I get back into the swing of things withthe podcast by doing some wild speculation about the upcoming Adventures in Middle-Earth products being released by Cubicle 7.
As promised here is the Pokemo Trainer class for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition,I tried to keep it in line with the other classes, with a few things in mind. By their verynature these characters can’t be on par with the other classes alone, with that in mind most of their abilities and features help to enhance their Pokemon’s abilities rather than their own.
There’s stopping a horde of orcs from attacking a trainer as well as a Pokemon though, so I didn’t make them walking targets. There are so many different types of trainers out there I wanted to make the class flexible as well. Everyone starts out with a single Pokemon and some basic equipment to get the set up. At the 2nd level you choose a trainer path, this is where you will start to see personalities emerging and stories diverging greatly.Ace Trainers focus on combat prowess and being able do deal out more damage. Pokemon Breeders tend to be less combat oriented and gravitate towards raising healthier happier Pokemon. Researchers tend to be the academics focused on learning all that they can.
Beyond paths there are also specializations that are open to everyone regardless of the path they choose to follow. A researcher might choose to be an engineer, or they might prefer to be a water Pokemon master instead.
Pokemon Trainers are the only class who can really use Pokeballs. If another class got their hands on a Pokeball and somehow managed to capture a Pokemon, it would refuse to follow orders and run wild as soon as they let it out. Trainer’s can’t hand off Pokemon to other party members and have an army roaming the world carrying their flag.
I hope you all enjoy this, and keep in mind it was made for fun.
Level Proficiency Bonus Features
1st +2 Starter Pokemon, Trainer License
2nd +2 Trainer Path
3rd +2 Specialization
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement
5th +3 Duo Battle
6th +3 Specialization
7th +3 Trainer Path Feature
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement
9th +4 ——————————— 10th +4 Triple Battle
11th +4 Trainer Path Feature
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement
13th +5 ———————————–
14th +5 Pokemon Master’s Resolve
15th +5 Trainer Path Feature
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement
17th +6 ———————————–
18th +6 Pokemon Tracking
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement
20th +6 Pokemon Master
Class Features
As a Pokemon trainer, you gain the following class features.
Hit Dice: 1d8 per Pokemon trainer level.
Hit Points at first level: 8 + your Constitution modifier.
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per Pokemon trainer level after 1st.
Proficiencies
Armor: Light Armor
Weapons: None
Tools: Pokeballs
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
Skills: Choose 3 from Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Survival
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
*(a) light armor or (b) leather armor
*25 Pokeballs
*(a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) explorer’s pack
*A Pokedex
Starter Pokemon
All Pokemon Trainers are given their first Pokemon when they start their journeys, they are given a choice between one of three: Bulbasuar, Squirtle, or Charmander. In some rare cases trainers are provided with a different option, however this is extremely rare. The Pokemon provided will allow them to confront other Pokemon in the wild, growing into more powerful companions over time.
Trainer License
Only licensed trainers are permitted to capture Pokemon, this license identifies you as having such authorization. It also allows trainers to gain access to special services at Pokemon centers and to purchase goods at the Poke Mart.
Trainer Path
There are many ways and reasons to train Pokemon ranging from a desire for adventure, to a wish to learn more about them. At the 2nd level depending on your long term goals choose one of the following paths:
Ace Trainer: Your goal is to become one of the strongest trainers in the world, you excel in battle.All of your Pokemon gain a bonus to their attack and damage rolls equal to your proficiency bonus.
At 7th, 11th, and 15th levels you gain one of the following traits of your choice.
Battle Master: You gain a number of battle die, d6, equal to your Wisdom modifier. You may assign these to any of your Pokemon to be added to a single roll. You replenish your pool of battle die after 1 day.
League Champion: You have attained a championship title granting you’re a prestigious position. With your title you may gain access to restricted areas, or gain other benefits. Discuss this option with your GM.
Rapid Switching: You can recall and release Pokemon as a bonus action.
Tactical Mastery: Certain trainers choose to excel in one arena, utilizing it to its fullest potential. Choose to increase all of your Pokemon’s speed by 10, increase their Str by 1, increase their Dex by 1, or increase their Con by 1.
Pokemon Breeder: You desire to help make sure Pokemon grow to be happy and healthy, you derive more pleasure from raising Pokemon than you do from making them battle. All of your Pokemon gain a permanent bonus to their health equal to your proficiency modifier.
At 7th, 11th, and 15th levels you gain one of the following traits of your choice.
Bred Strong: Increase one ability score of any Pokemon currently in your possession by +2 when you choose this trait.
Loyal to a Fault: The care and attention you show to your Pokemon is returned in kind. Your Pokemon have advantage on saving throws against being charmed.
Pokechow Chef: You’ve learned to create food catering to the nutritional needs of your Pokemon. This allows you to craft food for them rather than forcing them to subsist on a diet that might harm their health.
