Pokémon Trainer (SSBU): Difference between revisions

Following his status as the second-lowest ranking mid tier character in ''Brawl'', Pokémon Trainer has been buffed significantly in the transition to ''Ultimate''. Notably, both the [[Pokémon Change#Stamina|Stamina]] mechanic and [[type effectiveness]] have been completely removed, and [[Pokémon Change]] has been granted high utility due to the addition of aerial switching and significantly faster Pokémon switches. As such, switches between the three Pokémon have now become a unique advantage for the Pokémon Trainer alone instead of being a major mandatory commitment, and the Pokémon are now free to fight indefinitely without being limited by Stamina during battle. In addition, Ivysaur, who was previously the worst Pokémon in the party, has been greatly buffed, and the general changes to ''Ultimate''{{'}}s mechanics greatly benefit Ivysaur and Squirtle. Each of the Trainer's Pokémon is usable as its own character, but as in ''Brawl'', usage of all three for different situations is optimal.

Nevertheless, Pokémon Trainer has become a significantly more effective character than in ''Brawl''. Despite still having a high learning curve, Pokémon Trainer has a great player base, especially compared to ''Brawl''. While initially overshadowed by widely acknowledged top tier characters such as {{SSBU|Peach}} and {{SSBU|Lucina}}, players such as {{Sm|Wishes}}, {{Sm|Tweek}}, {{Sm|Puppeh}}, {{Sm|Pandarian}}, and {{Sm|Leffen}} have been able to take advantage of the Trainer's ability to use three different character archetypes in battle and Ivysaur's overall potency as a character in its own right to obtain significant results.

Unlike his Pokémon, Pokémon Trainer did not receive any buffs or nerfs via game updates. Instead, he received only a number of fixes to both minor and major glitches.

Although Pokémon Trainer is technically a fighter, he stays in the background and does not directly participate in a battle. Instead, he has a team of three Pokémon ({{SSBU|Squirtle}}, {{SSBU|Ivysaur}} and {{SSBU|Charizard}}) that he instructs to fight in a battle. Only one Pokémon is active at once, and all three of them have different movesets and abilities.

It is possible to change which Pokémon the Pokémon Trainer starts with at the beginning of a battle. On the [[character select screen]], Pokémon Trainer has the starting Pokémon's portrait to the upper-right of the portrait. If the Y button is pressed, or if the Pokémon's portrait is hovered over and selected, the starting Pokémon is toggled to the next one. The default Pokémon is Squirtle, who can be toggled to Ivysaur, then Charizard, and then back to Squirtle.

The three Pokémon have separate movesets and attributes. The only moves shared by the Pokémon are their [[down special move]] ([[Pokémon Change]]) and their [[Final Smash]] ([[Triple Finish]]). Pokémon Change involves the Pokémon Trainer recalling the currently active Pokémon and sending out the next one to replace it. The order that the Pokémon are changed in is the same as toggling on the character select screen: Squirtle switches to Ivysaur, Ivysaur to Charizard, and Charizard to Squirtle. Triple Finish is a combination attack in which the Pokémon Trainer temporarily brings out all three of his Pokémon to attack simultaneously. The attack boasts a large range and inflicts damage to any opponents caught in it. Once it concludes, the two inactive Pokémon are recalled.

Although he is not directly controllable, the Pokémon Trainer can be seen standing in the background of the stage, commanding the Pokémon and reacting to the Pokémon's situation. Various animations and voice lines differ for the Pokémon Trainer and his female counterpart. The Pokémon Trainer is able to move around somewhat on most stages, running toward his current Pokémon if it is far enough away, and will also turn to face the position of his Pokémon at most times. On some stages, the Pokémon Trainer stands on a special platform in the background instead of standing on a portion of the stage's background. On these stages, the Pokémon Trainer can not move around, but will still turn to face his Pokémon.

Pokémon Trainer does not appear in the background during battles with [[8-Player Smash|five or more players]], in [[Squad Strike]]'s Tag Team mode, or on [[Custom Stages]]. However, he can still be heard giving commands and the Poké Ball and its energy effects can be seen traveling towards the foreground, implying that the Pokémon Trainer is in the foreground and outside of the camera's view. This also happens in certain single player and co-op modes.

