Roark

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Roark
ヒョウタ Hyouta
"Call me Roark the Rock!"
Diamond Pearl Roark.png
Art from Diamond and Pearl
Gender Male
Eye color Cordovan
Hair color Cordovan
Hometown Oreburgh City
Region Sinnoh
Relatives Byron (father),
Underground Man (grandfather),
Unnamed mother (anime)
Trainer class Gym LeaderDPPt
Pokémon TrainerB2W2
Generation IV, V
Games Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
Black 2 and White 2, Masters
Leader of Oreburgh Gym
Badge Coal Badge
Specializes in Rock types
English voice actor Alejandro Saab (Masters)
Japanese voice actor Kenji Nojima (Masters)
Animated debut Shapes of Things to Come!
English voice actor Craig Blair
Zoe Martin (child)
Japanese voice actor Masataka Azuma
Satsuki Yukino (child)

Roark (Japanese: ヒョウタ Hyouta) is the Gym Leader of Oreburgh City's Gym, known officially as the Oreburgh Gym. He hands out the Coal Badge to Trainers who defeat him. He specializes in Rock-type Pokémon. He is Byron's son and the grandson of the Underground Man.

In the games

Roark's team is made up entirely of Rock-type Pokémon. After he is defeated, he will give the player the Coal Badge and TM76 (Stealth Rock); the Badge gives the player the ability to use Rock Smash outside of battle. Roark, as the Oreburgh Mine's safety supervisor, lets the Trainers of Oreburgh train in the mines. Despite his young age, he keeps the mine running safely and efficiently. After losing, he feels embarrassed that his Cranidos lost to a Trainer without any Badges and cautions the protagonist that the following leaders are a lot tougher. Roark later appears in the Underground, welcoming the player on their first visit there, and explaining a handful of features of the area. Like the other Gym Leaders, he can be fought again at the Battleground in Platinum Version.

As a child, Roark spent a significant amount of time playing on Iron Island.

Apparently, Riley was considered for position of Oreburgh Gym Leader first, but he declined and suggested Roark for the position, and Roark was instead instated.

Pokémon

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl



Pokémon Platinum

Gym battle



Rematch



Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Pokémon World Tournament

Roark uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles, four in Double and Rotation Battles, and all six in Triple Battles. He will always lead with his signature Pokémon, Rampardos.

Sinnoh Leaders Tournament



Type Expert/World Leaders Tournament



Quotes

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum

Oreburgh Mine
"OK, stand back and watch this. Using the hidden move Rock Smash, a boulder blocking your way..."
"Fallen boulders need to be smashed so they're out of the way. If you could get the Badge from the Gym in town, you'd be able to do this too. Of course, you'd have to beat the Gym Leader first. That'd be me!"
Oreburgh Gym
  • Before battle
"Welcome! This is the Oreburgh Pokémon Gym! I'm Roark, the Gym Leader! I'm but one Trainer who decided to walk proudly with Rock-type Pokémon! As the Gym Leader, I need to see your potential as a Trainer. And, I'll need to see the toughness of the Pokémon that battle with you!"
  • After the opponent sends out their last Pokémon
"Think you can take down the next Pokémon like you did earlier?"
  • When the opponent's last Pokémon is at critical health
"No way! Not yet! Not giving up!"
  • Upon being defeated
"W-what? That can't be! My buffed-up Pokémon!"
  • After being defeated
"This is embarrassing... I went and lost to a Trainer who didn't have a single Gym Badge... But that's tough. You were strong, and I was weak. That's all there is. According to Pokémon League rules, I have to give you our Gym Badge since you've beaten me, the Leader. Here's your official Pokémon League Coal Badge."
"Having that Coal Badge means your Pokémon can now use the hidden move Rock Smash outside of battle. You should also take this, too."
"That TM76 contains the move Stealth Rock. It's a move that inflicts damage on foes that switch into battle. Incidentally, a TM will teach its move to a Pokémon instantly. But a TM will break when you use it, so make certain you want a Pokémon to learn that move."
  • If talked to again
"In this region of Sinnoh, there are seven other Gym Leaders. I should warn you — they're a lot tougher than I am!"
The Underground
"Hey! <Player>! Is this maybe your first time here? Welcome to Sinnoh's Underground! Huh? Where is this, you ask? Doesn't the Radar make it obvious? This is a giant underground network of passages underneath Sinnoh. Huh? What am I doing down in this expanse of a place? That's kind of hard to answer. I mean, you can do pretty much anything you want down here. For instance, you can dig up Treasure, Spheres, and make a Secret Base. You can play with your friends down here, too. You should talk to the Underground Man in Eterna City. I have to get going now. I'll see you around!"
Resort AreaPt
"Hi! Could I take a peek inside your Villa?"
Yes: "Thanks!"
No: "...Oh, sorry. Am I intruding on something?"
VillaPt
  • Any of the following
"The Underground extends even underneath the Resort Area. I wonder... If I really tried, would I be able to extend it to even places like Kanto and Johto?"
"If it were me, I would display the things I dig up. You know, from places like the mine and the Underground. I would turn the place into my personal museum."
"If it were me, I'd like to put a Fossil over there. You don't think so? No? I think a Fossil would match this decor."
"This place feels different from an underground Secret Base. That reminds me: what color is your underground Flag now?"
"What I think about while digging underground... What did the Pokémon see before they became Fossils? I'd love to go back and see them as they were back then."
Battleground

