View source for Mystery Dungeon game mechanics

{{cleanup}}
The '''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series mechanics''' differ from those used in the [[core series]] [[Pokémon games]]. The {{g|Mystery Dungeon series}} games are {{wp|dungeon crawl|dungeon-crawlers}} in nature; as a result, some staple elements of the [[Pokémon]] series have been altered or excluded entirely.

==Pokémon==
There are a number of differences between the mechanics of Pokémon in the core games and those of Mystery Dungeon:

===Base stats===
* [[Effort values|Effort values (EVs)]] and [[Individual values|individual values (IVs)]] are not elements of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. Instead, each Pokémon has a set of [[base stats]], which increase by fixed amounts when they [[Level|level up]]. Stats may further increase through the use of [[Gummi]]s, [[health drink]]s, [[Sitrus Berry|Sitrus Berries]], and other items, and may be increased to any arbitrary amount.
* Prior to {{g|Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity}}, each Pokémon has a fixed body size that is represented as a number from 0 to 4. When taking a team into a dungeon, the combined body size of the Pokémon in the team may not exceed a certain amount (at most of any dungeon, 6). Note that certain dungeons may restrict this further, and may also restrict the sheer number of Pokémon allowed in the dungeon.
* {{Stat|Speed}} is no longer regarded as a [[Stats|statistic]]; instead, it affects how many actions the Pokémon can make in a turn, ranging from as fast as ''four moves per turn'' to as slow as ''once every two turns''. A reduction in Speed is considered to be a [[status condition]]. Furthermore, {{type|Ice}} Pokémon will have increased movement speed in snowy weather (a type of [[weather]] which itself is exclusive to Mystery Dungeon and is not to be confused with {{m|Hail}}).
* Stat changes from [[nature]]s do not exist in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon.

===Abilities===
Pokémon with two {{Abilities}} will be shown to have both (instead of just one). In [[Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon]], Pokémon have only one ability, which can be changed at [[Hawlucha's Slam School]] if the player has a Hawlucha Token.

In addition, some Abilities differ from their counterparts in the core series:
* '''Different activation''' - {{a|Trace}} will only activate when hit by an attack, and the copied Ability is randomly chosen, while {{a|Truant}} only activates if a [[Wonder Orb]] or a special move is used.
* '''Minor changes''' - {{a|Torrent}}, {{a|Blaze}}, {{a|Overgrow}}, and {{a|Swarm}} will double the power of {{t|Water}}, {{t|Fire}}, {{t|Grass}}, and {{type|Bug}} moves, respectively, when the user has reached ¼ of their total HP.
* '''Changes to suit environment''' - {{a|Intimidate}} reduces the opposing Pokémon's Attack by 20%, while {{a|Huge Power}} and {{a|Pure Power}} will have a 1/3 chance of dealing 50% more damage.
* '''Entirely changed''' - {{a|Speed Boost}} increases movement speed by one level every 250 turns while {{a|Swift Swim}} and {{a|Chlorophyll}} use the same attack twice in one turn while it is {{Weather|raining}} or {{Weather|Harsh sunlight|sunny}}, respectively.

===Evolution===
Evolution does not occur automatically; instead, it must be manually triggered. Evolution is explained in Story Mode as an effect of the world being in a state of danger. The ability of Pokémon to evolve must be unlocked through the course of Story Mode (in ''Blue Rescue Team'' and ''Red Rescue Team'', {{p|Rayquaza}} must be defeated, while in ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'', the [[Wigglytuff's Guild]] must be defeated). Most notably, evolution does not instantly make a Pokémon stronger, unlike in the core series games.

Because of the different mechanics of Pokémon evolution, certain evolutions have been modified to require particular [[Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items|items]]:
* Pokémon that {{DL|Mystery Dungeon evolutionary items|Link cable|must be traded}} in order to evolve instead require the '''Link Cable'''.
* {{p|Feebas}} requires the '''Beauty Scarf''' to evolve into {{p|Milotic}}.
* Pokémon that require high [[friendship]] to evolve instead require that their '''[[IQ]]''' be sufficiently high (which differs among Pokémon).
* {{p|Magneton}} and {{p|Nosepass}} require the '''Coronet Rock''' to evolve into {{p|Magnezone}} and {{p|Probopass}}, respectively.
* Pokémon that evolve in the daytime instead require the '''Sun Ribbon'''.
* Pokémon that evolve at night instead require the '''Lunar Ribbon'''.
* {{p|Eevee}} requires a '''Mossy Rock''' to evolve into {{p|Leafeon}} or an '''Icy Rock''' to evolve into {{p|Glaceon}}.

