While the above AIs are solid enough to provide a decent challenge and offer slight variation from battle to battle, there is the possibility of battles growing stale over the course of the game. To avoid the risk of battles feeling “samey”, both Travelers and Wild Pikamoon have Modifiers that change up their AI in fun and interesting ways.
Typically, Travelers and Wild Pikamoon will only have one (1) AI Modifier at a time, but certain enemies may have several.
Rival Traveler Modifiers
As a rule, Rival Traveler Modifiers typically involve changes to the Rival Traveler’s attitude or strategies, and not simply buffing their Pikamoon.
List of Modifiers
Normal: No changes to the AI.
Well-stocked: The rival traveler has two additional healing items they can use in battle.
Uncaring: The rival traveler’s Pikamoon have a higher chance of using Recoil and Exhaustion moves. In addition, they will NEVER switch out a Pikamoon which is weak to the player’s Pikamoon.
Caring: The rival traveler has an additional healing item. In addition, they will use it when their Pikamoon’s health hits 40% instead of 20%.
Strategic: The rival traveler can swap out their Pikamoon an additional two times. They also have a 15% increased chance of swapping out their Pikamoon.
Newbie: When switching out Pikamoon, or when sending out a Pikamoon after their active Pikamoon was knocked out, the Newbie will not take type effectiveness into account and choose randomly.
Bait ‘n Switch: When sending out a Pikamoon after theirs was knocked out, the Traveler checks to see if they have both a Pikamoon that is WEAK to the player’s Pikamoon and a Pikamoon that is RESISTANT AND/OR SUPER-EFFECTIVE against the player’s Pikamoon. If so, they have a 50% chance to send out the Pikamoon that is WEAK to the player’s Pikamoon, before immediately switching to the RESISTANT AND/OR SUPER-EFFECTIVE Pikamoon on their next turn.
Wild Pikamoon Modifiers
As a rule, Wild Pikamoon Modifiers typically involve changes to the Wild Pikamoon’s attitude or strategies, but can also involve stat changes (narratively this is explained through training in a harsh environment).
List of Modifiers
Normal: No changes to the AI.
Careful: Injury checks will be made if the Wild Pikamoon’s health is below 40% instead of 20%.
To the End: The Wild Pikamoon will NOT flee from battle under any circumstances.
Brutal: The Wild Pikamoon has a higher chance of using Recoil and Exhaustion moves.
Accurate: The Wild Pikamoon has a higher chance to land their attacks.
Relentless: If this Wild Pikamoon drops to 0 HP, they will immediately recover 10% of their HP. Can only occur once per battle.
If a Wild Pikamoon with a modifier is captured, the modifier will be removed after the Pikamoon is added to the player’s party.
