Karen (Masters)

Karen カリン Karin
Karen's model
No.	17
English voice actor	Mela Lee
Japanese voice actor	Ryōka Yuzuki
Description	Beneath her calm, cerebral exterior, a passion for Pokémon lurks in this Elite Four member's heart. She likes wild and tough Dark-type Pokémon.

Karen (Japanese: カリン Karin) is a Pokémon Trainer in Pokémon Masters EX, based on the character of the same name in the core series. She forms a sync pair with Houndoom, which is capable of Mega Evolving. This sync pair was first made available since the game release, and can be raised to 6★ EX from July 5, 2022.

Karen also forms a sync pair with Umbreon. This sync pair was first made available on May 31, 2021. This pair could be raised to 6★ EX beginning on March 29, 2023, though this pair lacks an EX style.

Houndoom

		Type			Dark
		Move type			Dark
		Role			Strike (Special)
		Base Potential			★★★★★☆EX
Houndoom ♀ ↔ Mega Houndoom ♀		Weakness			Fighting
They spew flames mixed with poison to finish off their opponents. They divvy up their prey evenly among the members of their pack.
Stats		HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Atk	Sp. Def	Speed
Lv. 140, Base Potential		572	340	173	386	173	368
Lv. 140, Max Potential		672	380	213	426	213	408
Mega Houndoom
Lv. 140, Base Potential		572	340	190	424	173	441
Lv. 140, Max Potential		672	380	234	468	213	489

Availability

Karen is available in the general sync pair scout, and has been since the game's release. Her offering rate was increased in the following sync pair scout banners:

• Seasonal Scout A (December 12, 2019 to January 1, 2020)
• Grimsley and Karen Spotlight Scout (March 6 to 16, 2020)
• Grimsley and Karen Spotlight Scout (February 8 to 26, 2021)

Moves

Karen's Houndoom uses Bite and Snarl as its two damage-dealing moves. Upon Mega Evolving, Houndoom replaces Bite with Dark Pulse.

Name	Type	Category	Move gauge	Base Power	Max Power	Accuracy	Target	Description
Bite	Dark	Physical	2	42	50	100%	An opponent	Has a chance (30%) of making the target flinch. (Only before Mega Evolving)
Dire Hit +	None	Status	0 (2 uses)	—	—	—	Self	Raises the user's critical-hit rate by two stat ranks.
Snarl	Dark	Special	2	39	46	95%	All opponents	Lowers the target's Sp. Atk by one stat rank.
Entertain Me!	None	Status	0 (2 uses)	—	—	—	Self	The smaller the user's percentage of remaining HP, the more this move raises the user's Sp. Atk (can be raised by up to six stat ranks maximum).Details
Dark Pulse	Dark	Special	3	95	114	100%	An opponent	Has a chance (20%) of making the target flinch. (Only after Mega Evolving)
Sync moves
Beguiling Dark Pulse	Dark	Special	—	160	192	—	An opponent	Become Mega Houndoom until the end of battle. (6★ EX effect: Sync move targets all opponents)

Skills

Name	Description
Passive Skills
Flameproof	Prevents the Pokémon from getting burned.
Wide Awake	Prevents the Pokémon from falling asleep.
Theme Skills
Dark Strike	Raises allies' Attack and Sp. Atk by 15 when using Dark-type attacks.
Johto Strike	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 2.
Elite Four Strike	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 2.
Grown Woman Strike	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 3.
Expedition Skills
Fiery ↑ 3 Soothing ↓ 1	Raises the following discovery level by 3: • Fiery Crystal Lowers the following discovery level by 1: • Soothing Crystal

Sync grid

Karen and Houndoom's sync grid is an expanded grid, made available on March 6, 2020. It was further expanded on September 25, 2022.

