Boss Pokémon/Raid Pokémon

[Goni]

So, you've 'beaten' a route, captured all the pokémon, fought ever trainer. What's left? Introducing: Boss Pokémon (Alternatively Raid Pokemon)

I kind of had this idea because in cbox me and Caramell and Marchbaby were talking about randomly seeing super strong pokémon as a budding trainer. 

Solo Boss Pokémon Idea:

What if each route in addition to having a 'special encounter' which is a trainer that you can run into by request, if you meet the requirements for summoning any pokémon on the route to fight (I think it's 5 pages: could be wrong), you could request to encounter the Boss Pokémon. It could be something simple like, an evolved version of a pokémon you would meet on the route but double the level of a regular pokemon, specified, or if more effort wanted to be put into the idea, it could be a more unique pokémon who, when caught/defeated would be replaced by a different boss pokémon. These would be just like regular encounters, but the boss pokémon could have a unique egg move or TM move already assigned to it.

This could allow for some unique pokémon to be added to the site similar to the swarming feature, but more widely available, or encourage revisiting older locations while training your low level pokémon to get an immediately powerful pokémon who can fit right into your current party. 

Example 1: Pokémon From The Route, double leveled evolved boss mon

Rt. 1:

Boss Pidgeotto (Lv. 16)

Moves:

Gust

Sand Attack

Quick Attack

Steel Wing (EM)

Alternative Example: Pokémon Not Native to Route, Double Leveled for route, unique pokémon

Rt. 1:

Boss Skwovet (Lv. 16)

Moves:

Bite

Stockpile

Swallow

Belly Drum (EM)

Multiplayer Boss Idea:

Alternative to this idea are Raids, as introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Again, each route would have a powerful pokémon on it, similar to the boss pokémon, maybe a few levels lower (i.e. level 12 for route 1).

Pitch: When a player reaches the 5 page point and can choose their own encounter (or maybe sooner, or after x encounters or whatever), they can choose to 'cap off' their thread by having a Raid Battle. A Moderator will respond, saying what pokémon the raid battle is going to be with, and then the thread becomes a multiplayer thread. If you have a previously completed thread in the route, you are free to join in (since it's a multiplayer thread, you don't need to worry about already being in a solo quest, as you are allowed to have 1 solo quest thread and 1 multiplayer thread.) The owner of the thread can move on with their solo adventure (since multiplayer threads require multiple members to respond, it may take longer than the user wants to spend). Up to three other players may join the raid battle, then the raid battle will begin.

Battle Mechanics: It acts just like a normal battle, except the raid pokémon has 4-8x the HP of a regular pokémon (Or just 2x per player that participates), and deals 2x the damage (or maybe +.5x per player that participates, i.e. a 4 person raid would add 2x to the fight resulting in a 3x power pokémon or something like that. Balancing tbd.).

Reward: If the players are successful in defeating the pokémon, they will all be given a chance to capture the pokémon (a la pokemon sword and shield, copies are made for each player, and an opportunity to throw a single ball is had.) The host of the thread gets an increased chance to capture the pokémon, and the others maybe get an opportunity at 25% more difficult or 50% more difficult, then unique copies are made for those successful, and perhaps a reward is given as well for defeating the raid boss, or maybe it is a guaranteed catch for all the participants, to entice people to participate in this feature.(~200-500 dollars? an item? something else?) It could also give veteran players the opportunity to play with newer players. 

Example for Rt. 1:

Raid Boss Skwovet (Lv. 12)

HP: 64 (16 base x 4)

Speed: 12

Moves:

Bite

Stockpile

Swallow

Belly Drum (EM)

Justification:

I just thought this would be a neat way to sprinkle in some pokémon Sword and Shield mons, or make some opportunities to catch some strong pokémon (with egg/tm moves). These are just ideas, i'm open to hear more opinions, if people like this idea, or if people hate this idea! I'm fine either way.I also don't know how often players actually aspire to get to that 5 page threshold to catch a 'mon they are really interested in. Cycling out pokémon might give players more incentive to go through the trouble of getting to the 5 page limit, though I think if you challenge a boss/raid, it should be considered a 'cap' to the thread, and you must move on or create a new thread afterwards. This way players won't be able to abuse the fact that a unique pokémon appears, will reward players who make it to that point and are considering moving on and leaving their long thread behind (Lets face it, sometimes it takes months to get to that kind of a page count, even on a bike). The raid idea encourages players to progress through the story to be eligible for more raids, but also gives players who are far past other players something to work towards while others travel closer (Maybe a player who is at New Bark working towards the raid boss will see someone in New Bark and encourage them to continue on and close their thread in order to be eligible for the raid.)

Let me know if this made any sense! If you have any cool additions or thoughts on battle mechanics or encounter mechanics, if you like the idea of multiplayer boss fights, or if you think there could be a good way to scale to the amount of players you want! Thanks for reading!

[antonius]

I would prefer the boss idea because of the mechanic for the raids might be a bit more difficult to implement. One thing about the swarms is the opportunity of finding Pokemon on routes they usually not at. The problem of doubling the level for the boss Pokemon is when you get to the later routes where the Pokemon float around level 30-35 which would put bosses around 60-70. I would be surprised anyone could take down a level 60 Pokemon unless they are long time members and even then a few Pokemon like an entire team. I would suggest maybe +5 to +10 level of the highest Pokemon in the party. If someone is running around Route 29\New Bark with a level 17 Charmeleon, like myself, a level 16 Pidgeotto still be a decent challenge. If it was a level 17 mareep, the Pidgeotto would be done quickly. However if they are true beginners, the best might be level 12 if they got lucky (+7 levels in five pages).

[Goni]

That's cool! I think both kind of do different things. I thought raids kind of encouraged multiplayer (which is hard to keep going consistently and depends on multiple players instead of 1, but the idea is cool.)

You're right about the boss being really hard in later places, hadn't really thought that far since the glut of players is at the starting line. I suppose it could be scaled differently, or could be +1 level to max level+ gym badges required for route or something like that. the idea it's just straight up stronger is cool too. +10 levels or +5 levels. I like the idea of making players sweat a little bit, and maybe go through their party a bit. I also don't expect newcomers to challenge the boss unless they explicitly state they want to, this preventing them unless they feel confident.

[Lamont]

Has anyone seen the 'Post Gym Badge Encounters' portion of our Encounters guide? *waggles eyebrows*


The problem with being able to just request higher level pokemon is:

1. Defeats the purpose of items like Cleanse Tag & Lures
   
2. Allows for controlled higher XP gain without progressing
   

Also... some teasers...



And you may notice a particular special item in some people's inventories from the Galar region given away during our Spring event ;D