Hoenn characters, rivals and major trainers
Meet the important people in this adventure and understand their gameplay roles.
Spoiler notice: This guide discusses story progression or late-game content.
Original Game Boy Advance release; not Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire.
| Entry | Role or use |
|---|---|
| Brendan / May | Player and rival researcher |
| Professor Birch | Field researcher |
| Wally | Developing rival |
| Steven | Experienced trainer and stone enthusiast |
| Wallace and Juan | Champion and Sootopolis Gym Leader |
| Maxie and Archie | Leaders of Team Magma and Team Aqua |
Brendan / May
Player and rival researcher. The unselected character is Professor Birch’s child and meets you along the route. Your starter choice changes the opposing starter line.
Professor Birch
Field researcher. His opening rescue introduces your starter and the Hoenn Pokédex. Treat his research milestones separately from earning badges.
Wally
Developing rival. 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.
Steven
Experienced trainer and stone enthusiast. 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.
Wallace and Juan
Champion and Sootopolis Gym Leader. Juan handles the eighth Gym in Emerald, while Wallace leads the League. Both reward preparation against Water teams, but their battles require separate plans.
Maxie and Archie
Leaders of Team Magma and Team Aqua. Both teams affect Emerald’s story. Continue the current team-related objective when major environmental events interrupt ordinary Gym progression.
This is a curated reference to important entries, not a complete database. Follow the edition note: later remakes may change availability, names or mechanics.