Pokémon Trainer (Super Smash Bros.)
| Pokémon Trainer ポケモントレーナー Pokémon Trainer | |
 Pokémon Trainer and his Pokémon in Brawl | |
| Gender | Male |
|---|---|
| Hometown | Unknown |
| Region | World of Trophies |
| Trainer class | Pokémon Trainer |
| Generation | IV |
| Games | Super Smash Bros. Brawl |
The Pokémon Trainer (Japanese: ポケモントレーナー Pokémon Trainer) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Core mechanics
Unlike the other characters, Pokémon Trainer doesn't actually fight his opponents himself. Instead, he sends out his Pokémon team of Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard to fight on his behalf, each with its own set of moves, strengths, and weaknesses. The Trainer is able to switch between the three Pokémon using the Down-Special move, Pokémon Change, which each Pokémon has access to. If a Pokémon fights for too long it will gradually weaken. The Pokémon Trainer's Final Smash, Triple Finish, is also shared amongst the three Pokémon.
During a fight, the Pokémon Trainer can be seen in the background, using hand signals and commands to direct his Pokémon, and running across the screen (on large stages) so he can be near his Pokémon at all times. When his Pokémon are defeated, he remains in the background, but pulls his hat over his eyes and assumes a defeated posture.
Pokémon
| Debut | Super Smash Bros. Brawl |
|---|---|
| Voice actors | |
| Japanese | Rikako Aikawa |
| English | Michele Knotz |
- Main article: Squirtle on Smash Bros. Wiki
Squirtle is a fast, lightweight fighter and uses various attacks using its shell and jets of water. It can use Waterfall to dash upward on a wave of water to recover from falls, Withdraw, to retreats to its shell and propel itself forward, shooting water from its shell; which makes up for its below-average dash speed. It also uses Water Gun to push enemies backward with a stream of chargeable water, but does no damage at all (unless fired without charging it up, though it also shortens the range). Because of its lightweight build, it excels in aerial combat and is hard to combo, but is easy to knock off the stage and KO. Squirtle is also the shortest-ranged of the 3 Pokémon and needs to be in close range to deal damage, due to its small size and poor reach. It uses Hydro Pump in the Pokémon Trainer's Final Smash, Triple Finish.
In the Subspace Emissary, Squirtle is the first Pokémon to appear alongside the Pokémon Trainer. It is sent out to assist a distraught Lucas.
| Standard Special Move | Side Special Move | Up Special Move | Down Special Move | Final Smash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debut | Super Smash Bros. Brawl |
|---|---|
| Voice actors | |
| Japanese | Tomoko Kawakami |
| English | Craig Blair |
- Main article: Ivysaur on Smash Bros. Wiki
In many ways, Ivysaur is the balance between the heavyweight, hard-hitting Charizard and the lightweight, agile Squirtle. Despite this, it lacks the heavy hitting moves of Charizard and the fast rate of attack from Squirtle. It is very good at racking up damage percentages with its attacks, but has a very hard time KOing its opponent; its strongest finishing moves are too laggy to pose a threat. Ivysaur's worst problem though, is its atrocious aerial game and recovery. Despite these flaws, Ivysaur can be used to irritate its foes and rack up high damage percentages with its attacks (especially Bullet Seed). It also has a decent grab and throw game, its forward and down throws can leave the opponent vulnerable to combos for the other 2 Pokémon to finish it off. It uses mostly physical Grass-type attacks, such as Bullet Seed, a rapid upward hitting move, and Vine Whip, a tether recovery move where vines are shot out to latch onto edges of a stage and pull Ivysaur up; but like all tether recoveries, it can be edgehogged and prevent Ivysaur from grabbing onto the ledge; sending it to its doom. It also uses the projectile attack Razor Leaf. It uses SolarBeam in the Pokémon Trainer's Final Smash, Triple Finish.
