33. POKÉMON TRAINER (SQUIRTLE, IVYSAUR, CHARIZARD)

Franchise / home series: Pokémon
Notable non-Smash games: Pokémon Red & Blue (1996); Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen (2004)

Pokémon Trainer debuted in Brawl as a unique character concept: a trainer commanding three Kanto starters—Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard—from the background. This design captured the essence of the Pokémon series by having the trainer swap between different team members mid-battle.

In Smash, Pokémon Trainer’s core mechanic is switching between Squirtle (light, fast, combo-heavy), Ivysaur (mid-range zoner with disjointed vines), and Charizard (heavyweight with strong power and recovery). Brawl introduced stamina and forced switching, giving a layered strategic dynamic to managing the trio. While this system was complex, it also made Pokémon Trainer one of the most distinctive fighters in the game.

In Ultimate, Pokémon Trainer returned with stamina removed and free-form switching, drastically improving viability and flexibility. The character now exemplifies team-based strategy in Smash, allowing players to adapt to matchups and situations by rotating between three well-defined playstyles that mirror the feel of building and using a balanced Pokémon team.