Piers

Piers ネズ Nezu
Artwork from Sword and Shield
Gender	Male
Eye color	Green
Hair color	Black and white
Hometown	Spikemuth
Region	Galar
Relatives	Marnie (younger sister)
Trainer class	Gym Leader, Pokémon Trainer
Generation	VIII
Games	Sword and Shield
Leader of	Spikemuth Gym
Badge	Dark Badge
Specializes in	Dark types
Member of	Team Yell
Rank	Captain

Piers (Japanese: ネズ Nezu) is the Gym Leader of Spikemuth and the captain of Team Yell. He specializes in Dark-type Pokémon. He gives the Dark Badge to Trainers who defeat him. During the events of Pokémon Sword and Shield, he retires from his position as a Gym Leader and passes the title on to his little sister, Marnie.

In the games

Piers is the seventh Gym Leader Galarian Trainers face in their Gym Challenge. He is well known for writing songs and singing as he regularly does so in Spikemuth. More often he tends to reveal his strategy to his opponents, yet he has the strength and skills to win regardless. Spikemuth is the only Gym in Galar not built over a Power Spot; previously, Chairman Rose had asked Piers to relocate his Gym to a faraway Power Spot, but Piers refused and opted to be the only Gym Leader not to use Dynamax. As a result, the town is rarely visited by fans, which Piers blames himself for letting his home fall into obscurity and dilapidation. He has been desperately trying to support the town with his Dark-type Pokémon but often gets frustrated with the limits of his strength.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Piers is the only Gym Leader absent from the Gym Challenge's opening ceremony in Motostoke. He makes his first appearance once the player clears the Spikemuth Gym Challenge, where it is revealed that the Team Yell Grunts are actually Spikemuth Gym Trainers in disguise, and that their leader is Piers. After the player defeats Piers, Marnie approaches him for her turn at the Gym Challenge. Their conversation reveals that Piers had previously planned to stand down as Gym Leader after the Champion Cup ended and pass down the role to his little sister. However, Marnie refused the offer, stating that she could not be a Gym Leader if she succeeds in becoming Champion.

After the player defeats Marnie in the Champion Cup Semifinals in Wyndon, Piers rededicates Team Yell to cheering on the player instead. He and Team Yell assist the player and Hop in accessing Rose Tower by helping them find the Macro Cosmos's League staff hiding the monorail key needed to reach the tower.

Piers plays a vital role in helping to stop the Dynamax Pokémon created by Sordward and Shielbert. Having now stepped down as a Gym Leader following the Champion Cup's conclusion, he accompanies the player and Hop to all the stadiums in Galar to help their Gym Leaders defeat the Dynamax Pokémon. After the player captures Zacian^Sw/Zamazenta^Sh, Piers gives them his rare League Card and returns to Spikemuth, where he can be found giving a concert to the members of Team Yell. He can also appear as an opponent in the player's Champion tournaments despite no longer being a Gym Leader.

League Cards

This is a transcript of the back of Piers's League Cards in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Normal League Card

"Spikemuth lacks a Power Spot that would allow Pokémon to Dynamax, and thus not many fans come to visit the town. Piers feels responsible for allowing his town to fall into obscurity and dilapidation. Once in battle, Piers tends to get riled up and will often reveal his strategy early on, but he has the strength and skill to triumph regardless. However, his true passions are singing and song writing, and his talents in these fields are well-known. As such, he currently hopes that his younger sister will take over as Gym Leader."

Rare League Card

"Here are some words from Piers when he first became the Gym Leader of Spikemuth. "Uh... ... ... The name's Piers. It's too bad we can't Dynamax our Pokémon in Spikemuth, but you could say we have a more authentic style of Pokémon battles. And I plan on showin' that off. And well... I have a younger sister, and she's got way more talent than me. But until she's old enough to become Gym Leader, I'll keep rockin' with my crew and make sure Spikemuth stays lively!""

Pokémon

Piers keeps his Pokémon in Dusk Balls.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Gym battle

Gym Leader Piers Spikemuth Sword and Shield Reward: $7,360

Types: Dark Fighting Ability: Intimidate Held item: None Scrafty♂ Lv.44 Fake Out Normal Physical   --       Sand Attack Ground Status   --       Brick Break Fighting Physical   --       Payback Dark Physical   --       Types: Dark Psychic Ability: Contrary Held item: None Malamar♂ Lv.45 Night Slash Dark Physical   --       Foul Play Dark Physical   --       Psycho Cut Psychic Physical   --       Payback Dark Physical   --       Types: Poison Dark Ability: Aftermath Held item: None Skuntank♂ Lv.45 Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Screech Normal Status   --       Toxic Poison Status   --       Snarl Dark Special   --       Types: Dark Normal Ability: Reckless Held item: None Obstagoon♂ Lv.46 Obstruct Dark Status   --       Throat Chop Dark Physical   --       Counter Fighting Physical   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --

Max Raid Battle partner

Piers uses this Pokémon in the Max Raid Battles in Turffield, Hulbury, and Motostoke Stadiums.

