I would like to see if there is interest for a Pokémon hobby I've been enjoying lately: Pokédex building - you compose a Pokédex list, as if for a region, according to self-set goals and limitations (such as how many Pokémon in total etc).
Basically making a Pokédex from pieces of existing ones: you choose your set of starters, legendaries, early bugs, birds and mammals, fossils etc.
You don't have to create the region the Pokédex would be for at all, but you're free to (I find it's easier to make the list with some broad region outlines).
I find it quite fun. If people are interested I can write up a little introduction to the hobby these days, including some example lists and a starting kit (an excel table I've been using).
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So, let's go about composing your own Pokédex! In this activity, we use existing Pokémon to build a new Pokédex, as if for a region of your own - choosing your starters, legendaries, version exclusive pairs etc.
It's lots of fun, and as I've been doing it for a long time, I have a whole starting kit and some general instructions for making a good list. I've been told fangame devs might find it useful, so do tell if it's helpful for that.
I used Turtwig, Torchic and Froakie as starters and Xerneas, Yveltal and Zygarde as main legendaries, with a dex size of 400+1 Mythical (Genesect). Most of my Pokémon come from the first 5 generations, the latest 3 being present with under half the numbers of any of the first 5, of which gen 1 (since it's present in gen 3 and 4 dexes) and particularly gen 3 and 4 get the most Pokémon.
You can see a list of Gym Leader ideas and some more on the left.
I marked E for version exclusive Pokémon so that I could easily count them (I have about 10% of them). Some novel pairs I came up with include Drampa-Druddigon, Baltoy-Bronzor, Shelmet-Karrablast, Surskit-Dewpider and Psyduck-Ducklett. Also the fossils, of which I took gen 3 and gen 4 ones, being exclusive in sets as Lileep+Cranidos/Anorith+Shieldon.
I also have at least 2 Pokémon that evolve by every kind of evolutionary stone (for example Glaceon and Crabrawler for the Ice Stone - Crabrawler will definitely get the Ice Stone treatment in present and future generations if Glaceon did). Additionally, I included many Pokémon that have sime kind of relation with another one: Zangoose and Seviper, Cramorant and the Arrokuda line, Mantine and Remoraid...
I have 6 pseudo-legendaries (Dragonite, Tyranitar, Salamence, Hydreigon, Goodra and Kommo-o) and 7 legendaries+mythicals (XYZ trio, Heatran, Kubfu and Urshifu, Genesect).
As for type distribution, I tried to approximately match the type distribution of the National Dex (that is, all Pokémon) - many Water types, Normal types and Flying types, fewer Ice, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost and Steel types.
Write in Pokémon as seen in the example of Bulbasaur. If they have several forms with different types, you can either add these somewhere down on the end in the same columns as the Pokémon, or you can write down the types in the wide column E next to the space for Pokémon.
The types table keeps track of how many times each type appears in columns C and D from the first to the 1000th row (giving you plenty of space - you can tweak the formula if you want more). It then gives you a percentage of the types for your dex size (for me it was 400, change the formula how you please).
The table under the types table is the generations table: it counts what generation the Pokémon in your dex come from, which you write down as numbers in column E. For every generation it shows you the number of Pokémon you have from it, the total number of Pokémon from that generation, the percentage of the generation total that you have included and the percentage of that generation's Poémon in your full list.
Copy the coloured type name cells to get a colourful list!
Setting out to make a proper-looking Pokédex, you will need an estimated size. I find round numbers very pleasing, and they fit with actual Pokédexes: either round hundreds plus change or hundred and fifties plus change (extra points for very round numbers like 200 and tried classics like 151, or the more modern 300 or 400). The more “legit” your list looks, the better.
To make choices easier, imagine the list was for a region based on a country, or part of a country, that you know well - landmarks, stories, culture, memorable native flora and fauna etc. Using the inspiration it provides will make your list more coherent and will be more fun for you, as you will know which Pokémon represents what. You don't have to use everything your country has to offer or stick strictly to the animals present in your country of choice - my county LOVES ladybugs, but in the list inspired by it there was just no place for Ledian or Orbeetle. That's what theoretical expansion pack list are for (more on that later).
