Command
Spirit Skill
Command is a Spirit Skill representing a character’s ability to lead and inspire. Command is about having presence and being seen and listened to. Characters with a high Command Rank can become the center of attention in a room with a few well-chosen words.
The most obvious and common use of the Command Skill is in giving orders to Pokémon and particularly retaining control of unruly or untamed Pokémon. For example, Pokémon with Loyalty 0 or 1 require Command checks to successfully order them in battle (page 210).
Expanding on this notion, a Trainer’s Command Rank also affects their ability to train their Pokémon in downtime outside of combat. The higher their Command Rank, the more effective their training (page 202).
Outside of Pokémon-related applications, Command has a number of uses. Command is tested when trying to disperse a riot or when directing a panicking crowd to safety in the aftermath of a Team Rocket terrorist attack. For Pokémon Rangers and other members of law enforcement, Command may be necessary to keep subordinates in line, especially rebellious elements, similar to low Loyalty Pokémon.
During combat, Command also lets a Trainer help their allies Take A Breather and recover from Status Afflictions such as Confusion and Rage (page 245).
Command doesn’t have to relate to explicitly giving orders either. It can be used to gain presence and attention in a scene or give an impression of authority without issuing directives. For example, while Charm may often be tested when giving speeches to a crowd to win them over to an idea, a character who wants to make a show of a community’s solidarity and the strength of its leadership during a time of crisis might roll their Command Skill instead when delivering a speech.
In Opposed Checks, Command may be used against a foe’s Intimidate to keep a crowd or a squad of allies from falling to fear and panic. Command is also tested to help snap allies out of supernatural mental influences, such as powerful Legendary Pokémon or Ghost and Psychic Types. In these cases, roll Command against the foe’s relevant Skill, usually Focus or Intimidate.
Prerequisites: Novice Charm, Command, Guile, Intimidate, or Intuition
Effect: Your Pokémon may consume and benefit from 2 more Poffins each. If this Pokémon is traded to a Trainer without the Grace feature, these extra dice from additional Poffins are not lost, but a Trainer without Grace may not benefit from more than 6 Dice gained from Poffins. You may always use any of the Skills that are prerequisites for Grace in the Introduction Stage of a Contest to roll for Contest Stat Dice of any kind.
Train the Reserves
Prerequisites: Novice Command
Effect: You may apply Experience Training to a number of Pokemon equal to twice your Command Rank, instead of equal to your Command Rank.
Note: Beast Master or Groomer do not change the Skill that this Edge uses.
Leader
Prerequisites: Adept Command
Effect: You learn the Move After You.
Trainer of Champions
Prerequisites: Expert Command
Effect: Whenever you apply Experience Training to a Pokemon, they gain an additional +5 Experience.