===Attacks===
All Pokémon have standard attacks (because of this, {{p|Shedinja}} may have more than one HP). Their regular attack does not expend PP when used, unlike other attacks. Pokémon may have four special attacks in addition to their regular attack. Special attacks may be linked together, wherein the linked moves are done in succession (in which case one PP is taken from each move).
* Some attacks that do specific HP damage (like {{m|SonicBoom}}) have different set HP.
* Prior to {{g|Super Mystery Dungeon}}, {{m|Transform}} only changes the form of the user, not their moves.
* {{m|Selfdestruct}} and {{m|Explosion}} will not necessarily knock out the user of the move. Instead, any team Pokémon within range (one tile for Selfdestruct, two for Explosion) will have their maximum HP cut in half, and any opposing Pokémon within range will receive 40 damage for Selfdestruct and 80 for Explosion. Note that {{type|Fire}}s will receive only half damage from these moves. Any items within range are destroyed, and any wall tiles in range are converted to floor tiles.
There are two attacks specific to the Mystery Dungeon series: {{m|Wide Slash}} and {{m|Vacuum-Cut}}. No Pokémon learn either naturally, but all Pokémon that can use [[TM]]s can learn them through TM.

In addition to the moves it learns, certain tactics are available to the team leader in order to direct its teammates, which are determined by the team leader's level.

The moves available to be relearned at the {{DL|Pokémon Square|Gulpin Link Shop}} in ''Blue Rescue Team'' and ''Red Rescue Team'' and the {{DL|Treasure Town|Electivire Link Shop}} in ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'' are greatly expanded when compared to the [[Move Reminder]]s in the core series games. Pokémon may also relearn moves from its previous forms up to the level in which evolution was performed.

===Recruitment===
{{main|Recruitment}}
Instead of capturing Pokémon (as in the core series games), Pokémon may be recruited to the player's team. Recruitment rates are different for each Pokémon and can be increased by factors such as the level of the team leader and any items being held. Some dungeons may prevent recruitment while some Pokémon must be recruited by special means.

===Miscellaneous===
The Mystery Dungeon series introduced Level 1 Pokémon, an aspect which wasn't introduced until [[Generation IV]] of the core series. This may occur for wild Pokémon or guest Pokémon, and in the sequels, new Pokémon who ask to join after a mission is done. Evolved Pokémon may also be encountered at lower levels than those at which they would have evolved.

Most {{type|Ghost}} Pokémon, as well as {{p|Darkrai}}, can walk through wall tiles. While on a wall tile, they cannot be attacked but can attack their foes. However, their belly empties at a rate of 5 per step.

In the Mystery Dungeon series, the player's [[party]] size is limited to four Pokémon at a time, instead of the standard six.

==Status conditions==
{{main|Status ailments in Mystery Dungeon}}
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon introduced its own series of [[status condition]]s, of which any number may occur at once. These range from the {{DL|Status condition|Non-volatile status|conventional statuses}} (Paralysis, Poison, etc.) to "{{DL|Status condition|Volatile status|pseudo-statuses}}" (Confusion, Attraction, Flinching (here called Cringing), etc.).  Statuses may be inflicted to account for two-turn attacks (i.e. {{m|SolarBeam}} or {{m|Sky Attack}}), low-priority moves (i.e. {{m|Counter}}, {{m|Endure}}, or {{m|Vital Throw}}), or moves whose effects last multiple turns ({{m|Mist}}, {{m|Safeguard}}, {{m|Charge}}, {{m|Perish Song}}, {{m|Taunt}}, {{m|Encore}}, etc.).
* Duration of status conditions may also differ between Mystery Dungeon and the core series; most notable is that Paralysis, Leg Hold (affected from {{a|Arena Trap}} or {{a|Magnet Pull}}), and most other statuses are '''temporary'''. Burn and Poison remain permanent, however. In addition, Pokémon may be affected with both Sleep and Paralysis, and (much like in the {{Trading Card Game}}) other status ailments may replace previous ones. For instance, a Poisoned Pokémon may become Paralyzed instead.
* Pokémon will never attack themselves while Confused. However, they may move or attack in a '''random direction''' (including hitting teammates). Note that Confusion ''does not'' affect thrown items.

