Squircle
@squircular.bsky.social
Digital product design, TTRPG/PBTA game design, general nerdery. Too obsessed with Pokemon
I tweaked the Strange Powers move in my #Pokemon TTRPG to give Psychic classes more narrative fodder! Psychic humans are a weird corner of Pokemon lore, and fertile ground for a DM and player to explore. How common is it? How accepted is it? How does one become a Psychic? Is a Psychic a Pokemon?
August 2, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I tweaked the Strange Powers move in my #Pokemon TTRPG to give Psychic classes more narrative fodder! Psychic humans are a weird corner of Pokemon lore, and fertile ground for a DM and player to explore. How common is it? How accepted is it? How does one become a Psychic? Is a Psychic a Pokemon?
Thanks to some generous folks interested in my Pokemon TTRPG system I've been editing my rules, cleaning up unclear language, and even added a new move for the Ash Ketchums out there who would take on a flock of Spearow for their Pokemon!
Check out the system here: drive.google.com/file/d/12x7f...
Check out the system here: drive.google.com/file/d/12x7f...
Pokemon-Fables.pdf
drive.google.com
August 2, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Thanks to some generous folks interested in my Pokemon TTRPG system I've been editing my rules, cleaning up unclear language, and even added a new move for the Ash Ketchums out there who would take on a flock of Spearow for their Pokemon!
Check out the system here: drive.google.com/file/d/12x7f...
Check out the system here: drive.google.com/file/d/12x7f...
Just started sharing out the newest play test rules of my Pokemon #TTRPG! I have a full 40 page rulebooks, 9 character classes and 200+ Pokemon sheets ready to pick up and play. It's easiest to find details and explanation here: www.reddit.com/r/TTRPG/s/cU...
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July 19, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Just started sharing out the newest play test rules of my Pokemon #TTRPG! I have a full 40 page rulebooks, 9 character classes and 200+ Pokemon sheets ready to pick up and play. It's easiest to find details and explanation here: www.reddit.com/r/TTRPG/s/cU...
Flygon all the way, I love that bug guy. Their design perfectly rides the line of simplicity while feeling really unique.
July 1, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Flygon all the way, I love that bug guy. Their design perfectly rides the line of simplicity while feeling really unique.
I'm obsessed with Pokemon, love Warhammer lore but not the game, and MTG. MTG is dangerous, I love it but I don't play anymore.
July 1, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I'm obsessed with Pokemon, love Warhammer lore but not the game, and MTG. MTG is dangerous, I love it but I don't play anymore.
Sure, but does that mean I just stick it on Itch? Just drop links randomly? Advertise in some way? Currently it's just vibing in my Google Drive haha
July 1, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Sure, but does that mean I just stick it on Itch? Just drop links randomly? Advertise in some way? Currently it's just vibing in my Google Drive haha
Getting closer to the point of "publishing" my Pokemon TTRPG but I really don't know what that means. I don't want money, it doesn't matter how many people play it... But I feel like it hits the Pokemon fantasy in the right spot that I see folks looking for. I want people to be aware of it at least?
July 1, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Getting closer to the point of "publishing" my Pokemon TTRPG but I really don't know what that means. I don't want money, it doesn't matter how many people play it... But I feel like it hits the Pokemon fantasy in the right spot that I see folks looking for. I want people to be aware of it at least?
As someone who works in tech, it's clear that 1) no one understands what it can do 2) everybody is worried their dip shit boss will think it's good enough to replace them and 3) every dipshit boss is worried it will replace their company.
July 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM
As someone who works in tech, it's clear that 1) no one understands what it can do 2) everybody is worried their dip shit boss will think it's good enough to replace them and 3) every dipshit boss is worried it will replace their company.
Just gotta say I'm super interested in this idea, I've been trying to find the sweet spot myself with my own system I'm working on. So many systems reduce Pokemon down to attack dice and typing which feels like a missed opportunity.
