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Lt. Surge

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Revision as of 12:00, 23 December 2010 by Juzey (talk | contribs) (→‎In the games)
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Lt. Surge
マチス Matis
"The Lightning American!"
HeartGold SoulSilver Lt Surge.png
Art from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Gender Male
Eye color Blue*, Black*
Hair color Blond
Hometown Vermilion City
(born in America)
Region Kanto
Relatives None
Trainer class Gym Leader
Generation I, II, III, IV
Games Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Stadium, Stadium 2
Leader of Vermilion Gym
Badge Thunder Badge
Specializes in Template:Type2s
Anime debut Electric Shock Showdown
English voice actor Maddie Blaustein
Japanese voice actor Fumihiko Tachiki

Lt. Surge (Japanese: マチス Matis) is the Gym Leader of Vermilion City's Gym, known officially as the Vermilion Gym. He hands out the Thunder Badge to Trainers who defeat him. He specializes in Template:Type2 Pokémon.

In the games

Art of Lt. Surge from Pokémon Red and Blue
Full art of Lt. Surge from Generation I
Artwork from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Lt. Surge is known as The Lightning American. Apparently, he is or was an American soldier who fought in at least one war, during which Electric-type Pokémon saved his life. As a member of the army, Surge was a strict CO, and was rather cautious. He was a pilot as well, and used Electric-type Pokémon to power his planes, a practice that in at least one occasion saved his life. Also, Surge saved the life of one of the Trainers in his gym who was in the army at the same time.

A little paranoid, Lt. Surge installed a series of traps in the gym. He takes a liking to Trainers with a lot of guts.

In addition to the Thunder Badge, Lt. Surge gives out TM24 (Thunderbolt), in Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow. In FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, and SoulSilver he gives out TM34 (Shock Wave). In Gold, Silver, and Crystal, he doesn't give out a TM. Also in HeartGold and SoulSilver, he trades a foreign Pikachu with the player for another Pikachu.

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, he will be outside of the Power Plant between 9 AM and 11 AM. This only occurs after the player has captured, not defeated, Zapdos. If the player defeated Zapdos, he or she will need to battle the Elite Four again for Zapdos to reappear. If the player arrives walking with a Pikachu, he will happily give his Pokégear number out, and if called on Friday morning, will be at the Fighting Dojo for a rematch. After the player gets his Pokégear number, he will be at the Magnet Train station in Saffron City. There he'll offer to trade his French Pikachu, nicknamed VOLTY, for the player's Pikachu that he saw at the Power Plant (though it need not be the same one). She will be at the same level as the Pikachu traded, will know the moves appropriate for that level, and be holding a Yellow Shard.

Fame Checker

This is a list of the Fame Checker’s information on Lt. Surge in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Vermilion City - sign
  • What does this person do?
"Vermilion City Pokémon Gym
Leader: Lt. Surge
The Lightning American!"
Vermilion Gym - Lt. Surge
  • Favorite kind of Pokémon?
"I tell you, kid, electric Pokémon saved me during the war!"
Vermilion Gym - Gentleman Tucker
  • What is this person like?
"When I was in the Army, Lt. Surge was my strict CO.
He was a hard taskmaster."
Vermilion Gym - Gentleman Tucker
  • What is this person like?
"Lt. Surge was always famous for his cautious nature in the Army."
Vermilion Gym - Sailor Dwayne
  • What is this person like?
"Lt. Surge installed the traps in the Gym himself.
He set up double locks everywhere."
Vermilion City - Pokémon Journal
  • There’s a rumor...
"Lt. Surge is rumored to have been a pilot while home in America.
He used the electricity generated by Pokémon to power his plane."
Message from Lt. Surge
  • From: Lt. Surge
  • To: [Player]
"Hey kid!
You electrified me in our battle!
I didn’t know that there were gutsy trainers like you.
It made me change my mind about you!"

Pokémon

This is a listing of Lt. Surge's Pokémon in the video games he has appeared in.

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green



Pokémon Yellow



Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal



Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen



Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Gym match



Second battle (Rematch)



Pokémon Stadium

Round 1



Round 2



Pokémon Stadium 2

Round 1



Round 2



Quotes

Pokémon Red and Blue/FireRed and LeafGreen

"Hey, kid! What do you think you're doing here? You won't live long in combat! That's for sure! I tell you kid, electric Pokémon saved me during the war! They zapped my enemies into paralysis! The same as I'll do to you!"

