Pokémon has many different types of trainers, each with their own name or team. However, the generic trainers met in the world are all sorted into classes, and each class generally fits a repeating mold in regards to their types of choice, battling style, attitudes, and appearances.
open/close all folders
Ace Trainer/Cooltrainer and Ace Duo/Double Team/Cool Couple
Ace Trainer, Cooltrainer/Elite Trainer (エリートトレーナー; Erīto torēnā)
Sun and Moon variants
Ace Trainers — called Cooltrainers prior to Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and universally named "Elite Trainer" in the original Japanese versions — are some of the most powerful stock opponents encountered. As the names would suggest, they are skilled trainers that use high-leveled and varied teams with better movesets and smarter AI than other opponents. They're typically depicted as older teenagers or young adults wearing colored jackets and start appearing in the mid-game.Ace Duo/Elite Duo (エリートコンビ; Erīto konbi), Double Team (ダブルチーム; Daburu chīmu), Cool Couple/Elite Couple (エリートカップル; Erīto kappuru)
A double-battle variant of the Cooltrainers found in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire are classified as a Cool Couple. In Diamond and Pearl, they were considered the Double Team class. It was then changed to the Ace Duo trainer-class in X and Y.- The Ace: They're called Ace Trainers for a good reason, being powerful, capable trainers.
- Classy Cravat: Ace Trainers from Kalos wear cravats with their respective outfits.
- Confusion Fu: While other classes usually stick to a specific type or group of Pokémon, Ace Trainers don't have any preference.
- Curtains Match the Window: The Ace Trainers in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have green hair and eyes.
- Elite Mook: They usually have the best AI of all the normal trainer classes, may use healing items, and often own the most powerful non-legendary Pokémon available. They become more common the further you get in the games, and the various Victory Roads are filled almost exclusively with them. Gym Leaders Bluenote , Clair, Norman, Candice, Draydennote , Irisnote , Marlon and Wulfric use them exclusively as their gym trainers.
- Law of Chromatic Superiority: They wear red in most games they appear in, and they are consistently the strongest trainer class in the games.
- Purple Is Powerful: In X and Y they wear purple uniforms, and they're very powerful Trainers. The male ones have purple hair, too.
- Reused Character Design: Male and female ace trainers in Pokémon Masters are modeled after their Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire designs, respectively.
- School Uniforms are the New Black: Kalos Ace Trainers look like they're wearing school uniforms all the time.
- Sudden Name Change: From "Cooltrainer" to "Ace Trainer" in Diamond and Pearl, likely to be more indicative of what they are.
- Whip of Dominance: In Gen I, Cooltrainers were depicted as having whips, which is meant to symbolize their masterful discipline in Pokémon training. They stopped carrying them in future games, including the remakes as the developers felt the idea of implying they were using whips on the Pokémon sounded too cruel.
Actor and Actress
Actor (はいゆう; Haiyū) and Actress (じょゆう; Joyū)
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon variant
A trainer-class that made its debut in Black 2 & White 2 as the performers for Pokéstar Studios. They use several prop and mecha "fake" Pokémon for the films the studio creates.Actor/Troupe Member (げきだんいん; Gekidan'in)
In English versions, the class doesn't appear again until Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, where it becomes the localized name of the unique title given to Meredith, a stage actress.- Took a Level in Badass: Meredith journeys around Alola to each location where nectar to transform her Oricorio into its 4 different forms can be picked up. The 4 times Meredith can be battled has her Oricorio leveling up from 12 to 57.
- Unique Enemy:
- For Black 2 & White 2, the trainer-class only appears as "opponents" in the Pokéstar Studios.
- For Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Actor Meredith is the only one that appears of this trainer-class.
- Meredith was technically not a member of either the Actor or Actress trainer classes in the Japanese version of USUM, posessing a unique trainer class that has never reappeared since.
- You ALL Look Familiar: Fitting their theme, the Actor and Actress trainer-class doesn't have a unique sprite. Instead, they share the Ace Trainer and Scientist sprites in Black 2 & White 2, and the female Office Worker model in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
Aroma Lady
Aroma Lady/Aromatic Lady (アロマなおねえさん; Aroma na onēsan)
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Aroma Ladies are women surrounded in petals or soothing fragrances. They usually use Grass-type Pokémon that are associated with pleasant smells, though one in the Sinnoh region carries a Combee.- Eyes Always Shut: The Hoenn Aroma Ladies are depicted with their eyes closed. Averted with the Kanto and Sinnoh Aroma Ladies, whose eyes are open.
- Flowers of Nature: In the Hoenn remakes the Aroma Ladies wear a flower in their hair, which fitting considering their affinity with flowers and Grass-type Pokémon.
- Girly Skirt Twirl: Kanto Aroma Ladies are depicted as doing a skirt twirl in their battle sprites.
- Green Thumb: Specialize in Grass-types, especially the Budew and Oddish lines.
- The Nose Knows: In Emerald, one of them actually manages to tell that you have a PokéNav by its smell.
Artist and Painter
Artist (げいじゅつか; Geijutsuka) and Painter (えかき; Ekaki)
Artists in X and Y
Trainer classes who carry art supplies on hand. Painters debuted in in FireRed and LeafGreen, while Artists debuted in Diamond and Pearl. They use Smeargle if available.Artists looked like old painting men in Gen 4, while Gen 6 introduced a young female variant; they can team up to form an Artist Family. In Gen 8, Artists are deranged-looking middle-aged men with clay sculptures. Gen 9's Artists are all-female and dressed as graffiti artists, with breathing masks and spraypaint cans strapped to their stained hoodie sweaters.
- Artsy Beret: The Painters and the Artists in Gens 4 and 5 wear berets.
- Confusion Fu: They use Smeargle, which can learn any move, so there's no telling what they'll throw at you.
- Mad Artist: The Sword and Shield Artists have deranged expressions.
- Named After Someone Famous: The Artists in X and Y have first names of famous real-world artists: Georgia (O'Keeffe), Pierre (Renoir), Salvador (Dali), Vincent (van Gogh), and Jasper (Johns).
- Stealth Pun: In Black 2 and White 2, Artist Gough (Vincent in Japanese) uses a Sunflora. Vincent van Gogh painted a series of sunflower paintings
.
Backers
Backers/Fan Club (ファンクラブ; Fan kurabu)
In Black and White
A pair of sports fans fought in double battles that appear in Black and White. They use Pokémon a particular Athlete uses as a sign of their admiration. Uniquely, they're the only solely Double Battle trainer class that have both male and female versions.
- Ambiguously Bi: In Black & White, a particular male Backer will comment that he wishes the athletes would fight over him like they fight over the ball—and he says this regardless of whether they're the female Smashers or male Hoopsters.
- Dual Boss: Specialize in Double Battles.
- Fanboy: And fangirls of the athletes they're rooting for. Most of them tend to show up at Nimbasa's Small Court and Big Stadium, and the female Backers even wear cheerleading outfits.
Backpackers
Backpacker (バックパッカー; Bakkupakkā)
Sword and Shield variant
Young men and women carrying large hiking backpacks introduced in Black and White. They tend to use only one Pokémon in battle, save for Triple Battles, Rotation Battles, and any battles taking place at a battle facility. Backpackers could also be viewed as the younger variants of the Hiker trainer-class.
- Continuity Nod: The pose the female Backpackers take in Pokémon Sun and Moon pre-battle is a direct reference to the pose their sprites were in during the Gen V games. They even have the exact same designs.
- Walking the Earth: Backpackers spend most of their time traveling around the world.
- Younger and Hipper: Backpackers are basically young Hikers.
Baker/Chef/Cook
Baker/Bakery (ベーカリー; Bēkarī), Chef (りょうりにん; Ryōrinin) and Cook (コック; Kokku)
Sword and Shield cook
Culinary artists wearing chef's attire. Bakers appear in Black and White as well as their sequels, Chefs in X and Y and Cooks in Sun and Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and Sword and Shield.- Big Creepy-Crawlies: Two of the Cook trainers, Ernie and Fil, use Bug-type Pokémon. Both use the Cutiefly-line while Fil uses a Parasect.
- Chubby Chef: Their designs are bigger than most other trainer classes.
- Fascinating Eyebrow: They wear a smile and raise an eyebrow in their post-battle pose.
- Making a Splash: Cook Carver uses the Water-type Psyduck-line.
- Took a Level in Badass: Cook Carver can be rematched in Hau'oli City where his Psyduck will have evolved into Golduck by the second match.
Beauty
Beauty/Grown-up Lady (大人のおねえさん; Otona na onēsan)
Sword and Shield variant
Beauties are vain young women that wear stylish clothing and often carry handbags or other accessories. They commonly use Pokémon that are considered cute or beautiful, though sometimes they have the more generic guideline of the Pokémon looking odd.
- All There in the Manual: According to a Game Freak staff interview, they used to be Lasses when they were younger.
- Ambiguously Brown: The Beauties in Sword and Shield have tanned skin and dark hair, but no defined race.
- Battle Couple: In Sword and Shield they can team up with a Rail Staff to form the "Daring Couple" class.
- Confusion Fu: Their gimmick is "Pokémon that are physically appealing". They lean towards Grass-, Water-, and Normal-types for this reason, but really they could be sending out anything.
- Early-Installment Weirdness: Due to the lack of female Swimmers in the First Generation, females encountered while Surfing could have been Beauties.
- ISO-Standard Urban Groceries: They're seen holding a bag of groceries, including a long loaf of bread, in their battle design artwork for X and Y.
- Minidress of Power: The Kanto and Johto (in both the originals and the remakes), Sinnoh, and Alola Beauties wear very short dresses.
- Ms. Fanservice: Most Beauty designs tend to depict them with flowing hair or fitted, revealing clothes. The Beauty class from Pokémon Gold and Silver strikes a playful, flirty pose.
- Piñata Enemy: Beauties tend to be more generous than most other classes of Trainer when it comes to handing out prize money.
- School Sport Uniform: If a scene set in Erika's Gym in Pokémon Origins is to be believed, Kanto Beauties wear this beginning in Gen III, which makes more sense if you're to take the Game Freak staff's word for it that they used to be Lasses when they were younger.
- Sexy Backless Outfit: The Beauties in ORAS wear backless tops.
- Shock and Awe: The ones in B2W2 only train Electric-types, and their designs incorporate a lightning theme due to being exclusive to Elesa's gym.
- Sore Loser: Their losing pose in Sun and Moon has them glare at the player with their hands on their hips.
- Took a Level in Badass: Beauties were never that powerful in most generations, but come Scarlet and Violet, they're only found in pretty hard to reach areas, and are consequently considerably higher-level than they were before.
- Walking Swimsuit Scene: Unlike FireRed and LeafGreen, which retconned the Beauties found in the water into Swimmers, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! keep them in their original class but give them a different model with a swimsuit.
- You Don't Look Like You: In Pokémon Masters, Beauties appear with the glamorous hat and dress ensemble that normally belongs to the Lady class.
Bellhop
Bellhop/Bellboy (ベルボーイ; Berubōi)
In Sun and Moon
A trainer-class added in Sun and Moon. Bellhops are depicted as men who work as hotel servants, and are usually seen within the vicinity of certain hotels, such as the Tide Song Hotel and Hano Grand Resort.
- Color Motif: Their attire is primarily colored orange to show a feeling of warmth when they're around the people they're trying to help at hotels.
- Green Thumb: In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Jody's Drifloon is swapped out with a Grass-type, Fomantis.
- Retcon: Jody's Drifloon in Sun and Moon is swapped out for a Fomantis in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
- Soul Power: Bellhop Jody uses a Ghost-type, Drifloon, in Sun and Moon.
- Unique Enemy: Bellhop Jody found on Alola's Route 4 is the only one of this trainer-class the player comes across in Sun and Moon. Not the case in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon; while Jody is still around, an additional Bellhop named Landon was added to a double trainer-battle that appears at Malie Garden.
Biker and Roughneck/Cue Ball
Biker (ぼうそうぞく; Bōsōzoku) and Cue Ball AKA Roughneck/Skinhead (スキンヘッズ; Skinhezzu)
Hooligans in Black and White
Bikers and Roughnecks (Cue Balls before Gen IV) are separate classes, but are commonly found together in the same area and are very similar to each other. They're motorcycle-riding ruffians who specialize in Fighting- and Poison-types.
Hooligans/Bad Team (バッドチーム; Baddo chīmu)
A double team consisting of a Biker and a Roughneck that appears in the Generation V titles.- Adapted Out: Bikers don't appear in Let's Go with the removal of bikes in favor of Pokémon rides. Punk Guys replaced their role instead and share the same design as the Kanto bikers in Gen I.
- Badass Biker: They're buff and burly trainers designed after typical motorcycle gangs.
- Bash Brothers: Bikers and Roughnecks can be encountered as two-man teams called "Hooligans".
- Combat Pragmatist: They also specialize in Dark-type Pokémon, to go along with their generally brutish and underhanded nature.
- Composite Character: HGSS Bikers incorporate both design traits of Bikers and Roughnecks, likely because the latter trainer class is phased out in the Johto games.
- Delinquent Hair: Roughnecks are universally depicted as being bald to play up their biker inspired aesthetic. Their Gen I name was actually "Cue Ball", while their Japanese name is "Skinhead".
- Dub Name Change: Cue Ball/Roughneck was originally "Skinheads" in Japanese. As this would have been a problematic name to use in the west, the change is justified.
- Dumb Muscle: In Generation 1, Cue Balls were the only trainer type besides Youngsters to have no AI flags set. This means they operate on pure A.I. Roulette to choose their moves, just like wild Pokémon.
- Fat and Skinny: Roughnecks/Cue Balls are burly while Bikers are relatively thin. This was inverted in Gen V.
- Gratuitous English: One Roughneck on Route 17 shouts "No future!" in the French translation.
