Lieutenant Surge

The Lightning American
Lt. Surge
Species	Human
Hair color	Blonde
Eye color	Blue
Base	Vermilion City Gym
Debut	Pokémon: Red Version/Pokemon: Green Version

Lt. Surge is the gym leader of the Vermilion City gym, who hails from America.

Background

In the past he apparently worked in the army and was a strict taskmaster. His faith in electric-type Pokémon comes from the fact that they had saved his life when he was fighting in the war. In Pokémon: Red, Blue, Green and Yellow Versions (as well as Pokémon: FireRed and LeafGreen Versions), Surge was the third gym leader Red battled. But due to the cautious nature Surge had developed during his military service, he had sealed himself off from the rest of the room with an electrical barrier, that could only be deactivated by pressing special switches hidden within wastebaskets. After being defeated, Surge gave Red the Thunderbadge as well as TM 24: Thunderbolt (Or TM 34: Shock Wave in FireRed and LeafGreen).

Surge could also be challenged by Gold in the Gold, Silver and Crystal Versions (as well as the HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions). He was the first Kanto gym leader that Gold could battle in the game, and would once more give away the Thunderbadge upon defeat (as well as TM 34: Shock Wave in HeartGold and SoulSilver). In HeartGold and SoulSilver, he later appears outside the Power Plant between the hours of 9AM and 11AM every day, where he will exchange Pokégear numbers with Gold if he shows him a Pikachu. Calling him on Friday mornings will cause him to come to the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City for a rematch.

Pokémon Roster

Lt. Surge specialized in electric-type Pokémon. In the first generation games, his line-up consisted of Pikachu, Raichu and Voltorb. However, in Pokémon Yellow he had only a Raichu due to it being his only Pokémon in the anime. In Gold, Silver and Crystal (as well as the first match in HeartGold/SoulSilver), Surge had the following Pokémon in his roster:

• Raichu
• Electrode (2)
• Magneton
• Electabuzz

In HeartGold and SoulSilver, he used the following Pokémon in rematches:

• Raichu
• Manectric
• Magnezone
• Electrode
• Pachirisu
• Electivire

Other Games

Lt. Surge appeared in Pokémon Stadium as one of the enemies in the Gym Leader Castle. This time his Pokémon in the first round were Raichu, Voltorb, Electrode, Pikachu, Magnemite and Magneton - most of which were later used for his roster in the Gold, Silver and Crystal versions. In the second round he used Raichu, Tangela, Poliwrath, Lickitung, Electabuzz and Electrode.

Surge (as he appeared in the anime) appeared in Pokémon Puzzle League as the fourth opponent. His line-up consisted of a Jolteon, Raichu and a Magneton.

In Pokémon Stadium 2, Surge was the third enemy in the Gym Leader Castle. He used Raichu, Magneton, Electrode, Electabuzz, Porygon and Lanturn. In the second round his Pokémon were Raichu, Victreebel, Dodrio, Jolteon, Quagsire and Porygon2.

Other Appearances

• Lt. Surge appeared in an episode of the Pokémon anime, where his only Pokémon was a Raichu. He taunted Ash Ketchum for not evolving his Pikachu and often teased Ash by calling him a babty. But Ash was ultimately able to prove himself when his Pikachu defeated Surge's Raichu in their rematch.
• He appears in the Pokémon Adventures manga initially as one of the villainous gym leaders serving under Giovanni as part of Team Rocket. He uses the St. Anne for his criminal activities and nearly kills Red after he stumbles upon them. He captures Zapdos for Team Rocket, but is defeated in the final battles of the Red/Blue/Green arc by Red in Saffron City. He later appears near the end of the Yellow arc to battle the Elite Four for Team Rocket. He is supposed to fight alongside Red but due to his absence he is paired with Bill instead in battle against Bruno until Red returns, at which point Surge draws back. In the Gold/Silver/Crystal arc he was shown to have retained his gym leader status and used the S.S. Aqua to investigate and attempt to defeat the mysterious new Team Rocket leader, only to be defeated. After discovering proof that Gold and Silver are alive, he enlists Morty's help in tracking them to see what they know about the Mask of Ice. During the competition with the Johto gym leaders, he is paired against Morty in a match that ends with a draw. Raikou chooses Surge as its master, and he uses Raikou to escape being trapped on the bullet train and to battle the Mask of Ice alongside Misty and Blaine, although they are ultimately defeated.

Trivia

• Surge is said to have also been a pilot when he lived in America (possibly while fighting in the war), and his plane was powered by electric Pokémon.
• In Yellow, his speech is more condescending to reflect his attitude in the anime.