contest how-to!

[Anrui Staff]

Introduction

What are contests? They're a lot like battles, but instead of focusing on simply pummeling your opponent, its about using your pokemon's unique personality, abilities, and moves in order to fit a certain criteria depending on the hall. For example, in Ichigo's hall, a pokemon that is generally cute would be awarded more points, but I'll get to that later. If you have a character that is more creative, or simply isn't as well suited to battling, contests can be a great way to experiment, move them forward in role play, and just have fun! However, a character doesn't have to do either contests or gyms. They can do both, each giving a different reward! When doing a contest however, keep in mind that you should be trying your very best, and its not about totally overpowering your opponents, its about showing them up! Keep in mind however, that contests are completely Plasma run, and as such neutral and resistance members will have to buy a fake-id in order to participate (usually they are a small fraction of the cost you would receive for winning, so don't worry!)

Rules

Each contest hall will be a bit different, but there are a few general rules and guidelines.

- Generally, the battle is 1 v. 1 (though depending on the hall or circumstances this can change)

- You are given 5 posts to showcase your pokemon

- No items (unless meant to boost appearances ex.: seals on pokeballs)

Guidelines

At the end of the battle, the battle will be judged by a different s-mod/admin so that it isn't biased. The battle/your pokemon will be judged on a variety of things:

1. The way they look and act must fit the theme of the contest hall. A geodude using rock smash wouldn't do very well in Ichigo's hall, which is all about being cute, but deadly! Likewise, an eevee would look weird in a hall about mystery and darkness. This could be boosted by outfitting your pokemon's pokeballs with seals!

2. The quality of your posts. Be creative! Don't rush through these posts! We want to see you put a lot of effort in. If it was just about making the opponent faint, then it would be just like a gym battle. Use the moves to make things pretty, to block/negate the enemy moves, or to just be theatrical.

3. The battle itself. We take into mind how the battle went. If your pokemon were underleveled and just got beat up they won't do so well. Like wise, if they were super over leveled and ended the battle early by dominating, they won't be as well liked because they didn't put on a good show. Generally, you can switch to another pokemon in case yours faints (bonus if the fainting is dramatic) or simply change in general. However this is frowned upon because its just a little bit awkward in most cases. The battle should flow together!

Example Battle
(using only 2 rounds)

This is an example of if a trainer battled against Ichigo (this is simplified! use more detail in the actual battle!)

Trainer A will be using a cute wooper they found in Hyo! It is level 9 and knows water gun, tail whip, mud sport, mud shot, and round.

Ichigo-chan will be using Kaki-tan a vanillite! It is level 8 and knows icicle spear, harden, astonish, flash cannon, and magnet rise.

The battle begins! Trainer A sends out their wooper, which wiggles happily, smiling cutely. They used a seal, and it causes little hearts to explode around their wooper! It really seems to love attention, as it makes faces at where the cameras broadcast the contest. Ichigo is ready for battle too, wearing her cute dress, and she strikes a pose like she was in sailor moon. Kaki-tan, the vanillite winks and the arena fills with the scent of sweets!

Trainer A starts out with having wooper use tail whip, wiggling its butt cutely to throw off Kaki-tan. It uses water gun to create a wet stream on the ground and runs forward to slide along on its belly, kicking it feet and giggling. As it jets by, it aims the water at Kaki-tan.

Ichigo-chan strikes another pose, before ordering Kaki-tan to use flash cannon and harden! The harden makes Kaki-chan glow white, and it strikes out with flash cannon before the water could hit! It electrocutes the water and creates a dazzling display, during which the pokemon does a flip, ending with a synchronized wink with Ichigo.

Trainer A knows they need to step up their game, and they order their wooper to jump up! It does, doing a little roll forward. It twirls to face the vanillite again, opening its mouth. It shuffles from foot to foot before starting to sing! With another spin, it sends a small blast of white energy sailing towards Kaki-tan!