- Poisonous Person: They both like Poison-types, but Bikers use them more than Roughnecks.
- Real Men Wear Pink: In stark contrast to the traditional types this trainer class uses, Roughneck Kirby in Sinnoh's Lost Tower uses a Cleffa, which are small, pink, and associated with girls, as his sole Pokémon. Justified, as his other Pokémon fell victim to Team Galactic.
- Unique Enemy: Roughneck Kirby in the Lost Tower is the only Roughneck outside the Battle Tower/Frontier in the Sinnoh games and their remakes.
- Whip of Dominance: Cue Balls were one of the trainer classes that carried whips in Gen I, as a leftover for when the developers wanted many trainers to wield whips, due to the whip's historical connection with animal taming.
Bird Keeper
Bird Keeper/Bird Tamer (とりつかい; Tori-tsukai)
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Bird Keepers are young men and women holding birdcages. They specialize in Flying-types, specifically bird-themed Pokémon.
- Anime Hair: Earlier games depicted them with Spiky Hair. The Sinnoh Bird Keeper has horned hair.
- Blow You Away: Bird Keepers specialize in avian Flying-type Pokémon, as their name states.
- Making a Splash: It's not actually shown, but one on Route 18 admits to collecting Water-type Pokémon on weekends after you defeat him.
- Rough Overalls: The first few versions of Bird Keeper trainers are in overalls, likely because birds can be messy to handle.
- Sleeves Are for Wimps: Hoenn's Bird Keepers wear sleeveless red shirts.
- Wind from Beneath My Wings: As bird users, they commonly use attacks like Gust, Whirlwind, etc.
Black Belt and Battle Girl/Crush Girl
Black Belt/Karate King (からておう; Karate ō) and Battle Girl (バトルガール; Batoru gāru), Crush Girl/Fighting Girl (かくとうむすめ; Kakutō musume)
Sword and Shield Black Belt
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Battle Girl
Black Belts are karate masters and are depicted as men in karate gi who primarily use Fighting-types. Generation III introduced Battle Girls, who are the Distaff Counterpart of Black Belts. Battle Girls either wear tight-fitting workout clothing or a martial arts uniform. In FireRed and LeafGreen, Battle Girls were temporarily replaced with the functionally identical Crush Girls.Sparring Partners/Training Buddies (しゅぎょうなかま; Shugyō nakama)
When two Black Belts are fought together, they are called Sparring Partners.Crush Kin/Fighting Siblings (かくとうきょうだい; Kakutō kyōdai)
A Brother–Sister Team of a Black Belt and Crush Girl.- Anime Chinese Girl: Battle Girls from Unova wear Chinese Kung-Fu uniforms, and can have Chinese names. While they're not shown actively training their own fighting skills, they train powerful Fighting-type Pokémon, mostly battling the player in later parts of the game.
- Badass Adorable: The Battle Girls/Crush Girls, who look just as fierce as their male counterparts, but much younger and more adorable.
- Badass and Child Duo: In Sun and Moon, a Black Belt and a Preschooler form a Karate Family.
- Bare-Fisted Monk: All Black Belts and Battle Girls encountered specialize in Fighting-type Pokémon.
- Bash Brothers: A Black Belt and Crush Girl team is called "Crush Kin."
- Braids of Action: The Battle Girls in Unova has a braided ponytail.
- Brains and Brawn: The Gen VI pair up a Psychic with a Black Belt as a Brains & Brawn Double Battle.
- Distaff Counterpart: Battle Girls and Crush Girls to Black Belts.
- Dub Name Change: Black Belts are called Karate Kings in Japanese, while Crush Girls are called Fighting Girls.
- Fanservice Extra: Battle Girls in Hoenn, Kanto, and Sinnoh are fit, flexible girls wearing revealing workout attire. Averted in Unova and Kalos, where they wear more modest martial arts uniforms instead.
- Kiai: They commonly make use of battle cries in their dialogue.
- Kick Chick: All battle girls (excluding those from Kalos) are shown kicking midair.
- Legacy Character: Black Belts are closely based on Bruno of the Elite Four, since they widely use the Onix line and Machop families. Kenji in particular, a Black Belt that can be fought in rematches in Gen II and their remakes, eventually builds a team of Hitmonlee, two Onix, and a Machamp — he's just a Hitmonchan shy of duplicating Bruno's Gen I team.
- Old Master: Sun and Moon depict the Black Belts as muscular old men with heads covered in white hair.
- Sibling Team: In the Kanto remakes, a Black Belt and Crush Girl, both siblings, form Crush Kin.
- Signature Mon: Prior to the Gen V games they would almost always use a Pokémon from the Machop line.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: The sports bra and spandex-wearing Battle Girls of Ruby and Sapphire are replaced in FireRed and LeafGreen by the sports bra and spandex-wearing Crush Girl.
- Tomboyish Ponytail: The Battle Girls and Crush Girls are martial artists who wear ponytails.
Boarder and Skier
Boarder (ボーダー; Bōdā) and Skier (スキーヤー; Sukīyā)
HeartGold and SoulSilver variants
Male Snowboarders and female Skiers that debuted in Generation II. Male Skiers debuted in Generation IV.- An Ice Person: They use Ice-type Pokémon and appear in Pryce's gym. However, they include other types in Diamond and Pearl due to Sinnoh's limited roster in their regional dex.
- Pink Girl, Blue Boy: In Gen IV female skiers wear pink and the males wear blue.
Bug Catcher and Bug Maniac
Bug Catcher/Bug Catching Boy (むしとりしょうねん; Mushitori shōnen)
Bug Catcher and Bug Maniac in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Bug Catchers are young boys with bug-catching nets and other equipment for capturing insects. As you might presume, they prefer Bug-types. It's implied in-story that most Bug Catchers grow out of it like a phase, but some don't.Bug Maniac/Insect Maniac (こんちゅうマニア Konchū mania)
Older Bug Catchers become classified as Bug Maniacs, which appears in Ruby and Sapphire and their remakes.- Big Creepy-Crawlies: They specialize in Bug-types, which are mostly large by default.
- Boyish Shorts: Like Youngsters, the Bug Catchers are young early-game trainers who specialize in early-game Com Mons—Bugs—and are shown in shorts.
- Com Mons: The trainer variant, they appear frequently early in the game but are not a real threat and become rarer once you get your second Badge. They also commonly use the early Bug-type of their generation in battle.
- The Goomba: Bug Catchers serve as this alongside Youngsters and Lasses, being some of the earliest and weakest trainers you fight.
- Inconsistent Dub: In English versions of Stadium, Bug Catchers are referred to as Bug Boys.
- Poisonous Person: They commonly use Bug/Poison-types, such as the Weedle line, Dustox, and Venonat.
- Scary Shiny Glasses: The Bug Maniacs wear shiny glasses and wear a rather creepy expression.
- Took a Level in Badass: Compared to Bug Catchers, Bug Maniacs are older, have evolved their Pokémon, and often use stronger Bug-types such as Heracross and Pinsir.
- Youthful Freckles: The Hoenn Bug Catchers have freckles on the bridge of their noses in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
Burglar
Burglar/Post-Fire Looter (かじばどろぼう; Kajiba dorobō), Thief (どろぼう; Dorobō)
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! variant
Unscrupulous thieves, they're often found scavenging in abandoned and underground areas, and specialize in Fire-types and the Koffing line.
- Beard of Evil: They're antgonistic thieves, and given beards in FireRed and LeafGreen, and the Stadium games.
- Blatant Burglar: While burglars are generally known to be sneaky, burglars in the Pokémon world are out in the open, waiting for unsuspecting Trainers to pass by for a battle.
- Dub Name Change: Their original Japanese name literally translates to "Robber at the Scene of a Fire" and figuratively to "Looter." The former explains why they Play With Fire.
- Malevolent Masked Men: They wear surgical masks in HeartGold and SoulSilver and happen to be villainous.
- Piñata Enemy: They fork over a lot of loot when defeated, and sometimes they also drop items when running off.
- Playing with Fire: They generally use Fire-types, and Blaine uses them as Gym Trainers.
- Poisonous Person: In Johto, the few that appear all have the Poison-type Koffing on hand.
- Robbing the Dead: According to their Japanese name, they raid houses that have caught on fire.
- Sinister Shades: They wear sunglasses and happen to be antagonistic thieves. Presumably this is for disguise reasons.
- Smoke Out: Presumably they like Fire-types and Koffing because their ability to use Smokescreen allows them to make a quick getaway.
- Thief Bag: They carry a stereotypical thief bag over their shoulders; there are Poké Balls spilling out of it in HeartGold and SoulSilver.
Camper and Picnicker/Jr. Trainer
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variants
Campers and Picnickers are young boys and girls that use Pokémon found in the wilderness, often forests. Thus they use a variety of Pokémon, but are not too dangerous and are phased out of the game as the player proceeds. In earlier games, they were called Jr. Trainers.
- Adorably Precocious Child: Clearly younger than the trainer, and their surprisingly erudite dialogue usually highlights that fact.
- Boyish Shorts: Campers only wear shorts and are implied to be not much younger than the player character and more active, mostly specializing in Pokémon found in the woods.
- Composite Character: In Yellow, Camper Ricky is merged with Joe and Picnicker Nancy is merged with Giselle.
- Confusion Fu: They use a variety of different Pokémon to battle.
- Dub Name Change: Their Gen I counterparts were called "Boy Scout" and "Girl Scout," almost certainly changed for legal reasons in English. From Gen II onwards they became "Camp Boy" and "Camp Girl" in Japanese.
- Early-Installment Weirdness:
- In early games, they were called Jr. Trainers with a symbol denoting their gender.
- In the first Generation, there were two female Jr. Trainers swimming near the Seafoam Islands. The remakes moved them both onto land when female Swimmers are introduced to the region.
- Girlish Pigtails: Befitting their youthful nature, the Picnickers in Generation IV wear pigtails.
- Lawyer-Friendly Cameo: The males are based on American Boy Scouts, and accordingly the females are Girl Scouts. The Campers were called "Boy Scouts" in the Japanese versions of Red and Green, but it was changed in later games for copyright reasons.
- Pink Girl, Blue Boy: Their Stadium sprites, in which the Camper (male) is shown wearing a blue tie and the Picnicker (female) is shown wearing a pink tie.
- Scout-Out: The Campers are based on Boy Scouts, and the Picnickers are based on Girl Scouts.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: Picnickers are the Tomboys to the Lasses' Girly Girls.
- Wholesome Crossdresser: One Camper in Gold and Silver and HeartGold and SoulSilver is dressed exactly like Janine—but then, so are the other trainers in her gym.Barry: Hey, you. Was my disguise cute or what, huh?
Channeler
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! variant
Women who appear in the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town to exorcise evil spirits but ended up being possessed. They use the Gastly line and only appeared in the first generation and its remakes.
- Adaptational Attractiveness: As shown in Age Lift, in Generation I, they were very intimidating, but Let’s Go gives them a resemblance to the Hex Maniacs.
- Age Lift: They used to be ranging from adult to middle-aged, but Let's Go makes them look younger and bears some facial expressions similar to the Hex Maniacs from Generation VI.
- Demonic Possession: It's heavily Implied that they're possessed by evil spirits, as they apologize to the player and do not recall anything that happened before the battle after battling them.
- Dub Name Change: From "Shaman" in Japanese.
- Generic Cuteness: In Let’s Go, they are given youthful big eyes that make them look much cuter.
- Miko: They're dressed up as Shinto priestesses.
- Soul Power: They only use Gastly and the occasional Haunter, which are Ghost-types, even in Sabrina's Gym.
Clerk/Office Worker
Sword and Shield variants
Office men and women who debuted in Black and White. They are found in places of employment in Unova and Alola.
- Confusion Fu: They use a variety of Pokémon.
- Dishing Out Dirt: Clay uses some of them as Gym trainers, and they specialize in Ground-type.
- Dub Name Change: From Salaryman and OL to Clerk and Office Worker.
- King Mook: The Unovan boss variant is essentially this, being the boss of the other Office Workers.
- Not So Stoic: Generation VII features pre-battle and post-battle animations for NPC Trainers. While most NPCs confidently strike a pose, female Office Workers stand calmly and lean back slightly. When they lose, they look aghast.
- Office Lady: The female Clerks, to the point where their title in Japan is OL.
- Proper Tights with a Skirt: The female Clerks in Unova wear grey tights with a business skirt.
- Salaryman: The male ones are based on Japanese salarymen.
Clown and Harlequin
Diamond and Pearl/Black and White variants
Men in costumes based on the classic Pierrot clown archetype that debuted in Diamond and Pearl. Only one battleable Clown appears outside the Battle Frontier, Clown Lee, who is affiliated with the Jubilife TV Station. In the Unova games, a similar class called the Harlequin debuted and uses Pokémon that balance well.
- But Thou Must!: You have to find all three Clowns in Jubilife City to get the Pokétch.
- Big Creepy-Crawlies: Most Harlequins that appear in the Generation 5 games are Gym Trainers for Burgh, and as such use Bug-types, all of which are bigger than their real-life equivalents.
- Dub Name Change: Harlequins had their name changed from Clowns in the English release as that was the English name of their Generation IV equivalents, known in the Japanese version as Pierrots (which is the loanword typically used for clowns in Japan).
- Leitmotif: The Harlequins in Castelia Gym in Black 2 and White 2 have their own unique circus-like encounter music, while the ones everywhere else share the theme of the Backers and a couple of others. This is one of the few instances of a trainer class having two different encounter music pieces in a single set of games.
- Non-Ironic Clown: They wear costumes based on Pierrot clowns, and aren't shown as creepy.
- Psychic Powers: Clown Lee uses the Psychic-type Mr. Mime line. Also, some Harlequins in B2W2 use Baltoy.
