Whether you are watching the anime, playing the video games, or battling it out in Pokemon Trading Card Game, there is a Pokemon drinking game for every format. Here are the best rules for turning your Pokemon session into a party.
Table of Contents
Pokemon Anime Drinking Game
These rules work for the classic series, Pokemon Journeys, or any era of the anime.
What You Need
- Any Pokemon anime episodes
- Drinks for everyone
- This rule list visible to all players
Basic Rules
- Drink when Pikachu uses Thunderbolt
- Drink when Team Rocket appears
- Drink when Team Rocket says their motto
- Drink when Team Rocket “blasts off again”
- Drink when a new Pokemon appears for the first time in the episode
- Drink when someone scans a Pokemon with a Pokedex
- Drink when Ash throws a Pokeball
- Drink when Brock flirts with someone (classic series)
- Drink when Misty gets angry at Ash (classic series)
- Drink when Ash says “I choose you”
- Finish your drink when Ash wins a gym battle
- Finish your drink when a Pokemon evolves
Pokemon Video Game Drinking Game
Playing Scarlet, Violet, Sword, Shield, or any main series game? These rules make your playthrough a social event.
Solo or Co-op Rules
- Drink when a wild Pokemon appears
- Drink when your Pokemon faints
- Drink when you use a Potion or healing item
- Drink when an NPC says something obvious (“The Gym is where you battle the Gym Leader!”)
- Drink when you encounter a trainer who wants to battle
- Drink when you find a hidden item
- Take 2 drinks when a Pokemon fails to obey you
- Take 2 drinks when you miss a catch (Pokemon breaks free)
- Finish your drink when you black out (all Pokemon faint)
- Finish your drink when you catch a legendary Pokemon
Nuzlocke Drinking Rules
Playing a Nuzlocke challenge? Add these on top:
- Drink when a Pokemon dies (is fainted permanently)
- Take 2 drinks when your starter dies
- Finish your drink if you get wiped out and need to restart
- Drink when you encounter a Pokemon you really want but already caught one on that route
Pokemon Card Game Drinking Game
Turn TCG battles into a drinking game:
- Drink when you draw an energy card
- Drink when one of your Pokemon gets knocked out
- Drink when your opponent plays a Trainer card
- Take 2 drinks when your opponent plays an EX or V card
- Drink when you have to shuffle your deck
- Finish your drink when you lose the game
- Both players drink when a coin flip decides the outcome
Pokemon Movie Drinking Game
Watching Detective Pikachu, Mewtwo Strikes Back, or any Pokemon movie? Use these rules:
- Drink when a Pokemon uses a recognizable move
- Drink when Ash or the main character gets into danger
- Drink when a Pokemon cries or shows emotion
- Drink when the power of friendship saves the day
- Drink when a legendary or mythical Pokemon appears
- Finish your drink during the big emotional moment (every Pokemon movie has one)
Competitive Pokemon Battle Drinking Game
Watching or playing competitive Pokemon battles (Showdown, VGC, or ranked online):
- Drink when someone switches Pokemon
- Drink when a move misses
- Drink when a critical hit lands
- Drink when someone predicts a switch correctly
- Take 2 drinks when a sweep happens (one Pokemon knocks out 3+)
- Finish your drink when a battle comes down to the last Pokemon on each side
Pokemon Trivia Drinking Game
Test your group’s Pokemon knowledge:
- One person acts as the quizmaster and asks Pokemon trivia questions.
- Questions can be anything: “What type is Jigglypuff?” or “Name all Eevee evolutions” or “Who is Gym Leader #3 in the original games?”
- Wrong answers drink.
- If nobody gets it right, everyone drinks.
- If someone answers correctly, the quizmaster drinks.
- Rotate the quizmaster every 5 questions.
Tips for Your Pokemon Drinking Game
- Pick your format. Do not try to combine anime rules with video game rules. Choose one format for the night.
- Use light drinks. The anime rules especially trigger very frequently. Beer or seltzer is the way to go.
- Classic episodes hit hardest. The original Indigo League series has the most Team Rocket, the most Pokedex scans, and the most predictable patterns. It is the best era for drinking games.
- Make it social. Even if only one person is playing the video game, everyone can watch and follow the drinking rules together.
- Theme your snacks. Pokemon-shaped snacks, candy, or even Pokeball-decorated cupcakes add to the fun.