FLC Basics

Like all tabletop RPGs, playing FLC requires a few essential items. It's also relevant to discuss the basics of playing FLC as a member of the tabletop RPG genre.

Necessary Components to Play FLC
To play FLC, like most tabletop RPG’s, you need dice. Specifically, you and whomever you are playing with will each need the following: 1d20, 2-4d12, 2-4d8, 2-4d6, and 4-6d4. These dice are used primarily for combat, except for the d20. Like many tabletop games, the d20 is used both inside and out of battle for various player techniques or situations that involve chance. Other things players will need include tokens for the player and their Pokemon, and paper to record statistics or create maps and battlefields (though statistics have also been successfully done throught the use of tablet computers, cell phones, the like). One more necessary factor is the capacity to access Pokemon statistics and abilities. This can be done through several methods, such as through an application that provides them for the players, through the use of an official Pokedex book, or through websites such as Serebii.net, or Bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net. These resources are invaluable, and will provide the players with the information to make FLC playable. In addition to this, there are other Pokemon-based tabletop games that exist, such as http://pokemontabletop.wikidot.com/ and they may be helpful for reference.

Playing FLC
Playing FLC is similar to playing other forms of tabletop RPGs. The players sit at a table and interact with one another. One player acts as a storyteller, the GM (Game Master). This player acts as the narrator, and the other characters that the players will encounter, including the villains. The rest of the players assume the role of a Pokemon trainer, experiencing the events of the story and responding to them. Players have freedom to attempt actions whenever they choose, by declaring that they are doing this action (or alternatively, “My character does this.”) These actions can range from, “I pay the shopkeep extra for being so nice,” to, “I kill the shopkeep.” The actions, however, must remain within the context of what the character or their Pokemon can do. For instance, you cannot say, “I am digging 10 feet into the stone floor,” unless you have a Pokemon that can, in fact do that. (This will be expanded on later.) Play continues with players acting and reacting to the story and the events that unfold, until the GM decides to stop play, either because the story written has reached an end point, or the players decide to step away from the table for the time being.