THE UNOFFICIAL TABLETOP

ROLE-PLAYING GAME
DESIGNED BY SAGE G.C.
 CONTENTS
Foreword3
What You’ll Need 4
Building Characters 5
Trainer Stats 6
Classes7
Picking Starters 9
Tests & Checks 10
Battling12
Encounters14
Catching Pokémon 15
Leveling16
Story Generators 17
Conclusion19
 Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon!
This system is an unofficial, non-sponsored, non-canon home-brew, with no affiliation to Nintendo or The
Pokémon Company. Thus, it will always be free. And thus, it will always be yours. So when running a game of
Pokémon Pen & Paper Version, don’t be afraid of making personal tweaks or embellishments to suit your liking.
Almost everything you’re about to dive into was designed for the podcast 20 Sided Stories, and therefore meant to
be heard first, and played like a game second. Expect a little bit of clunk when balancing long-term campaigns.

All of this is to say; Consider Pen & Paper Version more of a storytelling tool rather than a set of challenges to
overcome. Battling works as it does in the core video games--quite literally--but micromanagement is otherwise
kept to an absolute minimum. This is a Story Game meant to assist you on an open-ended adventure.

So if that all sounds like something you and your pals are into, then welcome! This PDF will
serve as your quick-start guide on how to create a Trainer, catch Pokémon, and be the best
there ever was.

Let your imagination run wild. Let all your nostalgia burst, uncaged! Despite its famous
slogan, Pokémon’s success was not just built on “Catching ‘Em All”. I say, Pokémon is about
teamwork, building strong bonds, appreciating nature and science, and the cathartic build-
up of a long, strenuous journey. If you approach Pen & Paper Version with this mindset,
some wondrous memories may lie just ahead of you.

Your very own Pokémon adventure is about to unfold! A world of dreams and adventures
with Pokémon awaits!
Let’s go!
Pencils HELPFUL
LINKS
Trainer Sheets
BULBAPEDIA
(Wiki for all things
Fudge Dice (x2 per player) Pokémon)

PKMN.HELP
1d100, 1d6, 1d4 (Type Calculator)

POKéMON
Laptop, Computer, or Smartphone SHOWDOWN
(Battle Simulator)
with Internet (x2)
PARTY STATS BACKSTORY
Pokémon Pen & Paper Version is envisioned as a cooperative Each Trainer has a set of Stats for overcoming obstacles In terms of story, the first question The Game Master will
experience intended for 1-6 Players lead by a GM (Game outside of a Pokémon battle. This can range anywhere from want to ask is; what Region will we be in? Each has wildly
Master). 3 Players and 1 GM is the sweet spot. convincing someone to trust you to pushing that same person different climates, cultures, and possibilities!
off a boat. Stats are the main crux of the Role-Playing, and OPEN REGIONS
The Players/Trainers will be typically battling as a team. This will influence your improv, character, and stories through
means each Trainer can catch and own as many Pokémon additions or subtractions on your dice rolls. Now, let’s start to fill it in. There is no wrong way to build a
as they want, but you’ll only have a shared max of 6 in the narrative around your characters, but one thing is for certain:
JUMP TO STATS
party at any given time. You must talk to each other! Telling this story will be a team
effort, so everyone’s opinions and creativity is equally
Depending on how many Trainers are playing, you’re all going important.
to need to communicate to make sure the share of Pokémon
in the party is fair (for example, 3 Trainers using 2 Pokémon CLASSES Some questions to ask...
each for an even split). How old is your Trainer?
Each Trainer also has a CLASS that tweaks how good or bad What Region and Town are they from?
You may opt to not face the Indigo League as a team, battling they are at using aforementioned stats. Does anyone know each other?
independently while still traveling together in your story. This What has your Pokémon Trainer been up to?
is totally possible, but note that it will extend the length These do not define your character to their core! They should What inspired you to start this journey?
of the journey, particularly if each Trainer wishes to collect serve as merely a guide on the kind of Pokémon they may
their own badges. This also means you will need additional pursue and their background within the world. And don’t answer this now, but keep it in the back of all your
computers/connections so that each Player/Trainer can JUMP TO CLASSES minds throughout this journey...
manage and battle with their Pokémon team separately.
What kind of Pokémon Trainer team will you
become?
 Just as Pokémon have Stats under the hood (Attack, Defense, etc) Pokémon Trainers have their own set as
well! But instead of mathematical benefits, Trainer Stats are represented more broadly and emotionally.

