Pokémon Champions: The Pokédex has been a staple of the Pokémon games for years. Ever since the advent of the game, filling the Pokédex has been a key element of the experience, whether you were seeking out new areas, collecting wild Pokémon or finishing your list. But that’s not the case with Pokémon Champions.
A Completely Different Kind of Pokédex
While certainly different to the previous Pokémon titles, Pokémon Champions isn’t about exploring towns, routes, forests, or caves to find new Pokémon. Instead, the game’s main objective is competitive battling.
This change means that the Pokédex is used for a completely different purpose. However, instead of logging all of the Pokémons you catch, it only logs the Pokémon you can use in battle.
This design will enable players to concentrate more on strategy and less on spending hours trying to find certain Pokémon in the game. This streamlined system seems to be more efficient for competitive players.
Are there traditional Pokédexes?
The answer is that there is no simple answer. Unlike many of the previous games, Pokémon Champions doesn’t have a Pokémondex system like many have known and loved before.
In previous Pokémon games, it was the completion of the Pokédex that meant:
- Exploring every region.
- Collecting hundreds of Pok
- Playing with other players.
- Achieving a long-term collection target.
With Pokémon Champions, it’s not required at all.
The players don’t have to catch them all, but it isn’t about who wins; it’s about forming great teams, knowing the battle mechanics, and making intelligent tactical choices.
This means that the Pokédex will not be used as a collection log anymore, but rather as a gameplay management system.
How Pokémon Are Tracked
Because there is no gameplay element to catching Pokémon, Pokémon Champions keeps a record of your collection differently. The system documents what Pokémon are in your account.
This list updates automatically as your roster expands, and can help you quickly see what Pokémon you can use when putting together a team. This can have several benefits.
Players don’t have to look at a long list of captured Pokémon that they may never battle with, just those that are available in competitive battle. This creates a smoother, more structured game, with only the gameplay itself at the forefront.
Pokémon HOME Plays a Major Role
The biggest difference between Pokémon Champions is the significance of Pokémon HOME. Players can transfer their eligible Pokémon from Pokémon HOME to Pokémon Champions, instead of catching them in the game.
This will make it more of an enjoyable game for those who already have a large collection of Pokémon. Existing Pokémon are available almost instantly, rather than having to be created from scratch.
Ultimately, Pokémon HOME acts as a gateway between different Pokémon titles, allowing players to jump into a beloved Pokémon without having to wait for another long period to gather them. This also helps encourage players to continue to utilise Pokémon they have trained and developed in previous adventures.
How to use a recruitment system
In addition to Pokémon HOME, Pokémon Champions also launches a new in-game Recruitment System. This provides another way to increase your Pokémon roster.
Players don’t catch Pokémon in the wild, but unlock more Pokémon by using in-game resources they acquired during gameplay.
The recruitment list is similar to a modern Pokédex, and identifies the following:
- The list of available Pokémon
- What Pokémon can be recruited
- The Pokémon that you already have unlocked
This system ensures that players always know which options are available to them when they make preparations for battle.
Dynamic Updates Keep the Pokédex Fresh
As opposed to the “tower defence” style of most Pokémon games, where the Pokédex barely changes since release, Pokémon Champions is based on a “live-service” model.
This also means that Pokémon can be added over time.
The following elements can be added as regular updates:
- New Pokémon
- Seasonal rotations
- Limited-time availability
- Balance adjustments
- New battle strategies
The dynamic approach helps maintain the excitement of competition, and players can evolve their teams to meet the changing nature of the game.
Rather than filling in the Pokédex once and then never looking back, players will always find themselves with more and more chances to enhance their teams.
Trial Pokémon Add More Flexibility
Trial Pokémon are another interesting aspect linked with the Recruit System. These temporary Pokémon let players play with them before deciding to unlock them permanently.
This benefits several ways. Players may preview a Pokémon’s abilities, moves and battle capabilities before spending resources.
This means that team building is less of a guess and more of a strategy. This is a particularly useful feature for competitive gamers, as it allows them to try out various playstyles.
Why This System Works Well for Competitive Players
The redesigned Pokédex fits the overall theme of Pokémon Champions. This game is not about getting items in the box; it’s about being ready and thinking strategically.
Players spend less time grinding and more time:
- Building competitive teams.
- Experimenting with various combinations of Pokémon.
- Learning battle mechanics.
- Adjusting to changes in the software.
This way it feels more like we are making progress, but there is still competition, and it is still exciting! Even new players can put together strong teams easily, without hours of playing to fill the standard Pokédex.
Will the Pokédex keep growing?
Yes. With continuous support for Pokémon Champions, it is likely that the Pokédex will continue to grow with future updates, making it a valuable tool for fans of the franchise. The roster will continue to expand with the introduction of new Pokémon via live-service content.
There may be future updates that include the following:
- New recruitment options.
- More Pokémon HOME support.
- Seasonal events.
- New competitive formats.
- Gameplay balance changes.
This will ensure that players have new Pokémon to try out and new strategies to try out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, Pokémon Champions does have a “traditional” Pokédex.
No. The game’s gameplay is based on the Pokémon available to compete in the game rather than the traditional Pokémon collection-based Pokédex.
Yes, you can battle and catch Pokémon in Pokémon Champions.
It is not part of the game that you’ll be able to catch wild Pokémon.
In Pokémon Champions, how do you get Pokémon?
Players interact with Pokémon mainly via the Pokémon HOME transfers and Pokémon’s Recruitment System.
Do you have to complete the Pokédex?
No. Unlike many other Pokémon games, there’s no need to get your hands on a traditional Pokédex in Pokémon Champions.
Will more of these Pokémon be released upon launch?
Yes. The game is anticipated to be updated on a frequent basis, with more Pokémon and new additions added in.
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is based on official information, previews and any information released publicly about Pokémon Champions at the time of writing. The gameplay systems, Pokémon availability, Pokémon HOME compatibility, recruitment mechanics and Pokédex features may change as the game receives updates or with official news.
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