Episode 106: Adventures in Middle-Earth Part 6 The Meddling of Wizards

I love our Adventures in Middle-Earth campaign. If I had my way we’d record a new episode every week, but our current schedules just don’t allow us to do that. However while we’re working on the next episode I had the bright idea to record some solo episodes to keep the plot moving by showing little bits of what’s going on in the wider world during the campaign.

I’ve been doing the podcast for years so sitting down solo to record isn’t that unusual, I always do that for reviews and GM tips. However doing a story recording is different. I like them and I may do more of them from time to time, but I apologize if they’re odd.

http://outofcharacter.buzzsprout.com/13127/592676-episode-106-adventures-in-middle-earth-part-6-the-meddling-of-wizards

Pokemon #74 Geodue

I’ve always thought Geodude was one of the coolest rock-type Pokemon out there, and despite being around for so much of the series it rarely got a chance to shine. So for our first ever rock-type Pokemon we’ll be tackling the mountaineers biggest threat, Geodude!

Geodude

Small beast, neutral

Armor Class 16

Hit Points 62

Speed 25 ft

Str 16 (+3) Dex 12 (+1) Con 16 (+3)  Int 10 (+0) Wis 10 (+0)  Cha 10 (+0)

Damage Resistance piercing, and slashing damage from non-magical weapons, fire, electric, poison, and thunder

Damage Vulnerabilities cold

Skills Athletics +5, Intimidate +2

Senses Passive Perception 10

Languages Pokemon, understands Common but can’t speak

Challenge  5 (1,800 XP)

Evolution. After gaining 4,000 XP Geodude evolves into Graveler.

Levitate. Geodude levitates up to 5 ft. off of the ground and is able to move through the air at will. Geodude ignores the effects of hindering terrain and cannot be knocked down. If rendered unconscious or restrained Geodude falls to the ground.

Pokemon. Geodude can be captured in a Pokeball, from that point on it will act as a companion to its new trainer.

Rock-type. Geodude is vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from attacks made by Water and Grass type Pokemon. Geodude cannot swim and will sink immediately upon being submerged in water.

Actions

Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6+3) bludgeoning damage.

Harden. Geodude reduces bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage taken by half until its next turn.

Rock Throw. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 25/40 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (4d8+5) bludgeoning damage.

Pokemon #4 Charmander

The third and final starter Pokemon is of course Charmander, which is regarded as being the most difficult for new trainers as they tend to evolve into more powerful Pokemon that can be difficult to control. Ash’s Charmander was abandoned by its trainer and waited in the wilderness for it to return before Ash and his friends rescued it.

Charmander

Small beast, neutral

Armor Class 14

Hit Points 48

Speed 30 ft.

Str 14 (+2) Dex 14 (+2) Con 12 (+2)  Int 10 (+0) Wis 10 (+0)  Cha 12 (+1)

Damage Resistance ice, fire

Skills Athletics +4

Senses Passive Perception 10

Languages Pokemon, understands Common but can’t speak

Challenge  5 (1,800 XP)

Evolution. After gaining 4,000 XP Charmander evolves into Charmeleon.

Fire-type. Charmander can produce a flame at will capable of lighting a bonfire. Charmander has resistance to the effects of cold, and gains advantage of saving throws from ice-type attacks. Charmander has disadvantage on attack rolls made in the rain, and its flamethrower only deals half damage.

Pokemon. Squirtle can be captured in a Pokeball, from that point on it will act as a companion to its new trainer.

Tail Flame. The flame on the end of Charmander’s tail is a sign of how healthy it is. A strong flame suggests it is physically well, while a dim flame usually indicates injury or sickness. If the flame on Charmander’s tail is extinguished it is reduce to 0 HP and must being making death saving throws. The flame is magical in nature and is difficult to extinguish. Simply trying to douse the flame or extinguish it by hand will not be effective. However, if exposed directly to water for more than 3 turns the flame is extinguished.

Actions

Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+2) bludgeoning damage.

 

Flamethrower: Charmander expels a line of fire extending 40/60 ft any creatures caught in the line must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save they take 30 (6d6+2) fire damage, and 2 ongoing fire damage at the start of their next turn. On a failed save the target takes half damage on no ongoing damage.

Rage: As an action Charmander enters a rage. While raging it has advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throw. Charmander adds its level to damage rolls. Charmander gains resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. While raging Charmander cannot use flamethrower.

Pokemon #7 Squirtle

The water-type starter Pokemon that is probably the middle of the road choice for new Pokemon trainers. Ash’s Squirtle was abandoned by its trainer and took up with other abandoned Pokemon to commit acts of mischief and vandalism.

Squirtle

Small beast, neutral

Armor Class 16

Hit Points 51

Speed 20 ft, swim 50 ft

Str 12 (+1) Dex 12 (+1) Con 14 (+2)  Int 10 (+0) Wis 12 (+1)  Cha 14 (+2)

Damage Resistance ice, fire

Damage Vulnerabilities electric, thunder

Skills Athletics +2

Senses Passive Perception 11

Languages Pokemon, understands Common but can’t speak

Challenge  5 (1,800 XP)

Evolution. After gaining 4,000 XP Squirtle evolves into Wartortle.

Pokemon. Squirtle can be captured in a Pokeball, from that point on it will act as a companion to its new trainer.

Water-type. Squirtle has a swim and has advantage on Athletics checks related to swimming. Squirtle also has advantage on attack rolls made in or around an abundant source of water such as a river, lake, or the ocean. Squirtle is able to breathe underwater and will not suffer the effects of drowning.

Actions

Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+1) bludgeoning damage.

Water Gun: Squirtle expels a line of water  60/80 ft. in a line any creatures in this line must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save the target takes 24 (4d6+2) bludgeoning damage and is knocked back 15 ft. On a successful save the target takes half damage and is not knocked back. Water Gun extinguishes any non-magical flames in its path automatically.

