Infernal Pact

The SUCKI System: Contests / Fashion Shows in Poke RPG

Earlier this week I wrote about the end of my Pokemon RPG campaign. A few folks reached out to me to ask about how I actually ran the game, especially the non-combat portions.

We got to talking about a procedure I used for a Bug Catching Contest session and I thought I'd share it here as well. I think its pretty flexible and could be used to do a Fashion Contest as well.

The SUCKI System

Specimens are judged on the following criteria:

Size corresponds to the relative abnormal size (small or large) of a 'mon. You get 1 point if you deviate from the norm.

Uniqueness corresponds to the relative rest of the competitors. You get 1 point if no other 'mon of your evolutionary line is in competition with you.

Coloration corresponds to any unique fur patterns, color splotches, scars or similar markings denoting this 'mon away from other 'mons of the same species. You get between 0 and 2 points for this.

Knocked-out-edness corresponds to whether or not the pokemon is knocked out or wounded. In the Bug Catching Contest this was literally "is the pokemon unconscious or roughed up." You lose 1 point if this is true.

Imacculateness corresponds to how much additional effort has been put into the 'mon's appearance. Hairstyles, costumes, makeup, scale polishing, etc. You get between -1 and 2 points for this.

Total all the points for a specimen and whoever has the most wins.

Bug Catching

Eligible 'mons are split into zones. None of the competitors know which 'mons correspond to which zones. Competitors get 3 timeslots, during which they can either venture into a zone and attempt a catch or prepare their caught 'mon for the actual competition.

Each zone has a unique list of 'mons that appear there, with each 'mon having a chance to appear based on how elusive they are. If a competitor is interested in a specific 'mon species and starts going after the ones they see, you can roll for any specific individuals of abnormal size and coloration.

For dressing up Pokemon, I gave points based on how much effort was put in. Relative comparisons between different aesthetics wasn't something I was interested in, just whether or not the competitor had a vision and acted on it.

To see an example list of zones and 'mons, check the Appendix at the bottom of the page.

Adapting SUCKI

The same 5 characteristics that make up a cool Bug for the Bug Catching Contest could easily translate to a Fashion Contest.

Size, Uniqueness and Coloration don't really need to be adjusted at all. Uniqueness arguably could be thrown out entirely, Fashion Contests don't usually care in particular about novelty.

Knocked-out-edness could translate pretty easily to Compassion or something similar to indicate whether or not the pokemon is obviously being treated well.

Immaculate can either be treated based on effort put in as I did in the Bug Catching Contest, -OR- could be judged based on the tastes of the diegetic judges. Captain Krabbybeard always awards full marks to anyone dressed in a nautical theme. Fashionista Marie only awards points to looks that are neat and minimal. Etc etc.

You could throw out the system entirely and use stats of your own. I recommend picking a few that are easy to improve with little effort (like Cleanliness or Compassion) and a few that are very hard to max out except for masters (like Immacculate or Glamor). This makes it so that anyone really trying to succeed can quickly rise above the base level, but needs to put in a lot more time and effort to become a legend.

Appendix - Bug Catching Pokemon and Zones

Elusiveness 1 (roll 1d6, on 1 or higher the 'mon is present)
Yanma
Paras
Durant
Ledyba
Spinarak
Venipede
Whirlipede
Combee
Grubbin
Charjabug
Joltik

Elusiveness 2 (roll 1d6, on 2 or higher the 'mon is present)
Yanmega
Parasect
Skorupi
Illumise
Ariados
Tarountula
Shelmet
Heracross
Larvesta
Wimpod
Rellor
Nymble
Lokix
Karablast
Escavalier
Galvantula

Elusiveness 3 (roll 1d6, on 3 or higher the 'mon is present)
Ledian
Scolipede
Vespiquen
Vikavolt
Spidops
Accelgor
Beedrill
Shedinja
Golisopod
Rabsca
Masquerain

Here's the zones I used:

Power Plant Ruins
Ruins-Transformers:
Grubbin
Charjabug
Joltik

Ruins-Factory:
Durant
Vikavolt
Larvesta

Ruins-Power Tower:
Combee
Grubbin
Charjabug
Galvantula

Ruins-Basement:
Paras
Durant
Lokix

Lagoon Lagoon-Reeds:
Yanma
Spinarak
Nymble

Lagoon-Algae Blooms:
Shelmet
Accelgor

Lagoon-Deep Water:
Wimpod
Golisopod

Lagoons-Fens:
Yanmega
Beedrill
Masquerain

Dunes:
Dunes-Sandpit:
Skorupi
Rellor
Rabsca

Dunes-Tall Grass:
Ledyba
Venipede
Whirlipede

Dunes-Ridgeline:
Yanma
Ledyba

Dunes-Boat Shack:
Combee
Vespiquen
Shedinja

Dark Woods:
Woods-King Tree:
Ledyba
Scolipede
Heracross

Woods-Berry Bushes:
Venipede
Whirlipede
Combee

Woods-Canopy:
Spinarak
Illumise
Ariados
Tarountula
Spidops

Woods-Cave:
Paras
Parasect
Karablast
Escavalier

#PokeRPG