Kaki-tan is hit! However, it uses the opportunity to create a few winning tears, rubbing its face with its tiny hands before glancing at the camera, pouting. However, it isn't down for long, and it begins to wave its hands, producing a beautifully sculpted wand. It waves it around for a bit, and Ichigo matches the movements before striking another pose. The ice type hurtles the sharpened wand down at the wooper!

A battle like this, if it ends pretty evenly, would more than likely end up with the challenger earning their ribbon! It is not a requirement to over power the contest leader. It is about using the moves in accordance with the contests' themes!

[Anrui Staff]

Appeals

Contests are regularly televised events in Anrui. As such, Contest Leaders are known and either loved or hated among the citizens of Anrui. Familiarity with these idols is common for normal, everyday civilians to have, in the same way that one has at least heard of celebrities through headlines. Their fanbases generally tend to be loyal, all idolizing and looking up to their favorite star.

And then, there's your character. A challenger who dares to step foot on the same stage and compare themselves to the region's beloved Contest Leaders. Their fanbases have been following them and fawning over them for years - how on Earth would anybody root for your character, an unknown outlier in a world of stardom?

This is where Appeals come in.

How Appeals Work

In your starting post, before every contest, your character will get the chance to show the audience who they and their Pokemon are. You have the opportunity to write a single long and detailed post of your character's routine with their Pokemon, attempting to be as flashy and memorable as possible. What does your character want to show others as a representation of them and their Pokemon? Perhaps they like to dance or sing, and do a synchronized choreography with their Pokemon? Perhaps they're a magician who enlists the help of their Pokemon to perform feats and illusions like never before seen? Perhaps they're a storyteller, and their Pokemon play lovable characters? Perhaps your character has an affinity for ice types, and uses their Pokemon to freeze a section on stage to ice skate with their team? The options are endless - the only requirement is that it showcases and presents your character and their Pokemon in an appealing manner. The goal for them is to appeal to the audience to gain their favor.

While Appeals are entirely optional, it's highly recommended to do them, for having a fanbase comes with its perks. For starters, the Contest Leaders tend to do Appeals, so choosing to opt out of them will leave you at a disadvantage. Appeals are also a way to put those hard-earned Accessories and Seals to work, showcasing them in a glorious entrance that dazzles the audience before the battle! The most bountiful reward, however, will be obtained directly from the audience themselves.

Scoring

Appeals are scored on a 1 to 3 star system. The scoring is determined by how many of the following marks your Appeal hits:

- Flair. This includes any Accessories and Seals used, as well as how generally flashy your Appeal was! Flashy moves and matching the general theme of the contest will go far towards this.

- Synergy. This is awarded based on how well that your character and their Pokemon work together. This includes if they dress well in complementary or matching outfits, how well the Pokemon obey your character's commands, as well as general cooperation and strategy. Let the audience see the bond that your character and their Pokemon have.

- Quality. The overall quality of your post. This will be determined by how well you describe what's happening and make the readers feel the performance of your character. Using descriptive wording and pacing will help you here!

Rewards

For every star you earn in your score - a maximum of 3 - you'll be randomly generated a reward. Rewards can include the following:

- The Contest Leader's Pokemon are feeling lethargic that day and not performing at their very best

- Accessories or Contest-exclusive berries to use for your next Contest

- Getting to start off with 2 attacking moves because your Pokemon were so fired up from the audience cheering for them

- Getting to start off the battle with a random Battle Item (such as a Guard Spec or a berry) because an audience member threw it on stage for you to use

If you manage to hit all 3 stars in your Appeal, then both you and the Contest Leader's Pokemon will be taken aback by the excessive noise of screaming and clapping. In this case, for every turn, there will be a 10% chance of each Pokemon - both yours and the Contest Leader's - flinching and being unable to attack that turn.

If you manage to hit all 3 stars of your Appeal, however, you will also granted double levels and hearts at the end of the battle due to how inspired your Pokemon were from the cheering!

Conclusion

In short, Appeals can be tricky, but are very worth trying for. Have your character strategically plan and practice with their Pokemon to showcase their talents and highlight their individual strengths, and then turn the tide in your favor by putting on an unforgettable show! Good luck out there!