Questions

[KuroShinki]

Hi everyone,

I decided to get this game, and surprisily, is the best Touhou Puppet Play I've ever played. It fixes some of the problems that Pokemon has, it brings some new things and most importantly, you finally explore Gensokyo!

But anyway, I have a couple of questions:

1- Style change: I understand that it can be done at will, but does it affect stat growth?
2- What does SP do? Is is eqivalent of PP from Pokèmon?
3- What is the purpose of colors? For example, my Shinki is "White".
4- About stats boost, is there a limit? Or I can just boost all to MAX?

BTW, I'm in Bamboo forest. Here's my team (Can't figure out how to use spoilers):

[AngelG No. 55]

1- Style change: I understand that it can be done at will, but does it affect stat growth?

Yes, but they also affect current stats. They're what Pokemon and Touhoumon evolutions became.

What does SP do? Is is eqivalent of PP from Pokèmon?

Yes, SP = Pokemon PP.

3- What is the purpose of colors? For example, my Shinki is "White".

They're Emblems. They boost a stat depending on the color and they're the TPDP equivalent of Natures.
Red - FoAtk
Blue - FoDef
Black - SpAtk
White - SpDef
Green - Spe

4- About stats boost, is there a limit? Or I can just boost all to MAX?

No, you can't max everything out. You can spent PP on any stats as you see fit, but up to 64 in a stat and 130 stat PP total. They're a revamped EV system.

Also, pre-answering a question you might have, the letter grades indicate how high/low that puppet's stat is. They're just like IVs in Pokemon.

[KuroShinki]

Very interesting.

So basically, no more EV/IV gain from battling? Another thing that annoyed me to death in Pokèmon lol

Also:

- How is the rest of the game? From Bamboo forest onwards? So far, the difficulty isn't too much hard, but it's not easy either. I say it's balanced, without illegal moveset, evolution (there aren't in the game, so...), but I wonder if there are some cheap shots. I don't mind grinding a little, because in this game it's really nice to grind, compared to Pokèmon (All get EXP? Yes please.)
- Why Udonge instead of Reisen? Isn't that her nickname or something?
- How HM works? Do I need a HM slave? Or they did it the good way, and you use some kind of tools?
- Anyone knows if there are sequel planned? I'm not following the Doujin scenes much, so I'm curious.

Also, let me write down my thoughts:

+ No more Kanto or Hoenn. You actually are in Gensokyo, you meet the character, the lore etc
+ No Gyms, so it's a totally different story from the usual.
+ A lot of Character, even new ones.
+ Better catch system.
+ Music is from Touhou, and is done well.
+ Nice presentation overall.

- Missing a World map (or I haven't get it so far?)
- Locale thing, but it's easily fixable.

[AngelG No. 55]

So basically, no more EV/IV gain from battling? Another thing that annoyed me to death in Pokèmon lol

Well, you gain PP from battles (usually 2-4) which you can spend on learning moves (which moves you can learn depends on level) and on improving stats, as in the previous message.

- How is the rest of the game? From Bamboo forest onwards?

I am not certain, but the game, while erratically difficult, isn't frustrating as a whole, except maybe Remilia if you lack a strong Steel type.

- Why Udonge instead of Reisen? Isn't that her nickname or something?

Good question. Normally I'd say it's because Reisen II is also in the game, but TPDP calls her Gyokuto...

- How HM works? Do I need a HM slave? Or they did it the good way, and you use some kind of tools?

In TPDP, RIP HM slaves. Overworld HM moves are now key items.

- Anyone knows if there are sequel planned? I'm not following the Doujin scenes much, so I'm curious.

An expansion might come at C89.

- Missing a World map (or I haven't get it so far?)

You'll get one eventually. (Gap Map, replaces Fly HM)

[KuroShinki]

- I am not certain, but the game, while erratically difficult, isn't frustrating as a whole, except maybe Remilia if you lack a strong Steel type.