Withdraw: Squirtle withdraws into its shell granting it a +4 bonus to its armor class. It also gains resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage as long it is withdrawn. Squirtle can be commanded to remain in its shell as a bonus action, but it cannot take any other actions while using withdraw.

 

Pokemon Trainer Class: Evolution

Last time we tackled leveling up Pokemon when you’re using the Pokemon Trainer Class, and I promised to follow up with an explanation of the evolution mechanic as it pertains to this class.

Most of the Pokemon that evolve will have a certain amount of XP needed to achieve a stage of evolution. The following occur each and every time one of your Pokemon evolve:

1. Double your Pokemon’s current HP value. This reflects the surge of power and the drastic physical changes that often accompany evolution.
2. Increase 2 of your Pokemon’s abilities by +3.
3. Consult the entry of the evolved form of your Pokemon and note any additional traits or powers that have been gained.

The obvious exceptions here are Pokemon that evolved using stones such as Eevee. Those types of Pokemon don’t evolve based on experience gained, they require the use of stones. Depending on your GM these could be available for purchase at stores/shops or they might be rare items found only in certain locations.

Stones have also varied greatly in their appearance from various adaptations, so you can describe them as you’d like.

Artwork from The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Fire Stone
Wondrous Item
Exposing certain Pokemon to one of these stones will cause them to evolve into a more powerful form.

Moon Stone
Wondrous Item
Exposing certain Pokemon to one of these stones will cause them to evolve into a more powerful form.

Thunder Stone
Wondrous Item
Exposing certain Pokemon to one of these stones will cause them to evolve into a more powerful form.

Water Stone
Wondrous Item
Exposing certain Pokemon to one of these stones will cause them to evolve into a more powerful form.

For the time being I’m sticking with the first generation of Pokemon so there aren’t any considerations for additional requirements of evolution such as Pokemon that only evolve at night or during the day. Most of those requirements are largely situational and can easily be met by waiting.

If a Pokemon requires a certain amount of affection to evolve then it will be up to the GM to determine if your trainer and their Pokemon have bonded enough to trigger an evolution.

Pokemon that only evolved as the result of trading them, or having them hold items and trading them will just evolve normally. I don’t know about you but I always hated that mechanic, and now that it is within my power to do I am doing away with it.

Now that the secrets of evolution have been revealed the next big hurdle will creating the first 150 or so Pokemon which I’ve already started.

 

 

Pokemon Trainer Class: Leveling Up Your Pokemon

As readers continue to show an interest I am blowing the dust off of my old notes for the Pokemon Trainer Class for Dungeons & Dragons 5e. So thanks for voicing your interest!

Keep two things in mind with leveling up Pokemon before you begin. First, all Pokemon have a starting level, so that Pidgeotto you caught is almost always going to be level 3 unless the GM did some tinkering to make it a bit tougher. Second, if a Pokemon’s level is higher than yours you have to make a Persuasion check to convince it to follow your orders.

Leveling up your Pokemon works in a manner very similar to leveling up a player character, but Pokemon don’t gain new powers until they evolve. This is mostly to avoid overloading players with too many options all at once.

In general Pokemon are really going to really only going to undergo large changes if or when they gain enough experience points to level up. That’s where you’ll see them gaining new features. Standard level ups usually just give them a slight increase in their health and a bump to their proficiency bonus.

You’ll notice that their proficiency bonuses are usually pretty low, there are two reasons for this. Wild Pokemon generally speaking, are believed to be weaker than Pokemon belonging to a Pokemon Trainer, which makes sense as they’re going to be in more battles. Mechanically speaking you’re also going to be pushing your Pokemons’ proficiency bonuses depending on your chooses as a trainer.

HP increase relies on the Pokemon’s type, and the chart below details how individual Pokemon’s HP will increase each level. This doesn’t take into account bonuses that can be gained such as the Breeder’s HP bonus. If a Pokemon is a dual-type you can choose any type for the HP gain.

Pokemon HP Gain Chart

Bug-type 1d4+ Constitution modifier gained per level.

Dragon-type 1d12+ Constitution modifier gained per level.

Electric-type 1d6 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Fighting-type 1d10+ Constitution modifier gained per level.

Fire-type 1d8 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Flying-type 1d4 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Ghost-type 1d4 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Grass-type 1d8 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

 

Ground-type 1d8 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Ice-type 1d8 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Normal-type 1d10 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Poison-type 1d6 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Psychic-type 1d6 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Rock-type 1d10 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Water-type 1d8 + Constitution modifier gained per level.

Level     Proficiency Bonus           Features

1^st           +0                                          ———————————————-

2^nd          +0                                         ———————————————-

3^rd           +0                                         ————————————————

4^th           +0                                           Ability Score Improvement

5^th           +1                                         ————————————————-

6^th           +1                                        ————————————————–

7^th           +1                                          ————————————————-

8^th           +1                                           Ability Score Improvement

9^th           +2                                          ——————————————-

10^th         +2                                           —————————————–

11^th         +2                                          ——————————————

12^th         +2                                           Ability Score Improvement

13^th         +2                                          ——————————————–

14^th         +2                                          ——————————————-

15^th         +3                                         ———————————————

16^th         +3                                           Ability Score Improvement

17^th         +3                                          ———————————————

18^th         +3                                           ——————————————–

19^th         +3                                           Ability Score Improvement

20^th         +3                                           ——————————————–

 

If you’re looking at this and feel a bit disappointed don’t worry, the Evolution mechanic is much more exciting than the level up mechanic, and it is also where’ you’ll see exciting new options for your Pokemon begin to appear.

With that in mind keep checking for the Evolution update coming soon!