Coach Trainer
In Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
A trainer class that appears in the Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee! games. Coach Trainers are spread out around the routes of the Kanto region offering to provide advice and battle experience to young upcoming trainers. Those who defeat Coach Trainers are rewarded with items that are helpful for their Pokémon journey.
- Elite Mooks: Coach Trainers use Pokémon that are at higher levels than other trainers found around Kanto. They're basically the Ace Trainers of Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
- Mentor Archetype: Coach Trainers usually provide helpful advice and reward useful items, such as TMs, to trainers that battle and defeat them.
- Palette Swap: Share their design with Ace Trainers, but wear green coats instead of black.
- Piñata Enemy: Coach Trainers usually provide a lot more money than other trainers on the Routes they're found in.
Collector
Sun and Moon variant
Collectors are nerdy young men that are collectors of rare Pokémon. In Diamond and Pearl, they use three of the same Pokémon. In other games, they use rare Pokémon and version exclusives.
- Adaptational Attractiveness: Collectors in Pokémon Masters look nothing like their previous iterations, instead looking like handsome mature high-class men who collect rare items, instead of obsessed chubby geeks.
- Continuity Nod: Their poses and designs in Sun and Moon are highly reminiscent of their Hoenn counterparts, but with different color schemes.
- Dub Name Change: Collector is shortened from the original "Pokémon Collector."
- Otaku: They're the ultimate Pokémon nerds of all the trainers.
- Opaque Nerd Glasses: One of their most defining features is their opaque lenses, and they happen to be Pokémon nerds.
- Power Equals Rarity: They tend to use the version exclusive mons in games. To use Ruby and Sapphire as an example, they'll use Nuzleaf (Ruby exclusive) or Lombre (Sapphire exclusive) on the same team.
- Small Name, Big Ego: You can expect them to brag about how rare their Pokémon are... even when they aren't.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: They're basically the successors to the Super Nerd trainer class of Kanto and Johto.
Cyclist
Black and White variants
Adult men and women who are bicyclists. They debut in Diamond and Pearl and appear in the Gen. V games. They tend to use fast Pokémon.
- Dub Name Change: From "Cycling," which would have been very awkward in terms of English grammar.
- Fragile Speedster: Almost every Pokémon they use tends to be fast but goes down quickly.
- Pink Girl, Blue Boy: In the Unova games, male Cyclists dress in blue, while females dress in pink.
- Sensual Spandex: They have underpants that look too pretty to avert your eyes from.
Dancer
Sword and Shield variant
Young men who break dance, who debut in Black and White. They tend to appear around highly populated cities such as Castelia and Nimbasa. In Sun and Moon, female Dancers appear instead, as hula-dancing young women. In Sword and Shield, they're young women who wear street clothes.
- Playing with Fire: Unovan Dancers commonly have Darumaka, a fire-type on hand.
- Signature Mon: Unovan Dancers tend to use Darumaka and the Elemental Monkeys while the Alolan Dancers use the various forms of Oricorio.
- True Blue Femininity: The females in Alola wear blue dresses.
Depot Agent/Rail Staff
Sword and Shield rail staff
A trainer class first appearing in Black and White consisting of men who work with trains. In Sword and Shield they are known as Rail Staff.- Battle Couple: In Sword and Shield they can team up with a Beauty to form the "Daring Couple" Trainer class.
- Dishing Out Dirt:
- Specialize in Ground-type Pokémon that dig such as the Diglett and Drilbur lines.
- The Rail Staff in the Battle Tower in Sword and Shield can use Rock-types.
- Extra-ore-dinary: Depot Agents and Rail Staff can use Steel-types in the Battle Subway and Tower respectively.
- Playing with Fire: Rail Staff can use Fire-types at the Battle Tower.
Doctor and Nurse
In Black and White
First appearing in the Unova games, Doctors and Nurses are men and women in hospital uniforms that do not challenge the player upon seeing them. One must talk to them to battle them. After battle, they heal Pokémon when asked. The trainer class returned in Sword & Shield, this time with female Doctors instead of Nurses and no longer heal the player's team.
- Damage-Sponge Boss: Prefer Pokémon with high HP such as Alomomola, Audino, and the Chansey line.
- Dreary Half-Lidded Eyes: Doctors of both genders have droopy, exhausted eyes in the Galar games (though the female Doctors seem to be faring better than their slouching male counterparts.)
- Helpful Mook: They tend to be placed in deep dungeons such as deserts and caves to heal your Pokémon after battling them, reducing the need to use healing items. Averted in Generation VIII where they no longer do this.
- The Medic: They heal your Pokémon after defeating them in battle, and every time you talk to them afterward, though they no longer do this in Sword and Shield.
- Piñata Enemy: A number of them tend to use Audino and the Chansey line, which grant a lot of experience points upon defeat.
- Pink Girl, Blue Boy: In the Unova games, doctors (who are male) wear blue while nurses (who are female) wear pink. It's downplayed in Galar where male Doctors use blue Great Balls and female Doctors use pink Heal Balls.
Dragon Tamer
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire. Dragon Tamers are men and women in elaborate outfits who specialize in Dragon Pokémon. The only other times the Dragon Tamers have appeared are in Diamond & Pearl, the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes, and Scarlet and Violet.
- Badass Cape: They sport cool-looking capes and outfits in general, but a Dragon Tamer in Meteor Falls dislikes it. He even adds that some Dragon Tamers quit because they hate their outfits. The Paldean Dragon Tamers opt for a shorter mini cape, but are no less badass for it.
- Distaff Counterpart: In contrast to the male exclusivity of the class in Hoenn and Sinnoh, Paldea’s Dragon Tamers are all female.
- Dragon Tamer: They specialize in training exclusively Dragon-type Pokémon, or Pokémon in the Dragon egg group like Gyarados.
- Elite Mooks: Their type specialty means that they are some of the stronger generic trainers in the game.
- Purple Is Powerful: They all wear purple suits and wield the powerful Dragon-types.
- Red Baron: In the North Province of Paldea, there's a trio of Dragon Tamer sisters who take on the titles of dragon's tail, dragon's wings, and dragon's breath. The dragon's tail doesn’t think much of the whole idea though.
Driver
One of several X and Y variants
Drivers are often found around Lumiose City running taxi services, and aren't normally fought in battles. However, if you try to pull a fast one on them by not having enough money to pay, that status will soon change. They use members of the Sandile line at levels much higher than the Trainers that can be battled around the same time the Lumi Cab service becomes available.
- Badass Driver: You have been warned if you attempt to use their services without paying, they're actually quite skilled trainers.
- Boss in Mook Clothing: Good luck getting one with a Level 33 Sandile if you end up fighting them - it's either that, a Level 55 Krokorok, or a Level 66 Krookodile, even when you're just starting out.
- Signature Mon: Solely use the members of the Sandile line.
- Shoplift and Die: Failure to pay them will cause them to pick a fight with you.
- You ALL Look Familiar: There is no unique Driver trainer-class sprite. The one pictured is the X and Y variant of the Gentlemen trainer, and the other Driver variants appear as the X and Y Veteran and Punk Guy sprites.
Engineer
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! variant
Electricians who appeared only in the Kanto games, they use Magnemite and the occasional Magneton.
- Dub Name Change: Originally referred to as "Old Man Electrician."
- Extra-ore-dinary: They use the Steel-type Magnemite and Magneton.
- Eyes Always Shut: In Gen I and Stadium they always have shut eyes. In FireRed and LeafGreen, their eyes are open, but are closed again in the Let's Go games.
- Fashionable Asymmetry: They wear only one glove in FireRed and LeafGreen.
- Mr. Fixit: They're even called Mr. Fix in Stadium.
- Shock and Awe: Since Magnemite and Magneton are also Electric-type. The one in the Vermillion City Gym in the remakes also has a Voltorb.
Expert and Old Couple
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variants
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Experts are old men and women in kimonos. They are elderly Black Belts and Battle Girls who haven't lost their edges.
A double-battle variant known as an Old Couple trainer-class can also be found.
- Battle Couple: Two Experts in Meteor Falls by the name of John and Jay team up to form an Old Couple.
- Dub Name Change: The Old Couple were originally called "Golden Anniversary."
- Old Master: Applies to the grandma version as well. Despite their old age, they are very skilled at Pokémon battling.
Fairy Tale Girl
In X and Y
Debuting in Pokémon X and Y, Fairy Tale Girls are little girls in pink dresses. Like the name suggests, they specialize in Fairy-type Pokémon. Together with a Hex Maniac, they form Mysterious Sisters.
- Ambiguously Human: There are hints that the Fairy Tale Girls might be actual fae, with the creepy way they talk, their huge sparkling eyes and one of them saying she's old enough to be your mother.
- Artwork and Game Graphics Segregation: Rather than the bow shown in their official artwork, their overworld model seems to depict them wearing a pink hat instead. This is due to the Fairy Tale Girl's overworld model being a recolor of that of the Twin's (minus the Pikachu doll), with the "ribbon" being a recolor of their hair bun.
- Creepy Child: Some Fairy Tale Girls say things that are out of the ordinary and in some cases just outright disturbing. They love to threaten the player with their creepiness for fun. Their eyes are also different from the other Trainers'; they lack pupils and appear to be glistening akin to fellow Fairy-type enthusiast Valerie.
- Every Proper Lady Should Curtsy: The pose they strike in their official art has them curtsying.
- Nightmare Fuel Station Attendant: The typical Fairy Tale Girl is a Creepy Child (or looks like a child) who talks like an old lady, routinely says and suggests things that sensible people would find disturbing, and looks more like a living doll than a human. Everything about them is just so off in the setting of Pokémon that it makes the player wonder just how much of their behavior is an act. They make the Hex Maniacs - Ghost-type trainers - look tame in comparison.
- Older Than They Look: One of them flat-out says they're old enough to be the player character's mother, even though she looks like a little girl.
- Our Fairies Are Different: They love to use Fairy types, or at least Pokémon similar to fairies.
- Pimped-Out Dress: A little pink dress with ruffles, bows and a white pinafore that looks like something out of a fairy tale.
- Skintone Sclerae: Seem to have no eye-whites whatsoever.
- Signature Headgear: A big pink bow that matches the ones on their dress.
- Uncanny Valley Girl: A trait that many of them love to embrace and abuse; when they talk to you they tend to say some pretty... interesting things, and the dresses they wear coupled with their golden, shiny eyes make them appear very doll-like.
Firebreather
HeartGold and SoulSilver variant
Men in clown suits that breathe fire. Only appearing in Generation 2 and their remakes. In the remakes, they were redesigned into Magmar Cosplayers.
- Cool Shades: They sport a pair of red-tinted shades.
- Cosplay: The Generation 4 designs invoke Magmar.
- Non-Ironic Clown: In Generation 2 they dress in clown suits.
- Playing with Fire: Specialize in Fire-type Pokémon.
- Poisonous Person: They also like the Poison-type Koffing and Weezing, as both are smoke-related.
Firefighter
In Sun and Moon
A trainer-class added in Sun and Moon. They specialize in Water-type Pokémon given that their job is to fight fires.
- Color-Coded Elements: His fire-fighter suit is blue to show that he's a user of Water.
- Dub Name Change: The Japanese versions refer to this class as "Fireman," in Gratuitous English.
- Making a Splash: Given that the trainer-class is based on a firefighter, you're bound to believe that they're going to be water users.
- In Sun and Moon Firefighter Alex's one Pokémon is a Water-type, Poliwhirl. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Poliwhirl is swapped out for another Water-type, Octillery.
- In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Firefighter Aiden uses two Water-types, Octillery and Clawitzer.
- Orange/Blue Contrast: Probably a bit closer to yellow, but the contrasting colors on his firefighter suit is still there.
- Retcon: Alex's Poliwhirl in Sun and Moon is swapped out for an Octillery in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
- Unique Enemy: The trainer-class only appears once in its Sun and Moon introduction as Alex on Alola's Route 10. Not the case in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon where an additional firefighter named Aiden was added to Poni Coast.
Fisherman/Fisher
Sun and Moon variant
Fisherman are men, usually middle-aged, with fishing rods, tackle boxes, and vests of gear. They commonly appear along water-based routes, and use Water-types in battle, more specifically fish-based Pokémon. Sword and Shield introduce female Fishers.
- Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: Mostly known for throwing out Magikarp and other weak fish against you, but eventually you'll run into a few of them that have evolved their Magikarp into Gyarados.
- It May Help You on Your Quest: An NPC Fisherman usually gives the player their Fishing Rods for their quest.
- Once an Episode: At least one will have a team of 6 Magikarp in every game.
- Making a Splash: Prolific users of Water-types.
- Took a Level in Badass: Those who can be rebattled will eventually turn their Magikarp and Tentacool into Gyarados and Tentacruel.
Furisode Girl
The four X and Y variants
Young girls wearing furisode, a type of Japanese kimono. They have four models, each with a different color: blue, white, black, and pink. They debuted in X and Y.
- Curtains Match the Windows: The girls wearing the white/pink-and-purple furisode have blonde/brown hair and matching yellow/brown eyes.
- Dub Name Change: From simply "Furisode".
- Girlish Pigtails: The girls wearing the black and white furisode wear pigtails, and look to be teenagers at most.
- Non-Elemental: The ones in the Battle Chateau only uses the Normal-type Audino.
- Our Fairies Are Different: The Furisode Girls in the Laverre Gym specialize in Fairy-type Pokémon.
- Piñata Enemy: Again, the ones in the Battle Chateau only use Audino, making them great for Level Grinding and they give out a decent amount of money and the chance of giving out an item.
- Promoted to Playable:
- Pokémon Masters added Kali, wearing a black furisode, as a free Sync Pair for the 2023 New Year's event. She's partnered with an Azumarill.
- The 2024 New Year's event added the white Furisode Girl, Katherine, with Slurpuff as a playable sync pair.
