Post by hecklejeckle87 on Feb 27, 2024 14:40:56 GMT -5
Every move is a Field Move
bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Field_move
For those of you who need a reminder; in the Video Games a Field Move is a move that can be used outside of battle. The most basic example of this is probably CUT which is used to cut down trees. The video games used this as a way to control exploration progress. You needed X Badge to use Y Field Move. In the RBY you need the 2nd Gym Badge to use Cut outside of battle. Without using Cut you could not enter the 3rd Gym.
But this is a Tabletop RPG. There is no video game logic to stop you from telling your Pokémon to cut down a tree with Cut, or burn down the tree with Flamethrower, or to use Seismic Toss to uproot the tree and throw it.
Or I suppose you could always just walk around the tree.
Well, there is nothing stopping you from TRYING that is. Whether or not you succeed is a different question and a conversation between yourself and your Game Master. That said I wanted to discuss possible outside of battle uses of Pokémon moves.
Lets start with the traditional Field Moves, and alterative moves since there is no reason to limit yourself to ONLY that one move.
Cut
Just as the name says, Cut cuts things. In the games this move cuts down some Trees & tall Grass. But since this is a TTRPG you don't have to limit yourself to Cut. Slash, Night Slash, Scratch, Fury Cutter, Metal Claw, Leaf Blade, Razor Leaf, JUST TO NAME A FEW. Pretty much any move that has the Pokémon attack with something sharp could be used.
Fly
Fly is what the Pokemon Games give you instead of giving the player an Airship. It is used for Fast Travel. Since it is a game mechanic there have long been jokes about being able to fly with a Pidgey but not a Syther. But this is a TTRPG so ask yourself this. Why do you even need the move? If the Pokemon is a Flying type and is strong enough to carry the Player, then there isn't much reason they couldn't use it for travel. But since this isn't a video game this does not create the instant fast travel that occurs in the video game. For that you would need Teleport (discussed later)
Surf
Like Fly, there have been similar jokes about using Surf on certain Pokemon in which it doesn't make any sense. Such as surfing on a Tauros; look, Gen 1 was weird, ok! That said, like Fly you don't really need the move, or any move. You just need a Pokemon large & strong enough to carry the Player(s) while swimming.
Strength
Ok, so this I think is a little bit of an edge case. On one hand the Player or/and Pokemon should just be able to physically walk up to and interact with an object. Assuming they have hands or something. But there should be a difference between a Chancy doing so and a Machamp doing so. So I would say that if the object is heavy/study/etc enough their should be a move. Besides Strength, I see Seismic Toss being useful, maybe Vine Whip, or any other move that has the Pokemon push or/and grab. Even something like Take Down or Tackle could work.
Flash
Flash creates light in dark areas. Since the effect is so simple there are plenty of moves, or just straight up Pokemon, that could do this. Any fire move is going to also create light. You could argue that many electric moves could also create a little bit of light. Or you could just pull out a Pokemon like Charmander or Litwick who both just have a lite fire as part of their body.
Dig
In the games Dig allows fast travel from Inside to Outside. If you are inside something like a Cave I'm having trouble thinking of another move (besides Teleport) that could do something similar. But if you are say, inside an office building infested with Rocket Grunts, a LOT of moves could be used to simply blow a hole through the wall and create an exit.
Teleport
Like Fly and Dig, Teleport is used as a form of fast travel in the video games. But unlike in the video games, there is no reason to limit the uses of teleport. You want actual Fast Travel in your games, Teleport is how you get it.
Soft-Boiled
Soft Boiled can be used outside of battle to heal other Pokémon. Since this NOT a video game, there is no reason to limit this to the Pokemon only. ALSO, there are other moves, (Life Dew, Heal Pulse, Healing Wish, Wish), which the video games let you use IN battle but not out of battle. But since this is a TTRPG there is no reason to limit yourself to using this only in battle.
IF your Game Master is feeling generous, they might even allow you to use other healing moves in a similar way. After all, Soft-Boiled can't heal an ally out of battle but can in battle. So you could try to see if your Game Master is feeling generous and see if they would allow a move like Recover to do something similar.
