Ties or Draws in Pokémon Games

Many Pokémon games will surely (and demand to) have battles that result in a victory for one side and defeat for the other. However, in some cases (and rare ones at that), a tie or draw might just be possible, not exactly favoring either side as a result. While being infrequent, the possibility of a tied or drawn result becomes a fascinating one for the Pokémon games in question and demand at least a little bit of exploration for how, where, and when it might occur and what happens afterwards.

In the main series games, a tie would have to involve both sides coming down to their very last Pokémon and both of these getting knocked out near-simultaneously, usually the defender getting hit by a move and the attacker affected by a move/battle effect or status condition. Meanwhile, in Pokémon Go, sometimes a PvP battle will come down to the same state and there's a chance that both Pokémon will use their Fast moves simultaneously for the final hit, in which case both are knocked out and the tie occurs (a check of the Journal will affirm this). Given the non-resolution of a tie, in a tournament, it is likely that another battle (in both cases) will be required to resolve things, whereas the latter's case occurring in the GBL will just be treated as is but with less ill effects when ratings are concerned.

As for the realm of the TCG, since most matches will resolve in someone taking their last prize card to take the win, the situation often precludes one from occurring. Some physical tournaments, however, particularly those with absolute set time limits per round, might be more apt to award a "double loss" - not exactly a tie or draw, but close enough - for matches between players that just seem to drag on and on. In the TCGP sub-realm, meanwhile, the same setup as above in the main series games can occur, resulting in both players earning a point on the same turn and thus a tie, which will be indicated outright on the screen. It's still pretty rare by any means but not impossible.

Then, there's Pokémon Unite. Here, a tie or draw is practically guaranteed not to happen, because even if both teams achieve the same score in a match, it will always resolve to a win and loss, with the win condition (in other words, "tiebreaker") being which team got to that score first. Certainly, the new "First to 500" play mode introduced somewhat recently makes it clear that a team is surely going to win or lose, the latter if the other team achieves the objective instead, and the former if the team achieves the objective as intended. This kind of assurance of the outcome of a match may be the thing that helps keep them going.

Battles in the Pokémon games have all sorts of dynamics associated with them that helps them to arrive at decisive resolutions of wins and losses, but a few might still lead to the indecisive one that is a tie or draw. At that point, it might be up to the players, officials, or the games themselves to make a resolution through certain means and keep the results as decisive as they should be without the tie or draw occurring.

One year ago: LINE App in a "Downturn"?

Two years ago: Silph Arena Factions S2 Postseason Metas

Three years ago: NADWPKMN - The Video Series: Episode #3 - The Games I Play

Four years ago: Mastering Balls of Hands and Feet

Five years ago: It's a-Mario Time

Six years ago: Going Big in Galar

Seven years ago: Pokémon Archetypes

Eight years ago: New Paradigms

The Light and Shade of the Moon Islands

According to the lore, two islands are associated with two Pokémon species on the tail end of the Pokédex for those of the fourth generation. The islands have "moon" in their names, and they evoke the all-too-familiar duality of "light" and "shade" (or "shadow") that is part of the struggle of daily life. Despite the circumstance, the struggle is lively, which also applies to the Pokémon that are involved; this then becomes something to explore.

One of the islands is called "Newmoon Island", and the Pokémon associated with the island is as dark as the face of the sky object in this state. That Pokémon would be Darkrai, and of the two, it's a Mythical Pokémon, which is slightly strange but expected due to its abilities and powers of bringing in the darkness - as any experienced Trainer can attest. With that kind of strength, only full-on darkness is to be expected.

The other island is accordingly and expectedly called "Fullmoon Island", and this one obviously brings brightness and clarity. That happens through its Pokémon, Cresselia, so named for the crescent moon, which is not as bright as the full moon, but it still works for the Pokémon through its lunate appearance and light appearance. It's also a Legendary Pokémon, and that makes its brightness and clarity-bringing powers sensible.

Both of the Pokémon above have had their struggle episodes with each other. Most recently, that occurred in the TCGP through a Themed Collection named for the two places above, with the objective of collecting the cards for both Pokémon. In the past, it also had occurred in Mystery Dungeon in the Explorers series through a pursuit story involving the latter going after the former. And then there were others - but those are for another "moon".

