So, two friends of mine like to play together, but our multi-player method could definitely use a little work. In our opinion, Pokemon is really a duel-type game, but we like to all be able to play together at the same time. Typically, we just go counter-clockwise, with these few rules-changes:
1) Poke-check or "in between turns" effects only happen at the beginning and end of the player's turn that they would affect. (For example, if your Pokemon is poisoned, they'll only take damage at the beginning and end of YOUR turn, not in between each of the three players' turns.
2) For the purpose of Self-Destruct type moves, like Geodude (Legend Maker) or Electrode, (Secret Wonders) the player you damage takes the prize.
3) Supporter cards like Team Galactic's Wager or Team Galactic's Mars affect ALL players, so in the case of Wager, two players will get to draw three cards, and the winner still gets to draw six. For Mars, you would pick a card from each of your opponent's hands to put at the bottom of the deck.
4) Attacks that hit all of your opponent's benched Pokemon are directed at one player, but cards that hit ALL Pokemon hit each player's Pokemon.
5) Pokemon that use the attacks of other Pokemon (i.e., Mew, Smeargle, both from Secret Wonders) can use the attacks of all players' Pokemon. (I'm not sure about this one... I think it gets unbalanced and results in us picking off the weak player with a strong player's moves, but we're working on it.
Other odd stuff we handle on a case-by-case basis, mostly.
Does anyone else attempt multi player play? If so, what kinds of things do you do to keep the game fun and exciting? The game dynamic is obviously quite different, since you have to worry about two opponents instead of one, and there's going to be two turns before your next turn... any input is appreciated, thanks!
1) Poke-check or "in between turns" effects only happen at the beginning and end of the player's turn that they would affect. (For example, if your Pokemon is poisoned, they'll only take damage at the beginning and end of YOUR turn, not in between each of the three players' turns.
2) For the purpose of Self-Destruct type moves, like Geodude (Legend Maker) or Electrode, (Secret Wonders) the player you damage takes the prize.
3) Supporter cards like Team Galactic's Wager or Team Galactic's Mars affect ALL players, so in the case of Wager, two players will get to draw three cards, and the winner still gets to draw six. For Mars, you would pick a card from each of your opponent's hands to put at the bottom of the deck.
4) Attacks that hit all of your opponent's benched Pokemon are directed at one player, but cards that hit ALL Pokemon hit each player's Pokemon.
5) Pokemon that use the attacks of other Pokemon (i.e., Mew, Smeargle, both from Secret Wonders) can use the attacks of all players' Pokemon. (I'm not sure about this one... I think it gets unbalanced and results in us picking off the weak player with a strong player's moves, but we're working on it.
Other odd stuff we handle on a case-by-case basis, mostly.
Does anyone else attempt multi player play? If so, what kinds of things do you do to keep the game fun and exciting? The game dynamic is obviously quite different, since you have to worry about two opponents instead of one, and there's going to be two turns before your next turn... any input is appreciated, thanks!