The Pokémon anime has introduced numerous impressive trainers over the years. However, the latest character unveiled in Pokémon Horizons, Lucius—the Ancient Adventurer—stands out among the rest. His team boasts some of the strongest Pokémon ever assembled, many of which are rare or were previously undiscovered.
Initially, Lucius is portrayed as a legendary figure, reminiscent of a fairy tale hero. As the story unfolds, viewers learn that he is actually a historical character and the great-great-grandfather of Liko. Tragically, during his journey, Lucius encountered a life-altering event that left him sealed in the Pokémon paradise of Laqua for over a century. His Pokémon are collectively known as the “Six Heroes”and boast remarkable qualities that would make them appealing to any serious trainer.
Evaluating the Six Heroes: The Strongest Pokémon Team Ever Assembled
The Six Heroes Consisted of Numerous Noteworthy Pokémon
Lucius’ team features incredibly powerful Pokémon: a Black Rayquaza, a Shiny Legendary; Galarian Moltres, another Legendary; the Titan Arboliva and Titan Lapras, both much larger than their usual counterparts; Kleavor, an extinct Pokémon; and Gouging Fire, a Paradox Pokémon misidentified as Entei. This formidable lineup grants Lucius two Titans, two Legendaries, and two exceedingly rare Pokémon, with one being unidentified at the time of capture.
Each of Lucius’ Pokémon is not only rare but also possesses considerable power. Black Rayquaza, for instance, has only been vanquished in battles involving numerous Pokémon, and has never lost in one-on-one encounters. Similarly, Galarian Moltres instills despair within its foes, significantly undermining their fighting spirit. Gouging Fire rivals Legendaries in strength, further supported by the overwhelming bulk of the Titans that can amplify their attacks.
How Do Lucius’ Pokémon Stack Up to Modern Trainers?
Lucius Could Easily Defeat Any of the Masters’ Eight
Only a handful of trainers have succeeded in capturing Legendary Pokémon within the anime. Notably, Tobias, Ash’s opponent during the Sinnoh League, claimed victory using just his Darkrai and Latios. It’s suspected he might own additional Legendaries, yet no competitor aside from Ash has managed to defeat Darkrai. Another formidable opponent, Brandon, the Pyramid King, employed a team that included Regirock, Regice, and Registeel.
Despite Ash’s journey through the series, he has never truly had access to a Legendary Pokémon (with Solgaleo being contentious at best). However, he did use Melmetal, a Mythical Pokémon, to secure victory in the Alola League. Among the trainers in the Masters’ Eight tournament—all deemed the best in the world—not one possesses a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon despite their champions’ status. Given the battle prowess of Lucius’ Black Rayquaza, it is likely he could easily triumph over most, including Leon.
Lucius is Undoubtedly the Anime’s Strongest Trainer
Lucius’ Team is Well-Balanced and Diverse
Building a Pokémon team requires more than just sheer strength. Lucius demonstrates a well-rounded approach with a diverse array of types, which allows his Pokémon to mitigate vulnerabilities against one another. Although many moves remain unidentified, Lucius’ Pokémon are known to have powerful attacks like Black Rayquaza’s Draco Meteor, capable of widespread destruction. Moreover, it’s possible that Black Rayquaza is capable of Mega Evolution given its move list, including Dragon Ascent.
The ability to gain the trust of a Legendary Pokémon such as Rayquaza and maintain that bond for over a hundred years is a testament to Lucius’ exceptional skills. It is widely accepted that he is the most formidable trainer featured in the Pokémon anime—spanning from the original series through to Pokémon Horizons. Though Lucius may no longer appear in the story, his legacy as the “Ancient Adventurer”continues to inspire aspiring trainers, including Roy. Emulating Lucius’ example will likely play a crucial role in the narrative as Pokémon Horizons unfolds.