Buck is a strong Trainer from Survival Area which is close to Stark Mountain volcano, where he loves to train. He appears at Stark Mountain and is part of the event required to catch Heatran. Later, he can join the player in competition at Sinnoh's Battle Tower.
His grandfather runs and cooks at the Battleground while his older brother is Flint of the Sinnoh Elite Four.
Buck was a treasure hunter who was searching for rarities with the help of Baltoy's senses. With the help of Ash and the others, Buck was able to find the island's treasure, ancient pottery, and also managed to capture a powerful Claydol. He also revealed that he wanted to become an archaeology professor.
Buck's main Pokémon and his partner in treasure hunting is a Baltoy, which has the ability to sense when treasure is near and would indicate this to Buck by spinning. Baltoy is also a very powerful battler, as it was able to defeat the Claydol that was guarding the treasure hidden near Lily of the Valley Island.
Claydol was originally the last guardian of the treasure located near Lily of the Valley Island and was extremely powerful as it was easily able to stand out the attacks of Dawn's Piplup and Ash's Torterra. However, it was unable to defeat Buck's Baltoy in battle and was captured by Buck.
Mantine was seen in a flashback as Buck was explaining his Baltoy's power. In the flashback, Buck was shown swimming underwater holding onto Mantine. It is unknown if this Mantine belongs to Buck.Mantine's only known move is Dive.
Buck first makes an appearance in the Battleground battling with fellow Stat Trainer, Marley. The battle goes without a conclusion as Buck notices Looker spying on them and chases after him while the officer escapes. Later, after Platinum defeats Darach at the Battle Castle, Buck makes his appearace, where he introduces himself to Platinum and Looker and takes off with Looker's photo of the Galactic Grunts convening on Stark Mountain in the next round. Apparently, he has always admired Heatran, and will not stand for them tarnishing its home. However, in the process of climbing the mountain, the Grunts had begun to follow him. Buck battles the Grunts, but finds them hard to defeat due to the fact that every time he knocks them down, they just rise up again as if nothing had happened. Eventually he opts for running and manages to lose the Grunts while finding the room with the Magma Stone.
Buck takes the Magma Stone from its resting place and successfully awakens Heatran but is shocked to see Charon take it for his own and uses it against him. Later, Looker arrives to help Buck battle against Team Galactic; they manage to escape but are badly hurt and were put in the hospital.
When met on the way to Stark Mountain: Yo! If it isn't <player>! Don't tell me you're going to Stark Mountain, too? You're pretty wimpy... You're sure you're going to be OK? Heh, why am I asking you that? It's not like I care. Anyways, if we see each other on Stark Mountain, the race is on to see who gets the Magma Stone first!
In Pokemon Platinum Version
When met on the way to Stark Mountain:Yo! If it isn't <player>! Out training right away, are you? So, uh, since you're training anyway, can you do me a favor? I'd like you to patrol Stark Mountain for me.
Yes: Up past here, there's this volcano. It's Stark Mountain. Deep inside is this special rock called the Magma Stone. I can't explain it well, but it's really important. it keeps a Pokemon asleep. But lately, I've been hearing rumors about vandals in Stark Mountain. They say goons in space suits are causing trouble there. Huh? What, me? I was on my way to the Pokemon Center because my Pokemon's low on HP. So, if you could get up to Stark Mountain now, that'd be great. Thanks!
No: I'll keep asking the same thing over and over until you say "Yes!"
Names
Language
Name
Origin
Japanese
バク Baku
From 麦 baku, wheat. Could be derived from the 爆破 bakuha (explosion) which possibly refers to his training place, a blazing volcano.
English
Buck
From buckwheat. Is also similar to Baku.
French
Cornil
A possible reference to corn.
German
Avenaro
From avena, the scientific name of oat.
Italian
Chicco
Literally means grain.
Spanish
Bulgur
From bulgur, a cereal food.
Korean
맥 Maek
麦 maek means wheat (same as Japanese).
Chinese (Taiwan)
麥可 Màikě
Partial transliteration of his Japanese name. Contains 麥 mài, "wheat"