I wouldn't mind the idea of removing rivals entirely...
But if we must have the rival system still in play, I'd rather have a rival like Brendan/May again. It's a good combination of friend, but "I wanna kick your ass" feeling is in there haha. Just more battles than you had with Brendan/May as well. But yeah, these rivals weren't obnoxious like Barry, rude like Blue (my favorite rival tho), and didn't treat you like a dumbie like Bianca and Cheren. So yeah. Someone like them would do well I think.
But if we must have the rival system still in play, I'd rather have a rival like Brendan/May again. It's a good combination of friend, but "I wanna kick your ass" feeling is in there haha. Just more battles than you had with Brendan/May as well. But yeah, these rivals weren't obnoxious like Barry, rude like Blue (my favorite rival tho), and didn't treat you like a dumbie like Bianca and Cheren. So yeah. Someone like them would do well I think.