Silver (game)

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This article is about the character. For the game titled "Pokémon Silver Version", see Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions.

Silver
シルバー Silver
HeartGold SoulSilver Silver.png
Art from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Gender Male
Eye color Black*, Gray*, Red*, Purple*
Hair color Dark red
Hometown Unknown
Region Johto or originally Kanto, then moved to Johto
Relatives Giovanni (father)
Trainer class N/A*GSC
Passerby, RivalHGSS
Generation II, IV
Games Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Stadium 2, Masters EX
Game animation debut The Legacy
English voice actor Lucien Dodge (Generations)
Joe Zieja[1] (Masters EX)
Japanese voice actor Ryōta Ōsaka (Generations)
Yūki Ono[2] (Masters EX)
Anime cameos A New Oath
Manga counterpart(s) Silver, Silver, Black, Tsubaki

Silver (Japanese: シルバー Silver) is the rival character of Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, playing opposite Ethan, Kris, or Lyra. He is the son of Team Rocket Boss Giovanni.

In Generation II, he appears with no Trainer class in all battles, although the Rival (Japanese: ライバル Rival) Trainer class is associated with him in the game data. In Generation IV, he uses the same Trainer class, except this time it appears normally in-game.

Terminology

He was first named Silver (Japanese: シルバー Silver) in Bandai's Pokémon Scale World collection,[3][4][5] which was released in 2020 (21 years after his introduction in Pokémon Gold and Silver). In 2021, he became available with the same name in Pokémon Masters EX, which was the first time he was named in-game. No definitive name has been given for him in the core series games and their manuals.

In the core series games, he is temporarily known by a placeholder name in the first battle before he is named by the player:

  • ??? (Japanese: ???) in Generation II
  • Passerby Boy (Japanese: とおりすがりの しょうねん Passerby Boy) in Generation IV, using the placeholder Trainer class "Passerby" and placeholder name "Boy"

If the player attempts to leave his name blank, his default name refers to a game other than the current one: GoldS, SilverGC, HeartSS, or SoulHG (Japanese: ゴールド Gold, シルバー Silver, ハート Heart, or ソウル Soul).

In Pokémon Stadium 2, he is simply known as Rival (Japanese: ライバル Rival). In Pokémon battles, this is displayed as Rival Rival (Japanese: ライバル ライバル Rival Rival), since the word "Rival" is repeatedly stored in the game data as both the Trainer class and the character name.

In the Pokémon Gold and Silver Spaceworld '97 demo, his name is シゲルG Shigeru or サトシS Satoshi. These are Gary's and Ash's respective Japanese names, and correspond to the second entry in the list of optional names for Blue and Red in Pokémon Red and Green.

Until the reveal of his official name, Silver (Japanese: シルバー Silver) was almost universally used in fanon as the name for this character. Some fans instead called him Kamon (Japanese: カモン Kamon) to discern him from his Pokémon Adventures counterpart and an unrelated anime character. This name is taken from the suggested names for Ethan in both the Japanese and English versions of Pokémon Silver; this is similar to some fans calling Blue "Gary", since the name is found as one of the options for the player in international Pokémon Blue and for the rival in international Pokémon Red.

In the core series games

Silver first appears in the Generation II games, lurking outside of Professor Elm's lab, looking through the window. When talked to, he will deny everything and push the player away. During the player's journey to Mr. Pokémon's house, Silver makes his move, stealing one of Elm's two remaining first partner Pokémon (coincidentally always the one that is strong against the player's choice). He will meet with the player on the outskirts of Cherrygrove City, battling to get through. A policeman will later ask for the name of the rival, and the rival will be called the name the player gives for the rest of the game.

Silver shows a strong dislike of Team Rocket. He considers them to be weak, and vows to take them, as well as any other weak Trainer, down. He steals a Pokémon (heavily implied to be Sneasel) from a Trainer in Cianwood City and while Ethan/Kris/Lyra attempts to take down Team Rocket in Mahogany Town and Goldenrod City, he interferes to prove himself. It is in the Team Rocket HQ in Mahogany that he meets with Lance, Champion of the Elite Four at Indigo Plateau. Silver challenges Lance and is easily defeated by the dragon Trainer, who then proceeds to berate Silver for his callous ways towards training Pokémon. Though Silver is outraged for losing to someone with such an attitude, the loss and Lance's words ultimately set him on the path to becoming a better person. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, when Team Rocket takes over the Goldenrod Radio Tower, Silver first blows the player's Team Rocket disguise, unaware of the player's plan to sneak in by pretending to be a member of Team Rocket. He later follows the player to the Goldenrod underground and they battle Team Rocket, hoping that Lance will reappear and he can request a rematch.

