Kukui (Masters)

Kukui (Japanese: ククイ Kukui) is a Pokémon Trainer in Pokémon Masters EX, based on the character of the same name in the core series . He forms a sync pair with . The sync pair can be obtained through the sync pair scout, starting from January 30, 2020. This pair could be raised to beginning on January 25, 2023.
Kukui also appears under his guise of The Masked Royal, where he forms a sync pair with his . This pair could be obtained through the sync pair scout, starting from June 17, 2021. The pair's potential can be upgraded to from when the pair was first released, which unlocks The Masked Royal's EX style.
==In the games==
===History===
Kukui has experienced similar events to his core series counterpart.
==Lycanroc (Midday Form)==
Raising this sync pair to 6★ EX will unlock Song Key 07023, which allows "Battle! (Professor Kukui) (Pokémon Masters EX Version)" to be played in the .
===Availability===
Kukui is available in the permanent sync pair scout pool. His offering rate was increased in the following sync pair scouts:
===Moves===
Name 	 	 	Move gauge	Base	Max 	 	Target 	Description
 	 	2 	39 	46 	95% 	An opponent 	Lowers the target's Speed by one stat rank. 	
 	 	0(3 uses)	75 	90 	100%	An opponent 	No additional effect. 	
Woo! Refreshing!	0(2 uses)	— 	— 	— 	Self	Restores three MP of the user's moves that have the quick move effect tag. Raises the user's Attack by two stat ranks.	 	
 	 	1 	— 	— 	— 	All opponents 	Lowers the target's Defense by one stat rank. 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Island 	 	— 	250 	300 	— 	An opponent 	Removes the Physical and Special Damage Reduction effects from the opponents' field of play.6★ EX effect: Power of sync move increases by 50%	
===Skills===
Name 	Description
 	
 	Powers up the user's moves during a sandstorm.
 	Prevents the user from flinching.
 	
Rock Tech 	Raises allies' Attack and Sp. Atk by 12 when using Rock-type attacks.Raises the maximum HP of all allied sync pairs by 12.
Alola Tech 	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 1.Raises the maximum HP of all allied sync pairs by 1.
Sunglasses Tech 	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 2.Raises the maximum HP of all allied sync pairs by 2.
Researcher Tech 	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 2.Raises the maximum HP of all allied sync pairs by 2.
Knowledgeable Tech	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 2.Raises the maximum HP of all allied sync pairs by 2.
 	
