Mining Media | Pokémon

We're back to Mining Media for this month, because I keep seeing "How do you hack 5e to do Pokemon?!" and I don't have the hair to tear out over it... so let's talk bringing everyone's favorite monster catcher/befriender to the table!

 

The thing about Pokemon is that it's so much more than just an 8-bit handheld video game now, there's multiple TV series, video game series, manga, movies (even a live-action one with the guy who plays Deadpool!), a card game! So where do you begin thinking about how to port to the table with dice?

 

I think the thing that most RPGs made to replicate the Pokemon experience miss is the relationship between the Trainer and the Pokemon. Lots of games have been made that break down the battle mechanics of the games REALLY well, but that's really not as interesting as the story of the Trainers in a world with Pokemon, which makes the environmental storytelling potential INCREDIBLE.

 

So here are the take home points:

• If you're looking for games to play that can do Pokemon, I'd recommend Animon Story by Zak Barouh, or the podcast Critical Ditto's hack of Monster of the Week, appropriately called Pocket Monster of the Week
• Focus less on the combat and worrying about the numbers when battling, and more on the relationship and out-of-combat potential of your 'mon pals. Those are going to be what make your story shine more than the battling.
• Lean into the possibilities of the world where creatures can have such profound impacts on their surroundings, and make interesting encounters about problems from those that don't just have solutions involving combat.
• Make your evil organizations understandable given the truths of the region you're playing in and make sure they're defensible by the NPCs in the world, otherwise why would they still be around?

And, if you're still reading this, go get some of the Pokemon Adventures manga, they're so good...

 

Download Rene's One-Page RPG One Last Quest and bring back your favorite characters for one more mission as elderly versions of themselves!

 

Where to Follow Rene Plays Games:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | Threads | DMs After Dark

email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com

 

Music in the Episode:

Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

Chaconne Dreamy by Monument Studios