Getting Started: READ FIRST!

-Credits to ragnarok0422​

Welcome to The Pokémon Ultra RPG, or URPG for short. Everyone is invited to join and new members are always welcome!


-What is the URPG?-
This is a multi-faceted game put together for your pleasure. You start as a Trainer catching Pokémon and battle your way to become the champion.


-Why should you join?-
Because the adventure is thrilling, the staff is great, and the URPG is the longest running Pokemon rpg you can find. From battles and role plays to stories and contests, the URPG has something for everyone! If you like Pokémon and you like to have fun, sign up today!


-Getting Started-
Would you like to start right away? Here’s a quick guide to joining the URPG.

To begin your journey, go to Starter Requests and apply for the Pokémon you would like to start with. You will also receive $3000 in cash.

After being approved, you must post your Trainer Stats at the Trainer Stats Sub-Board. In a short amount of time, your name will be edited into the Trainer Stats Guide thread for a quick link. You must keep track of you own stats and edit them after every change. Nobody is responsible to keep track of your stats except yourself. You are responsible for having correct information in your stats.


-What You Can Do-

Battles between other members is the largest part of the URPG, and where you will earn the majority of your money. This is also the only way to evolve your Pokémon and earn badges.

Writing Stories and Roleplaying will earn you more Pokémon. There are also many surprise events that happen, so keep checking the forum for the next one.

Additionally, we offer a chance for members to participate in Contests with other members, giving their Pokémon a chance to earn a ribbon.

Some other threads of importance are:

• The Pokemart, where you can spend money to buy Items, TM’s/HM’s, and even some Pokémon.
• The Trading Machine, where you can trade your Pokémon with other Trainers.
• The Daycare Center, where you can teach your Pokémon Breeding Moves, Move Tutor Moves, and Special Moves.

If you have any questions, ask in the URPG Related Chat thread. But please, read the rest of the rules because your question might be answered here.

Becoming a member puts you as a Trainer for your position. You may move up to other positions based on performance and activity.

We also advice that you get a messenger, the most used in the URPG is AIM. Here's how to download it: AIM Download Guide


-URPG Board Overview-
*Ultra RPG: General- For rules, stats, and general URPG related threads.

*Marketplace- Pokemart, quizzes, contests, and wages are in this sub-board.
*Ultra Worlds RP- Where you can role play with other URPG members.
*Trainer's Court- Only important cases for serious discussion about URPG related material.
*Trainer Stats- Post your Pokemon stats here.​

*Battles- For reffing formula, gym requests, current Referees and battle results ONLY.

*Forum Battles- For battling and challenging members on the forum if you cannot afford a messenger.
*Tournaments- Find the lastest tournament news here.​

*Stories- This is where you write your URPG story and capture Pokémon.

*Library- Where exceptional stories are archived.​

*National Park- A roleplaying environment in which you write and battle to catch Pokemon.

*Ranger Logs- Posting results of park expeditions.
*Main Pokemon RP- Where trainers can travel together into the Park.
*Individual Pokemon RP- Where trainers experience their own adventures.​

*Pokémon Contests- Contest style battles like the games.

*Forum Contests- Like Forum Battles, you have contests over the forum.
*Contest Results- The outcomes of all contests.
*Coordinator Stats- Post your stats here.​

-History-
This group started on January 11, 1999, as a Yahoo Club under the name The Ultimate Pokémon RPG. The group, like all Yahoo Clubs, was transferred to Yahoo Groups. Due to internal leadership problems, the group was deleted. A new group arose from the ashes shortly afterward, titled The Pokémon Ultra RPG.

Members eventually became unhappy with Yahoo Groups format because of the advertisements, layout, and inactivity (many members were lost when the Ultimate was deleted), and moved to Pokémon Elite 2000 in February 2003.

After 7 years of continued success on PE2K, the URPG expanded to Bulbagarden, establishing a branch there on April 15, 2010.

 

-Frequently Asked Questions-


How does the battling system work?

To have a battle, you need an Opponent and a Referee. Opponents can be anyone who has also registered in the URPG and you can challenge them by contacting them. You need a referee because that person determines how each move in the battle affects the Pokemon involved including damage, status effects, and, ultimately, its outcome.