- Sexy Whatever Outfit: Minidress kimonos. Compare an actual furisode◊ to what they wear◊.
- Tsurime Eyes: The girls◊ in the black furisodes have eyes that are slanted upwards.
Gambler/Gamer/PI
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! variant
Gamblers are trainers that rely on luck in battle, and their dialogue revolves around gambling. In the first generation and their remakes, they appear as old men with dice cups, but was changed to trench coat-wearing younger men resembling detectives in the fourth generation. They use a variety of Pokémon and like One-Hit KO and Death or Glory Attack.
- Age Lift: They appear as old men in the Gen I games and their remakes, but appear much younger in Gen IV.
- Badass Longcoat: In Gen IV, they wear long red-brown coats.
- Fedora of Asskicking: They're depicted as wearing fedoras in Gen IV as part of their reimagining as detectives with an addiction to gambling.
- The Gambler: As the name indicates, they're gamblers, and they're often found betting around Game Corners.
- Piñata Enemy: While not as much as Ladies and Rich Boys, Gamblers tend to give out quite a bit of money.
- Private Detective: Bowdlerized to PIs in the English Gen IV games, even though all their dialogue still refers to gambling.
- Put on a Bus: Likely because of bowdlerization, Gamblers haven't been seen since Gen IV, excluding the Let's Go games.
Gardener
X and Y variant
Older men who trim bushes who only appear in Pokémon X and Y. Outside of the Battle Maison, Gardeners only use Corphish. In the Battle Maison, they specialize in Grass- and Bug-type Pokémon.
- Making a Splash: They only have the Water-type Corphish, which they use to help them with their jobs.
- Mundane Utility: It can be assumed that their Corphish help with the hedge trimmings.
Gentleman/Monsieur and Socialite/Madame
Sword and Shield variants
They are rich older men and women in expensive outfits. They usually use Pokémon that are based on pets like Growlithe and Chatot, but a few can use rare powerful Pokémon. The Gentleman debuts in the first generation, while the Socialite debuts in the fourth generation. In X and Y, they can only be found in the Battle Chateau (under a different title) and Battle Maison.
- Confusion Fu: Some of them will throw in powerful evolved Pokémon, and in battle facilities, they can even have Legendary Pokémon.
- Dub Name Change: Madames were called Socialites in English before Generation VI, when it was changed due to the Japanese name "Madame" being appropriate for the France-inspired Kalos region. Subsequent games still call them Madames, even Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
- Eagleland: A Gentleman in Lt. Surge's Gym served under Surge himself in the war. Surge was initially the Lightning American before being retconned.
- Hawaiian-Shirted Tourist: The Alolan Gentlemen wear stereotypical Hawaiian tourist shirts, instead of the usual suit worn by the ones from other regions.
- Never Mess with Granny: Several Socialites have powerful Pokémon like the Duchesses at the Battle Chateau.
- Piñata Enemy: Like Rich Boys and Ladies, they give a lot of money when defeated, and some of their Pokémon also carry Nuggets that can be stolen with the right moves. Also, they have a chance of giving out a rare item at the Battle Chateau. However, they tend to be stronger than their younger counterparts.
- Rich Bitch: Zig-Zagged; some are noticeably polite, while others like to rub their status in your face.
- Sharp-Dressed Man: Gentlemen all wear fine-looking suits. This is averted in Alola, where the Gentlemen there wear more casual clothing.
Golfer and Golf Buddies
In Sun and Moon
A trainer-class added in Sun and Moon due to the golf course at the Hano Grand Resort. They're depicted, and dressed up, as golf players.
Two female Golfers faced in a double battle are called Golf Buddies.
- Boss in Mook Clothing: The Golfer found at Ula'ula Meadow can make for a tough fight using two fully leveled Pokémon, Hariyama and Alakazam.
- Dishing Out Dirt: One Golfer uses a Rock-type, Rockruff.
- Dual Boss: The Golf Buddies trainer-class is a Double Battle.
- Dub Name Change: The Golf Buddies class originally had the more mundane class name of "Golfers"
- Golf Clubbing: They're depicted holding golf clubs.
- Psychic Powers: One Golfer uses a Psychic-type, Alakazam.
- You ALL Look Familiar: The female Sun and Moon variant of the Golfer uses a slightly tweaked version of the game's Beauty sprite. The major differences being that her pose is different, and is now holding onto a golf club.
Guitarist
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Guitarists are young men, and later women, with electric guitars. They favor Electric-type Pokémon, though they also carry Pokémon with sound-based moves. They make appearances primary in Gens III and IV, and the female variant can be battled in Gen V's Black 2 & White 2 as a result of Gym Leader Roxie's introduction here, who's a female bass guitarist.
- Eyes Always Shut: In the Hoenn games, the Guitarist's eyes are always shut. In all likelihood this is because they're always playing guitar onscreen; it completes the pose. Their Player Search System icon shows their eyes open.
- Make Some Noise: Sometimes they have Pokémon with sound-based abilities, such as the Whismur and Kricketot line.
- Shock and Awe: The male guitarists specialize in Electric-type Pokémon.
- Tomboyish Ponytail: The Female Guitarists in Black 2 and White 2 wear ponytails.
- Uncatty Resemblance: In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, their instruments and hairdo matches Manectric, one of the few Pokémon they will be using.
- Walking Shirtless Scene: In Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, they are shirtless. The remakes give them a tank top.
Hex Maniac
Generation VI variant
Somewhat creepy looking girls and women that appear in Ruby and Sapphire (and their remakes) and X and Y. They serve as the female counterparts of Psychics in the latter. When paired with a Fairy Tale Girl, they form Mysterious Sisters.
- Cloudcuckoolander: Some of their dialogue is a bit... off."Eh...radio waves...there are radio waves coming from your nose..."
- Cosplay: They dress up as witches.
- Creepy Loner Girl: Fit the appearance to a T in Gen VI, and use Ghost-type Pokémon.
- Crystal Ball: Their Gen VI art features them holding their Poké Balls as if they're going to use them for a spell, complete with a purple cloth underneath it.
- Dub Name Change: From "Occult Maniac," almost certainly due to character limits.
- Elegant Gothic Lolita: The Gen VI model and artwork depicts them wearing a black and purple dress.
- Fashionable Asymmetry: In Gen VI, they sport a purple glove on only one hand.
- Goth Girls Know Magic: Aside from the witch motif, their battle design artwork in Gen VI depicts them apparently trying to cast a hex on a Poké Ball.
- Idiot Hair: They sport a small one in Gen VI.
- Mind-Control Eyes: Had blank eyes in the Japanese versions of Ruby, Sapphire, and are given pupils in international versions. The Gen VI version has swirls instead.
- Promoted to Playable: Pokémon Masters introduces Helena, a Hex Maniac, as a free Sync Pair for the 2022 October event with Haunter.
- Psychic Powers: They on occasion will use Psychic-type Pokémon.
- Reflectionless Useless Eyes: Their swirly eyes never reflect highlights in Gen VI.
- Reused Character Design: Hex Maniacs in Pokémon Masters are modeled after their Pokémon X and Y design.
- Robe and Wizard Hat: In Gen III, they dress in the classic witch outfit of a dark dress with matching pointy hat.
- Soul Power: They specialize in Ghost and Psychic Pokémon. Pokémon Masters sees the playable Hex Maniac, Helena, use Haunter for her sync pair.
- Wingding Eyes: Hex Maniacs make a long-awaited return in Generation VI, sporting perpetually swirly eyes.
Hiker
Sword and Shield variant
Rotund mountaineers and spelunkers commonly found in and around caves, mountains and rugged areas. They specialize in Fighting-, Ground-, and Rock-types.
- Acrofatic: They are usually big men and some comment that they have traveled far in their hikes.
- Ambiguously Gay: Hiker Andy from Black and White. He's available only for the male protagonist in the Ferris Wheel Date Moment. He appears in the sequel to ride the Ferris Wheel with the female protagonist, but will talk about a great romance two years prior.
- Big Fun: They're almost all fat and jolly.
- Dishing Out Dirt: They favor Rock- and Ground-types.
- Dub Name Change: Originally known as "Mountain Man".
- Eyes Always Shut: Until Gen VI, Hikers were always depicted with their eyes shut.
- Hot Blooded Sideburns: In FireRed and LeafGreen they have huge sideburns which fit their hotblooded personality.
- Hunk: The Alolan Hikers are all tall, handsome, and muscular men.
- Mighty Glacier: Most of the Pokémon they use are slow, but strong and tanky.
- Mountain Man: These types of trainers can sometimes be found within certain mountain ranges.
- Reused Character Design: Hikers in Pokémon Masters are modeled after their Pokémon Diamond and Pearl design.
Idol
Diamond and Pearl variant
A trainer-class that debuted in Gen IV's Diamond and Pearl. Idol trainers are teenage girls dressed up in pink pop star outfits.
- Ascended Extra: Compared to her one low-level Jubilife TV station appearance in Diamond and Pearl, Idol Grace's role is expanded a bit in Platinum where she will appear for rematches in multiple Sinnoh Pokémon Centers.
- Idol Singer: What this trainer-class is based on. The Idol is seen wearing a concert dress while holding a Poké Ball styled microphone.
- Retcon: Idol Grace's Pikachu is gone in Platinum.
- Princesses Prefer Pink: The idol's clothing is basically a pink princess dress.
- Took a Level in Badass: In Platinum, Grace's first battle starts off with one level 6 Clefairy. By the time of her final rematch team, she will have six level 53 Clefairy.
- Unique Enemy: Idol Grace is the only one of this trainer-class outside the Battle Frontier.
Interviewers/Reporter/Cameraman
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Interviewers
A double-battling trainer-class that first debuted in Gen III's Ruby and Sapphire. The Interviewers consist of a reporter and a cameraman who appear in several locations throughout the region, and ask for a battle with the player which will be recorded on camera. They then ask the player for an interview after the battle.
In Gen IV, the Interviewer trainer-class is expanded a bit further where they can be solo battled. The solo interviewers are classified as the Reporter and Cameraman trainer-classes respectively.
Different regions have their own recurring duo of Interviewers. Gabby & Ty are the Interviewers seen in Hoenn while the pair for Sinnoh are Roxy & Oli, and Galar's interviewers are Gilliam & Cam.
- Ascended Extra: The Roxy & Oli Interviewers only have one appearance at the Jubilife TV station in Diamond and Pearl. However, their role in Platinum expands to be more like Gabby & Ty of Ruby and Sapphire where they will appear at multiple Pokémon Centers throughout Sinnoh.
- Dual Boss: The primary Interviewer trainer-class specialize in Double Battles.
- Making a Splash: In Diamond and Pearl, the Roxy & Oli Interviewers use the water-type Pokémon, Wooper and Marill. Only Marill has an actual water-type move though; knowing Water Gun.
- Retcon: Roxy & Oli's Wooper and Marill are swapped out for Magnemite and Ralts in Platinum.
- Shock and Awe:
- The Interviewer pairs of Hoenn and (in Platinum) Sinnoh use the Magnemite line, which tend to know Electric-type moves such as Spark and Discharge.
- Galar's Interviewers favor the Helioptile and Klink lines and also Togedemaru.
- Took a Level in Badass: As the player's journey goes on, the Interviewers' Pokémon will have gained in strength alongside the player, and have fully evolved Pokémon, such as Exploud, Gardevoir, and Magnezone, by their final battles.
- Since the evolution didn't exist in Ruby and Sapphire, Gabby & Ty will eventually have a Magnezone in the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes.
Janitor
Sun and Moon variant
Older men in overalls who are, well, in charge of the cleaning and maintenance of various buildings and facilities. Debutting in Gen V, they specialize in Pokémon based on trash and filth, particularly the Trubbish line.
- Almighty Janitor: Janitor Geoff, who happens to be the final boss of Pokémon Company. Subverted, since he is actually the CEO, who really likes to dress up as a janitor to trick people, but it is implied he started off as one of these.
- Mundane Utility: Presumably, Unovan Janitors use the Trubbish family to help them clean by eating trash. Alolan Janitors are explicitly said to do this with their Grimer and Muk, which in Alola have adapted to feed exclusively on solid waste while minimizing the bad smell. In fact, one of them runs a waste treatment facility that uses Alolan Muk and Grimer as their sole method of disposal.
- Poison Is Evil: Subverted. A lot of them use Poison-Types, but they are all friendly and polite, with all of their sprites smiling cheerfully. The implied reason they use these Pokémon is to help them on their chores, since they mainly use the Trubbish and Grimer lines, which feed on trash and filth, showing these Pokémon in a positive light.
- Poisonous Person: They often use trash and pollution-themed Pokémon, all of which happen to be Poison-Type.
- Ridiculously Cute Critter: When they don't use trash-related Pokémon, they use cute, cuddly families like the Cinccino and Marill lines, giving them a kind, humble air.
Jogger
Diamond and Pearl variant
A trainer-class introduced in Gen IV's Diamond and Pearl. Joggers appear as young men in athletic clothing, and can only be battled in the morning. Most Joggers appear to carry Luxio or Staravia as their Pokémon.
- Dub Name Change: From "Jogging" in Japanese.
- Playing with Fire: In Diamond and Pearl, some of the Joggers use the Fire-type, Ponyta.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: The morning Red to a Police Officer's nighttime Blue. To explain, Joggers can only be battled in the morning while Police Officers can only be battled at night. However, this doesn't apply for the Police Officers in Black and White and Sun and Moon, who can now be battled at any time.
- Retcon:
- Jogger Wyatt's Ponyta is swapped out for a Pikachu in Platinum.
- Jogger Craig has his Ponyta and Staravia swapped out for a second Luxio in Platinum.
- Shock and Awe: A few Joggers use the Shinx line, who are Electric-types. One also uses a Pikachu in Diamond and Pearl.
