Pokemon d20

[Real Sorceror]

Pokemon d20 (aka Pokemon X)

Software used: None. We use our "imaginations" here, kids.
Project founder(s): Real Sorceror (myself)

Introduction

This is my attempt at creating a custom d20 system for Nintendo's Pokemon franchise. If you're familiar with Dungeons and Dragons, you'll notice I'm primarily using the 4th Edition framework with concepts taken from d20 Modern and the 3.5 spell point system. If you're not familiar with D&D, that probably didn't mean anything to you.
Basically its a multiplayer game that works a lot like a play-by-post. You record your character and Pokemon on paper. A player known as the Game Master tells the story and plays the part of the NPCs. You and the other players react however you like and, when necessary, roll dice to determine the outcome of certain events.

All characters are assumed to be human, though it is possible to play a Pokemon (this may be unbalanced in some cases). Human players choose a starting occupation (such as Trainer, Breeder, etc), hometown, and starter Pokemon from their region. They later have the option of going into more specific careers, such Pokemon Professor, Ranger, or Blackbelt.
Humans and Pokemon are expressed by numbers and abilities that determine what they are capable of doing. Polyhedral dice rolls (usually a 20-sided dice) are added to these numbers to determine the success of any event whose outcome is uncertain (such as attacking or sneaking). A Bulbasaur, for example, would look like this:



#1 Bulbasaur フシギダネ Fushigidane
TN Small Grass Pokemon
Initiative: -1, Senses: Low-Light Vision
----------------------------------------------------
AC: 14 (-1 Dex, +5 natural armor)
HP: 15 (1HD)
Fort: 12 Ref: 9 Will: 13
Talent: Overgrow
----------------------------------------------------
Speed: 30 ft
Attack Bonus: +2 melee, +1 ranged
Techniques Known: 2, Power Points: 4
Basic – Tackle: Str vs AC, 1d4 + 0 normal damage
1st – Absorb: Cha vs Fort, 1d4+1 grass damage, recover hp equal to damage dealt
----------------------------------------------------
Advancement: 2-12 (Small)
Evolution: Ivysaur 8+
Skills: Athletics +5, Perception +5
Stats: Str 10 (+0), Con 10 (+0), Dex 9 (-1), Int 6 (-2), Wis 13 (+1), Cha 13 (+1), App 12 (+1)

In case thats meaningless to you, I'll explain in further detail below.

Storyline

Anyone familiar with table-top, pen and paper type games knows that they are just a toolbox for running your own adventures. I will be coming up with my own flavor and setting, but you are more than encouraged to use my system to create your own story, world, and characters.
More or less, I don't tell you what to play. I'm just providing the guidelines.

Visual media

Well, theres not any. Because this is a TRPG system, you literally write your stats and gear down on a Character Sheet and the GM (Game Master) tells you whats happening. The visual part is all in your head. Here is my current draft for the sheet: Pokemon d20 Character Record. Its not anything too fancy yet, but hopefully that give you an idea of what I'm going for. If you don't of Open Office it may open in Excel.

Having said that, I am using open content art from Nintendo on my website. It would be pretty boring without pictures.
I will be using the existing regions and locations from the game and anime, but theres nothing saying you can't supplement or replace those with fan made material. I have finished stats for around 60 Pokemon, mostly of the Kanto region. However, this is a very flexible system, so it can easily be used to express non-cannon monsters. For example, I could easily create a Reptide, resulting in the stat block below:


#500 Reptide
TN Small Water Pokemon
Initiative: -1, Senses: Low-Light Vision
----------------------------------------------------
AC: 15 (+1 size, -1 Dex, +5 natural armor)
HP: 15 (1HD)
Fort: 12 Ref: 9 Will: 13
Ability: Torrent
----------------------------------------------------
Speed: 30 ft, Swim 20 ft.
Attack Bonus: +2 melee, +1 ranged
Techniques Known: 2, Power Points: 4
Basic – Tackle: Str vs AC, 1d4 + 0 normal damage
1st – Bubble: Dex vs AC, 1d6+0 water damage
----------------------------------------------------
Advancement: 2-12 (Small)
Evolution: Iguaqua 9+
Skills: Athletics +5, Perception +6
Stats: Str 10 (+0), Con 10 (+0), Dex 9 (-1), Int 6 (-2), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 10 (+0), App 12 (+1)

