Rejected: Ashes of a Dying Evil (Discussion Thread)

[Zerodius]

The introduction post will be posted soon. Now, some specific explanations about the battle system used in the RPG...

...

First, the battle begins with an Initiative. The circumstances of the fight determine which side get the initiative.

Then, whoever has the Initiative begin the fight. If it's the enemy, then skip this part.

Each user will post ONCE. In their post, their character has the right to do ONE action and only ONE. This action can be anything ; positionning your characters on the field, reloading/recharging, unleashing a technique, using attacks, attempting a combo, taking a defensive stance, charge up for an attack, using an item... you can do almost anything.

Once every user has posted what his characters shall do, the actions are carried out in MY post. Unless the users specify it, ALL CHARACTERS OF A SINGLE SIDE ACT AT THE SAME TIME. The order at which the actions are posted doesn't matter.

In my post, I will specify what is the enemy's Reaction... in short, what they do with the attacks going toward them. Keep in mind that you have the right, during Reaction phase, to execute only ONE action, may it be an evasive maneuver, blocking, countering, using a tech, using an item, whatever you want. But keep in mind that even if there are several attacks are all coming for your character, you have the right to only ONE action. The first strategic element is there ; it's hard to avoid (both for you and the enemy) several simultaneous attacks with only one action.

Once you're done writting the Reaction, you must writte your characters' Action in the SAME post. The Action is actually the same thing that when your characters had the initiative.

Both sides continue on taking turns with Actions and Reactions until either one side is eliminated completely or until an event interrupt the fight.

There is no experience managment ; I'll simply mention at the end of the battle according to how well the characters did during battle if the characters have the right to receive upgrades. Upgrades come in those forms:

-increase in HP and other stats (HP boosts are given automatically but when other stats are increased, you must confirm to me if you want your character's stats to increase and must select a single stat to increase among those three: offense, defense, speed, agility. Offense is in both physical and special attack. Defense is the same but for the defensive value. Speed is the character's speed and me allowing you to make longer combos. Agility is your character's reflexes and ability to react quickly.)

-Learn new moves (you choose which move you learn. Note that the 4 moves limit can and will be breached)

-You are given the permission to evolve a trained Pokemon (you can use it whenever you want... like you can choose to make your character remains in it's current form forever)

Regarding combos... you must make sure, when you make your characters execute combos, that you also specify how your character will act if one or more strikes miss (may it be in an alternate way the combo is carried out or specifying that your character will stumble, trip, and fall down if the combo fails).

Well, that's pretty much it. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.

 

[GoldenHouou]

Okay, I have few questions.

First, are we only allowed to either evade an upcoming attack or attack? Like, if a Thunderbolt would've coming towards my Lugia, am I allowed to descripe how she evaded it, and then how she acted after that, or just either attack or evade?

And secondly, if we are allowed to use only one attack (like flamethrower or bite) then how can we make combos? Don't we need to use many attacks in order to do that? (Like using flamethrower and then biting the burning spot. < A bad example, I know >_>)

No more questions at the time being.

 

[Zerodius]

In fact, it is encouraged that you describe how your character dodges the incoming attacks, else the battles would be very boring, frankly.

Also, combos COUNT AS TECHS. Read: combos are actually considered as single moves but like other moves, must be learnt.

I guess this is my fault for not updating the first post quickly enough but when your characters are given a "level-up" and the opportunity to learn a new move, you have two choices. Either you make your character learn the next move on it's list of learned moves (use the Pokedex) or you make a new combo, making a combination of your existing moves to either create a chain of moves or an all-new, custom move. In the case of new moves, this is a no-brainer ; simply tell me and I'll add the move to your character's list of moves. For combos, you must writte it's description, what moves are mixed, how it's pulled off, the amount of PPs consumed, the power level, and the accuracy level. Once this is done, PM me the move and I'll approve/disapprove it and add it to the list of moves or tell you what's wrong with it.

Well, that's all for now. I'll post the update about the battle system later (basically, explaining about Limits, Resonance, and Hyper Mode).