==Damage==
{{main|Damage modification (Mystery Dungeon)}}
* {{DL|Damage modification|Type effectiveness}} has been greatly changed: 
**"'''Super effective'''" attacks will only deal 1.4× damage instead of 2× damage as in the core games. 
**Attacks that are "'''not very effective'''" will deal 0.7× damage instead of 0.5× as in the core games. 
**Attacks to which the attacked Pokémon is "'''immune'''" (called "'''ineffective attacks'''" here) deal 0.5× damage instead of no damage as in the core games. However, as in the core games, Pokémon may be immune to certain status conditions based on its type (for example, {{p|Arbok}} remains immune to {{m|Toxic}}). Note that the effects of Abilities remain unchanged (for example, {{type|Ground}} attacks still have no effect against Pokémon who can {{a|Levitate}}).
* The damage bonus that [[critical hit]]s provide is only 1.5× instead of 2× in the core games prior to Generation VI.
* Each move has an inherent Critical Hit rate, which may be modified with items (such as the Scope Lens) or IQ abilities (like Type-Advantage Master). The use of {{m|Focus Energy}} ensures that special attacks used within a few turns become Critical Hits.

====Experience====
* Defeating a Pokémon using at least one special move will net twice as much experience. Note that an opposing Pokémon using moves on itself counts towards receiving the experience bonus, but using special moves that miss the opponent (or that hit, but do no damage) does not.
* Defeating a Pokémon using linked moves will net 50% more experience.
* If an enemy were to faint by means other than the [[party]] attacking it (such as by the effects of a {{Weather|sandstorm}}), the members of the party will '''not''' gain experience points.
* All Pokémon in the party gain experience whether or not they attack the opponent.
* In Gates To Infinity, all Pokémon on the player's team will receive experience, regardless of whether or not they were in the party that entered the dungeon.

==Items==
Held {{Berries}} take one turn to consume (which must be done manually in many cases), as opposed to being consumed automatically in the same turn that they are needed.

The {{b|Oran}} and {{b|Sitrus}} {{Berries}} play slightly different roles. The Oran Berry heals 100 HP (rather than 10 in the core series), while the Sitrus Berry heals '''all''' HP (rather than only 30 HP or ¼ of the Pokémon's total HP in the core series). 
* Sitrus Berries can also increase the player's total HP by 2 points if consumed at full health.

The element of hunger and IQ led to the adoption of the concepts of {{OBP|Food|Mystery Dungeon}} and [[Gummi]]s, respectively. The only human-made items present that are also present in the core series games are [[Max Elixir]]s and [[TM]]s. Other items include [[Wonder Orb]]s and [[Scarf (Mystery Dungeon)|Scarves]].

In addition, any Pokémon can hold any item.

===Throwing items===
{{main|Throwing item}}
Much like in the [[Safari Zone]] of the core series games, where the player is able to toss Bait or throw a Rock (or Mud) at Pokémon, throwing items in Mystery Dungeon deals damage. The player is able to stock up to 99 units of a throwing item in a single item space in contrast to other items, where multiple items take up multiple spaces in the item list. 
* This does not apply to Unown Stones.

===Looplets and Emeras===
In [[Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon]], a new class of held items were introduced. Looplets are items to be held by a Pokémon which can boost certain stats, protect from status and weather, or other effects. In addition, each Looplet has a certain number of slots to equip Emeras onto. Emeras are items which can be found scattered around dungeons. They can be used to temporarily boost a particular stat for the duration of the dungeon, or equipped onto a Looplet for various effects. Emera effects can include boosting attack power, adding a chance to inflict status effects, or allowing the user to see all enemy Pokémon or items on the floor. All effects and stat boosts from Emeras disappear upon leaving the dungeon.
* The Awakening Emera will enable certain Pokémon to Mega Evolve when equipped.

{{-}}
{{Project Sidegames notice}}

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[Category:Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]]