Name	Effect	Energy required	Sync orb required	Move level required
HP +10	HP +10	0	5	1
HP +10	HP +10	2	24	1
HP +20	HP +20	5	60	3
Attack +5	Attack +5	0	5	1
Attack +5	Attack +5	2	24	1
Attack +5	Attack +5	2	24	2
Defense +5	Defense +5	0	5	1
Defense +5	Defense +5	3	36	2
Defense +20	Defense +20	8	96	3
Sp. Atk +5	Sp. Atk +5	0	5	1
Sp. Atk +5	Sp. Atk +5	2	24	1
Sp. Atk +5	Sp. Atk +5	2	24	1
Sp. Atk +10	Sp. Atk +10	5	60	3
Sp. Atk +10	Sp. Atk +10	5	60	3
Sp. Atk +20	Sp. Atk +20	0	5	1
Sp. Def +5	Sp. Def +5	0	5	1
Sp. Def +10	Sp. Def +10	4	48	1
Speed +5	Speed +5	0	5	1
Speed +5	Speed +5	2	24	1
Speed +5	Speed +5	2	24	1
Speed +10	Speed +10	4	48	1
Speed +10	Speed +10	4	48	1
Speed +20	Speed +20	0	5	1
Bite: Power +6	Bite: Power ↑ +6	3	36	1
Bite: Power +6	Bite: Power ↑ +6	3	36	1
Bite: Power +6	Bite: Power ↑ +6	3	36	1
Bite: Toxic Chance 4	Has a chance (50%) of leaving the target poisoned when a move targeting an opponent is successful.	10	120	2
Bite: Aggravation 1	Raises the chance of inflicting the flinching, confused, or trapped condition with the additional effects of moves.	10	120	2
Bite: Critical Countdown 2	Has a chance (30%) of reducing the sync move countdown by one when the user lands a critical hit.	10	120	3
Snarl: Power +2	Snarl: Power ↑ +2	2	24	1
Snarl: Power +2	Snarl: Power ↑ +2	2	24	1
Snarl: Power +3	Snarl: Power ↑ +3	3	36	1
Snarl: Power +3	Snarl: Power ↑ +3	3	36	1
Snarl: Power +3	Snarl: Power ↑ +3	3	36	1
Snarl: Power +3	Snarl: Power ↑ +3	3	36	1
Snarl: Power +4	Snarl: Power ↑ +4	3	36	2
Snarl: Move Gauge Refresh 3	Has a chance (40%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful.	6	72	2
Dark Pulse: Power +6	Dark Pulse: Power ↑ +6	4	48	1
Dark Pulse: Power +6	Dark Pulse: Power ↑ +6	4	48	2
Dark Pulse: Power +6	Dark Pulse: Power ↑ +6	4	48	2
Dark Pulse: Power +6	Dark Pulse: Power ↑ +6	4	48	3
Dark Pulse: Move Gauge Refresh 4	Has a chance (50%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful.	6	72	2
Dark Pulse: Overpower	The more the opponent's Sp. Atk has been lowered, the more it powers up moves.	8	96	2
Dark Pulse: Aggravation 2	Raises the chance of inflicting the flinching, confused, or trapped condition with the additional effects of moves.	3	36	2
Dire Hit +: MP Refresh 3	Has a chance (40%) of restoring one MP of the move used if the move is successful.	7	84	2
Entertain Me!: MP Refresh 3	Has a chance (40%) of restoring one MP of the move used if the move is successful.	7	84	1
Speeding Sun 2	Quickly charges the move gauge when the weather is sunny.	8	96	2
Foul Fighting 5	Powers up moves when the move's target or targets are flinching, confused, or trapped.	10	120	3
Dirty Fighting 5	Powers up moves when the move's target or targets are affected by a status condition.	10	120	3
Sync Power Flux	The fuller the move gauge when the user's sync move is selected, the more this powers up the sync move.	3	36	2
Devastation	The more the target's Sp. Atk is lowered, the more it powers up the user's sync move.	5	60	3
Satisfied Snarl 9	Lowers the target's Sp. Atk by one stat rank when a move targeting that opponent is successful.	5	60	3
Beguiling Dark Pulse: Power +25	Beguiling Dark Pulse: Power ↑ +25	5	60	3
Beguiling Dark Pulse: Power +25	Beguiling Dark Pulse: Power ↑ +25	5	60	3

Umbreon

			Type			Dark
			Move type			Dark
			Role			Strike (Physical)
			Base Potential			★★★★☆☆EX
Umbreon ♂		Weakness			Bug
This Pokémon is nocturnal. Even in total darkness, its large eyes can spot its prey clearly!
Stats		HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Atk	Sp. Def	Speed
Lv. 140, Base Potential		742	313	112	130	112	243
Lv. 140, Max Potential		822	353	152	170	152	283
Mega Umbreon
Lv. 140, Base Potential		—	—	—	—	—	—
Lv. 140, Max Potential		—	—	—	—	—	—

Availability

Karen and Umbreon can be teamed up with by exchanging a BP Sync Pair Voucher in the shop, beginning on May 27, 2021.

