Clay

Clay (Japanese: ヤーコン Yakon) is a in the  who is the Gym Leader of Driftveil City's Gym, known officially as the Driftveil Gym. He specializes in. He gives the to s who defeat him.

In the games
Clay appears in as the Gym Leader of Driftveil City's Gym. This Gym will be the fifth to be challenged by the player. Trainers who defeat Clay will receive the Quake Badge. Shortly after, he appears on to aid the player in removing the  web blocking the entrance to the Chargestone Cave. After his removes the web, he gives  to the player. He also reappears again at N's Castle where he and the other Unova Gym Leaders hold off the Seven Sages.

When the player is cornered by the Seven Sages, Clay is the first of the Unova Gym Leaders to march in. He asks the player if he is tired out yet, then the rest of the Unova Gym Leaders, with the exception of Cilan, Chili and Cress, walk in and take positions opposite each sage in pairs. Drayden then tells the player to proceed in pursuit of N.

Once the player gains access to the Driftveil Gym, Clay will be standing outside of the Gym, opposite Ghetsis and some s. Ghetsis refers to Clay as the "Miner King".

When the player encounters the Driftveil Gym Leader inside of Twist Mountain on his/her first visit after obtaining the Mistralton Gym Badge, he will say that Twist Mountain belongs to him, and that the player and Cheren can train on it should they wish to do so.

One of the Trainers the player can battle inside the Driftveil Gym says that Clay is a company president. However, it is not known what business Clay actually owns. Another Trainer that can be battled inside the Driftveil Gym says that Clay stays at the bottom of the Gym to remind himself that he once had nothing. A backpacker inside the Nacrene City Pokémon Center says that Clay found Fossils on Twist Mountain and donated them to the Nacrene City Museum.

In, he returns as a Gym Leader. The TM Clay gives away remains the same, though he gives it out immediately after the battle rather than outside Chargestone Cave, as there is no longer any Galvantula web blocking the entrance.

After the Gym battle, Clay will take the player up his private lift to the entrance of the Gym and then leaves. Outside of the Gym, he is with Hugh and notices that the player and Hugh are friends, and then proceed to show the two Trainers to the Pokémon World Tournament south of Driftveil City. Once there, he goes inside and tells them both to join in the Driftveil Tournament. Cheren is already there and participates as well. After the tournament, Roxie turns up and learns about the tournament, and leaves again. Clay follows and leaves the player to continue the adventure.

Challenge Mode




Pokémon World Tournament
Clay uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles, four in Double and Rotation Battles, and all six in Triple Battles. He will always lead with his signature Pokémon,.

Driftveil Tournament




Unova Leaders Tournament




Type Expert/World Leaders Tournament




Driftveil City
 * "Hrmph! So yer the Trainer Elesa was talkin' about, huh. I'm Clay. I'm the Gym Leader 'round these parts. Don't be expectin' no welcome, now. 'Cause when we lowered that bridge, the Team Plasma guys we'd caught done escaped in all the ruckus!"
 * "Ya can say whatever ya want. But what's important is y'all showed up, and then Team Plasma escaped. Maybe it's a little heavy-handed, but you oughtta start lookin' for Team Plasma, too. Yer both talented Trainers, aren't ya? Tell ya what... If ya find Team Plasma, I'll let ya challenge my Gym! Life's all about give and take!"

Cold Storage
 * "Well, I'll be! Hidin' in a chilly old place like this... You guys take these Pokémon robbers!"
 * "You guys ain't so bad! Yup, a promise is a promise. Come on an' challenge my Gym!"

Driftveil City
 * "I don't need no thanks, now. Yer buddies were tryin' to steal some folks' Pokémon."
 * "Well, that sounds real nice, if it's true. I may not talk purty, but at least I'm an honest man. You talk real nice, but what yer sayin' kinda sounds like lyin'. So tell me plain, what are ya tryin' to say?"
 * "...Well, I can't tell if yer lyin' or not, but I reckon you've won this without a fight. Hrrmph. Fine. Take 'em and git!"
 * "Sorry to let Team Plasma go after you tracked 'em down, fellas. Say, why don't we cheer ourselves up with a Pokémon battle? Don't keep me waitin'!"

Driftveil Gym
 * Before battle
 * "Well.. Think it's about time fer myself what it is about yer skills that makes a Gym Leader like Elesa take such a shine to ya."


