Falkner
Falkner ハヤト Hayato | |
"The Elegant Master of Flying Pokémon" | |
Art from HeartGold and SoulSilver | |
Gender | Male |
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Eye color | Black*, Blue* |
Hair color | Blue |
Hometown | Violet City |
Region | Johto |
Relatives | Father (predecessor as Gym Leader), Walker (father)* |
Trainer class | Gym LeaderGSCHGSS Pokémon TrainerB2W2 |
Generation | II, IV, V |
Games | Gold, Silver, Crystal, Pokémon Stadium 2, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, White 2, Masters EX |
Leader of | Violet Gym |
Badge | Zephyr Badge |
Specializes in | Flying types |
Game animation debut | GOTCHA! |
English voice actor | Howard Wang[1] (Masters EX) |
Japanese voice actor | Kohsuke Tanabe[2] (Masters EX) |
Animated debut | Fighting Flyer with Fire |
English voice actor | Matthew Mitler |
Japanese voice actor | Akira Ishida |
Falkner (Japanese: ハヤト Hayato) is the Gym Leader of Violet City's Gym, known officially as the Violet Gym. He hands out the Zephyr Badge to Trainers who defeat him. He specializes in Flying-type Pokémon.
In the core series games
Falkner appears in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, where he is the first Gym Leader players will encounter. A master of Flying-type Pokémon, Falkner runs the Violet Gym, which he inherited from his father; the Pokémon he uses in battle also formerly belonged to him. Falkner's father is reported to be traveling, but is never seen in the game.
Known as "The Elegant Master of Flying Pokémon", Falkner is adored as a cool and handsome Trainer. Falkner reveres his father, and aspires to follow in his footsteps to become the greatest bird Pokémon master. Falkner uses, notably, the lowest leveled Pokémon found in any Gym in any region. In fact, his Pidgeotto is underleveled. Once defeated in battle, he awards winners with the Zephyr Badge and a Technical Machine: TM31 (Mud-Slap) in Generation II; TM51 (Roost) in Generation IV. In each generation, his Pokémon know the respective TM; Falkner uses this move as part of his battle strategy.
Like all Gym Leaders in HeartGold and SoulSilver, Falkner ventures out of his Gym occasionally. Once the player has obtained the Soul Badge, Falkner will journey every Monday to Celadon City so he can visit the Department Store. He can be found talking with Janine of Fuchsia City on the fourth floor, and will exchange Pokégear phone numbers with the player. Once this has been completed, Falkner can be invited to the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City every Saturday morning to be faced in a rematch with a stronger team of Pokémon. He may also participate in the Pokéathlon's Supreme Cup in the Jump Course with his Pidgeot, Swellow, and Staraptor.
Falkner also appears in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, taking part in the Pokémon World Tournament. He can be faced in the Johto Leaders, Type Expert, and World Leaders Tournaments.
Pokémon
Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal
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Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Gym battle
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Rematch
Pokéathlon
Jump Course Supreme Cup | ||||
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Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
Pokémon World Tournament
Falkner uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles, four in Double and Rotation Battles, and all six in Triple Battles. Falkner will always lead with his signature Pokémon, Pidgeot.
Johto Leaders Tournament
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Type Expert/World Leaders Tournament
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The Battle Between Legendary Pokémon
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In the side series games
Pokémon Stadium 2
Falkner appears in Pokémon Stadium 2's Johto Gym Leader Castle. Unlike other Gym Leaders in this game, all of his Pokémon are of his specialist type. Notably, he even uses a Legendary Pokémon; Zapdos.
During the game's end credits, he is seen having a battle with Erika.
Pokémon
Round 1
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Round 2
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In the spin-off games
Pokémon Puzzle Challenge
Falkner appears as an opponent in Pokémon Puzzle Challenge. He uses a Pidgey to battle.
Pokémon Masters EX
- Main article: Falkner (Masters)
Falkner forms a sync pair with Swellow, Pidgeot, and Noctowl in Pokémon Masters EX. Falkner became a playable sync pair on August 5, 2021.