Also, you will want to order the list according to some sequence of places with Pokémon available, and that gets a lot easier when you can pick a spot on your country/local region's map and say: “Okay, I'll start here, then this will be my forest, with the following Pokémon in it, this mountain will be a volcano, and these Pokémon will live in it” and so on. My example had a lot added to the end so that's not ordered like this, but it was pretty well ordered up until cca #300.
Some more advice: when choosing starters, try to have them each have a different battle style. That's how they've always worked: slow special Venusaur, fast special Charizard and defensive Blastoise; slow physical Torterra, slow special Empoleon and fast mixed attacker Infernape; and so on.
EDIT: Also, think of things like Pokémon you would like to see as a Gym Leader's ace (I was very keen on that being Ampharos, Golem and also providing material for a very girly Fighting-type, a very manly Fairy-type and a very cute and cuddly Ghost-type Gym Leader) or a Champion's main mon (Tyranitar for me - how come it doesn't have a champion already?) for inspiration. Evil team Pokémon and those that would be cool on a villain too.
EDIT 2: When dealing with Pokémon you'd like to set as opposites/version exclusives, try to have them be about equally strong, which is best measured by their BST. Also, evolving at about the same level or in a similar way is a great bonus.
EDIT 3: Put the example and blank list to Google Drive so that even non-members can see it and give it a try, and also made them a bit more user-friendly.
Feel free to start with a smaller dex size at first, like 150 or 200. Looking forward to hearing fun combinations you come up with!
I've actually been meaning to do this, using Pokémon from my "Realdex" as a base (adding evos/pre-evos, Legendaries, etc).
I might try to make a full list later, but here are my choices for the categories you mentioned...
Starters: Chikorita, Litten, and Squirtle (I think the box turtle could pass as either Turtwig or Squirtle, being both a mainly-terrestrial species as well as a member of the American pond turtle family)
Early Bugs: Caterpie and Spinarak? (Burmy would also be in there, but I don't consider it an early bug)
Early Bird: Pidgey
Early Mammal: Rattata
Fossils: Omanyte and Lileep
Legendaries: At least Zapdos (thunderbird legend)
EDIT: I think I'm pretty content with this list. Still need to put them in order, though (currently listed A-Z).
Swapped Litten for Torchic since I'm honestly not a fan of Incineroar and lots of people around here have chickens. Also added another early bird line and swapped Ratatta for Skwovet and Purrloin. (And yes, my "region" only has two Legendaries.)
I like what I see! However, I can't see it very clearly listed like that A-Z (evolutionary lines etc., I'd like to see them connected). You're certainly at a good start. Take my blank list from above and arrange them with coloured types and it should be awesome (then I'll comment in more detail as for your choice of Pokémon).
I really like the choice of fossils, mixing and matching existing sets so that they still remain complimentary to each other is part of the beauty of this activity!
Here we go! I used the Kanto dex as a vague reference for placement. I also dropped the extra early bird line in favor of the Shinx line (representing bobcats) since I noticed that I was severely lacking in Electric-types outside of Rotom's forms.
Nice! I like it, fun choices all around. Indeed, there is bugs everywhere!
Your starters are Chikorita, Torchic and Squirtle. Very nice visually, they fit as a bunch. As for battle-style, Chikorita and Squirtle are technically both generally defensive, but Squirtle can usually go much more offensively while Chikorita heals all over the place, so I'd say they're different enough for each to be theoretically fun to use in its own way.
For a minimalist 150-sized dex, you have a decent selection of each type. All in all, you real-life dex translates quite well into a usable dex.
Are Zygarde and Zapdos intended to be opposites in some way or nah? Also, did you have any "version exclusive" candidates in mind, or would you rather not? Do any gym leader-worthy Pokémon from your list come to mind?
Nice! I like it, fun choices all around. Indeed, there is bugs everywhere!
Your starters are Chikorita, Torchic and Squirtle. Very nice visually, they fit as a bunch. As for battle-style, Chikorita and Squirtle are technically both generally defensive, but Squirtle can usually go much more offensively while Chikorita heals all over the place, so I'd say they're different enough for each to be theoretically fun to use in its own way.
For a minimalist 150-sized dex, you have a decent selection of each type. All in all, you real-life dex translates quite well into a usable dex.
