Many critics of Pokémon have been quick to point out how the franchise often features a 10 to 13-year-old who is repeatedly sent off into the region with nothing but a pair of running shoes and a small animal companion. Perhaps they’re right to highlight this irresponsibility, as even the iconic Ash Ketchum himself is attacked by a swarm of Spearow on the very first day of his journey as a trainer. It is only with the help of characters like Brock and Misty that he can challenge gyms and fend off Team Rocket.

Therefore, it’d be wise to say you should not set out into the world of Pokémon alone, so let’s identify some of the best places (ranked most likely to least likely) to find the companions who will join you in your next Pokémon Tabletop United (PTU) adventure. 

StartPlaying

There’s no option as easy and reliable as StartPlaying. As an online service where players can browse games posted by vetted and qualified Gamemasters, StartPlaying was built to bridge the gap between players and GMs. If you want to cut out the hassle of travelling to events, reaching out in Discord/Reddit DMs, or trying to convince your friends to play, use StartPlaying to skip the exhausting searching and scheduling and jump into a session with ease. While the above resources are sure to increase your chances of finding players for your game, StartPlaying’s search features take ‘chance’ out of the equation entirely.

Online PTU Communities

The list of potential groupmates expands exponentially online. From a dedicated fan-made Discord server designed for PTU players to connect and start new games together, to virtual tabletops that can host your sessions, the internet greatly facilitates the formation of a PTU group. On Reddit, subreddits such as r/PokemonTabletop are home to players of the various Pokémon-based TTRPGs to share assets and create games. r/PokemonTabletop itself boasts over 10,000 members, all sharing your interest in playing a Pokémon TTRPG. Joining Pokémon-related communities, especially region/city-specific ones, can get you involved in an environment ripe for PTU recruits. 

Local Pokémon Events

Meeting people who share your love for Pokémon is a matter of finding places where these folks are likely to convene. Fortunately, as a massive global franchise that takes many forms, there are some sure-fire ways to engage with the Pokémon community. A few months after the original debut of Pokémon Red & Blue in 1996, a Trading Card Game (TCG) was released featuring the cast of creatures from the video games. Since then, Pokémon fans have been organizing meetups to show off their rare cards and battle over the table, armed with thick binders and stacked teams of powerful Pokémon. The official Pokémon website has an Event Locator that allows fans to find local Pokémon-related happenings you can attend and potentially connect with people interested in or experienced in playing Pokémon Tabletop United.

Pokémon Go

If you’re already attracted to PTU, you’ll likely remember the summer and fall of 2016, when Pokémon Go swept the world, introducing folks to the franchise and motivating people to explore their cities in pursuit of new Pokémon and Pokestop rewards. Although popularity has greatly declined, Pokémon Go maintains over 90 million monthly players globally, and that number is increasing yearly. The mobile game will often host events that require players to rally together at a specific location, usually a Gym, for things like Raid Battles. As a game that encourages Pokémon fans to end up in the same place in the real world, you’re likely to meet other Pokémon Go players who may be eager to learn about PTU and join your party. 

It's Not A Shiny Hunt

Finding people and time to play is arguably the hardest part of any TTRPG. For Pokémon Tabletop United, the franchise is so popular and multifaceted that you’re able to attend meetups, tournaments, and Pokémon Go events to easily connect with other Pokémon fans. With online tools such as Discord and StartPlaying, assembling a party for PTU has never been easier. Now that you know where to look, you and your new friends will be exploring the world of Pokémon in no time!

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Finn Halpern is a Chicago-based writer, passionate about TTRPGs, nerd culture, and the art of storytelling.