In the 2019 games Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield for the Nintendo Switch, trainers encounter a diverse roster of characters, each with their own charm and unique story. Among them, the Dark-type trainer Marnie stands out as one of the most enigmatic and intriguing people you’ll meet on your Pokémon journey. With her dark demeanor, unwavering determination, and loyal fanbase, Marnie is a memorable character who has become a fan favorite. Here’s everything there is to know about this Dark-type Gym Leader, including what you can expect when you face her in battle.
Marnie’s Background and Early Life
Marnie hails from Spikemuth, a town located in the Galar region. Raised by her older brother, Piers, she grew up in a rather bleak environment, surrounded by the influences of Team Yell, a fanatical fan club dedicated to her and her brother.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Marnie developed a strong sense of independence and a competitive spirit from a young age. She idolizes her older brother Piers, who serves as the Gym Leader in Spikemuth, and aims to follow in his footsteps as a Pokémon Trainer. Although her appearance might make players assume she is standoffish, Marnie has a kind, albeit reserved, personality.
Marnie’s Role in Pokémon Sword and Shield
Marnie plays a prominent role throughout the storyline of Pokémon Sword and Shield. First and foremost, she serves as one of the player’s main rivals throughout the game, competing for the title of Champion of the Galar region. Her dedication to becoming Champion and strong Dark-type Pokémon make her a formidable opponent.
Marnie is the idol of Team Yell, a group of enthusiastic fans who often get in the player’s way during Gym Challenges. Despite Team Yell’s antics and troublesome interference, she maintains a strong bond with them, reflecting her loyalty to her fans.
Later in the game, Marnie succeeds her brother Piers as Gym Leader. Players can then challenge her for her title in Spikemuth. This gym battle is a highlight of the game and a notable milestone in the story (both hers and yours).
Battling Marnie: A Formidable Rival
You’ll encounter Marnie several times throughout your journey in Pokémon Sword and Shield. You can expect to battle her multiple times as you progress through the Galar region’s Gym Challenge and storyline, and each showdown with her is more significant than the last.
Marnie specializes in Dark-type Pokémon, reflecting the theme of her hometown, Spikemuth. Dark-type Pokémon are known for their resistance to Psychic-type attacks, tricky moves, and powerful offensive capabilities. In battle, she brings out a mix of Dark-type Pokémon as well as hybrid Poison, Fighting, and Electric-types.
While Marnie’s team evolves and gets tougher throughout the game, a few Pokémon are staples in her lineup:
- Morpeko: Morpeko is Marnie’s signature Pokémon, an Electric/Dark-type with the unique ability to switch between its Full Belly Mode (Electric) and Hangry Mode (Dark). Expect it to use moves like Aura Wheel, Spark, and Bite.
- Scrafty: This Dark/Fighting-type Pokémon is a tough adversary known for its resilience and strong attacks. It often uses moves such as Crunch, High Jump Kick, and Dragon Dance.
- Liepard: A pure Dark-type Pokémon, Liepard is agile and uses moves like Night Slash, Sucker Punch, and Fake Out to throw wrenches into your strategy.
When taking Marnie on, it’s important to prepare for her Dark-type Pokémon’s capabilities. Dark-type moves are highly effective against Psychic and Ghost types, so avoid sending Pokémon of those types out against her unless you know what you’re doing.
Consider using your best Pokémon that are strong against Dark-types, such as Fighting, Bug, and Fairy types. These can resist and deal super-effective damage against her Pokémon. Moves that boost your team’s stats or lower your opponent’s, like Swords Dance or Intimidate, can also be useful here.
Fun Facts About Marnie
Can’t get enough of Marnie? Here are some interesting facts and trivia about her:
- Marnie’s signature Pokémon is Morpeko, an Electric/Dark-type Pokémon known for its hangry mode, which causes it to change its appearance and type during battles. Morpeko is also in the “Pikachu family” of Pokémon (as you can probably tell from its appearance).
- Marnie’s Japanese name is Mary, derived from the word “rosemary.” Her English name seemingly comes from “rosmarine,” the medieval English word for “rosemary.”
- Marnie’s battle theme, a catchy rock tune that captures her unique punk style, is a favorite among fans and has millions of views on YouTube. It was also featured in trailers for Pokémon Sword and Shield.
- When Marnie changes her outfit to a uniform, her number is 960. This reads in Japanese as “kuro,” which means “hardship” or “black” – both fitting monikers for Marnie.
- She and her brother, Piers, are the first Dark-type Gym Leaders in the series.
As trainers continue to explore and battle through the world of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Marnie remains ready to challenge them as they pursue their dreams of becoming the Champion of Galar. Her dark and mysterious aura, coupled with her reserved but sweet personality, has left a lasting impression on players and adds a layer of intrigue to the game’s character roster.