The Pokemon series of games is known for its diverse cast of characters, from professors to champions. Rivals play a key part in the main franchise, battling the player throughout the series in many regions and constantly impeding their progress.
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Rivals prepare players to see how strong their Pokemon are in their quest to beat the Pokemon League and become the champion. Although most rivals are powerful in that they offer a considerable challenge throughout the main series of Pokemon games, some are more powerful than others. Rivals such as Gary, N, and Barry, among others, are some of Pokemon's best.
6 Silver
From Villain To Friend
|
Region |
Johto |
|---|---|
|
Generation |
2 |
|
Games |
Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Stadium 2, Masters EX |
The Generation 2 rival, Silver, is a favorite among fans of the Pokemon series due to his heritage of being Rocket boss Giovanni's son. While not the strongest on this list, Silver has a well-balanced team of Pocket Monsters ranging from Ghost-types to Poison-types, and a particularly annoying Alakazam that puts up a considerable fight near the end of the Gen 2 games.
Silver's heritage alone, along with his journey from villain to redeemed hero, make him one of the best Pokemon rivals. Despite his difficult upbringing, Silver learns to love Pokemon as friends rather than tools.
5 Wally
Overcoming The Odds Despite Setbacks
|
Region |
Hoenn |
|---|---|
|
Generation |
3 |
|
Games |
Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, Masters EX |
Wally, the unexpected rival of the Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald games, and their subsequent remakes, is known for his love of the Pokemon Ralts and its evolution line. While Wally is not the strongest trainer at the start of the Generation 3 games, he quickly gets his skates on to become one of the best trainers in the Hoenn region, overcoming all odds as a sickly child at a young age.
Wally deserves to be on this list as one of the best Pokemon rivals, highlighting what can be achieved through hard work, no matter a person's circumstances. In the Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire games, Wally has one of the strongest lineups of Pokemon, with his Gallade exceeding the level 80 mark in the Battle Maison.
4 Barry
Laughing In The Face Of Danger
|
Region |
Sinnoh |
|---|---|
|
Generation |
4 |
|
Games |
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Masters EX |
The energetic (and sometimes annoying) Barry is the rival in the Generation 4 games. A trainer of great pride, strength, and heart, Barry comes from Pokemon royalty, with his father being Palmer of the Battle Frontier. Barry follows the player character as they uncover the mysteries of the Sinnoh region and stop the evil Team Galactic from destroying the world.
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Barry keeps the players' spirits up throughout their journey, pushing them to their limits with Pokemon at levels 60 to 70. Barry deserves to be high on this list for his unbreakable, optimistic fighting spirit in the face of danger.
3 Hop
A Role Model
|
Region |
Galar |
|---|---|
|
Generation |
8 |
|
Games |
Sword and Shield, Masters EX |
The Generation 8 rival, Hop, faces off against the player with a legendary Pokemon in the Pokemon Sword and Shield games. Depending on what legendary Pokemon the player chooses — Zamazenta or Zacian — Hop picks the opposite in one of the hardest battles in the series' history, with most of his Pocket Monsters ranging from the high level 60s to 70s. Hop is known for following in his brother Leon's footsteps to become a Pokemon champion.
Although Hop never makes it, he evolves into a trainer of immense power, surpassing Leon's abilities by sheer determination and grit. A great trainer and go-getter, Hop is the antithesis of how choosing one's own destiny can lead to greatness. Hop, for that reason, is in the top three best Pokemon rivals.
2 N
From Tragedy To Greatness
|
Region |
Unova |
|---|---|
|
Generation |
5 |
|
Games |
Black, White, Black 2, White 2, Masters EX |
N, one of the main rivals of the Generation 5 Pokemon games, is also one of the game's most powerful trainers. Battling the player throughout the story of Black and White, N becomes a familiar face and a foe as the tool of Team Phasma boss Ghetsis in the villain's quest to take over the region of Unova. N is an immensely powerful trainer, beating Unova Champion Alder and facing off against the player in the game's final sequences using the legendary Pokemon Reshiram/Zekrom.
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N returns in Pokemon Black and White 2 even stronger than before, with his highest-level Pokemon in their high level 70s, making him more powerful than Hop by a considerable margin. N is a complex Pokemon trainer undergoing significant trauma as a child and learning to love Pokemon to such an extent that he believes Pokemon and people should be kept separate due to what he sees as mistreatment by humans. The player later confronts N and turns him to the light. N, due to his background, redemption, and power when wielding a legendary Pokemon, makes him the second-best rival on this list.
1 Blue
A True Pokemon Champion
|
Region |
Kanto |
|---|---|
|
Generation |
1 |
|
Games |
Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, White 2, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee!, Stadium, Stadium 2, Masters EX |
The infamous grandson of Professor Oak, Blue, is the strongest Pokemon rival, not only because of his fierce rivalry with Pokemon trainer Red, who is considered the strongest Pokemon trainer ever, but because Kanto's favorite grandson managed to beat the Pokemon League and become champion. Blue reached the top of the Pokemon world in the original Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow and the Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green remakes, with a powerful, diverse team of Pocket Monsters. In the games, players must defeat Blue to become the Pokemon champion of the Indigo Pokemon league.
In the sequels — Heart Gold and Soul Silver — Blue becomes the Viridian City gym leader, replacing disgraced Team Rocket boss Giovanni . Blue is the best rival on this list, with some of the highest-level Pokemon in the games, and is a true Pokemon champion, which he achieved based on hard work and merit.