"Whoa! You're the real deal, kid! Fine then, take the Thunder Badge!"

Pokémon Yellow

"Ten-hut! Welcome to Vermilion Gym! Will you look at that, a pint-size challenger! Hahaha! You've got big and brassy nerves to take me on with your puny power! A Pokémon battle is war! I'll show you civilian! I'll shock you into surrender!"

"Whoa! You're the real deal, kid! Fine then, take the Thunder Badge!"

Pokémon Gold/Silver

"Hey, you little tyke! I have to hand it to you. It may not be very smart to challenge me, but it takes guts! When it comes to electric Pokémon, I'm number one! I've never lost on the battlefield. I'll zap you just like I did my enemies in war!"

"Arrrgh! You are strong! Ok, kid. You get Thunder Badge!"

"Hey, kid! Still slugging and chugging away? My Pokémon and I are still at it!"

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Vermilion Gym
  • Before battle
"Hey, you little tyke! It may not be very smart to challenge me, but it takes guts! When it comes to Electric-type Pokémon, I'm number one! I've never lost on the battlefield. I'll zap you just like I do all my enemies in battle!"
  • After sending out last Pokémon
"It's not over yet. It's just beginning!"
  • During battle
"Oh, last one! Never give up!"
  • When defeated
"My electric trick..."
  • After being defeated
"Aaargh! You are strong! OK, kid. You get the Thunder Badge!"
"That Thunder Badge suits those who've defeated me! Take good care of it, OK? There is something else. Here is a great TM for you!"
"That TM contains Shock Wave... Zzzap! Use it to go like lightning! When you go north, you will see a big city called Saffron!"
Fighting Dojo
  • Before battle
"Hey! The promise we made! Let's battle again!"
  • After being defeated
"Oh no! You are very strong! But I will repay my debut someday."
Pokégear Registering (Route 10)

"Oh! What are the chances of seeing you at a place like this? I can feel electric power around the Power Plant. You may want to catch a Pikachu in the Viridian Forest and bring it here!"

With Pikachu: "Oh, yay! You have the Pokémon I love best: Pikachu! Excellent! I will give you my telephone number!"
Yes: "Give me a call on Friday morning! We can have an electrifying battle!"
No: "Oh no! How disappointing!"
"Aha! Now you want to know my telephone number, don't you?"
Pokégear Phone
  • Calling him:
"Hello? What's up? I'm doing great! My free time? I'm usually available Friday mornings. Try calling me again then!"

Sprites

File:LtSurgeBlue.PNG File:Lt. Surge Y sprite.png File:LtSurge 02.png File:SpriteSurge.png File:LtSurgeHGSS.gif File:VSLtSurge.png File:Lt. Surge Stadium.jpg File:S2 Leader Lieutenant Surge.png
Lt. Surge's sprite from
Generation I 		Lt. Surge's sprite from
Pokémon Yellow 		Lt. Surge's sprite from
Generation II 		Lt. Surge's sprite from
Generation III 		Lt. Surge's sprite from
Generation IV 		Lt. Surge's VS sprite from
Generation IV 		Lt. Surge's artwork from
Pokémon Stadium 		Lt. Surge's artwork from
Pokémon Stadium 2

In the anime

File:Lt Surge Anime.png
Lt. Surge in the anime

Lt. Surge made his only anime appearance in Electric Shock Showdown. He has also appeared in a flashback in Pika and Goliath!.

Lt. Surge is an extremely large and muscular man, and seems to be the show's tallest human character. He is arrogant, loud, and crude, and refers to all Trainers as "babies" until they manage to defeat him. Lt. Surge generally looks down on unevolved Pokémon, preferring to evolve them as soon as possible, though he was proven wrong when Ash's Pikachu managed to defeat him. He also seems to be an extremely brutal battler, as nearly every trainer that faced him ended up with their Pokémon seriously injured, including Ash's Pikachu on his first attempt.

