Character Sheet: Erika

ERIKA

Next up, we have Erika, the Grass-type Celadon City gym leader, who runs her gym as a greenhouse full of female trainers, almost always with a creepy old man outside looking through the window. In the anime, she also makes and sells perfume.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Vileplume

It will let off a blast of Poison Powder right in the opponent’s face.

 

Side B: Perfume

She will spray a cloud of perfume from the anime in the air and put anyone who walks through it to sleep.

 

Up B: Vine Whip

She’ll pull out her Tangela and hold onto it as it pulls her up.

 

Down B: Hedge

She will spawn one of the hedges from her gym to block her opponent’s path.

 

Final Smash: Celadon Gym Flowers

She will send out Vileplume, Victreebel, and Tangela to spawn a full hedge maze right out of the stage.

 

Entrance: Her opening pose and line

 

Taunts: Up, admiring a flowered arch. Side, smelling a bottle of perfume. Down, yawning and sitting to go to sleep.

 

Kirby Hat: Her hair and headband

 

Kart: Based on Vileplume

Special Move: Perfume

 

Spirit Battle: On Safari Zone (omega form), with her original team.

 

Victory Screen: Yawning and suggesting you try again some other time.

Losing Screen: Handing over her badge.

 

Color Swaps: Her original look, GSC look, FRLG look, HGSS look, Let’s Go look, a Lass outfit, a Beauty outfit, and Ash’s dress from the anime.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Koga appears in a puff of smog!

Character Sheet: Lt. Surge

LT. SURGE

Next up, we have Lt. Surge, the Electric-type gym leader of Vermilion City, and an ex-soldier from some war that took place sometime prior to the games’ events (a point of lots of fan speculation). This one definitely has a notable gym trial, which is good, because his anime appearance was just kinda him being big and menacing. He is part of Team Rocket in the manga though.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Raichu

Raichu will be using Thunder Punch, naturally.

 

Side B: Energy Barrier

Based on his puzzle from most of his gym setups, he will project an energy barrier in front of him as a shield.

 

Up B: Voltorb Grenade

He will drop a Voltorb at his feet to explode, throwing him up into the air and doing damage to those around him.

 

Down B: Garbage Can Switch

He will place a garbage can in the way of an attack. In most instances, the opponent will be shocked, but there is a one-in-five chance of it doing nothing.

 

Final Smash: Vermilion Gym Thunderstorm

He will send out a Raichu, Electabuzz, and Electrode, which will unleash powerful Electric attacks around the stage.

 

Entrance: His starting pose and line.

 

Taunts: Up, tossing a Voltorb in the air and catching it. Side, posing with a splash screen that reads “The Lightning American!” Down, he will crouch with a Poke Ball out, as if still in the military.

 

Kirby Hat: his hair and shades

 

Kart: Based on a Raichu

Special Move: Energy Barrier

 

Spirit Battle: On S.S. Anne (omega form), with his original team.

 

Victory Screen: Proclaiming the Vermilion gym undefeated.

Losing Screen: Handing over his badge.

 

Color Swaps: His original look, his GSC look, his FRLG look, his HGSS look, his Let’s Go look, his anime appearance, his Team Rocket uniform, and a beach outfit (he’s earned some shore leave).

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Erika blooms in battle!

Character Sheet: Misty

MISTY

Next up, we have Misty, the Water-type Cerulean City gym leader as well as one of Ash’s companions for the first two generations of the anime. Her gym challenges have a little bit more to them, so we won’t have to rely on the anime nearly as much as for Brock, but we still may need a little.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Staryu

Staryu will use Swift for this attack.

 

Side B: Life Preserver

She will toss out a life preserver as seen in her gym and use it to pull opponents closer.

 

Up B: Mermaid Tail

Across the anime, manga, cards, and otherwise, depicting Misty with a mermaid tail seems to just be a canon event, so we might as well use it. She’ll leap upward as if out of water and flip over to dive again.

 

Down B: Her Bike

She will pull out her roasted bike from the anime and throw it at people.

 

Final Smash: Cerulean Gym Water Spectacular

She will send out a Starmie, Gyarados, and Golduck to perform a water ballet while using powerful water moves.

 

Entrance: Her opening pose and quote.