Dex | Trainer | NDex | Pokémon | Type | Weakness | Role | EX role | Base potential | Availability | ||
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#139 | Falkner | #0277 | Swellow♂ |
Flying |
Ice |
★★★★★☆EX | Sync Pair Scout | ||||
#139 | Falkner | #0018 | Pidgeot♂ |
Flying |
Electric |
★★★★☆☆EX | Battle Points | ||||
#139 | Falkner | #0164 | Noctowl♂ |
Flying |
Electric |
★★★★★☆EX | Variety Sync Pair Scout |
Gallery
Artwork
Headshot from Generation II |
Official artwork from Crystal |
Sprites
In the core series
Sprite from Generation II |
Sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver |
VS sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver |
Sprite from Black 2 and White 2 |
Overworld sprite from Generation II |
Overworld sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver |
Overworld sprite from Black 2 and White 2 |
In other games
Portrait from Puzzle Challenge |
Portraits from Stadium 2 |
Quotes
- Main article: Falkner/Quotes
In animation
Pokémon the Series
History
Falkner appeared in the Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver episode Fighting Flyer with Fire. When Ash's Pikachu was stolen by Team Rocket, Falkner arrived and rescued it with the help of his Pidgeot. He flies around on a hang-glider in order to be as close to Flying Pokémon as he possibly could be. He is usually seen with his Hoothoot on his shoulder. Falkner conducts his matches on the roof of the Gym, accompanied by his many students who chant in unison during his battles.
Falkner escorted Ash and his friends to the Violet Gym after agreeing to have a match against Ash. He selected his Hoothoot, and its incredible speed helped it defeat Chikorita. Then, Pikachu was able to knock Hoothoot out of the sky and used Quick Attack to win the round. Next, Falkner selected his Dodrio, and while its speed and high jumps made for a difficult match, Pikachu's Thunderbolt overwhelmed it. Pikachu, however, was defeated by Pidgeot. Ash called on Charizard's assistance against Pidgeot. Falkner appeared to have the upper hand, but Ash soon saw a pattern in Pidgeot's strategy and had Charizard use Fire Spin, followed by a Seismic Toss. Ash was able to win the Zephyr Badge, despite Charizard's wing being severely injured during the match.
He reappeared in a flashback in Why? Wynaut!.
Character
Falkner has a self-righteous attitude when it comes to Pokémon training, which angered Ash. Falkner also expressed an intense dislike for the assumption many Trainers make that Flying-type Pokémon will always lose to Electric-type Pokémon, but proved to be slightly hypocritical as he criticized Ash's poor choice of using Chikorita, a Grass type that is weak to Flying, in their match.
He is intense in battle and rigorously commands his Pokémon's every move, including their flight paths. He uses his Flying Pokémon's abilities to whip up strong winds, and their wings, or in Dodrio's case its long legs, to evade attacks and swoop down to attack. While he pushes his Pokémon to perform their best, Falkner also thanks them for their efforts.
Pokémon
の | This article is missing information on this character's English voice actor and Japanese voice actor. You can help by adding this information. |
Debut | Fighting Flyer with Fire |
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Voice actors | |
Japanese | Yūji Ueda |
English | Yūji Ueda |
Hoothoot was the first Pokémon sent out in the Gym battle between Falkner and Ash. Hoothoot managed to defeat Ash's Chikorita with ease, but was quickly defeated once Ash brought out his Pikachu. Hoothoot was also sometimes seen outside of its Poké Ball with Falkner when not in battle.
It reappeared in a flashback in Why? Wynaut!.
Debut | Fighting Flyer with Fire |
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Dodrio was the second Pokémon Falkner sent out to battle Ash's Pikachu. At first Dodrio seemed to have the upper hand. When Pikachu tried to attack, Falkner ordered Dodrio to fly - much to Ash's surprise - and Dodrio jumped high in the air. Ash decided to use that method himself, and ordered Pikachu to dodge Dodrio's Tri Attack by jumping to the air. From above, Pikachu used Thunder, knocking out Dodrio and winning the round.
Dodrio's known moves are Agility, Fury Attack, Drill Peck, and Tri Attack.
Debut | Fighting Flyer with Fire |
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Voice actors | |
Japanese | Megumi Hayashibara |
English | Megumi Hayashibara |
Pidgeot appeared in Fighting Flyer with Fire. When Team Rocket tried to steal Ash's Pikachu, Falkner used Pidgeot to get Pikachu back and send them blasting off again. Falkner later used it in a Gym battle against Ash. It was able to defeat a weakened Pikachu with a single Whirlwind attack.
