Hoenn characters, rivals and major trainers

Meet the important people in this adventure and understand their gameplay roles.

Story and late-game spoilers.

6 characters · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.

Character directory

Player and rival researcher

Brendan / May

The unselected character is Professor Birch’s child and meets you along the route. Your starter choice changes the opposing starter line.

Field researcher

Professor Birch

His opening rescue introduces your starter and the Hoenn Pokédex. Treat his research milestones separately from earning badges.

Developing rival

Wally

You help him catch his first Pokémon and later face a much stronger team. His story illustrates why supporting partners matter more than one overlevelled starter.

Experienced trainer and stone enthusiast

Steven

Steven is an important ally, but Wallace is Emerald’s League Champion. Advice written for Ruby and Sapphire can describe the wrong final League opponent.

Champion and Sootopolis Gym Leader

Wallace and Juan

Juan handles the eighth Gym in Emerald, while Wallace leads the League. Both reward preparation against Water teams, but their battles require separate plans.

Leaders of Team Magma and Team Aqua

Maxie and Archie

Both teams affect Emerald’s story. Continue the current team-related objective when major environmental events interrupt ordinary Gym progression.