Are Zygarde and Zapdos intended to be opposites in some way or nah? Also, did you have any "version exclusive" candidates in mind, or would you rather not? Do any gym leader-worthy Pokémon from your list come to mind?
Looks great! I see you went with timespace/fabric of reality themed legendaries, and nice starters - all dual-typed in their final form. Stats-wise, Incineroar and Swampert are a bit similarly physically offensive, but they work. Great early route Pokémon, they're a very nice set and fit well with the starters.
200 is a neat number, gives you a lot of space but is still very managable. I see plenty of choice for Pokémon of each type, even with types you have least of (Ice is kind of expected with there being not many in the first place, but few Rock-types surprised me). Gens 1 and 5 take the cake, but I'm noticing many gen 8 Pokémon too. Nice that they earned so many spots even if they're new.
I could imagine the "environments" of a hypothetical region very well, good job with the ordering. Are those some exclusive pair candidates I see put close together? If so, Centiskorch/Drapion is an awesome choice in the "desert"-looking segment.
I have a small critique of your fossil choices: if those are supposed to be opposite, they should be about equal in strength (BST) and evolving levels, and Tyrantrum is quite a bit stronger than Omastar. Consider adding Amaura somehow as Tyrunt's equal opposite if you want (it will also add to your Ice-type count).
On a more technical note, you can change the formulas in the counting tables to divide by 200 instead of the default 400 so you get correct percentages. Just select the box with the wrong percentage in it and change 400 to 200 in the formula there.
If you feel like it, feel free to add some gym ideas for this list!
Looks great! I see you went with timespace/fabric of reality themed legendaries, and nice starters - all dual-typed in their final form. Stats-wise, Incineroar and Swampert are a bit similarly physically offensive, but they work. Great early route Pokémon, they're a very nice set and fit well with the starters.
200 is a neat number, gives you a lot of space but is still very managable. I see plenty of choice for Pokémon of each type, even with types you have least of (Ice is kind of expected with there being not many in the first place, but few Rock-types surprised me). Gens 1 and 5 take the cake, but I'm noticing many gen 8 Pokémon too. Nice that they earned so many spots even if they're new.
I could imagine the "environments" of a hypothetical region very well, good job with the ordering. Are those some exclusive pair candidates I see put close together? If so, Centiskorch/Drapion is an awesome choice in the "desert"-looking segment.
I have a small critique of your fossil choices: if those are supposed to be opposite, they should be about equal in strength (BST) and evolving levels, and Tyrantrum is quite a bit stronger than Omastar. Consider adding Amaura somehow as Tyrunt's equal opposite if you want (it will also add to your Ice-type count).
On a more technical note, you can change the formulas in the counting tables to divide by 200 instead of the default 400 so you get correct percentages. Just select the box with the wrong percentage in it and change 400 to 200 in the formula there.
If you feel like it, feel free to add some gym ideas for this list!
Glad you like my Pokedex! Regarding Centiskorch and Drapion, you could see them as possible version exclusives, but I'd rather opt for no version exclusives at all.
Regarding the fossils, they weren't meant to be opposites. I picked them because they're my 2 favourites, and they perform different roles. But maybe I could swap out some Pokemon for some extra fossils.
As for other Rock types, I could swap some Pokemon for Shuckle, Aggron, Crustle, or Drednaw. Another option I'm considering is expanding my Pokedex to 250 or something.
Expanding is a valid option, as well as replacing - depends on whether you want to stay on target dex size. Aiming for tried official dex sizes always helps - Platinum had 210, which might fit you for now, from the ideas you laid out for further additions.
GENERAL ADVICE FOR ALL:
Try not to get into an endless loop of indecision and polishing, as I always do: I started out with 256 for the list I presented as an example, my first one, over a year ago. I raised it to 300, then 320, then cut back to 300, and then when gen 8 came out and there were several I wanted to include, I just went all the way to 400 for a gen 7/8 sized dex. And I'm still working on details, it's still not quite done (atm considering swapping Shelmet and Karrablast for Corviknight plus non-evolving Normal-type, also perhaps tweak the legendaries...).