His Raichu shares many of his personality traits, also appearing to be rather tough. Lt. Surge's main weakness was that he evolved his Pokémon too quickly without taking the time to teach them the speed attacks. Even though he managed to defeat Ash and his Pikachu once with pure power, Pikachu was able to use speed-altering moves like Agility to get the best of Raichu and defeat it, making Lt. Surge the first Gym Leader Ash actually beats in battle and not just receiving the Gym Badge out of gratitude.

Pokémon

This listing is of Lt. Surge's known Pokémon in the anime:

File:Surges Raichu.png
Pikachu → Raichu

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese Fumihiko Tachiki
English Maddie Blaustein
Polish Grzegorz Pawlak
Spanish Latin America Gerardo Vásquez
Spain Juan Luis Rovira


In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

File:Lt. Surge and Sabrina.png
Lt. Surge and his Raichu (left) with Sabrina and her Mr. Mime (right)

Lt. Surge is one of the evil leaders of Team Rocket. In his debut round, Danger: High Voltorb, he used the S.S. Anne in Vermilion City to transport captured Pokémon illegally. He tried to kill Red, but was bested after Red's Poliwhirl evolved into Poliwrath.

Lt. Surge captured Zapdos at the Power Plant under Giovanni's orders. He then fought Red at Silph Co. with an Electrode bazooka and Magneton shield all powered by his newly caught Zapdos. He also had an electrocution suit on so he couldn't be shocked by Zapdos' power. Red waits for him to make Zapdos use its full power and makes Saur cut up the power cords to his machines and his suit so he gets electrocuted instead. However, he, along with the rest of Team Rocket, was dispersed when the chimera made from the Legendary Pokémon was defeated by Red, Blue, and Green in Saffron City.

Some time later, the Elite Four tried to destroy humanity. Team Rocket joined up with the trainers from Pallet Town to stop them. During the battle against the Elite Four on Cerise Island, Lt. Surge was paired with Red according to Sabrina's Spoons of Destiny. However, with Red absent due to injuries, Lt. Surge picked Bill as his partner instead, whose Spoon had not bent due to the fact that he didn't want to battle in the first place. When Red arrived as Bill and Lt. Surge were about to lose, Lt. Surge's spoon bent, revealing Red as his true partner. The three of them then teamed up to defeat Bruno.

In Johto, Lt. Surge was first seen accidently capturing Crystal, who freed his submarine by capturing the Corsola that were keeping it stuck. He re-payed her by allowing the SS Anne to take her to Olivine City free of charge. He then went to Mahogany Town to investigate the rise of Team Rocket under a different leader, since Koga and Govanni disappeared and Sabrina was busy healing her wounds. He confronted the Masked Man, but lost and barely managed to escape with his life. He then stumbled upon Silver's Red Gyarados at the Lake of Rage. He is then led to several items of Gold and Silver's including one of their Pokédexes and goes to Morty so he can use them to locate the lost boys, who tells him that they are at the Whirl Islands.

The manga version of Lt. Surge prefers to travel by sea, as he is a sailor. He can also fly through the air by having four of his Magneton create an energy platform for him to ride on.

In battle, Lt. Surge generally prefers to use his Electabuzz to zap anything that gets in his way. He also uses other Electric-type Pokémon to provide distractions with Selfdestruct.

Pokémon

This listing is of Lt. Surge's Pokémon in the Pokémon Adventures manga.

Electabuzz

Electabuzz is one of Lt. Surge's most powerful Pokémon and it's noted that it is disobedient and Surge couldn't even get it in a Poké Ball. It was first seen on the S.S. Anne, where Surge sent it out to fight against Red and his Poliwhirl. It seemingly had the upper hand until the Water-type Pokémon evolved into a Poliwrath after being pushed off the side of the ship, which resulted in Red defeating Surge and Electabuzz. It was used to fight against Red again during the battle at Silph Co. Two years later, Electabuzz was used in the battle of Cerise Island, where it helped battle Bruno, but was not able to damage his Pokémon due to their evasiveness. During the Gym Leader Tournament in Johto, it fought against Morty's Gastly and Misdreavus, who almost defeated it before Surge switched it with Magnemite. Its known moves include ThunderPunch, Thunderbolt, ThunderShock and Thunder.

