Dr. Mason

This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it. Reason: In the Virtual Console release, does Dr. Mason still mention Card Pop in the mail? (since Card Pop was disabled)

Dr. Mason Ｄｒ．オーヤマ Dr. Ōyama
Dr. Mason artwork from Pokémon Trading Card Game
Gender	Male
Hometown	Unknown
Region	Trading Card Game Islands
Generation	I
Games	Pokémon Trading Card Game; Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!

Dr. Mason (Japanese: Ｄｒ．オーヤマ Dr. Ōyama) is a Pokémon card researcher. He resides in Mason Laboratory, where he teaches people how to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game and coaches practice duels. He was named and modeled after Pokémon Trading Card Game creator Kouichi Ooyama.

In the games

In Pokémon Trading Card Game

In Pokémon Trading Card Game, Dr. Mason leads the player through a practice duel against Sam and afterwards gives the player a choice of three decks to start off with. They are the Charmander & Friends Deck, Squirtle & Friends Deck, and Bulbasaur & Friends Deck. He also gives the player 30 additional cards, which are decided by which deck the player picked.

Through the course of the game, Dr. Mason sends 15 Mails that can be accessed on the PC. 12 of which are about each of the Club Masters and later the Grand Masters, with advice to defeat them; and 3 of which contain more hints about other matters. All Mails come with one or more booster packs.

In Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!

In Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!, he gives the player the Starter Deck as their first deck. In both games, he builds a Challenge Machine for card duels after the player finishes the game.

Quotes

Pokémon Trading Card Game

Introduction

Mason Laboratory

"Oh! Why the rush, <player>? What? You want to learn how to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game? So you, too, finally want to start playing the card game. Well, dueling is more fun than just collecting cards! First, you should try playing with a practice deck. Here, I'll give you this deck. And now you need an opponent... Hey, Sam! Play with him for a while!"

"OK! Let's give it a try!"

"Hey! <player>! Hurry and come here!"

"First, ask Sam the basics of the game."

"They say actions speak louder than words, so let's play a game. Since this is your first time, just try to learn the basic steps. I'll be coaching you, so follow my advice. If you don't do as I say, we won't be able to proceed. It might be easier if you read the Pokémon Trading Card Game instruction booklet while we play. OK then, let's start your practice game!"

Practice duel

Mason Laboratory

"Draw 7 cards, and get ready for the battle! Choose your Active Pokémon. You can only choose Basic Pokémon as your Active Pokémon, so you can choose either Goldeen or Staryu. For our practice duel, choose Goldeen."

"Next, put your Pokémon on your Bench. You can switch Benched Pokémon with your Active Pokémon. Again, only Basic Pokémon can be placed on your Bench. Choose Staryu from your hand and put it there."

"When you have no Pokémon to put on your Bench, press the B button to finish."

"To use the Attack command, you need to attach Energy cards to your Pokémon. Choose cards from the menu, and select a Water Energy card. Next, choose your Active Pokémon, Goldeen, and press the A button. Then, the Water Energy card will be attached to Goldeen. Finally, attack your opponent by selecting an attack command. Choose Attack from the menu, and select Horn Attack. Now, let's play the game!"

"Your Goldeen's gonna get knocked out. Let's evolve it! Choose Seaking from your hand and attach it to Goldeen to evolve it. Its HP increases from 40 to 70. Your Seaking doesn't have enough Energy to use Waterfall. You need to attach a Psychic Energy card to Seaking. means any Energy card. Now you can use Waterfall. Keep the Water Energy for other Pokémon. Now let's attack your opponent with Seaking's Waterfall! Now, let's play the game!"

"Seaking's got enough Energy, so you don't need to attach any more. Attach Energy cards to your Benched Pokémon to get them ready for battle. Attach a Water Energy card to your Benched Staryu. Next, select the Attack command. Machop has 10 HP left. Seaking's Horn Attack will be enough to knock out Machop. Now, choose Seaking's Horn Attack. Now Machop's HP is 0 and it is knocked out. When you knock out the defending Pokémon, you can pick up a prize. Now, let's play the game!"