Moves

Name	Type	Category	Move gauge	Base Power	Max Power	Accuracy	Target	Description
Feint Attack	Dark	Physical	2	45	54	—	An opponent	Never misses.
Dire Hit	None	Status	0 (2 uses)	—	—	—	Self	Raises the user's critical-hit rate by one stat rank.
Double-Edge	Normal	Physical	3	167	200	100%	An opponent.	The user also takes 25% of the damage it dealt to the target.
Go Wild!	None	Status	0 (2 uses)	—	—	—	Self	Raises the user's Attack by two stat ranks. Applies the Gradual Healing effect to the user.
Sync moves
Adorably Wild Dark Impact	Dark	Physical	—	250	300	—	An opponent	(6★ EX effect: Sync move targets all opponents)

Skills

Name	Description
Passive Skills
Dark Shift	Normal-type moves become Dark-type moves.
Standfast 5	Reduces recoil damage received from using moves that have recoil in the effect tag.
Unflappable	Prevents the Pokémon from flinching.
Theme Skills
Dark Strike	Raises allies' Attack and Sp. Atk by 15 when using Dark-type attacks.
Johto Strike	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 2.
Elite Four Strike	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 2.
Grown Woman Strike	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 3.
Expedition Skills
Fiery ↑ 3 Wistful ↓ 1	Raises the following discovery level by 3: • Fiery Crystal Lowers the following discovery level by 1: • Wistful Crystal

Sync grid

Karen and Umbreon's sync grid is an expanded grid, made available since the pair first released.

Name	Effect	Energy required	Sync orb required	Move level required
HP +10	HP +10	0	5	1
HP +20	HP +20	4	48	2
Attack +5	Attack +5	0	5	1
Attack +5	Attack +5	0	5	1
Attack +5	Attack +5	2	24	1
Attack +5	Attack +5	2	24	2
Attack +10	Attack +10	4	48	2
Defense +5	Defense +5	0	5	1
Defense +5	Defense +5	2	24	1
Defense +5	Defense +5	2	24	1
Defense +5	Defense +5	2	24	1
Defense +5	Defense +5	2	24	1
Sp. Def +5	Sp. Def +5	0	5	1
Sp. Def +5	Sp. Def +5	2	24	1
Sp. Def +5	Sp. Def +5	2	24	1
Sp. Def +5	Sp. Def +5	2	24	1
Sp. Def +5	Sp. Def +5	2	24	1
Speed +5	Speed +5	0	5	1
Speed +5	Speed +5	2	24	1
Speed +5	Speed +5	2	24	1
Speed +5	Speed +5	2	24	1
Speed +5	Speed +5	2	24	1
Feint Attack: Power +3	Feint Attack: Power ↑ +3	4	48	1
Feint Attack: Power +3	Feint Attack: Power ↑ +3	4	48	1
Feint Attack: Power +3	Feint Attack: Power ↑ +3	4	48	1
Feint Attack: Move Gauge Refresh 3	Has a chance (40%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful.	6	72	2
Feint Attack: Fortuitous 1	Has a chance (20%) of raising one of the user's following stats at random when an attack move is successful: Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, Speed, accuracy, or evasiveness.	6	72	2
Double-Edge: Power +3	Double-Edge: Power ↑ +3	4	48	1
Double-Edge: Power +3	Double-Edge: Power ↑ +3	4	48	1
Double-Edge: Power +3	Double-Edge: Power ↑ +3	4	48	1
Double-Edge: Move Gauge Refresh 1	Has a chance (20%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful.	5	60	1
Double-Edge: Move Gauge Refresh 3	Has a chance (40%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful.	6	72	2
Double-Edge: Standfast 3	Reduces recoil damage received from using moves that have recoil in the effect tag.	7	84	2
Double-Edge: Standfast 5	Reduces recoil damage received from using moves that have recoil in the effect tag.	10	120	3
Dire Hit: Move Gauge Refresh 3	Has a chance (40%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful.	6	72	2
Dire Hit: MP Refresh 3	Has a chance (40%) of restoring one MP of the move used if the move is successful.	7	84	3
Go Wild!: Move Gauge Refresh 3	Has a chance (40%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful.	6	72	2
Go Wild!: MP Refresh 3	Has a chance (40%) of restoring one MP of the move used if the move is successful.	7	84	3
Double Down 2	Powers up sync moves that are super effective.	9	108	2
Critastrophe 2	Powers up sync moves if they become critical hits.	9	108	2
Power Reserves 2	Powers up moves in a pinch.	8	96	2
First Aid 4	Restores the user's HP by approximately 40% of its maximum HP the first time it is in a pinch each battle..	10	120	3
Critical Strike 2	Powers up attacks if they become critical hits.	10	120	3
Superduper Effective 2	Powers up moves that are super effective.	10	120	3
Adorably Wild Dark Impact: Power +25	Adorably Wild Dark Impact: Power ↑ +25	5	60	3
Adorably Wild Dark Impact: Power +25	Adorably Wild Dark Impact: Power ↑ +25	5	60	3
Adorably Wild Dark Impact: Power +25	Adorably Wild Dark Impact: Power ↑ +25	5	60	3
Adorably Wild Dark Impact: Power +25	Adorably Wild Dark Impact: Power ↑ +25	5	60	3

