ARCHIVED BLOG

essentials uses the rpgmaker event system, so you dont have to do any real coding in ruby (the coding language rpgmaker and essentials uses) if you dont want to. to get the game started, for example, you dont need to write a single line of real code. my games intro looks like this.

this may look intimidating if you dont know what youre looking at, but its actually pretty easy.

i could give you a tutorial on how to get started, but it wouldn't be as good as thundaga's tutorials. this is where i sort of set you free to go watch these videos, as any attempts to explain this via text would be lengthy and agonizing.

2 - helpful resources

this is the bulk of the post, where i give you resources on how to use essentials to its fullest capabilities.

2.1 - websites & programs

💫essentials wiki - the official pokemon essentials wiki, which contains basically all the info to know about it. if you have a question, its probably answered here.

💫eevee expo - a forum focusing on fangames with tons and tons of resources. here's a direct link to the resources page, which is mostly for essentials!

eevee expo discord - awesome for getting help with things you might not understand! pokecommunity also has one, but im more active here. say hi!

💫pokecommunity - a similar forum with more of a focus on rom hacks, but still tons of helpful essentials resources and posts are found here.

💫arcky's PBS editor - the worst part of essentials dev is editing the PBS files manually, and this makes it significantly easier.

deviantart - while using deviantart these days may be hopeless for 99% of endeavors, its a great resource for free to use sprites. try searching up "pokemon tilesets" and see what you find, for example!

random name generator - great for when youre stuck trying to think of names for the generic NPCs on routes.

pokemondb - a little more straightforward with stats than bulbapedia. good for when you need to review a pokemon's moveset.

💫the spriter's resource - official sprites of all kinds for every pokemon game, and all sorts of other games too!

smogon - dont know how to make a good moveset for a pokemon? check smogon and see what the pros are up to!

trainer customization resources - doing a gen 4 style game, but arent the best at art? try this!

aseprite - awesome for sprite art. but if push comes to shove, you can use plain ol' MS paint.

pokemon essentials gsc kit - for gen 2 style fangames!

2.2 - must-have plugins

💫gen 9 pack - moves, items, pokemon and graphics for up to gen 9!

💫gen 9 move animation project - essentials is missing quite a few move animations by default. this rectifies it.

overworld shadows - extremely helpful for gen 4-5 style games. also looks good with gen 3.

i encourage you to look through eevee expo/pokecommunity to find plugins that catch your eye! id go through all the ones i use, but we'd be here all day.