Most battles in the URPG take place on a messenger system of your choice. Additionally, a member may use any other form of communication such as IRC and email as long as both the opponent and ref agree to it. Adding refs to your friends list on an Instant Messenger can make it easier to find one when you wish to battle.

AOL Instant Messenger (recommended and most popular)
Trillian (combines many different instant message services in one program)
Meebo (combines many different instant message services in one program, and requires no downloads)

Battles in the URPG work the same way that battles in the game boy games work with a few differences. The biggest difference is that a Pokémon is not restricted to only 4 moves, but rather can use every move that it can learn via leveling up in all generations and pre-evolutions.

For TMs and HMs, you have to buy them in The Pokémart.

For Breeding Moves, Move Tutors, and Special Event Moves, you have to buy them in the Daycare Center.

For more information about battle rules or holding items, check out All About Battles.


How do I evolve my Pokémon?

All Pokémon are considered to automatically be Level 100 with Maximum Statistics. To evolve a Pokemon, you must use it in battle. For each battle a Pokemon participates in, it gains one battle experience, no matter how many Pokemon it defeats. It is not required to evolve a Pokemon if you do not wish to.

• A Pokemon that is fully evolved after one evolution only needs seven battles to evolve. For example, a Blitzle requires seven battles to become a Zebstrika.
• A Pokemon that can evolve twice needs fives battles to evolve once, and then five more to evolve again. For example, a Charmander requires five battles to evolve into Charmeleon. Then Charmeleon requires five battles to evolve into Charizard. If a Charmander acquires ten battles, it can evolve into Charmeleon, and then into Charizard immediately.
• Pokémon that evolve with items or by trade still need the minimum amount of battles to evolve. The items that are used will disappear after use.
• Pokemon that evolve by trade can be traded and then traded back at the Trading Machine to evolve. Alternatively, you may purchase a Cable Link (multiple use) at the Pokemart to evolve Pokemon that evolve by trade.
• Pokemon that evolve by happiness or by maximum beauty require a Soothe Bell, which can be purchased at the Pokemart, to evolve.
• If a Pokémon can evolve into more than one Pokemon, you may choose which Pokemon it evolves to as long as its requirements are met. For example, after a Tyrogue acquires seven battles, you can choose to evolve it into Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, or Hitmontop.
• Pokemon that evolve depending on gender must have to correct gender to evolve into specific Pokemon. For example, a female Burmy can only evolve into Wormadam, and a male Burmy can only evolve into Mothim.

How do I trade Pokémon?

You may trade Pokémon at the Trading Machine.

You may only give a Pokémon away to another trainer during special events such as the Gift Station, which occur three times a year.


What is my Pokémon's ability, nature, and gender?

Pokémon abilities aren't set in stone. You can choose any ability a Pokémon has access to before it is sent into battle and change it between battles.

You can choose the nature any Pokémon you start with, purchase, win, or catch through stories. Any Pokémon you catch at the National Park will have a randomly determined nature. Natures are permanent.

You may choose the gender of any Pokémon you gain. A Pokémon's gender is permanent.


How can I earn more money?

The easiest way to earn money is through battling. Winning a battle earns you $1,000 and losing a battle earns you $500. In the case of a tie, both battlers earn $750. (Only applicable to 1v1s-3v3s, refer to this for the rundown on all payments.) One-hit KO battles reward no money and there are increased earnings for special cases such as gym and tournament battles. If you are unsure how much money you should add after a battle, feel free to ask a Ref or an Official.

Additionally, you can earn up to $2,000 if you win a contest and an additional $1,500 Contest Credit, for a total value of $3,500. The lowest you can earn from a contest is $1,000 with an additional $500 Contest Credit. Special contest events usually pay out more. Judges will inform participants how much they have won at the end of the contest.

The most lucrative way to earn cash is by attaining a paid profession. These include Refs, Graders, Judges, and Rangers. Professionals are paid very well, but only because they often work hard to ensure enjoyment for all URPG participants. Becoming a professional takes time and effort, but ultimately is rewarding in terms of money and prestige. Some professionals eventually advance to leadership positions within the URPG.


Anything else that I need to read?

Yes! But not really for this part. This is just a short list of tips that were compiled together to help you start out by having an edge over your opponent in battles, or simply tips from the experiences of the veterans. This will allow you to gain a general scope of how the URPG works as well.

You don't have to read this. But it will benefit you if you do!