Whenever a Trainer is attempting to accomplish something with a chance of failure, the GM will call upon 1
of 12 Stats to be tested. There are 3 different categories with 4 Stats under each.

BODY MIND SOUL

Brawn Sense Charisma
Raw, physical body strength.This is how you Ability to perceive, spot, and notice things using Influence over others and general likeability. This
punch bad guys and lift rocks. the five senses. Sense is passive, and a check is usually tied to a Trainers social skills.
must be prompted from the GM.
Health Confidence
Whereas Defense is the immediate ability to Wisdom Self-assurance and standing your ground. You
stave off pain, Health is your ability to sustain Inner knowledge gained through time and
experience. You would test Wisdom to find deeper would test this to lie or “own the room”.
and recover. This is a measure of overall biological
understanding.
wellbeing. Intuition
Smarts Having a trustworthy gut-feeling. Kind of like
Swiftness Hard knowledge gained through education and Sense, but of the heart. This stat should be called
Speed, agility, and reaction-time. Good swiftness memory. You would test smarts to see if the upon in higher-stakes moments of trust.
means you always go first. Trainer had learned a particular fact or pattern.
Luck
Defense Nerve The influence of the universe’s natural flow. This is
The inverse of Brawn, this is a Trainers resistance Focus, discipline, and ability to stay rational. You a wild card stat that should usually be tested in
to pain and injury. How well can you brace for would test Nerve on a Trainer when they need to
stay brave and calm. addition to something else to add a dash of magic.
impact?
Every Pokémon Trainer has a Class that represents their core strengths and weaknesses. They will be granted
additional pluses or minuses to dice rolls that call upon respective stats, as well as a bonus to catching
specific types of Pokémon.

Classes can also help flesh out a characters backstory and personality, but you are encouraged to not restrict Candace Carter is an ACE TRAINER. This
them to an NPC-like stereotype. defines her skills and preferences.

+ NERVE
+ SWIFTNESS
Xander Whitten is a MUSICIAN, so + INTUITION I n addition to Stats, each trainer also has
his chances at succeeding + CONFIDENCE something called a CATCH BONUS. This
certain things are a bit - CHARISMA makes the Trainer better at catching
different and more modest. +5 CATCH BONUS TO ALL TYPES specific types of Pokémon.

+ SWIFTNESS These modifiers are called upon LASS/YOUNGSTER

+ CHARISMA when she has to overcome an + LUCK
+ HEALTH obstacle or a Stat is tested. + NERVE
+10 CATCH BONUS TO ELECTRIC, ROCK + CHARISMA
+ CONFIDENCE
He doesn’t get as many - BRAWN
pluses as Candace, - WISDOM
but he also gets no +10 CATCH BONUS TO NORMAL, FIGHTING
minuses!
Like Skip Svitak, a YOUNGSTER,
who has an advantage to
catching Normal and Fighting types!