Pokémon Trainer Piers Galar Sword and Shield Reward: N/A
Types: Dark Normal Ability: Reckless Held item: None Obstagoon♂ Lv.62 Cross Chop Fighting Physical   --       Snarl Dark Special   --       Throat Chop Dark Physical   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --

Champion tournaments

Pokémon Trainer Piers Wyndon Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: $9,920

Types: Dark Fighting Ability: Moxie Held item: None Scrafty♂ Lv.60 Fake Out Normal Physical   --       Sand Attack Ground Status   --       Brick Break Fighting Physical   --       Payback Dark Physical   --       Types: Dark Psychic Ability: Contrary Held item: None Malamar♂ Lv.60 Night Slash Dark Physical   --       Foul Play Dark Physical   --       Psycho Cut Psychic Physical   --       Payback Dark Physical   --       Types: Poison Dark Ability: Aftermath Held item: None Skuntank♂ Lv.61 Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Screech Normal Status   --       Toxic Poison Status   --       Snarl Dark Special   --       Types: Electric Poison Ability: Punk Rock Held item: None Toxtricity♂ Lv.61 Overdrive Electric Special   --       Sludge Bomb Poison Special   --       Taunt Dark Status   --       Venom Drench Poison Status   --       Types: Dark Normal Ability: Reckless Held item: None Obstagoon♂ Lv.62 Obstruct Dark Status   --       Throat Chop Dark Physical   --       Counter Fighting Physical   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --

Caught for someone else

Morpeko ♀

Debut	Pokémon Sword and Shield

When Marnie was five, Piers caught this Morpeko as a present to his little sister, which eventually became her starter Pokémon. According to her League Card, Marnie's Morpeko helped her become less of a crybaby and more cheerful and outgoing.

Quotes

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.

Spikemuth

• Before battle

"*sigh*... So you're finally here, huh?"

"See, I'm...I'm really not a great Gym Leader. Figured that's why nobody was comin' to challenge me."

"I have good ears, so I overheard the whole thing about the city bein' shut up. When I was alone, it was like my soul was weepin'."

"This is a simple Gym Stadium. We can't even Dynamax our Pokémon, but well... I still hope you enjoy the battle."

"Now then..."

"I'm the Gym Leader of Spikemuth, Piers, the Dark-type user!"

"You wanna challenge me, even though you know you'll lose? Then this song's for you, foolish Trainer!"

"Get ready for a mosh pit with me and my party! Spikemuth, it's time to rock!"

• Upon sending out Scrafty

"Everyone, cheer on my Pokémon! Let's do it, Scrafty! Intimidate the opponent!"

• Upon sending out Malamar

"Malamar's gonna mess you all up with its Contrary Ability!"

• Upon sending out Skuntank

"Everyone's gonna stink, but who cares! Go, Skuntank! Use your Sucker Punch and Toxic!"

• Upon sending out Obstagoon

"Time to meet another member of my crew! Face the proud, high roar of my Obstagoon!"

• Before sending out his last Pokémon

"I don't do encores, get it? Not songs... Not moves... Not Pokémon!"

• Commanding Obstagoon to use Throat Chop

"Here's a number I had saved just for this! You lot in the stands better cheer me on!"

• Upon being defeated

"Me an' my team gave it our best. Let's meet up again for a battle some time..."

• After being defeated

"I'm glad we were able to battle. Seems like my Pokémon feel the same way."

"Here's your Dark Badge."

"Here's a uniform, too... I’ve actually been thinkin' about just sellin' them at my concerts."

"My little sis Marnie's gonna challenge me next, I bet."

"Do you want to go back to the reception area?"

"So you were watchin', Sis... You won't learn anythin' from seein' me lose."

"That right? That reminds me. Marnie, there's somethin' I wanted to tell you."

"I want you to take over the Gym here in Spikemuth as its Gym Leader."

"Good point. In that case, let your big bro see if you have the skill to be a Champion!"

Wyndon

• Rose of the Rondelands

"Kid's sure got a mouth on him, huh? If you were that noisy durin' battle, you'd unleash a whole new level of power, you know."

"Judgin' by appearances? No wonder you lost to your mate."

"If you're lookin' for the Champion, I saw him headin' to Rose Tower."

"Dunno what he's up to, but I ran into him at the monorail platform. He said to tell you that he had somethin' to do at Rose Tower, so he'd be late to your dinner."

"Sheesh... What rude siblings, always so demandin' of others."