By the time the player reaches Victory Road, Silver battles against the player not out of malice, but to prove that he is a good Trainer. He is defeated and departs to continue training. The player battles Silver on Mt. Moon, and though he loses he claims he can feel his Pokémon getting stronger, and resolves to train at Dragon's Den.

After the player has become Champion, Silver can indeed be found training in the Dragon's Den on Tuesday and Thursday, where he cannot be battled. On Monday and Wednesday, he will appear at Indigo Plateau and will challenge the player to a battle if they appear there. He does not appear at all on Friday or the weekends, indicating that he may in fact take the day off, resting his Pokémon. When battled this seventh and final time at Indigo Plateau, Silver seems to have finally learned to care for his Pokémon properly, as his Golbat has evolved to Crobat, which only occurs when Golbat is very friendly. This is further expressed in Generation IV when his first partner Pokémon starts to follow him around, much like the player's Pokémon; Professor Elm even expressly states that Silver's Pokémon have come to trust him when Silver returns to the lab, presumably to return the first partner Pokémon he stole. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Lance and Clair will appear in the Dragon's Den and challenge the player and Silver to a Multi Battle following the battle at Mt. Moon giving him the chance to avenge his loss from earlier.

In terms of personality, Silver is initially the darkest of the rivals in the series. While most other rivals are generally good-natured, or at least zestful enough to crack a joke at the player, Silver is (at first) cruel, hateful, power-obsessed, and even physically abusive, pushing the player character around several times. Even after he starts to become kinder, he remains a rather serious individual. He does, however, express genuine happiness when Elm allows him to keep the Pokémon he stole.

Giovanni and Silver's relationship is first alluded to in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, when Team Rocket Scientist Gideon at the Rocket Warehouse on Five Island asks Red if he is "Giovanni's kid" but concludes he is not, saying that "Giovanni's kid has red hair." More information is revealed in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver when a fateful encounter Celebi is brought to Ilex Forest shrine: Celebi takes the player back in time three years to witness Giovanni abandoning Silver to go into seclusion because of his defeat at the hands of Red. Silver's hate for Team Rocket apparently stems from the failure of his father.

Pokémon

The first partner Pokémon that Silver has will depend on which Pokémon the player chose to bring on Professor Elm's errand at the beginning of the game. As with most rivals, it will be the Pokémon whose type weakens that of the player's first partner Pokémon.

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

For Silver's Pokémon in Gold, Silver, and Crystal Versions, see here.

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

First battle

Winning this battle is not mandatory. The player will not black out and the story will progress either way.

  If the player chose Chikorita:



  If the player chose Cyndaquil:



  If the player chose Totodile:



Second battle

  If the player chose Chikorita:



  If the player chose Cyndaquil:



  If the player chose Totodile:



Third battle

  If the player chose Chikorita:



  If the player chose Cyndaquil:



  If the player chose Totodile:



Fourth battle

  If the player chose Chikorita:



  If the player chose Cyndaquil:



  If the player chose Totodile:



Fifth battle

  If the player chose Chikorita:



  If the player chose Cyndaquil:



  If the player chose Totodile:



Sixth battle

  If the player chose Chikorita:



  If the player chose Cyndaquil:



  If the player chose Totodile:



Multi Battle with the player
 
Silver in the Dragon's Den

  If the player chose Chikorita:



  If the player chose Cyndaquil:



  If the player chose Totodile:



Rematches

  If the player chose Chikorita:



  If the player chose Cyndaquil:



  If the player chose Totodile:



In the side series games

Pokémon Stadium 2

Silver appears in Pokémon Stadium 2, where he's simply called "Rival". He can be battled in White City once the player has cleared every Stadium Mode and both Gym Leader Castles, acting as the final opponent of the game. His party consists of three Legendary Pokémon with a base stat total of 680, which the player is allowed to face with up to six Pokémon. Defeating Silver ends the game, and, in Round 1, also unlocks Round 2.

During the game's end credits, he is seen having a battle with Kris, facing her Suicune with his Ho-Oh.