For such cases, when you have really too many you want to include and doing that would make your list ridiculously huge (ahem, Kalos, ahem), consider either making a whole new dex where you'd include some of those you didn't get to use in the first one for a completely differently feeling dex, OR imagine an expansion pack and do an expansion dex to go with your original list. This can help in keeping the starting list on-size - if something doesn't fit, you can chuck into the expansion.
There can be several expansions, each with its own flavour: for my example list, I already have a medieval city-themed expansion, a desert-themed expansion and a Himalayas-themed expansion in plan. Once I'm really done with my original list, complimenting it with these will be fun.
Of gym ideas for my example list, I'm proudest of my pink girly Fighting gym and my tough manly Fairy gym (I like giving my imaginary Gym Leaders official-sounding punny names):
Fighting-type Gym (cca 3rd, relatively early-game or early mid-game)
Gym Leader Bella (pun on belligerent and Latin bellum meaning war)
Team:
Mienfoo, Meditite, Bewear
Fairy-type Gym (cca 6th or 7th, later-game)
Gym Leader Melvin (pun on elven)
Team:
Mr. Mime, Mawile, Granbull, Grimmsnarl
Greek-based, you say? Interesting! In your badges, I see a Haephestus-themed Steel-type, a Spartan/Ares-themed Fighting-type, can't say what type an Iris-themed rainbow one would be, and I'm guessing that the last one is Dragon? I haven't recognised the motif behind badge 4.
As for type balance - just keep on combining until you're satisfied. I'm still wrangling mine for small details and it's been a year. Generally, try imagining what Pokémon of each type a player has available in your region, and at what stage (early, middle, late game...). Tweaking with that in mind always helps with what types you have too many and too little of.
I kept Haephestus as a fire type gym, the badge would be the forge badge, might need to change the color to red. Iris is fairy, and the Quiver badge is done with two gym leaders, depending on the game, if one it's artemis, (Moon feather top), the other would be Apollo (Sun on quiver), I had gone with an archery theme, which still fits with both, Sadly, there is no type that truly fits them, I have normal, and they have a persian, in the game, in my mind, at night you would find alolan meowths, and in the day time you would find Kantonian meowths, so, Artemis would have an Alolan Persian (The single non-normal type), and Apollo would have a Kantonian Persian.
Oh, I also included for all a pokemon that is more of the guard of the gym/room(For elite four), Most are not of the type but match the Leader, Hades has a houndoom guarding his gym (Refence to Cerberus). I'll show you what I have so far, just have to get it uploaded...somehow...
You have to set sharing to be allowed for everyone with a link (allow them to look at the file, but not edit it, of course). Currently it can't be opened at all.
Nice! You did misspell several Pokémon (Gardevoir, Magmortar...), and also you forgot to include Rolycoly with the rest of its line, but all in all a fun composition.
Your starters are slow, mixed offensive Decidueye, fast special Typhlosion and slow special Empoleon - excellent, all unique in battle style. As for type composition, most of them are very evenly distributed, except for Ground, Rock, Bug and Steel, which are in short supply in this list. Feel free to beef up the number to 200 to add some more of them, if you want. I try to make it so that you could make a team of each type. Generation 1 dominates, with quite a lot of every other generation (mostly the first 5, but the latest ones are also well represented).
I see you have an additional starter in the middle of the dex - an unorthodox move to me, but X and Y, and Sword and Shield in particular do give precedent for that, and you certainly justified Incineroar's inclusion.
Nice idea for "Gym guards". I can imagine that being a fun region-specific gimmick here, and being of generally opposite type from the Gym could make for a challenge.
Thanks, I do well to spell first gen pokemon, minus Gyrados, which is probably wrong there, but after that I have to google...I will update as I go so far, I have alot of ideas for the region, such as including some other mythical creatures in pokemon form, such as Tauros and Miltank *Minotaur* MAybe even have them vastyly populating a specific island in the region (Knossos), and include an ancient labyrinth~ I will make the first corrections and then go from there, thank you for the advise and critiquing~
As for the starters, I might remove the extra one, seeing as it is a guard and you don't actually battle against it, but I felt that in certain regions, what is a starter in one, may not be as rare in another. Or it would be like the island scanner gimmick they did in sun, with a certain set of perimeters, you can catch some other region starters, I like that idea.