With the way that these Pokémon are, including the islands associated with them, they present a dynamic that is substantiated not only in familiarity but also in the constant nature of the transfer between the two. For as long as the moon hangs over the heads of all people and Pokémon, there will certainly be the matters of light and shade to contend with, and those are something that the two Pokémon only aim to provide, even on their islands.

One year ago: A Pokémon Performance Dream

Two years ago: Notes on Development Notes

Three years ago: Prankster Possibilities

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 6/6/2021

Five years ago: Repetition for Reputation

Six years ago: Be with You, Always with You

Seven years ago: (The Least) Local Ex-Raid, 6/6/2018

Eight years ago: Pokémon Direct, 6/6/2017

Quickies: Weather Institute Interests

Aside from the introduction of a vibrant region along with the Pokémon species that originally hail from the region, something else the Hoenn region is known for (and perhaps an easily forgettable one) is the Weather Institute. The institution is designated for the study of the weather, which explains why both Team Aqua and Team Magma wanted to control it for their respective interests. These interests aside, the institution would certainly have vested interests of its own, at least with consideration of its real-world analogues.

Some of those interests might just be related to the ocean and sky, which are definitely evocative of their Legendary Pokémon denizens, as Kyogre and Rayquaza. The former also further explains the targeting by Team Aqua for the interests of control of that Pokémon and its respective environment. Meanwhile, the institution will likely work with sky factors and therefore Rayquaza (albeit indirectly) with the simple interests of ascertaining the workings of that environment - with the resulting work for both environments being the weather.

For the "earthly" aspect involving Groudon, the institution might have a more hands-off role and a little less to do with "aerial weather", but that might be exactly what Team Magma was looking for when they went in for the institution. Still, making sense of ways to increase the sun's output and having Groudon and the "underground weather" jive with that would be a priority interest, where the latter might be a more realistic concern, at least for the institutions that actually do deal with just that. 

It's not hard to see that the dwellers of the land, sea, and sky as mentioned above are in some ways affected by the weather, and Hoenn's Weather Institute becomes an easy target for those with the interests to summon and deal with these beasts. More realistically (and practically), the Weather Institute might have more common interests for all, as indicated by the above in light of what the real-world versions do. That may just be the thing to not be forgotten, even if the Institute faces this predicament more easily.

One year ago: Flying Pokémon Flags High

Two years ago: Come to Me, Hidden Gems

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2022 (Global), Day 2

Four years ago: Venture Past Cliffs and Old Paths

Five years ago: The Pokémon Battlefields

Six years ago: Holding Hands

Seven years ago: Raid Preferences

Eight years ago: Sympathy for Villains

Pokémon Spin on Art

Some people are artistically oriented; they have what it is to appreciate art and may be able to make some of their own. The same would be true for people in the Pokémon world, who may have the same orientation - and can even be part of their own kind of art. For that, it seems that it may not be hard to think of how the latter can be realized, with respect to certain pieces that might just be realized with a little bit of Pokémon elements incorporated.

For example, Drowzee carries a metal charm tag that it uses to hypnotize people and Pokémon alike. Such a charm tag may very well have the possibility of being over- or under-sized, or even becoming bent or deformed (especially with frequent use). All these used and/or out of shape charm tags may find themselves on a field, whether hanging in the air or laying on the ground; then, there would be Durant crawling in some places, wondering if they can make use of these charm tags. It's somewhat "out there" and impressionist, yet seems plausible.

The eighth generation has Applin - with its family - and Mr. Rime, two very unique Pokémon to be present in modern times. They might appear together or even individually by themselves in a certain scene, and they might do so while floating or even falling from the sky. Even the cane of Mr. Rime is unique by itself, and if it does appear on its own, it might lead some people to construe that it may or may not be what it appears to be, also a unique situation. It seems that in all of these cases, there may be more than meets the eye about these species.

In the Hoenn region, Slateport City has a beach that is known to be popular with people (in particular, Trainers) of all ages. It can be construed that the beach would be popular on an afternoon, and especially on a Sunday at that, the last day of the week in many circumstances. Such a scene could make for an interesting sight, even with beach umbrellas replacing trees - which there aren't any to begin with on the beach - and the dynamics of the people and Pokémon that are present on the beach would be the highlight.