Pokémon

Round 1



Round 2



In the spin-off games

Pokémon Masters EX

Main article: Silver (Masters)

Silver forms a sync pair with Ho-Oh, Feraligatr, Sneasel, and Shiny Tyranitar in Pokémon Masters EX. His Tyranitar is capable of Mega Evolving. Silver became a playable sync pair on April 30, 2020.

Silver has also made notable appearances in the game's Main Stories, Legendary Adventures and the Villain Arc.

Sync Dex Trainer NDex Pokémon Type Weakness Role Base Potential Availability
#091   Silver #0250   Ho-Oh
Fire
 
Water
 
  ★★★★★☆EX Legendary Adventures
Pure Hearts and Rainbow Wings
#091   Silver #0160   Feraligatr
Water
 
Electric
 
  ★★★★☆☆EX Trainer Lodge Friendship Level 100
#091   Sygna Suit
Silver
#0215   Sneasel  
Ice
 
Fighting
 
  ★★★★★☆EX Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#091   Champion
Silver
#0248   Tyranitar     
  Mega Tyranitar
Rock
 
Fighting
 
  ★★★★★☆EX Master Fair Sync Pair Scout

Gallery

Core series artwork

   
Official art from
Gold and Silver
Official art from
HeartGold and SoulSilver

Core series game assets

Generation II
     
Trainer sprite Trainer sprite used
after Victory Road
Overworld sprite
HeartGold and SoulSilver
       
Prototype
sprite
Reveal trailer
overworld sprite[6]
Trainer sprite Overworld
sprite
     
Back sprite VS sprite Opening sprite

Other game assets

Stadium 2
     
In-game art Portraits

Animation

 
The Legend of Thunder! settei by
Ken Sugimori

Other artwork

 
Game Freak website artwork

Quotes

Main article: Silver (game)/Quotes

Counterparts

In the anime

 
Silver in the anime

Main series

Silver's only appearance in the anime was a brief cameo, in the original Japanese opening of The Legend of Thunder!. In this opening, he was shown defeating Jimmy with his Nidoking, only to be defeated later on when Jimmy's Cyndaquil fully-evolved into Typhlosion.

Pokémon
 
Nidoking


Pokémon Generations

 
Young Silver in Pokémon Generations

Silver appeared in The Legacy. He was seen meeting up with Looker outside the Indigo Plateau, discussing his relationship and last meeting with Giovanni that ultimately led to their estrangement. During the conversation, Silver asserted that he decided to stay out of his father's affairs, telling Looker that it is his job to find Giovanni, before going off to face the Elite Four.

Voice actors
Language Voice actor
Japanese 逢坂良太 Ryōta Ōsaka
English Lucien Dodge
Brazilian Portuguese Eduardo Drummond
European Spanish Ángel de Gracia


GOTCHA!

Silver briefly appeared in GOTCHA!, with all three of the Johto first partner Pokémon.

In the manga

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

 
Silver in Pokémon Adventures
Main article: Black (Golden Boys)

The character Black who appears in Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga is based on Silver.

Pokémon Adventures

Main article: Silver (Adventures)

Silver's counterpart in the Pokémon Adventures manga is also named Silver. They share several similarities, such as stealing a first partner Pokémon from Professor Elm, in the manga's case, Totodile, owning a Sneasel, and being Giovanni's son. Unlike his game counterpart, however, he was initially unaware of his father's identity, due to being taken away from him at a young age.

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Main article: Tsubaki (JBA)

Tsubaki from Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure is based on Silver.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Main article: Silver (Pocket Monsters)

Silver has a counterpart in the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga named Silver.

In the TCG

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Silver or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Silver's Pokémon
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a silver background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Crobat    Lost Origin   TG20/TG30 VMAX Climax   243/184
 


