Pokémon Info Post

[versusseeker]

Everything You Need to Know About Pokémon
By: Red, Blue, Archie, Nikolai, Maxie, and Matt

The Pokémon

Simply put, Pokémon are similar to this world's animals but posses powers like ImPorts do.

There have been 802 Pokémon discovered so far.
-Some are even gods?:

Different parts of nature have different "watchers". There are a bunch of legends about how they helped form and interact with the world we live in. The most popular in Hoenn is how Regigigas pulled the continents together and then mountains. Tundra and ore were formed by its brothers, Regirock, Regice and Registeel, respectively.

Some are known to exist and interact with humans on a normal basis, such as the guardian deities of the Alola Region. Others, like Arceus of the Sinnoh region, are known only to us in myths.

The Types

18 different types are currently used to classify Pokémon’s natural biological abilities and traits. There has been on-going research which has caused re-classification of various Pokémon in the past, and I expect we may see more in the future. The newest discovered typing is Fairy, followed by Steel and Dark.

The 18 types are as follows:
-normal*
-flying
-fire
-water
-grass
-electric
-ground
-rock
-fighting
-poison
-bug
-ice
-psychic
-dark
-ghost
-steel
-fairy
-dragon


**Normal type is defined by mostly physical attacks and Pokémon that don’t really have access to elemental powers. Example: Herdier, which is basically just a dog, but still stronger and smarter than any dog that would exist here.

Many Pokémon are dual type. You can often tell what they are at a glance; water dwellers are almost all primary water type with a secondary depending on their ability. Example: Chinchou (akin to an angler fish) lives in the sea but generates electricity from the orbs on its head, making its secondary type electric.

The Moves

Pokemon can learn different moves.

Moves also have types. Pokémon are often able to learn moves that are classified as a different type than themselves, especially if they are tutored by a trainer, but often naturally too. Moves can be used inside and outside of battle in various ways.

Certain types are more effective/less effective against certain other types.

Ex: Fire is effective against grass, grass is effective against water, water is effective against fire.

Courtesy of Blue, for more information on Pokémon type interactions,
click here.

The Battles

Pokémon enjoy battling each other, even in the wild. Battling is something like exercise for them and man Pokémon tend to get restless when they aren't able to battle for too long. If a Pokémon doesn't want to battle, then nobody should make them, but if a Pokémon does want to battle, it's the trainer's responsibility to help them be the best that they can be!

Evolution/Mega-Evolution

Many Pokémon are capable of evolving into different stages as they grow.



Some Pokémon may choose not to evolve. If that's the case, the trainer shouldn't try to force it on them.

There’s another type of temporary evolution that is called ‘mega-evolution’. This is only achievable when both Pokémon and trainer are entirely in-synch; the bond of trust is important more than anything because it unleashes a massive amount of power between the two and can be dangerous if used incorrectly. While it may seem like a power that shouldn’t be entrusted to humans, the Pokémon that mega-evolve only take the energy when they can trust their trainer to understand their limits. I originally wanted to mega-evolve Sharpedo because I wanted more power as a trainer and because this was an entirely selfish goal, it completely refused to even try. They cannot be forced to mega-evolve.

Mega-evolution is temporary, but some others evolve through a bond. Those of you who know Crobat, he only became a Crobat after he and I had a proper bond. Another example of this is Meowth evolving into Persian only (in the Alola region) and Eevee into Sylveon, Umbreon or Espeon.

Mega Evolution is induced by a Pokémon coming into contact with a special stone containing altered DNA of its species, called a Mega Stone. Each stone is classified by the Pokémon it has an effect on; for example Blaziken Mega Evolves using the Blazikenite. In addition, there’s a separate stone which allows for the emotional resonation between Pokémon and trainer called the Key Stone. These stones are theorized to have been created by an ancient weapon that legend says existed thousands of years ago in the Kalos region, which is why most Mega Stones are harvested from Kalos and the practice of Mega Evolution is far more studied there. Probably, the stones are fossilized remains of ancient Pokémon affected or killed by the weapon, which is why they contain altered DNA of those species. For some reason, a lot of the stones are found in the Hoenn region, too.