Soothing ↑ 2 	Raises the following discovery level by 2:• Soothing Crystal
===Sync grid===
Kukui & Lycanroc's sync grid is an expanded grid, made available on August 11, 2020. It was further expanded on December 25, 2023.
Name 	Effect 	Energy required	Sync orb required	Move level required
HP +10 	HP +10 	0 	5 	1
HP +10 	HP +10 	2 	24 	1
HP +10 	HP +10 	2 	24 	1
HP +10 	HP +10 	2 	24 	1
HP +20 	HP +20 	5 	60 	1
HP +40 	HP +40 	0 	5 	1
Attack +5 	Attack +5 	0 	5 	1
Attack +5 	Attack +5 	0 	5 	1
Attack +20 	Attack +20 	0 	5 	1
Attack +20 	Attack +20 	7 	84 	3
Attack +20 	Attack +20 	10 	120 	3
Defense +5 	Defense +5 	0 	5 	1
Defense +5 	Defense +5 	2 	24 	1
Defense +5 	Defense +5 	2 	24 	1
Defense +10 	Defense +10 	4 	48 	2
Sp. Def +5 	Sp. Def +5 	0 	5 	1
Sp. Def +10 	Sp. Def +10 	5 	60 	1
Sp. Def +10 	Sp. Def +10 	5 	60 	2
Speed +5 	Speed +5 	0 	5 	1
Speed +5 	Speed +5 	2 	24 	1
Speed +10 	Speed +10 	4 	48 	2
Speed +10 	Speed +10 	4 	48 	3
Rock Tomb: Power +4 	Rock Tomb: Power ↑ +4 	3 	36 	1
Rock Tomb: Power +4 	Rock Tomb: Power ↑ +4 	3 	36 	1
Rock Tomb: Power +4 	Rock Tomb: Power ↑ +4 	3 	36 	1
Rock Tomb: Power +4 	Rock Tomb: Power ↑ +4 	3 	36 	2
Rock Tomb: Power +4 	Rock Tomb: Power ↑ +4 	3 	36 	3
Rock Tomb: 	Has a chance (30%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful. 	5 	60 	2
Rock Tomb: 	Has a chance (30%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful. 	5 	60 	3
Rock Tomb: 	Lowers the target's Speed by one stat rank when the user's attack move against it is successful. 	3 	36 	2
Accelerock: Power +6 	Accelerock: Power ↑ +6 	3 	36 	1
Accelerock: Power +6 	Accelerock: Power ↑ +6 	3 	36 	1
Accelerock: Power +6 	Accelerock: Power ↑ +6 	3 	36 	1
Accelerock: Power +6 	Accelerock: Power ↑ +6 	3 	36 	1
Accelerock: Power +6 	Accelerock: Power ↑ +6 	3 	36 	2
Accelerock: 	Has a chance (60%) of making the target flinch when the user's attack move against it is successful.	13 	156 	3
Leer: 	Has a chance (50%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful. 	6 	72 	1
Woo! Refreshing!: 	Has a chance (40%) of restoring one MP of the user's move when that move is successful. 	7 	84 	1
 	Defense cannot be lowered. 	3 	36 	1
 	Protects the user from damage from a sandstorm. 	3 	36 	1
 	Raises the user's evasiveness by one stat rank during a sandstorm. 	5 	60 	1
 	Restores the user's HP whenever its Pokémon takes an action during a sandstorm. 	7 	84 	2
 	Quickly charges the move gauge during a sandstorm. 	8 	96 	2
 	Powers up the user's moves during a sandstorm. 	9 	108 	2
 	Raises the Attack of all allied sync pairs by one stat rank after using the user's sync move. 	5 	60 	2
 	The more the target's Speed is lowered, the more it powers up the user's moves. 	8 	96 	2
 	The more the target's Speed is lowered, the more it powers up the user's sync move. 	8 	96 	2
 	Lowers the Speed of all opposing sync pairs by two stat ranks when the user enters a battle. 	3 	36 	2
 	Powers up the user's sync move during a sandstorm. 	8 	96 	3
 	The fuller the move gauge when moves are selected, the more this powers up moves. 	10 	120 	3
 	Raises the user's Attack by two stat ranks when its move is successful. 	5 	60 	3
 	Raises the user's critical-hit rate by one stat rank when its Pokémon uses a status move. 	5 	60 	3
Island Splintered Stormshards: Power +25	Island Splintered Stormshards: Power ↑ +25 	5 	60 	3
Island Splintered Stormshards: Power +25	Island Splintered Stormshards: Power ↑ +25 	5 	60 	3
==Incineroar==
Raising this sync pair to 6★ EX will unlock Song Key 07008, which allows "Battle! (The Masked Royal) (Pokémon Masters EX Version)" to be played in the .
===Availability===
The Masked Royal is available in the permanent sync pair scout pool. His offering rate was increased in the following sync pair scouts:
===Moves===
Name 	 	 	Move gauge	Base	Max 	 	Target 	Description
 	 	2	50 	60 	100% 	All opponents 	No additional effect. 	
X Attack 	0(2 uses)	—	— 	— 	Self 	Raises the user's Attack by two stat ranks. 	 	
 	 	3	90 	108 	100% 	An opponent 	Ignores the target's raised stats. 	
Ready...Fight!	0(2 uses)	—	— 	— 	All allies	Raises the user's evasiveness by one stat rank. Raises the Speed of all allied sync pairs by three stat ranks.	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Heel Turn 	 	—	200 	240 	— 	An opponent 	The more the user's Speed has been raised, the greater the power of this attack.(6★ EX effect: Sync move power will be multiplied by 1.5.)	
===Skills===
Name 	Description
 	
 	Lowers the Attack of all opposing sync pairs by one stat rank when the user enters a battle.
 	Powers up the user's sync move when the target's Attack is lowered.
 	Lowers the target's Attack or Defense—or both—by one stat rank when the user's move targeting that opponent is successful.
 	
Dark Tech 	Raises allies' Attack and Sp. Atk by 12 when using Dark-type attacks.Raises the maximum HP of all allied sync pairs by 12.
Alola Tech 	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 1.Raises the maximum HP of all allied sync pairs by 1.
Battle Facility Foe Tech 	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 1.Raises the maximum HP of all allied sync pairs by 1.
Masked Tech 	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 2.Raises the maximum HP of all allied sync pairs by 2.
Body Builder Tech 	Raises the Attack and Sp. Atk of all allied sync pairs by 2.Raises the maximum HP of all allied sync pairs by 2.
 	
