Application of Game Theory in Pokemon

Assignment on Perfect Information in
Game Theory
An application of Game Theory in Pokémon
-Tara Mohandas
Pokémon which is short for “Pocket Monsters” is a Japanese video game that debuted in
1996 on the Game Boy console. It is a role-playing game where the player plays a Pokémon
trainer who is on a quest around the world to collect little monsters and train them to battle
other Pokémon. The tagline “Gotta catch ‘em all” expresses the aim of the game which is to
collect all the 151 Pokémon though the number is 890 now[ CITATION Bul19 \l 16393 ]. The
anime series released in 1997 and the story following Ash Ketchum and friends in their
adventure sparked a worldwide Pokémon fever.
Pokémon trainers acquire Pokémon through battles that are turn based and involve making
several choices between the type of Pokémon and which of its powers to use, based solely on
predictions of the opponent’s choices; which is where Game Theory comes in. A Pokémon
battle is between two players and each of their six Pokémon. The Pokémon have all been
trained to their utmost potential leading up to the battle and the real advantage between them
arises in their types. The Pokémon trainer has to keep in mind the types and powers of his
Pokémon as well as the possible Pokémon their opponent will choose. As the Pokémon clash,
the weaker Pokémon faints and has to be replaced by another and the battle is won when
there is only one standing. Each trainer is only allowed six Pokémon in a single battle.
For our study here, we will look at the final battle scene in the Sinnoh League Championship
(season 13) in the anime series where the battle is between Ash and his long-rival Paul. The
two players are completely equal opponents in capability and have battled before so know
each other’s ploys well. The battle is at a point where both players have exhausted four of
their six Pokémon and have to choose which one to bring out next.
The following are the assumptions that make the game have perfect information:
1. The players are rational and have only six Pokémon to choose from in the battle.
2. The players all know the six Pokémon to be chosen by rivals and their strengths and
weaknesses.
3. The players know all the rules of the game and their opponent’s strategies and
payoffs.
4. The battle is turn based and each trainer calculates the move of the other before taking
their turn.
The two Pokémon left for Ash (Player 1) are Pikachu and Infernape.
The two Pokémon left for Paul (Player 2) are Agron and Electivire.
Ash is the first mover. He is well aware that Paul is left with only two Pokémon Agron and
Electivire. The choice Ash is faced with two strategies ie, which Pokémon to use first. While
Infernape is his strongest Pokémon, he also has Pikachu. The decision remains whether to use
Infernape now and try to finish the battle as soon as possible, or use Pikachu and to tire out
his opponent and then bring in Infernape to win the battle.
Choosing Pikachu first will lead to the following payoffs with its possible opponents:
1. With Agron the payoff will be (-5) as Pikachu is capable of defeating the Pokémon
but will be weakened with its metal sound capability.
2. With Electivire the payoff will be (-15) as Electivire is a Motor-Drive type of
Pokémon which when combined with Pikachu only makes Electivire stronger.
Pikachu can only use its iron tail and quick attack powers without making Electivire
stronger but will still be defeated.
Choosing Infernape first will lead to the following payoffs:
1. With Agron the payoff will be (-10) as Infernape is completely capable of defeating
Agron but will be weakened for its battle with Electivire.
2. With Electivire the payoff will be (-7) as they’re both very strong opponents and it
will weaken Inferno for the next match. Ash will then have to rely completely on
Pikachu to finish the match.
The following payoff matrix is formed:
Paul
Agron Electivire
Pikachu
Ash -5, -5 -15, -8
Infernape -10, -15 -7, -7
Ash’s dominant strategy here will be (-5,-5) as it is better to use Pikachu first and tire his
opponent and Paul’s dominant strategy will be (-5,-5). They both save their best Pokémon
for the final battle and use Pikachu and Agron respectively.
The battle continues with further decisions to be made in terms of which powers of the
Pokémon to be used and when to use them. The match is won by Ash when he makes a
calculated move based on his expectations of Paul and his Infernape successfully defeats the
Electivire.
References
1. https://watch.pokemon.com/en-us/ - Season 13 episode 30
2. https://www.youtube.com/ - clips of Pokémon battles
3. https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page - For profiles of trainers and Pokémon
4. https://blogs.cornell.edu/info2040/2015/09/21/pokemon-theory/

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