Post by Bulborbs_At_View on Mar 15, 2016 5:34:32 GMT
This topic will cover how to play the game. Be sure to understand this, or you might be taken by surprise by unexpected happenings!
0. Preface
Rumors have it that a faraway uncharted planet has been home to many wondrous treasures. Captains from all over the solar system have made their way there, trying to make a fortune in Pokos. You are one of those Captains. Lured in by the prospect of enrichment, you set off for PNF-404. When there, you find a small colony of captains like yourself. They tell you about Pikmin, helpful creatures that help the captains collect the many treasures of the planet, some of which are far too large to bring back by oneself. You are loaned an onion and some Pikmin to get started, and then you are off!
"Good luck out there! May you find the most wondrous of riches!
But don't forget about your loan..."
1. Creating Your Character!
So, you have registered to this forum and you're ready to dive into the world of PNF-404! But before you do, you'll need to create a character! Head on over to the Captain Registration board, make a topic and create your character based on the template given there. If the file looks good, then I will approve your character registration and give you 5 pikmin of one type to get started! You will receive one of the following:
2. Playing The Game
So, your Captain is approved for the adventure, you have your 5 pikmin... it's time to land and get started!
First off, choose a map that is available. At first, you will only have access to the first few maps, but as you progress, you will be able to reach more areas. Now, once you've picked a map, check to make sure there's a landing base open for you to choose. If the map is open, then post in the topic of the current day and let me know which base you want to land in. Once your ship and onion have landed at your chosen base, it's time to go exploring! But before you do, I should explain how the game works.
2.1. Turn System & Actions
Pikmin X-3 is a turn-based game. This means that each turn, you make an action, and then the world reacts to it. Now, there's a limit to how much you can do in one turn. Generally, you would be able to make 1 or two actions per turn. However, some actions, such as whistling and dismissing Pikmin, are "free actions". This means that you can do that and also make another action too. Now, don't fret too much about whether you're doing too much in a turn or not. If you are, I'll simply have your character make some of the actions you mentioned for the turn, and then you can either keep going with your plan, or change course.
Oh yeah, don't forget to take out your Pikmin from the onion! You can decide to go exploring on your own if you want, but you won't be able to do much without your Pikmin!
2.2. Day System
Every 3 turns, an hour will pass. Each day has 12 hours in it, going from 6AM to 6PM. Just like in the Pikmin games, when the sun sets, you have to head back into the atmosphere to avoid the dangerous nightlife. Also like in the game, Pikmin not with you or close to the base will be lost. Of course, you have the ability to leave the map before then, but gather your Pikmin first, or you will lose them!
2.3. Dice Rolls
Sadly, the real-time nature of Pikmin cannot easily be translated into a turn-based text adventure. Therefore, to simulate the game's hectic vibe, Pikmin X-3 uses dice rolls to determine whether certain actions will succeed or not. They will come up when calculating whether you managed to successfully dodge an attack, when you are trying to save Pikmin from a hazard, and when you attempt a tricky maneuver (say, for example, doing a running toss, or aiming for the eye of a Bulborb). Now I know it sounds like I'm making the game random and undeterministic, but that isn't necessarily true. Strategic actions in battle will increase your likelihood of succeeding/dodging.
In most cases, segments involving a dice roll will allow you to respond to avoid losing Pikmin. For example, if a Red Bulborb manages to snatch up 3 of your Pikmin, you can attack it and if you kill it quickly enough, you can save the Pikmin. But in general, careful and strategic play will increase your odds of not losing Pikmin. Though bad luck streaks do happen... it's a downside of the system, and a downside of the format I'm using.
3. Teams!
Now wait here! Do you hate venturing out into the lonely cosmos? If you do, then you can join up with another user to make a team! Teams can only have 2 people in them (because more would become rather chaotic to manage!), but you will share Pikmin! However, you will split earnings and Pikmin. You will also have to buy upgrades individually. On the plus side, this will allow you to have two heads to work with, and potentially start off with 2 types of Pikmin!