Magneton (Multiple)

Lt. Surge owns many Magneton and uses them for aerial transportation by having them create an energy platform using their magnetic charge. He has carried (and sometimes trapped) many people using this ability, from allies like Bill and Gold and enemies such as Red.

Magnemite (Multiple)

Lt. Surge owns many Magnemite that first appeared acting somewhat like guards of the S.S. Anne. In Johto, Surge used one in the Gym Leader Tournament, where it defeated Morty's Misdreavus before it fainted from the effect of Destiny Bond, resulting in a tie between the two Gym Leaders. Their only known move is Zap Cannon.

Voltorb and Electrode (Multiple)

The main bulk of Lt. Surge's force resides in the power of his Voltorb and Electrode's Selfdestructs, and he has many of them on his team. This strategy was was particularly instrumental in the defeat of Bruno when one of Surge's Electrodes used its Selfdestruct on Bill's Exeggcute's Egg Bomb, resulting in an explosion that took down Bruno's Onix, which was being used as a platform for the battle. They also later proved handy when their combined Selfdestruct attacks aided in his narrow escape from the Masked Man.

Raichu

Lt. Surge's Raichu was very briefly seen at Silph Co. but didn't participate in battle until Surge went to Johto. There, it was used to battle the Masked Man's Houndour and to very briefly fight against the Red Gyarados before he realized that he wasn't the enemy, as it was trying to free Silver.

Released
Zapdos
Lt. Surge's Zapdos

Zapdos was used as an experiment from Team Rocket. He took control of it in Zap! Zap! Zapdos. Around the end of the battle against Red, it shocked Lt. Surge tremendously with its electricity after Saur's Razor Leaf slashed the suit rendering it useless, causing him to be knocked out cold. As a result, Red earned his badge and some electric proof gloves. Zapdos somehow left after the battle was done.

Raikou

Raikou was partnered up with Lt. Surge. It then left later.

Red Gyarados ♂
Main article: Red Gyarados

Lt. Surge found this special Gyarados after being frozen in the Lake of Rage. This happened during Gold and Silver's battle with the Masked Man. He returned it to Silver afterwards.

Gyarados is at level 40 and has a Sassy nature.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Isamu Akai battles and defeats Lt. Surge in the chapter The Big Activity In The Mountains And The Oceans!! of the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga.

Pokémon

This is a listing of Lt. Surge's known Pokémon in the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga:

100.png → 101.png
Voltorb → Electrode

In the TCG

There is a Theme Deck named for Lt. Surge in the Gym Heroes expansion. It has two versions, English and Japanese.

Artwork

Artwork from the cards:

  • Lt. Surge and the Thunder Badge.

    Lt. Surge and the Thunder Badge.

  • Lt. Surge negotiates.

    Lt. Surge negotiates.

  • Lt. Surge plots.

    Lt. Surge plots.

  • Lt. Surge and his Raichu.

    Lt. Surge and his Raichu.

  • Lt. Surge's updated VS artwork.

    Lt. Surge's updated VS artwork.

