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?