The Class you choose will greatly

influence your decisions along the
journey, and unless the GM decides
otherwise, it is permanent! So choose
wisely. You can pick from one of
the presets on the next page or
build yourself a custom identity
altogether.
ACE TRAINER BLACKBELT CHEF/COOK/BAKER LASS/YOUNGSTER SCIENTIST/ENGINEER
+ Nerve + Brawn +++ Charisma + Luck ++++ Smarts
+ Swiftness ++ Defense - Nerve + Nerve -- Charisma
+ Intuition + Swiftness +10 Catch Bonus (FAIRY, NORMAL) + Charisma - Brawn
+ Confidence - Luck + Confidence +10 Catch Bonus (ELECTRIC, STEEL)
- Charisma + 15 Catch Bonus (FIGHTING) - Brawn
+5 Catch Bonus (ALL) DRAGON TAMER - Wisdom
++ Confidence +10 Catch Bonus (NORMAL, FIGHTING) SWIMMER
BREEDER +/- Wisdom when around a Dragon + Defense
BACKPACKER + Luck +15 Catch Bonus (DRAGON) + Brawn
+ Brawn + Charisma MUSICIAN + Sense
+ Defense + Intuition + Swiftness +10 Catch Bonus (WATER, ICE)
+ Sense - Brawn FISHERMAN + Charisma
+10 Catch Bonus (ROCK, GROUND) +10 Catch Bonus (NORMAL, FAIRY) ++ Wisdom + Health
+ Luck +10 Catch Bonus (ELECTRIC, ROCK)
+ Intuition
BEAUTY BUG CATCHER - Swiftness [ CUSTOM ]
+ Health ++ Swiftness +15 Catch Bonus (WATER) POKEFAN 5 + Points to Distribute
++ Charisma +Smarts ++ Intuition 2 - Points to Distribute
++ Confidence + Sense + Smarts No single Stat can exceed 2 +
- Smarts -- Charisma GAMBLER +5 Catch Bonus (ALL)
- Wisdom +15 Catch Bonus (BUG) ++++ Luck Pick Catch Bonus:
- Intuition - Intuition +15 One Type,
+10 Catch Bonus (FIRE, ICE) - Nerve PSYCHIC +10 Two Types,
BURGLAR - Health ++ Wisdom or +5 All Types
+ Swiftness - Wisdom + Intuition
BIKER/CYCLIST ++ Confidence - Defense + Health
+Nerve + Nerve +10 Catch Bonus (DARK, NORMAL) - Brawn
++ Defense - Intuition - Defense
+ Swiftness +5 Catch Bonus (ALL) +15 Catch Bonus (PSYCHIC)
- Charisma JUGGLER/FIREBREATHER
+10 Catch Bonus (POISON, FLYING) ++ Swiftness
CHANNELER + Sense SAGE
+++ Intuition + Nerve ++++ Wisdom
BIRD KEEPER - Health - Charisma ---- Brawn MORE TRAINER IDEAS
++ Sense +15 Catch Bonus (GHOSTS) +10 Catch Bonus (FIRE, POISON) +10 Catch Bonus
+Swiftness (GRASS, PSYCHIC, ICE)
+15 Catch Bonus (FLYING)
 LITTLE CUP START
Since Pen & Paper Version is envisioned as a creative, open ended experience, Players will pick
from any Pokémon in the Little Cup list, which consists primarily of low-stat, first evolution or
non-evolving Pokémon.

Using the Little Cup League as a reference, Trainers will either act out or come up with a
backstory involving one Pokémon from the list (ignore Smogon’s competitive exceptions,
everything is on the table!)

You can’t start a Pokémon journey without Open Little Cup List
making that famous, difficult decision...

Who will be your first companion?

If running a one shot, very short, or very

specific campaign, you may opt to ignore
this section and have Players pick any
CLASSIC START
Depending on your chosen Region, the local Pokémon Professor has 3 starters to choose from,
Pokémon within a certain level range. No and players cannot pick duplicates. The picking order will be determined by everyone rolling
matter what, make sure to discuss up front a d100, highest to lowest. If playing with more than 3 Players, the GM should pick some other
when picking Classes on the previous pages. Little Cup choices from that region that feel appropriate. Pichu & Eevee are obvious additions no
matter what Region you are playing in, but don’t be afraid to try out others. All you need is a
good type variety and to make sure every Player feels excited and satisfied.
Otherwise, before the start of the game,
have the table discuss the two following
options...
Open Starter List
 When testing Stats for their trainer, the Player rolls two Fudge dice
(2dF), which has + sides, - sides, and [blank] sides. These will be
tallied up and determine a result from 6 different possibilites.

++ + - --
SUPER EFFECTIVE! SUCCESS NOT VERY EFFECTIVE CRITICAL FAILURE

Incredible! Whatever you were It works! It does not work! Rarely there Uh oh. This is bad news. Not
trying to do works, with an Pretty straightforward. will be a need for punishment only is there a failure, but
added bonus, reward, or flair. Good job. here, but you’re gonna have to something extra is gonna sting!
try something else.

