#region overview

[pkmnirl]

Region Overview : Alola

Alola is far off region with no known neighbors. It consists of four main islands: Melemele Island, Akala Island, Ula'ula Island, and Poni Island with the artificial island of the Aether Paradise in the center. Each island has its own unique quirks and the terrain varies from island to island. Some of these environments include mountains, grasslands, lagoons, waterfalls, craggy cliffs, an active volcano, a desert, and a rainforest, among others. The general climate of Alola is warmer and more tropical than most other regions.

Alola is known for its culture, which sets it apart from many other regions that share a general structure, especially when it comes to their pokemon leagues. Instead of the typical league Alola has what is known as the island challenge for trainers to participate in. Instead of using what in other regions are known as HMs, Alola has a system of ride pokemon that are called in to assist trainers with traversing difficult terrain or removing obstacles.

Rather than a professor offering first partner pokemon to trainers each island kahuna does this job instead. A common selection includes Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio, though others such as Alolan Meowth are offered. The professors of the region include Professor Kukui, Professor Burnet, and Samson Oak. The island kahuna include Hala, Olivia, Nanu, and Hapu.

Each island is said to be guarded by a legendary pokemon known as the guardian deities. These include Tapu Koko on Melemele Island, Tapu Lele on Akala Island, Tapu Bulu on Ula'ula Island, and Tapu Fini on Poni Island.

The main villainous teams here include Team Skull, the Aether Foundation, and Team Rainbow Rocket, an offshoot of Team Rocket. Whether these groups are still active is up to you.

Alola is a great choice for characters that either live entirely on one specific island or that love to travel by boat to the other islands. It is a region with its own unique cultural traditions that set it apart from the typical formula for pokemon regions. There's a great deal more I could write about Alola's individual islands, but these overviews are meant to keep things brief. I recommend reading the Bulbapedia pages for more info on this one, even more so than some of my other guides.

[kaliogames]

Region Overview: Mojala

Mojala has always been a bit of a misty dark forest where the wildlife hasn’t been the most pleasant, and there’s more to meet to eye than any first glance will show. Mojala is a quiet northern land, where the forests crowd the many cities of of the region. Between the cold and the darkness, most of Mojala is quiet with the sounds of the snow crunching beneath one’s feet, and the gentle breeze…

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[pkmnirl]

Region Overview : Sinnoh

Sinnoh is a region to the north of Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn, formerly known as Hisui. The region has one central landmass along with several islands, including Newmoon Island, Fullmoon Island, and Iron Island. The largest island besides the mainland is the Battle Zone island. Sinnoh's Elite Four is located on its own island, known in the anime as Lily of the Valley Island.

The mainland is divided in two by a massive mountain range that cuts through the region, including Mt. Coronet, the tallest mountain that we currently know of in the pokemon world. The climate of Sinnoh is generally colder than the other regions, with some mountains in the region maintaining snow a majority of the year. There are also areas of warmer coastland, humid marshes, and locations of volcanic activity.

The professor of this region is Professor Rowan, who specializes in pokemon evolution. When receiving a first partner pokemon from the professor, trainers are commonly given the choice between Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup.

Along with battling, Sinnoh is also home to Pokemon Super Contests which take place in many major cities such as Hearthome City. In the anime there is also the inclusion of a sport known as Pokemon Baccer that includes several teams named after locations in the Sinnoh region, implying there's a league there.

This region is the main base of operations for Team Galactic, an evil team utilizing the deity pokemon of the region, Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina to achieve their goals. It is up to you whether this team is still active or if they've been defeated.

Sinnoh similar to Johto is a good fit for characters who might be focused around the region's history, but with a much colder and more mountainous environment. It's also a good region for sports and contests.

Hisui

Hisui was the name of the region during the period of the Galaxy Team settling into the area. Many of the towns and cities in the region came from existing settlements in the area or were built up later by settlers to the region. The climate of the region seems largely the same as in the present day. There are two major groups that live in Hisui before the Galaxy Team arrive, the Diamond and Pearl clans. The Ginkgo Guild are a group of traveling merchants that have settled into the area as well.

While not having a pokemon professor in the traditional sense, Professor Laventon is a pokemon professor setting out to complete the first ever pokedex. In the game he offers the player a choice between Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott as their first pokemon.

To have a character based here is to have a character that does not exist in the canon timeline of any other game outside of currently Legends Arceus. Or you can have a character from here that somehow was transported to the modern day. Either way this has drastic effects on how a character may be played, so choose wisely.