I have Alice who can use a Steel move. Also, my Shinki (starter) wrecks anything.

Also...

- In TPDP, RIP HM slaves. Overworld HM moves are now key items.

It finally happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3ALwKeSEYs

Last question: What does Cost means? I don't see anything related to it.

And now I've finished Eientei and lost for the first time against Marisa, because I've left the place (Reisen can heal you, I know that), and decided to just go for SDM. I managed to beat the first two, but my Chen was paralyzed, so Marisa just finished her.

Then, I just retried with fully healed team and destroyed her XD

[AngelG No. 55]

Last question: What does Cost means? I don't see anything related to it.

Only used behind the scenes to determine exp needed for level 100 (and by extension, exp required to level up overall)
80 - 700.000 Exp
90 - 850.000 Exp
100 - 1.000.000 Exp
110 - 1.150.000 Exp
120 - 1.300.000 Exp

[ZephyrValgale]

Last question: What does Cost means? I don't see anything related to it.

Only used behind the scenes to determine exp needed for level 100 (and by extension, exp required to level up overall)
80 - 700.000 Exp
90 - 850.000 Exp
100 - 1.000.000 Exp
110 - 1.150.000 Exp
120 - 1.300.000 Exp

In addition, the opponent's Cost determines how much EXP you get for beating them, but I'm unsure of the formula there.

[KuroShinki]

Last question: What does Cost means? I don't see anything related to it.

Only used behind the scenes to determine exp needed for level 100 (and by extension, exp required to level up overall)
80 - 700.000 Exp
90 - 850.000 Exp
100 - 1.000.000 Exp
110 - 1.150.000 Exp
120 - 1.300.000 Exp

In addition, the opponent's Cost determines how much EXP you get for beating them, but I'm unsure of the formula there.

So it's kinda like Pokemon's weight I believe? I never looked into that, but an evolved Pokèmon gives way more EXP than a base form.

[Greenmittenz]

Last question: What does Cost means? I don't see anything related to it.

Only used behind the scenes to determine exp needed for level 100 (and by extension, exp required to level up overall)
80 - 700.000 Exp
90 - 850.000 Exp
100 - 1.000.000 Exp
110 - 1.150.000 Exp
120 - 1.300.000 Exp

In addition, the opponent's Cost determines how much EXP you get for beating them, but I'm unsure of the formula there.

So it's kinda like Pokemon's weight I believe? I never looked into that, but an evolved Pokèmon gives way more EXP than a base form.

Cost is used in a few ways, #1 is for required EXP and exp gained from defeating them and #2 is that it is used in calculations for certain skills (ex. Tumble Plant). Also exp gain is determined only by the opponents cost and has nothing to do with them having a style change or not. There is an experience calculator on my excel document if you needed to figure anything out with that.

Also figured I should mention that the game DOES have illegal movesets and occasional illegal other things like no nature but rarely cheats in any meaningful way until the very end (final boss final puppet has 64PP in every stat). Most illegal sets seem to be from the devs not catching the trainers moveset when they patched to change what things can learn.

Game is pretty easy if you know what to do or can be very hard if you are challenging yourself. Basically if you go around exploring and fighting all the trainers you will breeze through the game but if you don't look around much you may have some problems. Also if you want to free easy win for the whole game use Assist Chen as she can solo 95% of it with little to no grinding.

Also pro-tip if you get stuck... Assist Akyuu = Shedinja, you'd be surprised the fights you can breeze past with her help.

[AngelG No. 55]

Also if you want to free easy win for the whole game use Assist Chen as she can solo 95% of it with little to no grinding.

Uh, I think he's already doing that, Greenmittenz XD
Further helped by starter Shinki

Update: I actually wonder what is the 5% AChen struggles against, because you can cover that with the starter; then a true easy modo cruise through the game will be in place.