If Byron is not at the Battleground

  • Before battle
"Would you like to battle? You'll get to see a different me than you saw at my Gym."
Yes: "I've got a TYRANITAR I'm going to send out. It's tougher than even my dad's AGGRON!"
No: "Hmm... That's a heartbreaking answer."
If talked to again after the player answered "No": "Oh, you do want to battle?"
  • When the opponent's last Pokémon is at critical health
"No way! Not yet! Not giving up!"
  • Upon being defeated
"W-what? That can't be! My buffed-up Pokémon!"
  • After being defeated
"Pokémon from ancient times... Fossils that are yet to be discovered... I wonder if I can find new Fossils if I dig all over Sinnoh?"

If Byron is also at the Battleground

  • Before battle
"I went down to the Underground every day. I toughened up my Pokémon by digging up Fossils nonstop. Could I show you how tough I made them in a battle?"
Yes: "Here goes! These are my rocking Pokémon, my pride and joy!"
No: "This is another topic, but you know those Spheres you can dig up? Yes, those Spheres. The ones in the Underground. Why do you suppose Spheres grow if you leave them buried? It's not a huge issue or anything, but doesn't it strike you as odd?"
If talked to again after the player answered "No": "Look, can I have some time? I feel lucky to have run into you here, so can I challenge you to a battle?"
  • When the opponent's last Pokémon is at critical health
"No way! Not yet! Not giving up!"
  • Upon being defeated
"W-what? That can't be! My buffed-up Pokémon!"
  • After being defeated
"When I became a Gym Leader, I finally realized how great my dad is. Not that I'd ever admit that to him, of course."
  • If talked to again
"...We lost control there. Next time I'd like to challenge you to a Fossil-digging race underground."

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Pokémon World Tournament
  • Before battle (first round)
"I need to see your potential as a Trainer. And, I'll need to see the toughness of the Pokémon that battle with you!"
  • Before battle (second round)
"Every day, I toughened myself up by digging up Fossils nonstop. Could I show you how tough I am in a battle?"
  • Before battle (final round)
"Here goes! This'll be a rocking battle!"
  • Upon being defeated
"Wh-what? That can't be! My buffed-up Pokémon!"
  • If the player is defeated
"See? I'm proud of my rocking battle style!"
  • After battle (if the player won)
"...We lost control there. Next time, I'd like to challenge you to Fossil-digging race underground in the Sinnoh region."
  • After battle (if the player lost)
"Thanks! The battle gave me confidence that I may be able to beat my dad!"
  • In the lobby (after the tournament)
"With skill like yours, it's natural for you to win. Still, wasn't it hard to train Pokémon that much? By the way, are there any Fossils in Nacrene City's museum?"