*When the active Pokémon has changed into a different active Pokémon type:

[[File:PokemonSeriesVictoryThemeUltimate.ogg|thumb|A small excerpt of the title theme of ''Pokémon Red'', ''Blue'', ''Yellow'', and ''Green Versions'', a track which would go on to become the ''Pokémon'' main theme and the title theme for the entire series.]]

Reception towards Pokémon Trainer has been positive ever since 'Ultimate''{{'}}s release. The changes to his infamously counter-intuitive mechanics, specifically the removal of [[Pokémon Change#Stamina|Stamina]] and [[type effectiveness]], alongside the significantly faster switch time for [[Pokémon Change]], left players excited for the character's return from ''Brawl''. However, players also noted that Pokémon Trainer's playstyle had some detractors due to {{SSBU|Ivysaur}} being overtuned compared to its teammates, while {{SSBU|Charizard}} was considered a very lackluster character, leading to optimal play requiring unbalanced use of the three Pokémon and a more predictable and exploitable game plan. Although the character initially saw average representation due to his high learning curve, players such as {{Sm|Leffen}}, {{Sm|Wishes}}, and {{Sm|HIKARU}} found success at several national tournaments.

However, as more players began learning how to utilize all three Pokémon, Pokémon Trainer saw an increase in representation. This positive trend culminated in an explosion of results during the summer of 2019 thanks to the efforts of players such as {{Sm|Puppeh}}, {{Sm|moxi}}, and most notably {{Sm|Tweek}}, who placed top 3 at several major tournaments including {{Trn|EVO 2019}} and {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2019}}. Following this, Pokémon Trainer would then seen a decline in tourney success, due to buffs to other characters and [[downloadable content]] bringing forth a number of viable characters. However, his above-average representation and overall positive reception in the community have collectively swayed many players to consider Pokémon Trainer to be at least a high tier character, with some players even considering him to be a top tier character. This positive reception was further reinforced following {{Sm|Quidd}}'s 1st place finish at {{Trn|Let's Make Big Moves 2022}}, which was the first offline national tournament of the year.  

*{{Sm|Leffen|Sweden}} (#51) - The best Pokémon Trainer player in Europe prior to his retirement from ''Ultimate''. Placed 1st at {{Trn|DreamHack Winter 2019}}, 7th at {{Trn|Valhalla II}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|GENESIS 6}} and {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2019}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Tweek}}, {{Sm|Maister}}, and {{Sm|WaDi}}.  

*{{Sm|moxi|USA}} (#33) - One of the best Pokémon Trainer players in the world prior to switching to {{SSBU|Wolf}}. Placed 3rd at {{Trn|Play With Heart}}, 7th at {{Trn|Low Tier City 7}}, 13th at both {{Trn|Port Priority 5}} and {{Trn|Mainstage}}, and 17th at both {{Trn|EVO 2019}} and {{Trn|2GG: Nightmare on Smashville}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Maister}}, {{Sm|ESAM}}, and {{Sm|Dark Wizzy}}. Online, placed 2nd at {{Trn|SWT: NA Northwest Ultimate Online Qualifier}} and 13th at {{Trn|The Box}}. Formerly ranked 57th on the [[Wi-Fi Warrior Rank v5]].

*{{Sm|Ned|USA}} (#37) - Co-mains Pokémon Trainer alongside {{SSBU|Sephiroth}}, and is considered one of the best Pokémon Trainer players in the United States. Placed 5th at {{Trn|Spotlight}}, 7th at {{Trn|Full Bloom 5}}, 9th at {{Trn|DreamHack Atlanta 2019}}, 13th at {{Trn|The Big House 9}}, and 17th at {{Trn|2GG: Kongo Saga}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Marss}}, {{Sm|Nairo}}, and {{Sm|ESAM}}. Online, placed 9th at {{Trn|The Quarantine Series: Major Tournament 1}} and 13th at {{Trn|Pound Online}}. Currently ranked 19th on the [[Wi-Fi Warrior Rank v7]].