Pokemon Groomer: Keeping your Pokemon well-groomed enhances their health and happiness. Any Pokemon in your care gains a bonus equal to your proficiency modifier to their Charisma. You grain proficiency with grooming tools.
Researcher: You wish to learn more about Pokemon and the secrets that they hold within. Due to your heightened understanding of your Pokemon you may increase any roll your Pokemon makes by either your Wisdom or Intelligence modifier. You must choose which at the time you choose this path.
At 7th, 11th, and 15th levels you gain one of the following traits of your choice.
Analyst: A keen mind allows you to discern details about a Pokemon other might overlook. By making a DC 12 Investigation roll you determine what a Pokemon’s CR is, and identify what one of its abilities is.
Evolutionary Expert: Your understanding of the secrets behind Pokemon evolution allows you to excel the process. The amount of XP required for your Pokemon to evolve is reduced by half.
Pokemon Professor: From now on double your proficiency bonus when making ant Int check related to Pokemon.
Sketch Artist: Many researchers use sketches to enhance their notes allowing them to refer back to detailed images of Pokemon years later. Such researchers must be able to move quickly before their subjects move away. You gain proficiency with artist’s tools. You also gain a +5 bonus to your initiative modifier.
Specializations
As with trainer paths there are many sways to specialize within various styles of Pokemon training. Those who choose these paths tend to follow similar techniques and personality types.
Bird Keeper: You gain proficiency in Perception. Add a +1 bonus to any rolls made by any of your bird Pokemon.
Bug Maniac: Add a +1 bonus to any rolls mad by any of your bug Pokemon.
Camper: You gain proficiency in Nature and Survival.
Dragon Tamer: Add a +3 bonus to any rolls made by any of your Dragon Pokemon.
Engineer: Increase your Int by +1. Add a +1 bonus to any rolls made by any of your electric Pokemon.
Fire Eater: Increase your Con by +1. Add a +1 bonus to any rolls made by any of your fire Pokemon.
Hiker: Increase your Con by +1, you also increase your base speed by +5.
Martial Artist: Increase your Str, Con, or Dex by +1. Add a +1 bonus to any rolls made by any of your fighting Pokemon.
Mountaineer: Increase your Str, Con, or Dex by +1. Add a +1 bonus to any rolls made by any of your rock Pokemon.
Mystic: You gain proficiency in Arcana.
Officer: Increase your Str, Dex, Con, or Cha by +1. You gain proficiency in the Investigation skill.
Psychic: You gain the ability to use the Telekinesis and Telepath spells once per day(Note you must still meet requirements of these spells.) Add a +1 bonus to any rolls made by any of your psychic Pokemon.
Ranger: You gain proficiency with the capture styler tool.
Water Pokemon Master: Gain a swim speed equal to your movement speed. Add a +1 bonus to any rolls made by any of your Water Pokemon.
Duo Battle
Now you have the required skill to command two Pokemon at once during battle, this will allow you to coordinate their attacks into more powerful combinations.
Triple Battle
You are now able to control three Pokemon at the same time, which will allow for you to channel even greater amounts of their power.
Pokemon Master’s Resolve
Unlike many other Pokemon trainers who begin their journeys you have the will to become a Pokemon Master, and to carry your dreams to their conclusion. You are immune to fear, and you have advantage on Charisma Saving Throws.
Pokemon Tracking
Years of pursuing elusive Pokemon has granted you a keen insight into their habits and how best to track them. By making an DC 15 investigation role you can ask your GM if there is a Pokemon with a number of miles equal to your Proficiency Modifier + your Intelligence Modifier + your Wisdom modifier. If you roll a natural 20 the GM must tell you exactly what Pokemon it is, if your roll only meets the DC they may provide you a range of their choice.
Pokemon Master
At this level all Pokemon will obey your commands without question, even if their level exceeds yours.
When I asked her for a second number Jade picked 17, and surprisingly it was one of the first Pokemon we ever saw Ash capture on the television show, and a fan favorite Pidgeotto. Since I’d already made Doduo this was a snap, although I did end up with something very different. Pidgeotto is more aggressive than Pidgey and it is an evolved Pokemon so I wanted to give it a little bit more power. It also has more attack options than a Pidgey allowing it to be more flexible.
Pidgeotto
Medium beast, neutral
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 52
Speed 25 ft, fly 60 ft
Str 12 (+1) Dex 16 (+3) Con 12(+1) Int 12 (+1) Wis 12 (+1) Cha 12 (+1)
Damage Resistance bludgeoning from non-stone weapons.
Damage Vulnerabilities ice, electric
Skills Acrobatics +3, Athletics +2, Perception +3
Senses Passive Perception 13
Languages Pokemon, understands Common but can’t speak
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Evolution. After gaining 4,000 XP Pigeotto evolves into Pidgeot.
Keen Sight. Pigeotto has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks.
Pokemon. Pidgeotto can be captured in a Pokeball, from that point on it will act as a companion to its new trainer.