- Took a Level in Badass: Rematching Jogger Craig will eventually cause his Pokémon to become level 50+ powerhouses. In addition, his Luxio will eventually become a Luxray by his final Platinum rematch.
Juggler
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! variant
Performers that are typically found in urban areas, they specialize in spherical Pokémon (like Voltorb) as well as Psychic-types and switch out team members frequently.
- Boss in Mook Clothing: Jugglers in the Fuchsia Gym caught many players off-guard as they train overleveled Psychic-types in a Poison-type Gym.
- Cartoon Juggling: They're depicted juggling Poké Balls.
- Confusion Fu: They have a habit of switching Pokémon at random, and using Metronome.
- Dub Name Change: Originally known as Gypsy Jugglers in Japan until Gen III.
- Fighting Clown: A literal example since they're clowns and Pokémon trainers who battle you.
- Gratuitous Ninja: The Jugglers in Koga's Gym are training there to study ninjutsu from the Gym Leader himself.
- Juggling Dangerously: If they do juggle their Voltorbs and Electrodes, since they can explode without warning.
- Psychic Powers: They use plenty of Psychic-types, like Mr. Mime and the Abra and Drowzee lines. Even the ones in Koga's gym use them.
- Shock and Awe: They have a thing for the Electric-type Voltorb and Electrode, as they're spherical like the Poké Balls they use to juggle around.
- Street Performer: They're often seen street performing.
- Token Evil Teammate: That one Juggler who assisted in the Silph Co. invasion.
Kimono Girl
HeartGold and SoulSilver variant
Girls who wear, well, kimonos. They debuted in Pokémon Gold and Silver as the dancers of the Ecruteak Dance Theater. However, their roles are expanded a bit further in the HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes.
- Adaptational Badass: Their Pokémon are far more powerful in the remakes, going from level 17 to 38. It makes sense, as said remakes have you battle them far later in the game, when your team would be much stronger.
- Animal Motifs: In the remakes, the Kimono Girls' kimonos are modeled after Ho-oh's plumage.
- Ascended Extra: In their original appearance, they're only seen in the Ecruteak Dance Theater. Defeating all of them earns the player HM04 (Surf), but that's it. In the remakes, they're encountered at several points throughout the player's journey and are actually relevant to the plot, ultimately helping you battle and capture either Ho-Oh (HeartGold) or Lugia (SoulSilver).
- Boss Bonanza: In the remakes, the player has to fight them one after the other with no time to rest.
- Damsel in Distress: Three of them (in the remakes) need your help. One is lost in Ilex Forest, one is being harassed by a Rocket grunt at the Dance Theater, and one is stuck in the ice of the Ice Cave.
- Dub Name Change: An odd example. In the original Japanese, they (naturally) have Japanese names. When the games were translated into English, the girls were given different names—that are still Japanese. This is in addition to the class name being changed from "Maiko" (essentially the term for a Geisha-in-training).
- Signature Mon: They each use a different Eeveelution.
Kindler
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Burly men who start campfires. They debuted and only appeared in Ruby and Sapphire along with their remakes. Predictably, they use Fire Pokémon.
- Big Ol' Eyebrows: In the remakes, they have huge eyebrows.
- Dishing Out Dirt: Given that they only appear in the Hoenn region, most of the Fire-types they use are Numel (part Ground-type) and Slugma (which evolves into the part Rock-type Magcargo).
- Dub Name Change: From "Campfire" in Japan.
- Eyes Always Shut: They never open their eyes in any of their sprites.
- Making a Splash: The Rematchable Kindler, Bernie on Hoenn 114 uses a Wingull and later Pelipper to have control his fires, which are both part Water-type.
- Playing with Fire: They use Fire-types to start campfires.
- Sleeves Are for Wimps: In the remakes they wear sleeveless shirts.
Medium
HeartGold and SoulSilver variant
Older women who are Itako (Blind Shaman). They only appear in Generation II and their remakes as Gym Trainers for Morty and Sabrina.
- Psychic Powers: As Gym trainers of the Saffron gym they specialize in Psychic-type Pokémon.
- Soul Power: They use the Ghost-type Gastly and Haunter as Gym Trainers of the Ecruteak Gym.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: To Channelers, being Ghost-type users with Shinto trappings.
Ninja Boy
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Young boys dressed in ninja outfits. They hide in the scenery and ambush passing trainers. They prefer Poison-types (typically the Zubat line in Sinnoh and the Koffing line in Hoenn) as well as Ninjask. The Ninja Boys are only seen in Gen's III and IV, as well as the Hoenn remakes.
- Kiai: Some of them do battle cries when ambushing the player.
- Ninja Brat: Often immature children training to be ninjas.
- Paper-Thin Disguise: They are very easy to spot, especially when they are disguised as trees. However, in ORAS they are much harder to spot, such as hiding under ash piles in Route 113 and under shallow water in Flannery's Gym where their only telltale sign is the bubbles, which are very easy to miss.
- Poisonous Person: They specialize in Poison-types.
Parasol Lady
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
They are women in raincoats carrying a parasol who debuted in the Hoenn region. They are usually found in rainy areas.
- Always Female: Parasol Ladies are a female-only Trainer class.
- Making a Splash: They use a wide variety of Pokémon, but they tend to specialize in the Water-type.
- Parasol of Prettiness: Quite a number of them comment on the importance of their parasols.
- Pink Means Feminine: The Parasol Ladies' outfits consist of pink parasols, rain coats & rain boots in Generation IV & V.
- Weather Manipulation: They often carry Castform or other Pokémon with Rain Dance or Sunny Day.
Poké Fan
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variants
Members of Pokémon fan clubs, they are middle aged men and women with various Pokémon merchandise. They usually carry Pokémon of the Fairy egg group (not necessarily Fairy type), and the men are often seen with their kids while the women tote around Pokémon toys.
- Cosplay: In some games, male Poké Fans carry young children in Pikachu or Pancham costumes.
- Dub Name Change: From "Lovers' Club," a reference to Gen I's Pokémon Fan Club which itself was originally called the same.
- Eyes Always Shut: Since Gen II, their sprites and in-game models show them with closed eyes.
- Girls Love Stuffed Animals: All of the female Poké Fans save for those in ORAS are depicted with Pokémon dolls.
- Otaku: They are well-known for bragging about their Pokémon.
- Ridiculously Cute Critter: They like cute Pokémon.
- Reused Character Design: Poké Fans in Pokémon Masters are modeled after their Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire design.
- Unique Enemy: The Double Battle variant Poké Fan Family only appears once in X and Y.
Pokémon Breeder
Sword and Shield variants
Trainers who carefully select the improvement for future generations. They usually carry multiple Pokémon of various types and a couple of baby Pokémon. They are often seen near Pokémon Daycares.
- Cowboy: In Sun and Moon they work in ranches and have the same designs as the Ranchers and Cowgirls from the Sinnoh games.
- Leeroy Jenkins: They have large aggro sight, and in B2W2, they will come up to the player when they are ready for a rematch when the player returns to their areas, even when not talked to.
- Marathon Boss: They tend to have full parties when you battle them, but thankfully they also tend to use unevolved and baby Pokémon.
- Palm on Cheek Pose: The female Breeder's losing animation in Sun and Moon has them put their palm on their cheek.
- Rough Overalls: Breeders in Pokémon X and Ynote are dressed in overalls, keeping them clean while working at a breeding center. Later versions leaned more into the Overalls and Gingham look to evoke farming aspects of Pokemon breeding. The only versions that revert back to an apron over clothes instead are the remake games,note where they originally had the look.
- Unique Enemy: Ruby, Sapphire, and their remakes only contain one Breeder of each gender: Lydia and Isaac on Route 117 near the Day Care.
- Wrong Genre Savvy: Somewhat, they would probably end up better if they raise those handpicked Pokémon first.
- Zerg Rush: Their Pokémon are usually weak but often come in teams of six.
Poké Kid
Sword and Shield variants
Little kids wearing Pokémon costumes. Gen IV has Pikachu Girls who only use Pokémon in the Pikachu family, while Gen VIII has Pikachu Boys and Eevee Girls.
- Cloudcuckoolander: Some of them want to be actual Pokémon.
- Cosplay: They're dressed up as Pokémon. In fact, in the overworld the sprites for Pikachu Girls are identical to actual Pikachu.
- Dub Name Change: From "Make-Believe Pokémon."
- Fragile Speedster: Generally, Pikachu Kids' only Pokémon are Pikachu. Pikachu is fairly fast but is very fragile.
- Graceful Loser: Even when they're beaten, Eevee Girls never lose their chipper smile and demeanor.
- Non-Elemental: Eevee Girls use Eevee, which are Normal-types.
- Perpetual Smiler: Eevee Girls are constantly smiling, even after they lose.
- Promoted to Playable: In Pokémon Masters:
- An Eevee Girl named Eve was made a playable sync pair in November 2023 with Eevee as her Pokémon.
- In 2024 a Pikachu Boy named Petey was added as a playable sync pair with a female Pikachu as his partner Pokémon.
- Ridiculously Cute Critter: Pikachu Kids tend to use Pikachu, while Eevee Girls use Eevee, both of which are considered very cute in-universe.
- Shock and Awe: Pikachu Kids use the Pikachu evolution family, which are Electric-types.
Poké Maniac
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Fanatical Pokémon fanboys, they adore Pokémon in the "Monster" Egg Group — their Japanese name is even "Kaiju Maniac".
- Characterization Marches On: Prior to Gen III, Poké Maniacs were boys with dark hair and long coats. Since Gen III they've been Retconned as Pokémon-cosplaying otakus.
- Cosplay: They dress up as Pokémon, mainly as Pokémon in the Monster Egg group.
- Dub Name Change: They were originally known as Kaiju Maniacs.
- Mighty Glacier: They tend to use slow but powerful Pokémon such as the Aron line, Rhyhorn line, and Slowpoke line.
- Otaku: Obviously designed with this in mind. Made more obvious from Gen III onwards when they start cosplaying Pokémon.
Pokémon Ranger
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variants
Rangers are trainers that are concerned in protecting the environment and wild Pokémon as well as helping lost and injured travelers. Early on, they specialized in Grass-type Pokémon, but recently they may carry various types of Pokémon, similar to Ace Trainers.
- Americans Are Cowboys: As Unova is based on America, their male Pokémon Rangers have the looks of cowboys.
- Ascended Extra: They have their own spin-off series of games.
- Elite Mooks: Like Ace Trainers, they are some of the tougher generic trainers in the game. One of them even lampshades this in Pokémon X and Y, claiming Rangers to be equal in strength to Ace Trainers.
- Green Thumb: In Generation III, they mostly used Grass-type Pokémon. Ramos also uses them as Gym Trainers.
- Nature Hero: Pokémon Rangers protect the environment with the aid of their Pokémon.
- Retcon: After they are characterized as Ace Trainers as Nature Heroes from Gen IV onwards, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire changed the Rangers' teams to be more diverse instead of training mostly Grass-types in the originals.
- Stealth Expert: Some Unovan Rangers hide in inconspicuous objects on the overworld to sneak up on the player.
- Tomboyish Ponytail: The female Hoenn Rangers wear their hair in ponytails that stick out from behind their caps.
Police Officer/Policeman/Officer
Sword and Shield variant
Police Officers could first be battled in Generation II, but were known as simply Officers at the time. They were next known as Policeman in Gens IV and V, and then became Police Officers in Sun and Moon. They frequently use doglike Pokémon and in Diamond & Pearl only use members of the Machop and Hoothoot lines.
- Exotic Eye Designs: Galarian cops have huge, sparkly, brightly colored blue eyes that wouldn't look out of place on a little girl in a
Moe-centric show. Galarian cops also happen to be middle-aged balding overweight men. The effect is striking, to say the least. - Lawman Baton: They're police officers who wield batons in their sprites.
- Nocturnal Mooks: Most can only be fought at night. Unovan and Alolan Policemen, however, can be fought at any time of the day.
- Playing with Fire: Many battle with the Fire-type Growlithe line.
- Police Are Useless: One officer in Alola has a post-battle comment that lampshades this."Alola is pretty peaceful, so it's okay to be weak."
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: The nighttime Blue to the Jogger's morning Red. To explain, Joggers can only be battled in the morning while Police Officers can only be battled at night. However, this doesn't apply for the Police Officers in Black and White and Sun and Moon, who can now be battled at any time.
Preschooler
Sun and Moon variants
First appearing in the Unova games, they are very young children who have Pokémon with them as playmates. They generally tend to show up around routes or towns with Daycare Centers, playgrounds or preschools.
- Boyish Shorts: With the exception of X and Y (where they're wearing what are more like cuffed sweatpants), the boy Prescoolers are always wearing shorts—and they're the youngest trainers in the games, even younger than the Youngsters and Lasses and often use unevolved Pokémon.
- Cheerful Child: They're quite young and don't seem to mind if they lose.
- Dub Name Change: Called Kindergartners in Japanese.
- Genki Girl: Or Genki Boy. As expected of children their age, they're very enthusiastic.
- Girlish Pigtails: The girls are preschoolers who wear pigtails.
- Graceful Loser: Female Preschoolers in Alola appear to be jumping for joy when they lose.
- Improbable Age:
- Many trainers set off on their journey at the age of around 10, but these children are even younger than that, which doesn't stop them from battling you.
- They are among the NPCs that can set a shop in Join Avenue. So, you can get treated to the sight of a preschool child managing an antique store, a Pokémon dojo, a hair salon, or a store that sells rare products by the bulk.
- Reused Character Design: Preschoolers in Pokémon Masters are modeled after their Pokémon Black and White design.
- Sore Loser: Male Preschoolers's defeat poses show them yelling angrily.
