Pokémon: Legendaries Reincarnated

[NightmareInd]

Sword and Shield got you hyped? Me too. Thanks to that, I have a Pokémon idea in mind. The premise has been done before, but it died out years ago and I want to see if there is more interest in it these days.

One day, all over the Pokémon world, disaster struck. In every region, unpredicted storms and tremors appeared, and even space and time itself seemed to be in chaos. Having no options left, the people prayed to the Legendaries, hoping they could stop this terrible event. It took exactly 3 days and the Legendaries gave no response, until suddenly out of nowhere, Arceus let out a single cry, and everything became peaceful. At first, people were happy, but that was until a few months later they realised not a single Legendary was spotted since that day. It was as if they left without a trace.

It has now been over two decades since 'The Great Disaster' took place, and although both humans and Pokémon recovered quickly, there was an oddity. Across the world, there were a very rare amount of people that were born in the years after The Great Disaster that obtained a special gift...

These gifted people, either referred positively to as 'Reincarnations' or negatively as 'Disaster Children', were blessed with powers akin to Legendaries. Nobody knew what happened to cause this, but these people would have weaker powers based on a single Legendary that disappeared during The Great Disaster. What they wouldn't know is that they would have an even bigger impact on the world when they get invited into a special 'Reincarnation Tournament' and finally meet each other.

Players would play as Reincarnations that would fight each other using both their Pokémon and their own powers and start out looking like normal humans, although perhaps with a look resembling the Legendary of their choice. Later they would discover they can 'Mega Evolve' into a fused version between them and the Legendary. Certain Legendaries like Arceus and Ultra Beasts are unavailable for plot reasons, OP factors or them technically not being Legendary.

If you are interested, please tell me and say what Legendary you would like so I can reserve it for you!

Reserved Legendaries:
Darkrai
Suicune
Genesect
Shaymin
Ho-Oh

[vancexentan]

I'll give a tentative interest pokemon combat has always been hard to do roleplay wise. I'll call darkrai for my unova trainer.

[Argonaut]

Sounds interesting. I'll represent my boy Suicune pls.

[Metatrooper]

Hey there, interested in this as well. Is it alright for me to get Genesect?

[NightmareInd]

Hey there, interested in this as well. Is it alright for me to get Genesect?

@Metatrooper

Good question, I'm still debating with myself if I should include 'man-made' Legendaries like Genesect or Mewtwo. I'll try to come with an answer later today.

Meanwhile, thanks for all the interest! Just a few more and I'll try to make the OOC.

[Hitman]

sure, i'll bite.

[Ryik]

Similarly tentative interest. Similarly tentative dibs on Shaymin.
My experience with RP-based pokemon battles is anime logic in full effect unless it gets too ridiculous and/or an agreement can't be reached, wherein it becomes simulated pokemon battling. (Or if players just prefer simulated battling instead) I assume it wouldn't be much different here?
Would Reincarnations be in addition to pokemon teams, or be a part of them? Do you have any plans for progression, or would Pokemon teams consist of whatever you want them to?

[Cio]

Hesitant reservation for Ho-Oh

[NightmareInd]

Similarly tentative interest. Similarly tentative dibs on Shaymin.
My experience with RP-based pokemon battles is anime logic in full effect unless it gets too ridiculous and/or an agreement can't be reached, wherein it becomes simulated pokemon battling. (Or if players just prefer simulated battling instead)
Would Reincarnations be in addition to pokemon teams, or be a part of them? Do you have any plans for progression, or would Pokemon teams consist of whatever you want them to?

@Ryik

Even more good questions!

From what I planned, in normal battles, they wouldn't be able to use their powers for the sake of fairness, but in this tournament, it would be almost a requirement to win as the contestants exist purely of Reincarnations, making it allowed as an addition to the 6 regular Pokémon limit.

As for progression, I'm planning to host the tournament on a remote island involving most if not all non-Legendary Pokémon, so people can catch any Pokémon they want. Besides that, after The Great Disaster, people decided it wasn't safe enough for 10-year-olds to go out alone, so they raised the minimum trainer age. This results in almost all of the Reincarnations to be starting trainers.

[Metatrooper]

Can we pick an immediate first Pokémon as a starter or do we have to catch from scratch? Also follow-up question, if we do get a starter do we get to pick any unevolved "baby" Pokémon such as the likes of mudkip, gible, magikarp, drillbur, etc. ? @NightmareInd

[NightmareInd]

Can we pick an immediate first Pokémon as a starter or do we have to catch from scratch? Also follow-up question, if we do get a starter do we get to pick any unevolved "baby" Pokémon such as the likes of mudkip, gible, magikarp, drillbur, etc. ? @NightmareInd

@Metatrooper

I'm not going to give any limit to what the starter Pokémon could be beside it not being a fully evolved or OP pokemon, although perhaps I'll add a thing where the Reincarnations can only use Pokémon corresponding with the typing their Legendary is. For example, a Palkia-Reincarnation would only use Water and/or Dragon Pokémon. This is still to be discussed though, as I like to have the other players help shape the plot as well so I'm gonna give you guys a lot of input.

Also, I'll probably allow more than a single Pokémon as the starting teams, but give them a limit, like 3 Non-evolved Pokémon or 2 Non-evolved and 1 evolution Pokémon that evolved once.

[Metatrooper]

Aight cool, thanks for answering my question man.

[Cio]

<Snipped quote by Metatrooper>

I'm not going to give any limit to what the starter Pokémon could be beside it not being a fully evolved or OP pokemon, although perhaps I'll add a thing where the Reincarnations can only use Pokémon corresponding with the typing their Legendary is. For example, a Palkia-Reincarnation would only use Water and/or Dragon Pokémon. This is still to be discussed though, as I like to have the other players help shape the plot as well so I'm gonna give you guys a lot of input.