Appearances

Battle appearances

Karen and Houndoom can be battled against in:

• Training area: Tech Course (prior to 1.12.0 update)
• Training area: Tech Supercourse (prior to 1.12.0 update)
• Sync pair story: Croconaw's Evolution
• Champion Stadium: Johto Challenge, Hard Lv. 1 (Fighting-type weakness)
• Battle Rally (Area 1-9)
• Daily Type Rotation: Type Team-Up (2023) (August 20 to 28, 2023)

Karen and Umbreon can be battled against in:

• PML Arc: Chapter 25: A Glorious Gambit (as a side foe)
• Main Story (Co-op): Chapter 25: A Glorious Gambit (as a side foe)
• Champion Stadium: Johto Challenge, Hard Lv. 1 (Bug-type weakness)
• Battle Rally (Area 1-9)
• Eevee Day Celebration!: Three Eevee Tales (as a side foe; November 21 to December 5, 2022)
• Eevee Day Celebration!: Eevee Tales (as a side foe; November 21 to December 8, 2023)

Karen has also been shown to pair alongside Honchkrow and can be battled against in:

• Champion Stadium: Johto Challenge, Hard Lv. 1 (Rock-type weakness)
• Battle Rally (Area 1-9)

Story appearances

Karen appears in her normal outfit in the following story areas:

• PML Arc:
  • Chapter 24: A Shining Spotlight
  • Chapter 25: A Glorious Gambit
• Villain Arc: Johto: Team Rocket's Revival
• Story event: Champion Time
• Solo event: With Beauty and Grace
• Special battle event: Take On a Tenacious Silver!
• Sync pair story: Croconaw's Evolution

Sync pair stories

Karen and Houndoom

• A Day with Karen

Quotes

Main article: Karen/Quotes → Pokémon Masters EX

Gallery

Karen and Houndoom on Pokémon Masters EX Dream Team Maker		Karen's sync move mindscape (Indigo Plateau, Karen's room)		Artwork of Chapter 25: A Glorious Gambit
VS model (Normal colors)	6★ model (Normal colors)	6★ model (EX colors)	VS model (EX colors)
Trainer emote Nice!	Trainer emote Watch out!	Trainer emote Let's do this!	Trainer emote Thanks!

Trivia

• Karen & Houndoom are one of four sync pairs who have had an increased recruitment chance in a seasonal scout without being a seasonal sync pair. The other three are Hilda & Tepig, Brendan & Treecko, and Blue & Pidgeot.
  • Of those four, Karen is the only Trainer who has not received an alternate outfit later on.

Origin

Karen's design is based on her appearance in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Houndoom is Karen's signature Pokémon in the core series games. Houndoom's Dex entry comes from Pokémon Ultra Sun.

Karen uses Umbreon during her battle with the player in the Johto-based core series games. It is also her highest-leveled Pokémon in the Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver rematch. Umbreon's Dex entry comes from Pokémon Ultra Sun.

In other languages

Entertain Me! Language Title Japanese 楽しませて！ Tanoshimasete! Mandarin Chinese 給我些樂子吧！ Gěi Wǒ xiē Lèzi ba! French Divertis-moi ! German Ich will mich amüsieren! Italian Fammi divertire! Korean 즐겁게만들어줘! Jeulgeopge Mandeur-eojwo! Spanish ¡Alégrame el día!