 * During battle (the first non-KO HP loss)
 * "Well I'll be! Sure didn't see that coming."


 * After sending out last Pokémon
 * "Givin' up's the easy way out! If I wanted, I could have given up any old time!"


 * Being defeated
 * "Well, I've had enough... and just so you know, I didn't go easy on you."


 * After being defeated
 * "Mrrrmph. I see. But I sure don't like it! Fer such a young 'un, ya have an imposin' battle style. I know ya got people who can dig up yer potential. Mrmph. Here! Take this!"
 * "So this is yer fifth Badge, huh? If that's so, Pokémon up to Lv. 60 will obey ya. Also, I'll give ya this TM. ...Well, that was the plan, but I just remembered there's somethin' I want. Wait in front of the cave at the end of, wouldja?"
 * "What's the problem? Go wait in front of the cave at the end of Route 6!"
 * "I don't know how much potential ya got, but if ya think ya can go, go wherever, and if ya think ya can do somethin', keep doin' it. Do things how ya want! Decide yer own limits."


 * Post game:
 * "Mrrrmph! You, huh? Remember what I done told ya? If ya think ya can go, go wherever, and if ya think ya can do somethin', keep doin' it. Do things how ya want! Decide yer own limits."

Chargestone Cave
 * "Thanks fer waitin'. Looks like th' nest of an Pokémon called . Don't know why there's a nest here, but if there are folks havin' problems, th' Gym Leader's th' one ta fix it. Krokorok! Take it out! And this here TM's yours. It's my favorite TM, so ya can teach it ta all of yer Pokémon! It's called . This move does damage and lowers the  of any Pokémon it hits. Some  Pokémon move a little slower than ya'd like. If ya use Bulldoze right, ya can cover that weakness! I don't know how good you really are, but if ya think ya can go, go wherever, and if ya think ya can do somethin', keep doin' it. Do things how ya want! Decide yer own limits."

Twist Mountain
 * "What a surprise. Seein' ya here while I was inspectin' Twist Mountain. Th' two of ya seem a bit more rugged than the last time I saw ya. A li'l bit, anyway..."
 * "By th'by... You folks seen that Team Plasma crowd lately? After all the trouble, we Gym Leaders met up and had a chat. But we've got no clue where they are. It's like they're hidin' under a rock. Well, not much to do but wait for 'em to move. Anyhow, this's none o' yer concern. Squirts like the two of ya should just enjoy travelin' with yer Pokémon. Twist Mountain's a fine place to explore! You'll have some fun if you just leave this here path... Weeell... Better ya just see it yerself, 'stead o' listenin' to me yammer. Be seein' ya, sprouts! Feel free to train yerselves on my mountain fer as long's ya like."

N's Castle
 * "Can ya manage that?"
 * "Still standin', are ya, ?"
 * "Hrrmph! Ain't just me!"
 * "Things aren't gonna go th' way ya fellas think they are! I'm sure o' that!"

Badge Case
 * Ya always want to live honestly fer yerself and yer Pokémon

Driftveil Gym
 * Before battle
 * "Harrumph! Kept me waitin', didn't ya, kid? All right, time to see what ya can do!"


 * During battle (the first non-KO HP loss)
 * "Impressive! That's some strength you've got!"


 * After sending out last Pokémon
 * "No hard feelings, but I'm extremely stubborn!"


 * Being defeated
 * "Man oh man… It feels good to go all out and still be defeated!"


 * After being defeated
 * "Phew… You're really somethin'! Li'l whippersnapper Trainers who pack a real punch keep showin' up one after another. Mrmph. Here! Take this!"
 * "So this is yer fifth Badge, huh? If that's so, Pokémon up to Lv. 60 will obey ya. Here! Take this, too!"
 * "Well, I suppose… Come thisaway!"


 * In the Gym's hall
 * "Good dancers are crucial fer puttin' on a good show!"


 * If talked to again after entering the Hall of Fame
 * "Mrrmph! You, huh? Remember what I done told ya? If ya think ya can go, go wherever, and if ya think ya can do somethin', keep doin' it. Do things how ya want! Decide yer own limits."

In front of the Gym
 * "Oh, so you two squirts know each other, huh? Ya both ain't bad, so I wanna show ya somethin'."
 * "There's always room for folks to grow and change, ain't there? And, if ya only go after what ya think is right, ya might end up rejectin' all thoughts and opinions other than yer own. That's mighty dangerous."
 * "Ya ever heard of the Pokémon World Tournament? Trainers from all over the world gather on up to see who's toughest!"
 * "Well then, I'll be waitin' for you at the south end of town!"

