Marnie is the best character to come out of Sword and Shield and one of the greatest rivals to date. She is a two-toned character, just like her hangry Morpeko and has attracted loyal followings both in-game and real life.
Marnie's personality is complex. A driven pokémon trainer with an analytical approach who remains tough-skinned in defeat yet reveals a sensitive side, proving to be a supportive ally and reliable companion. Marnie truly is one of a kind.
Marnie's outfit and features reflect her personality in full. The crown shaved into her head subtly hints at her lofty goals and one-of-a-kind nature. The contrast of Marnie's studded leather jacket and boots paired with a lacy pink dress shows off the punk-rocker's dual mentality. Her color scheme is striking overall, pairing black leather with pink lace and a unique hair style set in jet black contrasts Marnie's piercing blue eyes. The entire ensemble makes Marnie a captivating character right from the start.
Upholding a Good Mentality
Marnie's demeanor towards the protagonist is always positive. At her very worst she is driven to beat the player in battle and pull ahead in the competition- as any true rival should.
When players first meet Marnie she arrives apologizing for her overzealous fan club. This isn't typically a great first impression, but she seems genuinely remorseful for their actions and is quite welcoming despite recognizing the protagonists as fellow competitors in the Gym Challenge. As the story unfolds players discover she is not involved with Team Yell's scheme to ensure her victory. In fact, Marnie is caught telling some of the members off for obstructing the challenge. Her actions show that Marnie is driven to win, but not by any dishonest means.
Once the player secures victory, knocking Marnie out of the semi-finals, she doesn't grow bitter and jaded. On the contrary she rushes to help the protagonist overcome a chain of dire events that unexpectedly ensue. Marnie can admit when she has been bested without making excuses or carrying a chip on her shoulder as previous rivals have been prone to do.
Marnie's attitude towards Piers for his lack of drive as Gym Leader is harsh, but ultimately understanding. Marnie struggles to understand why her brother refuses to Dynamax his Pokémon and strive for new heights as a trainer. This perhaps explains the motivations behind her own unyielding aspirations. Marnie strives to prove she is a strong trainer and sees her brother's shortcomings as a poor reflection on both of them. However, Marnie adapts her frustration into something positive by practicing steel hard determination and calculated maneuvers in her own training methods. As siblings, they weigh each other out perfectly.
Marnie is a wholly lovable character with a well-balanced personality. Striving to prove herself through honest hard work, Marnie's an admirable rival and boon friend, making her the best new character yet.