Beguiling Dark Pulse Language Title Japanese 好きなポケモンが放つ あくのはどう Sukina Pokémon ga Hanatsu Aku no Hadō Mandarin Chinese 心愛的寶可夢釋放之 惡之波動 Xīn'ài de Bǎokěmèng Shìfàng zhī È-zhī Bōdòng French Pour l'amour des Ténèbres ! Vibrobscur ! German Finsteraura des erwählten Pokémon Italian Neropulsar ribelle Korean 좋아하는 포켓몬이 발산하는 악의파동 Jo-ahaneun Pokémon-ui Balsanhaneun Ag-ui Padong Spanish Pulso Umbrío del Favorito

Go Wild! Language Title Japanese 素敵でしょ？ Suteki desho? Mandarin Chinese 很迷人吧？ Hěn Mírén ba? French Es-tu capable de me faire face ? German Schrecklich schön! Italian Credete di poter resistere? Korean 멋있지? Meositji? Spanish ¿Crees que podrás detenernos?

Adorably Wild Dark Impact Language Title Japanese ワイルドでタフな ダークインパクト Wairudo de Tafu na Dark Impact Mandarin Chinese 狂野又頑強之 惡之衝擊 Kuángyě yòu Wánqiáng zhī È-zhī Chōngjí French Tente de me vaincre ! Impact Ténèbres ! German Unlichtstoß der ungeschönten Härte Italian Impatto Buio duro e ribelle Korean 와일드하고 터프한 다크임팩트 Waildeuhago Teopeuhan Dakeu Impaekteu Spanish Impacto Siniestro Fuerte y Salvaje

References

Characters appearing in Pokémon Masters EX

Pasio Scottie • Bettie • Lear • Rachel • Sawyer • Paulo • Tina Kanto Brock • Misty • Lt. Surge • Erika • Blaine • Lorelei • Bruno • Agatha • Janine • Koga • Blue • Giovanni • Leaf • Lance • Professor Oak • Red • Sabrina • Jessie • James • Ash • Elaine • Chase Johto Kris • Bugsy • Whitney • Pryce • Clair • Will • Karen • Lyra • Ethan • Silver • Jasmine • Morty • Falkner • Eusine • Archer • Ariana • Petrel • Proton Hoenn Brendan • Roxanne • Brawly • Flannery • Norman • Winona • Tate • Liza • Phoebe • Drake • Noland • Glacia • Zinnia • Steven • Wallace • Wally • Lucy • Lisia • May • Maxie • Archie • Sidney • Courtney Sinnoh Barry • Roark • Gardenia • Maylene • Crasher Wake • Candice • Flint • Thorton • Cheryl • Marley • Cynthia • Fantina • Dawn • Cyrus • Volkner • Darach • Lucas • Aaron • Bertha • Lucian • Looker • Adaman • Irida • Palmer • Argenta • Akari • Rei • Riley • Dahlia • Volo Unova Rosa • Clay • Skyla • Brycen • Iris • Roxie • Marlon • Shauntal • Marshal • Cheren • Hilbert • Hilda • Elesa • Caitlin • Grimsley • Burgh • Alder • Nate • Bianca • N • Ghetsis • Ingo • Emmet • Hugh • Colress • Lenora Kalos Grant • Korrina • Ramos • Wulfric • Siebold • Wikstrom • Viola • Calem • Valerie • Clemont • Serena • Lysandre • Professor Sycamore • Diantha • Evelyn • Nita • Helena • Kali • Shauna • Emma • Olympia • Drasna • Dana • Katherine • Tierno Alola Hau • Sophocles • Mina • Olivia • Hapu • Kahili • Nanu • Acerola • Kukui • Plumeria • Guzma • Lusamine • Gladion • Lillie • Molayne • Mallow • Selene • Elio • Lana • Kiawe • Hala • The Masked Royal • Naomi • Anabel • Ryuki Galar Gloria • Piers • Leon • Marnie • Raihan • Nessa • Bea • Hop • Allister • Sonia • Bede • Gordie • Melony • Victor • Ball Guy • Rose • Oleana • Eve • Petey Paldea Nemona • Penny • Iono • Grusha • Geeta • Jacq • Rika • Poppy NPCs Professor Bellis • Trista • Tricia • Trinnia • Meowth • Tabitha • Matt • Shelly • Mars • Jupiter • Saturn • Cilan • Chili • Cress • Chuck • Kiyo • Shadow Triad • Trevor • Malva • Faba • Team Break

This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.