 

[GoldenHouou]

Okay, I understood the Tech/Combo thing now. Still, I need to ask again: Do we get to do both; defensive and offensive acttion, or only one of the two?

 

[Zerodius]

You get both per turn. It's just that on the very first turn, the side who get the Initiative has no Reaction phase for an obvious reason (since they're the first to attack, no attack is going their way this turn).

 

[GoldenHouou]

Ah, now I understand, thank you. ^_^

 

[Zerodius]

Now, here's the update about the level-up system and the way I display stats in my posts.

At the end of my posts, the display for each individual character should look like this:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
=HERO A'S PARTY=
-Hero A-
Life Force (5) (||||||||||)
Resonance (70%)
Limit (67%)
PP (0)

-Pokemon A- =PARALYSIS=
Life Force (0) (||||||||||)
Resonance (20%)
Limit (100%)
PP (34)

-Pokemon B- =FAINTED=
Life Force (0) (||||||||||)
Resonance (0%)
Limit (0%)
PP (14)

=BOSS ENEMY=
(||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||)

=ENEMY=
(4/5)
Enemy A (|||||||||||||||||)
Enemy B (|||||||||||||)
Enemy C (||||||||||||||||||||||)
Enemy D (|||||||||||||||||||)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HP and other values are displayed using meters. Each individual bar is one unit. The number next to the HP meter for friendly characters represent the number of extra meters they have for one meter can only contain ten units of energy. If an attack received is greater or equal to the amount of HP in a particuliar meter, that meter will be totally emptied, the number of meters will decrease by one, and the next meter will absorb the remaining amount of damage. This process continue on until the damage has been totally absorbed or until the character run out of HP. If the later happens, the user must decide if the character either faints or dies. Attacks that would normally inflict death (like hits to the heart or to the head) will still inflict only fainting unless the user decide to kill it's own character... but a character struck with a "Fatal" condition rather than "Fainted" will remain unconscious until a revive-type item has been used or until that character has been brought to a Pokemon Center.

Next is the Resonance meter. Each time a character effectively pull off some kind of teamwork, the meter will go up. If the character argue or do moves that hamper the other characters, the meter will go down. When the meter is full (100%), the party enter "Soul Unison" mode and has the right to attempt a Soul Unison Tech. To use one, the user must post that his/her character is now attempting to pull off such a move. Then, in their posts, the other users must specify whenever they choose to follow or not. The number of characters who participate determine the Tech used. Once all the users posted, I will specify in my post how the Soul Unison turned out ; if it is the first time that the characters attempt a Soul Unison, I decide what Soul Unison they use. Once the battle is over, I will PM every user with the stats for the Soul Unison move used so that they may modify it to their own will. Then, one of them must PM me the modified move's stats and I'll approve/disapprove it. Once approved, the move can be pulled off like a normal attack as long as the Soul Unison state is reached, not needing to waste the others' turn.

Resonance is not limited to Soul Resonance however. Once the meter is full, the party can choose to attempt to reach Full Synchro state. If all of the users agree to attempt it, the Soul Resonance will start to fill again. Once it reaches 200%, Full Synchro state is reached and the party gain access to new, uber-powerful versions of the Soul Unison attacks. The catch here is that if one of the party members is hit even ONCE, the party is thrown out of synchronisation and the meter is resetted to 0%. In short, Full Synchro is powerful but risky to use.

Now, about the Limit meter... Each time a character feel pain, either emotionnal or physical (YOU MUST MENTION IT IN YOUR POST), this meter will go up. Also, seeing an ally being fainted/killed will instantly fill up the meter and so will have the characters reach danger/critical state (read: down to their last meter of energy). When the meter is full, the characters gain access to their Limit Techs. Limit Techs are extremely powerful... but one must be careful! Limit Techs are divided into two categories: Beserk and Despair. If the Limit Tech used doesn't end the battle, then the character who used the tech will be afflicted by either "Beserk" or "Despair" status.

When Beserk, your characters cannot attempt to evade, block, or counter attacks in any way, form, or shape ; in short, ALL incoming attacks must strike. Also, your character cannot do anything during their turn except for direct attacks and direct offensive moves.

