sent out Raticate along with Ariana's Gloom in a Tag Battle against Jō and Lance. It was beaten by Dragonite's Twister.

None of Raticate's moves are known.

In the TCG

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Petrel in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Related cards Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Team Rocket's Trickery	Su	Undaunted		78/90	Reviving Legends		076/080
					Tyranitar Constructed Standard Deck		018/019

Names

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	ラムダ Lambda	From Lambda, a type of Japanese rocket.
English, Spanish	Petrel	From Petrel, a type of British rocket
French, German	Lambda	From his Japanese name
Italian	Maxus	From Maxus, a sounding rocket
Korean	람다 Lambda	From his Japanese name
Chinese (Mandarin)	拉姆達 Lāmǔdá	From his Japanese name

Related articles

• Images on the Bulbagarden Archives

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.