Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Universal Pokémon Randomizer

Welcome to the Universal Pokémon Randomizer (UPR) FAQ. This page provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about the tool, including installation, troubleshooting, and randomization options. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, the information provided here will help you get the most out of the randomizer.

What is the Universal Pokémon Randomizer?

The Universal Pokémon Randomizer is a tool that allows you to customize official Pokémon games for a unique gameplay experience. You can randomize a variety of game elements, including Pokémon species, moves, abilities, stats, and more. It supports a wide range of Pokémon game versions from different generations.

What Pokémon games are compatible with the Randomizer?

The Universal Pokémon Randomizer works with games from the Game Boy Advance (GBA) and Nintendo DS (NDS) generations. This includes games, such as

FireRed/LeafGreen
Emerald
Ruby/Sapphire
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum
Black/White/Black 2/White 2

Some ROM hacks or fan-made versions may be incompatible due to changes to the game files.

How Can I Install the Universal Pokémon Randomizer?

Step 1: Download the most recent version of the tool from the official website.
Step 2: Extract the contents into a folder on your computer.
Step 3: Ensure that Java (version 8 or later) is installed.
Step 4: Double-click the UPR.jar file to launch the program and begin randomizing your game.

The website’s installation section includes a step-by-step visual guide.

Do I need a specialized emulator to play a randomized game?

Yes, you will need an emulator that supports the game you want to randomize. Some popular emulators include:

VBA-M for Game Boy Advance games.
Desmume or NO$GBA for Nintendo DS games. To avoid crashes and glitches, make sure the emulator is properly configured for the randomized game.

Is it possible to randomize the Pokémon game while maintaining the original story?

Yes! The Universal Pokémon Randomizer maintains the game’s original story and progression while changing various in-game elements such as wild Pokémon, trainers, moves, and abilities. You can still follow the same storyline, but add random elements to keep things interesting.

How Can I Choose Random Pokémon Species in the Game?

Step 1: Launch the randomizer and load your Pokémon game.
Step 2: Under “Randomization Options,” select “Randomize Pokémon.”
Step 3: Decide whether to randomize wild encounters, trainer Pokémon, or both.
Step 4: Once you have set your preferences, click “Randomize” to apply the changes.

This will randomly select the Pokémon species that appear throughout your journey.

Is it possible to randomize Pokémon abilities and move sets?

Yes, you can randomly generate Pokémon abilities, moves, and even the types of Pokémon:

Abilities: All Pokémon will be given random abilities that may affect their performance in battles.
Moves: Movesets will be randomized, meaning a Pokémon may learn completely different moves from its original set.

These randomizations can significantly change how battles unfold.

What does the "Follow Evolutions" option do?

The “Follow Evolutions” option ensures that when a Pokémon evolves, the process is handled properly. If you randomize evolution methods, this option ensures that Pokémon evolve into a valid species and avoids issues with unrecognizable or incompatible evolutions.

Will My Game Remain Playable After Randomization?

In most cases, yes. As long as you randomize correctly, the game should be completely playable. However, certain randomization options (for example, randomizing evolution or moves) can result in unexpected behavior. Always make a backup of your original game file before making any changes.

Can I randomize several elements at once?

Yes, you can randomize several game aspects at once. The randomizer enables you to:

Randomize wild encounters
Trainer Pokémon
Moves and abilities
TMs/HMs
Held items

The tool gives you complete control over what you randomize and how much.

What Are the Consequences of Randomizing Pokémon Evolution?

Randomizing evolutions can result in Pokémon evolving into species with no logical evolution chain, or it can cause bugs if certain settings are not configured correctly. Enabling the “Follow Evolutions” option can solve the majority of these problems.

How Can I Undo Changes Made by the Randomizer?

If you want to reverse the randomization process:

Restore your backup: If you made a backup of the original game file, just load it.
Re-randomize with different settings: If you do not have a backup, you can start over by randomly selecting new options.

What Should I Do If My Randomised Game Crashes?

Ensure compatibility: Make sure the game works with the randomizer and emulator.
Re-randomize with different settings: Certain settings, particularly evolution or ability randomization, may cause instability.
Try another emulator: Some emulators may struggle with randomized games, so switching to a different one may solve the problem.

Can I share my randomised game with others?

Yes, you can share your randomly generated game with others. However, they will require the same emulator version and may experience compatibility issues if the game has been heavily modified.

How Can I Randomize TMs and HMs?

To randomly assign TMs and HMs:

Open the randomizer and start your game.
In the settings, select the option to randomize TMs/HMs.
This will change which Pokémon can learn specific TMs and HMs, resulting in a unique experience.

Why do some trainers keep the same Pokémon throughout the game?

If you are having this problem, it could be because some trainer types have been randomized to always carry the same species. Adjust the settings to ensure that trainer Pokémon are properly randomized.

Can I choose the Pokémon I start with at random?

Yes, the randomizer lets you change your starting Pokémon. You can either randomize the available starter Pokémon or select specific ones for a more personalized experience.

Does the Randomizer work with ROM hacks?

The randomizer is intended for official Pokémon games, so it may not always function with ROM hacks or modified versions. Some ROM hacks modify internal data, which can cause the randomizer to malfunction. You may need to use randomizers tailored to specific ROM hacks.

How Do I Update the Randomizer?

To install the new version:

Download the most recent version from the official website.
Extract the files into a new folder.
Replace the older version with the new one.
Launch the randomizer and load your game as usual.

What Should I Do If I Have an Issue with the Randomizer?

If you are having issues with the randomizer:

Check the Troubleshooting guide for common problems and solutions.
Ensure that your game file is not corrupted.
For personalized assistance, please contact the support team via email or through the Contact Us form.

Need Further Assistance?

If you were unable to find an answer to your question or require additional assistance, please see the following resources:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)