Art is a wonderful thing, especially if people can develop appreciation and/or skills to create pieces for it. For fans of Pokémon, this could also be the opportunity to integrate the elements of the world into the created pieces - in particular the ones that have been suggested or alluded to as in the above. It may take a certain penchant to create the art pieces, and it seems even more so for being able to marry them with Pokémon to create a unique spin.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2024: Chasing Brightness and Darkness

Two years ago: Cosplay: ChibiCon 2023

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2022 (Global), Day 1

Four years ago: Quickies: Getting Acculturated with Pokémon

Five years ago: Legendaries and "Pseudo-Legendaries"

Six years ago: A Noble Mission

Seven years ago: Keeping It Free... or Augmenting It

Eight years ago: Ball Redesign?

TCGP: A Crisis of Extradimensional Proportions

As is true of the physical TCG, the greatest crisis that one can face in TCGP is likely in a battle against someone else, whose deck may or may not stack up to the competitor. Most recently, though, the game has added a new "crisis" - in a figurative sense - with the entry of some otherworldly and cryptid-like beings that are known by a "super" characteristic. Thus interred, there is the new Themed Booster Pack called "Extradimensional Crisis".

The beings in question are of course Ultra Beasts, and they make their entry in this minor expansion. Specifically, they are also marked on the upper-right corner with the label, just in case the uninitiated needs a way to tell them apart from other Pokémon, particularly Legendary and Mythical ones. More practically, however, some Trainer cards in the same expansion tie into these Pokémon, and this helps to relate them in that regard.

Meanwhile, the expansion also contains a number of other Pokémon from the region of concern - Alola, as with the earlier Celestial Guardians expansion - as well as a few supporting Pokémon from other generations, some of which are Shiny. By and large, however, the Ultra Beasts are still front and center for what the expansion has to offer, and they'll be the ones players are seeking the cards of - especially the full art ones.

Being a minor expansion, there aren't many numbered cards to deal with; there are only 69 cards in all, similar to the very first Themed Booster Pack. It's the overnumbered cards that, as with most other expansions (both major and minor), add bulk to the expansion and reiterate the above point that most players will be looking for cards in this section. Still, getting at least some of the other cards is needed for good play.

Even the world of TCGP needs a bit of a shakeup every now and then, and the latest form of that is the entry of extradimensional creatures into the game, wreaking (at least) a little bit of havoc on decks and battle dynamics. That may or may not be considered a crisis in a unique form, but having the Ultra Beasts in a specially designated Themed Booster Pack is unique enough for players to "resolve the crisis".

One year ago: You and Me, In Our Life Struggle

Two years ago: Rising Troubles, Falling Embers

Three years ago: The Forge of the Trainers

Four years ago: Nights of Raging Battles

Five years ago: Trainers of Might and Sorcery

Six years ago: Local EX Raid (Time and Again), 6/3/2019

Seven years ago: Classical and New HP Heal Amounts

Eight years ago: 3DS Pokémon Themes

Cosplay: Uchiwa no Michi + DakFest Photo Shoot

Me: Well, since there was a seasonal transition on Saturday and Sunday, those had to come first - so we're talking about this (these) not on the day.

Ash: I get that.

Goh: Totally makes sense.

Pikachu: Pi! ["OK!"]

Me: So, on Saturday, there was a mini festival, which was...

Ash: ...at the "Community Base" mall!

Goh: Oh, interesting. So, not something full by them.

Ash: Yeah, it started in the late afternoon.

Goh: I'm guessing there wasn't much in the way of entertainment.

Ash: No, just one band and four dance groups.

Goh: That's nice. But then there must have been a character parade if our friend sent you.

Ash: Oh sure! But I wasn't in it.

Goh: Um... Our friend?

Me: Well, did you see the parade?

Ash: All of it. I got a nice view.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika. ["We saw them all."]

Me: And I'm sure you could tell who was going to win and who wasn't.

Ash: Yeah - I got almost all of them. And we all know each other.

Goh: I see. So, it wasn't going to happen for Ash.

