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-   -   5th Gen Gym Leaders Are People Too! (https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=295740)

Golurks Were Meant to Fly January 26th, 2013 7:02 PM

Gym Leaders Are People Too!
 
So for the first time in pokemon, we got to know a lot more about all of the gym leaders! Sure we knew a bit about Roark and Fantina, but what was touched upon in Sinnoh was very little. In BW, however, we got to know each gym leader's character, their profession, they became less like bosses to beat and more like people to fight. So my question for you is, did you like this addition to the games? Do you think it made the story better, and the gym leaders more interesting? Or do you think it made them appear weaker and less important. Do you wish BW had let us know more about the gym leaders? (or a specific gym leader) Or perhaps you didn't care and just skipped the text so you could get to the action of the game. Share your thoughts!

Cerberus87 January 26th, 2013 8:12 PM

I disagree, I think character development among gym leaders is something that always existed in the series, sometimes more, sometimes less. RBY had Giovanni, whom you fought several times. In GSC, Clair's refusal to give you a badge meant you had to be tested by the Blackthorn clan (the test is different between GS and Crystal; HGSS features the Crystal event), and some of the Kanto gym leaders were found outside their gyms (Misty, Blue). RSE had the Wattson New Mauville sidequest and the "Norman is your dad" thing. FRLG shed some light into gym leaders and E4 members with the Fame Checker, and Lorelei was met in the post-game.

However, it was really with Sinnoh that we started seeing more of it. I remember being completely surprised by Roark's presence in the coal mine when I first played Platinum. Then HGSS continued the trend with the phone call requirements. Only after all that, BW came and focused more on the gym leaders, but the idea was always there.

I like it because the gym leaders are supposed to be interesting people. This is where I think the anime influenced the games a bit, in a case of reversal.

Ho-Oh January 28th, 2013 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerberus87 (Post 7511355)
I disagree, I think character development among gym leaders is something that always existed in the series, sometimes more, sometimes less. RBY had Giovanni, whom you fought several times. In GSC, Clair's refusal to give you a badge meant you had to be tested by the Blackthorn clan (the test is different between GS and Crystal; HGSS features the Crystal event), and some of the Kanto gym leaders were found outside their gyms (Misty, Blue). RSE had the Wattson New Mauville sidequest and the "Norman is your dad" thing. FRLG shed some light into gym leaders and E4 members with the Fame Checker, and Lorelei was met in the post-game.

However, it was really with Sinnoh that we started seeing more of it. I remember being completely surprised by Roark's presence in the coal mine when I first played Platinum. Then HGSS continued the trend with the phone call requirements. Only after all that, BW came and focused more on the gym leaders, but the idea was always there.

I like it because the gym leaders are supposed to be interesting people. This is where I think the anime influenced the games a bit, in a case of reversal.

idk I think this was the first generation where they really mattered. Sure the stuff you mentioned exists but to B/W they went further than before in that all gym leaders tried to stop the evil team, and in previous games gym leaders didn't really care about what happened to the world - but these ones were actually supporting, which I think was a positive thing because up until now they've just been there. Sure they've said things before and told you to do things but they're meant to be the strongest in the region but yet they won't help you out? Kinda unfair imo. :(

The Amazing Justin January 28th, 2013 1:35 AM

Yeah, Gym Leaders definitely needed some focus.

Altairis January 28th, 2013 10:03 PM

I liked how not only did the Gym Leaders show up outside of their gyms, but the gyms themselves actually served another purpose. It made it seem like they were just normal people that were really strong, which was nice. The other way it kind of seemed like they sat at the back of the gym for ages waiting for people to challenge them.

Urugamosu January 30th, 2013 1:23 AM

I actually liked the stories behind the gym leaders, it was more nice to see that they actually had lives other than being a gym leader. Like how Elesa is a model, and how Chilli, Cress and Cilan are waiters. Was just a great addition to the series.