Rare ↑ 3 Fiery ↓ 2 Wistful ↓ 2	Raises the following discovery level by 3:• Rare CacheLowers the following discovery levels by 2:• Fiery Crystal• Wistful Crystal
===Sync grid===
The Masked Royal & Incineroar's sync grid is an expanded grid, made available when the pair is first released.
Name 	Effect 	Energy required	Sync orb required	Move level required
HP +10 	HP +10 	0 	5 	1
HP +10 	HP +10 	2 	24 	1
HP +10 	HP +10 	2 	24 	1
Attack +5 	Attack +5 	0 	5 	1
Attack +5 	Attack +5 	0 	5 	1
Attack +5 	Attack +5 	2 	24 	2
Attack +10 	Attack +10 	4 	48 	3
Attack +10 	Attack +10 	4 	48 	3
Defense +5 	Defense +5 	0 	5 	1
Defense +20 	Defense +20 	7 	84 	3
Sp. Def +5 	Sp. Def +5 	0 	5 	1
Sp. Def +5 	Sp. Def +5 	2 	24 	1
Speed +5 	Speed +5 	0 	5 	1
Speed +5 	Speed +5 	2 	24 	1
Speed +5 	Speed +5 	2 	24 	1
Speed +5 	Speed +5 	2 	24 	1
Speed +5 	Speed +5 	2 	24 	1
Brutal Swing: Power +3 	Brutal Swing: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Brutal Swing: Power +3 	Brutal Swing: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Brutal Swing: Power +3 	Brutal Swing: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Brutal Swing: Power +3 	Brutal Swing: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Brutal Swing: Power +3 	Brutal Swing: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Brutal Swing: Power +3 	Brutal Swing: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Brutal Swing: Power +3 	Brutal Swing: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	2
Brutal Swing: 	Has a chance (50%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful. 	6 	72 	2
Darkest Lariat: Power +3 	Darkest Lariat: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Darkest Lariat: Power +3 	Darkest Lariat: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Darkest Lariat: Power +3 	Darkest Lariat: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Darkest Lariat: Power +3 	Darkest Lariat: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Darkest Lariat: Power +3 	Darkest Lariat: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Darkest Lariat: Power +3 	Darkest Lariat: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	1
Darkest Lariat: Power +3 	Darkest Lariat: Power ↑ +3 	2 	24 	2
Darkest Lariat: 	Has a chance (50%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful. 	6 	72 	2
X Attack: 	Has a chance (40%) of restoring one MP of the user's move when that move is successful. 	7 	84 	1
Ready...Fight!: 	Has a chance (50%) of charging the user's move gauge by one when a move is successful. 	6 	72 	2
 	Lowers the Attack of all opposing sync pairs by one stat rank when the user enters a battle. 	5 	60 	2
 	The more the target's Attack is lowered, the more it powers up the user's sync move. 	8 	96 	2
 	Has a chance (20%) of raising the user's evasiveness by one stat rank when its Pokémon uses a move. 	7 	84 	2
 	The more the user's evasiveness is raised, the more it powers up the user's moves. 	10 	120 	2
 	The more the user's Speed is raised, the more it powers up the user's moves. 	10 	120 	2
 	The more the target's Defense is lowered, the more it powers up the user's moves. 	10 	120 	2
 	Lowers the Attack of all opposing sync pairs by two stat ranks after using the user's sync move. 	5 	60 	3
 	The more the target's Attack is lowered, the more it powers up the user's moves. 	10 	120 	3
 	Has a chance (20%) of restoring the user's HP by approximately 20% of its maximum HP when an opponent's attack move targeting the user misses.	10 	120 	3
 	Raises the user's evasiveness by one stat rank when an opponent's attack move targeting the user misses. 	10 	120 	3
 	Powers up the user's moves when in a pinch. 	12 	144 	3
Heel Turn Malicious Moonsault: Power +25	Heel Turn Malicious Moonsault: Power ↑ +25 	5 	60 	3
Heel Turn Malicious Moonsault: Power +25	Heel Turn Malicious Moonsault: Power ↑ +25 	5 	60 	3
==Appearances==
===Battle appearances===
Kukui & Lycanroc can be battled against in:
* Champion Stadium: Alola Challenge, Hard Lv. 1 ( weakness)
* Battle Rally (Area 1–9)
* Solo event: Team Hoenn Unite! (January 14 to 30, 2021; August 3 to 17, 2022)
* Story event: Verdant Guardian (March 17 to 31, 2022)
* Daily Type Rotation: (September 23 to October 6, 2024)
The Masked Royal & Incineroar can be battled against in:
* Champion Stadium: Alola Challenge, Hard Lv. 1 ( weakness)
* Battle Rally (Area 1–9)
* Costume event: Diantha's Battle Prep (October 29 to December 10, 2021)
* Special battle event: (July 16 to 30, 2022)
* Costume event: New Heroes Are Born (April 12 to May 17, 2024)
* Academy Founding Chapter: Great Infernal Arrival (November 9 to 27, 2024)
Kukui has also been shown to pair alongside the following Pokémon and can be battled against in:
* 
** Champion Stadium: Alola Challenge, Hard Lv. 1 ( weakness)
** Battle Rally (Area 1–9)
* 
** Battle Rally (Area 10; since version 2.49.0)
** Ultimate Battle: (since October 10, 2024)
===Story appearances===
Kukui appears in his normal outfit in the following story areas:
* Legendary event/Legendary Adventures: The Dragon That Rules the Sky
* Story events:
** Summer Superstars
** Season's Greetings
** Trials on the Isle
** Hearts United
** The Light Devourer
** New Year and New Friends
** Verdant Guardian
** The Electrifying Influencer
* Solo events:
** Team Hoenn Unite!
** A Pasio Spectacle
* Costume events:
** Diantha's Battle Prep
** New Heroes Are Born
* Academy Founding Chapter: Great Infernal Arrival
* Sync pair stories:
** A Day with 
** A Day with 
The Masked Royal appears in the following story areas:
* Solo event: Town Square Street Fair
* Story events:
** New Year and New Friends
** Galar's Poké Ball Enthusiast
** The Electrifying Influencer
** Exciting Treasure Hunt
* Find the Ditto impostors!
* Costume events:
** New Heroes Are Born
** Infamous Pokéstar Villains
* Academy Founding Chapter: Great Infernal Arrival
* Sync pair story: A Day with 
===Sync pair stories===
====Kukui & Lycanroc====
* A Day with Kukui
====The Masked Royal & Incineroar====
* A Day with the Masked Royal
==Quotes==
==In animation==
===Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer===
Professor Kukui briefly appeared in the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer as part of a team with and .
====Pokémon====
==Gallery==
===Kukui===
 	 	 	