- Wise Beyond Their Years: Can be rather philosophical in Black and White.Perschooler: Rrrraaaaar! I'll run! You gonna chase me? You run! Am I gonna chase you? Change your perspective — and the reality changes.
Psychic
Generation VI variant
Teenagers with supernatural powers like telekinesis and precognition, they're typically found in areas with a "mystical" atmosphere (like ruins) and specialize in Psychic and later Ghost-types. They start off wearing labcoats, but are phased out to be more mystical from Gen III onwards.
- Adapted Out: The Female Psychics from RSE don't appear in ORAS. This may have been due to the Hex Maniacs establishing themselves as female counterparts to the male Psychics in X and Y.
- Badass Longcoat: They wear what look like lab coats in Gen I.
- Boss in Mook Clothing: One of the most powerful classes, especially in Gen I where the Psychic-type dominates.
- Brains and Brawn: In the Gen VI games, a Psychic can pair up with a Black Belt to form a Brains & Brawn duo.
- Darker and Edgier: In Gen III they have messy purple hair, no shoes, and clothing that is a bit ragged looking.
- Dub Name Change: From "Psychiccer."
- Eyes Always Shut: In about half of their appearances their eyes are closed. Must be all that concentrating.
- High Collar of Doom: In X and Y.
- Idiot Hair: Oddly, they're most commonly portrayed as having an ahoge, despite not being portrayed as unintelligent in any way.
- Magical Barefooter: Psychics in RSE, DPPt, XY, and BDSP are all telekinetics that go around barefoot.
- Magical Gesture: They go with this instead of the Pstandard Psychic Pstance.
- Mind over Matter: Their sprites display them levitating Poké Balls in auras of psychic power.
- Orange/Blue Contrast: Their robes in FireRed and LeafGreen are blue with orange accents.
- Power Floats: Well, power makes their Poké Balls float.
- Power Glows: From Gen III onward they're surrounded by psychic energy.
- Purple Is Powerful: They always have some on them, be it clothing, hair, aura, etc, and happen to be strong trainers.
- Psychic Powers: Psychic-type specialists who have their own psychic abilities, most blatantly telekinesis.
- Race Lift: The males are all darker in Gen V.
- Squishy Wizard: Naturally given their type of choice, their teams tend to have high Special Attack but poor defenses.
- Soul Power: Starting in Generation 4, they also use Ghost-type Pokémon.
Punk Guy and Punk Girl
Sun and Moon variants
Delinquent teenagers who use Dark and Poison-type Pokémon.
- Adaptational Nationality: The Punk Girls in X and Y and Sun and Moon are depicted in The Quincy Punk kind of way in terms of fashion. Punk Girls in Masters on the other hand are more like Gyaru Girls with Chinese-inspired clothing.
- Battle Couple: In Kalos, a couple can battle as a Punk Couple, and in Alola, a Punk Pair.
- Collared by Fashion: Punk Girls has Chokers with Poké Balls on them.
- Curtains Match the Window: Alolan Punks have hair and eyes that match exactly, blue for Guys and pink for Girls.
- Delinquent Hair: The ones from Gen VI have partially shaven heads. Punk Guys have spiky teal hair while Punk Girls sport pink diamond-shaped braids.
- Dub Name Change: From "Bad Guy" and "Bad Girl," both rendered in Gratuitous English.
- Face of a Thug: Despite their menacing appearances, they can be quite amiable.
- Hell-Bent for Leather: The Punk Guy wears a black leather jacket.
- Jerkass: Most of them, especially the battleable ones in Lumiose City, have a tendency to be rude. Averted in Gen VII where most of the encountered ones are surprisingly nice, possibly to differentiate them from the similar looking Team Skull Grunts.
- Pink Girl, Blue Boy: Punk Guys have blue hair, while Punk Girls have pink hair.
- Spikes of Villainy: Metal studs on the Kalos Punk Guy's jacket.
- Villainous Cheekbones: The Punk Guys in Kalos have prominent cheekbones that make them look sinister.
- You ALL Look Familiar: Alola's Punks are Team Skull Grunts without any of the skull apparel, save the white cross on their shirts, and some are implied to be former Skull grunts. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon's credits sequence, when Guzma and Plumeria tell the Team Skull Grunts about the team getting disbanded, they all quickly change their clothes to become Punk Boys and Punk Girls.
Rancher/Cowgirl/Belle & Pa
Diamond and Pearl variants
A group of trainer-classes that were introduced in Gen IV's Diamond and Pearl. Rancher trainers are depicted as middle-aged cowboy men while the Cowgirl is a young woman that serves as the daughter of the Rancher. Their designs are reused for the Pokémon Breeders in Sun and Moon.
A double-battle variant can also be battled against, which they're classified as the "Belle & Pa" trainer-class or simply "Ranchers" in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.
- Cowboy: The Ranchers and Cowgirls are these.
- Dub Name Change: Ranchers were originally "Farm Men" while the Belle & Pa variant was changed from "Farm Parent & Child"
- Dual Boss: The Belle & Pa variant of these trainers serve as a Double Battle.
- Retcon: Apart from keeping a couple Ponytas, the teams of all these trainers go through a complete overhaul in Platinum. One notable change is Cowgirl Shelley having her five Bidoofs swapped out for a single Ponyta.
- Took a Level in Badass: Rematching Rancher Marco will cause his Pokémon to eventually become high level 50+ powerhouses.
Rich Boy and Lady
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variants
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, they're usually a well-dressed young man/woman and are usually quite arrogant. However, they tend to be very weak, but give excellent rewards. In X and Y, they can only be found in the Battle Chateau (under different titles) and Battle Maison.
- Boisterous Weakling: Rich Boys are usually quite loud, which is humorous because their teams are inevitably very weak.
- Conspicuous Consumption: Often use expensive Full Restores to heal their low-leveled Pokémon when cheaper items like Potions would have done just as well.
- Dub Name Change: Ladies are known in Japanese as "Ojou", whereas Rich Boys were known as "Bocchan," effectively the male equivalent term.
- Piñata Enemy: Not only are they weak, they give an amazing amount of money. As a bonus, some of their Pokémon carry Nuggets which can be sold if they're stolen.
- Regal Ringlets: The Lady in FRLG◊ when you look closely.
- Sharp-Dressed Man: The Rich Boys tend to be dressed in suits.
- Simple, yet Opulent: Ladies in general usually wear more simplistic dresses that look nice, along with matching Stylish Sunhats.
- Upper-Class Twit: They're usually very weak battlers, and a bit ditzy. You can expect a lot of Rich Boys to waste powerful healing items on low-leveled Pokémon.
Rising Star and Rising Star Duo
Sun and Moon variants
Debuting in X & Y, they are stronger School Kids or younger Ace Trainers.
A double-battle variant was then introduced in Sun and Moon as the Rising Star Duo trainer-class.
- Badass Bookworm: Rising Stars in Alola tend to flex their knowledge of Pokémon and battle strategy or otherwise present themselves as bookish, and tend to be among the tougher trainers in the early game. One of them directly quotes The Art of War.
- Battle Couple: In Alola, a pair of Rising Stars may battle together as a Rising Star Duo.
- Beauty, Brains, and Brawn: The Brains to the Lasses' Beauty and the Youth Athletes' Brawn, being Badass Bookworms.
- Classy Cravat: Both genders' outfits in Kalos include a cravat.
- Closest Thing We Got: Two Rising Stars take the place of a Camper and a Bug Catcher when trying to imitate Kanto's Nugget Bridge in Alola's Malie Garden.
- Dub Name Change: From Hope Trainer and Hope Combination.
- Modesty Shorts: Worn by the girls in Gen VI since they're wearing skirts and their artwork pose exposes the underside of their skirts.
- Pint-Sized Powerhouse: They are encountered early in the game, and as children tend to be short, but they already have plenty of skill.
- Reused Character Design: Rising Stars in Pokémon Masters are modeled after their Pokémon X and Y design.
- School Uniforms are the New Black: The Alola Rising Stars appear to be wearing school uniforms.
- Sore Loser:
- Female Alolan Rising Stars look angry in their defeat poses.
- Male Alolan Rising Stars downplay this. They're visibly irritated, but not to the extent of their female counterparts.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: To Campers and Picnickers, as they appear in the early game with a diverse team but are phased out later on.
Rocker
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! variant
Rock music fans that mainly use Voltorb and Electrode. They only appear in the Kanto games.
- Dub Name Change: From "Electric Group," explaining the lack of music paraphanalia.
- Shock and Awe: They mainly use the Electric-type Voltorb family in battle, and the only ones they use that are not part of the Voltorb family (a Magnemite in Red and Blue and an Ampharos in FireRed and LeafGreen) are also Electric-type.
Roller Skaters
X and Y variants
Young people who ride around on Roller skates who debuted in X and Y. They have a preference for faster Pokémon that are available.
- Dub Name Change: From the grammatically incorrect Roller Skate.
- Girlish Pigtails: The female ones wear pigtails that signify their childish nature.
- Fragile Speedster: Outside of the Shalour Gym, Roller Skaters generally use Pokémon that are fast, but frail.
- Punny Name: In the English version, most of the Roller Skaters names are references to Roller Skating.
- Roller Blade Good: They're Pokémon trainers who happen to be roller skaters.
Ruin Maniac
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Explorers usually found near historical ruins and caves who debuted in Ruby & Sapphire. They usually use Ground-type Pokémon.
- Absent-Minded Professor: The Ruin Maniac in Route 111's desert is unsure if he has been adventuring for 30 or 40 years. The Ruin Maniac near the Ancient Tomb comments that he can't see the aforementioned ruins' entrance, even if it has been unlocked by the player in the Sealed Chamber.
- Adventurer Archaeologist: Ruin Maniacs have the look down pat, and they're explorers who know how to Pokémon battle. That said, while they pay lip service to the idea, they seem to be actual researchers.
- Dishing Out Dirt: They specialize in Rock, Ground and Steel-type Pokémon.
- Expy: The Gen IV sprite resembles Indiana Jones.
- Fedora of Asskicking: Sinnoh Ruin Maniacs wear fedoras, fitting since they were based on Indiana Jones.
- Walking Spoiler: Back in Ruby and Sapphire, most of the few Ruin Maniacs that were in the game were located near the Regis' tombs.
Sage and Elder
HeartGold and SoulSilver variants
Only appearing in the Johto games, they are monks who exclusively appear in the Sprout Tower to test new trainers. In the HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes, the Elder trainer-class was added as a higher Sage ranking.
- Adapted Out: In Generation II, two Sages appear as Gym Trainers in the Ecruteak Gym. They were replaced by two Mediums in the remakes. They still appear in the Sprout Tower though.
- Dub Name Change: Called Monks in Japanese and Ascetics in the Korean version of HGSS. In the latter, their sprite was altered to remove their prayer beads and add a red robe due to laws about Japanese culture in media.
- Green Thumb: The ones in Sprout Tower use Bellsprout, a Grass-Type.
- The Owl-Knowing One: Some carry the Hoothoot line with them, to signify their wise nature.
- Punny Name: "Elder Li" as in "elderly".
- Retcon: Elder Li was formerly a Sage trainer-class in Gold and Silver.
- Unique Enemy: Elder Li of Sprout Tower is the only Elder trainer-class known to exist. However, it's basically the ranking above Sage.
Sailor
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Sailors are the crew of the various ships, as such, they are often seen in ports or on board ships. They specialize in Water- and Fighting-types.
- Bicep-Polishing Gesture: They do this in their Gen II and III sprites. Since this looks very similar to the obscene "bras d'honneur" gesture, equivalent to Flipping the Bird, used in much of Eastern and Southern Europe and Latin America, international versions of RSE edit the sprite to put his hand below his elbow.
- Boisterous Bruiser: Many of the Sailor trainers turn out to be enthusiastic battlers.
- Making a Splash: Many of them specialize in Water Pokémon, as already mentioned.
- Manly Man: They are rugged, muscular men used to heavy work and tend to boast about how manly they are. This is reflected by their preference for the tough-looking Machop line.
- Shock and Awe: The Sailor in Lt. Surge's Gym is the only one who doesn't specialize in Water- or Fighting-types, instead using Electric-types—specifically, Pikachu in most of his appearances and Magnemite in Yellow.
- Sleeves Are for Wimps: The Sailors in Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn are burly men wearing sleeveless shirts.
Scuba Diver and Free Diver
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variants
Debuting in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, they are men and women in wetsuits and diving gear and usually found in underwater areas.
- Aquatic Mook: All of them can only be battled underwater.
- Dub Name Change: Scuba Divers are simply Divers in Japanese, while Free Divers are instead Shell Divers.
- Making a Splash: They specialize in Water-type Pokémon.
- Sensual Spandex: They wear wetsuits.
- Super Not-Drowning Skills: Free Divers don't use breathing gear, preferring to hold their breaths. And they can hold it for absurdly long, inhuman amounts of time. One of them even states she's more comfortable underwater than above it.
- The Unintelligible: Considering that the Divers are only found underwater, it's hard to understand what they're saying outside of "bloops" or "glugs". Thankfully, the player is provided with translations of their dialogue in parentheses.
School Kid
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Young children with school bags, they usually appear early on with unevolved Pokémon, especially around the region's Trainer School. Initially only Schoolboys exist, but the introduction of female variants renames the class to the gender-neutral School Kid. In Generation VI, two trainer classes called Schoolboys and Schoolgirls were introduced.
- All There in the Manual: According to a Game Freak staff interview, the Super Nerds used to be School Kids when they were younger.
- Adorably Precocious Child: Most of them are rather mature for their age.
- Boyish Shorts: Initially Schoolboys in the first two generations were pictured in school shorts to make them more like young kids in the early grades of school. They later were aged up and put into full pants, showing they're older than the aforementioned Youngsters and the later-added Preschoolers, even if not adults compared to other trainers.
