Clay commands the Driftveil City Gym in Unova’s northeastern reaches, challenging trainers with his Ground-type expertise and granting the Quake Badge to victors. A shrewd miner and entrepreneur, he spearheaded the city’s revitalization by expanding its subterranean mines into the Gym itself and establishing the Pokémon World Tournament to elevate Driftveil’s stature. During pivotal events in the core series, Clay aids protagonists by deploying his Krokorok to clear Galvantula webs obstructing Chargestone Cave, rewarding success with TM78 (Bulldoze). He later stands alongside fellow Unova Gym Leaders at N’s Castle to oppose Team Plasma, detaining the Seven Sages as the player advances. His clashes with the group intensify when he confronts Ghetsis outside his Gym, asserting his authority as the self-proclaimed "Miner King." Beneath his gruff demeanor lies a steadfast commitment to labor and community. Clay champions direct, honest tactics, disdaining moves he views as manipulative, such as those exploiting emotions. His rise from a self-reliant miner to a city-shaping leader mirrors his philosophy of grit and tangible effort. Post-Unova narratives introduce his daughter, Lacey, an Elite Four member at Blueberry Academy who mirrors his choice of Excadrill as her signature partner. Their familial dynamic remains largely unexplored. Clay’s rugged aesthetic—cowboy hat, sleeveless jacket, and durable gear—echoes his Texan-inspired industrialist persona and Ground-type affinity, underscored by his Japanese epithet, "Underground Boss." In *Pokémon Masters EX*, he battles alongside Palpitoad and Seismitoad, staying true to his Ground-type specialization and pragmatic leadership. His animated appearances are confined to *Pokémon Generations* and main series episodes, with no documented roles in films or standalone specials.