 

Taunts: Up, performing a synchronized swimming maneuver. Side, trying to act flirty like she did with Ash a couple of times. Down, her Psyduck will pop out and she’ll hang her head.

 

Kirby Hat: Her hair with the side ponytail.

 

Kart: Based on a Gyarados

Special Move: Mermaid Tail

 

Spirit Battle: On S.S. Anne (omega form), with Staryu and Starmie.

 

Victory Screen: Proclaiming the Cerulean gym victorious

Losing Screen: Handing over her badge.

 

Color Swaps: Her RBG version, her original anime look, her GSC look, her FRLG look, her yellow jumpsuit from the anime, her HGSS look, her Let’s Go look, her Alolan anime look.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Lt. Surge makes a shocking entrance!

Character Sheet: Brock

BROCK

For the next . . . while, we’ll be going over the gym leaders of the Pokemon series, using their gym challenges and general themes to help us build a moveset, something I realized was a perfectly reasonable possibility to do with them. A few have very basic gym challenges, but thankfully, the anime helps fill in some for them. The Trial Captains will also be included, as their trials functionally act as gym challenges. The only ones who won’t be included at the moments are the rivals who become gym leaders, as the rivals are a bit more complicated, and I’m not quite ready to parse them all out yet.

Brock is a Rock-type specialist and the very first gym leader of the Kanto region, making him the very first gym leader ever faced by a Pokemon player. As such, his gym is extremely basic and has mostly remained so in every iteration, basically just having a bunch of scattered boulders in the path to get to him and little more. As such, we’ll probably have to rely on the anime to fill in for him more than anyone else. Thankfully, he is one of the most prolifically featured in said anime.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Geodude

This slot will be reserved on all Gym Leaders for an attack from one of their most notable Pokemon. As such, Brock’s Geodude is the obvious one here, and will fly forward, striking opponents with a rocky punch.

 

Side B: Lovestruck!

Brock will immediately latch onto an opponent and start proclaiming his love. Will last longer with female characters.

 

Up B: Onix Surge

Onix will burst up from the ground beneath him, carrying him upward.

 

Down B: Drying Pan

He will hold up his frying pan and use it as a shield to protect himself.

 

Final Smash: Pewter Gym Rockstars

He will send out a Golem, Onix, and Aerodactyl to perform an ultimate Rock-type attack.

 

Entrance: His starting pose and line.

 

Taunts: Up, doing a little twirl with hearts in his eyes. Side, crossing his arms over his chest like his original pose. Down, kneeling and examining a Pokemon.

 

Kirby Hat: His hair and eyes.

 

Kart: Based on an Onix

Special Move: Drying Pan

 

Spirit Battle: On Mt. Moon (omega form), with Geodude and Onix.

 

Victory Screen: Proclaiming rock types victorious.

Losing Screen: Handing over his badge.

 

Color Swaps: His Red and Blue version, his original anime version, his Gold and Silver version, his Advanced anime look, his FRLG look, his Diamond & Pearl anime look, his Let’s Go look, a wedding look from his fantasies.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Misty makes a splash!

Character Sheet: Ben/Summer

BEN/SUMMER

Starting now, we'll be going back through our main protagonists of the Pokemon series and re-evaluating them based on the distinct differences that make their games unique from each other. Our characters will be:

1. Red/Leaf

2. Ethan/Kris/Lyra

3. May/Brendan

4. Dawn/Lucas

5. Hilbert/Hilda

6. Nate/Rosa

7. Serena/Calem

8. Elio/Selene

9. Gloria/Victor

10. Florian/Juliana

11. Solana/Lunick

12. Kellyn/Kate

13. Ben/Summer

Likewise, Ben and Summer, the protagonists of Guardian Signs, will also have their moveset mostly focused on their distinct game mechanics. Also, the main Pokemon each of these Rangers have with them should be the main companions, like Plusle and Minun for Lunick and Solana, so the little rocker Pichu will be heavily featured for these two.

Here's the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Capture Styler

 

Side B: Ride Pokemon

Specifically one of the Legendary Beasts charging around with you on it.

 

Up B: Fly

You can linger up there for a bit, like in the game.

 

Down B: Ranger Signs

You can draw a sign that summons a Pokemon to perform an attack.

 

Final Smash: The Rainbow Grail

You use it to summon Ho-Oh, which blasts through the stage like it does through the Sky Fortress.