+- []
NET BLANKS

Welp, everything canceled each other out. This If a Player rolls double blanks, all Stat strengths and
means we leave it up to the hivemind! The GM weaknesses are ignored and the Trainer succeeds at
will either intervene with what they think is the action. But they have to use their HIDDEN POWER
best for the story, or the Players will simply Stat and only that Stat to overcome the obstacle.
continue the scene, messily solving it
through organic improv and role-play. JUMP TO HIDDEN POWER
HIDDEN POWER
Every Pokémon in the video games has a secret HIDDEN POWER, and
in Pen & Paper Version, the trainers have it too! Every Player may pick
one Stat that their Trainer has no + bonuses to, and mark it. If they roll HM’S & POKéMON ASSISTS
blanks, the test is an absolute success, but how exactly to interpret the If your Pokémon is able to assist you in a The GM should take note of what’s at play and mention if there are
use of the HIDDEN POWER is totally up to you! The catch being, you have particular task, you can toss another single dice any types that could interfere with the Pokémon’s ability. Are they
in on their behalf. A Net means they neither hinder weak to Rock-types and in a cave? Are they effective against
to use that Stat, and only that stat to overcome the obstacle. This can be nor help, and a Blank means their special abilities Water-types and out at sea? Take a look at the following chart and
tricky, and you’ll need to get creative. caused some extraneous effect that the GM will decide how their roll is affected.
describe!
As an example, in 20 Sided Stories, Candace Carter earned a reputation TAKES x4 DAMAGE
Example: Your Trainer needs to convince a clerk to
for rolling HIDDEN POWER: BRAWN quite often. In most of these cases, give them a discount on a soda pop. You roll a +/- TAKES x2 DAMAGE
Brawn had no use for what was being tested, so Candace would get Net, but your Eevee is so friggin’ cute you know she
can sweeten the deal. You throw in an extra 1dF and TAKES x1/2 - x1/4 DAMAGE
angry and beat up whoever was in sight! Through some fun improv this get a +. Hooray! The clerk just can’t say no those
would somehow lead to success, usually from an NPC being overcome eyes. IMMUNE TO TYPE (x0
x0)
with fear.
HM’s (Hidden Machines) do not require rolls.
Example 1: Your Trainer is being attacked by a Team Rocket Grunt and can’t
Think about what sort of personal arc you may want to take your However--and this is a change from the video move! You call on your Scyther to help and go in for a cut. You roll 1dF with
games--if your Pokémon has fainted then they do a +. But unfortunately, you’re near the Cinnabar Volcano and Scyther is 2x
Trainer on as they adventure through the Region, and pick a Hidden weak to Fire! After including the - penalty, this cancels out to a +/- Net.
require a basic roll to muster up the strength.
Power Stat that could help you reach it. It’s a secret advantage Trainers Scyther’s useless :(
try to hide or perhaps don’t even know they have, unleashing in only And while you do not need to teach your Pokémon Example 2: Your Umbreon wants to break some weird Psychic kid out of their
rare and random circumstances. Have fun with it! an HM move for them to use it outside of battle, trance. You rolled a -, but Umbreon has full Immunity from Psychic types!
Trainers must actually have the HM in their With the additional ++ this becomes a plain success.
inventory, and have a Pokémon in their party that
can actually use the move. The one exception to Immunity is Ghost <-> Normal-types, which are
unaffected by each other. Get creative with that one.
If the Pokémon is handling a check on their
own, meaning not performing the action with Otherwise, there are a lot of potential combinations, so don’t
the Trainer, they will have to use their own type overthink it! Just keep that defensive type calculator handy. If there
weaknesses and advantages based on the are no obvious types at play, then skip the chart entirely and only
current environment. use the single die result as you would with a regular assist.
 Combat is very notorious in TableTop game Pokémon Showdown can be used in a web
design. In a lot of ways it should be where the browser or downloaded as a client to open off
most exciting part of the game where stakes are your desktop.
high and everything is moving really fast! But in
play, it often becomes the opposite; everything As a GM, it’s a good idea to learn the ins-and-outs
This is, no doubt, where Pokémon Pen & Paper Version slows down and becomes methodical, emotional of Pokémon Showdown so you can help your
gets the most unorthodox. But have no fear! With a little conflict is cast aside, and the Rules become the Players as needed.
bit of practice, you’ll be having epic Pokémon battles main character. Pokémon Battles are at the very
in no time and with no problem! heart of what makes the video games what they
are, and there is so much to keep track of when
translating a video game design to a board game
design, so, for me, tracking this by hand was not
an option.

Pokémon Pen & Paper Version

uses Pokémon Showdown, an
unofficial but very well made
Pokémon Battle simulator, to
capture the feel of the handheld
games.