The line underneath its name starts off with its alignment. A Reptide is TN (True Neutral), it is neither good nor evil. It is Small size (humans are Medium). And it is of course a Water type. Initiative determines its reaction time and Low-Light Vision means it sees slightly better than a human in dimly-lit areas. The block below that contains its defenses, which determine how difficult it is to hit, and its HP (you should know what that is).
Below that are its movement speed and attacks. A Basic attack can be used as often as it likes. Special attacks, such as Water Gun, Mach Punch, or Fire Spin require the user to spend power points. PP are drawn from a single pool that increases with level instead of having a set number for each move. A Pokemon learns more moves as it advances and is not limited to only knowing four attacks.
Finally we get to the bottom row. You'll notice that Reptide evolves at level 9 instead of 18. This is because the game only goes up to level 30. If you where to actually play a d20 game from 1st to 100th level it could take a year or more (in real life!), so I had to compress the game into levels 1-30. Skills determine what non-combat things a Reptide is good at. In this casing Athletics (like swimming) and Perception (spotting and listening). Its stats are much like its video game stats: Strength (Attack), Dexterity (Speed), Charisma (Sp. Attack), and so on.


Credits: Its pretty much just me. I would like to give special thanks to MythMage (Dicefreaks), Camelot (EnWorld), and the guys at Giant in the Playground for their suggestions.
If you have any ideas for the game, or would like to help out in some way, just let me know. Further details for the game can be found on my website, located in my sig.

[Darkmaster]

i play D&D, but i primarily play 3.5. i would suggest using a mix of 3.5 and 4, and include some basic checks, like bluff and such, in case you decide to make an evil character (which is perfectly alright considering this is based on D&D) and climb (if you choose to include Rock Climb or Waterfall) and for ohkos, use a DC, say DC 20, so higher-leveled characters won't be obliterated, and have it based on a fortitude save.

But those are just my suggestions.

[Real Sorceror]

(12-01-2010 10:04 PM)STT Wrote:  i play D&D, but i primarily play 3.5. i would suggest using a mix of 3.5 and 4, and include some basic checks, like bluff and such, in case you decide to make an evil character (which is perfectly alright considering this is based on D&D) and climb (if you choose to include Rock Climb or Waterfall) and for ohkos, use a DC, say DC 20, so higher-leveled characters won't be obliterated, and have it based on a fortitude save.

But those are just my suggestions.

Athletics covers climbing, while Persuade covers bluffing, diplomacy, and intimidate. Moves like Fissure require an attack roll against the target's Fortitude Defense (in 4e you roll an attack against a static saving throw instead of the target making a save vs your static DC).
And yes, I'm using a mixed system. Mostly 3.5 for powers, attacks, and feats, and 4e for pretty much everything else.

[Starrmalia]

sounds like a good game, good luck man

[Real Sorceror]

I'm going to be making some major updates to the game here pretty soon, especially once my playtest gets underway. This will include techniques and feats, for the most part.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, here is the aplha pdf for the game: Pokemon 20 Core Rules

I'm also going to post a thread in the general discussion area asking about weapons and armor. My players keep bringing it up and I'm not sure what to tell em.

[Real Sorceror]

The playtest just started, in case anyone is interested in following along: Pokemon d20: Pockets & Monsters

[jouli]

i like it so much.Pokemon d20 is my favorite.I read your post and totally agree with you.Its nice sharing.web sites are source of information and this is one of them I book mark it and mail all of my friends to must check it.
Mod Edit (MK): Old thread. Also, I'm 99% certain you're a bot.