15 Tips To Help You:

Spoiler

1. One of the easiest ways to earn a top-tier Pokemon is to write a story for Magikarp. Requiring only 3,000 characters, a Magikarp in one of the easiest Pokemon to write for, and with only seven battles, can evolve into Gyarados, a powerful creature indeed.

2. Battle early and battle often! Each battle in the URPG will reward you for participating, no matter if you won or lost. Losing may only reward $500, but those tiny amounts slowly add up. Many refs would be happy to run a battle for you and if they're busy, simply ask another. After all, they earn money too for reffing.

3. Form rivalries with other members who have started around the same time as you. Not only does this give you someone to battle with when they're on, but most likely they will also be at the same skill level as you, making the duels a challenge in and of itself!

4. Don't pick a Pokemon that is available in the Pokemart as a starter. Story only Pokemon are, for the most part, better than a Pokemon obtainable from the Mart.

5. When you're in a battle, and you're not certain of something, for instance how much damage an attack will do or whether something works or not, never just guess and hope for the best. Ask the ref, they'll be glad to answer, even if it's something stupid.

6. When you train your first Pokémon, don't try to fight older, experienced members. Try to fight people that have newly-bought-or-caught basic Pokémon like you, so you'll have more chances of winning, and getting more money.

7. If you have AIM, go to the Reffing Encyclopedia and get the screen names of all the active refs so you'll have a big list of them on hand and won't keep bothering the same ones over and over again.

8. Begin to write early and it'll be easier lately.

9. Your second Pokémon should try to counter what your first Pokémon can't fight.

10. Ask older and more experienced members how things work. Sometimes you'll find exceptionally nice people who don't mind helping you out and teaching you a bit.

11. Be nice, be yourself, make friends. Remember that the other members are still real people too. If you make friends, you'll have more fun, and will probably have more support and go further.

12. Don't teach your Pokemon any TM just because they can know it and it seems cool at the time. Do your homework and figure out which TMs can benefit your Pokemon the most. Buy the most important ones first (like TM Calm Mind and Shadow Ball for Espeon) then, when you have more money, you can buy other TMs. Don't be afraid to ask more experienced members for advice as to which you should buy.

13. READ this thread before you even attempt to post a story. There are certain expectations for URPG stories that will differ from other stories you might be accustomed to writing. Don't get angry when graders criticize you, either. Take their advice, read it, and grow from it. They're here for your benefit.

14. Every Pokemon you have can be used whether it's just for battling, contests or extra-curricular activities. And if you want to use a Pokemon everyone says is useless, that's your choice. I say prove them wrong.

15. To get stronger quickly, only get a few mons and concentrate your money on giving them vital moves such as set-up moves, or moves that give you essential coverage, such as Ice Punch on Metagross. After you start winning a few battles, you can be more laissez-faire about spending and go into niche moves that may turn the tide of a battle (Jolteon's Shadow Ball).

The 10 In-Battle Mistakes Every Newbie Should Avoid:

Spoiler

The 10 In-Battle Mistakes Every Newbie Should Avoid​

1. Not using the strongest move that your Pokémon has.
The other day a trainer used Aurora Beam over Ice Beam. Or another guy who used Hyper Beam after Dragon Dancing with Gyarados. Do some research. Do the math. Ask questions. Get to know what hits the hardest.
And what is the strongest move your Pokémon has? It changes depending on the situation. Do the math!
For a move called psychic:
Psychic: Base Damage 90
If STAB (The pokémon using it is psychic-type) = 90 * 1.5 = 135 Base Damage.
If not STAB'd, but SE = 90 * 2 = 180 Base Damage.
If STAB and SE = 90 * 2 * 1.5 = 270 Base Damage.
Alakazam vs. Azumarill. What do you use, Psychic or Energy Ball? Guide yourself with the following steps:
-First, choose your strongest STAB'd attack with 100% accuracy. For my Alakazam, I choose Psychic, but for a fire-type it could be flamethrower, or heat wave if you're risking the 10% miss chance.
-Multiply your attack's base damage times 1.5, and then divide by 2. (Or, multiply it by .75). My result is 67.5.
-I will NEVER use an attack that has less than 67.5 Base Damage, but it's SE, over Psychic, which is Normal Effective, against an enemy. Thus against Azumarill I'm not using ShockWave since Psychic deals more damage. But I would use Energy Ball (Base 80), which does deal more damage over Psychic.
-Always take in mind type effectivenes. Perhaps I wouldn't use ShockWave against an Azumarill, but I would use it against a Gyarados.
-Always take in mind defensive stats. If your opponent has more defense than your attack, or more special defense than your special attack, you might want to consider other options.
If you don't know what STAB is, you still haven't grasped the basics of Pokémon fighting. Check the Encyclopedia.


