Friend: Difference between revisions

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[[File:SM Ending Screen Female Default.png|thumb|Photograph of [[Selene (game)|Selene]] with her friends, [[Hau]] and [[Lillie]]]]

'''Friends''' are reoccurring main characters in the [[Pokémon games]] that the player character may interact with over the course of their [[Pokémon journey|journey]]. These characters take personal interest in the player, and often share a bond either at the start, before, or at the end of the story. Friends may accompany the player over the course of the game, form a [[rival|rivalry]] with them, or in some cases, both. These characters, may or may not share similar goals with the player, often having their own motivation and aspirations. Most, but not all, friends can be spoken or interacted with in a game's post-adventure, showing improvement or character development.

The term was used specifically in certain [[Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: Super Music Collection|track titles]] in {{g|X and Y}} being used as a leitmotif for when the player met up with their friend group. Otherwise, characters in-game may refer to the player as one of their friends. '''Friendly rival''' is a common fan-term, used to refer to certain rival characters who are non-antagonistic towards the player.

In the core series, the player is usually met with a character that can be considered a friend. This character archetype was first displayed in [[Generation I]], where [[Blue (game)|Blue]] is considered to have been friends with the player since they were young. The player's friends usually appear already having a Pokémon before they are met, as is the case with [[Nemona]], [[Hop]] or [[Hau]], or they start their journey at the same time as them, picking their [[Starter Pokémon]] based on what the player has already chosen, as in the case with Blue and [[Shauna]]. Starting in {{g|Black and White}}, many of these characters form friend groups and starter their journey together, either splitting up at a certain point and reforming later, or travel with the player.

Since some of these characters already have some experience with Pokémon, these characters often tutor the player on [[catch|catching]] Pokémon. Friendly [[rival|rivalries]] may be created with the character and the player, in which a friend may participate in the player's first [[Pokémon battle]], serving as a tutorial in such circumstances. Over the course of the game, these friendly rivals may appear throughout the game challenging the player and getting stronger. Some characters, such as [[N]], are antagonistic to the player and may be affiliated with a [[Villainous team|sinister organization]] and will later become more friendly with the player by the end of the story.

Friends who provide no interest in rivaling the player in battle may reoccur and interact with the player in different ways, as in the case with [[Lillie]], who often provides support and healing of the player's party, having no interest in Pokémon battles. [[Trevor]] and [[Tierno]], two friends that the player meets in {{g|X and Y}}, despite battling the player, have no interest in surpassing the character in that field either. Trevor specifically wanting to rival the player in [[Pokédex]] information and completion, rather than having a typical rivalry. [[Arven]] welcomes the player on his journey through [[Paldea]], encouraging them to help with finding [[Herba Mystica]].

Starting in [[Generation III]], most friends typically have their [[trainer class]] as [[Pokémon Trainer]]. However, this class isn't exclusive to them, and some may not use this trainer class, using another instead depending on their situation in the game. Some change their trainer class throughout the game. Not all of the player's friends have participated in battle against them, if they battle at all.

The following are the characters considered to be friends in the games.

{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|20px}} border: 4px solid #BABACC; background:#F3F3FF"

| style="background:#D1D1E6; {{roundytl|15px}}" | {{gameabbrev1|RGBY}}{{gameabbrev3|FRLG}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev7|PE}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev2|GSC}}{{gameabbrev4|HGSS}}

| colspan="2" style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev4|HGSS}}

| colspan="3" style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev3|RSE}}{{gameabbrev6|ORAS}}

| colspan="3" style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev4|DPPt}}{{gameabbrev8|BDSP}}

| colspan="3" style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev5|BW}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6; {{roundytr|15px}}" | {{gameabbrev5|B2W2}}

| style="background: #{{green color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Lets Go Pikachu Eevee Rival.png|x100px]]

| style="background: #{{tcg grass color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Wally.png|x100px]]

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Blue (game)|Blue}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Trace (game)|Trace}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Silver (game)|Silver}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Ethan (game)|Ethan}}<ref group="fn" name="fo">Only if the female player character is picked.</ref>

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Lyra (game)|Lyra}}<ref group="fn" name="mo">Only if the male player character is picked.</ref>

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Brendan (game)|Brendan}}<ref group="fn" name="fo">Only if the female player character is picked.</ref>

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|May (game)|May}}<ref group="fn" name="mo">Only if the male player character is picked.</ref>

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Wally (game)|Wally}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Lucas (game)|Lucas}}<ref group="fn" name="fo">Only if the female player character is picked.</ref>

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Dawn (game)|Dawn}}<ref group="fn" name="mo">Only if the male player character is picked.</ref>

