The Pokédex - Extended Fanon Edition

^^^:

The computer system thing does need to be explored soon.

However, we can assume Apricorn balls don't operate on any data mechanism, then, since they come before the Pokéballs which are well-established by RGBY. Thus, hardly modern technology.

Pokéballs are above assumed to be based off the same (thus non-data) principle, but anything can be rewritten if an alternative better fits.

^^:

Expense could explain the rarity, perhaps. The anime's one appearance of a Master Ball didn't inspire much shock from the cast. For the moment, I've installed the Purple Apricorn explanation, attempting to paint them as too difficult to mass-produce.

Realistically, it's possible that they could be under governmental regulation.

I dunno, this bit definitely needs work.

But if Apricorn balls don't operate on a data mechanism, how can pokemon caught with them be stored on the PC?

They do say that you "outfit them with a special device". In modern times, at least, they've most likely been outfitted with the data conversion tech.

As for the apricorn balls of old? I dunno.

Or maybe apricorn balls do convert it into data and we just don't know it.

A bit of Fan Wank here, but then that's the point, isn't it?

Sammy's ball in the fourth movie. It was basically the pokéball equivalent of a Babbage difference engine, with way too many cranked parts and stuff. It's our only real example of an early mechanical pokéball, not counting the ones done by wizards like Aaron's staff or the ones that contained titans.

It should be noted that the latter titan-housing ones were probably the inspiration for the design.

It's a common misconception that the apricorn is the basis for the device itself. Rather, it is merely a convenient material to house and assist its workings — most notably as an internal heat sink during the capture process due to a naturally high specific heat capacity. Metal outside, apricorn inner shell, parts inside that. Less-common breeds of apricorn may amplify certain characteristics or contain heat more efficiently; more on this later.

Pokéballs leave a registry imprint somewhere on the pokémon's being — this insulates them from the effects of another trainer's pokéball and protects them from theft, facilitates easy identification, and is the catalyst for the IR-beam recall. The registry imprint may be overridden by specially-designed balls, usually designed by criminal organizations or psychotic misunderstood psychic demigods. The implications of the Snag Machine are particularly distressing, as it means ordinary pokéballs may be altered to accomplish this within seconds.

The imprinting process is the most likely stage of the capture to fail. To imprint, the ball must deliver a sustained stream of energy into the contained pokémon. The heat generated is largely absorbed by the internal apricorn shell, but a good deal leaks through, superheating and softening the metal casing. During this time, a particularly stubborn pokémon may inflict enough trauma on the ball to permanently destroy its seals, or even shatter the ball altogether. This is why pokémon must be weakened in battle first. Once the metal cools (this takes a few tense seconds), the apricorn shell may slowly radiate built-up heat over the next several days without threatening the ball's integrity.

edited 20th Mar '10 1:40:22 PM by Pykrete

I've been wanting to post this gem

It's like the creators of Pokemon were like...LET'S PUT IN BIG NUMBERS KAY! Except they actually figured out how much bigger to make it.

edited 20th Mar '10 4:17:19 PM by newtonthenewt

@?????: It could be that the balls aren't data-based, but the PC system is.

In show canon, for instance, transfer seems to be data-based, but storage definitely isn't.

Since the Pokémon Storage System is closely linked to the Pokéball problem, that should probably be discussed in tandem. Any ideas? (And how was it done in the manga?)

@Pykrete: OK, good theorizing to consider (though I'm a bit out of it tonight). The actual storage mechanism is still a problem; data can't apply physical trauma to its container.

^ Explosive Instrumentation perhaps?

Just copying from Heart Gold for later reference:

Elm: "As you know, Pokémon are kept in Pokéballs these days. But before the Poké Ball was invented, people used to walk with Pokémon. Just like your friend Lyra does! Poké Balls are great because you can carry many Pokémon."

—

But for the moment, I'll open a post on the Pokémon Box System. The storage-as-data thing really doesn't feel like it fits to me, but I'm willing to update the Pokéball post accordingly if needed. Meaning this should be hammered out, first, as it's related.

So, the mainline games suggest that Pokémon storage is in the form of data, while the anime just depicts the computer system as a teleportation network used to leave the Pokémon with a trusted caretaker. (I don't know the manga's approach, so if anyone reads that please speak up!)

How do we approach this?

(And should we open a parallel post on an actual Pokémon species?)

Pokémon [Transfer/Storage?] System

Purpose

to be filled Really, this sums this one up as well.

Operation

to be filled

History

Bill and friends are clearly involved

Now that I about it, does anyone think that the Poke Balls have a similar aspect to the Capsules from C. Corporation?

edited 24th Mar '10 2:18:44 PM by asiacatdogblue

Maybe they're put in a virtual reality environment until they're taken out of the PC? Or maybe Bill made the system that allows Pokemon to be transported as data to the professor who gave you your first Pokemon and the "boxes" are either the VR places mentioned above or more like big pens at a Pokemon farm that's off-screen? That would, of course, be mixing in some ideas from the anime, like how Professor Oak takes care of Ash's Pokemon that are sent to him.

I'm leaning closer to the anime there, yeah. Presumably Pokémon storage is handled differently by different people; people deputized by a Professor would be allowed and encouraged to send their catches to the Lab, children from landed families would send theirs back home, etc.

