>>33932435That's the typical argument people have when they want to downplay the new rivals just because of personality. They only recognize Green and more often than not Silver as the only good rivals on the games. As such, they have to use every argument possible about their "asshole rival".
In reality, though, there's only three times were he might catch you off guard. First one being the fight in Route 22 and the second in the SS Anne and the fight right before the League.
Funny thing is, the same occurs with other rivals. Barry, Bianca and Cheren come to mind. The first time Barry does it, if I remember correctly, is right before you try entering the Pastoria Gym, trying to cross the bridge in Canalave City and right before trying to take the League Challenge.
I'm sure we all agree that they need to stop with the "healing after battle" thing, specially with them not having that many pokemon and, sometimes, low levels, but other than that, the first rivals weren't like people remember.