Z-Moves

Anyway, Z Powers are a phenomena indigenous to the Alola region that allow Pokémon to use highly boosted versions of their techniques. Similarly to Mega Evolution, the ability is induced by contact with a special stone called a Z Crystal. There are easily a couple dozen discovered varieties of these crystals, one for each type classification as well as a few variations discovered which only seem to react to certain species. No one is quite sure why these Crystals only seem to appear within the Alola region, although researchers in the subject theorize that a natural phenomena called Ultra Wormholes that occasionally appear over the region have something to do with it. These crystals are guarded over by the guardian deities (“Tapu”) of the Alola region’s islands and entrusted to certain wild totem Pokémon as well as the island “kahunas”, trainers hand-picked by those deities to watch over the island. It’s part of the indigenous culture of the Alola region that starting trainers go on a coming of age journey, much like the Pokémon League challenge in other regions, to gather the Z Crystals and challenge the kahunas and totem trials on each island.

In order to draw out the power of the Z Crystal, trainers and their Pokémon need to be even more in-synch than Mega Evolution requires. Therefore, traditions developed within the region to use dance as a method of synchronization. Each crystal has specific moves which are traditionally associated with it in order to draw its power out. Using the Z Powers effectively requires the trainer and their Pokémon to practice together in order to get the dances down perfectly. Think of it as a bonding dance. Like Mega Evolution, Z Powers can be exhausting for the Pokémon, - and trainer, it’s a two way street - so they should really only be used sparingly.

Pokéballs

Pokémon are kept inside of Pokéballs.

A Pokéball is a capsule that converts Pokémon into energy data and stores them for ease of travel. There’s tons of different varieties. If you live with your Pokémon at home like we do here, it’s not really necessary to keep them inside of their balls most of the time, but most serious trainers travel heavily back home.

Most Pokemon don't mind Pokéballs and it is a safe way to store and transport them. Some Pokémon don't like to be in Pokéballs. If your Pokémon doesn't want to be kept in a Pokéball, it doesn't have to be. Pikachu doesn't use one.

Being inside a Pokéball isn’t bad for them; while they are changed into data, the inside is made to be the ideal comfort for them. Some prefer to sleep or travel while in the ball, while others are perfectly happy being outside of them. They can also break out of their Pokéballs at any time. If one was in a ball that didn’t want to be, it would not be.

No, you can’t get an empty one to do research on. We need the spares because without a ready source of them like we have at home, if one of them breaks we’d be fucked.

Pokéballs also serve the important function of registering a Pokémon to a specific trainer. Pokéballs leave an energy signature on a Pokémon which will prevent other Pokéballs from capturing it as a theft prevention measure. If a Pokémon’s ball is destroyed, that signature disappears, so ensuring that our team’s balls stay safe here is pretty important. Additionally, the energy conversion allows Pokémon to be stored and transferred to other locations via the internet, allowing for a Pokémon to be sent to another person near instantaneously. For competitive trainers with large teams of Pokémon, this allows us to ensure that our Pokémon are taken care of when they aren’t within our team by sending them home to our families or to special ranches which care for inactive battling Pokémon, kinda like a doggy daycare.

Pokémon & Society

Pokémon and humans live together in harmony. The bonds between Pokémon and humans move every day life in the pokemon world. A bond between a trainer and their Pokémon is sacred and special. Pokémon are just as smart as humans and humans need Pokémon as much as Pokémon need them.

There are are no “normal” animals in our world. Every single one is a Pokémon and it’s impossible to go without interacting with them one way or another daily. These are not things we own like pets, 90% of the human population owns a Pokémon one way or another, as a companion or in a trainer capacity.

Even ignoring companionship or competitive battling, Pokémon also work alongside humans in jobs like construction, utility, chefs, or as police partners, become stars in movies and music, and a whole bunch of other roles. Pokémon are integrated into our society on the same level as humans. Because of that, people are a lot more respectful of nature and the habitats of Pokémon, where we come from.

For anyone who continually says it’s abuse: open your stupid eyes and consider that your experiences are not universal.


The Pokémon Leagues, the League Challenge, and Regulation

The coming of age tradition in many regions is for children to begin training Pokémon when they reach 11 years old (in some regions the age differs- for example, it’s 14 in Unova- think of it like differing drinking ages). Whether you go on to battle competitively and aim for Pokemon League qualification, Contest Championship (kinda like Pokémon talent/beauty competitions), or for a profession such as breeding or researching Pokemon, pretty much everyone begins their official studies at that point.

