How to Randomize a Pokémon Game

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This tutorial teaches you how to randomize a Pokémon ROM on your Windows- or Mac-based emulator. You'll use the Universal Randomizer program for any Pokémon game on any computer for generations one through five, but only Windows users can randomize generations six and seven by using the PK3DS randomizer.

Randomizing Pokémon Games

You can only randomize a Pokémon game if you have a ROM and emulator. Install the emulator of your choice and download a Universal Randomizer. Extract the randomizer file and open it in your ROM before running the game.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Randomizing Generations One through Five

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  1. Make sure that you have a ROM and an emulator. In order to randomize a Pokémon game, you'll need a ROM for the Pokemon game, and an emulator installed on your Windows or Mac computer is required to play the game.
  2. Go to http://pokehacks.dabomstew.com/randomizer/downloads.php in your computer's web browser , then click the download link for your operating system (if you're using a OS other than windows (such as Mac), you'll click the Download for all other platforms link).
    • The Universal Randomizer supports randomizing Pokémon games from generation one all the way through every game in generation five (e.g., Pokémon Black Version 2 and White 2).
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  3. This process will vary slightly depending on whether you're using Windows or a Mac computer:
    • Windows - Open the downloaded ZIP folder, click Extract , click Extract all , and click Extract .
    • Mac - Make sure that you have the Java JDK installed, then double-click the downloaded ZIP folder and wait for it to extract.
  4. Double-click the randomizer item inside of the unzipped folder. The Universal Randomizer window will open.
    • On a Mac, the Universal Randomizer is a Java file, meaning that it resembles a coffee cup.
  5. It's in the upper-right side of the Universal Randomizer window. Clicking it prompts a File Explorer (Windows) or a Finder (Mac) window to open.
  6. Go to the file location of your ROM, then click it to select it.
  7. It's in the lower-right side of the window. Doing so will import your ROM file into the Universal Randomizer, which will unlock the various randomizer options on the page.
  8. Checking the "Random" or "Randomize" box below each Pokémon heading will completely randomize the game, while selecting only a few random options will create a more familiar experience.
    • Most randomized aspects allow you to select additional traits. For example, if you choose to randomize the "Pokémon Base Statistics" section, you can still have the Pokemon progress along their evolution cycles by checking the "Follow Evolutions" box.
  9. It's in the upper-right side of the page. Doing so will bring up a save window.
  10. To do so:
    • Select a save location.
    • Enter a file name.
    • Click Save
    • Click Yes when prompted.
  11. Once your randomized ROM is saved, you can play it like any other ROM file:
    • Open your emulator.
    • Click File
    • Click Open
    • Double-click your ROM.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Randomizing Generations Six and Seven

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  1. Pokémon generations 6 and 7 include games like X, Y, Sun, and Moon, all of which have been notoriously difficult to randomize. Luckily, you can use a randomizer called PK3DS and a tool called PackHack to randomize some aspects of these games.
    • Unfortunately, the PK3DS randomizer is only available for Windows computers.
  2. You'll need an emulator that is capable of playing 3DS games, such as Citra, and you'll need a 3DS ROM for your preferred Pokémon game to go along with your emulator.
    • You can find torrents for 3DS ROMS, but most popular ROM sites don't carry 3DS ROM files that can be downloaded directly.
    • Citra is a popular choice for a 3DS emulator: https://citra-emu.org/
  3. This randomizer can support most games from Pokémon generation 6 and some games from generation 7:
  4. To do so:
    • Right-click the downloaded ZIP folder.
    • Click Extract All...
    • Click Extract
    • Double-click the pk3DS Build 337 ZIP folder.
    • Click Extract at the top of the window.
    • Click Extract all
    • Click Extract when prompted.
  5. This program is necessary in order to save your 3DS ROM as a new, randomized version:
  6. Double-click the extracted PackEnglishV12 folder, double-click the only folder inside, and then double-click PackHack .
  7. Copy the 3DS file by clicking it and pressing Ctrl + C , then press Ctrl + V while in the PackHack folder.
  8. It's in the PackHack folder. Doing so will prompt the 3DS file to begin extracting.
  9. When the setup is done running, click one file, press Ctrl + A , and press Ctrl + C to copy everything that's in the PackHack folder.
  10. Create a new folder in the same place as the extracted PackEnglishV12 folder (e.g., the Desktop), open the new folder, and press Ctrl + V .
  11. Double-click the pk3DS application file to do so. The PK3DS program window will open.
    • If you see a pop-up window alerting you that PK3DS is an "unknown program", click More info , then click Run anyway at the bottom of the window.
  12. It's in the top-left corner of the window. A drop-down menu will appear.
  13. You'll see this option in the drop-down menu.
  14. Double-click the new folder to do so.
  15. Click the 3DS game here.
  16. Your selected ROM will open in the PK3DS emulator.
  17. Once you've opened the 3DS ROM in PK3DS, you can randomize specific attributes for the game in question by selecting a tab at the top of the window (e.g., ExeFS ), selecting an attribute (e.g., Shiny Rate ), and modifying your preferred options in the resulting pop-up window.
  18. You'll need to do a couple of things in order to save your 3DS file as a randomized game, so make sure that you don't close PK3DS during this time.
  19. Open the folder that you created, click the ExtractedRomFS folder, and press Ctrl + C .
  20. Re-open the PackHack folder that's inside of the PackEnglishV12 folder, then press Ctrl + V and choose to replace the conflicting file name.
  21. It's in the PackHack folder. This will open a Command Prompt window.
  22. Do the following in the Command Prompt window: [1]
    • Type d and press ↵ Enter
    • Type in a unique, one-word name (no spaces) for your Pokemon ROM, then press ↵ Enter .
    • Press any key when prompted.
  23. Once the rebuilding is complete, you can open the randomized 3DS file in your preferred emulator.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the best emulator to use?
    Community Answer
    VBA for the GB/GBC/GBA games is good, and DeSmuME for the DS games is best.
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    Not Helpful 16 Helpful 59
  • Question
    Can you make all Pokemon shiny?
    Lugia2453
    Top Answerer
    Not with the Universal Pokemon Randomizer. What you're looking to do requires the use of cheat codes, which can be inserted into your emulator.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 16 Helpful 64
  • Question
    Why does the screen stay white after I load the game?
    Community Answer
    If you are trying to run a generation 3 game (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Firered or Leafgreen) and you are using Visualboyadvance, it is probably because you are using the wrong type of SRAM. Look up what kind you need to set it to for your game.
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      Tips

      • You can combine this with a self-imposed challenge such as the Nuzlocke challenge to make things more interesting.
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      Warnings

      • Some 3DS ROMs aren't properly encoded to work with an emulator, especially when randomized. If your randomized ROM won't open after you put it through PK3DS, try doing the same process with a different ROM.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu-OxGk7GR8

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To randomize generations 1-5 of your Pokemon game, start by making sure that you have a Pokemon ROM and emulator installed. If you don't, you can download them from the LoveROMS website. Then, install the Universal Randomizer application and follow the instructions for downloading. After it is installed, go into the application and select which aspects you would like to randomize, like the "Pokemon Base Statistics." Click "Save" or "Randomize" and save the file to your computer for future use. To learn how to randomize generations 6-10 of your Pokemon game, read on!

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      • Anonymous

        May 30, 2017

        "I love using Randomizer, but I recommend that you also try Nuzlocke, which is an extra hard challenge. If one of ..." more
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