[pkmnirl]

Region Overview : Kalos

Kalos is a region located near Galar and Paldea bordered by a mountain range to the east and south and an ocean to the west and northwest. The region is split into three parts: Coastal Kalos, Central Kalos, and Mountain Kalos.

Kalos has a well documented history, including a rather strained relationship with Galar and at least one major war that we know about. Old castles and châteaus dot the landscape in the more rural areas such as Camphrier Town and the major cities include museums with a wealth of information about Kalos' past.

Compared to a region like Hoenn the environments are much less varied. There's grasslands, forests, rivers, coastal areas with beaches and rocky shores, mountains, and some snow in the higher elevations. There are some unique locations such as Reflection Cave with its mirror-like cave walls.

The region's professor was previously Professor Sycamore, though in recent years it seems he has resigned with Mable serving as the acting director of the Pokemon Research Lab in Lumiose City. When receiving a first partner pokemon from a professor, trainers are given the option between Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie with secondary partner pokemon of Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle sometimes offered later. Popular Lumiose first partner pokemon also include Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile.

The villainous team that once controlled the region was Team Flare, which has since splintered off into several other groups including Team Flare Nouveau. Whether Team Flare is still active in some capacity is up to you.

Kalos is a good pick if you want a character to live in one of the largest and most fleshed out cities we currently have in the pokemon world, or perhaps you prefer the quiet Kalosian countryside with its rich history and peaceful atmosphere. This region has also gone through some of the most drastic changes in recent years, with a confirmed 7 year time skip from the original games. Lumiose City itself has the most drastic of these changes with the introduction of things like the Z-A Royale and the wild zones.

[pkmnirl]

Region Overview : Unova

Unova is a region with no known neighbors. Two large rivers split the region into three with a total of five bridges connecting the various parts of Unova to one another. Unova has a wide variety of environments with forests, rivers, beaches, mountains, and even a desert sandwiched between the major cities of Nimbasa City and Castelia City.

The region has a mix of urban and rural areas, making it a well rounded region for those looking for either. The weather varies from season to season, meaning that locations may look drastically different depending on the time of year.

The main professor of the Unova region is Professor Juniper. If a trainer receives their first partner pokemon from the professor, the most common choices are between Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott.

The region is the home of Team Plasma, a villainous team that claims to wish to "liberate" all pokemon from their trainers. Whether this group is still active is up to you, especially given that they later splinter off into a group that legitimately cares for the well-being of pokemon, and a group loyal to their leader Ghetsis above all else.

Despite the challenges posed by Team Plasma, battling is still the most popular sport in the region. In the anime there is also the inclusion of a sport known as Pokemon Baccer with a team based in Nimbasa. It is unclear if there is a larger league present in the region. Unova is also shown to have stadiums and tennis courts which seem to suggest a region that is invested in non-pokemon sports as well.

The region of Unova is a rather balanced choice when it comes to a place to base a character. It's a popular choice due to its inspiration being the United States and more specifically the New York City area, meaning American fans find it familiar and easy to write in.

Blueberry Academy

Blueberry Academy is an offshore battle academy in the Unova region. The school has an artificial environment, known as the Terarium built entirely underground and includes a snowy area, a beach, a savannah, and a craggy mountain habitat for wild pokemon bred by the staff of the academy to live in. Trainers are free to catch and train these pokemon as well as use the space for battling.

The school has a variety of clubs that students can participate in, though the one we see the most of is the battling club which has its own Elite Four.

There are no known first partner pokemon associated with the Blueberry Academy, likely because of his status as a battle academy implying that you must already have pokemon to enroll. There's also no current mention of an overseeing professor.

[pkmnirl]

Region Overview : Hoenn

Hoenn is a region located to the southwest of Kanto and Johto and south of Sinnoh. This region is known for having a great deal of water, with some areas being impossible to traverse without either a boat or a surfing pokemon. It is known for its extreme weather conditions, with both its heavy rainfall and desert sandstorms depending on where you are in the region.

Hoenn has a diverse range of environments from forests, rain forests, grasslands, deserts, mountains, and an active volcano in Mt. Chimney along with the aforementioned water routes and coastlines. Cities and towns in the Hoenn region have learned to adapt to the harsh environments they are surrounded by. One prominent location, Fortree City is a city built entirely upon large trees. Another city, Sootopolis City is built directly into an ancient crater. The largest cities in the region include Mauville City and Lilycove City.

