Character Creation

Reference Sheet Basics -

For both of your characters, you need a reference (this could be in the form of two separate images, or one showing them both).  This MUST include -

*These fields only need to be filled in once, not for each character.

The text can be separate from the image portion (like the caption of a DeviantArt post), but make sure it's easy to find everything for each character.  The image portion of your reference sheet is the only time it's acceptable to use prominent art assets from someone else, but the artist(s) must be credited.

Here's an example written reference.  Use the Judge NPCs as examples for the visual portion (but keep in mind while their accessories are coloured already, yours must be plain white).

If your character has multiple forms (e.g. Oricorio, Cherrim), please include two views of its main form as described, as well as at least one drawing of each form you intend for it to use.  Ditto and Zorua / Zoroark are of course exceptions.

If your character evolves during the tournament, be ready to update its reference!

Accessories -

Between auditions and round one, every competing character will be given an accessory in their team's allocated colour by Purrmageddon.  To prevent multiple teams from choosing similar colours, we (the judges) will be picking colours for each expedition team after auditions (more details on the How to Enter page).  Every team's colour will be made clear in all our posts and announcements so it is easy to find.

On your characters' reference sheets, you must show this accessory in plain white (shading is fine, as well as small accents e.g. a black band around a white top hat).  They shouldn't wear these in your audition, and you don't have to show your team receiving them at the start of round one, but your characters need to wear them during every round after auditions.*  Judge NPCs have theirs already - before auditions start.

Characters may wear more articles of clothing, but the accessory should be prominent.

Held items don't exist in this universe - for example, while your character could wear a scarf made of silk, it wouldn't have the affects of holding a Silk Scarf in the games.

*Alternate explanation / summary: put a white accessory on both characters' reference sheets, but don't show the characters wearing them in the audition.  Then we'll pick your team's colour.  For the rest of the OCT, show them wearing the accessories from the reference sheet but in your team's colour.

Abilities -

Any ability a species can possess (including Hidden Abilities) is allowed.

If you're not sure how certain abilities work, check our FAQ and Pokémon franchise material as well as Bulbapedia and Serebii.  A certain degree of homebrew / creative liberty is fine.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Moves -

In Hyperspace, Pokémon can naturally learn any move their species can know at any time with the sole exception of Tera Blast*.  This includes egg moves, tutor moves, event moves, transfer moves (those from previous generations), and TM / TR / HMs.

Hisuian Pokémon are permitted to learn moves they will be capable of knowing in Scarlet / Violet which weren't in Legends: Arceus.  For more details, see the "Pokémon Species & Abilities" section of our FAQ.

Be careful not to switch up your characters' movesets too much during the tournament lest this come across as a plot convenience or become confusing.

One-hit KO moves, Perish Song, Explosion etc. don't cause a Pokémon to die, just faint.

*We elected to ban Tera Blast to simplify things, as well as to level the playing field.  We don't know if / how / when terastallisation will be included in prompts, and this removes the temptation to include it in your moveset "just in case".

Evolution -

To allow for more creative freedom, you can choose what method your Pokémon evolves through - regardless of species.  Some examples of permissible evolution methods which wouldn't usually be possible:

Depending on the prompt, characters may be able to find evolution items during rounds - or they could try to convince Purrmageddon to hand one over between rounds.

Pokémon can evolve into regional evolutions (such as Alolan Exeggutor) despite not being in the 'correct' location.

Visual Design -

We're allowing for a good deal of leeway with Pokémon designs.  Anatomical alterations are okay so long as characters remain quickly recognisable and the change makes sense - for example, making a Bunnelby hop on all fours.  Don't make them too anthropomorphic (a shift toward anthropomorphism is fine, but for instance a Raichu shouldn't be tall and slender with humanoid legs).

On the whole you should keep colours close to the original Pokémon designs - shinies are allowed, and so are albino, xanthrochromic, erythrystic, leucistic, melanistic, and piebald colour schemes.  If you add extra markings, try to base them on their existing patterns or those of the species they're based on (e.g. a Rapidash with a blaze or a calico-like Persian).

And, as should be obvious, do not include genitals or nipples in your characters' design.  Even Nuzleaf.

Virtues & Flaws:

Characters are already assumed to have strengths and weaknesses in accordance with their type, ability, species, and moveset.  Virtues and flaws normally don't relate to species, but a particular character, and should give other people a good idea of how your characters will handle the challenges they face in rounds.

A full list of their good and bad traits isn't expected for this section, and you can use personality and backstory to elaborate: choose the biggest ones for these lists and leave the rest to other sections.  Character development is of course a good thing, but make sure your characters won't grow out of all their flaws and leave your opponents without anything to go on.  Try to keep at least two fully intact, and don't list traits you know will change majorly.

Banned Species -

Almost every mainline species (including regional forms, paradox Pokémon, and those in Legends: Arceus) is permitted.  Banned are:

*Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, Mew, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Latias, Latios, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Dialga, Palkia, Heatran, Regigigas, Giratina, Cresselia, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Tornadus, Thundurus, Reshiram, Zekrom, Landorus, Kyurem, Meloetta, Genesect, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Type: Null, Silvally, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Fini, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala, Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana, Guzzlord, Necrozma, Magearna, Marshadow, Poipole, Naganadel, Stakataka, Blacephalon, Zeraora, Meltan, Melmetal, Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus, Kubfu, Urshifu, Zarude, Regieleki, Regidrago, Glastrier, Spectrier, Calyrex, Enamorus, Ting-Lu, Chien-Pao, Wo-Chien, Chi-Yu, Koraidon, Miraidon.

Special Cases -

Certain nuanced cases aren't covered on this page.  Consult the FAQ's "Pokémon Species & Abilities" section for information about:

If you don't know how your Pokémon moves around, check its animations in the games and anime!


And, dear God - PLEASE - if you decide to use Miltank, figure out how to make it tasteful.
We judges are human (and Fox is whatever Fox is) and we can only handle so much.