So how does one make this happen? Well, this is a matter that would be best discussed before you submit your character profile for approval. However, as long as the player you wish to team up with hasn't been around way longer than you, I'll usually be nice and allow you to team up, granted that the other person agrees.
4. Roleplaying
Now, what would an RPG be without roleplaying? Of course, I'll allow some freedom in characterizing your character while you explore an area. You can have some flourish text describing your character's thoughts, or how they react to the happenings if you like. Do keep in mind that if the character makes an action that affects the world, then this will count towards your turn instead of the "flourish". So if Carla decides to poke a sleeping Bulborb, then this will count as an actual action, and the Bulborb will probably wake up and try to attack her. Nothing wrong with that, mind you; I just want you to be aware of this little fact.
If you want some more free-form roleplaying, go to the Captain's Colony! This board will allow for more traditional roleplaying, and you'll be able to interact with other players without gameplay getting in your way.
5. Other Rules
Here are some miscellaneous rules that are still pretty important to know.
-Each group (solo or duo) can only have 50 Pikmin out at any given time. This limit can be increased with upgrades.
-If a captain loses all their HP, they will be brought back to the ship, and you will incur a 50 poko electricity bill. If you're in a team, the captain will be out of commission until you leave the map. If all captains in a team are fainted, the ship will automatically leave the area. This will doom all Pikmin not close to the base or to your captain.
-If a player does not post what action they will take within 24 hours (1 day), they will remain idle for that turn or, if a teammate is nearby, will follow them.
-There is no system for Player VS Player implemented at the moment, so you can't attack other Captains or their Pikmin. Yet.
-You cannot buy things at the Shop while you're in a map. You will have to leave the map you're in first.
-It also follows that you cannot be in two maps at once. That goes against the law of conservation of matter, man!
This guide is not 100% complete yet. It is subject to updates. I will make an announcement if/when I update this topic.
-Bulborbs_At_View
0. Preface
Rumors have it that a faraway uncharted planet has been home to many wondrous treasures. Captains from all over the solar system have made their way there, trying to make a fortune in Pokos. You are one of those Captains. Lured in by the prospect of enrichment, you set off for PNF-404. When there, you find a small colony of captains like yourself. They tell you about Pikmin, helpful creatures that help the captains collect the many treasures of the planet, some of which are far too large to bring back by oneself. You are loaned an onion and some Pikmin to get started, and then you are off!
"Good luck out there! May you find the most wondrous of riches!
But don't forget about your loan..."
1. Creating Your Character!
So, you have registered to this forum and you're ready to dive into the world of PNF-404! But before you do, you'll need to create a character! Head on over to the Captain Registration board, make a topic and create your character based on the template given there. If the file looks good, then I will approve your character registration and give you 5 pikmin of one type to get started! You will receive one of the following:
- Red Pikmin
- Yellow Pikmin
- Blue Pikmin
- Rock Pikmin
- Winged Pikmin
2. Playing The Game
So, your Captain is approved for the adventure, you have your 5 pikmin... it's time to land and get started!
First off, choose a map that is available. At first, you will only have access to the first few maps, but as you progress, you will be able to reach more areas. Now, once you've picked a map, check to make sure there's a landing base open for you to choose. If the map is open, then post in the topic of the current day and let me know which base you want to land in. Once your ship and onion have landed at your chosen base, it's time to go exploring! But before you do, I should explain how the game works.
2.1. Turn System & Actions
Pikmin X-3 is a turn-based game. This means that each turn, you make an action, and then the world reacts to it. Now, there's a limit to how much you can do in one turn. Generally, you would be able to make 1 or two actions per turn. However, some actions, such as whistling and dismissing Pikmin, are "free actions". This means that you can do that and also make another action too. Now, don't fret too much about whether you're doing too much in a turn or not. If you are, I'll simply have your character make some of the actions you mentioned for the turn, and then you can either keep going with your plan, or change course.