A character afflicted by Despair suffer from the opposite ; the character cannot attempt to harm the foe in any way, form, or shape (no direct or indirect attacks).

When the characters find themselves afflicted with such states, the Limit meter will start to go down. Once it reach 0%, the status problem is removed and the meter will start refilling normally.

Limit moves are learnt on the go ; when your Limit meter reach 100% and wants to use one, simply make one and PM me the stats. If I approve it, you are free to use it immediately.

Now, finally, there's the PP meter. Every Tech use a single PP. Now, at the beginning of every fight, PP is fixed to 20. Not using Techs for one turn increase PP by 5. Combos, Limits, Soul Unisons, and Full Synchros techs which may involve the use of several Techs require one PP for every Tech mixed in (for exemple, if a combo involve Ember, Metal Claw, and Tail Whip, it will consume 3 PPs, one for each move).

The final explanation is for the bosses' energy meters.

Enemies have only one layer to their HP meter ; once it turns red, they're defeated. Bosses, however, might have more than one layer of HP... you see, striking a boss will drain a meter and reveal the one under it. To win, the yellow one must be drained. Those who played the Megaman Zero games knows what I am talking about. Layers for boss meters go as such:

White -> Green -> Blue -> Yellow

...

Now, for raising the characters' levels.

There is no experience here. Unstead, one's performance in battle and the creativity and description will determine if I give you "upgrades" or not at the end of battles.

I'll usually give one of those three:

-Extra HP meters (Max HP increased)
-New moves
-Opportunity to evolve a single trained Pokemon (once given, you keep it ; can use it whenever you want. Try to fit in an interesting story scene, if possible)

I believe I explained earlier how new moves are learnt ; simply state if your character learn the new move on it's list of naturally learnt moves or create a new mix (combo or custom attack) and PM me with the stats.

It's that simple, really.

Other events might cause your character to get stronger but overall, beat baddies in style and in a clever way and you'll get extra HP, new moves, and the opportunity to evolve trained Pokemon.

Well, I think that's pretty much it...

Comments, suggestions, and questions about the battle system or/and the story won't be ignored so do not hesitate.

 

[Another Fan]

Sounds good. Wow, though, my character's personality will be a real burden during battles.

Still, this is rather exciting. Will this thread be of simple light-hearted discussion as well or just tips for RPing?

 

[Nylf]

Umm, Z you know my combos, but I need them checked:

Steel Dragon Blast
Combo of: Dragon Breath, Confusion/Psychic, Shrapnel Shot(If that fake move is OK, it's in the MB discussion)
Damage: 150
Energy Used: Large amounts, usually leaves Ro, Sorg and Nylf or Selan exhausted.
Description: Either Nylf or Selan launh a Dragonbreath, which Sorg the launches metal into causing a torrent of steel, then Ro manipulates the fire and Steel into a dragon shape which collides with the enemy. The dragon is the size of Rayquaza.

Obvioulsy can't be used yet as Sorg can't use Shrapnel Shot yet, and Selan and Nylf don't know Dragonbreath.

Tempest Of The Phoenix
Combo Of: Any of Zel's fire attacks, any of Ro's psychic attacks.
Damage: Varies with attacks used, currently 60 with Ember and Confusion
Energy used: The amount needed to use that attacks
Description: Zel uses a fire attack that Ro first manipulates into the shape of a phoenix that begins to surround the enemy eventually forming into, depending on the power of Zel and Ro's attack, a swirling vortex of flames that closes in on the enemy. Hard to avoid.

As said, it grows with Zel and Ro.

Supreme Tempest Dragon
Combo Of: Sandstorm, Shrapnel Shot, Dragon Breath, Flamethrower, Psychic, Thunderbolt
Damage: Immense
Energy Used: The only one with almost any energy left will be Ant as he isn't involved.
Descripton: Nylf, who must be a Flygon before this can be attempted, uses Sandstorm, forming a cyclone of sand, Sorg then uses Shrapnel shot and the metal gets mixed in with the wind creating a spiral of wind, metal and sand, Zel and Selan then fire off Dragonbreath and Flamethrower into it, turning the metal into molten streams and the sand into glass, while Telo launches Thunderbolt into the cyclone making the storm charged, before Ro finally manipulates the storm into the form of an immense dragon, easily double the size of Rayquaza, that is then slammed into the enemy. This all takes place in about a split second so it's hard to avoid and pull off.
Results if failed: The regualr attacks and Ro exhausted.