- Dub Name Change: Their Japanese class name translates to "Coming Home From Cram School," which would have been a mouthful.
- Girlish Pigtails: The Schoolgirls from Unova wear pigtails.
- Nerd Glasses: The male Hoenn School Kids are nerdy-looking and wear glasses.
- Puppy Love: Implied with one Schoolgirl in the Galarian Battle Tower who claims she's going to go vent to her boyfriend in her defeat quote.
- Took a Level in Badass: After a few rematches, some of them would have already evolved their Pokémon.
Scientist
Sun and Moon variant
Appearing in the first games, Scientists are, you guessed it, scientists. Notably, Scientists are sometimes employed by the villainous team of the region, standing out from the rank and file Grunts for it. They specialize in Electric and Poison-types, and in later games add Steels and Psychics to the mix, as well as the occasional fossil Pokémon.
- Dub Name Change: Originally Researchers in Japan. Before Generation V, the Japanese games called them Researchers Gone Mad.
- Evil Genius: You can sometimes find scientists helping the local villains, especially in the earlier generations. One Scientist in Blaine's gym in HeartGold and SoulSilver points out that the actual good Scientists don't like how they've become stereotyped as villains because of this.
- Face–Heel Turn: Many of the Kanto Scientists are turncoat Silph employees who presumably felt betrayed by their company, if one Scientist's dialogue is anything to go by.
- For Science!: Their motivation most any time they appear is the search for knowledge, even if it happens to be amoral, as is the case for those who get involved in villainous teams.
- Labcoat of Science and Medicine: As befittting of scientists, they all wear labcoats.
- Mad Scientist: In the games before Generation V (and the remakes of those games), Scientists were portrayed as mad scientists. The HeartGold and SoulSilver Scientists make it obvious with their torn lab coats and crooked grins, but the Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee Scientists also look fairly crazed, with purple chemicals splattered on their clothes. Justified since most of them work with an evil organization in these games.
- Mechanical Lifeforms: Though the association is downplayed in later games as more Pokémon come into being, they're associated with man-made Pokémon like Magnemite, Voltorb, Grimer, Klink, and Porygon.
- Nerd Glasses: Scientists are always depicted wearing glasses.
- Opaque Nerd Glasses: Male Scientists in all of their appearances have thick glasses lenses.
- Reassigned to Antarctica: The only given reason for the Face-Heel Turns among the Silph-based Scientists is because one of them had been assigned to the company's outpost somewhere in the Russian outback (Ponaya Tunguska in the Japanese version and Tiksi in the English and German versions).note In the Let's Go games, this gets changed to "the boondocks" due to Earth Drift.
- Reused Character Design: Scientists in Pokémon Masters are modeled after their Pokémon X and Y design.
Sightseer
In Sun and Moon
First appearing in Pokémon Battle Revolution, they made their main series debut in Sun and Moon. They are men and women wearing large hats and with a smartphone in hand. Like Tourists, they often use Pokémon from the other regions, as well as normal variants of Alola variant types, though they seem more based in stereotypes about American tourists.
- Battle Couple: A pair consisting of a male and female Sightseer are called Honeymooners.
- Blush Sticker: Their cheeks are constantly blushing.
- Confusion Fu: Their Pokémon generally fall under the category of Pokémon from other regions, which could be just about anything due to the lack of specifics.
- Culture Clash: A Johtonian Sightseer you meet in Malie City's library notes this when she mentions getting yelled at for using non-designated Pokémon for flying instead of the Ride Pager designated Charizard, before gifting you the Fly TM.
- Dishing Out Dirt: Pokémon Masters gives the female Sightseer Naomi the Ground-Type Kantonian Sandslash as a sync pair.
- Mythology Gag: Female Sightseers have smartphones, and at the beginning of a battle swipe the screen in a way that suggests they're playing Pokémon GO.
- Piñata Enemy: They award more money than most other trainer classes, though less than Gentlemen/Madames. Considering how they're on vacation in a region priding itself on tourism, it makes sense that they've saved up some good money. One Sightseer in the Poni Pokémon Center will give you six Nuggets after defeating him on top of the already big payout for winning.
- Promoted to Playable: Pokémon Masters introduces Naomi, a female Sightseer, as a free Sync Pair and also the first playable generic NPC from the mainline series.
- True Blue Femininity: The females wear light-blue sundresses.
- Underground Monkey: They often pull out Pokémon with Alolan counterparts. Being foreign sightseers, these will naturally be the mainland version.
- Reused Character Design: Sighteers in Pokémon Masters are modeled after their Pokémon Sun and Moon design.
Sky Trainer
X and Y variants
Sky Trainers are a class exclusive to Pokémon X and Y. They are people wearing sky suits that who only use Pokémon that can fly above the ground (i.e. Pokémon with hovering models). They can only be fought in a Sky Battle.
- Blow You Away: They primarily use Flying-types, more specifically ones that fly in their in-game models, as per the rules of Sky Battles.
- Boss in Mook Clothing: Due to what may have been a developer oversight, Sky Trainer Colm along the Kalos Route 8 coast could end up being this. His Pokémon are at a higher level similar to the Surfing trainers along Route 8 who can only be battled later on once the player has obtained the Surf HM. However, the player can battle Colm earlier than the game expects since the Sky Trainer battle against him can be initiated at the edge of the walking coast by the Mago Berry Tree. As a result, it's possible for the player to have Pokémon around level 20 going up against Sky Trainer Colm's level 28 Mantyke, and level 29 Jumpluff, on the player's first visit to Route 8.
- Dramatic High Perching: Whenever one comes across a Sky Trainer, they will always be atop some high peak/location looking down at the player.
- Not Quite Flight: They also use Levitating Pokémon.
- Sensual Spandex: Their wingsuits, which presumably allow them to be closer to their Pokémon during Sky Battles, are their trademark.
- Wind from Beneath My Wings: They specialize in Flying Pokémon, as well as those with the Levitate ability; more specifically, these Pokémon are depicted hovering above the ground in their in-game models. Sky Trainers are also found in high places inaccessible to the player.
Sports Players (Hoopster, Infielder, Linebacker, Smasher, Striker)
In Black and White
A group of 5 sports-specializing Pokémon trainers that made their debut in Black and White. So far, the sports trainers are exclusive to Gen V. Originally, they could only be battled within Nimbasa City's Small Court or Big Stadium, but in Black 2 and White 2, some Smashers and Hoopsters appear at Village Bridge due to its nearly built outdoor tennis and basketball courts.
- Baseball Episode: Each of these 5 trainers specialize in a different sport.
- Hoopster is a basketball player.
- Infielder is a baseball player.
- Linebacker is an American football player.
- Smasher is a tennis player.
- Striker is a soccer player.
- Dub Name Change: From Japanese:
- Hoopsters were Basketball Players
- Infielders were Baseball Players
- Linebackers were Footballers
- Smashers were Tenis Players
- Strikers were Soccer Players.
- The Smurfette Principle: The Smashers are the only females amongst the sports trainers.
- Took a Level in Badass: Players can return to the stadiums for rematches against the sports trainers. Most of which will have their Pokémon leveling up from the mid-20s to mid-60s, and having obtained additional Pokémon, after several rematches.
Street Thug and Delinquent
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Scary looking men and women debuting in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, they usually use Dark-type Pokémon, but they frequently use other types as well.
- Badass Back: Their Vs. portraits and official artworks have their backs turned to the player.
- Combat Pragmatist: They use Dark-type Pokémon to go along with their punk designs.
- Dark Is Evil: The closest thing to a villainous team that aren't their grunts, and they tend to be unscrupulous individuals who tend to use Dark-type Pokémon.
- Dub Name Change: From Scary Man and Scary Lady.
- Face of a Thug: A good number of them are really benevolent. One Street Thug even says he's upset that his face scares wild Pokémon.
- Jerkass: As expected, many of them will reply rudely when talked to, though there are a few Street Thugs and Delinquents who are very polite.
- Real Men Wear Pink: Despite their intimidating appearances, the Street Thugs have Plusle, a cute Pokémon, printed on the backs of their jackets. As a rare female example, the Delinquents have Minun depicted on their jackets.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: To the Punk Guy and Girl classes. They have similar temperaments and type specialty.
Super Nerd
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! variant
Super Nerds are young men wearing glasses that gravitate towards artificial Pokémon. They appear in the Pokémon Red and Blue and Pokémon Gold and Silver along with their remakes, but were phased out in favor of Collectors and Scientists.
- Action Bomb: Prefer Pokémon that can learn Selfdestruct or Explosion in Stadium.
- For Science!: They have passion for scientific subject matters and were called "Science Man" in the Japanese versions.
- Mechanical Lifeforms: They use artificial Pokémon like the Magnemite, Porygon and Voltorb lines.
- Opaque Nerd Glasses: Wear glasses with thick lenses, befitting their titles.
- Otaku: They're not called Super Nerds for nothing.
- Playing with Fire: The ones in Blaine's gym use Fire-types.
Surfer
In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
A trainer class similar to the Swimmer that is seen holding a surfboard. A majority of their Pokémon tend to be Water-types given what the class is based on, and they debut in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
- Dishing Out Dirt: Adding to the beach theme, Robert uses the Ground-type sandcastle Pokémon, Sandygast.
- Making a Splash: A majority of the Surfer trainers the player comes across will be using some sort of Water-type. Jennis uses a Mantine, Joshah uses Golduck, and Robert uses a Remoraid.
- Surfer Dude: This class is based on surfers.
- Walking Shirtless Scene: Similar to the male Swimmers, Surfers are shirtless, and tend to have a rather fanservice-y design.
Swimmer/Tuber/Sis and Bro
Some Sun and Moon Swimmers
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Tubers
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Sis and Bro
Since Gen I, Swimmers are the main trainer encounters along water routes, and are young men and women who are into swimming, of course. Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Tubers are younger trainers who rely on inner tubes to stay afloat since they can't swim. Both classes specialize in Water-types.
A Swimmer and a Tuber, of opposite genders, can sometimes be encountered as a Double Battle team under the trainer-class "Sis and Bro".
- Ambiguously Brown: The Gen VI Swimmers and Gen IV Tubers have dark skin. Presumably it's a tan.
- Battle Couple: In Hoenn, opposite gendered Swimmers and Tubers may battle together as Sis and Bro. In Alola, a male and female Swimmer may battle as Swimmers, and there's a pair of female Swimmers at Poni Breaker Coast called Swimmer Girls who battle to advertise the TMs they're selling.
- Boyish Short Hair: Some of the female Swimmers in Alola have short, blonde hair.
- Brother–Sister Team: Female Swimmers can team up with male Tubers to form a "Sis and Bro" team.
- Digital Bikini: A male example: the male Swimmers in Gen IV have their Speedos turned into more conservative trunks in Western versions.
- Distaff Counterpart: Female Swimmers were introduced in Generation II. Before then, it was merely Beauties and Jr. Trainer females inexplicably floating on the water.
- Dub Name Change: Male Swimmers were originally called "Swimtrunks Guys," their female counterparts "Bikini Ladies," and the younger variants "Inner Tube Boys" and "Inner Tube Girls." Sis and Bro meanwhile were "Beach Siblings."
- Exposed to the Elements: Swimmers in the Galar region, where the only water route present also happens to fall within the region's snow routes.
- Fanservice: Be it buff guys in swim trunks or slim girls in small bikinis, Swimmers of both genders give players some eye candy to enjoy.
- Fanservice Extra: In regions that don't have many long water routes such as Kalos and Galar, the few Swimmer class trainers present really stand out with their incredibly revealing swimwear. This is especially notable in Galar, where the only water route in the entire region overlaps with the snow routes and is filled with snow and ice.
- Girlish Pigtails: The Tubers in FireRed and LeafGreen are little girls with pigtails.
- Light-Haired Swimmer: The female Swimmers in X and Y have blonde hair and tanned skin.
- Making a Splash: Water-type specialists.
- Pink Girl, Blue Boy: The Tubers in the Sinnoh games and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, and the Swimmers in FireRed and LeafGreen, wear pink if they're girls and blue if they're boys.
- Put on a Bus: Male Tubers don't appear in FireRed and LeafGreen. Oddly, there are female Tubers and "Sis and Bro" teams of a female Swimmer with a male Tuber, but no male Tubers on their own.
- Progressively Prettier: The male swimmers started out as scrawny men in unflattering swim caps, and became gradually hunkier with each generation, before dropping the swim caps entirely.
- Reused Character Design: Female Swimmers in Pokémon Masters are modeled after their Pokémon X and Y design.
- Walking Shirtless Scene: Male Swimmers go around shirtless, and they tend to have rather fanservice-y designs. Male Tubers also are always shirtless, but it highlights their cute playfulness instead.
- Walking Swimsuit Scene: This is the entire reason for existing of the Swimmer class, having hunky men and curvaceous women in skimpy outfits that highlight their sexy bodies. The Tuber class meanwhile exists to highlight the cuteness of kids having fun playing in pools and on beaches.
Tamer
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! variant
Young men carrying whips and treats. Only appear in Pokémon Red and Blue and their remakes.
- The Artifact: They only appeared back when Pokémon were more animals than sentient creatures. Every other class that used a whip no longer does so, but they alone retained theirs because it wouldn't make sense for a "Tamer" to not have one.
- Dub Name Change: Shortened from "Beast Tamer".
- Eyes Always Shut: In their Gen 1 sprite as well as Pokémon Stadium portrait their eyes are always shut.
- Whip of Dominance: They carry whips on hand, as they're meant to invoke the idea of animal tamers who use whips to control and tame animals. Notably, they're the only trainer class that kept using whips past Gen I. They do often also have a hypnosis wheel on the other hand, to imply they don't actually whip their Pokémons.