Kukui & Lycanroc on Pokémon Masters EX Dream Team Maker	Kukui & Lycanroc on Pokémon Masters EX Dream Team Maker	Kukui's sync move mindscape()	Kukui's sync move mindscape()
 	 	 	
6★ model(Normal colors) 	VS model(Normal colors) 	6★ model(EX colors) 	VS model(EX colors)
 	 	 	
Trainer emoteNice! 	Trainer emoteWatch out! 	Trainer emoteLet's do this! 	Trainer emoteThanks!
===The Masked Royal===
 	 	 	 	
6★ model(Normal colors)	VS model(Normal colors)	6★ model(EX colors) 	VS model(EX colors) 	
 	 	 	 	
Trainer emoteNice! 	Trainer emoteWatch out!	Trainer emoteLet's do this!	Trainer emoteThanks!	The Masked Royal's sync move mindscape()
==Trivia==
* Kukui was the first Trainer whose alternate outfit is classified under a different name, number, and ID number.
* The Masked Royal & Incineroar were the first sync pair featuring a first partner Pokémon evolutionary line to not have a -, -, or move.
* In the costume event Diantha's Battle Prep, a bug caused the VS screen in the daily battle to say "You are challenged by Kukui!" instead of "You are challenged by the Masked Royal!". This was fixed on November 4, 2021.Announcement about the Masked Royal name display bug
* Kukui & Lycanroc were the last 5★ sync pair in the general sync pair scout pool to unlock the ability to upgrade to 6★ EX.
* Kukui's appearance in the Champion Stadium is a reference to him being the final opponent of the in Pokémon Sun and Moon, before the player becomes .
===Origin===
Kukui's design is based on his appearance in , . Midday Form is Kukui's lead Pokémon during the battle against him at the . It is also a Pokémon Kukui can use in the Battle Tree. Midday Form Lycanroc's entry comes from Pokémon Ultra Sun.
The Masked Royal is Kukui's alter ego that he uses whenever he participates in Battle Royals at the Battle Royal Dome. is Kukui's signature Pokémon in the Pokémon League if the player chooses as their first partner Pokémon in the Alola-based core series games. It is also one of the Pokémon he can use at the Battle Tree. In addition, is depicted with an Incineroar. Incineroar's Dex entry comes from Pokémon Ultra Sun.
==In other languages==
Woo! Refreshing!	
Island Splintered Stormshards
Ready...Fight!	
Heel Turn Malicious Moonsault
==References==
==Related articles==
Category:Professors
Category:Trainers with Z-Rings
Category:Characters with alter egos
Category:Masters EX characters with an EX style
Category:Masters EX characters with an alternate outfit
de:Professor Kukui#Pokémon Masters EX
es:Profesor Kukui#Pokémon Masters
it:Kukui (Masters EX)
ja:ククイ (ポケモンマスターズ)
zh:庫庫伊博士#Masters