Oh yeah, don't forget to take out your Pikmin from the onion! You can decide to go exploring on your own if you want, but you won't be able to do much without your Pikmin!
2.2. Day System
Every 3 turns, an hour will pass. Each day has 12 hours in it, going from 6AM to 6PM. Just like in the Pikmin games, when the sun sets, you have to head back into the atmosphere to avoid the dangerous nightlife. Also like in the game, Pikmin not with you or close to the base will be lost. Of course, you have the ability to leave the map before then, but gather your Pikmin first, or you will lose them!
2.3. Dice Rolls
Sadly, the real-time nature of Pikmin cannot easily be translated into a turn-based text adventure. Therefore, to simulate the game's hectic vibe, Pikmin X-3 uses dice rolls to determine whether certain actions will succeed or not. They will come up when calculating whether you managed to successfully dodge an attack, when you are trying to save Pikmin from a hazard, and when you attempt a tricky maneuver (say, for example, doing a running toss, or aiming for the eye of a Bulborb). Now I know it sounds like I'm making the game random and undeterministic, but that isn't necessarily true. Strategic actions in battle will increase your likelihood of succeeding/dodging.
In most cases, segments involving a dice roll will allow you to respond to avoid losing Pikmin. For example, if a Red Bulborb manages to snatch up 3 of your Pikmin, you can attack it and if you kill it quickly enough, you can save the Pikmin. But in general, careful and strategic play will increase your odds of not losing Pikmin. Though bad luck streaks do happen... it's a downside of the system, and a downside of the format I'm using.
3. Teams!
Now wait here! Do you hate venturing out into the lonely cosmos? If you do, then you can join up with another user to make a team! Teams can only have 2 people in them (because more would become rather chaotic to manage!), but you will share Pikmin! However, you will split earnings and Pikmin. You will also have to buy upgrades individually. On the plus side, this will allow you to have two heads to work with, and potentially start off with 2 types of Pikmin!
So how does one make this happen? Well, this is a matter that would be best discussed before you submit your character profile for approval. However, as long as the player you wish to team up with hasn't been around way longer than you, I'll usually be nice and allow you to team up, granted that the other person agrees.
4. Roleplaying
Now, what would an RPG be without roleplaying? Of course, I'll allow some freedom in characterizing your character while you explore an area. You can have some flourish text describing your character's thoughts, or how they react to the happenings if you like. Do keep in mind that if the character makes an action that affects the world, then this will count towards your turn instead of the "flourish". So if Carla decides to poke a sleeping Bulborb, then this will count as an actual action, and the Bulborb will probably wake up and try to attack her. Nothing wrong with that, mind you; I just want you to be aware of this little fact.
If you want some more free-form roleplaying, go to the Captain's Colony! This board will allow for more traditional roleplaying, and you'll be able to interact with other players without gameplay getting in your way.
5. Other Rules
Here are some miscellaneous rules that are still pretty important to know.
-Each group (solo or duo) can only have 50 Pikmin out at any given time. This limit can be increased with upgrades.
-If a captain loses all their HP, they will be brought back to the ship, and you will incur a 50 poko electricity bill. If you're in a team, the captain will be out of commission until you leave the map. If all captains in a team are fainted, the ship will automatically leave the area. This will doom all Pikmin not close to the base or to your captain.
-If a player does not post what action they will take within 24 hours (1 day), they will remain idle for that turn or, if a teammate is nearby, will follow them.
-There is no system for Player VS Player implemented at the moment, so you can't attack other Captains or their Pikmin. Yet.
-You cannot buy things at the Shop while you're in a map. You will have to leave the map you're in first.
-It also follows that you cannot be in two maps at once. That goes against the law of conservation of matter, man!
This guide is not 100% complete yet. It is subject to updates. I will make an announcement if/when I update this topic.
-Bulborbs_At_View