Sprites

Spr DP Roark.png Spr Pt Roark.png Spr B2W2 Roark.png VSRoark.png Spr Masters Roark.png
Sprite from
Diamond and Pearl
Sprite from
Platinum
Sprite from
Black 2 and White 2
VS sprite from
Platinum
Model from
Masters
Roark IV OD.png Roark OD.png File:Badge Case Roark.png VSRoark Masters.png
Overworld sprite from
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
Overworld sprite from
Black 2 and White 2
Sprite from the Badge Case VS Model from
Masters

In the anime

Roark in the anime

Roark is the Oreburgh City Gym Leader as well as the foreman of the Oreburgh Mine and the chief of Ancient Pokémon Expedition Operations.

Roark first appeared in Shapes of Things to Come!, in which he was seen excavating for buried fossils at the Oreburgh Mine. He later battled Paul, during which he demonstrated his strong abilities, even beating Paul's Azumarill with his Geodude. However, his powerhouse, Cranidos, was not powerful enough to defeat Elekid. With this victory, Paul earned the Coal Badge from Roark.

Following his defeat, Roark recovered and battled Ash the following day in A Gruff Act to Follow!. Roark's Cranidos quickly knocked out Aipom, Ash was later forced to recall Pikachu as well, but Turtwig’s super effective Razor Leaf attacks led to Cranidos's defeat. Onix made quick work of Turtwig in the next round, then its Screech attack knocked Pikachu out and Ash was left defeated.

In Wild in the Streets!, Roark used Cranidos to confront a wild Aerodactyl which had been released into Oreburgh City by Team Rocket. While Dawn had her Piplup and Buneary pin Aerodactyl to the ground, Cranidos later evolved into Rampardos and sent Team Rocket blasting off.

In O'er the Rampardos we Watched, Ash challenged Roark in a rematch. Onix and Geodude were defeated by Ash's Pikachu and Aipom respectively. His powerhouse Rampardos battled against Ash's whole team, but it was knocked out by Turtwig. Being the victor, Ash earned his first Sinnoh League Badge, the Coal Badge.

A younger Roark with his first Fossil

He reappeared in Ancient Family Matters!, where he confronted his father Byron in Canalave City over some family tensions. Roark revealed that his father left the Oreburgh Gym to him after he was requested to take over the Canalave Gym. Roark was shocked and saddened by his father's sudden departure, thinking that he didn't care what happened to him or his mother. The pair argued over who loved fossils the most, and it escalated into a battle. Byron's Bastiodon and Roark's Rampardos were evenly matched, but the battle was interrupted after Team Rocket set off alarms when they stole Byron's fossil collection. The father and son duo joined forces to defeat Team Rocket, and Pikachu sent Team Rocket blasting off. Later, Byron revealed that he had always treasured a fossil of a Sunkern's leaf that Roark had given to him as a child ten years earlier, and Roark accepted that his father did care about him all along.

In Dealing With Defensive Types!, he was the referee for Ash's Gym battle against Byron.

Roark made a cameo appearance during the ending credits of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

Character

Roark is a compassionate individual who often complements his challengers on their strategies during a Gym battle. Roark is ambitious, but he puts a lot of pressure on himself to perform his best in his leading roles at the Oreburgh Mines and as Gym Leader. He also shares his father Byron's enthusiasm for fossil Pokémon, and has deep interests in investigating the past.

Roark has trained his Pokémon to be fast and relentless in battle. While his style of battle is largely offense based, his defense strategies however are much like his father. He utilizes his Pokémon's Abilities to combat status condition ailments and negate damage, while the move Stealth Rock causes damage to any of the opponent's substituted Pokémon before the round begins.

Pokémon

This listing is of Roark's known Pokémon in the anime:

Geodude
Roark's Geodude
Debut Shapes of Things to Come!
Voice actors
Japanese Shin'ichirō Miki
English Michael Haigney

Geodude was the first Pokémon Roark used against Paul. It first battled Paul's Azumarill, and despite being at a major disadvantage, it defeated the Aqua Rabbit Pokémon as if it were nothing. Geodude then went up against Elekid, and this time it had a type advantage, but it was defeated by a single super effective Brick Break attack. It was also used as the second Pokémon in Ash's rematch and faced Aipom. Although it put up a good fight, Aipom's speed and agility turned out to be too much for Geodude, causing it to be defeated by her powerful Focus Punch.