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Barry (game)|Barry}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Cheren}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Bianca (game)|Bianca}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|N}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Hugh}}

| colspan="5" style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev6|XY}}

| colspan="3" style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev7|SMUSUM}}

| colspan="3" style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev8|SwSh}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev8|Sw}}'''{{color2|{{stamina color dark}}|The Isle of Armor|IoA}}'''

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev8|Sh}}'''{{color2|{{stamina color dark}}|The Isle of Armor|IoA}}'''

| colspan="2" style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{gameabbrev8|LA}}

| style="background: #{{legends arceus color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Legends Arceus Rei.png|x100px]]

| style="background: #{{legends arceus color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Legends Arceus Akari.png|x100px]]

|-

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Serena (game)|Serena}}<ref group="fn" name="mo"/>

| style="background:#D1D1E6" {{roundybl|15px}} | {{color2|000|Nemona}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Arven}}

| style="background:#D1D1E6; {{roundybr|15px}}" | {{color2|000|Penny}}

[[File:Ash and friends JN OP 5.png|thumb|250px|Photographs of Ash and his traveling companions]]

{{main|Ash's Friends}}

[[Ash Ketchum|Ash]] has traveled within a group of friends throughout the course of the anime. While Ash typically travels with the same group of friends though a series, he some characters, such as [[Korrina (anime)|Korrina]] will drop in and out of the group for a number of episodes in a row.

[[Blue (origins)|Blue]] appears in [[Pokémon Origins]], being in a similar role as he had in the video games. Unlike in the games, rather than just being [[Red (Origins)|Red]]'s rival, he helps assist Red in some situations involving [[Team Rocket]].

* {{ga|Silver}} appears ad the main character of ''[[PG05|The Legacy]]''. He is not shown interacting with the protagonist.

The episode, ''[[TW03|Buddy]]'' focuses on Hop and his {{p|Wooloo}}. Hop also makes cameo appearances in ''[[TW01|Letter]]'' and ''[[TW02|Training]]''. [[Bede]] and [[Marnie]] make minor appearances in ''[[TW07|Sky]]'' and ''[[TW04|Early-Evening Waves]]'' respectively. While [[Avery]] and [[Klara]] make a small appearance in ''[[TW08|The Gathering of Stars]]''.

* ''[[PE02|The Eclipse]]'' primarily focuses on [[Lillie]], who, by receiving help from {{ga|Selene}}, journeys to the [[Altar of the Moone]] in order to [[evolve]] [[Nebby]], and save [[Lusamine|her mother]]. [[Gladion]] and [[Hau]] also appear in a flashback, in which they, Lillie, Selene, and [[Guzma]] all witness Lusamine use Nebby's power to open an [[Ultra Wormhole]] at [[Aether Paradise]].

* In ''[[PE03|The Visionary]]'', {{ga|Shauna}} and {{ga|Serena}} were seen helping {{ga|Calem}} put an end to [[Team Flare]]'s plans. Serena, while in her NPC appearance, is in her design when chosen as the player. Neither character has a speaking role.

* In ''[[PE04|The Plan]]'', [[Cheren]] appears in a flashback.

* Focusing on {{ga|Barry}}, ''[[PE05|The Rival]]'', goes through the events of {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s|Pokémon Diamond}}'s in a series of flashbacks from his perspective.

{{Incomplete|needs=Needs the Cheren, Tierno, Hau, Hop, Barry, and Nemona cards}}

[[File:FriendsinGalarSilverTempestTG23.jpg|thumb|250px|the ''[[Friends in Galar (Brilliant Stars 140)|Friends in Galar]]'' card from [[Brilliant Stars (TCG)|Brilliant Stars]].]]

In the TCG, a number of characters appear both in groups and singular cards based on the player's friends and rivals. Starting in the [[Sun & Moon TCG Series merchandise|Sun & Moon era]], cards based on a group of friends from the video games have been displayed.

{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Brilliant Stars|Friends in Galar|140}}|type=Supporter|standard=yes|enset=Brilliant Stars|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=140/172|jpset=VMAX Climax|jprarity=U|jpnum=149/184|enset2=Silver Tempest|enrarity2=Rare Secret|ennum2=TG23/TG30|jpset2=VMAX Climax|jprarity2=SR|jpnum2=258/184}}

*Ethan and Lyra are currently the only friend characters to not participate in battle either against or partnering with the player character.

**They do however serve as the catch tutorial in HeartGold and SoulSilver, being shown capable of battle.

**Before Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Lillie was the first one to not appear in any sort of battle at all

*Out of the playable characters in [[Pokémon Masters EX]], [[Lillie (Masters)|Lillie]] is the only friend to not have the either the Main Character or Rival theme skills.