Whirlpool
Like Surf I don't imagine that you would really need a specific move for this. Instead I view a whirlpool as an environmental hazard that the player(s) would actively avoid. If for some reason they DO want to dive into a whirlpool they will need a Pokemon they can Surf on (see above) AND SUBA gear so that they can breath under water.
Waterfall
A Waterfall is more as an environmental obstacle. But the Player(s) technically don't need to go straight up the waterfall. They could climb up the cliff sides, they could fly up, IF the GM is generous they could Teleport or Dig.
Rock Smash
Like Cut, Rock Smash is used to destroy an obstacle that is blocking your path. The difference is that instead of cutting the obstacle the Pokemon is SMASHING it. With that in mind any attack that is a PUNCH could also be used to smash a rock. Any move that has the Pokemon smashing the target could also be used to do this. I personally would allow moves like Headbutt, Tackle or Take Down to also work. Or moves like Earthquake or Explosion. Although those have the chance of a LOT of collateral damage.
Headbutt
Headbutt is used in HGSS to hit trees to make them drop Pokemon. But any move that does something similar would work. Take Down, Tackle, Volt Tackle, Flame Charge, Rock Smash, just to name a few. But I know there are many more that COULD work. I just don't want to spend an hour looking up every single move that could work.
Milk Drink
See my thoughts on Soft-Boiled
Dive
See my thoughts on Whirlpool
Secret Power
Ok, now THIS is interesting. A move that opens up a secret entrance. Since this move is essentially a KEY, which moves you can use are going to depend on the DOOR or/and LOCK. This could be a whole thread discussion in of itself, but I'm just going to say that your imagination is the limit.
Defog
A move that Dispels Fog. You know what else would dispel fog? The move Sunny Day or any ability that creates the weather condition Harsh Sunlight. The Abilities Air Locke & Delta Stream would also work; but those are ONLY available from the Legendary Rayquaza. So unless you are using a FakeMon or invented a Custom Move your only option seems to be Sunlight.
Rock Climber
Similar to Waterfall, only instead of a wall of water you have a wall of rock. You have plenty of options besides using the literal move Rock Climber. You just need to figure out HOW you are climbing. Vine Whip for example could be used to create ropes.
Chatter
Ok, so this is a weird one.
bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Chatter_(move)
"In Generations IV and V, Chatter can be used as a field move to record audio using the Nintendo DS's microphone. This audio will then play as Chatot's cry, as well as when Chatot uses Chatter. Audio recorded for Chatter gets distorted, possibly as a failsafe to prevent inappropriate language from being played back."
This seems like a good example of the Field Use of this move being largely up to the imagination of the player. My immediate thoughts of this is that Chatter could be used to create distractions. But such a discussion deserves its own post.
Initial/Final Thoughts
HM SLAVES
While the nature of a TTRGP means that a trainer (probably) doesn't need a dedicated HM Slave, a Trainer still might want a few Pokemon for Utility reasons instead of purely battle.
Cleric: Ever wonder why the Ralts line is so popular, or why every Pokemon Center has Chansey? Ralts/etc naturally learns both Teleport and Life Dew. Chansey learns Soft-Boiled, Heal Pulse, Healing Wish, & Life Dew and can be taught Teleport via TM/etc. Clefairy can learn Soft-Boiled (in some Generations) and Teleport via TM.
Another move to consider is Aromatheraphy for removing Status Conditions. Which is an Egg Move for Chansey!
bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Aromatherapy_(move)
Is it any wonder that EVERY Pokemon Center has a bunch of Chansey and why Healthcare in the Pokemon World is free?! They just use Chansey!
Cleric is going to need its own Post
Transport: While a Trainer technically doesn't need a Pokemon that knows Surf or Fly specifically, they are probably going to want a Pokemon that is big and strong enough to carry them across water, up hills, etc.
Clearer: Another Pokemon that a Trainer will want is one that can remove Obstacles. So at least 1 Pokemon that knows a cutting move and another that can smash/lift/etc heavy objects.
