Li
Elder (Japanese: ちょうろう Elder) is a type of Pokémon Trainer that first debuted in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions. The only Trainer of this sort is Li (Japanese: コウセイ Kōsei), the Eldest of Sprout Tower Sages. The sprite appears as Chinese or Japanese descent. It features an elderly nearly bald man in a large purple robe covering the most of his body, with a yellow robe covered over his right shoulder with the appearance of Poké Balls in a square pattern. This attire is typical of Buddhist monks in Japan.
The title existed in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal but wasn't a Trainer class until Generation IV. Instead, it was just a honorific title that Sages used when referring to Li. Before the introduction of the class, Li simply belonged to the Sage class.
Although he cannot be battled, the Elder in the Dragon's Den has the same overworld sprite as the Elder in the Sprout Tower.
Appearance
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Trainer List
Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
| Trainer name | Battle | Winnings | Pokémon | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elder Li | Initial battle | $1200 |  Lv.7 |
 Lv.10 |
Lv.7 |
------- | ------- | ------- |
Quotes
Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal
"So good of you to come here! Sprout Tower is a place of training. People and Pokémon test their bonds to build a bright future together. I am the final test. Allow me to check the ties between your Pokémon and you!"
"Ah, excellent!"
"You and your Pokémon should have no problem using this move. Take this Flash HM. Flash illuminates even the darkest of all places. But to use it out of battle, you need the Badge from Violet’s Gym."
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
"You showed us what you’ve got and it’s indeed good… Take this Technical Machine. However, you should care more about your Pokémon. The way you treat your Pokémon can be too harsh… Remember, Pokémon are not tools of war…"
"So good of you to come here! Sprout Tower is a place of training. People and Pokémon test their bonds to build a bright future together. I am the final test. Allow me to check the ties between you and your Pokémon!"
"Ah, excellent!"
"Hmm...The way you battle is quite elegant. You should be able to stand up to Falkner. And you should be able to make good use of this...It is a Technical Machine called Flash. Take it with you! When a Pokémon learns Flash, you can illuminate caves no matter how dark they may be. You can try it on Bellsprout for example..."
"I hope you learn and grow from your journey."
Trivia
- In Pokémon Gold and Silver, his original Trainer class of Sage Li may have been a pun on the world sagely.
- Despite officially being of the Trainer class "Elder" in HeartGold and SoulSilver, his title outside of battle in Gold and Silver was "Elder," so in both generation of games, his title and name as Elder Li may have been a pun on the word elderly.
Names
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 長老のコウセイ Chōrō no Kōsei | |
| English | Elder Li | From light, Flash's source of power. |
| French | Ancien Joachim*/Jehan* | |
| German | Weisester Marek | |
| Italian | Anziano Vico | |
| Spanish | Anciano Anselmo | |
| Korean | 장로 청성 Jangro Cheongseong |
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This Trainer Class article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games. |