Mechanics of the Setting
Character Ages:
All characters who were originally around 10 years old are now aged up to 14-17. Trainers can begin their journeys as early as 14, but not everyone starts at the same age. Paul, for example, began his journey at 14 and is currently 16 after competing in three League circuits.
League Circuit:
Each Pokémon League lasts nine months from start to finish. Paul has followed this progression:
Hoenn League → Kanto League → Johto League
Now, at 16 years old, he is preparing for the Sinnoh League. Ash is the same, but with a different league order.
Abilities:
Not all Pokémon have abilities. Only some Pokémon are naturally born with them, and even then, abilities need to be specifically trained to be utilized effectively. This explains why, in the anime, many trainers don't use abilities in battle—either their Pokémon never developed one or they haven't trained it to activate properly.
Moves & Move Limits:
Unlike the games' four-move limit, Pokémon in this setting can learn and use multiple moves, but there's a trade-off:
- The more moves a Pokémon knows, the less mastery they have over each one.
- Mastery is key: Fewer moves = more power and efficiency.
- Having more than seven moves at once will start negatively impacting move strength and precision.
- Exceptions for similar moves: For example, Drapion learns Poison Fang, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, and Ice Fang. In this scenario it would count as 2 moves, since the moves are similar, just using a different type.
Party Size & Pokémon Carry Limits:
- By default trainers are limited to a capacity of six Pokémon.
- Experienced trainers can carry more than six Pokémon, but only a maximum of six can be used in battles. Example: Ash and Paul, both having competed in 3 leagues, are allowed to carry up to eight Pokémon at a time.
Evolution Mechanics:
- Trade Evolutions: Pokémon that evolve via trading will now evolve through experience and training instead.
- Item-Based Trade Evolutions: Pokémon that need a trade + item (e.g., Electabuzz → Electivire) will instead evolve when exposed to the item normally, treated like an evolution stone.
- Friendship Evolutions remain unchanged.
- Exceptions: Karrablast and Shelmet still require a special linked evolution condition, since their evolution is biologically tied to each other.
Effort Values (EVs) & Individual Values (IVs):
- EVs exist and represent a Pokémon's growth through battle experience and training.
- IVs do not exist—a Pokémon's potential is based on training, experience, and natural talent rather than hidden numerical stats.
Battle Items & Held Items:
- Held items are not used in battles—they don't translate well into the anime setting.
- For example, an item like Leftovers wouldn't make sense, as it's hard to imagine a Pokémon casually snacking mid-battle.
Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, & Terastallization:
- Mega Evolution exists but is extremely rare—it's reserved for Champions, Elite Four members, and only a handful of top trainers.
- Z-Moves, Dynamax, and Terastallization exist in the world, but since the setting is in Sinnoh it will not play a role in battles.
Levels & Learning Moves:
- Levels do not exist in this setting. Pokémon do not gain strength based on numerical experience points, and move learning is not restricted by a fixed level progression.
- For example, Paul's Elekid knows Thunder, even though Elekid typically learns it at level 49 in the games. This is because move learning will be based on experience, training, and talent, rather than an arbitrary level system.