I think that it is safe to say that while battling trainers in-game while playing nearly any version of Pokemon, there is next to no challenge unless you are seriously under-leveled. NPCs often stand waiting to battle, cmmonly only having about two or three Pokemon. The Pokemon aren't even powerful either, and usually consist of something like a Nidoran and a Rattata. As you progress further in the game, NPC teams are generally repetitive, and still simple. For example, when invading the Goldenrod Radio Tower, nearly EVERY Rocket has either a Koffing, Raticate, or Grimer. They may occasionaly throw something like a Magnemite on a Scientist to shake things up, but these Pokemon are still easily beaten.

Even late game teams do not get much better! Right now I am on Cycling Road in HG, and am fighting a Biker. His team? A level 44 Teddiursa and a level 44 Marill. I mean COME ON! The very least these brain-dead trainers could do is EVOLVE their Pokemon! Is it seriously to much to ask to actually have to think during these trainer battles, or must we continue to just click one move and listen to the death cry of the Pokemon we kill?

While Gym Leaders often have tough teams that can be a challenge to take down (Whitney, Clair), the fact that pretty much every trainer has a team of pathetic Pokemon is really unacceptable. Does anyone else here think the Pokemon games would be more exciting if trainers had fuller, more diverse teams? Teams that would actually make you think? I for one would appreciate the challenge.

I agree, in HGSS they should have at least tried to make the Rocket Bosses hard but they didn't.

Yes, making the Difficulty level higher would be awesome... BUT remember GameFreak is aiming this at Children.. not Hardcore Gamers.
I personally think finding a Balance between Hard and Easy is hard, and Gamefreak still did a good Job with it.

A Difficulty setting for Pokemon Black/White would be cool though.

I agree with you, but remember that these games are for everybody. Small children also play these games, and they can't make it more challenging, otherwise it will get another rate. I find improving the trainers' teams kinda impossible.

Edit: Dilster posted before me with the same idea. I got beaten!

I still think Pokemon should remain the same.

You have a Point.
But at least Red knows how to give a spanking xD

If the Gym Leaders would be really hard, people would just stop playing the Game.

In my personal opinion, I feel that the limiting of recovery items would do some wonders. For example, if one were to have a fairly fast gengar with the move curse, and 200, give or take 100, revives; they can beat any in game trainer such as red with pokemon 30 levels below the opposing force.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alakazamaster At this point I think that Gym Leaders are not a problem, because they are enough of a challenge already. The in-game trainers are the ones that could do with improvement, and I also like the idea of a difficulty setting. Hard to implement, but it could work wonders.

My only challenges in this game were Whitney, Jasmine and Chuck. Eusuine took a couple of tries, but it wasn't much of a challenge. I had to tread Red as an online match, with Stealth Rock and a Focus Sash. That was only because my Pokémon were 20 levels below his. Fix this in Gen V please?

What they HAVE got right, however, is the catch rate of legendary Pokémon.

Uhm.. I dunno if I'd want it to be any harder because I'm already OCD about battling *every* trainer that's in my general area before moving on, I'd rather not have it be even more though. Maybe the Rockets/Galactics/Magmas/Aquas and gym trainers could be tougher but not the normal ones. Also, diversity would be a plus..

You can play the hard hacks like Pokemon FireRed Omega,BAMF FireRed,Emerald 386,etc.
There is also a Platinum harder version called Bloody Platinum.You may want to try those.They are good and hard hacks.