It was put up against Ash's Charizard in the final round of the battle. With its impressive speed and power, Pidgeot was able to gain the upper hand and injure Charizard making it unable to fly. But with Ash's support and inspiration, Charizard was able to fly again.
Unfortunately, things still looked bad as Pidgeot used Agility to keep dodging Charizard's attacks and attack from behind. Ash luckily had Charizard turn back and use Fire Spin trapping Pidgeot and finished it off with Seismic Toss making Ash the victor.
It reappeared in a flashback in All That Glitters!.
Pidgeot's known moves are Whirlwind, Agility, Wing Attack, and Quick Attack.
Voice actors
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GOTCHA!
Falkner briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
History
Gold, Silver & Crystal arc
Falkner debuts in Elekid Incorporated, where he is seen working as a part-time Police Officer. He finds Gold unconscious at Professor Elm's laboratory and blames him for the fire started on the lawn. Under the threat of arrest, Gold comes with Falkner and explains to him that the true thief was named Silver. When asked to provide a picture of Silver, Gold deliberately gives wrong information so that he can find Silver himself. Falkner offers Gold and Joey a place to stay for the night at the police station in Cherrygrove City, but Gold turns it down and runs off with Joey in tow.
Falkner reappears in Sunkern Treasure, where he is seen training while off-duty. He runs into Gold and properly introduces himself. Falkner reveals that he plans on taking the Gym Leader qualifying exam so that he can take over the Violet Gym that his father used to lead before being run into hiding. They are attacked by a wild Skarmory that Falkner had faced before, but failed to defeat. With Gold's help, Falkner manages to defeat and capture Skarmory. In Smeargle Smudge, it is revealed Falkner passed the Gym Leader exam.
In Delibird Delivery - 1, Falkner appeared in Professor Elm's fantasy when he informed Gold that the Masked Man may be a Gym Leader.
In Really Raikou & Entirely Entei (Part 1) and Really Raikou & Entirely Entei (Part 2), Falkner trains his Pokémon on the outskirts of Violet City, where he encounters a poacher. They are attacked by Raikou and Entei, who Falkner assumes are challenging Gym Leaders like Suicune had been doing. Falkner initially struggles to keep up with Entei and Raikou's speed, but he manages to divert their attacks, leaving an opening for him to catch them. The thrown Poké Balls are stopped by Suicune, who had arrived to assist its comrades. The poacher suggests that Falkner give up and live to fight another day, but Falkner refuses the challenge to succeed where the other Gym Leaders failed. In a last-ditch effort, Falkner throws a multitude of Poké Balls into the air, which surround Suicune due to them being outfitted with Skarmory's shed clear feathers, turning them into boomerangs. Falkner almost hits Suicune, but Entei and Raikou return the favor by destroying the Poké Balls. Skarmory begins crashing to the ground due to its now-missing wing, but Suicune saves Falkner with a bubble and then leaves with Entei and Raikou. Falkner admits defeat and claims that he would have lost even if Suicune did not come to help Raikou and Entei. He reveals to the poacher his job as a police officer and proceeds to arrest him for capturing Pokémon in a protected environment.
At the Indigo Plateau, Falkner arrives with his fellow Johto Gym Leaders to participate in an exhibition tournament for the Pokémon League against the Kanto Gym Leaders. In the third round, he faces off against Janine of Fuchsia City. The Poison-type Gym Leader proves too powerful for Falkner and he is nearly defeated by her Ariados. When Janine sees what appears to be her missing father, Koga, in the audience, she forfeits the battle to search for him. When the Masked Man attacks the Pokémon League, Falkner and the other Gym Leaders combat his army of mind-controlled Team Rocket Grunts. The fight takes them to the Magnet Train, which is used as a diversion to get the Gym Leaders away from the stadium. After the Masked Man is defeated, Falkner returned to his usual duties of being a Gym Leader.
HeartGold & SoulSilver arc
Falkner, along with Chuck and Bugsy, is asked by Morty to guard the Ecruteak Gym from suspicious people asking to use Morty's clairvoyance. When Silver arrives to see Morty under Eusine's recommendation, the Gym Leaders mistake him for another suspicious person and stop his attempts to advance. Having no time to talk, Silver opts to battle the Gym Leaders and force his way inside. Silver's clash ends when he is revealed to be a friend of Chuck's former student, Blue. They decide to trust Silver and let him inside to meet with Morty, who had been helping Gold due to mistaking him for Silver. The meeting is cut short by the sudden appearance of Arceus, who lands in front of the Ecruteak Gym and destroys it with a single blast. Falkner, Bugsy, and Chuck are caught in the blast and knocked unconscious.