Teacher and Principal
Sun and Moon variants
A trainer-class introduced in Gen II's Gold and Silver. They're portrayed as older women who look after Schoolkids or Preschoolers that are seen near them.
In Sun and Moon, the Principal trainer-class was added.
- Color Motif: Due to the Game Boy Color's color-limitations, the Gold and Silver teachers, apart from their skin, were colored entirely green. The hair, the clothes, the teacher's pointer, the shoes, everything.
- Mama Bear: If there's a Teacher-class trainer nearby, it's usually because there's Schoolkid trainers in the vicinity that they're looking after.
- Optional Boss: Principal Asuka can only be battled after the player has become the Alola Champion.
- Retcon: Teacher Hillary has her Cubone replaced with a Sunkern in the HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes.
- Unique Enemy:
- Only one Teacher-class trainer appears in Sun and Moon, and she shared the same design as the female Office Workers.
- Only one Principal-class trainer appears in Sun and Moon, and she shared the same design as the female Veterans.
- You ALL Look Familiar:
- The Sun and Moon Teacher shares the same sprite as the female Office Workers.
- The Principal also shares the same sprite as the female Veterans.
Teammates/Sr. and Jr.
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
A double-battling trainer-class that first debuted in Gen III's Ruby and Sapphire. Originally known as the "Sr. and Jr." trainer-class before being renamed as Teammate trainers in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the female duo plays off like two slightly older Lass trainers where the senior attempts to help her junior friend learn how to battle.
- Dual Boss: A trainer-class that specializes in Double Battles.
- Nerf: In Emerald, Teammate Kim & Iris have a Swablu instead of its evolved form, Altaria. This is restored in the remakes.
- Retcon: Teammate Tyra & Ivy's Graveler in Ruby and Sapphire is swapped out for an Azumarill by the time of the remakes.
- Took a Level in Badass: For some of the Teammate trainers by the time of the remakes. Anna & Meg's Zigzagoon and Makuhita evolve a lot earlier during rematch battles (Both for the 2nd rematch compared to the 3rd for Zigzagoon and 4th for Makuhita), and Kim & Iris' Numel is now a Camerupt.
Tourist
Some X and Y variants
Debuting in X & Y, Tourists are people who visit the Kalos region for fun. There are three variants of this trainer class: a young man, a young woman, and a middle-aged woman. They use Pokémon from the first four generations of the game, as they are based on Japanese Tourists. A male Tourist and a young female tourist form Honeymooners.
- Battle Couple: Young male and female Tourists can team up to form Honeymooners.
- Dub Name Change: Much like with the Kimono Girls, the Tourists all had their names changed from one Japanese name to another for seemingly no reason.
- Japanese Tourist: Their inspiration. Outside of the Battle Maison, all of them have Japanese names and use Pokémon from Gens I-IV, whose regions are based on parts of Japan.
- Theme Naming: In Battle Maison they are named after cities around the world such as Sydney, Odessa and Antalya.
- Selfie Fiend: Tourists take selfies after losing.
Trial Guide
In Sun and Moon
Introduced in Sun and Moon, Trial Guides are men and women who help Trial-goers in Alola.
- Dub Name Change: From Trial Supporter.
- Making a Splash: Trial Guide Bronson uses a Water-type, Slowpoke.
- Mid-Boss: A few battle as route bosses, Trainers who will only battle the player once they've beaten every other Trainer on the route.
- Stone Wall: Trial Guide Katrina's team consists of two highly Defensive Steel-type Pokémon, Skarmory and Klefki.
- Unique Enemy: Despite there being two Trial Guide trainers, the player only ever comes across one of each gender: Bronson for the male variant, and Katrina for the female variant.
Triathlete
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variants
Hoenn-exclusive trainers, Triathletes are generally men and women (only men in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire) in sunglasses and skin-tight workout clothing. Notable in having three different sprites according to where you are, referencing how triathlons comprise three different sports. Runners primarily use the Doduo line, cyclers use Electric-type Pokémon and swimmers use Water-type Pokémon.
- Adapted Out: The female Triathletes don't show up in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, despite first appearing in the Gen III Hoenn games.
- Cool Shades: Triathletes are depicted wearing shades in their sprites and artwork.
- Making a Splash: Swimmer Triathletes primarily use Water-types.
- Sensual Spandex: No matter which sprite or artwork is used, they're all depicted wearing tight clothes that show off their physique. Male cycling Triathletes in ORAS are even shown from the back.
- Shock and Awe: Cyclist Triathletes primarily use Electric-types.
- Sleeves Are for Wimps: All their outfits are swimsuits.
Twins
Generation VI variant
Young twin girls that use Pokémon that complement each other. Introduced in Gold and Silver, they are usually the first Double Battle in Ruby and Sapphire onward.
- Always Identical Twins: A pair of twins who appear in a new generation look alike.
- Dual Boss: Specialize in Double Battles.
- Ridiculously Cute Critter: The Type of Pokémon they have tend to be cute ones such as Pikachu and its expies and the Cleffa line.
- Sibling Team: They're twins who work together in Double battles.
- Theme Twin Naming: In English and Japanese, the names of Twins usually sound similar to one another.
- You ALL Look Familiar: The Generation VII twins share the same model as the female Preschoolers.
Veteran and Veteran Duo
Sun and Moon variants
Veterans appear to be older Ace Trainers.note They are old men resembling the Hoenn Experts in Gen IV, but they are somewhat younger and dressed differently in later generations. Female Veterans were introduced in Black and White. Like Ace Trainers, they use powerful evolved Pokémon of various types.
A double-battle variant was then introduced in Sun and Moon as the Veteran Duo trainer-class.
- Badass Longcoat: Gen. V and VI Veterans wear long, dark coats and they're some of the strongest trainers in the game.
- Battle Couple: A male and female Veteran battling together are a Veteran Duo.
- Boss in Mook Clothing: They can be really tough fighters due to their powerful Pokémon, and they often have improved AI compared to most NPC trainers. Then they throw Legendaries at you once you start reaching high streaks in battle facilities.
- Cool Shades: Female Veterans in Gen V wear sunglasses, with their sprite art taking them off to battle you.
- Confusion Fu: Since they don't specialize in anything, there is no telling what Pokémon they have in their pockets.
- Dub Name Change: Their English class name is shortened from Veteran Trainer, while the double battle variant was changed from Veteran Combination.
- Elite Mooks: They are some of the stronger trainers in the games they are in. In battle facilities, they even use Legendary Pokémon. Drayden uses them as Gym Trainers in Black 2 and White 2.
- Graceful Loser: Compared to the Alolan Rising Stars and female Ace Trainers, who appear annoyed, frustrated, and flustered when they lose, respectively, the Alolan Veterans take losses in stride in their defeat animations; the males wink and extend a hand for a handshake, while the females applaud the winner.
- Jerkass: Veterans in battle facilities, particularly the Maison and Tree, tend to be extremely arrogant and condescending. This is best seen when you lose against them - one in Generation VI will call you terrible and tell you to come back when you learn to throw a Poké Ball, while another in Generation VII will tell you to reevaluate your life and start again from birth.
- Minidress of Power: Inverted in Gen V, the female Veterans wear long dresses, and they're some of the toughest trainers in the game.
- Old Soldier: In Gen. IV, the Veterans are all elderly.
- Olympus Mons: In battle institutes, they exclusively use Legendary Pokémon.
- Perma-Stubble: The male Veterans in X and Y have a constant 5 o' clock shadow.
- Scarf of Asskicking: Female Veterans in Generations V and VI wear long scarves, and the "asskicking" part comes with being Veterans.
Worker
Sword and Shield variants
Physical workers who made their core series debut in Diamond & Pearl, with Sword and Shield adding a female version. note They generally use Rock, Steel, Ground, and Fighting-type Pokémon.
- Bare-Fisted Monk: They frequently use Fighting-type Pokémon, likely to help with physical labor.
- Dishing Out Dirt: They frequently use both Rock and Ground-type Pokémon.
- Extra-ore-dinary: If it's not Fighting, Rock, or Ground, their preference is for Steel-Type Pokémon. Byron uses them as Gym Trainers.
Youngster and Lass
Sword and Shield variants
A pair of classes usually only seen in the early parts of each game. They mostly use Com Mons and represent young trainers beginning their journey.
In Sun and Moon, a variant of these trainers appear under the name Youth Athlete, though the default ones still exist. Youngsters wield baseball bats while Lasses carry badminton rackets. They team up in double battles to form Athletic Siblings.
- Adaptational Modesty: The Lasses in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have had their designs modified from the originals by giving them leggings.
- Ambiguously Brown:
- The Youngsters and Lasses in Sun and Moon are noticeably darker in skin tone and have dark hair, though they could just be tanned.
- In Pokémon Masters Youngsters have an even darker skintone and brunet dreadlocks.
- Ascended Meme: In Generation IV, Youngster Joey's Rattata being in the "Top percentage of Rattata" is referenced heavily, and it's the only Pokémon he raises.
- Boyish Shorts: Every version of Youngsters wears shorts—to the point in Japan they're known as Shorts Youngsters. They're younger than the player character and almost always battle with early-game Com Mons such as Rattata or Pidgey, showing they're still beginner trainers who aren't too skilled compared to later trainers like Ace Trainers, Sailors, or Gym Leaders. (In Red and Blue their wearing shorts is directly noted by a Youngster on Kanto Route 3 (named Ben in the FRLG remakes), who says before he fights that he likes shorts because they're comfy and easy to wear—a line that stood out so much it became memetic in the fandom.)
- Batter Up!: Male Youth Athletes are more or less Youngsters with baseball bats.
- Beauty, Brains, and Brawn: With the Rising Stars (Brains) in Sun and Moon, Lasses (Beauty) typically growing up to be Beauties according to an interview and Youth Athletes (Brawn) being Passionate Sports Girls.
- Big Creepy-Crawlies: Youngsters in Unova & Kalos who are in the later stages of the game uses Bug-type Pokémon and seem to be the replacement for Bug Catchers in that region. Needless to say, these Bug types are also far larger than most real life arthropods.
- Boisterous Weakling: Youngsters are always overconfident despite being one of the weakest trainer classes in the game.
- Bratty Half-Pint: Backwards/sideways cap, youthful, arrogant... Youngsters are a slingshot away from hitting every cliché for the trope.
- Brother–Sister Team: When they team up to form Athletic Siblings for double battles.
- Com Mons: Their bread and butter. Quickest way to find out about the early route Pokémon in the game are to fight the first Youngster/Lass you see.
- Cuteness Proximity: Some Lasses are very fond of cute Pokémon.
- Dub Name Change: Japanese versions refer to these trainer classes as "Shorts Kid" (Youngster) and "Miniskirt" (Lass). The Athletic variants were originally "Sports Boy," "Sports Girl" and "Sports Siblings."
- Flanderization: Only a few youngsters mentioned their comfy, easy-to-wear shorts in Gen I, but a huge majority of them do this in Gen VI.
- Genki Girl: Most of the Lasses encountered are quite chipper.
- Girly Girl with a Tomboy Streak: Female Young Athletes are more or less Lasses who function as Passionate Sports Girls, taking up badminton in their case.
- The Goomba: The earliest encountered and weakest of the opponent trainers in the game.
- One of the Boys: At least in Generation I, Lass Sally uses Pokémon more typical of a Youngster—specifically, a Rattata and a Nidoran♂.
- Pointless Band-Aid: Youngsters in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have a bandage over their nose. Youngsters in Masters EX have a bandage on their cheek.
- Proper Tights with a Skirt: The Lasses in Generation VIII, befitting the "British schoolgirl" look they're going for in Galar and making the cold weather up north in Sinnoh more bearable than in Generation IV.
- Recurring Element: An overworld Youngster extolling the virtues of shorts appears in every generation. This is due to their Japanese name explicitly being "Shorts Youngster." There's also a Youngster named Joey in most generations.
- Reused Character Design: Lasses in Pokémon Masters are modeled after their Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen design.
- School Uniforms are the New Black: Lasses usually wear school uniforms all the time.
- Tomboy and Girly Girl: Lasses are the Girly Girls to the Picnickers' Tomboys, as they dress more femininely, and in Sun and Moon, they're also the Girly Girls to the female Youth Athletes' Tomboys.
- Unprovoked Pervert Payback: At times, a Lass may claim the player touched her or looked at her and challenges them to a fight because of it.
Young Couple
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire variant
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, a Young Couple is a teenage couple who are madly in love with one another. They partake in Double Battles and use Pokémon of the opposite gender that usually complement each another, such as Volbeat and Illumise.
- Animal Motifs: In some versions, they wear shirts with Luvdiscs on them, fitting their status as Sickeningly Sweethearts.
- Bare Midriffs Are Feminine: The girls in Diamond and Pearl wear tops that expose their navels.
- Battle Couple: They're madly in love and only fight you together.
- Dub Name Change: From the Engrishy "Love-Love Couple."
- Eyes Always Shut: Their sprites are modeled with closed eyes until Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
- Heart Symbol: The couple in FireRed and LeafGreen have heart shirts, and the couple in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have open mouths shaped like hearts and wear Luvdisc shirts and heart bracelets.
- Look-Alike Lovers: Barring their overworld sprites, many Young Couple trainers from different generations are often depicted as this.
- The couples in FireRed and LeafGreen are possibly the most egregious examples as they are practically twin siblings; They both wear the same jacket, have the same skin color, and have red hair. Their designs are reused in Pokémon Origins with only minimal changes to their skin tone.
- Shout-Out: A couple in Ruby & Sapphire and their remakes are named Lois & Hal, just like the parents from Malcolm in the Middle.
- Sickeningly Sweethearts: They are called Love-Love Couple in Japanese. It even shows in some of their sprites: the original from Ruby & Sapphire shows the couple hugging each other adorably, while the artwork in the remakes has them in Luvdisc shirts and matching heart bracelets.