June 26, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Just gotta say I'm super interested in this idea, I've been trying to find the sweet spot myself with my own system I'm working on. So many systems reduce Pokemon down to attack dice and typing which feels like a missed opportunity.
Also the dice pips could be circles, but not full Pokeball shapes
June 12, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Also the dice pips could be circles, but not full Pokeball shapes
One thing to make your design more cohesive is to make line thicknesses and spacing consistent between design elements! You can see that the lines that make up the Pikachu are significantly thinner than those on the dice which makes it feel like it's coming from a different source.
June 12, 2025 at 11:40 AM
One thing to make your design more cohesive is to make line thicknesses and spacing consistent between design elements! You can see that the lines that make up the Pikachu are significantly thinner than those on the dice which makes it feel like it's coming from a different source.
My #Pokemon #TTRPG is coming along well, most of the rules are done, the slowest part is just... the Pokemon. I'm working to make them all feel special and have utility both in and out of battle. So far I have 153 / 208 planned Pokemon done with stats and abilities. No 1:1 translation from the games
June 8, 2025 at 9:38 PM
My #Pokemon #TTRPG is coming along well, most of the rules are done, the slowest part is just... the Pokemon. I'm working to make them all feel special and have utility both in and out of battle. So far I have 153 / 208 planned Pokemon done with stats and abilities. No 1:1 translation from the games
This approach was recommended to me by one of the helpful denizens of the PTA Discord server who had been thinking in a similar direction, and I really like it for establishing a real relationship before something joining your Pokemon team
June 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
This approach was recommended to me by one of the helpful denizens of the PTA Discord server who had been thinking in a similar direction, and I really like it for establishing a real relationship before something joining your Pokemon team
So battling is just one of many conditions that grow your relationship with a wild Pokemon, and you're most likely to catch it if you got to know it and spent some time together first! Instead of just showing up out of the blue and smacking it in the face with a Pokeball
June 7, 2025 at 3:56 PM
So battling is just one of many conditions that grow your relationship with a wild Pokemon, and you're most likely to catch it if you got to know it and spent some time together first! Instead of just showing up out of the blue and smacking it in the face with a Pokeball
I fixed(?) this by changing the conditions that give you catching bonuses. My new catching move "Join The Team" gives +1 to your roll for each of: you shared a meal, you helped them out, you worked together to accomplish something, you taught them something, you had a fair contest or battle
June 7, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I fixed(?) this by changing the conditions that give you catching bonuses. My new catching move "Join The Team" gives +1 to your roll for each of: you shared a meal, you helped them out, you worked together to accomplish something, you taught them something, you had a fair contest or battle
One of the big problems with a Pokemon TTRPG is how to handle climatic battles being ended by just catching the big threatening high level Pokemon you've set up for the players, and also... it seems like having just beat something up is a weird way to make friends with it! (Cont'd in comments)
June 7, 2025 at 3:53 PM
One of the big problems with a Pokemon TTRPG is how to handle climatic battles being ended by just catching the big threatening high level Pokemon you've set up for the players, and also... it seems like having just beat something up is a weird way to make friends with it! (Cont'd in comments)
Hi, I took a break from social because *vaguely gestures at the world* but I hope to be back to my regular Pokemon posting soon.
Is the only world we can imagine where we coexist in harmony in nature one in which the forces of nature can threaten us with the power of gods?
Is the only world we can imagine where we coexist in harmony in nature one in which the forces of nature can threaten us with the power of gods?
June 5, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Hi, I took a break from social because *vaguely gestures at the world* but I hope to be back to my regular Pokemon posting soon.
Is the only world we can imagine where we coexist in harmony in nature one in which the forces of nature can threaten us with the power of gods?
Is the only world we can imagine where we coexist in harmony in nature one in which the forces of nature can threaten us with the power of gods?