This is just my thoughts based on the cannon Field Moves from the games. Feel free to comment on other moves and other uses for them. I certainly plan to!
bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Field_move
For those of you who need a reminder; in the Video Games a Field Move is a move that can be used outside of battle. The most basic example of this is probably CUT which is used to cut down trees. The video games used this as a way to control exploration progress. You needed X Badge to use Y Field Move. In the RBY you need the 2nd Gym Badge to use Cut outside of battle. Without using Cut you could not enter the 3rd Gym.
But this is a Tabletop RPG. There is no video game logic to stop you from telling your Pokémon to cut down a tree with Cut, or burn down the tree with Flamethrower, or to use Seismic Toss to uproot the tree and throw it.
Or I suppose you could always just walk around the tree.
Well, there is nothing stopping you from TRYING that is. Whether or not you succeed is a different question and a conversation between yourself and your Game Master. That said I wanted to discuss possible outside of battle uses of Pokémon moves.
Lets start with the traditional Field Moves, and alterative moves since there is no reason to limit yourself to ONLY that one move.
Cut
Just as the name says, Cut cuts things. In the games this move cuts down some Trees & tall Grass. But since this is a TTRPG you don't have to limit yourself to Cut. Slash, Night Slash, Scratch, Fury Cutter, Metal Claw, Leaf Blade, Razor Leaf, JUST TO NAME A FEW. Pretty much any move that has the Pokémon attack with something sharp could be used.
Fly
Fly is what the Pokemon Games give you instead of giving the player an Airship. It is used for Fast Travel. Since it is a game mechanic there have long been jokes about being able to fly with a Pidgey but not a Syther. But this is a TTRPG so ask yourself this. Why do you even need the move? If the Pokemon is a Flying type and is strong enough to carry the Player, then there isn't much reason they couldn't use it for travel. But since this isn't a video game this does not create the instant fast travel that occurs in the video game. For that you would need Teleport (discussed later)
Surf
Like Fly, there have been similar jokes about using Surf on certain Pokemon in which it doesn't make any sense. Such as surfing on a Tauros; look, Gen 1 was weird, ok! That said, like Fly you don't really need the move, or any move. You just need a Pokemon large & strong enough to carry the Player(s) while swimming.
Strength
Ok, so this I think is a little bit of an edge case. On one hand the Player or/and Pokemon should just be able to physically walk up to and interact with an object. Assuming they have hands or something. But there should be a difference between a Chancy doing so and a Machamp doing so. So I would say that if the object is heavy/study/etc enough their should be a move. Besides Strength, I see Seismic Toss being useful, maybe Vine Whip, or any other move that has the Pokemon push or/and grab. Even something like Take Down or Tackle could work.
Flash
Flash creates light in dark areas. Since the effect is so simple there are plenty of moves, or just straight up Pokemon, that could do this. Any fire move is going to also create light. You could argue that many electric moves could also create a little bit of light. Or you could just pull out a Pokemon like Charmander or Litwick who both just have a lite fire as part of their body.
Dig
In the games Dig allows fast travel from Inside to Outside. If you are inside something like a Cave I'm having trouble thinking of another move (besides Teleport) that could do something similar. But if you are say, inside an office building infested with Rocket Grunts, a LOT of moves could be used to simply blow a hole through the wall and create an exit.
Teleport
Like Fly and Dig, Teleport is used as a form of fast travel in the video games. But unlike in the video games, there is no reason to limit the uses of teleport. You want actual Fast Travel in your games, Teleport is how you get it.
Soft-Boiled
Soft Boiled can be used outside of battle to heal other Pokémon. Since this NOT a video game, there is no reason to limit this to the Pokemon only. ALSO, there are other moves, (Life Dew, Heal Pulse, Healing Wish, Wish), which the video games let you use IN battle but not out of battle. But since this is a TTRPG there is no reason to limit yourself to using this only in battle.
IF your Game Master is feeling generous, they might even allow you to use other healing moves in a similar way. After all, Soft-Boiled can't heal an ally out of battle but can in battle. So you could try to see if your Game Master is feeling generous and see if they would allow a move like Recover to do something similar.