Geodude's known moves are Hidden Power, Rollout, and Seismic Toss.

Onix
Roark's Onix
Debut Shapes of Things to Come!
Voice actors
Japanese Unshō Ishizuka
English Unshō Ishizuka

The powerhouse of Roark's team, Onix was used as Roark's second Pokémon during his match against Paul. It first went up against Elekid and while it was able to weaken it, Onix was struck by Elekid's Static and was paralyzed, allowing it to be defeated by Chimchar. Onix was also used during Roark's first match against Ash and easily won the battle, knocking out an already exhausted Turtwig and Pikachu. During the rematch, Pikachu made up for his loss and defeated Onix with Iron Tail.

It reappeared in a flashback in Dealing With Defensive Types!.

Onix's known moves are Slam, Double-Edge, Stealth Rock, and Screech, and its Ability is Rock Head.

Cranidos → Rampardos
Roark's Rampardos
Debut Shapes of Things to Come!
Voice actors
Japanese Kenta Miyake
English Kenta Miyake
Main article: Roark's Rampardos

Rampardos is Roark's main Pokémon. It first appeared as a Cranidos. It was used to battle Paul, but lost. Then, against Ash, it won. It's rock hard head and incredible speed make it a difficult opponent, and it was shown to be able to launch itself into the air making it also good against Flying Pokémon. While battling Team Rocket, it evolved into Rampardos. In the rematch, Rampardos defeated Ash's Aipom followed by Pikachu, and it almost defeated Turtwig, but Turtwig managed to win.

It reappeared in Ancient Family Matters!, where it battled against Byron's Bastiodon.

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 我妻正崇 Masataka Azuma
雪野五月 Satsuki Yukino (child)
English Craig Blair
Zoe Martin (child)
Czech Pavel Tesař
Jana Páleníčková (child)
Finnish Aku Laitinen (DP015-DP018)
Petrus Kähkönen (DP107-DP108)
European French David Macaluso
Polish Grzegorz Pierczyński
Katarzyna Łaska (child)
Brazilian Portuguese Sérgio Corsetti (DP015-DP018)
Yuri Chesman (DP107-DP108)
Spanish Latin America Ricardo Mendoza (DP015-DP018)
Ignacio Casas (DP107-DP108)
Spain Cholo Moratalla
Mar Bordallo (child)


In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Roark and his Cranidos with Gardenia and her Roserade

Roark first appears arriving in Oreburgh City after exploring the underground with the Underground Man at Eterna City and speaking with his father, Byron, at Canalave City. He meets Platinum, a new Trainer who wishes to challenge and sets up a match for the next day.

The next day, Platinum challenges the Oreburgh Gym for their match. After getting through the Trainers inside, she faces Roark in an official Gym battle. In the match, Roark's Cranidos proves to be a powerful opponent for Platinum's Piplup, but the match eventually ends in Platinum's favor. Defeated, Roark awards Platinum with her first Badge, the Coal Badge. Later, he talks with Byron over the phone about his recent loss to Platinum and they begin talking about another subject.

Later, it is revealed that the aforementioned subject was about a mysterious group that had been going in and out of Canalave to read ancient texts at the library. With the recent disappearance of two scientists, Roark worries that his father would start jumping to conclusions about the littlest things. Later, when Byron is forced to find her, Maylene, and Platinum someone to train them so they can confront Team Galactic, he considers Roark at first but soon changes his mind to Volkner.

Later, Roark, along with Fantina and Gardenia, faces the Team Galactic Commanders on the Spear Pillar. After Candice, Maylene, Byron, and Crasher Wake join the fight, Roark and Fantina team up to face Saturn. Eventually, they emerge victorious and attempt to fight Cyrus before he can finish his ritual. Due to a rift in space-time, they are forced to use the Sinnoh Underground to get to Cyrus, but they manage to come up right at the exact spot he was in.