In the Subspace Emissary, Ivysaur is found by the Pokémon Trainer, Squirtle, and Lucas after an encounter with Ness's captor, Wario. This allows the Pokémon Trainer to use Pokémon Change in the story mode.
| Standard Special Move | Side Special Move | Up Special Move | Down Special Move | Final Smash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debut | Super Smash Bros. Brawl |
|---|---|
| Voice actors | |
| Japanese | Shinichirō Miki |
| English | Shinichirō Miki |
- Main article: Charizard on Smash Bros. Wiki
Charizard is the Pokémon Trainer's powerhouse, boasting heavy-hitting moves, slightly above average dash speed (faster than Pikachu, but a very small difference), long attack range; but large weight, subpar aerial game, and slow walking speed. It uses a variety of mostly physical attacks, such as Rock Smash, a powerful attack towards enemies directly in front, and Fly, a recovery move that sends Charizard skywards and allows it to glide. It can also use Flamethrower to attack from a short distance, although its power decreases over time. It uses Fire Blast in the Pokémon Trainer's Final Smash, Triple Finish.
In the Subspace Emissary, Charizard is found shortly after Ivysaur, completing the Trainer's team.
| Standard Special Move | Side Special Move | Up Special Move | Down Special Move | Final Smash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Subspace Emissary
The Pokémon Trainer is first encountered by Lucas in the Ruined Zoo. For most of the game, the two are paired together. Pokémon Trainer's mission is to capture Charizard and Ivysaur while Lucas's is to save Ness. On their way to the Ruins, the two are ambushed by Wario, who is eventually defeated by the two. Later in The Ruined Hall, they are attacked by Galleom. Once defeated, it sets off a time bomb. Lucas saves the Pokémon Trainer, and they are then both saved by Meta Knight who carries them away from the explosion, which sucks up Wario's trophy into Subspace. From then on the two join Meta Knight, Marth, and Ike on their quest to take down the Subspace Army.
Codec information (on Shadow Moses Island)
- Solid Snake: "Pokémon Trainer... That's the guy giving orders behind a Pokémon, right?"
- Roy Campbell: "Right, and this Pokémon Trainer is controlling Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard. They represent water, grass, and fire, and they're all powerful."
- Solid Snake: "So he makes his Pokémon fight while he sits back and watches. Sounds like a good deal if you ask me."
- Roy Campbell: "It's not like that, Snake. Those Pokémon wouldn't know what to do if the Pokémon Trainer wasn't there giving orders. In every battle, there's a soldier doing the fighting, and a commander telling him what to do. By working together as a team, they accomplish much more than either could on their own. So let's do this together, partner."
- Solid Snake: "...Yeah... Whatever you say, Colonel."
Trophy information
Pokémon Trainer
"A person who raises Pokémon and trains them as partners in battle. In battle, a Trainer gives orders to the Pokémon and uses items. It's not an exaggeration to say battles can be won or lost on a Trainer's single strategic move. Trainers pour their hearts into their Pokémon and share anger, sadness, and joy as they adventure in hopes of becoming Pokémon Masters."
Triple Finish
"The Final Smash of the Pokémon Trainer. Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard join forces to simultaneously use Hydro Pump, SolarBeam, and Fire Blast. This is the only time all three of them appear on the screen together, so this move boasts the strength of three in one. A window will appear on the screen saying "It's super effective!" when the attack hits."
Gallery
Pokémon Trainer's palette swaps in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
A Pokémon Trainer in battle
Voice actors
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Trivia
- In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Pokémon Trainer bears a few similarities to Olimar and Zelda, two other fighters. Olimar can also command creatures to fight for him, both have Tether Recoveries (but only with Ivysaur), and they can both change whoever they are using. Unlike Olimar, Zelda can change between playable characters (Shiek) similar to the way Pokémon Trainer does.
- Despite having above average dash speed, Charizard has the slowest walking speed in Brawl.
- When Ivysaur moves, it sheds a small amount of leaves.
- If Ivysaur is grabbed, the opposing character grabs its bulb rather than its whole body, even when grabbing in front of it.
- Squirtle, tied with Olimar, is the smallest playable character in the game.
- Even though Squirtle is a Water-type Pokémon with the ability to swim, it can still drown when swimming in water for too long.
- Red and the rest of the fighters (excluding villains) get defeated instantly in the SSE upon reaching Tabuu and getting hit by his Off Waves. Because he does not fight opponents in the gameplay, this is the only time in the entire game where Red himself is KO'd.
- There have been unused animations of Red jumping and landing.
- When playing SSE, the Pokémon Trainer starts out only with Squirtle, and must catch Ivysaur and Charizard along the course of the adventure.
External links