Whirlpool
Like Surf I don't imagine that you would really need a specific move for this. Instead I view a whirlpool as an environmental hazard that the player(s) would actively avoid. If for some reason they DO want to dive into a whirlpool they will need a Pokemon they can Surf on (see above) AND SUBA gear so that they can breath under water.
Waterfall
A Waterfall is more as an environmental obstacle. But the Player(s) technically don't need to go straight up the waterfall. They could climb up the cliff sides, they could fly up, IF the GM is generous they could Teleport or Dig.
Rock Smash
Like Cut, Rock Smash is used to destroy an obstacle that is blocking your path. The difference is that instead of cutting the obstacle the Pokemon is SMASHING it. With that in mind any attack that is a PUNCH could also be used to smash a rock. Any move that has the Pokemon smashing the target could also be used to do this. I personally would allow moves like Headbutt, Tackle or Take Down to also work. Or moves like Earthquake or Explosion. Although those have the chance of a LOT of collateral damage.
Headbutt
Headbutt is used in HGSS to hit trees to make them drop Pokemon. But any move that does something similar would work. Take Down, Tackle, Volt Tackle, Flame Charge, Rock Smash, just to name a few. But I know there are many more that COULD work. I just don't want to spend an hour looking up every single move that could work.
Milk Drink
See my thoughts on Soft-Boiled
Dive
See my thoughts on Whirlpool
Secret Power
Ok, now THIS is interesting. A move that opens up a secret entrance. Since this move is essentially a KEY, which moves you can use are going to depend on the DOOR or/and LOCK. This could be a whole thread discussion in of itself, but I'm just going to say that your imagination is the limit.
Defog
A move that Dispels Fog. You know what else would dispel fog? The move Sunny Day or any ability that creates the weather condition Harsh Sunlight. The Abilities Air Locke & Delta Stream would also work; but those are ONLY available from the Legendary Rayquaza. So unless you are using a FakeMon or invented a Custom Move your only option seems to be Sunlight.
Rock Climber
Similar to Waterfall, only instead of a wall of water you have a wall of rock. You have plenty of options besides using the literal move Rock Climber. You just need to figure out HOW you are climbing. Vine Whip for example could be used to create ropes.
Chatter
Ok, so this is a weird one.
bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Chatter_(move)
"In Generations IV and V, Chatter can be used as a field move to record audio using the Nintendo DS's microphone. This audio will then play as Chatot's cry, as well as when Chatot uses Chatter. Audio recorded for Chatter gets distorted, possibly as a failsafe to prevent inappropriate language from being played back."
This seems like a good example of the Field Use of this move being largely up to the imagination of the player. My immediate thoughts of this is that Chatter could be used to create distractions. But such a discussion deserves its own post.
Initial/Final Thoughts
HM SLAVES
While the nature of a TTRGP means that a trainer (probably) doesn't need a dedicated HM Slave, a Trainer still might want a few Pokemon for Utility reasons instead of purely battle.
Cleric: Ever wonder why the Ralts line is so popular, or why every Pokemon Center has Chansey? Ralts/etc naturally learns both Teleport and Life Dew. Chansey learns Soft-Boiled, Heal Pulse, Healing Wish, & Life Dew and can be taught Teleport via TM/etc. Clefairy can learn Soft-Boiled (in some Generations) and Teleport via TM.
Another move to consider is Aromatheraphy for removing Status Conditions. Which is an Egg Move for Chansey!
bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Aromatherapy_(move)
Is it any wonder that EVERY Pokemon Center has a bunch of Chansey and why Healthcare in the Pokemon World is free?! They just use Chansey!
Cleric is going to need its own Post
Transport: While a Trainer technically doesn't need a Pokemon that knows Surf or Fly specifically, they are probably going to want a Pokemon that is big and strong enough to carry them across water, up hills, etc.
Clearer: Another Pokemon that a Trainer will want is one that can remove Obstacles. So at least 1 Pokemon that knows a cutting move and another that can smash/lift/etc heavy objects.
This is just my thoughts based on the cannon Field Moves from the games. Feel free to comment on other moves and other uses for them. I certainly plan to!
