Pokémon Trainer (Super Smash Bros.)

Pokémon Trainer ポケモントレーナー Pokémon Trainer
Male Pokémon Trainer in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Female Pokémon Trainer in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Gender	Male* Both*
Eye color	Brown
Hair color	Dark brown, Light brown, Black*
Hometown	Unknown
Region	World of Trophies
Trainer class	Pokémon Trainer
Game counterpart	Red Leaf
English voice actor	Michele Knotz (Brawl) Billy Bob Thompson^[1] (Ultimate; male) Kate Bristol^[2] (Ultimate; female)
Japanese voice actor	Tomoe Hanba (male) Wakana Kingyo (female)

The Pokémon Trainer (Japanese: ポケモントレーナー Pokémon Trainer) is a playable character in the Super Smash Bros series, specifically Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and is a trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U. They are a generic, unnamed representation of the player characters in the core series Pokémon games, based on the protagonists of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Pokémon Trainer is one of the fighters unlocked from the start in Brawl. He is based on the male player character (canon name Red) from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Pokémon Trainer and his Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Unlike the other fighters, Pokémon Trainer doesn't actually fight his opponents himself. Instead, he sends out his Pokémon team, consisting 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 performed by all three Pokémon at once.

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.

Type effectiveness

A simplified form of type effectiveness is implemented for each of the three Pokémon: Squirtle is weak to Grass and resists Fire, Ivysaur is weak to Fire and resists Water, and Charizard is weak to Water and resists Grass. A resisted attack does 0.9× knockback, while a super-effective attack does 1.1× knockback. No characters aside from Mario's non-damaging F.L.U.D.D, another Pokémon Trainer (or a Kirby having copied Squirtle or Ivysaur) have access to Grass- and Water-type attacks, but several characters have KO-capable Fire-type attacks, which overall gives Squirtle more survivability and cuts Ivysaur's noticeably. It also heavily affects matches where one Pokémon Trainer faces another, as each player will try to switch to gain the advantage.

Pokémon Change

The order in which Pokémon Change will rotate (Squirtle→Ivysaur→Charizard)

Pokémon Change (Japanese: ポケモンチェンジ Pokémon Change) is Pokémon Trainer's down special move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Unlike other special moves being exclusive to one Pokémon (for instance, Flamethrower only being available to Charizard), Pokémon Change is universal between Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard (as is Triple Finish).

When sent out, each Pokémon is initially granted 100 points of energy called stamina. 0.5 points of stamina is deducted for every second a Pokémon is in battle, thus allowing for a maximum of approximately 3 minutes and 20 second of normal performance. Executing an attack also drains 0.5 stamina points. When a Pokémon's stamina reaches 40, their stance will change to signal oncoming fatigue. Once stamina reaches 0, the Pokémon's attacks drop in effectiveness to 0.7× damage. When any Pokémon is knocked out, the stamina of all three is increased by 30%. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, stamina no longer exists, allowing the use of just one Pokémon without penalty.

Pokémon Change mimics anime/manga-style battling by switching out to the next available Pokémon to let the previously used one rest; while not in battle, each Pokémon will regenerate 0.8 points of stamina per second (until restored to 100).

While switching out, the user is temporarily immune to any on-screen attacks. This makes it an effective method for avoiding certain Final Smashes if timed correctly. Damage percentage is shared by all three Pokémon, so changing Pokémon will not affect damage at all.

In Brawl, effects such as increased or decreased size held by the previous Pokémon will not be carried over during Pokémon Change (Final Smash wielding being one exception). Pokémon Change cannot be activated in midair. Both of these are no longer the case in Ultimate.

Due to the Pokémon Trainer starting with only Squirtle, Pokémon Change is disabled in The Subspace Emissary until the player obtains Ivysaur; it is then limited until Charizard is obtained.

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.

Pokémon

Squirtle

Voice actors
Debut	Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Japanese	Rikako Aikawa
English	Michele Knotz

Main article: Squirtle (Super Smash Bros.)

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 retreat into its shell and propel itself forward while shooting water out; which makes up for its below-average dash speed. It also uses Water Gun to push enemies backward with a chargeable stream of 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 around 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 in The Ruined Zoo.

Standard Special Move	Side Special Move	Up Special Move	Down Special Move	Final Smash
Water Gun	Withdraw	Waterfall	Pokémon Change	Triple Finish (Hydro Pump)
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Ivysaur

Voice actors
Debut	Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Japanese	Tomoko Kawakami
English	Craig Blair

Main article: Ivysaur (Super Smash Bros.)

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 attack rate of Squirtle. It is very good at racking up damage percentages with its attacks, but has a very hard time KOing its opponent since its strongest finishing moves are too slow to pose a threat. Ivysaur especially suffers in aerial combat and recovery. Despite these flaws, Ivysaur can be used to irritate its foes and rack up damage with its attacks (especially Bullet Seed). Its throws are decent, as its forward and down throws can leave the opponent vulnerable to combos. It uses mostly physical Grass-type attacks, such as Bullet Seed, a rapidly upward-hitting move, and Vine Whip, a tether recovery move that shoots vines out to latch onto edges of a stage and pull Ivysaur up. Like all tether recoveries, however, Vine Whip can be edgehogged, sending Ivysaur to its doom. It also uses the projectile attack Razor Leaf. It uses Solar Beam 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; it is captured in trophy form in The Ruins. 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
Bullet Seed	Razor Leaf	Vine Whip	Pokémon Change	Triple Finish (Solar Beam)
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Charizard

Voice actors
Debut	Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Japanese	Shin-ichiro Miki
English	Shin-ichiro Miki

Main article: Charizard (Super Smash Bros.)