Actions
Gust: A 5-foot radius, 25-foot-tallo cylinder of swirling air forms on a point Pidgeotto can see with 60 feet of it. The whirlwind lasts for one round. Any creature caught in the whirlwind must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw. If they fail that roll Pigeotto can move them 10 feet in a direction of its choosing. The creature also takes 12 (2d6+4) bludgeoning damage.
Peck Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, one target. Hit: 8 (2d4+2) piercing damage.
Quick Attack: +4 to hit, one target. Hit: 6 (2d4+1) piercing damage. As a bonus action Pigeotto may move up to its full movement and make a single attack. When using attack Pigeotto always goes first in the initiative order, unless another creature uses this ability, in which case the user with the highest speed goes first.
Sand Attack: +3 to hit, range 15 feet, one target. Hit: The target is blinded for one turn.
I asked Jade to pick a number between 1 and 150, she picked 84 so our first ever Pokemon will be the twin bird Pokemon Doduo. I always thought Doduo was a neat little creature, even if it only shows up rarely. While I was figuring out the statistics for Doduo I kept two things in mind. First, it is always noted for being nearly impossible to sneak up on because one of its two heads is always keep watching. Second, while it isn’t the fastest Pokemon out there it is always noted for being quick on its feet.
With that in mind I created CR 3 Pokemon that can move with great speed, hit opponents hard enough to drive them off, and then run away if it appears to be outmatched.
Doduo
Medium beast, neutral
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 35
Speed 60ft
Str 12 (+1) Dex 14 (+2) Con 14 (+2) Int 10 (+0) Wis 10 (+0) Cha 11 (+0)
Damage Resistance bludgeoning from non-stone weapons.
Damage Vulnerabilities ice, electric
Skills Athletics +4, Perception +4
Senses Passive Perception 14
Languages Pokemon, understands Common but can’t speak
Challenge 3 (300 XP)
Evolution. After gaining 2,000 XP Doduo evolves into Dodrio.
Keen Sight. Doduo has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks.
Pokemon. Doduo can be captured in a Pokeball, from that point on it will act as a companion to its new trainer.
Two-Heads Are Better Than One. Doduo is immune to surprise and does not provoke opportunity attacks.
Actions
Multiattack: Doduo makes two peck attacks.
Peck Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, one target. Hit: 6 (2d4+1) piercing damage.
Quick Attack: +4 to hit, one target. Hit: 6 (2d4+1) piercing damage. As a bonus action Doduo may move up to its full movement and make a single attack. When using attack Doduo always goes first in the initiative order, unless another creature uses this ability, in which case the user with the highest speed goes first.
I’ve been playing a fair amount of Pokemon Go lately, and since I was already a fan before the game was released I’ve toyed with the idea of using Pokemon in an roleplaying game setting before.There actually is a fan-made RPG already, but I wanted to try something a little bit different. I thought why not make Pokemon that are compatible with Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition? I also went ahead and started converting over some things from the Pokemon universe for use in a 5th edition game.
I’ll be uploading what I came up with as I finish things up, before getting started I do want to let you all know that I only plan on finishing the original 150 Pokemon. Look for more updates soon.
Since Pokemon Go became available in the United States on Thursday it is fair to say that it has become a cultural phenomenon. People are going outside and walking around their own neighborhoods for the first time in years in attempts to catch em all. Myself included.
For those who’ve yet to hear about the game it is an app that allows you to explore the world as a Pokemon trainer seeking out the elusive creatures, visiting Pokestops at real world locations to collect items or to engage in gym battles, and of course walking to the eggs you’ve collected to hatch. Now you might be wondering what this has to do with tabletop gaming right? Well in this modern era most folks have their devices with them at all times, and when something like this goes live you can bet that people are going to be playing around with it as much as possible.
I’ve seen more than one picture of Pokemon appearing in the middle of a Dungeons and Dragons game over the weekend. I know lots of groups have rules about electronic devices and ask that they been left in purses/bag, pockets during game time. While I’ve never felt the need to make any such rule I can understand why some groups do, however in this case it seems like a wasted opportunity. Maybe this is a chance to try something different depending on your group?
If you’re all fans of Pokemon why not break out FATE or some other system and adapt it to a real world adaptation of Pokemon? Heck why not adapt yourselves as Pokemon Trainers at that? Players can use their app to track what Pokemon are in their area and use them in their games, as well as any locations that might be within their range. It sort of reminds me of Dungeon World a bit because it gives you something to build on without laying down concrete that can’t be changed. Like in my area there’s a gym right up the street and a wooden statue of an eagle outside of a nearby bank. Whose to say that statue isn’t of Zapados, Articuno, or Moltres instead? Maybe swap hosting nights so you can get a wider range of locations and Pokemon to work with.
If everyone isn’t into that idea than that is certainly alright, but I think passion and enthusiasm are great tools for GMs to utilize in games their running, rather than trying to quash it. Giving players dirty looks when they are trying to catch that Meowth that’s been circling the block for ten minutes is understandable. I do think it is worth having a conversation with your group and seeing what people’s thoughts.
Out of Character 
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