Falkner's father is Walker, who also uses boomerang Poké Balls made from Skarmory's shed feathers.
Pokémon
This listing is of Falkner's Pokémon in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
Debut | Sunkern Treasure |
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Pidgeotto is Falkner's first known Pokémon. He was first seen training with Noctowl in a field with Falkner. When a wild Skarmory kept terrorizing a group of Sunkern, Pidgeotto was used to battle against it. He was unable to beat Skarmory, as its metal body prevented Pidgeotto from finishing it off.
None of Pidgeotto's moves are known.
Debut | Sunkern Treasure |
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Noctowl is Falkner's second known Pokémon. He was first seen training with Pidgeotto in a field with Falkner. When a wild Skarmory kept terrorizing a group of Sunkern, Noctowl was used to battle against it. He was unable to beat Skarmory, as its metal body prevented Noctowl from finishing it off. At the Pokémon League, Noctowl was used to battle against Janine. He first went up against her Grimer who attempted sneak attacks with Minimize, but Noctowl exposed it with Foresight. Next, it battled against Janine's Ariados, but was heavily injured before being switched to Skarmory.
Noctowl's only known move is Foresight.
Debut | Sunkern Treasure |
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Skarmory is Falkner's third known Pokémon. It debuted as a wild Pokémon chasing after a bunch of Sunkern. Falkner battles it and with the help of Gold's Cyndaquil, Exbo, he was able to capture it. Skarmory was used in Falkner's battle against Raikou and Entei. Together, they nearly succeeded in capturing one of the Legendary Pokémon before Suicune interrupted. Skarmory fought against Suicune, only to have one of its wings shatter, causing Skarmory to plummet to the ground before being saved by Suicune's bubbles. At the Pokémon League, Skarmory was used to battle against Janine. It was used against her Ariados, but was easily captured by its web and would have lost had Janine not forfeited. Its shed feathers are used to improve Falkner's Poké Balls by combining with them to make boomerangs.
Skarmory's known moves are Swift, Agility, and Steel Wing, and its Ability is Keen Eye.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
Falkner first appeared in Falkner The Bird Keeper's Challenge!! where Gold heard that he lived in Violet City. Gold went to Violet City to challenge Falkner. During the Gym battle, Falkner revealed that he challenged someone previously using his Pidgey and Pidgeotto. They were worn out after being defeated by his Mareep. As a result, Falkner sent out his Pidgeot to battle Gold. Gold defeated Pidgeot with Totodile's combination of Water Gun and Bite.
The Gym battle continued in The Legendary Pokémon Appears! where Gold had to deal with Falkner's Articuno who appeared once every four years. Gold had a long fight with it using Totodile, Pidgey, and Pikachu and was about to lose until Articuno flew away. Falkner stated that it fights when it wants to and leaves at will. As Articuno chose not to fight anymore, Gold was able to defeat Falkner and was rewarded the Zephyr Badge.
Pokémon
On hand
Falkner sent out Pidgeot as his other Pokémon were weakened from his previous challenger. It went up against Gold's Totodile and lost.
Pidgeot's only known move is Wing Attack.
Other
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Falkner first appeared in The Gym Challenges Begin!! as the first Gym Leader in Johto Red encountered. Red met him in Sprout Tower while talking to one of the Elders. He reappeared in PMHGSS05, where he had a rematch with Red during the latter's return to Johto.
Pokémon
Natu is Falkner's first known Pokémon. It is usually seen on Falkner's shoulder when it is not battling. During his battle with Red at Sprout Tower, Falkner sends it out to have a battle with his Clefairy.
Natu's known moves are Leer, Teleport, Confuse Ray, and Peck.
Debut | PMHGSS05 |
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Falkner's Pidgeotto appeared when Red and his Pokémon returned to Johto. It was used in Falkner's rematch against Red.
Pidgeotto's known moves are Wing Attack, Tackle, and Gust.
Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure
Falkner appeared in JBA1, where he challenged Jō to a Gym battle in the Violet Gym. Jō managed to defeat Falkner, earning himself the Zephyr Badge. He reappeared in a flashback in JBA5.
