The greatest master of them all

Started by moon September 16th, 2013 10:33 PM
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moon

they/them
Seen 11 Hours Ago
Posted 22 Hours Ago
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15.5 Years

What would you say makes a good pokémon trainer? Preferably outside the obvious "has high level pokémon", because is that always really necessary for being a good pokémon trainer?

paired with Ivysaur

CelticsPhan

Get Poke'd

Age 25
Male
Massachusetts, USA
Seen July 20th, 2020
Posted June 3rd, 2017
468 posts
9.7 Years
Besides extremely strong Pokemon, the trainer has to have some element of character. Of course Red from from G/S/C comes to mind. He is silent when you face him, making him more intimidating.

It's not just the pokemon, it's story behind the character. Red has 5,000 fanfics on the internet about why he acts the way he does. Some say that Red is the game's equivalent to Ash. Others say he is actually Blue from R/B/Y and is bitter about his dead Raticate. You just don't know, and you will never know the true story behind Red. And that's what makes him so interesting and exciting to battle.

There is a lot of criticism of Wallace, the champion of Pokemon Emerald, and that's because of his extremely wierd and feminine character. But like it or not, his poetic dialogue adds to the momentousness that is the CHAMPION BATTLE. You are facing the strongest trainer in Hoenn, and that needs to be put out there. His Pokemon reflect his feminine character: elegant pokemon that are also strong, such as his Milotic.

But how could I forget the first Champion of any Pokemon game? Gary/Blue is one of the best Champion fights in my opinion. He is so cocky and arrogant that you just want to destroy him. Because he believes so strongly in himself, his Pokemon reflect that also. He has cool pokemon that are among the Kanto region's best. After all, he has the strongest Pokemon not named Mewtwo in all of Pokemon R/B/Y. He's supposed to have grown up so much since the first battle in Oak's lab. You weren't supposed to think Gary/Blue would have become Champ because of his lack of love and passion for his Pokemon. He, like Silver from G/S/C, could really care less about his Pokemon. He only wants to win, even if his Pokemon all hate him.

That Champion battle actually provides as a "moral of the story" for Pokemon: Treat your Pokemon with love, passion and understanding, and you will become the greatest. And that's why I still play Gen 1 today even with those prehistoric graphics.
Go play Pokemon Theta Emerald EX!

Squirrel

Age 28
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Posted July 10th, 2021
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11.7 Years
All it comes down to to me is being able to take any Pokémon regardless of base stats or how generically weak they are make them strong enough for a serious battle. If you can take something like a Bidoof and make it powerful enough to take down a Salamence you're a great Pokémon trainer; it's all about learning your Pokémon inside and out and knowing how to use every trait that they have to your advantage, as well as knowing how to defend against their weaknesses. That's how you become the best!

Hiatus

Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted July 24th, 2021
12,283 posts
10.8 Years
In my opinion, your ability on how well you treat your Pokémon is what makes you a good trainer. If you don't feed your Pokémon, make them feel comfortable to be around you, give them enough confidence, or any of that stuff, then many people would consider you to be a bad Pokémon trainer. Not only that, you would also have to make sure to constantly push your Pokémon to their limits so that they can gain more experience and become better at battling. If you have a small, cute Pachirisu who has the knowledge on what it takes to win a battle, then it should be able to beat even the strongest Garchomp without breaking a sweat. :)

moon

they/them
Seen 11 Hours Ago
Posted 22 Hours Ago
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15.5 Years
Besides extremely strong Pokemon, the trainer has to have some element of character. Of course Red from from G/S/C comes to mind. He is silent when you face him, making him more intimidating.
I agree! Character, personality, something to be distinguished and remembered by certainly can be an ingredient in what makes a great trainer. At least if we're talking about the games or anime or such things.

There is a lot of criticism of Wallace, the champion of Pokemon Emerald, and that's because of his extremely wierd and feminine character. But like it or not, his poetic dialogue adds to the momentousness that is the CHAMPION BATTLE. You are facing the strongest trainer in Hoenn, and that needs to be put out there. His Pokemon reflect his feminine character: elegant pokemon that are also strong, such as his Milotic.
I don't think he's weird. It's not a bad thing to be feminine, rather I think it's a nice break from all the rough guy-like characters, even some female trainers are made to be tough and cool rather than feminine. It's nice when some male trainers are designed that way too~

That Champion battle actually provides as a "moral of the story" for Pokemon: Treat your Pokemon with love, passion and understanding, and you will become the greatest. And that's why I still play Gen 1 today even with those prehistoric graphics.
Yeah, this is what the pokémon games always tried to teach. So according to the games, and possibly the anime too, love and care is what makes a great trainer.

All it comes down to to me is being able to take any Pokémon regardless of base stats or how generically weak they are make them strong enough for a serious battle. If you can take something like a Bidoof and make it powerful enough to take down a Salamence you're a great Pokémon trainer; it's all about learning your Pokémon inside and out and knowing how to use every trait that they have to your advantage, as well as knowing how to defend against their weaknesses. That's how you become the best!
If you do that, you are certainly a skilled and clever trainer. I still think some element of care and love is needed though - otherwise you could be like a version of Paul who tries to make "weak" pokémon really strong by forcing them to train ruthlessly.

Not only that, you would also have to make sure to constantly push your Pokémon to their limits so that they can gain more experience and become better at battling.
Interesting point. Some trainers who consider themselves good might not want to push their pokémon too far. Ash, for instance, sometimes recall his pokémon before they have grown fully tired, because he doesn't want them to suffer unnecessarily. I believe this often happens in the anime, come to think of it. But yeah, I think if you want to be really great, you have to be prepared to really push it in order to grow strong. Without being ruthless and cruel. A balance, I guess?
paired with Ivysaur

Livewire

Male
Sunnyshore City
Seen December 3rd, 2022
Posted August 2nd, 2019
14,091 posts
13.8 Years
You have to be smart enough to utilize their full potential in battle. A lot of determination, practice, and a little bit of luck goes into the equation. You also have to have the will to succeed, the 'drive', so to speak, but not at the expense of your or your Pokemon's happiness. Don't be a Paul. Paul sucks.

classiccartoonsftw

Nintendo is for awesome people

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Seen January 18th, 2017
Posted January 17th, 2017
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11.9 Years
Aside from the things listed above, you also need the right moves, to hit every type for at least neutral damage.

Type synergy is also important. If you don't take this into account, you could end up with, say, three or more Pokemon that are weak to Ground, alongside either too frail or even no Ground resistant or immune Pokes.
Male
In a Rabbit
Seen July 13th, 2022
Posted June 9th, 2022
824 posts
9.8 Years
Was the term "pokemon master" ever used in the video games? That's an honest question, because I didn't play a lot of the earlier games.

Anyways, what makes a good trainer, hm... having strong pokemon who have a strong bond with you. This bond doesn't have to be through the powers of compassion and friendship; it could be a fearful respect or a business relationship. We've had trainers like Sabrina who (formerly) used a whip, and others like Giovanni which used pokemon as tools. Even though they're by no means pokemon masters, they've proven themselves to be very competent trainers.

I don't think being a pokemon master/good trainer is limited to battles. Experience traveling and meeting a lot of pokemon are just as important.

Finally, the fact that trainers like Lance and Misty train a specific type of pokemon... I think it's worth considering the challenges of trying to become a "dragon pokemon master" or a "water pokemon master." Is this considered to be a higher accomplishment than a regular master, considering you're handicapping yourself? Or is it a lower accomplishment, because you're only trying to master a subsection of all pokemon?
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