Basically the most powerful thing the six can pull off.

Seismic Claw
Required moves: Seismic Toss, Dragon Claw
Energy used: Very little
Description: Either Nylf or Selan prepare a Dragon Claw, then Zel or Sorg Seismic Tosses them at the enemy.
If it misses: Selan or Nylf get Seismic tossed.

Oh, and you don't mind that I said Ant could make his coat mirrored? I think most Lugias can do that anyway.

 

[Zerodius]

To Nylf: Actually, all of those moves are actually Soul Unisons and Full Synchro Techs. A real, actual combo involve a SINGLE character mixing it's own moves to make new ones.

Technically, Shrapnel Shot would be an exemple of an actual combo ; since the move doesn't exist in the Pokemon moves list, you could create it by mixing known attacks in order to mimic the effect it has in your own stories.

Now, regarding base power... since the stats used in the RPG use lower numbers, base power for all moves is divided by 10 (read: the base power of say, Thunder, will be 12).

Now, about combos...

Your moves actually are a good exemple ; although it might not sound like much, a move that inflicts 15 damage unstead of 12 makes a HUGE difference in the RPG and most ultimate combos or advanced Soul Unisons/basic Full Synchro moves should have about 20 of base power. Keep in mind that the HP of normal enemies won't go above 100 HP and maybe not even over 50! As such, make your moves reasonable.

Now, about your introduction...

Despite the fact that you did NOT have the right to make your character use Mirror Coat... I shall overlook this fact since it seems to be an important part of your character act in the story (well, at least, early on... and anyway, your intro was quite good anyway as it was). As such, I shall consider this as a "reverse HM" ; a move that can be used outside of battle but not during battle unstead of the other way around.

Now... I find everyone to be a bit slow to post their introductions. Apart from AnotherFan, Goldenhouou, Leaf Green, and Nylf, people have seemingly not noticed that the RPG has begun. I guess it's time to send PMs to everyone.

 

[Blivsey]

Umm... can I have a list of who the characters are? Nothing fancy, just a list of all participants and what specie they are.

 

[Zerodius]

Here is the list of all of the characters, their specie, and their current HP level (full since the RPG is only beginning and no character has run into traps or enemies so far).

+Another Fan's characters+
=SENENOONO'S PARTY=
Senenoono -Ditto- (0) (||||||||||)
Meowth -Meowth- (0) (||||||||||)

+skiboydoggy's characters+
=SKI'S PARTY=
Ski -Human- (0) (||||||||||)
Hepheastus -Charmander- (0) (||||||||||)
Bahamut -Dratini- (0) (||||||||||)
Excalibur -Geodude- (0) (||||||||||)
Shiva -Abra- (0) (||||||||||)
Horus -Machop- (0) (||||||||||)
Loki -Gastly- (0) (||||||||||)

+Oblivion0807's characters+
=CHROM'S PARTY=
Chrom -Light Mew- (0) (||||||||||)

+Nylf's characters+
=ANTHONY'S PARTY=
Anthony -Demon Lugia- (0) (||||||||||)
Rowana -Ralts- (0) (||||||||||)
Nylf -Shiny Trapinch- (0) (||||||||||)
Zel -Torchic- (0) (||||||||||)
Sorg -Beldum- (0) (||||||||||)
Telonus -Eevee- (0) (||||||||||)
Selana -Shadow Bagon- (0) (||||||||||)

+Leaf Green's characters+
=SHADY'S PARTY=
Shady -Celebi- (0) (||||||||||)

+Sejiro Mafuné's characters+
=VEROS'S PARTY=
Veros -Celebi- (0) (||||||||||)
Melodia -Misdreavus- (0) (||||||||||)
Venorox -Dustox- (0) (||||||||||)

