A new Pokémon board game is built around social deduction and tactical battles, with the Team Rocket playing a central role. The title is preparing for an initial release in Japan and combines Pokémon cards and combat with secret identities and bluffing.
Players take one of four roles, although the Gym Leader’s identity is revealed at the start. The Gym Leader aims to defeat both challengers and Team Rocket members. The Gym Trainer shares that goal but must also protect the Gym Leader. Challengers seek to take down the Gym Leader and eliminate Team Rocket, while Team Rocket’s objective is to defeat everyone else.
At the beginning of a game, players choose their Pokémon from a card deck. Those cards determine each creature’s statistics and attributes. Special action cards add further tactical options, including protecting allies and applying harmful effects to opponents.
Concealing a player’s true role and choosing when to attack are central to the game’s strategy.
Sources: Nintenderos.