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Welcome to Your First Project

This guide will walk you through opening Pokémon Essentials BES, understanding the project structure, running the game, and making your first meaningful change. By the end, you’ll have modified a Pokémon’s stats and seen your changes in action!
This tutorial assumes you’ve already installed Pokémon Essentials BES. If not, complete the installation first.

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Opening the Project

1

Launch RPG Maker XP

Open RPG Maker XP from your Start Menu or desktop shortcut.
On Windows 10/11, you may need to right-click and select “Run as administrator” for full functionality.
2

Open the Project File

In RPG Maker XP:
  1. Click File → Open Project
  2. Navigate to your Essentials BES folder
  3. Select Game.rxproj
  4. Click Open
The project will load, showing the map editor interface.
3

Explore the Editor Interface

Familiarize yourself with the main areas:
  • Left Panel: Map tree showing all game maps
  • Center: Map editing canvas with grid
  • Bottom: Tileset palette for placing tiles
  • Top Toolbar: Tools for drawing, events, and testing
Press F12 while playing to reset the game, and F1 to access RPG Maker XP help.

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Understanding the Folder Structure

Let’s explore the key directories you’ll work with: 
Pokémon Essentials BES/
│
├── Game.exe                 # Main executable (play the game)
├── Game.rxproj             # Project file (open in RPG Maker XP)
│
├── Data/                   # ⚠️ COMPILED DATA - Don't edit directly
│   ├── Scripts.rxdata      # Compiled Ruby scripts
│   ├── Map001.rxdata       # Compiled map data
│   └── Constants.rxdata    # Compiled constants
│
├── PBS/                    # ✅ EDIT THESE - Plain text data files
│   ├── pokemon.txt         # Pokémon species data
│   ├── moves.txt           # Move definitions
│   ├── abilities.txt       # Ability definitions
│   ├── items.txt           # Item data
│   ├── trainers.txt        # Trainer battles
│   ├── encounters.txt      # Wild Pokémon encounters
│   └── metadata.txt        # Map properties
│
├── Graphics/               # Visual assets
│   ├── Battlers/          # Pokémon battle sprites
│   ├── Characters/        # Overworld sprites
│   ├── Tilesets/         # Map tiles
│   └── Pictures/          # UI and misc graphics
│
├── Audio/                  # Sound and music
│   ├── BGM/               # Background music
│   ├── BGS/               # Background sounds
│   ├── ME/                # Music effects (victory, etc.)
│   └── SE/                # Sound effects
│
└── Tools/                  # Development utilities
    ├── animmaker.exe      # Battle animation creator
    └── Extraer Importar Scripts/  # Script management
Important: Never manually edit files in the Data/ folder! They are compiled binary files. Always edit PBS files instead, then compile them in-game.

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Running the Game

1

Launch from RPG Maker XP

The easiest way to test your game:
  1. In RPG Maker XP, press F12 or click the Play button (▶️)
  2. The game window will open
  3. Press Enter or Space to continue past the title screen
This method launches the game directly for quick testing.
2

Launch from Game.exe

Alternatively, run the standalone executable:
  1. Navigate to your project folder
  2. Double-click Game.exe
  3. The game starts independently of RPG Maker XP
Use this method to test how players will experience your game.
3

Navigate the Starter Game

Once in-game:
  • Use Arrow Keys to move
  • Press Z/Enter to interact and confirm
  • Press X/Escape to cancel or open menu
  • Press C to open the Pokémon menu
  • Press F12 to soft reset (if enabled)
Walk around the starter map (Perales town) and interact with objects to get a feel for the game.