Seth Rollins January 30th, 2013 3:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urugamosu (Post 7516181)
I actually liked the stories behind the gym leaders, it was more nice to see that they actually had lives other than being a gym leader. Like how Elesa is a model, and how Chilli, Cress and Cilan are waiters. Was just a great addition to the series.


Awww I was going to say that! Lol. Well, I agree.

Evey February 2nd, 2013 7:47 AM

Its always been this way though...if you ever read the manga, almost everything circles around the gym leaders. They, with the Player fight for a common goal, generally.
Spoiler:
In Kanto, your very Rival is the champion before he becomes a gym leader. Also with the little signs you see infront of gyms tell about the Leaders personal life or character. Also in Johto the Leaders heal pokemon, test you in caves, help their friends search for legendary pokemon. In hoenn the players father is a gym leader, roxiann is a teacher, wattson is the mayor and keeper with sidequests, wallace was supposed to be champion, ect. Sinnoh also plays along with the trend and lets Roark be a miner who helps you in Sinnoh Underground, the whole theory about the Gardernia, leaders being friends from other regions, (btw when I saw whatsherface at sunnyshore it literally screamed REMAKE) Again with Unova, Chili, Cilan, Cress are waitors, Lenora is a muesem person lady, Burgh is an artist, Roxie is in a band, Draydon=mayor, Skyla=pilot, blah blah blah. Other I forgot to mention is Blaine being a Scientist and Lt. Surge being an ex-general. Sorry for the long, sloppy, rambling guys ^^; Just making the point that it has always been this way, probably because of the manga.

Satoshi Ookami February 3rd, 2013 4:29 AM

@Evey: What's her face... you mean Mikan (Jasmine)? :P
Anyways, I've never actually though of GLs as bosses but normal strong trainers...
I wonder who actually thinks that way ^.^'

Brittani February 3rd, 2013 5:44 AM

Quote:

Its always been this way though...if you ever read the manga, almost everything circles around the gym leaders. They, with the Player fight for a common goal, generally.
Yes, generally. There were quite a few gym leaders who weren't exactly..on your team such as Koga, Lt. Surge, Sabrina, and Pryce.

I agree that the gym leaders needed more of a story to them other than what type of pokemon they have or what they supposedly do in their free time, even though they never seem to come out of their gym leaving me to guess that they sleep and relieve themselves in it as well. I really like how they had the gym leaders actually take part in what was going on. It added more realism to the game that should have been there in the first place.

HeracrossIsBoss February 3rd, 2013 5:48 AM

Depends on what pokemon the gym leader is using. When they have horrible to beat pokemon *cough*Miltank*cough*. If they have I don't want to know anything about the gym leader.

Ho-Oh February 3rd, 2013 5:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evey (Post 7520465)
Its always been this way though...if you ever read the manga, almost everything circles around the gym leaders. They, with the Player fight for a common goal, generally.
Spoiler:
In Kanto, your very Rival is the champion before he becomes a gym leader. Also with the little signs you see infront of gyms tell about the Leaders personal life or character. Also in Johto the Leaders heal pokemon, test you in caves, help their friends search for legendary pokemon. In hoenn the players father is a gym leader, roxiann is a teacher, wattson is the mayor and keeper with sidequests, wallace was supposed to be champion, ect. Sinnoh also plays along with the trend and lets Roark be a miner who helps you in Sinnoh Underground, the whole theory about the Gardernia, leaders being friends from other regions, (btw when I saw whatsherface at sunnyshore it literally screamed REMAKE) Again with Unova, Chili, Cilan, Cress are waitors, Lenora is a muesem person lady, Burgh is an artist, Roxie is in a band, Draydon=mayor, Skyla=pilot, blah blah blah. Other I forgot to mention is Blaine being a Scientist and Lt. Surge being an ex-general. Sorry for the long, sloppy, rambling guys ^^; Just making the point that it has always been this way, probably because of the manga.

Thing is the games are different to the manga, and up until now it hasn't been overly... major until now, at least imo, so comparing the manga and games kind of isn't fair given they are two different mediums really. :(


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