>>39736212yeah cause most rivals, the ones with backstory at least, have had family problems. Except in gen3 where you're the one with family problems.
Hau has an inferiority complex about his grandpa, who himself seems to kind of agree. So his whole thing is self esteem, and learning to be his own person. Make him try to fix his self esteem by proving he's better than you, badda bing.
Gen6 has like 5 rivals none of them fleshed out. not touching that, there is no fix except massive overhaul and culling.
Gen5 you get "Muh Sister's Purloin" and Cheren and Bianca.
Purloin dude is oldschool gen1&2 edgy, he can stay.
Cheren's just a guy who wants to Git Gud. I can respect that. He's fine too. A friendly RIVAL instead of a FRIENDLY "rival?".
Bianca, her dad thinks she's too weak and defenseless to be a trainer, even though that's her dream. But all her actions say deep down she agrees. Make her fight for that more. Make her overcompensate want to leave a bodycount (not literal) she can point to and say "See Dad!"
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