Note: Pen & Paper Version has no affiliation with the team
at Pokémon Showdown but they are badass and we thank
them dearly for their hard work.

The GM and the Player Team will want to make

separate accounts on Pokémon Showdown (1v1).
This is a good opportunity for Trainers to name
their team! A trainer could even be designated
as the team leader who exclusively operates the
device. This is especially needed for remote play.
You’ll want to build your teams in an Anything Goes format Use the Generation that is appropriate to your
category (for 20 Sided Stories we used [Gen7] Anything campaign by visiting that Pokémon’s Bulbapedia
Goes). page and scrolling down to their Learnset
Learnset. If
you would prefer to not spoil the progression,
You can back up your teams locally and organize them into communicate with the GM to make sure they’re
folders. It’s good to stay organized, as you’ll need to update keeping tabs for you.
things regularly!
Some caveats: there are no items (Potions,
X-Speeds, etc). This really changes strategies,
but during testing I found that after a couple of
battles I did not miss them. There are, however,
Hold Items!
Items As a GM, don’t be afraid to sprinkle
these throughout the world as rewards and
random finds. Players can mark them in their
When a character declares inventory and swap them out as needed.
a battle, you can Challenge
the GM’s account on Pokémon Health also does not carry over in between
Showdown or vice versa. Then battles, so on those long cave crawls it’s all or
pick the appropriate team nothing. Pokémon are able for battle, or they
when prompted. Players will fainted and are unable to battle until you reach
mostly use their own team that they build upon, but be ready to build some solo/double a Pokémon center. Again, this change takes a little getting used to, but I found it naturally
alternates when the story calls for it! streamlines the story flow and creates a different kind of tension that still works.

In between battles and travels, make sure to update your team and Pokémon levels. You Remember to have fun with Role-Play and Dialogue! Use call outs, stay in character, and
can tweak all sorts of stats to make sure every Pokémon is accurate and fighting fit. don’t let the added tech and info weigh down on your imagination.
There’s a vast world of challenges and possibilities out there! Throughout your story, Trainers will travel through thick tall grass,
pitch black caves, mysterious ruins, and all sorts of wilderness. This is where you catch new Pokémon and train for battles
ahead.

The GM will need to put some prep into sessions and make mock teams based on what may occur. This includes building gyms
and NPC Trainer teams, as well as possible Wild Pokémon on Routes.

For Wild Pokémon, consult Bulbapedia and There is no catching mechanic built into
build out possibilities for the Route or area the Pokémon Showdown. Instead the battle will
Trainers will be exploring. When an encounter pause and resume with the Trainer’s catch
feels appropriate, or a Trainer is specifically attempts. If the Wild Pokémon is defeated
looking, roll a d6 and use the result to pick or caught, end the battle in the simulator
which Pokémon on the Wild team comes out prematurely.
first.
JUMP TO THE TABLE OF CATCHING
Example:
If you had wanted back-to-back encounters or
a swarm of sorts, then keep it running and let
the Trainers decide how to proceed!

Maintaining balance with Pokémon Showdown

From left to right, and from 1 to 6, Caterpie, can be challenging at first, so make sure to
Weedle, Metapod, Kakuna, Pikachu, and a different communicate with everyone when you need
Metapod make up the six possible Wild Pokémon to pause and adjust moves, levels, etc. If there
that may appear while in Viridian Forest. If the GM is a mistake and something totally unfair slips
through, it is okay for the table to rewind and
rolls a 5, put Pikachu in the front of the team and
run the encounter again.
start a battle through Pokémon Showdown!
When Trainers attempt to catch a
Pokémon, Players will have to roll a d100
(most dice sets come with a d10 and a
d00, which you combine to get the tens
and single digit places respectively).

The Player will then take this number

and consort the Table of Catching! Any
advantages they have, such as an
improved Pokéball or a status effect put
on the wild Pokémon being fought, are
taken into account. The higher the score,
the better; To catch the Pokémon, your
final total needs be at least 90!

If the Pokémon is a final evolution or a

legendary, you must get a full 99 or higher
to catch it.

Once the Pokémon is caught (congrats!),

end the battle and pull out a new sheet for
it. If the Trainers already have 6 Pokémon
in the party shared among them,
the newly caught Pokémon will
have to either be
sent to Bill’s PC
or swapped out
before they can
proceed.