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Your First Change: Modifying a Pokémon

Let’s make Bulbasaur stronger by editing its base stats!
1

Open the Pokémon Data File

  1. Navigate to your project’s PBS/ folder
  2. Right-click pokemon.txt
  3. Open with a text editor (Notepad++, VS Code, or even Notepad)
We recommend using Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code for better syntax highlighting and line numbers.
2

Find Bulbasaur's Entry

Search for Bulbasaur (Ctrl+F):
pokemon.txt
[1]
Name=Bulbasaur
InternalName=BULBASAUR
Type1=GRASS
Type2=POISON
BaseStats=45,49,49,45,65,65
GenderRate=FemaleOneEighth
GrowthRate=Parabolic
BaseEXP=64
EffortPoints=0,0,0,0,1,0
Rareness=45
Happiness=70
Abilities=OVERGROW
HiddenAbility=CHLOROPHYLL
Moves=1,TACKLE,3,GROWL,7,LEECHSEED,9,VINEWHIP,13,POISONPOWDER,13,SLEEPPOWDER,15,TAKEDOWN
The BaseStats line shows: HP, Attack, Defense, Speed, Sp.Attack, Sp.Defense
3

Modify the Base Stats

Let’s make Bulbasaur more powerful:Original:
BaseStats=45,49,49,45,65,65
Modified (higher stats):
BaseStats=60,70,70,60,85,85
This increases:
  • HP: 45 → 60
  • Attack: 49 → 70
  • Defense: 49 → 70
  • Speed: 45 → 60
  • Sp. Attack: 65 → 85
  • Sp. Defense: 65 → 85
For reference, these new stats make Bulbasaur comparable to a mid-stage evolution!
4

Save Your Changes

  1. Press Ctrl+S or click File → Save
  2. Close the text editor
  3. Your changes are now saved to the PBS file
5

Compile PBS Changes

PBS files must be compiled into the game’s data files:
  1. Launch Game.exe
  2. Hold down Ctrl while the game is loading
  3. You’ll see a compilation screen with progress messages
  4. Wait for compilation to complete
  5. The game will start normally
You must compile PBS changes every time you edit them. The game reads compiled data, not PBS files directly!
Alternatively, in debug mode:
  • Press F8 in-game
  • Select Recompile All
6

Test Your Changes

Verify your modifications worked:
  1. Start a new game or load a save
  2. Get a Bulbasaur (or use Debug mode to add one)
  3. Check its stats in the Pokémon menu
  4. Your increased base stats should be visible!
Debug Mode Tip: Hold Ctrl while launching to enable debug mode, then press F9 to access debug menu options like adding Pokémon instantly.

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Understanding PBS Files

Now that you’ve edited one PBS file, let’s understand the system better:

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Common PBS Files

Defines all Pokémon species:
[1]                              # Pokédex number
Name=Bulbasaur                   # Display name
InternalName=BULBASAUR           # Code reference (use in scripts)
Type1=GRASS                      # Primary type
Type2=POISON                     # Secondary type (optional)
BaseStats=45,49,49,45,65,65     # HP,Atk,Def,Spd,SpAtk,SpDef
Abilities=OVERGROW              # Regular ability
HiddenAbility=CHLOROPHYLL       # Hidden ability
Moves=1,TACKLE,3,GROWL          # Level,Move,Level,Move...
Evolutions=IVYSAUR,Level,16     # Evolution method

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Making More Changes

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Add a Custom Move to a Pokémon

Let’s give Bulbasaur access to Solar Beam earlier:
pokemon.txt
# Original move list
Moves=1,TACKLE,3,GROWL,7,LEECHSEED,9,VINEWHIP,13,POISONPOWDER

# Add SOLARBEAM at level 20
Moves=1,TACKLE,3,GROWL,7,LEECHSEED,9,VINEWHIP,13,POISONPOWDER,20,SOLARBEAM
Moves must be listed in ascending level order. The format is: Level,MOVENAME,Level,MOVENAME,...

