What exactly is this whole "Pokemon Master" thing all the trainers are talking about? A while ago somebody asked a a Nintendo representative this question. This Nintendo's response.
You hear that? It's left for the interpretation of the fans! What do you think a Pokemon Master is?
LOL...I feel like there was just a thread with this
exact same topic, because I vividly remember another user posting that quote and how it pertained to the definition of a Pokemon Master.
Anyway, before, my definition was a bit hard to finalize, but now I believe I roughly have my definiton:
Pokemon Master [POH-kay-mon MAH-stur]
A Pokemon Trainer who catches all Pokemon that currently have entries in the National PokeDex that he or she holds.
In the
Pokemon anime, this would mean that the person would typically have one copy of each species of Pokemon.
Living PokeDexes are preferred.
In the
Pokemon games, this would mean that the player has obtained encyclopedic entries for all Pokemon that can be found in that game's National PokeDex. They do not have to necessarily "own" each Pokemon, but he/she has to have owned the Pokemon in question at least
once, whether through capture, trade, or other means. Once again, a
Living PokeDex is preferred.
Additionally, it is even more preferable for Pokemon Masters to have all Formes and variants of each species (i.e., 17 Arceus with each Plate variant; all 28 Unown variants). Due to the astronomical variations of the Pokemon Spinda, catching just one member of the Spinda species will suffice for PokeDex completion.
Personally, to be a true Pokemon Master,
I would have to have all Pokemon on
this extensive list in my PC or my party, and their pre-evos would have to be recorded in the PokeDex as well. I plan on training each Pokemon on that list to Level 100, and have each one attain highest honors in the Battle Tower, Pokemon Contests,
Musicals screensavers, and the Pokeathlon, as well as miscellaneous awards/ribbons such as the Effort Ribbon. If a Pokemon can freely change between Formes (i.e., Deoxys, Giratina, Arceus), then I only need one member of the species. For Pokemon with "permanent" Formes (i.e., Wormadam, Unown, Gastrodon), I must have a copy of each variant, barring Spinda. Regarding Rotom, though it is not Legendary and can freely switch between Formes, I would most likely have a copy of each Rotom Forme, as this guy is an exception. >_>
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A Pokemon Master is
assumed to be skilled in Pokemon battling, but Pokemon battling skills are
not a requirement for Pokemon Mastery. A Pokemon Master simply has to have owned a copy of each Pokemon once, with all entries available in the National PokeDex being recorded. Living PokeDexs enhance one's "Pokemon Master" status.
Pokemon Champions are Trainers who have completed the Pokemon League challenge by obtaining all Badges from Gym Leaders (alternatively, one may graduate from
Pokemon Tech as a replacement for obtaining regional Badges. ;)) and triumphing over the presiding regional Elite 4 and Champion. Defeating the Frontier Brains is not necessarily a requirement, but doing so is preferred and enhances one's status as a Pokemon Champion.
Pokemon Trainers who are simply
skilled in battling are known as
Cool Trainers and/or
Ace Trainers.
Pokemon Masters
=/= (
do not necessarily equal) Pokemon Champions or Cool/Ace Trainers. "Mastery" simply focuses on Pokemon ownership, while "Championship" focuses on completing sanctioned Pokemon battling challenges.
Except for Spiritomb and Sableye, those guys don't have a weakness. 8D
Unless you use Foresight. :]