Pokémon World Tournament
 * Introducing the Tournament
 * "Here we are! Whaddya think? Great buildin', huh? Here's where the Pokémon World Tournament takes place! Ain't she purty? Follow me, tads!"
 * "This time, I'm gonna have ya participate in the Driftveil Tournament. Anything goes in this here tournament! Eight people will be participatin', and if ya win three times, yer the champion!"
 * "Ya know somethin', Cheren. The one who's gotta show everyone what Pokémon battlin' means--is you. And  ain't here, either! I'm countin' on the power of youth, 'cause everyone likes up-and-comin' stars! OK! Whenever yer ready, get on over to reception!"


 * After the Driftveil Tournament
 * "An outstandin' battle, runts! Now everybody's gonna want to join in on this here tournament an' show their stuff!"
 * "See what I mean? People are pourin' in already! If the strongest Trainers from all over join in, it'll raise up everybody's level of skill! An' then, li'l ol' Driftveil City will grow even more and make a heap of money! So keep on bustin' those battles and rilin' everybody up! See ya!"


 * Before battle (first round)
 * "Yer tougher than ya were when I gave ya that Gym Badge, right? Well, how 'bout we have ourselves a look and see what ya can do now."


 * Before battle (second round)
 * "How much stronger ya get comes from how much you want to win! Always be loyal to that desire, ya hear?"


 * Before battle (final battle)
 * "If ya want ta win, don't make excuses! Got it? If yer gonna bellyache, just forget 'bout fightin'! Well, I might be fussin' 'bout nothing when it comes to you."


 * Being defeated
 * "Well, I've had enough... And just so you know, I didn't go easy on you."


 * If the player is defeated
 * "It's simple, hear! I wanted to win more than ya did!"


 * After being defeated
 * "Fer such a young 'un, ya have an imposin' battle style. I wonder what kind a journey ya had that made ya so strong. But, I still don't like losin'!"


 * After winning
 * "What's important is how ya react to losin'. That's why folks who use losin' as fuel to get better are tough."


 * In the lobby, after the tournament
 * "Am I all right with a Trainer like ya winning the Tournament, ya say? Ya think there're stronger Trainers out there yet? Talented Trainers who think like that are just who I want to come here to Driftveil City!"

Memory Link - Different Bones and Dreams
 * "Hey there! What's everyone all gathered up for?"
 * (to Burgh) "Found a Fossil in Twist Mountain. I came here to have Lenora look at it and see if ya wanted to keep it here or somethin'."
 * "Hmm? Well now... No matter who ya are or when ya die, bones are all that'll be left of ya. When ya think about it, it's amazin'. Even if ya die, ya can make money! Some Fossils are worth a lot, ya know!"
 * (to Lenora) "Here ya go! Whaddaya think? It's gotta be worth a mint as a specimen or as a collectible! Which is it?"
 * "That so? Guess my Twist Mountain still has unlimited potential! All right! I'll keep on diggin' my Clay Tunnel! Here, Burgh! That plain ol' Fossil's yours! Have a look at it and think about what bones mean to ya."

National Gymquirer

 * Jingle: "Woo hoo! All right! It's 'The National Gymquirer'!"
 * Page: "That's right! We collect the hottest gossip about Gym Leaders seen around town! Here is today's letter. From someone going by the name Veildrifter. Thank yooou! 'You know how Gym Leader Clay never takes off his hat? Well, the other day I finally saw him take it off... And underneath his big hat was a fluffy knit hat! He wears two hats! Weird, huh?' Hmm... That seems like it would be way too warm! Still, I wonder if that isn't just Clay's hair sticking up all funny... 'The National Gymquirer'! We eagerly await your letters!"

In the main series
Clay debuted in The Mighty Accelguard to the Rescue!. and met him right after they had arrived at Driftveil City, and Ash asked him for a battle. However, he refused to battle Ash at the time because he had to check out a mine at the edge of town. Ash would try to battle Clay again in Stopping the Rage of Legends! Part 1 but he refused yet again. He claimed that he could not have a battle with him if he did not have any s. When Ash asked what they were, Clay criticized him for not knowing and said that he probably wouldn't be worth battling. However, he did promise a battle if he brought him some Revival Herbs. After Ash obtained the herbs in Stopping the Rage of Legends! Part 2, he immediately went to Clay in the next episode. He was surprised that Ash was able to get the herbs and finally accepted his challenge. Ash managed to defeat Clay and he gave him the.