"Though I s'ppose... It's a real problem for me, too, if the Finals are held up for any reason. And I don't really hate the two of you little runts. You were good enough to beat me, after all."

"So I think I'll invite Team Yell along, and we'll all have ourselves a bit of fun. Shall we?"

• Outside the hotel

"We decided that Team Yell will cheer you on, <player>. Let's help out together."

"Tch. This isn't good! But I got this one!"

"<player>! Team Yell's yellin' will handle this!"

"For now, we should try to head to the plaza together, right?"

Yes: "All right, let's all work together and head for Rose Tower."

No: "Hmm. You should be able to get to the plaza yourself, right?"

• Upon arriving at the plaza

"Let's find Oleana's League staff member. That bad one was wearin' those lame shades, right?"

• If talked to before finding the League staff member

"That bad League staff member was wearin' some awful shades. And the key to findin’ anyone is to just ask everyone you meet!"

• After defeating Macro Cosmos's Eric for the first time

"Seems like nobody's seen that bad League staff member anywhere else. I bet they're hidin' somewhere nearby."

• After defeating Eric for the second time

"Makes sense for a cornered person to seek out the tightest hidin' place, I guess. Don’t s'ppose you got a box lyin' around?"

• After defeating Eric for the third time

"Guess that wraps up Oleana's little game. Course, I’m not one to talk, I guess. Team Yell did their fair share of lame tricks... Anyway, let's head to the station."

"Team Yell, go find Hop! We'll corner that League staff member at the station together!"

• Wyndon Station

"You did a crackin' job of cornerin’ that bad League staff member, <player>. Let me sing you a song fittin' of your rockin' deeds!"

"The only thing a humble singer can do is sing a humble song. ♪"

"Maybe I can't cheer someone on just with the tunes I play. ♪"

"Maybe my songs don't make anyone happy. Maybe I can't help. ♪"

"But still the only thing I can do is sing—sing my humble song. ♪"

"<player>! Hop! Now’s your chance! Go! Get outta here!"

• Outside Rose Tower

"Times like this—when tension and passion run high—remind me of Spikemuth in the old days. Some right wild concerts we had back then. But no encores!"

"Wait, you're still here?"

"You better get goin'! I'll send some support your way with a yell!"

Artwork

Piers's League Card in Sword and Shield	Piers's rare League Card in Sword and Shield

In the anime

Piers in Pokémon: Twilight Wings

In Pokémon: Twilight Wings

In Assistant, Piers was walking on the streets of Wyndon.

He reappeared in Sky, refusing to take part in an interview about Leon in Wyndon. Piers appears again with Marnie and her Morpeko in Spikemuth while they watch the battle between Leon and Raihan together on her phone.

Trivia

• Piers's uniform number is "061", which can be read in Japanese as goroawase for 悪い warui, meaning "bad".
• Piers is the second villainous team leader to be fought as a Gym Leader, the first being Giovanni in Generations I, III, and VII.
  • Like Giovanni, Piers eventually passes on his Gym Leader status to another Trainer. Incidentally, both Giovanni's and Piers's successors were introduced as rivals before becoming Gym Leaders.
  • Interestingly, Piers is the first Dark-type Gym Leader, but also keeps with the long tradition of villainous team leaders using Dark-type Pokémon.
• Unlike past villainous team leaders, Piers has no evil intentions or goals. Instead, his only intention is for his sister Marnie to take over his role as Gym Leader.
• Piers's battle music contains remixed parts from N's final battle theme from Pokémon Black and White and the Team Rocket Hideout theme.

Names

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	ネズ Nezu	From 杜松 nezu (temple juniper)
English	Piers	From the genus Juniperus and possibly pierce
German	Nezz	Similar to his Japanese name
Spanish	Nerio	From enebro (juniper) and possibly negro (black)
French	Peterson	From peteron (common juniper)
Italian	Ginepro	From ginepro (juniper) and possibly nero (black)
Korean	두송 Dusong	From 두송 (杜松) dusong (temple juniper)
Chinese (Mandarin)	聶梓 / 聂梓 Nièzǐ	From the transcription of his Japanese name and possibly 梓 zǐ (catalpa)
Chinese (Cantonese)	聶梓 Nihpjí
Brazilian Portuguese	Pietro	From junípero (juniper) and possibly preto (black)

Related articles

Team Yell
Spikemuth
Captain	Related
Piers (Masters)	Marnie (Masters)
Lower members
Team Yell Grunts • Spikemuth Gym Trainers

Gym Leaders of the Galar region
Turffield Stadium Milo	Hulbury Stadium Nessa	Motostoke Stadium Kabu	Stow-on-Side Stadium Bea Allister
Ballonlea Stadium Opal Bede	Circhester Stadium Gordie Melony	Spikemuth Gym Piers Marnie	Hammerlocke Stadium Raihan

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.