"When all your Pokémon are knocked out and there are no Pokémon on your Bench, you lose the game. Put Drowzee, the Basic Pokémon you just drew, on your Bench. Attach a Water Energy card to Drowzee to get it ready to attack. Choose your Active Seaking and attack your opponent with Waterfall. Now, let's play the game!"

"Choose a Benched Pokémon to replace your knocked out Pokémon. You now have Drowzee and Staryu on your Bench. Choose Staryu as the Active Pokémon for this practice duel. Here, press Select to check Pokémon data. It is important to know your cards and the status of your Pokémon. Now, let's play the game!"

"Staryu evolves into Starmie! Let's get Staryu ready to use Starmie's Attack command when it evolves into Statmie. Choose the Water Energy card from your hand and attach it to Staryu. Attack your opponent with Staryu's Slap. Now, let's play the game!"

"Now, recover Staryu with a Trainer card. Choose Potion from your hand. Now let's get ready to evolve it to Starmie. Also, attach a Water Energy card to Staryu. Attack your opponent with Staryu's Slap to end your turn. Now, let's play the game!"

"Now you have finally drawn a Starmie card! Choose Starmie from your hand and use it to evolve Staryu. You've already attached enough Energy to use Star Freeze. Attack your opponent with Starmie's Star Freeze. Now, let's play the game!"

"Now Machop has only 10 HP left. Let's finish the battle! Attack with Starmie's Star Freeze. You've knocked out your opponent! Pick up the last prize. <player> is the winner! Now, let's play the game!"

• Not following instruction

(choosing between Pokémon cards) "Choose <card> for this practice, OK?"

(other times) "This is practice mode, so please follow my guidance. Do it again."

• After resetting turn

"Do you need to practice again?"

"Basically, this is how the Pokémon Trading Card Game is played: it's a game in which you try to knock out as many of your opponent's Pokémon as there are prizes. That's the gist of it... If you don't understand something, talk to Sam. It might be helpful to practice again, too. This time was just practice, so I had you follow everything I said, but there are other styles of play. So try them out by choosing Normal Duel."

"Now then, let's build your deck. Did you bring your cards?"

"Hmm... Let me add some of my own cards to yours! Now, <player>, what kind of deck do you want?"

"OK, a <deck name>! Here are the remaining cards!"

"You should duel with many different people. Why don't you go to one of the Card Clubs. There are many people playing at the Clubs. Collect new cards and try building a new deck!"

• If spoken to again

"Gathering information is important if you wish to inherit the legendary Pokémon cards! Listen to what people have to say and read the books on the bookshelves. If I have any information, I'll send you an E-mail, so check the PC every so often to read your mail!"

Other quotes

Mason Laboratory

• Before finishing the game

"First, learning how to use your deck is very important. Duel against many people to check your deck's performance. The Auto Deck Machines are handy when you want to rebuild your deck, if you have the required cards. It will automatically build a deck for you. Collect new cards to build new decks!"

• After finishing the game

"Congratulations, <player name>! I hear you have inherited the Legendary Pokémon cards! The strength of a deck does not depend on any single card, but on how skillfully you are able to use that card. The power of the Legendary Pokémon cards depends on you! You must become a skilled Card Master!"

• If spoken to again (repeats indefinitely)

"That's right! Did you try the Challenge Machine I built? See how far you can get with 1 deck! Computer opponent data is based on opponents you have already played against. I hope you enjoy the product of my scientific genius!!