Also, I'll probably allow more than a single Pokémon as the starting teams, but give them a limit, like 3 Non-evolved Pokémon or 2 Non-evolved and 1 evolution Pokémon that evolved once.

@NightmareInd

I already have something of an ideal team planned out for Ho Oh Reincarnation, and I did all the planning based on what I feel like most would fit the theme. However I did vary a little just because having type balancing makes things more interesting. And obviously I wouldn't be starting out with the full team, I just know what pokemon I want on my Ho Oh reincarnation's team as the story progresses.
I'll adapt if the rule is that you cant use types outside of your legendary's typing, though!

[NightmareInd]

<Snipped quote by NightmareInd>

I already have something of an ideal deal planned out for Ho Oh Reincarnation, and I did all the planning based on what I feel like most would fit the theme. However I did vary a little just because having type balancing makes things more interesting. And obviously I wouldn't be starting out with the full team, I just know what pokemon I want on my Ho Oh reincarnation's team.
I'll adapt if the rule is that you cant use types outside of your legendary's typing, though

@Cio

I feel like you have a point when it comes to themes being influenced by the Legendary's background rather than typing. For instance, the person who would get Darkrai could have a lot of sleeping/dreaming-based Pokémon, which could also be Psychic types or even a Snorlax.

Meanwhile, how does everyone think about having a Discord server? I'm gonna make the OOC later tonight but I can perhaps whip up a quick Discord.

[Cio]

@NightmareInd
Yeah that's what I thought! I know Ho-Oh isn't the sun legendary but rather the protector of the skies but I feel like that can be twisted a bit because of the fire-type and rayquaza taking a similar role

Edit: discord is fine by me

[vancexentan]

If there is a discord I don't plan on participating in it. I only post on here.

[Ryik]

although perhaps I'll add a thing where the Reincarnations can only use Pokémon corresponding with the typing their Legendary is. For example, a Palkia-Reincarnation would only use Water and/or Dragon Pokémon.

@NightmareInd

A series of monotype (or duotype) teams would feel restrictive, yes.

Also, I'll probably allow more than a single Pokémon as the starting teams, but give them a limit, like 3 Non-evolved Pokémon or 2 Non-evolved and 1 evolution Pokémon that evolved once.

@NightmareInd

If anything, I recommend limitations based on base stat totals, since pokemon like Scyther and Pikachu throw evolution as a balance metric out the window. (Scyther being too strong and Pikachu being pretty weak, but Pikachu is the evolved one) I'd ballpark it at 401 BST and under (the only 401 BST pokemon is Archen, who has a negative ability) Fully evolved shouldn't be a problem either under this system. (Kricketune isn't gonna hurt anyone) It includes a fair bit of evolved pokemon (Graveler, Gloom, Beautifly, Kadabra, etc.) but any lower and you'll exclude pokemon like Roselia, Wailmer, Porygon, Munchlax or Onix. This would exclude 2nd-stage starter pokemon. (most of them are base 405) It would also exclude pokemon like Plusle, Minun, Pachirisu, Murkrow, or Ponyta, but I figured starters were the best metric on where to draw the line.

Alternatively, you could give a bst budget and restrict evolutions altogether. No need to balance Scyther and Pichu when you can have twice as many Pichus.

I feel like you have a point when it comes to themes being influenced by the Legendary's background rather than typing. For instance, the person who would get Darkrai could have a lot of sleeping/dreaming-based Pokémon, which could also be Psychic types or even a Snorlax.

@NightmareInd

I don't know about that. I was thinking of going loose with themes so that they could exemplify the character's own tastes and personality. While they would, to an extent, embody the pokemon they are reincarnated as, it doesn't necessarily mean that they would like pokemon that are similar to it. For example, if there was a Giratina reincarnation, maybe they wouldn't like ghost types because they don't like/are bored of the reverse world, and would prefer to seek out pokemon that are exotic by its standards, like a grass type as a Persephone to Giratina's Hades.

Meanwhile, how does everyone think about having a Discord server? I'm gonna make the OOC later tonight but I can perhaps whip up a quick Discord.

@NightmareInd

Sounds convenient.

[Hitman]

I'm fine with whatever, tbh.

Reserve Kyurem for me, if you may.

[Cio]

@Ryik
I thought we wouldn't be taking stats so seriously, kinda like in the anime a statistically weaker pokemon (like pichu) can win in a fight against a stronger one (i.e. scyther). I say this because I think that frankly, it's more interesting if we are allowed creativity in the battle and it isnt just "use flamethrower" and "use rest". Makes it feel more realistic too if we aren't only after stats.

If this is going to be a game of stats where we should only try to pick the most competitively reasonable pokemon (you know, not farfetch'd or say, dunsparce), I might have to reconsider joining. I much prefer things following a more cinematic line, if you will (while also staying true to movepools etc. of course)

[Ryik]

I thought we wouldn't be taking stats so seriously, kinda like in the anime a statistically weaker pokemon (like pichu) can win in a fight against a stronger one (i.e. scyther). I say this because I think that frankly, it's more interesting if we are allowed creativity in the battle and it isnt just "use flamethrower" and "use rest". Makes it feel more realistic too if we aren't only after stats.

@Cio

True, stats don't really matter when you're running on anime logic. In the past, restrictions like this (Scyther but not Pikachu) just bothered me a lot since stats were taken into greater account there, if not outright functioning as a pseudo-sim at times, so hard-and-fast policies for this stuff seemed like the most "fair" idea, but they're also kind of lame for RP so I digress.
Having to start with Pichu or Igglybuff instead of Pikachu or Jigglypuff just seems silly, you know?