I could run the numbers on that! I'm worried it's more of an early game/late game problem. Characters having a solid +2 roll isn't an issue, but having a semi-persistent +3 or +4 feels like it could swing the balance. Maybe that imbalance would be part of the fun though.
January 26, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I could run the numbers on that! I'm worried it's more of an early game/late game problem. Characters having a solid +2 roll isn't an issue, but having a semi-persistent +3 or +4 feels like it could swing the balance. Maybe that imbalance would be part of the fun though.
Downside is that you will have some stats/actions as a player that it's not useful for a Pokemon to help you with, since you're already good at it. I haven't thought of a perfect system that balances the appeal of getting help with avoiding characters min/maxing to get +4 rolls on their highest stat
January 26, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Downside is that you will have some stats/actions as a player that it's not useful for a Pokemon to help you with, since you're already good at it. I haven't thought of a perfect system that balances the appeal of getting help with avoiding characters min/maxing to get +4 rolls on their highest stat
I still struggle with whether Pokemon assists just give +1 to your roll, or replace your modifier with theirs. Since it's #PBTA style the modifier economy is quite tight, and replacing a modifier allows Pokemon to augment areas of weakness without pushing already high modifiers over the top. #ttrpg
January 26, 2025 at 3:28 AM
and that helps decide the strengths and drawbacks of their effect. All of those combined have so far created a strong narrative system for letting Pokemon impact all areas of play in creative ways.
January 26, 2025 at 3:19 AM
and that helps decide the strengths and drawbacks of their effect. All of those combined have so far created a strong narrative system for letting Pokemon impact all areas of play in creative ways.
a jolt of Pikachu's electricity. Smash a door open with pure strength of a Graveler. Phase through a wall as a Haunter. As long as the table agrees it's something that makes sense for the Pokemon to do, they can do it. The only constraint is you can pick 2 of strong, precise, sustained or silent...
January 26, 2025 at 3:18 AM
a jolt of Pikachu's electricity. Smash a door open with pure strength of a Graveler. Phase through a wall as a Haunter. As long as the table agrees it's something that makes sense for the Pokemon to do, they can do it. The only constraint is you can pick 2 of strong, precise, sustained or silent...
...this is the main mechanic for them doing that. They can help you persuade, find books in a library, give you a boost jumping over a fence, anything a trainer can do they can help with.
3) They can Tame the Stage : spend a vigor to tangibly effect the environment. Short circuit a camera with...
3) They can Tame the Stage : spend a vigor to tangibly effect the environment. Short circuit a camera with...
January 26, 2025 at 3:14 AM
...this is the main mechanic for them doing that. They can help you persuade, find books in a library, give you a boost jumping over a fence, anything a trainer can do they can help with.
3) They can Tame the Stage : spend a vigor to tangibly effect the environment. Short circuit a camera with...
3) They can Tame the Stage : spend a vigor to tangibly effect the environment. Short circuit a camera with...
or creating an advantage for future rolls.
2) Pokemon and trainers have the same 6 stats and at any point you can roll with the Pokemons stats instead of yours by spending 1 vigor/health from them. Overuse this and they won't last long in battle! I wanted Pokemon to impact all areas of play and...
2) Pokemon and trainers have the same 6 stats and at any point you can roll with the Pokemons stats instead of yours by spending 1 vigor/health from them. Overuse this and they won't last long in battle! I wanted Pokemon to impact all areas of play and...
January 26, 2025 at 3:12 AM
or creating an advantage for future rolls.
2) Pokemon and trainers have the same 6 stats and at any point you can roll with the Pokemons stats instead of yours by spending 1 vigor/health from them. Overuse this and they won't last long in battle! I wanted Pokemon to impact all areas of play and...
2) Pokemon and trainers have the same 6 stats and at any point you can roll with the Pokemons stats instead of yours by spending 1 vigor/health from them. Overuse this and they won't last long in battle! I wanted Pokemon to impact all areas of play and...