*{{Sm|Tarik|Germany}} - Co-mained Pokémon Trainer alongside {{SSBU|Greninja}}, and was considered one of the best Pokémon Trainer players in Europe prior to dropping him. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Calyptus Cup X: Powwer Up}}, 2nd at {{Trn|DreamHack Leipzig 2020}}, 7th at {{Trn|Syndicate 2019}}, and 17th at {{Trn|Valhalla III}}. Currently ranked 14th on the [[European Smash Rankings]].

*{{Sm|Tweek|USA}} (#3) - The best Pokémon Trainer player in the world prior to dropping him. Placed 1st at {{Trn|Low Tier City 7}}, 2nd at {{Trn|EVO 2019}}, 3rd at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2019}} and {{Trn|Frostbite 2020}}, and 5th at both {{Trn|Glitch 7 - Minus World}} and {{Trn|The Big House 9}}.

*{{Sm|Wishes|USA}} - One of the best Pokémon Trainer players in the world prior to switching to {{SSBU|Joker}}. Placed 3rd at {{Trn|Suplex City Smash}}, 9th at both {{Trn|Frostbite 2019}} and {{Trn|Collision 2019}}, and 17th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 5}} with wins over players such as {{Sm|Light|p=Connecticut}}, {{Sm|Samsora}}, and {{Sm|Tea}}. Formerly ranked 21st on the [[Spring 2019 PGRU]].

Pokémon Trainer's route refers to becoming the {{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Champion}}, which is one of the primary goals in the ''Pokémon'' games. Like in {{SSBU|Pikachu}}'s route, the opponents are all Pokémon and all Rounds are fought on ''Pokémon'' stages. Each Round will start with the Pokémon chosen on the character select screen, regardless of which one was active at the end of the previous round.

During the opening cutscene, the Pokémon Trainer was present on the cliffside when [[Galeem]] unleashed its beams of light. Working together with {{SSBU|Bowser}} and his [[Fire Breath]], he sent out Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard in an attempt to fight back against the beams with [[Triple Finish]], but to no avail. All four were vaporized and placed under Galeem's imprisonment along with the rest of the fighters (excluding {{SSBU|Kirby}}).

The male Pokémon Trainer can be found at the southeast near the maze that resembles [[Pac-Maze]]. Defeating him also grants access to all of his Pokémon, as well as his female counterpart. Uniquely, the player controls the Trainer instead of his Pokémon on the overworld during World of Light.

SSBUWebsitePokémonTrainer4.jpg|The Pokémon trio [[dash]]ing from a [[Burrowing Snagret]] on [[The Great Cave Offensive]].

SSBUWebsiteIsabelle1.jpg|Squirtle getting splashed by {{SSBU|Isabelle}}'s down smash on [[Delfino Plaza]].

SSBUWebsiteLucario4.jpg|Squirtle being hit by {{SSBU|Lucario}}'s dash attack on the [[Bridge of Eldin]].

SSBUWebsiteMegaMan4.jpg|Ivysaur using its dash attack against a [[Leaf Shield]]ing {{SSBU|Mega Man}} on [[Tortimer Island]].

*{{SSBU|Pichu}} is the only playable Pokémon that is not encountered in Pokémon Trainer's Classic Mode route.

**The other characters are both male and female [[Robin]], both male and female [[Wii Fit Trainer]], [[Cloud Strife]]'s alternate costume from ''Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children'', all three [[Mii Fighter]]s, and [[Kazuya Mishima]].  

*If a game modification is used to enable [[instant KO]]s during a result screen, Pokémon Trainer will [https://youtu.be/KVPh4EB-YUc change animations from their results screen victory/defeated animation to their in-game defeated animation].

*If ''Ultimate'' is hacked to be able to select one of the Pokémon Trainer's Pokémon individually, [https://youtu.be/Q6PthMfdBuc the Trainer will function normally] aside from multiple of the same costume being able to be selected and using each Pokémon's stock icon (which changes with the Pokémon in play) instead of the Trainer's own.