+Goldenhouou's characters+
=LUCY'S PARTY=
Lucy -Lugia- (0) (||||||||||)

=AURORA'S PARTY=
Aurora -Shiny Light Mew- (0) (||||||||||)
Purgatory -Shadow Ninetales- (0) (||||||||||)
Rex -Tyranitar- (0) (||||||||||)

 

[Nylf]

For Shrapnel Shot, would combining Iron Defense and a psychic attack work, as the Iron Defense would add a layer of metal that the psychic attack throws at the enemy? Plus I finally worked out a Full Synchro thingy for Ant and co:

Arcane Tempest Dragon(They won't say the name out loud)
Moves: Shadow Storm, Sandstorm, Shrapnel Shot, Dragon Breath, Flamethrower, Psychic, Thunderbolt
Energy: This is the second most powerful move they have, so if it is used or actually hits, about nuke levels of energy.
Odds of hitting: Slim, execution needs to be perfect to work
Description: Nylf and ant conmbine a Shadow Storm and Sandstorm to create a storm of dark energy, then Sorg uses Shrapnel shot filling it with shards of metal, then Zel and Selan let loose Dragon Breath and Flamethrower, which then creates the liquid metal and glass, Telo charges up the storm with Thunderbolt and then Ro manipulates it into a dragon the size of Supreme Dragon Tempest, which then collides with the enemy.

Apocalypse Dragon
Moves: Shadow Blast, Sandstorm, Sharpnel Shot, Dragon Breath, Overheat, Psychic, Thunder
Energy: Umm, I'll tell you when I work it out
Odds of hitting: The odds they'll use this, yet alone pull it off flawlessly, are slim. The only reason it'll work 100% is if all their lives are on the line, and then only if Ant is up to using Shadow Blast when not in Hyper mode, and finally only the very last resort.
Description: They form the Supreme Tempest Dragon, with slightly stronger attacks then as Ro manipulates it, instead of her using her powers to have it strike the enemy Ant uses Shadow Blast, sending it carrerring with the force of all their energy at the enemy.

Oh, and some combos Selan and Nylf use:

Dragon Wing:
Dragon Claw + Steel Wing
Description: They use Dragon Claw to charge up Steel Wing
ATK: 90

Dragon Tail:
Dragon Claw + Iron tail
Description: They use Dragon Claw to charge up Iron Tail
ATK: 110

Dragon Beam:
Hyper Beam + Dragon Breath
Description: They fire off the attacks simulatneously, causing a more powerful beam.
ATK: 160

The attack damage I gave was non-divided.

 

[Zerodius]

To Nylf: I'll approve your moves later.

Just an announcement...

ALL TRAINER-TYPE CHARACTERS START WITH 2000 POKEDOLLARS!

Very important detail which I forgot for some reason... anyway, that's that.

 

[GoldenHouou]

I have to go soon, so I'm not able to write my RPG post now. However, I had something I wanted to say, and since I can't write a RPG post, I decided it would be better for me to post it here, instead of posting a fully OOC post in the RGP thread.

Anyway.

There are many posts since I last posted, which apparently caused me to not notice what you had said about Recover, and apparently you hadn't seen my Edit in my earlier post. It was nothing important, I just said that ten would be too much to heal, and that I thought five would be a better choice. That was before I noticed you had already sorted out that it recovered with two Hp. But that seems kinda... low, as it heals less than Super Effective hit deals damage. I'm thinking it would be better as three, for then it would heal the same that syper effective takes, which sounds more reasonable. But if you want it to be two instead of three, then that's fine as well, as itäs your choice really.

Which brought to my mind; Since not-very-effective hits takes one HP, Neutral takes two and super effective takes three... then what would
4x weakness and 4x resistance take? I.e, Flying attack on Heracross (good on its both types) or Normal attack on Aggron (Bad against its both types)

Ah, anyway, I will probably be posting tomorrow, but I won't be here at the weekend.

 

[Zerodius]

Effective hits aren't quite as powerful in Rejected than in the games for the reason that since Life Force determine the amount of energy the character has before dying or falling into a state of coma as opposed to fainting.