Mail

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: precise time when each mail is sended

• "<Player name>, it's me, Doctor Mason. Are you getting the hang of the Pokémon Trading Card Game? I have some information for you about booster packs. If you want to collect the same cards, duel the same person many times to get a particular booster pack! By doing so, you will be able to collect the same cards, making it easier for you to build your deck. Another method for collecting cards is to use Card Pop! When you and a friend use Card Pop! you will each receive a new card! Once you Pop! with a certain friend, you won't be able to Pop! with that friend again, so find many friends who own the Pokémon Trading Card Game for Game Boy and Card Pop! with them to get new cards! Oh, here's something for you... <gives a Colosseum booster pack> I'll be sending you useful information by e-mail. I'll also attach a booster pack for you, so check your mail often. Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;)"
• "<Player name>, it's me, Doctor Mason. It looks like you've won quite a few medals. Want to try building your own deck? Start by changing some of the cards in your present deck. Keep changing a few cards at a time, and eventually you'll have your own unique deck! It's not that difficult. Give it a try! Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;) P.S. Here's a deal - this time, you get 2 booster packs! <gives a Colosseum and an Evolution booster packs>"
• "Did you try building your own deck? This time, I'll give you tips on the types and number of cards you should include in your deck. If you have 3 of a Basic Pokémon card, you'll want 2 of its Stage 1 and 1 of its Stage 2 Pokémon. If you follow this rule, your deck will be well balanced. You should have about 14 Basic Pokémon and anywhere between 20 and 26 Energy cards in your deck. The type of Energy cards will depend on the type of Pokémon you have in your deck. You might want to look at the decks in the Deck Machine for hints. Mason Laboratory Dr. Mason ;) P.S. This time, I'm sending 2 booster packs again! <gives a Mystery and a Laboratory booster packs>"
• "<Player name>, it's me, Doctor Mason. Have you won many Master Medals? I have some information for you about Nikki's deck - she's the Master of the Grass Club. You must be wary of Exeggutor's Big Eggsplosion wiki Nikki's deck. Use your Fire Pokémon to knock out Exeggcute and Exeggutor at an early stage! I suggest you study the deck from the Fire Medal Deck Machine. I'll give you a booster pack that should contain a lot of Fire Pokémon. <gives a Colosseum booster pack> Did it have a lot of Fire Pokémon (the weakness of Grass Pokémon)? Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;)"
• "It's me, Dr. Mason. How are you doing, <player name>? I have some information for you about Rick's Deck - he's the maste rof the Science Club. His deck uses Muk's Toxic Gas to prevent your Pokémon from using Pokémon Power! Avoid using a deck that relies on Pokémon Power to attack. His deck's weakness is Psychic Pokémon! Collect Psychic Pokémon to duel his deck! I suggest you study the deck from the Psychic Medal Deck Machine. Hopefully, it will be of some assistance... <gives a Laboratory booster pack> Win all 8 Master Medals, <player name>! Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;)"
• "It's me, Dr. Mason. have you collected many cards? I have some information about Ken's deck - he's the master of the Fire Club. His deck consists of Fire Pokémon and Colorless Pokémon! Pit a Water Pokémon against the Fire Pokémon and a Fighting Pokémon against the Colorless Pokémon. Study the decks from the Water and Fighting Medal Deck Machines! Here's a gift for you! It's a Mystery booster pack! <gives a Mystery booster pack> Look closely at the cards you just received. You should be able to come up with a winning strategy! Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;)"
• "<Player name>, it's me, Doctor Mason. I have some information for you about Amy's deck - she's the Master of the Water Club. Her deck uses Rain Dance - Blastoise's Pokémon Power. This deck allows her to keep attaching Water Energy to her Water Pokémon to power them up. Her deck's weakness is Lightning Pokémon! I suggest you duel her using the deck from the Psychic Medal Deck Machine. Here's a booster pack for you. <gives a Mystery booster pack> <Player name>! Keep at it, and don't give up! Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;)"