RETURN TO ENCOUNTERS
 One of the most exciting parts of a Pokémon Journey is watching your team improve and harden with each battle.

If running a one shot or a shorter campaign, you may opt to skip this entirely, but Pokémon Showdown does not
track EXP, and it would yet again be cumbersome, nay, near impossible to feasibly do this by hand during the flow of
gameplay in a way that mirrors the video games.

So... how do we grant progression on those longer adventures?

1) Each Pokémon defeated grants a level gained! Tip: Have the Trainers role-play the recollection of these time-skips! When camping
If a Trainer’s Pokémon wins against another, mark down a point to at night, or as they get into town, talk about how the training went. Who level-
allocate after the battle is over. This does not include Wild Pokémon. upped the most? Any interesting landmarks?

2) Roll a d4 for each Route passed! Depending on your party’s personal flow, the GM may want
When the Trainers make their way through a chunk of the region, to grant an extra d4, roll none at all, or sprinkle in some
have them each roll a d4. They can then allocate these points Rare Candies as a victory reward.
across the Pokémon they want to have used throughout the route
to account for miscellaneous Wild Pokémon battles. This should not As mentioned, you’ll want to keep a handy Bulbapedia
include backtracking unless a couple days of in-game time passes. or Seribii article up for each Pokémon in the party so
Trainers can learn moves and evolve their Pokémon at the
With Pen & Paper Version, the goal is to have less but appropriate times.
overall more meaningful battles. No need to grind through
tall grass here. Let time pass cinematically and treat each
session like its very own anime episode.
Feeling stuck on what
METHOD #1 METHOD #2
to do next? Didn’t have
Simple Item Quest! Roll 3 d6 using the table below to generate a combo. Bulbapedia is a phenomenal resource on
time to prep but need everything within and around the Wonderful
to give your players 1 Team Rocket 1 stole 1 a special Pokémon World of Pokémon. Use the button below to
a good session? Just open up a random article! Who knows what
looking for a bit of 2 Local Breeder 2 needs 2 an old fossil
it might inspire?
wild-card inspiration? 3 Pokémon Center 3 wants 3 a mystery Pokémon egg
Have no fear! Here are
three different ways 4 Gym trainer 4 is missing 4 a special bike
RANDOM
to get some creative 5 Professor/Aide 5 is making 5 some fresh Berries
juices flowing and an
encounter on the table. 6 Pokemart Manager 6 lost 6 an experimental Pokeball