Pokémon
Falkner sent out Pidgey to battle Jō's Totodile. It wasn't long before Totodile managed to defeat Pidgey.
Pidgey's only known move is Sand-Attack.
In the TCG
- Main article: Falkner (Paldea Evolved 180)
Falkner was introduced as a Supporter card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the English Scarlet & Violet Series (the Japanese Scarlet & Violet Era). It was first released in the Japanese Triplet Beat subset and the English Paldea Evolved expansion, with artwork by Ryuta Fuse. An ultra rare version of the card with artwork by the same artist was released in the same sets. It lets players draw two cards. If the player has a Stadium card in play, they draw four cards instead.
Pokémon VS
The Japanese exclusive Pokémon VS expansion featured several of Falkner's Pokémon and two Technical Machine cards. Falkner's Fearow was later released in English in the Tyranitar Half Deck.
Falkner cards in Pokémon VS 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. | |||||||
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Card | Type | English Expansion |
Rarity | # | Japanese Expansion |
Rarity | # |
Falkner's Pidgeot | Pokémon VS | 001/141 | |||||
Falkner's Fearow | Tyranitar Half Deck | Pokémon VS | 002/141 | ||||
Falkner's Farfetch'd | Pokémon VS | 003/141 | |||||
Falkner's Dodrio | Pokémon VS | 004/141 | |||||
Falkner's Togetic | Pokémon VS | 005/141 | |||||
Falkner's Delibird | Pokémon VS | 006/141 | |||||
Falkner's Skarmory | Pokémon VS | 007/141 | |||||
Falkner's TM 01 | T [TM] | Pokémon VS | 103/141 | ||||
Falkner's TM 02 | T [TM] | Pokémon VS | 104/141 | ||||
Trivia
- His Japanese Leader title is 華麗なる飛行ポケモン使い.
- In Generation II, Falkner is the only Gym Leader who cannot give out a TM that contains a move of his Gym's specialty type, because no Flying-type TM existed in Generation II.
- In Generation I, Brock also gives out a TM containing a move (Bide) that is not of his Gym's specialty type, even though one existed: TM48 Rock Slide.
- Falkner's Pokémon are the lowest level of any Gym Leader. His level 7 and 9 (9 and 13 in Generation IV) Pokémon include an underleveled Pidgeotto.
- Despite popular misconception, however, these are not impossible levels for a Pidgeotto to be at. Level 7 Pidgeotto can be found in Kanto Route 2 in all Johto games and Viridian Forest in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and legitimate level 9 Pidgeotto can also be transferred in to Generation II from Pokémon Yellow.
- Falkner is the only Gym Leader from either Kanto or Johto to only use Pokémon of his Gym's specialty type in the Pokémon Stadium series.
- Falkner is the only Gym Leader whose Gym battle team in the animated series doesn't share any Pokémon with their Gym battle teams from the games.
Names
Language | Name | Origin |
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Japanese | ハヤト Hayato | From 隼人瓜 Hayato-uri (chayote) and 隼 hayabusa (peregrine falcon) |
English, Indonesian, Brazilian Portuguese |
Falkner | From falconer, one who trains falcons to hunt |
German | Falk | From Falke (falcon) |
Spanish | Pegaso | From Pegaso (Pegasus) |
French | Albert | From albatros (albatross) |
Italian | Valerio | From volare (to fly) |
Korean | 비상 Bisang | From 비상 (飛上) bisang (flight) |
Chinese (Mandarin) | 阿速 Ā Sù* | From the Japanese name 速人 Hayato and 速 sù (quick) |
隼人 Sǔnrén* | From the Japanese name 集人 Hayato | |
Chinese (Cantonese) | 阿速 A Chūk | From the Japanese name 速人 Hayato and 速 chūk (quick) |
Thai | ฮายาโตะ Hayato | Transcription of his Japanese name |
Vietnamese | Hayato | Transcription of his Japanese name |
References
- ↑ Howard Wang on Twitter
- ↑ Pokémon Masters EX Twitter (Japanese)
Related articles
Gym Leaders of the Johto region | |||||||||||||||||||
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Golden Boys characters |
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Gold • Black • Chris • Grey • Professor Oak Professor Elm • Mr. Pokémon • DJ Mary • Takeo • Kurt |
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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. |
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