Me: That's pretty much the case. And I'd rather not surrender even a little bit of cash for that at the moment.

Goh: I know you wouldn't. But the rest was really a festival, right?

Ash: It was. A few food and goodies stands - but I didn't go through them too much.

Goh: I guess this festival was still a success for at least some people.

Me: That's important, even if not for us. Although... the meaning of its title ("inner circle") might be somewhat ominous.

Goh: Tell us about it. What about Sunday, yesterday?

Me: Oh, that's different. No festival or convention - just an afternoon photo shoot.

Ash: But I got to it really late. I battled G-Max Rillaboom first with your friends.

Goh: Wow!! Fully evolved Grookey!

Pikachu: Pi, pika chu? ["Nice, isn't it?"]

Me: I knew you'd like that.

Ash: But yeah, it took half of the afternoon. So I was late to the photo shoot.

Goh: Were our friend's friends there?

Ash: A few, even ones from the other day. But almost all the characters wore some kind of armor...

Me: Oh, I forgot to mention. The photo shoot was actually somewhat focused on that, so I didn't want to commit Ash for that right away.

Goh: And then there was the G-Max battle, so I get you.

Ash: So I didn't get photos taken. But meeting your friends again is enough.

Me: Sure. That's an important point even without photos. All the same...

Ash: Some of the people said there could be something like this in the future.

Goh: Will you get Ash in if that happens?

Me: As long as it's possible, definitely.

Ash: Great!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Great!"]

Me: Anyhow, last weekend was entertaining in some sense for both Pokémon and characters.

Goh: I could see it being improved for next time.

Me: Of course. And not necessarily packing everything in.

Ash: That would make for a really great time!

Me: With the seasons changing, there's always the possibility of good changes too.

One year ago: Never Too Late for Pokémon

Two years ago: Lost (Last) and Innocent in Silph Arena

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2022: A Marathon Incoming

Four years ago: Display Case Ideas for Pokémon Fans

Five years ago: Pokémon and Sign Language

Six years ago: A Daily Pokémon Routine

Seven years ago: Missing Ranger

Eight years ago: 3DS Pokémon Badges

The Season of Delightful Days

The operative words - as previewed in the end-of-season post - for the next Pokémon Go season are certainly "delightful" and "days", which taken together suggests a pleasurable time; the next three months are set in the Northern Hemisphere summer, after all. The season of "Delightful Days", as it is titled, looks to promise "fun in the sun" for all Trainers, even if some background processes may still be rumbling about. Still, the season is at hand (or rather, coming up), so it's time to discuss it.

For this season, the opening act is of course Pokémon Go Fest, which has been previewed a few days ago and in fact has gotten going, bringing in a bit of the season early just before it starts. The season will properly start on Tuesday and bring in the rest of the Go Fest dealings and their associated wonders, as well as the usual cavalcade of other wonders brought in by the regular events a season typically brings. And they'll be a delight, even if Trainers might already know (of) them beforehand.

Beyond the realm of Pokémon Go, there have been only inklings of what's in store in the future, even over the course of the three-month period that is this season, so they'll have to be dealt with once the inklings fully manifest into what they represent. Also, the "delightful days" may very well not necessarily be in this season, but surely they will be had when their time is to be had - a delightful moment indeed.

Regarding other particulars, the seasonal image has hints of orange and yellow with blue, reflecting the fact of the summertime setting as above. This further ties into something also important not only for Pokémon Go but also Pokémon in general, which will be due in a couple months, again with the above footnote. That one will be truly a "fun in the sun" indeed, or at least something to be hoped for.

Many days are surely delightful, both in and out of the three-month period that will be this Pokémon Go season, but it is a sure thing that Pokémon itself will be a general factor to realizing this. On that note, as the new season is about to begin, may all of that be ever delightful as the fun days in the sun.

One year ago: The Season of Shared Skies

Two years ago: The Season of Hidden Gems

Three years ago: The Season of Go

Four years ago: The Season of Discovery

Five years ago: Taiko Adventures with Pokémon Songs

Six years ago: Techno-Poké-Captain

Seven years ago: Everyone's RPG vs. Hardcore RPG

Eight years ago: (Self) References