[KuroShinki]

Uh, I think he's already doing that, Greenmittenz XD
Further helped by starter Shinki

Well, as I stated, I have Assist Chen, but rarely use her. My weakest is Murasa, because I can't make her shine like in other Puppet Play. Sure, she starts slow in those, too. But then she become a killing machine...for me at least. Probably I'll replace her soon, maybe with Mokou...or Cirno? I am in Misty lake after all...I have to check.

Also, yeah. Shinki rules. She is my favorite in all Touhou after all ^_^ (her and Yukari/Flandre in 2nd place, 3rd Keine).

[Greenmittenz]

The parts Assist Chen "struggles" against are the Yuuka trainer on route 4, Remilia, Kanako, Mystia trainer after Sanae. apart from using things as fodder in a few places.

for Optimal easy mode you actually use a black nature Chen as a starter and then get an Assist Akyuu and a Defense Keine =p.

Also I found Murasa to be pretty good in casual play. She has a pretty low exp curve but was super tanky and could easily survive and deal with problems despite being lower leveled.

[KuroShinki]

I was starting to give up on Murasa and Byakuren, but then I changed their style...

I forgot to mention that I still haven't used the stat boost, and my Puppet are far from being perfect nature/IV (I would say my best is Chen with E, A-, D+, A, A-, A-)

I'm in SDM, and I'm one-shotting everything that comes to my sight with Murasa.

My formation now ^_^

EDIT: Just encountered Remilia. Well, aside for her ARemilia, I can manage the fight. I'm gonna grind and explore the SDM more for the time being tough.

EDIT2: Beat Remilia (nailed it), beat the Liberation Front, and now I'm exploring around the new path in the Forest of Magic, before I venture in the mountain (which I suppose is the Youkai Mountain?).

[AngelG No. 55]

for Optimal easy mode you actually use a black nature Chen as a starter and then get an Assist Akyuu and a Defense Keine =p.

• AAkyuu walls a surprising amount of stuff, most importantly Water types that AChen hates.
• DKeine is a tanky Steel that turns into a Steel/Fighting sweeper at 50% HP, so does double duty as a Steel killer (which both AAkyuu and AChen hate) and as a Steel type (to defeat Remilia)

Were-Hakutaku DKeine is plenty powerful alright, but I was thinking if it wouldn't be better to use a Konngara starter instead. What is your say, Greenmittenz?

[Greenmittenz]

for Optimal easy mode you actually use a black nature Chen as a starter and then get an Assist Akyuu and a Defense Keine =p.

• AAkyuu walls a surprising amount of stuff, most importantly Water types that AChen hates.
• DKeine is a tanky Steel that turns into a Steel/Fighting sweeper at 50% HP, so does double duty as a Steel killer (which both AAkyuu and AChen hate) and as a Steel type (to defeat Remilia)

Were-Hakutaku DKeine is plenty powerful alright, but I was thinking if it wouldn't be better to use a Konngara starter instead. What is your say, Greenmittenz?

You could use other things but Konngara has a low exp curve so if you wanted easy mode she would require grinding. Sakuya is probably the fastest thing to pick as a starter to replace Keine but overall ends up taking longer to level up Chen without Marisa EXP so =p.

Also using Chen as a starter guarantees your stats without having to use RNG manipulation, so then you just need any Keine and Akyuu.
[inspoiler]A Black natured all A+ Chen Assist gets through just about everything with 64 points in Sp.Atk, 2points in both Fo.Def and Sp.Def and 62 points in Speed. all you need to do is hit level 11 before Cirno and get the Jade Hairpin, hit level 27 before Mokou *use 3 candies to hit 30* and have Chen hit level 36 and Akyuu hit level 30 before Remilia teaching her the Clearing Mist Skill Card. Then you don't need to grind anymore just take out Kanako after Sanae to give the Combat Handbook use 5-6 Candies before Medicine2 to hit 60 and use 2 more Candies before Gengetsu/Mugetsu to hit level 83. Then re-equip Jade Hairpin for the final fights and your good. :3
[/inspoiler]
^ sums up the speedrun route for EXP. xD