Pokémon Horizon had his first fight with a gym leader, and Roy’s performance against Brassius led Ash many tournaments when he faced Brock for the first time. The two matches actually have a lot in common too, which makes it relatively fair to directly compare Roy and Ash’s battles. However, Roy managed to do something that Ash failed to do, and that came to an end.
Riko and Roy visit Brassius because they hear he’s seen Black Rayquaza, but before he’s ready to tell them anything, Roy must engage him. Neither Roy nor Riko have committed to their goal of earning gym badges and challenging the Pokémon League, so Roy didn’t come here looking for a battle, and he still only has one Pokémon. Brassius is primarily a Grass-type trainer and the first gym head that most players will challenge in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. After that, it seemed like Roy and his Fire-type Fuecoco would have the edge, but as Roy learned, that’s not always how things work in Paldea.
The difference between Roy and Ash’s gym losses
Brassius actually used his Sudowoodo for this battle, a Stone that looks like Grass. Stone defeats Fire in Pokémon, putting Roy at a disadvantage. Fuecoco has learned a new move, Stomping Tantrum, an Earth-type attack that can turn the game around, allowing Roy to attack with a type advantage. Brassius then used Terastallization in battle, a feat Roy had yet to be able to do, turning Sudowoodo into a Grass type and flipping everything over again. Brassius’ Sudowoodo knocked out Fuecoco, while Roy barely lost the gym leader’s first match.
On the other hand, Ash’s first gym battle sees him face off against Brock’s Onix with Pikachu, similarly putting Ash at a disadvantage. However, when Onix launched his first attack on Pikachu, he panicked and tried to call Pikachu back, but he abandoned the match because Ash feared for Pikachu’s safety. While Fuecoco took some hard hits, Roy never reacted in such a way, continuing to encourage him in battle and keep fighting. Having to fight a Terastallized Pokémon really turns the deck against him, but Roy never gives in. Ash eventually earned his badge in a rematch that featured the infamous sprinkler scene, soaking the Onix in water so Pikachu could shock it.
Although Roy’s match against Brassius was an unofficial one, he performed surprisingly well, especially since he really only has a handful of combat experience at this point. . If Brassius hadn’t been Terastallized, chances were Roy would have won, which is pretty impressive. Roy seems to have a better idea of what fighting Pokémon entails than Ash, and he certainly has a better understanding of the type’s advantage. Roy’s performance in his first gymnastics match showed some real talent, and he may have a bright future like Ash ahead of him in Pokémon Horizon.