Trivia

  • In the Generation II core series games, Silver is the only Pokémon Trainer non-player character who appears to have no Trainer class. For instance, simply "<name> wants to battle!".
    • However, in the game data, there are two separate Trainer classes sharing the same name: Rival (Japanese: ライバル Rival). Each of these Trainer classes corresponds to a different sprite used in-game. The Champion battle theme music plays when the player is battling the latter.
  • A 1997 pamphlet describing Gold and Silver mentions that the rival character lives in the same town as the protagonist. This aspect of his character was apparently discarded by the time of the final release, as his hometown was not elaborated upon in the games and it is implied to not be New Bark Town since he seems to be unfamiliar with Professor Elm's lab at the beginning of the game.
  • In Generation IV, Silver is depicted with two different eye colors. His eyes are gray in his Generation IV artwork while they are red in the HeartGold and SoulSilver games, as seen in the opening animation.
  • In the original Gold, Silver, and Crystal games, when battled at Indigo Plateau, the Champion theme is played instead of his rival theme.
  • The English script of the Celebi event in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver never states that Silver is Giovanni's son, unlike the Japanese script.
  • Silver has achieved a high score of 2000 at Pal Park, which serves as the default high score.
  • In the battle in the Goldenrod Tunnel in the remakes, his team when the player starts with Cyndaquil are all two levels lower than the same team he uses if the player were to start with another first partner Pokémon. This is presumably to make up for his Quilava not being fully-evolved.
  • In the original games, at level 16, Silver's Croconaw is underleveled in the second battle, when Totodile usually does not evolve into Croconaw until level 18. This is fixed in the remakes.
    • His Haunter was also underleveled at level 20 in the third battle, when Gastly usually does not evolve until level 25. This is fixed in the remakes where instead his Haunter remains a Gastly.
  • Silver is the first rival whose team does not change in accordance to his first partner Pokémon, nor does he have any types that cover for his first partner Pokémon's initial type.
  • Art of Silver on Game Freak's website depicts him with a Houndoom, despite not owning one within the games.
  • While Silver did not appear in the main anime series, he shares many similarities to Paul, who was Ash's main rival throughout Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. Like Silver, Paul believed in raising the power of his Pokémon through harsh training as opposed to forming a trusting relationship, which put him at odds with Ash throughout the series.

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese シルバー Shirubā From Pokémon Silver
English, French Silver From Pokémon Silver
German Silber From Pokémon Silberne Edition (Pokémon Silver)
Spanish Plata From Pokémon Edición Plata (Pokémon Silver)
Italian Argento From Pokémon Versione Argento (Pokémon Silver)
Korean 실버 Silbeo Transcription of his Japanese name
Chinese (Mandarin) 小銀 Xiǎo Yín From 銀 yín / ngàhn (silver)
Chinese (Cantonese) 小銀 Síu Ngàhn

Passerby Boy

Language Title
  French Passant Garçon
  German Passant Junge
  Italian Ragazzino Passante
  Korean 나그네 소년 Nageune Sonyeon
  Spanish Transeúnte Chico

References



Rival characters
Core series BlueSilverBrendan/MayWallyBarryCherenBiancaNHugh
Calem/SerenaShaunaTiernoTrevorHauGladionTrace
HopBedeMarnieKlaraAveryNemonaCarmineKieran
Spin-off games RonaldPauloLear


Non-player characters in the core series games
Johto Professor ElmProfessor OakMomEthanLyraSilverMr. PokémonEusineLanceRedKiyoBaobaMagnusEarlKurtCarrieDude
MaryBuenaRadio DirectorHaircut brothersWebsterMasterLiWilmaPrimoMaximoJetCaitlinCynthiaCameronMr. GameFelicityTeala
Team RocketGym guideGym LeadersFrontier BrainsKimono GirlsWeek SiblingsName RaterPoké SeerDay-Care CoupleProfessors' aides


Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series
Johto Ace Trainer*BeautyBikerBird KeeperBlack Belt*BoarderBug CatcherBurglarCamper
ChampionExecutive*FirebreatherFisherman*GentlemanGuitaristHikerJugglerKimono GirlLass
LeaderMediumPicnickerPokéfanPoké Maniac*PKMN TrainerPoliceman*PsychicRivalHGSSSage
SailorSchool Kid*ScientistSkierSuper NerdSwimmerTeacherTeam Rocket Grunt*TwinsYoungster
Mystery Man*CHGSSDouble TeamHGSSElderHGSSPasserbyHGSSYoung CoupleHGSS
Battle Frontier only:HGSS

Aroma LadyArtistBattle GirlCameramanClownCollectorCowgirlCyclistDragon TamerIdol
JoggerLadyNinja BoyParasol LadyPIPoké KidPKMN BreederPKMN RangerRancherReporter
Rich BoyRoughneckRuin ManiacSocialiteTuberVeteranWaiterWaitressWorker
Arcade StarCastle ValetFactory HeadHall MatronTower Tycoon


  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.