Who pays the Trainers?

[Crimson Arcanine]

Perhaps I can aid you guys of some logical reasoning. We all know that if the trainer loses in combat to another trainer or Pokemon, the trainer has to pay some money. Just like all of the other games, when you won a trainer you get cash. What FireRed and LeafGreen introduced was that if you lost, you had to pay money to the opponent. What's strange about this fact is that you have to pay money to a wild Pokemon if your team loses against a wild Pokemon. My guess is that since the defending Pokemon never fainted when all of your team did, the defending Pokemon is clueless and keeps on attacking while you have to try to find a way to get away from the wild Pokemon. You could drop the money on your way to a Pokemon Center. That, there, is probably the most logical explanation to this problem. I highly doubt that a Pokemon could pick your pocket.

Sure they can :D. I blame the local Zigzagoon population. XD

 

[GKS]

Don't think too much about it, it is like the only working system Nintendo can come up with, they had other systems in the metal generations, I know. After all this is a game, but I would like to see more changes in future games.

 

[Horyo]

I still think you pay for Pokemon Center for being a bad trainer when losing to one wild.

 

[Jabunks]

I'd say its part of the sinnoh leauge's rule every trainer has to obey. Team rocket how ever, uh..runs of and drops some money? (Shrug)

 

[.emerald]

wait... maybe the wagered money goes in a chain like in our industry.... money is past to a trainer who won, then he lost & has to give half of it to the victor & so on & so on.....................

 

[airconditioning]

I think it's just a mechanic put into the game for the sake of gameplay. Case in point, I've never seen it in the anime or in any of the manga. Had it really been part of the world (and not simply a gameplay mechanic), it would have showed up at some point in another medium.

I think it was mainly put in to emulate the mechanics of other popular RPGs, namely Dragon Quest. After all, people would be more willing to play something that resembles the most popular video game ever created. However, to be logical, wild Pokemon couldn't drop money- only trainers could have money. As such, they pay you for winning. Either that, or battling wild Pokemon for money would simply give the player too much money (buying things isn't particularly important in the game, outside of Pokeballs. The PokeCenter heals for free.). Not to mention that a penalty needs to be given for losing. Having half of your wallet taken and being sent to the last Pokecenter you visited provide suitable motivation to not lose.

Now that I think about it, Gamefreak could have easily used Earthbound's system of monetary gain (call in on your father every now and then, and receive money from him based on how much EXP you get). It probably would have fit better within the world, and would have placed less of an emphasis on gambling and wagering (not that there was much of an emphasis before).

 

[Sydian]

Now that I think about it, Gamefreak could have easily used Earthbound's system of monetary gain (call in on your father every now and then, and receive money from him based on how much EXP you get). It probably would have fit better within the world, and would have placed less of an emphasis on gambling and wagering (not that there was much of an emphasis before).

Considering some people, like my sister, don't even train very much(or well, for that matter), that might not work.

But, as to who pays the trainers, our taxes.

 

[sirboulevard]

Well, in reality it was a gameplay thing, but in universe money comes from a variety of sources (and all of them have examples in various media)
1) Younger trainers are usually given money by their parents as a way to support themselves. This money is won or lost in battle so the trainers spread this money amongst themselves.
2) Trainers who compete in Tournaments and sanctioned events like the Indigo League or Contests win a monetary prize based on how well they do.
3) Professional trainers, coordinators and other pokemon related occupations get money various ways:
a)Gym Leaders and League members get a salary from the Pokemon League as well as a stipend to run their facilities
This was mentioned in the Pokemon Special Manga
b)Gyms hire trainers to serve as Gym Assistants who clean and referree matches
c) Pokemon Centers are run by the Pokemon League, but only charge money when you black out for needed medical supplies
4) Trainers take on jobs when not training. Ash has done this several times in the Anime and The Electric Tale of Pikachu Manga.

This is supported by the media and makes perfect sense. Trainers would be great source of work for businesses and it's very economical.

 

[Legobricks]

I don't think there is a logic to it, and there doesn't need to be one, it's a game in the end. Every RPG character's money (except the player's) is drawn from the air.

 

[airconditioning]

Considering some people, like my sister, don't even train very much(or well, for that matter), that might not work.

Wait, as in, you never battle? Well, to get money, you need to battle other trainers anyway, so by your logic, you'd be broke no matter which method was used. :/

 

[.emerald]

Wait, as in, you never battle? Well, to get money, you need to battle other trainers anyway, so by your logic, you'd be broke no matter which method was used. :/

what the heck!!! not a single one!!!!
or you dont like to battle???

 

[kohei]

New cash systems which may work:

- Pocket money system like Earthbound/Mother 2, as proposed by AC
* Pros: Goes well with the story setting of Pokemon.
* Cons: Need to phone dad/mom/uncle/unseen benefactor each time you need to withdraw money.

- Sponsor system: Sponsors pay you cash to promote their Pokemon items, and pay you after a big fight.
* Pros: In the end, you will have a lot of sponsors and you'll have no economic problems... ever.
* Cons: Gathering sponsors as a new trainer is hard, and the results of losing will be quite big. Losing sponsors is painful.

- Bounty system: Certain enemies have a bounty on their heads. Beat them, bring them to the law enforcers and receive cash.
* Pros: Gives a challenge - people who have a large bounty = stronger.
* Cons: Why on earth would the peaceful world of Pokemon need a bounty system anyway? Criminals, in my Pokeymenz?

 

[.emerald]

the bounty system is definitely the one....^_^"!

 

[Tenbinza]

Well, the pocket money system could work with new trainers, the sponser system for gym leaders/ elite four + champion and the bounty system for trainers who fight evil organisations like Team Rocket, Team Magma, etc.

 

[PowerMac]

New cash systems which may work:

- Pocket money system like Earthbound/Mother 2, as proposed by AC
* Pros: Goes well with the story setting of Pokemon.
* Cons: Need to phone dad/mom/uncle/unseen benefactor each time you need to withdraw money.

- Sponsor system: Sponsors pay you cash to promote their Pokemon items, and pay you after a big fight.
* Pros: In the end, you will have a lot of sponsors and you'll have no economic problems... ever.
* Cons: Gathering sponsors as a new trainer is hard, and the results of losing will be quite big. Losing sponsors is painful.

- Bounty system: Certain enemies have a bounty on their heads. Beat them, bring them to the law enforcers and receive cash.
* Pros: Gives a challenge - people who have a large bounty = stronger.
* Cons: Why on earth would the peaceful world of Pokemon need a bounty system anyway? Criminals, in my Pokeymenz?

I don't think sponsors would work very well in the game. Imagine if you had to take time to promote their items.

 

[kohei]

I don't think sponsors would work very well in the game. Imagine if you had to take time to promote their items.

You know how Marlboro promotes on F1 cars right?
It'll be like that, except the company logo will be on your shirt/Pokeball etc.

 

[.emerald]

yeah.... were does it all start anyway???