METHOD #3
Grab a d100 and roll away! On the next page, find your number and use the prompt to get an adventure going. If it’s not quite what
your looking for, roll again! You are also encouraged to swap in alternate locations, Pokémon, NPC’s, etc at your leisure.
1. Team Rocket is trying to steal a Gym’s Pokémon! 27. Rocker Angus wants to battle… of The Bands! 51. The Indigo Plateau is open for tours! But there’s a catch! 77. An archaeological deep dive through a long forgotten cave
2. A Dojo is looking for new initiates! 28. Enlightened Hiker suggests trying Paras-Shrooms with him! 52. Bill’s PC network is down and everyone is mad about it! system, solving cryptic puzzles and searching for one of the
Regis!
3. The local fan club wants to put on a parade for the town! 29. Local Geek hobbyists are building Porygons to battle them 53. Pewter City Museum is getting defunded! 78. Johto and Kanto are going to “war” again and our Trainers
4. A brand new Evil Team tries to recruit our Trainers for their like Battlebots! 54. Trainers find out what it’s like to be inside a Pokéball! are drafted!
cause! 30. Our Trainers went viral on the internet! A day of fame and Maybe they even get stuck! 79. Mr. Stone of the Devon Corporation has a dangerous new
5. All the Wild Beedril have suddenly disappeared! paparazzi! 55. A Beauty’s Sad Ninetails was actually born with Eight! research project in need of some daring Pokémon Trainers!
6. There’s a local tournament and the prize is a shiny Pokémon! 31. Creepy Mr. Mime keeps appearing and doing mediocre bits! 56. An Absol appears and says a Category 5 hurricane is 80. Local politician tries to incite fear in to the public about
7. Our Trainers are snowed-in for the Winter! And something… 32. Local Youngster battles the town Gym every single day heading right your way! Pokémon! Pokémon are gonna steal your jobs!
lurks outside! and loses every single time but they refuse to give up! Maybe 57. Attack of the Giant Pokémon! 81. Move Tutor doesn’t remember really why they got into this
today is the day! business!
8. Devious Pokémon Center is hurting Pokémon instead of 33. PokeNerds are playing D&D and things get really meta! 58. Someone’s Drifloon is floating away! Hectic chase scene!
healing them! Why!? 59. Who the hell is just leaving items lying around everywhere, 82. Everyone goes to the amusement park!
9. Officer Jenny needs some undercover Biker Gang members for 34. Some hot-shot Athlete double-dog-dares our Trainers to all over the region! And why?! 83. Game Corner heist!
a sting operation! climb to the top of an Alolan Exeggutor!
35. Legend has it that house cats are actually the strongest 60. The Bike Path is now gouging everyone to pay ridiculously 84. I got to run an errand! You be the Gym Leader for the day!
10. The Pokémon Tower is going to be demolished for a Pokémon! high prices to use! 85. Our Trainers get eaten and stuck in the belly of a Whalelord!
Capitalist Radio Tower! 61. All the Dragons go on strike!
11. A secret tribe in the wild is worshipping a single Unown 36. News Crew wants a hot new story from some hip-and-cool 86. Judgmental Swanna, wings on hips, just stares
Pokémon! Trainers on the road! Even if it’s all lies! 62. Big evil oil company is causing spills offshore! Think of all disapprovingly at our Trainers!
37. Quiet Monk on a hill is meditating with their Medicham but is the water Pokémon! 87. Rotom Phone has a mind of its own and can’t do that,
12. Local loon thinks he is a Dragonite and is going to prove it! having trouble keeping focus! 63. Pokémon Professor needs to find a new, competent Aide! Dave!
13. Trainers can get a special badge for completing the official 38. Two small rival Gyms are competing for a spot in the Indigo 64. Mew……. THREE!?!?!?! 88. Chansey Egg hunt in the Safari Zone! Big Prize!
League Exam! League!
14. Hunter/Gatherer raised by Mightyena’s needs to save his 65. At least one of all 20+ breeds of Monkey Pokémon have 89. Our Trainers stumble upon a hidden wormhole to the
home from deforestation! 39. Too many Pokémon are able to use TM 26 Earthquake and it’s escaped from the Zoo! Distortion World!
driving everyone in the Region nuts! 66. Hypno hypnotizes! 90. (If playing kid Trainers) Let’s sneak into an R Rated movie!
15. Nurse Joy is in love with a big shot CEO! 40. Classic! A big Ol’ Snorlax blocks the path! (If not) Let’s make an R Rated movie!
16. Voltorb Flip Addiction is crippling this nation! 67. Super Nerd claims to be able to build a device that can
41. Determined Fisherman is on the verge of catching the make a Pokémon slowly learn to talk! But it will only have one 91. Free tickets for an Island Getaway! Sevii Islands? Alola?
17. A spooky Channeler/Medium puts our Trainers in a Lochness Monster! use, and once you use it you can’t go back! Battle Resort? So many options! But the boat is leaving today!
hallucinogenic trance! 42. Some Trainer’s sad Jigglypuff is awful at singing and wants 68. Two Sailors have been stranded at this lighthouse catching 92. Tennis Tournament!
18. Hobbyist has built the ultimate escape room and obstacle to get better! Krabby for their merchant for too long! They’re going mad! 93. A mythical Pokémon is being pursued by shady forces and
course in his house! 43. Spooky Ghost-Types keep appearing in the night! 69. Nearby Pokémon College is having a secret crazy dorm needs escort!
19. Kangaskhan can’t find her baby! 44. All your Pokémon feel depressed because the world is a party on campus! (Nice) 94. There’s a hostage situation on the Driftveil Drawbridge!
20. Beauty Contest has a huge victory payout, but is hiding a cold dark place and they won’t battle until they feel better! 70. Some punk brats started a forest fire! Stop its spread 95. Bill’s PC broke and every stored Pokémon was released into
dark secret! 45. Everyone is hungry and visits the local PokéFarmers before it’s too late! the world!
21. A Youngster wants to join the team and won’t stop Market! There are just too many options! 71. A race across the entire PokéWorld, crossing every region, 96. Ultra Beasts attack! The inter-dimensional wormholes must
following our Trainers! 46. Groan! One of the Trainer’s parents calls and needs help in 80 Days! be closed!
22. Ursaring is going berserk! Everyone get in the cabin! moving! 72. A Ditto becomes one of our Trainers and no one can tell the 97. Our Trainer’s Pokémon are turned into babies! Time for some
23. A lone, quiet Samurai is searching for a mysterious Sword! 47. Mossdeep Engineers have a totally out-of-this-world difference! Little Cup Battles!
24. Uh oh, our Trainers stumbled upon an isolationist, clothing- invention they’re working on! 73. Lets run away with the PokéCircus! 98. A mysterious Pokémon Egg just won’t hatch!
optional, artist commune and they want you to come hang 48. A piano is found in the middle of literally nowhere… playing 74. Uh oh! Crossover episode! It’s Captain Falcon! Or Naruto! Or 99. Human Battles! They exist, and it’s the Pokémon who are in
and chill! Don’t worry, it’s very non-sexual, but boy are they on its own! whoever the hell! charge of their moves! Who of our Trainers will rise to the top?
annoying! 49. Our trainers have a brief but unbelievable spiritual 75. A neo-noir on the dark-side of town! The Case of the Missing
25. Our trainers discover a secret underground lair using Dig or encounter with Arceus! Nugget with Detective Scraggy! 100. Our Trainers are able to use Bill’s Time Capsule as a time
Dive! machine! Where ever will they go? Back to the 70’s for some
50. It’s time to get that abandoned Power Plant turned back 76. A Pokémon-spread pandemic is declared in the region and PokéDisco Fever? The Wild Wild West full of PokéMericana? Or
26. AAHHH WATCH OUT THAT ELECTRODE’S GONNA BLOW! on! it’s up to our heroes to get the vaccine! perhaps into the far future, where everything is chrome? The
options are endless!
One of the many things that makes the World of Pokémon special is that unique sense of whimsy, discovery, and empowerment. Few
franchises have delivered the sense of building strong bonds over time as you do in Pokémon. It’s a vast world with lore as wide as an
ocean but as deep as a puddle. It can be a breezy little pocket distraction, a complex and competitive rock-paper-scissors, or an emotional,
epic, grandiose journey across the continent. Every Pokémon is someone’s favorite, and every Generation has unique flavors and styles.
It's what you make of it!