• "How it's going, <player name>? It's me, Doctor Mason. I have some information for you about Isaac's Deck - he's the Master of the Lightning Club. His deck is a Selfdestruct Deck! He uses Selfdestruct for maximum damage! Watch the number of Energy cards on his Pokémon and look out for Selfdestruct. I would suggest using Fighting Pokémon such as Cubone and Rhyhorn to counter Isaac's Deck. The Cubone & Marowak Deck from the Rock Medal Deck Machine is probably your best bet. I hope you find many Fighting Pokémon in this booster pack! <gives an Evolution booster pack> Did you find the Pokémon you were looking for in the booster pack? Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;)"
• "<Player name>, it's me, Doctor Mason. Are you getting any closer to inheriting the Legendary Pokémon Cards? Murray of the Psychic Club - I have some information on his deck! It seems to be a deck that uses Alakazam's Damage Swap! It will be difficult to defeat his deck of Psychic Pokémon. Psychic Pokémon are tricky since their weakness is Psychic Pokémon! Try to defeat him before his Pokémon evolves into Alakazam. Murray is a tough opponent... Here, take this! <gives a Laboratory booster pack> Fight to the end, <player name>, and don't give up! Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;)"
• "<Player name>, it's me, Doctor Mason. I have some information for you about Gene's deck - he's the Master of the Rock Club. His Rock Crusher Deck is extremely strong against Lightning Pokémon. But it's weak against Grass Pokémon! I suggest you study the deck from the Grass Medal Deck Machine. Oh! Before I forget... Here's a booster pack for you! <gives an Evolution booster pack> <Player name>! Go defeat Gene, the Master of the Rock Club! Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;)"
• "<Player name>, it's me, Doctor Mason. I have some information for you about Mitch's deck - he's the Master of the Fighting Club. His First-Strike Deck is built for a quick attac, but it's weak against Psychic Pokémon! I suggest you duel him using the deck from the Psychic Medal Deck Machine. Here's a booster pack for you... <gives a Laboratory booster pack> <Player name>, I know you can do it! Go win the Fighting Medal! Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;)"
• "<Player name>, it's me, Dr. Mason. You're finally going to be dueling a Grand Master... Grand Master Courtney used the Legendary Moltres, so her deck should be made up of Fire Pokémon. be sure to use Water Pokémon, since Water Pokémon are the weakness of Fire Pokémon. Other than that, just watch how your opponent plays, and choose your strategy accordingly. Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;) P.S. You're almost there. Keep up the good work! <gives a Colosseum booster pack>"
• "<Player name>, it's me, Dr. Mason! Grand Master Steve uses the Legendary Zapdos. The Legendary Zapdos's Peal of Thunder and Big Thunder randomly choose a target, so you never know which Pokémon will receive damage. Be sure to look after, not only your active Pokémon, but also the Pokémon on your bench. His deck should be made up mostly of Lightning Pokémon, so duel him using your Fighting Pokémon. Defeat the Grand Masters, <player name>!!! Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;) P.S. 3 more to go! <gives an Evolution booster pack>"
• "It's me, Dr. Mason! 2 more Grand Masters to go! Grand Master Jack uses the Legendary Articuno. He will use the Legendary Articuno's Quickfreeze to paralyze your Pokémon. Also, be wary of his other Articuno's Freeze Dry. His deck should be mostly Water Pokémon, so it will be weak against Lightning Pokémon! Go get 'em, <player name>! You're almost there! Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;) <gives a Mystery booster pack>"
• "It's me, Dr. Mason! The final duel is here! I have some information on Rod, the leader of the Grand Masters. Rod uses the Legendary Dragonite. The longer the duel takes, the greater the advantages for his deck. His workhorse will be his Evolution Pokémon, so defeat them while they are still in their Basic stage! Follow the simple strategy of striking early. This is the final test in inheriting the Legendary Pokémon cards! Go, <player name>! Be a part of the legend! Mason Laboratory Doctor Mason ;) P.S. This is my final gift for you. <gives a Laboratory booster pack>"

In the manga

In the Pokémon Card GB The Comix manga

Dr. Mason in Pokémon Card GB The Comix

Dr. Mason appears in a supporting role in Pokémon Card GB The Comix, a one-shot manga based on the video game of the same name. In Pokémon Card GB The Comix, Dr. Mason provides advice and explains the rules of the Pokémon Trading Card Game to Mark as he duels Ronald.

Artwork

Artwork from Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!

Sprites

Overworld sprite (GB1)	Overworld sprite (GB2)	Normal face sprite (GB2)	Win face sprite (GB2)	Lose face sprite (GB2)

Names

This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.