Charizard is the Pokémon Trainer's powerhouse, boasting heavy-hitting moves, above-average dash speed (slightly faster than Pikachu), and long-range attacks. Charizard's drawbacks include large weight, subpar aerial game, and slow walking speed. Its varied arsenal of attacks includes Rock Smash, a powerful frontal attack, and Fly, a recovery move that sends Charizard skyward and allows it to glide. It can also use Flamethrower to attack from a short distance, but 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. After being defeated in battle, it is turned into a trophy and captured, completing the Trainer's team.

Standard Special Move	Side Special Move	Up Special Move	Down Special Move	Final Smash
Flamethrower	Rock Smash	Fly	Pokémon Change	Triple Finish (Fire Blast)
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Trophy information

Pokémon Trainer's Final Smash

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."

Squirtle

"A Tiny Turtle Pokémon. In times of danger, it pulls its arms and legs inside its shell to protect itself from enemy attacks. When it conceals its neck, it also shoots a powerful stream of water from its mouth. Its shell not only protects its body, it also reduces water friction when it's in the water. When it levels up, it evolves into Wartortle."

Ivysaur

"A Seed Pokémon that is the evolved form of Bulbasaur. It has a flower bulb on its back, the weight of which has made it develop strong legs and hips. If the blossom gets too big, the Pokémon can't stand on two legs alone. At a certain level, it evolves into Venusaur. When this happens, the bulb absorbs nutrients and blossoms into a large-petaled flower."

Charizard

"A Flame Pokémon. Its fiery breath is hot enough to burn up rocks, and its wings let it fly up to 4,600 feet into the air. It's a proud Pokémon that will never use its flame breath on an opponent weaker than itself. The flame on its tail is a barometer of how much vitality it has remaining. Its signature move, Flamethrower, is a reliable technique."

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

As part of change to the mechanics of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, Pokémon Trainer was removed from the game, and Charizard became a standalone fighter. Pokémon Trainer, Squirtle, and Ivysaur still appear as trophies in both versions of the game.

Trophy information

Pokémon Trainer trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS

NA: Pop quiz! What do Misty, Brock, Cynthia, Iris, and Ash all have in common? That's right—they're all Pokémon Trainers! This Pokémon Master in the making is the same. Back in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, he fought to be the very best—like no one ever was. To smash them was his real test—to launch them was his cause!

PAL: Quiz time! What do Misty, Brock, Cynthia, Iris and Ash all have in common? That's right - they're all Pokémon Trainers! This Pokémon Master in the making is just the same. He fought to be the very best - like no one ever was - back in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. To smash them was his real test - to launch them was his cause.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The Pokémon Trainer returned as a fighter in Ultimate, together with Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard. In addition, a female alternate palette was introduced based on the female player character from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (canon name Leaf), allowing the player to choose the gender of the Trainer similar to Robin or Wii Fit Trainer. By default, Pokémon Trainer now starts with Squirtle, but this Pokémon can be changed by tapping its portrait or pressing the left button (the Y button on any controller outside of a single Joy-Con) on the Character Select screen. Additionally, the Pokémon Trainer has palette swaps based on the player characters from other regions; the male Trainer has palettes based on Ethan, Lucas and Calem, while the female Trainer has palettes based on May, Hilda, and Selene.

Pokémon Trainer's Pokémon no longer grow tired if they fight for too long without rest, and they can change Pokémon faster and in midair. While switching, their Pokémon are granted invincibility frames, but these frames become shorter and less effective if overused. Type effectiveness has also been removed.

By default, Pokémon Trainer is the 26th character to be unlocked, but they can be unlocked earlier via Donkey Kong's unlock ladder in Classic Mode or finding them in the World of Light.

Classic Mode

Pokémon Trainer's Classic Mode route is called The Future Champion. Like Pikachu's scenario, all of the opponents are Pokémon, save for Master Hand. The player is allowed to heal with a Maxim Tomato between the Mewtwo and Master Hand fights.

Round	Opponent(s)	Stage
1	Pikachu	Pokémon Stadium
2	Jigglypuff	Pokémon Stadium
3	Lucario	Spear Pillar
4	Incineroar	Kalos Pokémon League
5	Greninja	Pokémon Stadium 2
6	Pokémon Trainer Opposite gender of Player	Pokémon Stadium 2
Bonus	N/A
Final	Mewtwo	Final Destination
Final	Master Hand and Crazy Hand	Final Destination

World of Light

During the opening cutscene, the male Pokémon Trainer was present on the cliffside when Galeem unleashed his beams of light. Working together with Bowser and his Fire Breath, he sent out Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard in an attempt to fight back against the beams with Triple Finish, to no avail. All four were vaporized and placed under Galeem's imprisonment along with the rest of the fighters (excluding Kirby). The female Pokémon Trainer makes no appearance in cutscenes.

Pokémon Trainer's icon is found near the eastern coast of the World of Light's overworld. After defeating him, the Pokémon Trainer is freed and can be selected in battle in the Adventure mode, as either the male or female option.