2. Not switching when you are encored with a non-attacking move.
So you’ve got a Heracross encored and using Bulk-Up against an Alakazam. No worries, once encore is over, you’ll Megahorn him to oblivion. WRONG. If you’re slower than your opponent, or if your opponent can make you slower (with thunderwave), you’re better off switching, or he’ll re-encore you until he’s done toying with you, and then, he’ll use a 6 calm-minded Alakazam to sweep your whole team.

3. In DP rules, using a move that can be blocked by substitute when you are slower and send move first, or, NOT using substitute when your opponent sends move first and is slower.
You have your Weavile on the field, and your opponent has a Miltank. Shame on you if you use Thunderwave when you send first; your opponent will sub and laugh at your attempt. Even more shameful, though, if you are the Weavile and you DON'T substitute against your opponent's Thunderwave.

4. Using low-accuracy moves when it is not necessary.
If you can 2HKO with a pair of Surf or a pair of Hydro Pumps… why risk that 36% chance of any of them missing?

5. Not paying attention to the rules stated at the beginning of the fight.
Sleep clause is something you should take in mind in every fight. The other day this guy tried using sleep powder around 5 times with two different Pokémon. His opponent easily set up, and made him pay for his mistakes.

6. Not asking the ref for confirmation of a KO move.
If you’re not a ref, you can always ask a simple question such as “Does Flamethrower KO?” Most of them will answer with a “yes” or “no”. Even refs will sometimes ask this in order to confirm their results.

7. Not knowing what your Pokémon basic stages can do.
You have gotten your Lucario in a trade, and you wonder what it can do. You check his level-up moves; but forget to check Riolu’s unique moves. Make a list of your Pokémon and what they can do, but keep it to yourself, don’t show it in your stats so your opponent can see too!

8. Fighting a battle you can’t win by merely attacking.
Dusknoir and Cacturne in. Dusknoir has fire punch, so he’ll try to attack with it. Cacturne, in turn, will use Dark Pulse. Who’ll win in the end? Cacturne, by speed and damage. Switch or do something non-attacking, but don’t try to out-power him!

9. Not realizing that, in a DP ruleset, to send a Pokémon before your opponent does is to write a death sentence.
I'll use an example for this. Your opponent sends Magmortar at the beginning. Be smart and send something that will scare Magmortar away, like a faster Water-type Pokémon (Starmie). By doing this you'll force the switch, to a Jolteon perhaps. In this sense, now you can switch Starmie for a Pokémon that is effective against both Magmortar and Jolteon (Any ground-type Pokémon!).
Even better, though, is to use Roar to pull a random Pokémon from your opponent's stats. Don't underestimate it =)

10. Not sending in a faster Pokémon than your opponent when yours gets KO’d.
I’ve seen countless trainers sending in a Pokémon that is slower against an opponents low-health faster Pokémon. He’ll hit you first, and hard, before you hit him, and you’ll be at the mercy of his next Pokémon.

*Credit to Marth of Pe2k for creating both lists.

 

Getting Started: AIM & IRC

AIM​

In the URPG, we have 2 main methods of battling- on AIM, and on the forum. Battling can be done on IRC as well, but fewer refs go on there. In this thread, I would like to stress the use of AIM for battling over the forum.

The Case for AIM

Forum battles take longer than AIM battles. A simple 1vs1 can take days to finish, and longer battles such as a 3vs3 can take over two weeks. Although forum battles are great if you're battling an opponent in a completely different timezone, if you're close to them (or really even if you're not) AIM battles are much better.

AIM battles take much, much less time. A 1vs1 usually takes about 5 minutes. 3vs3s take longer, obviously, but not too much longer- they last usually from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Longer battles last longer as well, but their length is still much shorter than a forum battle of the same length.