Of course, if people go catching every other Pokémon they see, that wouldn't really work (though every community has a Meowth lady, I'm sure), but a VR system wouldn't be any more responsible either. Apart from video game player characters, it doesn't seem like people catch Pokémon in volume anyways. (Perhaps the Safari Game is traditionally played catch-and-release, but the player sends them to the lab for more study?)

Honestly, are people really limited to carrying 6 'mons at a time? I can see a limitation for regulation matches, of course, and carrying many more would be difficult to feed/water anyways, but I'm not sure what keeps someone from carrying 7 filled Pokéballs if they train that many.

EDIT: If we assume that the player in each game is acting on behalf of the professor's studies, they may well send Pokémon to affiliated labs as well. A small-town lab can only study so many things at once, after all. Then maybe the Box system, apart from the Pokéball teleportation that is in general use, also tracks where a particular Pokémon is being kept, enabling the appropriate lab to be contacted for retrieval.

edited 24th Mar '10 7:02:31 PM by Tangent128

I'd assume the 6-pokémon limit has more to do with ease of travel and care, and attachment to traditional battle rules, than anything else. Like you said, any more than seven mouths to feed (including your own) can get out of hand, and any more than six balls on your belt makes it harder to find who you want in a tight situation.

I wouldn't be surprised if one ran across a Rocket that just started chucking armies of Raticate or something.

I consider it a League-mandated restriction. Who knows how League Battles would be if a prepared 8-badge trainer fielded over 80 pokemon in his attempt at the League Challenge?

Competitive battle restrictions are obviously going to exist, but I see no reason people cannot carry more than six.

Still, it's a hassle, six probably has cultural, if not legal, power, and anyways many trainers do have more Pokémon than they can reasonably care for while on the road. So, where do the others get kept?

edited 25th Mar '10 9:52:00 AM by Tangent128

In my case, Mari's pokemon probably nap in Storage Space inside the Pokecenter Storage Intranet. She left her Mareep at her home in New Bark.

Perhaps it's just that trainers get swamped when their pokemon start arguing with each other. Who wants to get caught in the crossfire between (more than six) Jealous Clingy pokemon?

After I got the Spiky-Eared Pichu I decided I really liked the anime version of storage. She's too weak to fit into my team so she's playing on a farm somewhere with the Shiny Pichu while I go get badges.

It's a heck of a lot less cruel than "oh, you're so happy to see your friend that you want to come with me, I'm just going to shove you into computer storage," anyway.

Any hopes that the 5th Generation breaks the "six abominations only" tradition?

I think that having more than six Pokemon on oneself at a time would disrupt battle mechanics somewhat though I would prefer an alternate way to use H Ms rather than having to waste move slots. Regardless of that, I think that the PC storage system in the games is probably indicative of the way Pokemon are kept.

If Pokemon are kept at a ranch at a professor's house or what have you than it would be expected that they would at least level up, get stronger, or grow in a general sense. Since they only seem to do those things while they are with you or at the daycare I am inclined to think that the Pokemon not in your party are just kept in their Pokeballs. That is not to say that no one has a ranch like set up like in the anime, but that such a situation is unusual.

I think it is also important to note that the Pokedex holders in the games are also probably not indicative of normal trainers. I doubt that most trainers would catch many Pokemon for example.

edited 25th Mar '10 11:14:08 AM by LouieW

Not exactly hoping for that. It would really bring strategy down to a simple "Who has most" type thing. Although it would have made the image in my head of the "Army of Butterfree"(Only six obviously) that I took out the RBG elite four with just that much cooler...

edited 25th Mar '10 11:19:21 AM by Xiphon iii

I'd agree with the assumption that Gotta Catch 'Em All is only applicable to the mainline player characters (as deputies in research). Normal trainers would have little incentive to have more than a B-team, and would probably be too attached to theirs, or not have the care resources to make things any more crowded. Even the various gangs would offhandedly toss out or fence 80% of any heist's haul as not worth the cost to feed compared to their powerhouses.

I'd take a few liberties with the PC storage, personally. The idea that you just leave them in pokéballs or a file somewhere sours on me.

^ Yeah, that's a large part of the reason why I'd prefer dumping the data explanation.

So, if most people don't catch many Pokémon anyways, there's probably not much call for an institutional storage system.

Do we split apart the transfer and box systems, then?

For instance: a system for teleporting Pokéballs long-distance was semi-recently developed by Bill and Lanette, and is being extended throughout the regions by their colleagues.

It sees occasional use by typical trainers, whether to send a requested Pokémon to friends or relatives or to conduct a remote trade. Trainers who do have the time, resources, and home support to train large teams find it allows for more focused training, but they are a visible minority.

The bulk of the system's use is transfers between research facilities; already a Pokémaniac, Bill quickly realized that inexpensive access to Pokémon captured worldwide offered the potential to revolutionize Pokémon studies. A BBS/database was setup, allowing the labs to pool their collections while tracking each Poké's origin in the event its capturer found an attachment to it.

Alternatively, [fill in the blank].

edited 25th Mar '10 6:01:30 PM by Tangent128

In my case, Storage presumably uses a Extended Space system that piggybacks the teleportation systems already existing. Everyone in Storage is let out of their pokeballs into Extended Storage Space, where they get to chill out.

I think each box is a host on a network.