Clay is shown to have started his life as a miner when he was around Ash's age with his Excadrill. One of his mines would later become the Driftveil Gym. He greatly values experience through hard work and views Ash's youth and inexperience with contempt, though he later gains new respect for the young Trainer after their battle. Clay prefers a frontal assault style of battling and becomes enraged when Ash uses strategy like his 's to stop his Palpitoad.

He reappeared in a flashback in Curtain Up, Unova League!. He also made a cameo appearance in the ending credits of Genesect and the Legend Awakened.

Pokémon
This listing is of Clay's known Pokémon in the anime:

In Pokémon Generations
Clay appeared in The Uprising, in which he was seen outside N's Castle trying to stop the Seven Sages. Together with several other Unova Gym Leaders, he battled the many s to prevent them from achieving Team Plasma's goals.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Clay makes his first appearance digging around Desert Resort. When one of his men finds a mysterious rock, Clay tells them to just ignore it. When Clay touches the stone, he experiences a surge of power rush through his body. He reports his find to Lenora and asks her to come take the stone and investigate it. As they talk, the Shadow Triad spy on Clay and plan to steal the stone from him.

When travels to Driftveil City to get his fifth Gym Badge, he finds that the drawbridge is currently down for maintenance. Elesa tells Black that Clay is currently trying to fix it, but Black decides to just travel on the drawbridge anyway. There, he encounters N's Zorua, who had sabotaged the drawbridge and prevented it from moving. After driving it away, Black meets Clay, who he initially mistakes for being another one of Zorua's s. They quickly clear up the confusion, but Clay attacks Black for being insulted earlier.

Upon arriving in Driftveil City, Black is unable to have his Gym battle due to Clay's bad mood. Clay decides to let Black have his battle after realizing that he could help with the stone he found in Desert Resort. As they battle, Clay tells Black that the stone he found was actually the Dark Stone, the stone form of the Legendary Pokémon and that Team Plasma is currently aiming on stealing it. Clay also reveals that the Gym Leaders are fully aware of this plan and that they intend on joining together to stop the Shadow Triad from getting the Dark Stone. After losing the battle, Clay takes Black to the Celestial Tower at Mistralton City to meet up with the other Gym Leaders.

When Black comes to have his Gym battle, Clay reveals that the stone he found was actually the stone form of the Legendary Zekrom and that Team Plasma aims to steal it. Clay also reveals that the Gym Leaders are fully aware of this plan and that they intend on joining together to stop the Shadow Triad from getting the Dark Stone. After losing the battle, Clay takes Black to the Celestial Tower at Mistralton City to meet up with the other Gym Leaders. Once Skyla finishes her Gym battle with Black, she takes the group to Nacrene City to help Lenora after she had already began her battle with the thieves. Although they manage to win with teamwork, the Shadow Triad reveal their trump card, the Legendary Pokémon, , and. They use the three to defeat and kidnap the Gym Leaders to prevent further interference.

Clay and the other Gym Leaders were taken to a dark room in N's Castle. They had their memories tampered with so that they do not have any recollection of how they were kidnapped. When searching for a way to rescue the Gym Leaders, Caitlin used psychic abilities to communicate with the Gym Leaders. She was unable to find out their location, but she found that the Gym Leaders were unharmed. She also used her powers to relay a message to Black in his Gym battle against Drayden.

During Team Plasma's attack on the Pokémon League, Clay is hoisted up on a crucifix along with the other Gym Leaders so that they and the League can be mocked. Black tries to save them, but is stopped by Ghetsis and the Seven Sages. With no way to rescue his friends, several Trainers that Black met on his journey arrive to rescue the Gym Leaders in Black's place. Through teamwork, the Trainers manage to free the Gym Leaders from their bindings. The Gym Leaders then help to stop Team Plasma from attacking the League.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga
Clay makes an appearance in.

Trivia

 * His Japanese Leader title is.
 * All of the same species of Pokémon he owns in the and  have, at some point, also been owned by either  or.

Related articles

 * Images on the Bulbagarden Archives

Turner Yakón Bardane Rafan ヤーコン 菊老大