The time has come to embark on a new Pokémon adventure. Or, for many fans, it's time to reflect on the newest Pokémon adventure because it's already over. Sword & Shield's Isle of Armor DLC is notoriously short, but that focus helps it in some ways. While it does call the value of the $30 Expansion Pass into question, it at least gave Game Freak a chance to improve the Wild Area. It also gave us two of the best rivals in recent Pokémon history.
Isle of Armor offers its own storyline separate from Sword & Shield's main adventure. As a result, it also introduces several original NPCs, the best of which are two rivals. Sword players will encounter Klara, a stylish young woman who aims to be a Poison-type Gym Leader. Shield players get Avery, a Psychic-type user with the same Gym Leader aspirations and a habit of using puns. Both are arrogant, yet feel threatened by the player character's apparent skill. This immediately invites hostility.
I haven't caught these kind of looks since Pokémon Gold & Silver. Remember Silver? How he literally committed a crime to get his starter Pokémon? That was the last time I loved to hate a Pokémon rival. Avery and Klara aren't quite that malicious, though they do sink to a pretty low level. Minor SPOILERS for anyone who has yet to play Isle of Armor, but Klara and Avery both lie to you, claiming that the dojo doesn't want you. You threaten their status on the island, so they try to get you to leave.
They don't let up either, taking every opportunity to berate you or blame their failures on a fluke. It culminates in them cheating for the final battle. Klara lays Toxic Spikes and Avery creates Psychic Terrain before you get to the arena. This either hinders you or boosts them from the get-go.
And honestly? That sheer, conniving audacity was refreshing. I still steamrolled Avery despite his cheap trick, but I also enjoyed the fight. It felt like there were some personal stakes, if only to shut this guy down and teach him a lesson. And he does, although begrudgingly, commit to change. Again it reminded me of Silver, who can be found training to better respect his Pokémon after his ultimate defeat.
Don't get me wrong – this isn't another "Gary good, friendly rivals bad" post. I actually enjoy Tierno's weird dream of making a dancing Pokémon team. And Hop's arc turned out pretty great by the end. I actually felt bad for the guy after so many crushing defeats. Friendly rivals can work. They fit with the overall positive vibes of the Pokémon world. But sometimes I just want to teach a jerk some manners by attacking them with my super spy lizard. Avery scratched that itch, and I hope to see more of him in the Crown Tundra.