Does anyone else feel that Brock gave up on battling way too quickly?

[Cybersai]

Although most people probably don't remember this, Brock actually is (or was) a really good battler. He had a huge knowledge of Pokemon and all their attacks and types. He generally mentored Ash throughout most of Kanto. He even tag teamed with Ash for battles throughout Kanto, even if it was only to battle TR, (Pikachu and Zubat in Mt. Moon, or Pikachu and Vulpix in Suzie episode), he even trained with Ash, (Pikachu Vs. Vulpix in Pokemopolis ep)

However once Brock left for Orange and then came back for Johto...all of this stopped. Brock stopped battling for the most part, he didn't need to mentor Ash as much, and his team...well, there wasn't much to say. Some would even forget that Brock's Zubat evolved all the way to Crobat in Johto, we just never saw it in any major battles.

And aside from the tag battle tournament in DP, which was the one tournament Brock was ever in throughout his entire run, he pretty much hardly battled throughout most of his tenure as a main character. He opted to stand back and watch Ash, May, Dawn and everyone else have battles as he stood and refereed.

Does anyone else feel as if Brock gave up on battling way too quickly? Even in his special the writers have him lose badly with his Sudowoodo getting beaten by Joy's Chansey.

I honestly wish Brock stayed more of a battler throughout his run, or at least trained with Ash a a bit more. Brock did have some good Pokemon, the problem is they were all hardly utilized.

 

[Jukain]

I could argue that battling was never much of a part of his character, and that the real thing that happened was that once Flint took over the gym, he was at last free to do what he really wanted. Needless to say, Brock was a good battler, even for the few times we got to see him battle. Battling also wasn't central to what his goal was, although his vast knowledge did make him a great caretaker. I am willing to believe that virtually anything that caused more attention to be brought to him could've prevented him from becoming stale, but this is one that I don't really agree with. I guess Cilan is a good argument, so you've got me there. I could also say that evidently battling is more important to a sommelier, but I am not certain on that.

 

[Sushi-X]

Yes, yes this.

I remember thinking when I watched that gym battle against ash thinking "DAMN that Onix is a freaking monster."

They should of kept him as a badass battler.

 

[Blue1225]

yes. LOL, always hated how he seemed to...idk lose his battling ability.

 

[The Puppetmaster]

I agree that Brock should have battled more throughout the series. His breeding skills could have been shown more through battling - what's the point of breeding a Pokémon that never battles?

If Happiny had battled more than it did throughout DP, we could have seen it learn new moves and develop, which would in turn reflect on Brock's breeder skills since he was raising it (I use Happiny as an example because of its lack of battling plus the fact it was a baby for the majority of its run). Had Brock actually done something with it, maybe his breeder goal would have felt at least a bit more attainable towards the end of his run (though that may have messed with his switch to doctor, but that's another issue ).

To sum this up, yes, Brock battling would have been beneficial.

 

[LiquidFury]

Yes; Brock was a surprisingly good fighter. As others have said, he mentored Ash during Kanto and gave him hints and tips on types and strategies (Even if the advice was glaringly obvious. Then again, it was Ash!)

I think the reason for him becoming less of a battler is that once he mentored Ash during Kanto, didn't have to tell/teach him anything else and Ash could stand on his own two feet, he wasn't really needed as a battler. Him being needed as an emergancy backup/assistance became significantly less important as Ash's knowledge grew, and new companions who were green were able to cut their own teeth in the Pokemon world. Which is a shame, because Brock was tough; everyone remembers how hard that Onix was the first time Ash faced him. It was the first time they showed a 'big' Pokemon as opposed to small Pidgeys, Weedles and Rattatas and it made you think, "Wow! This guy knows what he's doing!"

 

[Dogasu]

If Happiny had battled more than it did throughout DP, we could have seen it learn new moves and develop, which would in turn reflect on Brock's breeder skills since he was raising it (I use Happiny as an example because of its lack of battling plus the fact it was a baby for the majority of its run). Had Brock actually done something with it, maybe his breeder goal would have felt at least a bit more attainable towards the end of his run (though that may have messed with his switch to doctor, but that's another issue ).

I really hated the way Pinpuku was handled. If it had battled more, it could have showed off its super strength and would have been more likely to evolve all the way to a Happinas.

 

[Cybersai]

I really hated the way Pinpuku was handled. If it had battled more, it could have showed off its super strength and would have been more likely to evolve all the way to a Happinas.

I gather the writers didn't want Brock's Pokemon to change much in DP. I mean they only gave him 3 pokemon the entire arc, and he ONLY made 2 captures in Sinnoh since Bonsly was kept from BF.

Craogunk did do some battling in DP, to be fair.

 

[Dogasu]

Still, it's weird that they didn't have Takeshi's Pinpuku make it all the way to a Happinas, especially with HeartGold and SoulSilver coming out. Seems like a missed opportunity for some free promotion there.

It also would have been nice to see a Lucky battle since all the ones that belong to the various Joi don't get to do that so much.

 

[Kwame120]

I feel that they could have done a lot more battling with him. He doesn't need to do it all the time, but there were times when you thought that it was Brock's time to shine...and Ash threw his Pikachu at them, or the COTD did. (Battle, not throw Pikachu). And it would have helped with his breeding goal, each battle could've shown how his efforts were paying off.

 

[GameCubeController]

Yes, B-rock definitely should have battled more. I know he wanted to be a breeder and all, but he obviously is at least somewhat interested in battling. I would have liked to see him be a battling-rival to Ash and have them battle each other regularly on their journey. We don't see him doing enough breeding, so we should at least see him battling more, because he needs to do something.

 

[Caseydia]

What do you mean when you say Brock gave up on battling to soon? He barely battled in any region. The best battles were in BF and those were short.

 

[Cybersai]

What do you mean when you say Brock gave up on battling to soon? He barely battled in any region. The best battles were in BF and those were short.

The idea is if Brock SHOULD have remained somewhat of a battler, after he started traveling with Ash. Of course he'd still have his breeder goal, but would he also do somewhat more battling from time to time.

 

[WatcherMark]

I really hated the way Pinpuku was handled. If it had battled more, it could have showed off its super strength and would have been more likely to evolve all the way to a Happinas.

I hated the fact we never got to see Lucky again after she had evolved. I hoped she'd appear in the Takeshi special but nope, nothing. Even a quick cameo would have done, like Haganeil got.

 

[Yankees4life]

The only battle Brock-related I could remember was Ash's first one.
Pika kicked his Geodude's ass and took a beating out of Onix with some "help"

But, through the years looks like Brock's role was to be the "mother" of the crew, not the "Action Man"