Pokémon's Ash Ketchum set out from Pallet Town alone, but he wasn't alone for very long before making new friends and traveling partners. It's a good thing he did, too, as these companions helped make Ash into the world champion trainer that he is today.

Ash Ketchum has traveled with a wide variety of people over the years, including both those with more and less experience with Pokémon than he has. His friends have gone on to become contest performers, gym leaders, a doctor, and even a champion. Ash has learned from many of them, and in turn has taught others what he's learned. While all of Ash's traveling companions have helped shape him in some way, these 10 are by far some of the most impactful on Ash's journey. Here are Ash's best companions, ranked by how they aided Ash in becoming a champ.

10 Tracey Guided Ash Through the Islands

First Appearance: Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands, "The Lost Lapras"

Tracey Sketchit was the first new companion to Ash on his journey when he and Misty reached the Orange Islands and parted ways with Brock. Tracey is a Pokémon Watcher, something akin to a naturalist, sketching drawings of Pokémon and tracking them down. Tracey was quite knowledgeable, particularly about the Orange Islands area, which came in handy since he and Misty were unfamiliar with it.

Ash would arguably have a bigger impact on Tracey’s life than vice versa; Ash introduced Tracey to his idol, Professor Oak, where he soon secured a job as the professor’s assistant. Tracey spends much of his time helping to care for the Pokémon that Ash and Gary send to Oak’s lab, keeping them healthy, safe, and in fighting shape. With as many Pokémon as Ash has, that’s no small order, so Tracey’s assistance is crucial.

9 Iris Kept Ash On Task

First Appearance: Pokémon Black and White, "In the Shadow of Zekrom!"

Iris was Ash’s first companion in the Unova region. A wild girl from the Village of Dragons, she was a very skilled battler, although she didn’t let Ash in on this secret at first. Iris was quite mistrusting of Ash initially, and it took a while for her to warm up to him and begin traveling with him properly. Her behavior can be a bit childish at times, but despite that, she has no problem calling Ash out when he’s behaving childish as well.

Iris was the first friend Ash made in Unova, and their relationship was a major factor in many episodes of Black and White. While they didn’t always get along, Iris did Ash whenever possible, and helped him learn to communicate better with his Pokémon thanks to her natural inclination towards knowing them and their feelings.

8 Lillie Helped Ash Explore Unknown Realms

First Appearance: Pokémon Sun & Moon, "Alola to New Adventure!"

Lillie is one of Ash’s classmates at the Pokémon School in Alola. The daughter of Lusamine, Lillie has a complicated relationship with her mother, whose growing obsession with Ultra Beasts was becoming a problem. Lillie was terrified of Pokémon, but thanks to Ash, was able to eventually grow more comfortable around them and even became a trainer. Ash and Lillie had a special connection through Nebby, a strange Pokémon he found which originated with Lusamine’s Aether Foundation.

Lillie is perhaps the most interesting character of the Sun & Moon gang, with her complicated relationship with her family featuring heavily in episodes she appears in. Lillie’s connection with Lusamine ultimately helped Ash become an Ultra Guardian, where he was able to encounter these strange Ultra Beasts and even capture one, which became important to his league victory in Alola.

7 Clemont's Inventions Helped as Much as Not

First Appearance: Pokémon XY, "Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!"

Clemont was one of the first people Ash met in Kalos, and turned out to be the leader of the Lumiose City gym. He ended up traveling with Ash for a while, working on all sorts of crazy inventions which were as likely to work as they were to explode. As a gym leader, Clemont is very knowledgeable about Pokémon, and doesn’t hesitate to share that knowledge with Ash. Clemont is also a good big brother to his little sister Bonnie, and takes responsibility for the group’s needs.

Clemont took Ash seriously, in an almost rival-like way at times, and made sure that his gym battle was one to . He provided an interesting new dynamic to the group, which helped set him apart from previous male companions like Cilan and Brock.

6 Goh Showed a Different Side of Ash

First Appearance: Pokémon Journeys, "Enter Pikachu!"

Goh is Ash’s final new companion in the series, met in Kanto’s Vermilion City. Goh is a young boy with a calm demeanor and one of the biggest dreams imaginable: catching Mew. Goh was so insistent on catching Mew that he even rejected a starter Pokémon, so Mew could be his first, although he eventually changed his mind on that. As a new trainer, Goh often looked to Ash for advice, while Ash turned to Goh for friendship and enthusiasm.