This means that moves have a LOT less significant effect and must be added up to really show big effects ; Recover won't heal nearly as much, super effective aren't quite the one-hit KOs they were in the games, that kind of thing.

Also, note that element is a LOT less important. How the attack is pulled off, speed of the attack, piercing power, and the body part struck is a LOT more important. As a whole, a neutral strike to a Deoxys's eye or to a Human's head will inflict MORE damage than a 4X weakness strike. Also, a 4X weakness strike could pretty well inflict next to no damage if a limb is struck or if the character doesn't absorb most of the shock, letting itself be sent flying or transferring the damage into armor or something else (think: Pikachu when he counter Thunder in the anime... except transposed to ALL forms of attacks).

Element is still important ; Shedinja isn't the only Pokemon who will have an elemental barrier in this RPG and trying to inflict damage with super effective attacks is far easier than by using not very effective attacks.

One final note... damage is NOT multiplied in the RPGs but rather, act in a form of additions. Attacks don't have fixed attack values (when applied to the players, at least) and as such, while a regular super effective attack deals 4 to 8 points of damage, when applied to a player character with 10 max HP, the damage is reduced to 3 to 6 HP.

Well... I don't know if my explanation made sense but well... I hope it did.

Just for references... here is the basic chart I use for damage:

Inneffective (normal circumstances): 0
Inneffective (Fatal Strike): 4
Not very effective (all body parts but weak points): 1
Not very effective (weak points): 2
Not very effective (Fatal Strike): 10
Neutral (limbs): 1
Neutral (body): 2
Neutral (weak points): 3
Neutral (Fatal Strike): 20
Super effective (limbs): 2
Super effective (body): 4
Super effective (weak points): 8
Super effective (Fatal Strike): 100
4X effective (limbs): 4
4X effective (body): 10
4X effective (weak points): 25
4X effective (Fatal Strike): 400
8X effective (limbs): 10
8X effective (body): 25
8X effective (weak points): 100
8X effective (Fatal Strike): 999

 

[Seijiro Mafuné]

How do weapons work, at the very least in the sense of additional effects?

 

[Zerodius]

Weapons act as a second element added to attacks. Attacks come in an elemental triangle:

Slashing beat Piercing, Piercing beat Blunt, Blunt beat Slashing

Slashing: swords, axes, most bladed weapons
Piercing: spears, most guns
Blunt: hammers, most non-descript weapons

Except for a few select Pokemon (like Tangela, Ghost Pokemon, and armored Pokemon), only characters wielding weapons themselves are affected by weapon elements... and even then, it determines which weapon has the priority, not the damage ; only a few Pokemon are affected by weapon elements.

Still, a correct weapon can give the characters the edge against a tough enemy.

The main role of weapons is to mix them to Pokemon moves to form combos. This way, combos can be increased in lenght and power even further. Also, keep in mind that channelling elemental energy into steel, lead, or other solid matters is MUCH easier than channelling them into thin air which means that usually, weapon-based combos will be longer and stronger... but weapon combos usually require your character to be at close range which can be a problem against some foes. The fact that the combo is weapon-based also means that weapon elements apply which can be both a good thing or a bad thing.

But as a whole, unless used in combos, weapons are inferior to Pokemon moves in every way ; their power level is lesser and unless your character use guns, they will need to get in close... and guns require your character to have aim. The only moment you might want to use weapons is when your character is out of PP or is charging up for an especially powerful combo or custom move.

 

[Nylf]

OK I can see Zel, Nylf and Ro using weapons, but Ant, Telo, Selan and Sorg, not really. Ant has no hands and the other three are quadrapeds. So how do Pokemon who don't have hands use weapons? And how do I get my hands on weapons anyway?(Now I know weapons are involved I'm eager to get Zel a sword. Blaziken, wings and a sword, match made in heaven IMO)

Also, can you use custom weapons? I recently became obsessed with Soul Calibur III and would really like to give Zel Soul Calibur Zweihander form.

EDIT: Another urgent question. How will Purification work and effect Selan?

 

[Seijiro Mafuné]

Well, to answer the first question, you got to go into a store and buy them. Like I did.