When they decided to make all the Johto Gym Leaders use types that none of the Kanto Gym Leaders did, that means that even some of the rare types with only a very small amount of Pokemon would get the spotlight. Ghost was one of the only types in Generation 1 to only have one representative: the Gastly evolution line. As a result it was not a Gym type in those games, but now it looks like it will have to be in Gen 2. I bet they added a lot of Ghost types for that purpose, right? ....

Pokemon Gold, Silver, Crystal, Heart Gold, Soul Silver

Upon reaching Ecruteak City (my favorite City in all of Pokemon by the way), players are greeted by a very traditional and beautiful Japanese inspired city. The houses have a more classic feel, there are wooden towers and lanterns, the whole thing. Quickly the player learns some of the lore behind the two towers in this city. There is also a gym in the city, but the gym attendant tells us that Morty, the leader, went to visit the Burnt Tower earlier that day. Onwards we go!

In the Burnt Tower we are first greeted by a man called Eusine, who is very knowledgeable on the topic of the history of Johto, including the Burnt Tower. We learn that this tower was once caught in a tragic fire, costing the lives of three Pokemon. They were then supposedly revived into Legendary Beings by a different Pokemon, becoming a legend in the Johto Region.

Behind Eusine stands another man, and we learn that this is the Morty we are looking for. He is investigating the legend of the tower, as he feels like it is his destiny to uncover the legend and find the legendary Pokemon who resides over the towers. He does recognize our potential and returns to the gym, allowing us to challenge him!

In the gym we quickly notice that it is very dark. This is fitting, as Morty is the first Ghost type Gym Leader. What great ghost types did they add in Johto? Well.... they added one. Just one. Misdreavus, a pure Ghost type with mediocre stats. Okayyy, well at least we'll be introduced to that one, right? No. Every single trainer in this gym uses exclusively Gastlys and a few Haunters. What about Morty himself? Well he has 4 Pokemon to fight us with. Okay great, maybe he has Misdreavus? Wrong again.

Morty challenges you with a team of Gastly, Haunter, another Haunter, and a Gengar. Really? They couldn't have swapped one of the Haunters out?

Frustrations aside, he can be pretty easy if you prepare for him, but hard if you don't. He uses tactics like Mean Look to trap your Pokemon, before using Curse to make your Pokemon take 25% of its health every turn. Gengar hits decently hard with Shadow Ball as well. Upon defeat, Morty grants you the Fog Badge, fitting for his gym.

In the remakes, Morty still uses the same Pokemon. He does include some Hypnosis + Dream Eater strategies, so be careful when your Pokemon falls asleep. Gengar is the big threat in these games, as its Shadow Ball will now hit off of its much higher Special Attack stat. It is seriously terrifying how many Pokemon it can defeat in one hit. Pretty much every non-Ghost type faints after 2. Careful!

Also in the remakes, Morty can be rematched in the Post Game. Upon getting his number in the Bellchime Trail (accessed through the second tower in the City), the player can call him at a specific time of the week to challenge him to a battle. He will head to Saffron City in Johto, and can be found in the Fighting Dojo. Thankfully he doesn't just use 6 Gengars, and actually includes several other Ghost types. Dusknoir, Mismagius (finally), Sableye, and Drifblim all join his party. Oh and two Gengars. Because of course there are two.

Pokemon Black 2, White 2

Morty returns among his fellow Johto Gym Leaders to the Pokemon World Tournament. He can be fought in the Johto Leaders and Type Expert challenges, using more Ghost types like Froslass and Chandelure on his team. He doesn't appear at any other point in the game.

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I think Morty is a really interesting character. Even though he physically doesn't do much in the game, just like pretty much every other Gym Leader in Johto, he seems to be the most involved in the actual story of the region. He resides over the tower in which the Legend of Johto occurred, and he is actively trying to meet this Legendary Pokemon. On top of that he introduces the player to Eusine in Crystal and the remakes, who also plays a role in the story.

I will give a rare shoutout to a spin-off appearance of Morty. In Pokemon Masters EX, there was an event in which Morty set out to find the legendary Pokemon Ho-Oh. I remember really enjoying his character in this game, and seeing him pull off his dream felt deserved and special. It certainly adds to his character.