View source for User:N. Harmonik/Mandatory Party Pokémon

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A '''Mandatory Party Pokémon''' is a specific {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} that is mandatory to be in the party in certain events in the games. Frequently, this applies early in games when the player has only their [[first partner Pokémon]] and has not yet been given the ability to acquire other Pokémon or access [[Trade|trading]] or [[Pokémon Storage System|storage]] functionality. However, there are occasionally certain other scenarios in which this concept may apply. From XY onward, it is ensured that the player's storage can't legally be full when a mandatory catch comes by making sure the final box stays locked until the moment the player catches it so there's always a place to put it.

==Generation V==
At the climax of {{game|Black and White|s}}, inside [[N's Castle]], {{p|Reshiram}}{{sup/5|Bl}}/{{p|Zekrom}}{{sup/5|W}} will appear in front of the {{player}} and challenge them. The player ''must'' capture it to proceed to the final confrontation with [[N]]. The only exception occurs if the player has a full party, and a completely filled {{pkmn|Storage System}} (a total of 726 individual Pokémon). In this case, Reshiram{{sup/5|Bl}}/Zekrom{{sup/5|W}} will reappear at the peak of [[Dragonspiral Tower]] after defeating N and [[Ghetsis]].

==Generation VI==
In [[Pokémon X and Y]], after battling [[Korrina]] at the Gym, she will immediately invite the player to a rematch atop the [[Tower of Mastery]]. There, the {{p|Lucario}} that had become close to the player temporarily joins their team, and the two have a one-on-one battle, using just their Lucario, both holding a [[Lucarionite]]. Win or lose, the player has the option of getting the Lucario that joined them for the battle.

In the player's final confrontation with [[Team Flare]] at their [[Team Flare Secret HQ|secret headquarters]] in [[Geosenge Town]], {{p|Xerneas}}{{sup/6|X}} or {{p|Yveltal}}{{sup/6|Y}} will be awakened and attack the player. Similar to {{p|Reshiram}} and {{p|Zekrom}} in {{2v2|Black|White}}, the player ''must'' capture it to proceed to the final confrontation with [[Lysandre]]; If it is defeated, it will instantly respawn. The only exception occurs if the player has a full party, and a completely filled {{pkmn|Storage System}} (a total of 726 individual Pokémon). If the player's party is full, the player will have the chance to send one of their Pokémon to the PC to make room for the Legendary Pokémon. Xerneas or Yveltal is forced to move to the front of the party if there is room for it upon capture, but if the player already has a full team, they can choose to send it to the PC in which case, it's not forced to be in the party.

In [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]], {{p|Rayquaza}} will insist on being in the party upon being captured and will then battle [[Zinnia]], then {{p|Deoxys}}. If the player used hacks to fill up the locked box, the game will teach Dragon Ascent to a Pokémon other than Rayquaza.

==Generation VIII==
In the [[Pokémon Sword and Shield]] expansion pack, after completing all three trials, the player will receive a {{p|Kubfu}} from [[Mustard]]. The player is then tasked with training at either the Tower of Darkness or the Tower of Waters with Kubfu alone. Completing its training will cause it to evolve into {{p|Urshifu}} in either its {{2t|Fighting|Dark}} Single Strike Style or {{2t|Fighting|Water}} Rapid Strike Style, depending on the place it trained.

In [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]], it is necessary to have the {{p|Dialga}} or {{p|Palkia}} the player caught at [[Spear Pillar]] in the party in order to leave [[Jubilife Village]] to battle its counterpart. 

[[Category:Game mechanics]]