All the Gym Leaders attempt to stop Cyrus's plan by breaking one of his Red Chains. Though a difficult struggle, they manage to succeed, but they bring upon Cyrus's wrath in the process and are defeated.

After the final battle with Cyrus ends, Roark and the other Gym Leaders are taken to a hospital due to their heavy injuries.

Pokémon

This listing is of Roark's Pokémon in the Pokémon Adventures manga.

Egg → Cranidos → Rampardos
Roark's Rampardos
Main article: Roark's Rampardos

Roark received Rampardos when it was an Egg prior to its debut and it eventually hatched into a Cranidos. Roark used it during Platinum's first Gym challenge. It was able to weaken her Piplup with Shock Wave as Roark was aware of the type disadvantage his Pokémon had with Water types. However, even with its Double Team it was defeated by the Penguin Pokémon's Water Pulse which confused it and it knocked itself out.

In Brash Bronzong I, Cranidos evolved into a Rampardos.

Onix
Roark's Onix

Roark used his Onix during Platinum's Gym battle after switching out Cranidos. It was able to defeat Platinum's Ponyta but lost to her Piplup despite being hit by the effect of Stealth Rock.

Onix's known moves are Double-Edge, Stealth Rock, and Slam, and its Ability is Rock Head.

In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga

Roark first appeared in Oreburgh City after Hareta had been kidnapped by Galactic Grunts, defeating them with his Cranidos. Afterwards Hareta challenged him to a Gym battle. Using a combination of Bide, Bubble Beam and the Oran Berry Roark had given him, Hareta managed to defeat Roark and earn the Coal Badge.

Pokémon

Cranidos
Roark's Cranidos
Main article: Roark's Cranidos

Roark's Cranidos was used to rescue Hareta after he was tied up by Wurmple's String Shot. Then, he used it in Hareta's Gym battle and lost to his Piplup with the help of an Oran Berry Roark gave earlier.

Geodude
Roark's Geodude

Geodude appeared in a flashback where it tried to comfort Roark when he was young after Byron pushed him too hard to become a Gym Leader.

None of Geodude's moves are known.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Roark in Pocket Monsters DP

Roark made an appearance in PMDP07.

Pokémon

Roark Cranidos PMDP.png
Cranidos


In the TCG

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Roark or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Roark's Pokémon
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Rampardos Pokémon GL Fighting Rising Rivals Rare Holo 11/111 Bonds to the End of Time Rare Holo 051/090
Aerodactyl Pokémon GL Fighting Rising Rivals Common 55/111 Bonds to the End of Time Uncommon 049/090
 


Trivia

  • His Japanese Leader title is ザ・ロックと いわれた おとこ.
  • Roark is the third Gym Leader encountered first in the region that uses Rock-type Pokémon, the other two being Brock and Roxanne.
  • He and his father's Badges are references to the term Coal Mine. Plus, they both have mines in or near their respective town (Oreburgh Mine and Iron Island, which was once a mine).
  • He is the only Sinnoh Gym Leader not to use any fully evolved Pokémon in his Gym battle in the games.
  • He is the only Gym Leader to have a parent that is a Gym Leader in the same region at the same time.

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese ヒョウタ Hyouta From 瓢箪 hyōtan (calabash gourd), matching with his father Tougan who is named after the wax gourd
English Roark From rock and ore
German Veit From Eveit (eveite), a mineral isostructural with adamite which matches his father's German name Adam
Spanish Roco From roca (rock)
French Pierrick From pierre (stone)
Italian Pedro From pietra (stone)
Korean 강석 Gangseok From 강 (强) gang (strong) and 석 (石) seok (rock) or 광석 (礦石) gwangseok (ore)
Chinese (Mandarin) 瓢太 Piáotài​ From the Japanese name 瓢太 Hyōta. Shares the character 瓜 with his father's name 東瓜.
Chinese (Cantonese) 瓢太 Pìuhtaai
Russian Рорк Rork Transcription of his English name
Vietnamese Hyota Transcription of his Japanese name