The professor that oversees this region is Professor Birch, who specializes in pokemon habitats and distribution. When receiving a first partner pokemon from the professor, trainers are most commonly able to choose Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip.

While battling is still a prominent sport in the region, Hoenn is known for also having a great deal of investment in pokemon contests. Lilycove City is a popular tourist destination specifically because of its Pokemon Contest Spectaculars.

This was also the main location for Team Aqua and Team Magma. Whether or not your canon has either or both of these groups active is up to you, but it provides a great deal of customization for your evil team based plotlines.

Hoenn is a good match for characters focused on traveling through harsh environments. They're also a good fit for trainers with water type pokemon or trainers who might want to become contest coordinators.

[pkmnirl]

Region Overview : Paldea

Paldea is a region neighboring Galar and Kalos, a large peninsula with the Great Crater of Paldea in the center surrounded on all sides by mountains. The region itself is split into four major provinces each with their own environments and weather. The South Province has hilly grasslands, rivers, wetlands, olive groves, and canyons. The West Province has high cliffs and a large desert. The East Province has flat grasslands, forests, a dense thicket, and badlands. The North Province has lakes, glaciers, a snowy mountain range, and a bamboo forest. Paldea is surrounded by four seas with beaches and small islands.

The professors of the region include Professor Sada and Professor Turo, but neither of them give out first partner pokemon. Instead, first partner pokemon seem to be given as a gift for enrolling at the Uva Academy/Naranja Academy. These pokemon are commonly Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.

The largest city in Paldea, and in fact currently the largest city in the pokemon world is Mesagoza. Other notable locations include the academy, Levincia, and Cascarrafa.

While there is an established league in Paldea, trainers are encouraged to go out in the world and discover what matters most to them, with less priority placed on battling compared to other regions.

The villainous team of the region is Team Star. This team is operated by students from the academy, but their leader's identity is a closely guarded secret. Whether this group is still active is up to you.

Area Zero, while not normally accessible to trainers, is inside of the Great Crater of Paldea. This crater houses a variety of rare pokemon not seen outside of it, including what is known as Paradox Pokemon. These pokemon are relatively unknown by the general public, outside of fantastical articles in fringe publications.

Paldea is great for characters who maybe have battling as a lesser priority. Instead the focus on things like the treasure hunt can take characters into the direction of self discovery. It's also a good region for fans of mystery and conspiracy, with the secrets of Area Zero and the leader of Team Star. Students here also go on exchange programs, making it so they have excuses to go to other regions quite easily.

[pkmnirl]

Region Overview : Galar

Galar is a region neighboring Kalos and Paldea. Alongside Galar is the Isle of Armor to the east of the mainland and the southern Crown Tundra. Much of Galar is countryside with modern cities dotted between and large, snow-covered mountains. The vast Wild Area stretches between Motostoke and Hammerlocke. Trainers often camp in this area with their pokemon, making curry to share with their travel companions. The Galar region has a vast array of weather, changing the pokemon that appear in the areas of the Wild Area.

There are two professors in the Galar region, one being Professor Magnolia and the other being Professor Sonia.

The villainous organizations of Galar include Team Yell and Macro Cosmos. There are also the villains of Sordward and Shielbert. It is up to you whether any of these groups are still active in your canon.

Battling here is taken to a whole new level of sport. Trainers must receive an endorsement to even enter the gym challenge, and battles are held in massive stadiums to accommodate Dynamaxing. Gym leaders and champions take sponsorships from various businesses in the region. Rather than a traditional Elite Four, Galar hosts a Champion Cup in Wyndon Stadium where gym leaders and challengers battle for the champion position in the region. After the removal of Chairman Rose this tournament is replaced with the Galarian Star Tournament.

Isle of Armor

The Isle of Armor was a previously uninhabited island now owned and operated by Mustard, who established the Master Dojo for pokemon battle training. It is found off the east coast of the mainland of Galar, close to Spikemuth.

All forms of weather except for snow are found here, including sandstorms in some areas depending on the day.

The Isle of Armor is home to 110 species of pokemon not previously found in Galar.

Crown Tundra

The Crown Tundra is an area to the south of Galar, separated by a mountain range that must be crossed by rail. Historically it was known as the Crown Plains, back when the land was made habitable with the help of Calyrex. There are several old ruins that can be explored in this area including Rock Peak Ruins, Iceberg Ruins, Iron Ruins, and the Split-Decision Ruins.

Sandstorms are the only kind of weather not found in the Crown Tundra.

The Crown Tundra is home to a mysterious cave system where many rare pokemon are said to gather.