So, we at the URPG would like to stress that everyone who participates in the URPG should get an AIM account. On AIM, you can talk with your friends, and find potential battlers. You can challenge gym leaders, and own a gym to be challenged! All of our refs have AIM, and there's usually one always on. Plus, on AIM, you can participate in FFAs, large free-for-alls between 6+ members, where you can earn much more than the $1000 from a battle. These rarely occur on the forum, but on AIM, they occur fairly often.

Having an AIM account also gives you access to the special events of the URPG. On AIM, there are auctions, where many different (and rare) Pokemon are put up for auction, and sometimes there are mini-tourneys after those. The National Park holds events where they giveaway free items that you cannot buy in the Park shop. Also on AIM, there are sometimes random Pokemon giveaways- these usually accompany a party or an auction.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is greatly suggested that you should get an AIM account to participate in URPG. It allows you to participate in faster battles, FFAs, special events, and allows you to talk with other members and connect with them.

You can find a list of all the referee's AIM screen names in this post

AIM Installation Tutorial:

Spoiler

So how do you make an AIM account? Go to the AIM website and find your way to the "Create a Username" portion, or just click this!. Then go download AIM from the main homepage, and you're good to go. (Alternatively, if you can't download due to whatever reasons, you can also use AIM Express which can be found on the same website since it doesn't require installation.)

But, you say, what if I can't download anything? I have an answer for you- use Meebo! Meebo is probably the best in-browser AIM, and it also offers other chat services too! The major setback on Meebo though is that you cannot see your dice rolls which can be easily remedied if you have others in a chatroom read them off for you.

I hope you've been convinced to get an AIM- it really enhances your URPG experience, and you will enjoy URPG more if you have an AIM and participate there. Here are a list of URPG Refs and their AIM usernames- so you know who to ask to ref!

It should be noted that any URPG battles or events that take place on AIM are under URPG jurisdiction and the event host or ref has the authority to kick anyone out for improper behavior. Additionally, if a member continues to cause a problem, they will likely be banned from the URPG.

If you're still confused about how to install AIM, here's a AIM Step By Step Tutorial, created by Hypocrisy is Fun of Pe2k.

Spoiler

Some people are having problems with getting AIM to work, so I've put this tutorial together to help them out.

Sorry if we dont need it, but I'm sure it has to help some people who dont know how to get it to work.

Step one: Go to www.aim.com and go to "Get A Screen Name."


Step 2: Continue Your Journey.


Step 3: Fill out the following boxes.

(Dont worry about putting real information, they only ask for it to help you with weather, movie times, ect.)

Step 4: DOWNLOAD


Step 5: Save it somewhere, or else.

(Sorry if my browser is different than yours, but it should look kind of similar.)

Step 6: Look for the icon


Step 7: This should pop up:


Step 8: Dont click these. Continue.


Step 9: Agree!


Step 10: This should pop up.


Step 11: Grats, now LAUNCH


Step 12: Type in your account info


Step 13: Yeaaaaaaaaa I'm logged on! ^_______^


Step 14: I NEEDZ THE BUDDIES TO BATTLE! So add them.


Step 15: Add your desired friend's info.


Step 16: Double click their name, and start the battles! or chat,


This is the current version of AIM, but the older ones should be pretty similar.

Congrats, you have AIM, NOW BATTLE!

If you have questions; ask?

-------------------------------------

IRC​

Although AIM is obviously what majority use, there are just times when all else fails and you need an alternative messenger, or simply an event is being hosted on the IRC but you have no idea how to get on it.

Pokemon Ultra RPG has its own IRC Channel: #URPG

You can access the channel by clicking on the IRC Chat link on the menu at the top of the page of the BMGf forum and then typing in our channel.

#URPG is a great place to meet up with others, challenge trainers, and hang out with other URPGers!

Here is an alternative way to access IRC:

1) Go to Mibbit.
2) Click on the server link towards the upper middle of the page.
3) Enter in the following details:

Server: lava.systemnet.info
Channel: #URPG
Nickname: Your name here

Note: Our channel is under URPG jurisdiction and we reserve the right to kick anyone out or ban people should they break rules while in the channel.

For more information, check out Bulbagarden's IRC Primer.

-------------------------------------​

AIM Tip (credits to Iridium of Pe2k):

*Thanks to Stinky for the AIM section, and to Harry for the IRC section (unless otherwise stated).