FAQ (updated)

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FAQ:
More will be added as asked.

Can we use the new 6th Gen Pokemon!?
Nope. Until the games are released in October, and therefore giving the judges a chance to determine what is and is canon and applicable, there will be no use of the 6th gen pokemon at all.

Can we kill our Pokemon?
Well, if you really want to, sure. But make sure it's YOUR Pokemon. You can't just kill your opponents mons unless this is agreed upon in the beginning. In the event you kill your Pokemon, they still occupy one of your 8 slots. That means, if you kill off one of them, you can only have 7 total. You can swap in a reserve, but that spot is closed and you can't add another to bring your roster (6 main, 1 back-up or 5 main, 2 back-up) back to 8.

Also, if you are planning a death in your entry, please check with your opponent and see if murder is within the abilities of their team (unless you're planning an accident). Remember, keep your characterization real!

How closely do we need to follow the timelines?
OCT-wise, just don't be changing who won, but feel free to ignore the timing if they don't exactly fit your story. Other timeline-wise, please try to follow what we have set. For example, no setting your entry before Red destroyed Team Rocket! And uh, Cyrus is probably not going to be showing up to the wedding, either.

So about this 32 participants...?
We will be accepting 32 entries. This does not mean we are taking the first 32 that apply. What this means is that when the deadline rolls around, we will be critically examining the entries submitted. We want everyone to put their best foot forward for this! And don't think just because you submit early that you can't change it! You are allowed to edit and update your entry up until the deadline. But once that deadline rolls around, you're stuck with what you've got, just like the actual rounds of the tournament!

5 Moves?
Your mons are allowed to know 5 moves total. This is consistent throughout the tournament. If your Pokemon knows 5 moves and wants to learn a new one, it needs to replace an old one, just like in the games. Think of it like the Pokemon games, but with 5 moves instead of 4!

How many entrants will be accepted?
We are aiming for a perfect tournament number: 32 people. This means: 32 deviantArtists and/or teams of 2 or 3 deviantArtists collaborating on one entry. Less than that and we will chop down to 16. We really don't want three ways and drawbacks this time guys ;_;

Can we have NPCs? (Including companion characters, villains, mascots, et cetera)
NPCs are allowed, but you will need to think of the setting. Don't plan for a dozen buddies to tag along with your competitor. Mascot Pokémon are allowed, but please limit the number. Think of your opponent: do they want to draw/write a dozen people every time they need to involve your character? Alternatively, think if you were the one dealing with a dozen opponent characters.

Are items allowed during the battles? ie: berries, potions, and so forth?
Items will be allowed, but please consider the reality of their use. Do not halt a battle because your character wants to max revive a fainted Pokémon and don't win because of an infinite berry supply. This is a Tournament of Pokemon Training, not a Tournament of Who Has More Resources For Medicine.

Are guns allowed?
For the record: guns are allowed. But unless your character has a legit reason to be armed, why bring one at all?

Will legendary capture be allowed?
There won't be any tournament based events that allow the capture of a legendary, but if your plot is going to involve one, please do so in a way that doesn't make us roll our eyes and think you jumped a shark.

Will capture be allowed at all?
If you can fit it into your story sensibly. Inform your opponents and change your reference as need be.

Are we allowed to switch out Pokémon?
Your roster can consist of a max of eight Pokémon, meaning a team of (at most) six with two switch-outs. If you are going to switch out your team, however, you must do so in between rounds and inform your opponent of this change, as well as update your reference so the Judges know, too.

So can we have a team of less than six?
Yes you may have less than six, as long as you're following the rules that have been set in place.

Is a pokemon allowed to evolve during battle or during the tournament? Also, are they allowed to learn new attacks during the tournament?
Yes, to both. Like with the switch outs though, let your opponent and the judges know ahead of time so your opponents don't get confused and it doesn't look like you're pulling new attacks out of your rear mid battle.

May I enter with more than one trainer?
Two main trainers are allowed at maximum, with no more than eight Pokemon between them in their roster.

Are we able to utilize attacks from the card game? like Dratini's Pound?
The move sets allowed will be game canon only. Nothing from Mystery Dungeon, Colosseum, Pinball, Snap either, just the main series. If you aren't sure what we mean, ask and we will tell you.

Where on the Pokemon OCT timeline does this fall? After the PCBC? PCBC2? BT? PCBCOS? BSC?
STAB2 occurs approximately six months after the conclusion of STAB 1. As far as it goes for the IPL, forget it. STAB canonly is 3 years before PCBC3, 2 years after PCBC2 and OS, and 4 years after PCBC1.

How much is the original Pokemon design allowed to be changed?
If we can no longer tell what Pokemon is being portrayed, that's too much. Minor aesthetic changes like paint or dye are acceptable, as are clothing accessories, but ABSOLUTELY NO Gijinkas, anthros, Human!Pokemon, or ANYTHING along those lines. (I'm sure another tournament would adore having your freaks of nature if you feel you must have them with your team though.)

Some Pokemon seem to to be immune to certain types of damage despite their game counterpart saying they're susceptible or even weak to it. Do I have to follow game canon exactly in this regard?
No, you don't. You may take some artistic liberties with a pokemon's physiology for the sake of a better story.

Do I have to use a turn-based battle-
NO. Your entries do NOT have to follow the games method of battling, how they start, how trainers interact - The game canon rule applies to world physics and biology, not how characters act. This is where the artistic liberty really shines - show us an interesting battle, show us interesting people, show us interesting interpretations of moves, show us combos, show us a great story.