Pokemon Trainers Ash Could Never Beat Without Plot Armor

Ash and Pikachu spent nearly twenty-five years traveling and battling, encountering countless trainers and Pokemon along the way. However, despite their dedication, many other trainers are actually more skilled and powerful than Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town.

Here are five trainers who could have easily beaten Ash Ketchum if a few things hadn’t gone differently in their battles. They either have a deep understanding of Pokémon battling combined with strong skills, or they specialize in a particular type of Pokémon. Regardless, they’re all incredibly powerful trainers Ash would likely lose to in a straight-up fight.

Brock

Because Training Pokemon Is Not All About Battles

A Pokemon Breeder and Expert Nutritionist
Highly Skilled, Learned how to raise and heal Pokemon
Decent strategist, knows every Pokemon by their nature and best qualities

Although Ash won his first gym battle against Brock and gained a loyal friend and travel companion, Brock’s journey took a different direction. He proved to be more intelligent and a better strategist than Ash, and despite a tendency to flirt, he was a genuinely kind and caring person.

Brock is an amazing Pokémon caretaker. He doesn’t just love his Pokémon, he also breeds them skillfully, partly because he’s an incredible cook who knows exactly what they like to eat. He’s also very knowledgeable about Pokémon healing. Basically, he’d be a fantastic trainer or an unbeatable rival for Ash, but he’s not interested in battling.

Gary Oak

The Eternal Rival, Always One Step Ahead

Determined, relentless, always aims for the top
Skilled at taking advantage of his rivals’ weaknesses
Never says no to battles

I always thought Gary was the ideal rival for Ash. He was just so skilled, driven, and, let’s be honest, a little cocky! People often underestimated him, but he was a seriously strong trainer, probably better than almost anyone else Ash faced. Before their battle at the Johto League, Gary was on a winning streak, always one step ahead of Ash. It’s just… what did go wrong for him there? It was so unexpected!

Many believe Ash won against Gary through his own hard work, and his strong bond with Pokémon like Pikachu and Charizard certainly played a role. It was a surprising victory, though, as Gary was generally considered the more skilled trainer. After the loss, Gary shifted his focus to Pokémon research, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Professor Samuel Oak. However, the recent seasons have shown that Gary never stopped training, continuously striving to improve himself and his Pokémon.

Cynthia

The Most Powerful Lady Boss In The Series

Her bond with her partner Pokemon has no equal in the series
She is known to be ruthless and never backs down from combat
Almost undefeated, only a miracle could make Ash win against her

Cynthia is widely considered the most powerful female Pokémon Trainer. She’s known for her intelligence, calm demeanor, and incredible battle strategy, and she surpasses Ash Ketchum in every way that defines a great Trainer. Her deep connection with her Garchomp comes from raising it from an egg, creating a bond that has lasted a long time.

Cynthia consistently dominates battles against other trainers, winning easily and decisively. Objectively, Ash stands little chance against her, but as the main character, fans generally believe his fight against her in the Journeys series (specifically the Lucario vs. Garchomp battle) is a win for him, and a significant one at that.

Lance

Under Normal Circumstances, No One Would Beat This Guy

The strongest Dragon-type Trainer after Cynthia
Ash never really faces him directly; otherwise, he would have lost
Another trainer known for ignoring type-advantage and still coming on top

Lance is a highly skilled and veteran Dragon-type Pokémon trainer, known for his powerful team including Dragonite, and for owning the only Shiny Red Gyarados seen in the series. Despite being more experienced than trainers like Ash and Lionel, and having achieved the rank of Elite Four member in both the Kanto and Johto leagues, Lance didn’t fight at his best when facing the Champion of Galar.

Many Pokémon fans found Ash’s battle with Lance disappointing. Lance is unique because he doesn’t focus on type matchups, relying instead on the raw power of his Dragon-type Pokémon. Interestingly, Lance comes from a family dedicated to raising Dragon-type Pokémon, and his Dragonite is significantly older and stronger than Ash’s, likely winning a one-on-one battle nine times out of ten. The rest of Lance’s team is equally powerful, while Ash’s Pokémon are generally less experienced, making a fair win for Ash against Lance highly improbable.

Samuel Oak

There’s A Reason Why He’s Internationally Recognized

A walking library of Pokemon knowledge
A worldwide known expert, and former Pokemon Champion
His original team is said to be one of the strongest seen in official competitions

Samuel Oak is one of the most famous and highly regarded figures in the Pokémon world. He wasn’t just a researcher and the creator of the first Pokedex – he was also a Pokémon Champion, winning titles in both the Johto and Kanto Leagues. His long-time rival, Agatha, a member of the Elite Four, claims Oak was unbeatable in his prime. Surprisingly, he chose to step down as an active trainer to dedicate himself to developing the Pokedex.

As a huge Pokémon fan, I’m always fascinated by Professor Oak. Seriously, the guy’s Pokémon knowledge is incredible, and it’s a mystery what his actual team looks like! People think Bulbasaur was probably his first Pokémon, and Nidoking seems to be his powerhouse. There’s also been a lot of talk online about him being connected to Ash – like maybe he’s Ash’s grandfather on his mom’s side, though that’s never been confirmed. But honestly, it’s pretty clear to me that Professor Oak was a way better trainer than Ash, and even better than his own grandson, Gary. He’s a legend!

2025-11-08 11:35