 

Entrance: Flying in on their Staraptors

 

Taunts: Up, tossing the capture styler in the air. Side, drawing a few signs in the air. Down, Pichu rocking out on its guitar.

 

Kirby Hat: Ben’s hair and goggles

 

Kart: Raikou

Special Move: Ranger Signs

 

Spirit Battle: On Big Booker Bridge

 

Victory Screen: Celebrating with their Pokemon

Losing Screen: "You whited out!"

 

Color Swaps: Ben, Summer, based on Rand, based on Nema, based on Tanvir, based on Kira, and Pokemon Pincher uniforms.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, we’ll now cover our gym leaders. First up, Brock rocks the house!

Character Sheet: Kellyn/Kate

KELLYN/KATE

Starting now, we'll be going back through our main protagonists of the Pokemon series and re-evaluating them based on the distinct differences that make their games unique from each other. Our characters will be:

1. Red/Leaf

2. Ethan/Kris/Lyra

3. May/Brendan

4. Dawn/Lucas

5. Hilbert/Hilda

6. Nate/Rosa

7. Serena/Calem

8. Elio/Selene

9. Gloria/Victor

10. Florian/Juliana

11. Solana/Lunick

12. Kellyn/Kate

13. Ben/Summer

Next, we have Kellyn and Kate, students of the Ranger Academy, and the protagonists of Shadows of Almia. Their moveset should be fairly similar to Lunick and Solana’s, just updated with the newer stuff that came with the game.

Here's the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Capture Styler

This, if nothing else, should stay the same.

 

Side B: Pokemon Partner

Mostly randomly picks from the 17 partners available, and they perform a basic assist attack.

 

Up B: Staraptor

Of course.

 

Down B: Capture Power-Up

You can use the cards from the original game to boost your attack.

 

Final Smash: Luminous Crystal

 

Entrance: Flying in on Staraptor

 

Taunts: Up, doing a school spirit pose. Side, playing with their Pokemon. Down, spinning their top for a moment. Secret taunt: Getting tech support from Rhythmi.

 

Kirby Hat: Kellyn’s hair

 

Kart: A riding Partner Pokemon

Special Move: Partner Pokemon

 

Spirit Battle: On Ranger Academy

 

Victory Screen: Celebrating with their Pokemon

Losing Screen: "You whited out!"

 

Color Swaps: Kellyn, Kate, based on Keith, based on Rhythmi, Altru Inc. uniforms, Team Dim Sun uniforms.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Ben and Summer become guardians!

Character Sheet: Solana/Lunick

SOLANA/LUNICK

Starting now, we'll be going back through our main protagonists of the Pokemon series and re-evaluating them based on the distinct differences that make their games unique from each other. Our characters will be:

1. Red/Leaf

2. Ethan/Kris/Lyra

3. May/Brendan

4. Dawn/Lucas

5. Hilbert/Hilda

6. Nate/Rosa

7. Serena/Calem

8. Elio/Selene

9. Gloria/Victor

10. Florian/Juliana

11. Solana/Lunick

12. Kellyn/Kate

13. Ben/Summer

The Ranger games do have enough distinction between their three games, that I think they should be reconsidered here too. Solana and Lunick’s moveset will probably remain the most the same, seeing as the original character sheet came after that first game specifically. I think Solana’s anime appearance may factor in a little too.

Here's the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Ranger Styler

 

Side B: Partner Pokemon

Plusle and Minun specifically for them.

 

Up B: Gust

It is the closest field move to Fly for this one, so . . .

 

Down B: Poke Assist

 

Final Smash: Super Styler

 

Entrance: No fast travel options in the first game, so maybe stepping off the boat?

 

Taunts: Up, raising the styler to the sky in victory. Side, playing with Plusle and Minun. Down, drawing in the air like they’re on Disney Channel.

 

Kirby Hat: Solana’s hair

 

Kart: Riding on a captured Pokemon

Special Move: Capture Styler

 

Spirit Battle: On Fiore Temple

 

Victory Screen: Celebrating with their Pokemon

Losing Screen: "You whited out!"

 

Color Swaps: Solana, Lunick, based on Aria, based on Joel, based on Elita, based on Chris, and Go-Rock uniforms for both.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Kellyn and Kate fight the shadows!