Related articles

References

Gym Leaders of the Sinnoh region
Oreburgh Gym Coal Badge
Badge Case Roark VIII.png
Roark
Eterna Gym Forest Badge
Badge Case Gardenia VIII.png
Gardenia
Veilstone Gym Cobble Badge
Badge Case Maylene VIII.png
Maylene
Pastoria Gym Fin Badge
Badge Case Crasher Wake VIII.png
Crasher Wake
Hearthome Gym Relic Badge
Badge Case Fantina VIII.png
Fantina
Canalave Gym Mine Badge
Badge Case Byron VIII.png
Byron
Snowpoint Gym Icicle Badge
Badge Case Candice VIII.png
Candice
Sunyshore Gym Beacon Badge
Badge Case Volkner VIII.png
Volkner
Characters appearing in Pokémon Masters EX
Pasio ScottieBettieLearRachelSawyerPauloTina
Kanto BrockMistyLt. SurgeErikaBlaineLoreleiBrunoAgathaJanineKogaBlueGiovanniLeafLanceProfessor OakRedSabrinaJessieJamesAshElaineChase
Johto KrisBugsyWhitneyPryceClairWillKarenLyraEthanSilverJasmineMortyFalknerEusineArcherArianaPetrelProtonChuck
Hoenn BrendanRoxanneBrawlyFlanneryNormanWinonaTateLizaPhoebeDrakeNolandGlaciaZinniaStevenWallaceWallyLucyLisiaMayMaxieArchieSidneyCourtneyGreta
Sinnoh BarryRoarkGardeniaMayleneCrasher WakeCandiceFlintThortonCherylMarleyCynthiaFantinaDawnCyrusVolknerDarachLucasAaronBerthaLucianLookerAdamanIridaPalmerArgentaAkariReiRileyDahliaVolo
Unova RosaClaySkylaBrycenIrisRoxieMarlonShauntalMarshalCherenHilbertHildaElesaCaitlinGrimsleyBurghAlderNateBiancaNGhetsisIngoEmmetHughColressLenoraBrycen-ManBellelba
Kalos GrantKorrinaRamosWulfricSieboldWikstromViolaCalemValerieClemontSerenaLysandreProfessor SycamoreDianthaEvelynNitaHelenaKaliShaunaEmmaOlympiaDrasnaDanaKatherineTiernoMorganMalvaTrevorSinaDexio
Alola HauSophoclesMinaOliviaHapuKahiliNanuAcerolaKukuiPlumeriaGuzmaLusamineGladionLillieMolayneMallowSeleneElioLanaKiaweHalaThe Masked RoyalNaomiAnabelRyuki
Galar GloriaPiersLeonMarnieRaihanNessaBeaHopAllisterSoniaBedeGordieMelonyVictorBall GuyRoseOleanaEvePeteyKabuKlaraAveryMilo
Paldea NemonaPennyIonoGrushaGeetaJacqRikaPoppyLarryArvenGiacomoClavellEri
NPCs Professor BellisTristaTriciaTrinniaMeowthTabithaMattShellyMarsJupiterSaturnCilanChiliCressKiyoShadow TriadFabaArceusBrandonBengaTeam Break


RedClefairyPikachuTogepiTyrogueConkeldurrDedenneChespinFroakie
PM GreenBlueYellowGoldSilver
Professor OakBillBill's wife
BrockMistyLt. SurgeErikaSabrinaKogaBlaineGiovanniLoreleiBrunoAgathaLance
Professor ElmEarlClefairy RangersKurtDJ MaryChairmanKiyo
FalknerBugsyWhitneyMortyJasmineChuckPryceClairWillKaren
PMRS RubySapphireRedBlue
Professor BirchMr. StoneMr. BrineyMaxieTetsuyaRydelRydel's rival
Dr. TakedaScott
NormanRoxanneBrawlyWattson
PMDP DiaKazuki
Professor RowanMarsLookerCharon
Dai FugōOkane Daisukī
RoarkAaron
PMBW BlackBiancaCheren
Professor JuniperNCedric JuniperGhetsis
CilanChiliCressLenoraBurghElesaClaySkylaShauntalMarshalGrimsleyCaitlinAlder
PMXY ShaunaProfessor SycamoreSerena
PMSM HalaLillie


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