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Change a Pokémon’s Type

Make Bulbasaur pure Grass type:
pokemon.txt
# Original
Type1=GRASS
Type2=POISON

# Modified (remove Type2 line entirely)
Type1=GRASS

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Modify Evolution Level

Make Bulbasaur evolve earlier:
pokemon.txt
# Original: evolves at level 16
Evolutions=IVYSAUR,Level,16

# Modified: evolves at level 12
Evolutions=IVYSAUR,Level,12

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Debug Mode Features

Debug mode is invaluable for testing. Hold Ctrl while launching the game to enable it:

F8 - Debug Menu

Access compilation tools, switches, and variables

F9 - Quick Commands

Add Pokémon, items, heal party, and more

Ctrl + Click

Teleport to clicked location on map

F5 - Refresh

Reload map without restarting game

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Using F9 to Add Pokémon

1

Open Debug Menu

While in-game with debug mode enabled, press F9
2

Select 'Add Pokémon'

Choose the option to add a Pokémon to your party
3

Choose Species and Level

  • Select the Pokémon (e.g., Bulbasaur)
  • Set the level
  • Choose gender, moves, etc.
4

Test Your Changes

Open the Pokémon menu to see your modified Bulbasaur with the new stats!

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Common Editing Patterns

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Creating a Stronger Starter

pokemon.txt
# Make starter Pokémon more viable early game
[4]  # Charmander example
Name=Charmander
InternalName=CHARMANDER
Type1=FIRE
BaseStats=50,60,50,70,70,55  # Boosted from original
Abilities=BLAZE
HiddenAbility=SOLARPOWER
Moves=1,SCRATCH,1,GROWL,1,EMBER,7,SMOKESCREEN  # Starts with Ember!

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Adding Egg Moves

pokemon.txt
# Give Bulbasaur more egg move options
EggMoves=AMNESIA,CHARM,CURSE,ENDURE,GIGADRAIN,GRASSWHISTLE,GRASSYTERRAIN,INGRAIN,LEAFSTORM,MAGICALLEAF

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Changing Pokémon Abilities

pokemon.txt
# Give Bulbasaur a different ability
Abilities=THICKFAT        # Instead of OVERGROW
HiddenAbility=REGENERATOR # Instead of CHLOROPHYLL

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Next Steps

PBS File Reference

Deep dive into all PBS file formats and options

Map Creation

Learn to create custom maps and routes

Event Scripting

Create NPCs, trainers, and interactive objects

Custom Graphics

Add custom sprites and tilesets

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Tips for Success

Before making significant modifications:
# Create timestamped backup
xcopy /E /I MyGame MyGame_Backup_2026-03-06
Or use Git for version control:
git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial project state"
Add comments with # to document your changes:
# Boosted starter stats for hard mode
BaseStats=60,70,70,60,85,85

# Added Solar Beam for early Grass-type coverage
Moves=1,TACKLE,3,GROWL,20,SOLARBEAM
Don’t make 50 changes at once. Test after each modification:
  1. Make one change
  2. Compile PBS files (Ctrl while loading)
  3. Test in-game
  4. Verify it works
  5. Move to next change
This makes debugging much easier!
Document your modifications in a separate file:
CHANGES.txt
2026-03-06:
- Boosted Bulbasaur base stats to 60/70/70/60/85/85
- Added Solar Beam to Bulbasaur at level 20
- Changed Bulbasaur evolution to level 12
Study how official Pokémon are configured:
  • Compare early-game vs late-game Pokémon stat totals
  • See how legendary Pokémon abilities work
  • Examine move distributions across types
This helps you create balanced custom content.

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Troubleshooting

Common Issues:
  • Changes don’t appear: Did you compile PBS files? (Hold Ctrl while loading)
  • Game crashes on start: Check PBS syntax for typos or invalid values
  • Move doesn’t work: Verify the move internal name matches moves.txt
  • Evolution broken: Ensure evolution species exists and level is valid

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Congratulations!

You’ve successfully: ✅ Opened Pokémon Essentials BES in RPG Maker XP
✅ Understood the project folder structure
✅ Run the game and navigated the interface
✅ Modified a Pokémon’s base stats
✅ Compiled PBS changes and tested them
✅ Learned about debug mode features
You’re now ready to start building your own Pokémon game! Explore the documentation to learn about map creation, events, trainers, and advanced scripting.

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Continue Learning

  • PBS Reference: Master all data file formats
  • Mapping Guide: Create towns, routes, and dungeons
  • Event Tutorial: Add NPCs, items, and trainers
  • Scripting Basics: Customize game mechanics with Ruby
Happy game making! 🎮

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