I’m considering implementing the Innate Abilities plugin for my fangame.
My reason for that is I think there’s a lot of potential for more interesting gameplay dynamics, make many rarely-used Pokémon more viable without having to alter their stats, and give them a lot more personality. Obviously, that would require me to make a lot more custom Abilities, but I don’t plan to make too many that are game-changing, like in Elite Redux. A lot of them would be alternate versions of the ones that already exist (eg. Moxie but for SpA, Aerilate but for all the other types, etc.)
However, I’m wondering if this is too complicated for the player. I don’t want to change my game too much from the Pokémon formula and/or bloat it with mechanics (in terms of gimmicks, I’m only strongly considering Tera and Megas, and possibly my own fusion mechanic), and I’m worried that each Pokémon having 2 or 3 abilities at the same time would be too complicated.
To those who use Innates on their fangame, how are you making it work so far? And to those who are strangers to the idea, how does a Pokémon game with multiple abilities sound like to you? Enticing? Intimidating? Thanks!
I'm not quite a stranger to the concept, but personally I enjoy passives and other things that add layers to the content. If I were you I'd really try to look at the big picture of where I'd think bloat might come in and adjust accordingly. Also remember that redux is popular for a reason! Some of us enjoy added complexity. But obviously you're the one who knows what's right for your project.
If you make the multiple abilities simpler (maybe have a "main" ability and simplier "sub" abilities? actives and passives?), and if they can be inferred by the design of the Pokemon, it could minimize the confusion or fatigue of having several abilities.
In any case, it still is complexity being added to the game and its mechanics, so you and the players wanting to play your fangame will just have to accept the complexity that comes with these innate abilities.
If you are adding gimmicks like Tera, I would refrain from adding "additional type" abilities like those in Elite Redux, or other type changing abilities outside of existing ones (Type changing abilites and moves do not work while Tera'd in the main series games), as it'll overlap or overshadow Tera's gimmick. (Like imagine being dual or triple typed while Tera'd)
Having Tera in there is a whole balancing act but I feel like I need it for my plot, since it’s all about adaptation and Megas and Teras are the most interesting gimmicks to me. But I’m worried all this bloat would still push players away and it won’t “feel like Pokemon”
Pokemon have only one ability active for a reason, if they could use all their abilities it would be Broken. so if you ever do that, i'd recommend adding minor sub-abilities that doens't make even a wild battle unfair (say like, a wild pokemon with a ability that nulifies its weakness, another one that changes the Fied to power up its damage and another that buff its speed every turn on the same battle).
maybe something like, keep its possible 3 abilities and hidden ability intact, and just add minor ones that do like, buff its damage or defense for a certain amount, change its typing, set a trap on entering the field, etc. not anything that can be game breaking, unless you want to give such power to mythicals and legendarys to be killing machines
Yeah, I’m definitely considering implementing abilities with more minor effects like situational immunity to very specific things like certain status conditions or move categories, weather/terrain dependent boosts, etc. A lot of those get overshadowed by the competitive-relevant abilities
I was also thinking of spacing them far out by levels, something like first innate at Lv15, second at Lv30, last at Lv60 and the amount of Innates a mon gets depends on their BST and evolution stages. But it’s a lot of work to balance it all out heh For mythicals and legendaries I’m actually considering only giving them 1 or 2 or even not at all. Depends