Stats and Description

Offensive stats are used to determine additional power for a move, attack and special attack vs defense and special defense. The relevant attack stat for a move is compared to the defense of the same type, and if offense is higher, the attack gains 1 power, and then an additional power for each 5 points above the target defense it is. For example, if a pokemon is attacking with a special move with base power 3, and its special attack is 12, we compare that special attack value to the target's special defense. If that special defense value is 7, then our attack is higher (+1 power) and 12 is 5 more than 7 (+1 additional power) for a final power of 5 (pending other modification).

Stamina stats drive a pokemon's two meters, HP and PP. HP is associated with physical stats, and PP is associated with special stats. HP dictates how much punishment a pokemon can take before it faints, and PP dictates the frequency of powerful moves a pokemon can use. Pokemon get 5 PP back per turn, +1 additional per 10 max PP, and their PP stat represents the maximum value overall. So a pokemon with 10 PP will regenerate 6 per turn, and one with 23 will regenerate 7 per turn. A pokemon with full PP who has insufficient PP to use a powerful move may spend HP equal to the difference in order to use that move. For instance, a low level pokemon with 6 PP can use a move that requires 10 PP if they have a full 6 PP, by paying all 6 PP and 4 HP in addition.

Natures make a row or column positive, and a row or column negative. Stats that are affected by both or neither are considered neutral. On odd levels, positive stats gets +2, neutral stats get +1 and negative stats get +0. On even levels, all stats get +1. Stamina stats get an additional +1 every level.

The table below shows the cumulative bonus to a given stat at a given level.

The speed stat represents the distance in yards a pokemon can move per action point spent to move. Each action to move is one straight line up to this distance.

Represents the number of actions a pokemon can take. Often 4 for small pokemon, and 2 for larger ones. Actions are normally just moving and using moves, but most moves end a pokemon's turn.

From 0 to 5, referenced various mechanics and also establishes a pokemon's footprint on the battlefield. The number also represents the baseline reach for the pokemon's melee attacks.

Normally based on a combination of speed and size, this is the base roll needed to hit a pokemon with a ranged move

Called "moves" in the games, but renamed here for clarity when also discussing actual movement, techniques are special actions pokemon can take, and their primary way to deal damage. After a target is chosen, Pokemon use an AP for the action to use the Technique, and must pay the necessary PP to use it. If they do not have sufficient PP, the technique can't be chosen (with few exceptions, see Overdraw below). Then, simply do what the Technique says. If it has a base power, it deals damage as explained later. When choosing a target, it must reasonably be able to be hit after the technique's effects take place. For instance, many Melee techniques allow the Pokemon to "lunge" and make a small straight line move before dealing damage. Obviously they may target a unit within that lunge+melee reach range.

Techniques have 4 ranges: Melee, Short Range, Long Range, and Self.

Pokemon act in turn sequence determined by their initiative, with each initiative value having its own step. When an initiative step is reached, if there's more than one pokemon at that step, randomly determine which will go. For instance, if Geodude, Jigglypuff, and Slugma were in a combat, once Initiative Step 2 we randomly choose Jigglypuff, who then takes its turn. After its turn ends, we randomly determine the next one to act is Geodude. After Geodude's turn, Slugma would act, and then we move to Initiative Step 1.

A pokemon's turn is split into 3 broad phases: Start, Act, and End.