Pokémon

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Lt. Surge or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Name Type Level Rarity Set Set no.
Lt. Surge's Electabuzz Lightning 28 Rare HolographicH Gym Heroes 6/132
Lt. Surge's Fearow Colorless 30 Rare HolographicH Gym Heroes 7/132
Lt. Surge's Magneton Lightning 30 Rare HolographicH Gym Heroes 8/132
Lt. Surge - - Rare HolographicH Gym Heroes 17/132
Rare 101/132
Lt. Surge's Electabuzz Lightning 22 Rare Gym Heroes 27/132
Lt. Surge's Raichu Lightning 32 Rare Gym Heroes 28/132
Lt. Surge's Magnemite Lightning 10 Uncommon Gym Heroes 50/132
Lt. Surge's Raticate Colorless 32 Uncommon Gym Heroes 51/132
Lt. Surge's Spearow Colorless 8 Uncommon Gym Heroes 52/132
Lt. Surge's Magnemite Lightning 12 Common Gym Heroes 80/132
Lt. Surge's Pikachu Lightning 15 Common Gym Heroes 81/132
Lt. Surge's Rattata Colorless 10 Common Gym Heroes 82/132
Lt. Surge's Spearow Colorless 17 Common Gym Heroes 83/132
Lt. Surge's Voltorb Lightning 12 Common Gym Heroes 84/132
Lt. Surge's Treaty - - Uncommon Gym Heroes 112/132
Secret Mission - - Uncommon Gym Heroes 118/132
Vermilion City Gym - - Uncommon Gym Heroes 120/132
Lt. Surge's Raichu Lightning 38 Rare HolographicH Gym Challenge 11/132
Lt. Surge's Jolteon Lightning 32 Rare Gym Challenge 28/132
Lt. Surge's Eevee Colorless 10 Uncommon Gym Challenge 51/132
Lt. Surge's Electrode Lightning 33 Uncommon Gym Challenge 52/132
Lt. Surge's Raticate Colorless 33 Uncommon Gym Challenge 53/132
Lt. Surge's Pikachu Lightning 10 Common Gym Challenge 84/132
Lt. Surge's Rattata Colorless 7 Common Gym Challenge 85/132
Lt. Surge's Voltorb Lightning 15 Common Gym Challenge 86/132
Lt. Surge's Secret Plan - - Rare Gym Challenge 107/132
Lt. Surge's Raichu Lightning - Common Pokémon VS (no English release) 53/141
Lt. Surge's Lanturn Lightning - Common Pokémon VS (no English release) 54/141

Trivia

File:Surgegym.jpg
Lt. Surge's incredible height
  • His Japanese Leader title is イナズマ　アメリカン！.
  • He uses several English phrases such as "Goddamn" in the Japanese anime and the games.
  • His image in the anime is vastly different than in his Sugimori artwork. For example, in his artwork, he looks like an average, clean-cut soldier. In the anime, he is extremely muscular and very rough-looking, unlike a soldier. He is also incredibly tall in the anime, as opposed to other media, where he is of average height.
  • Due to his team in Pokémon Yellow consisting solely of a Raichu (to mimic the anime), that battle against him is the only one against any Gym Leader in the games to consist of only one opposing Pokémon.
  • As a member of the United States Army, Lt. Surge is one of two Gym Leaders known to have taken residence outside the Pokémon nation; the other is Fantina.

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese マチス Matis From Clematis. Alternative names for this flower includes kazaguruma and tessen.
English, Italian, Spanish Lt. Surge Surge as in electrical surge. Also, "Sarge" (as in sergeant, another military rank) seems to apply.
French, German Major Bob Bob is a stereotypically American name.
Korean 마티스 Matiseu Transliteration of Matis.
Chinese (Mandarin) 馬志士/马志士* Măzhìshì
馬奇/马奇* Mǎqí 		Transliteration of マチス (Machisu). In addition, 士 (shì) can refer to soldier or a military rank below junior officers (such as sergeant or corporal).


External links


Rocket-logo.png Team Rocket Rocket-logo.png
Rocket Game Corner • Team Rocket Hideout • Viridian Gym • Team Rocket HQ • Rocket Warehouse
Boss Admins
VSGiovanni Classic Masters.png VSArcher Masters.png VSAriana Masters.png VSPetrel Masters.png VSProton Masters.png
Giovanni
(Masters • Pocket Monsters) 		Archer
(Masters) 		Ariana
(Masters) 		Petrel
(Masters) 		Proton
(Masters)
Other members
Jessie (Masters) • James (Masters) • Meowth • Team Rocket Grunts (Rocket Siblings) • Scientists (Gideon)
Grey (Golden Boys) • Kaede (How I Became a Pokémon Card)


Gym Leaders of the Kanto region
Pewter Gym Boulder Badge
Brock OD.png
Brock
Cerulean Gym Cascade Badge
Misty OD.png
Misty
Vermilion Gym Thunder Badge
Lt Surge OD.png
Lt. Surge
Celadon Gym Rainbow Badge
Erika OD.png
Erika
Fuchsia Gym Soul Badge
Koga OD.png Janine OD.png
Koga Janine
Saffron Gym Marsh Badge
Sabrina OD.png
Sabrina
Cinnabar Gym Volcano Badge
Blaine OD.png
Blaine
Viridian Gym Earth Badge
Giovanni OD.png Blue
Giovanni Blue



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