But since a kid, there’s always been something blatantly missing for me. And that is co-op. Pokémon Lets Go is—at the time of writing this—
still the only true Pokémon game where two players can work together and face the Pokémon League. And Player 2 is still put on the back-
burner every step of the way.

Thus, with Pokémon Pen & Paper Version, both in the 20 Sided Stories adventure and in the design of this system, I encourage embracing
teamwork. Gen III (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald) introduced the idea of double-battles and I’ve latched onto that ever sense. As in most D&D/
TTRPG’s, you will likely need to battle as a team, so everyone should consult and take their fellow trainers into account where possible.
Build together, and bond together. This is the classic GameBoy adventure without the bounds and restrictions of a video game. Your friends
aren’t in other dimensions doing the same exact thing with a different Pokémon team, simply there to trade with or occasionally battle
across some weird fourth-wall breaking link cable. No. This world and these bonds are yours to share with truly no creative limits. And that
is—what I think—makes Pen & Paper Version its own special thing.

And now, it’s yours. Explore and enjoy!

I am always available for feedback and questions, or simply to hear about what fun story you told with Pokémon Pen & Paper
Version.

Thanks for reading, and happy adventuring.

—Sage G.C.
Designed by Sage G.C.

Testing: Travis Reaves, Jessica Dahlgren, Greg Reasoner, Grant Bouffard, Noah Sturtridge, Zach Dailey, David Michmerhuizen,

Artwork from 20 Sided Stories

by Marrissa Bernstel and Arianna Cabebe

Various sprites from Pokémon Red/Green/Blue/Yellow, Gold/Silver/Crystal, FireRed/Leaf/Green Versions

Additional sprites from u/Laytonator and u/rod_munch via Reddit

This document has zero affiliation with Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak Inc., Pokémon Showdown, Bulbapedia, or Smogon.

All products names, trademarks, and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.