The Pokémon Leagues are governing bodies in most regions which regulate competitive battling between trainers undergoing their League challenge, and oversee the general welfare of Pokémon in their region. They often work hand-in-hand with police in matters of Pokémon-related dangers and crimes such as poaching, rampaging Pokémon, or criminal organizations who use Pokémon for illegal activities, as well as performing the duties of meeting challengers to their titles.

Each League has several Gyms located in various towns and cities throughout the region, places for competitive battling certified by the League to test trainers’ battle strategies and their ability to care for their Pokémon. Each Gym is headed by a Gym Leader and generally contains a staff of student trainers under that Leader. Most Gyms specialize in a particular type, although this is just tradition. After being defeated in an official League battle, Gym Leaders hand out badges to certify the trainer’s victory. Eight of these badges are required as proof of ability in order to challenge the Pokémon League themselves, and they also have other effects such as acting as licenses for certain field techniques, such as Surfing or Flying atop Pokémon for travel.

The Leagues are chaired by a group of 4 Master trainers known as the Elite Four, as well as the sitting Champion. Note that the sitting Champion isn’t necessarily the last person to become Champion; even if the current Champion is defeated, the new Champ isn’t obligated to join the League, only earns the right to do so if he/she chooses. The Elite Four’s spots are descending in rank and determined via a round robin of battles amongst them, and generally new members are allowed to apply every few years as previous Elite Four retire. Sometimes, Gym Leaders are promoted to or invited to battle for Elite Four spots, and former Champions and Elite Four members will also sometimes take open Gym Leader spots (like me).

Trainers are required to apply for their Pokémon League license before starting on their journeys, after which they receive a Trainer Card that certifies them to carry and purchase Pokéballs and allows them to travel around challenging Gyms in order to eventually challenge the Pokémon League itself. Once their 8 collected badges have been certified at the Pokémon League’s headquarters, they’re permitted to issue a challenge to the Elite Four and the Champion. Most trainers don’t make it this far; for some, just getting their license and training Pokémon in their hometown is enough. Some try the challenge, but don’t end up collecting 8 badges. And others just aren’t good enough to make the cut at Pokémon League. Still, most regions see a turnover of Champions every few years or so. There’s no upper age limit to challenge the League, so even some older adults continue training to make a League challenge.

If a trainer chooses, when they start their journey they can also apply to receive a starting Pokémon of their choosing for free, if their family doesn’t already have a Pokémon lined up for them. In most regions, these Pokémon are cared for and distributed by a vetted, experienced Pokémon researcher, rather than an active trainer. This is because most of the species distributed as starter Pokémon in each region are chosen for being fairly rare- the starter Pokémon program is at least half an effort for conservation and repopulation of those species, as well as a convenient excuse to get more research info on them via the trainers they’re given to.

The Pokémon Leagues generally follow a similar set of regulations between every region to facilitate easy travel between them. Trainers are permitted to carry 6 Pokémon on their person at a time, although they can have an unlimited number registered under their ownership. This doesn’t necessarily count Pokémon a trainer doesn’t technically own; this is determined usually by whether that Pokémon is registered in a ball to the trainer, but non-registered Pokémon aren’t permitted to battle. You can get in serious trouble if you’re reported for battling with unregistered Pokémon, as that’s often seen as a warning sign of a stolen Pokémon or an unlicensed trainer.

Finally, for those that have already completed their League challenges and decide to continue training and battling competitively, there are battle facilities in most regions where trainers can continue to find strong opponents and challenge one another. It’s something like the true Major Leagues of competitive battling. Each facility is run a bit differently from region to region, but for the most part they’re run by one or more bosses; challengers compete with one another to get the highest winning streaks. The challenger who reaches a certain number of wins with no losses gets the right to challenge the bosses, and there’s usually some pretty great prize money involved. Most leagues also let you collect points that you can trade in for some helpful prizes, like items for your Pokémon, too. Me and Red run the new facility in the Alola region.

Because the Leagues oversee the general treatment of Pokémon in their region, they tend to be closely tied with both the governments and police forces as well, giving them a lot of sway when it comes to pretty much anything else. The League is both the ruling body of a competitive sport as well as something like a government regulatory administration in one.

TEAM ROCKET SUCKS AND IS WEAK AND SUCKS. They lost to Red, who was a KID!!!!!!