Goh takes up the new trainer role, but he also has a very distinct goal which separates his activities from Ash’s. Goh often made for good in battles against Team Rocket and other ne’er-do-wells, and Goh’s connections lead to Ash getting his fellowship with Professor Cerise, allowing him to freely traverse the world.

5 May Looked Up to Ash for Advice

First Appearance: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, "Get the Show on the Road!"

May was Ash’s new companion in Ruby and Sapphire's Hoenn, and also the first traveling partner who had less experience than he did. That put Ash in the mentor’s seat for once, helping to guide May on her own Pokémon journey and figure things out for herself. May gradually realized that battling and collecting badges wasn’t for her, but found a ion for Pokémon Contests, where Pokémon compete in a non-violent way by putting on beautiful displays.

Since Ash was no longer the least experienced in the party, May’s addition to the cast was a major shake-up. It was the beginning of Ash’s transition from a relative newbie to a more learned trainer, ultimately making him realize just how far he’d come already. May even convinced Ash to give some contests a try, and while they weren’t his thing, the experience proved valuable.

4 Serena Cared for Ash No Matter What

First Appearance: Pokémon XY, "Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!"

Ash’s female companion in Kalos, Serena was also a first-time trainer, much like May and Dawn before her. As such, Ash took on his mentor role once more, something that helped to inspire Serena to reach new heights. Serena similarly became interested in Pokémon Performances, which are similar to Contests, and eventually dedicated herself to that, although she always remained capable of battling.

Serena takes care of Ash in many situations, often providing Poké Puffs and other desserts for the group. In one episode, when he fell sick, Serena even impersonated Ash in a battle to protect his honor. Serena was also there for Ash during some dark periods, such as after his loss to Wulfric. Serena is also the only companion to have kissed Ash, even if it did happen off-screen.

3 Misty Has Helped Ash from the Beginning

First Appearance: Pokémon the Original Series, "Pokémon - I Choose You"

Misty was Ash’s first companion ever, met in the very first episode of the series. As a gym leader alongside her sisters, Misty had far more experience than Ash did when the series began, and would often offer him advice, or even the use of her Pokémon. Ash often stubbornly resisted, but would eventually grow to value Misty’s input more as they traveled together. Misty is known for having a bit of a temper, smacking Ash or throwing things when angered. Still, she undoubtedly cared about Ash.

Misty has often been there for some of Ash’s most difficult times, and has cared for him when he’s been ill or injured as well. She’s always up to give Ash a challenge when the need arises, and if there’s one thing he can count on, it’s that Misty will have his back.

2 Dawn Was Ash's Greatest Cheerleader

First Appearance: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, "Following A Maiden's Voyage!"

Dawn was Ash’s female companion in Sinnoh, and was another new trainer with little experience, who ultimately ended up leaning towards Contests. Dawn and Ash were very close, often behaving almost like siblings. They would help each other train, and occasionally even worked together in double battles. Dawn proved to be Ash’s biggest cheerleader, to the extent of literally dres as one to cheer him on in his gym battles.

Dawn is the only one of Ash’s companions to have traded Pokémon with him as well: a Buizel for his Aipom. This traded worked out well for both, as Buizel preferred battling while Aipom preferred contests. Both Dawn and Ash grew a lot more mature over the course of their journey, and their for one another was a key element of their success.

1 Brock Shaped Ash the Most

First Appearance: Pokémon the Original Series, "Showdown in Pewter City"

Brock ed Ash and Misty after Ash won his first gym badge from him. As a gym leader, Brock was quite knowledgeable about Pokémon, and would share information during battles. Brock is also the key member of the group for quite a while, cooking most of their food and ensuring they had supplies to keep traveling. Brock was something of an older brother to Ash in many ways, guiding him in all kinds of pursuits, but especially Pokémon.

Brock spent the most time with Ash by a huge margin, and his guidance and advice were often very important to the group. As time ed, Brock grew even more useful, putting a knowledge of first aid t use, which eventually led to him choosing to become a doctor. For these reasons, Brock is without a doubt the Pokémon companion who influenced Ash’s career the most.