Plakoro
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The subject of this article has no official English name. The name currently in use is a fan translation of the Japanese name. |
| Plakoro | ||||
 First Edition Logo  Second Edition Logo | ||||
| Release date(s) | 1997 (First Edition)
2026 (Second Edition) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Construction Dice Game | |||
| Age | 8+ | |||
| Region | Japan | |||
| Manufacturer | Bandai Namco | |||
External Links
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Plakoro[note 1] (Japanese: プラコロ) is a Pokémon model kit dice-construction game produced by Bandai in 1997. The line was exclusive to Japanese markets and featured several buildable monochromatic model kits for Character dice of several Generation I Pokémon. Players can use these dice to battle each other in Plakoro battles.
On March 3, 2026, a new modern edition of the game was announced under Bandai Namco's Bandai Spirits label as part of the Pokémon 30th Anniversary.[1] The second edition is set to be released in July 2026.[2]
Setup
In order to play with a Plakoro set, players must first use the included Custom Pick in order to assemble the relevant plastic pieces from their sprues.[3] Each Energy Dice assembly comes with extra Custom Chips that can be swapped out on certain faces of an Energy Dice to customize their loadout. Only certain faces of an Energy Dice can be swapped out, others cannot be removed. Unused Custom Chips can be placed on the included Chip Folder for storage. Some later sets combined the Chip Folder and Custom Pick into one plastic piece.
Two players are required to initiate a Plakoro battle. In order to start, each player must have the following:[4]
- 1x Character Dice (Japanese: キャラコロ Characoro)
- 3x Energy Dice (Japanese: エネコロ)
- 4x Move Cards (Japanese: ワザカード Waza Cards)
- Only 1x Special Move Card is allowed per game
- 1x Life Counter (Japanese: ライフカウンター)
- Depending on the player's Move Cards, a select amount of Mini Character Dice (Japanese: チビキャラコロ Chibicharacoro) may be required. They are found in Expansion Series sets and Evolution Series sets.
Gameplay
First Edition
To start a Plakoro battle, players must first set their corresponding Life Counters to 120.[4] The turn order is determined by a game of Rock paper scissors with the winning player going first. Once a starting player is chosen, they must begin their turn by choosing a Move Card and declaring it to the opposing player. If a player has any Special Move Cards, they can only be used once per game. Move Cards cannot be used consecutively and if there are no moves are available to use, the turn ends immediately.
To use a Move Card, the player must roll their Character and Energy Dice. If the rolled energy symbols on the Energy Dice and character dice orientation match or are greater than the Move Card's requirements, then the move is a considered successful. Certain moves may require the additional use of Mini Character Dice. If a player does not have the necessary amount, they may re-roll the Character Dice as a substitute. The opposing player is required to share their Mini Character Dice if necessary. Some moves may require both players to roll Mini Character Dice, with whoever is sharing the Mini Character Dice choosing who rolls first.
Upon a successful roll, the defending player reduces their Life Counter by the value listed on the chosen Move Card. If a roll is unsuccessful, then that player's turn immediately ends. The Plakoro battle concludes when a player's Life Counter reaches zero, with the other player being declared the winner. If both players reach zero on their Life Counters at the same time, the player on their current turn is declared the winner.
Plakoro dice can be of one of five types based on the Pokémon TCG: Colorless, Water, Grass, Fire, Fighting, Psychic, and Lightning.
Color Dice Sets
The Color Dice Sets (Japanese: キャラコロカラー) is a revised series of Plakoro with a different ruleset compared to the original version. Instead of being monochromatic, these Character Dice were fully colored and also featured various Generation II Pokémon.
Instead of Energy Dice, each Move Card now use a PP system with the orientation of the Character Dice being used to determine a successful roll.[5] Each Move Card has a unique PP value that will tick down every time that move is used. Because of this system, moves can now be used twice in a row. Once a Move Card is chosen and a roll has been successful, the chosen Move Card is rotated 90 degrees reducing that Move Card's PP by 1. Once a Move Card's PP is reduced to 0, that move can no longer be used. If a player no longer has any usable Move Cards, the opposing player is declared the winner.
In addition to normal Successful rolls, certain Move Cards can also have Super Successful rolls. These rolls are initiated if a Character Dice is rolled to a matching red orientation icon. If a Super Successful roll is initiated, players can roll again to take another turn. Rarely, there are also Super Unsuccessful Rolls where a move can no longer be used during a match and the player's turn immediately ends. These are rolls are initiated when the die is rolled to a matching white orientation icon on a certain move card.
Second Edition
As part of the Pokémon 30th Anniversary, a new version of the Plakoro game was announced.[2] The game follows most of the rules of the original game but with a few changes.[6] Firstly, it features a new Life Counter that doubles as a Custom Pick to replace Custom Chips from the Energy Dice. It also features a Character Card gives a brief description of the Plakoro dice it comes packaged with. These Character Cards feature the Name, Type, Weakness, and HP of the dice. In addition to the previous types, a new set of types were introduced based on later Pokémon TCG expansions: Darkness, Metal, and Dragon.[7] In addition, a new type was added called "Sky". All types now have built-in weaknesses where Move Cards gain +20 damage over a type that they are super effective against.
Products
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First Edition
Basic Sets
Each of the Plakoro Basic Sets contained a Character Dice, Three Energy Dice, a Custom Pick, a Chip Folder, Life Counter, and six Move Cards.[8] The Character Dice included can be one out of four possible variations. Basic Series DX sets include a Special Move Card. Below is a list of Basic sets.[9]
| Image | Number | Name | Type | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
01 | Pikachu | Lightning | 1997 |
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02 | Machop | Fighting | 1997 |
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03 | Abra | Psychic | 1997 |
| 04 | Clefairy | Colorless | 1997 | |
| 05 | Charmander | Fire | 1997 | |
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06 | Squirtle | Water | 1997 |
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07 | Bulbasaur | Grass | 1997 |
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08 | Mewtwo (DX) | Psychic | 1997 |
| 09 | Ditto (DX) | Colorless | 1997 | |
| 10 | Rhydon | Fighting | 1997 | |
| 11 | Scyther | Grass | 1997 | |
| 12 | Poliwhirl | Water | 1997 | |
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13 | Moltres | Fire | 1997 |
| 14 | Zapdos | Lightning | 1997 | |
| 15 | Snorlax | Colorless | 1997 | |
| 16 | Gyarados (DX) | Water | 1997 | |
| 17 | Rapidash | Fire | 1997 | |
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18 | Surfing Pikachu (DX) | Lightning & Water | 1998 |
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19 | Golem | Fighting | 1998 |
| 20 | Pinsir | Grass | 1998 | |
| 21 | Dragonite | Colorless | 1998 | |
| 22 | Haunter | Psychic | 1998 | |
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23 | Electabuzz | Electric | 1998 |
| 24 | Articuno | Water | 1998 | |
| 25 | Wigglytuff | Colorless | 1998 | |
| 1998 | 26 | Kabutops | Fighting | 1998 |
| 27 | Mew DX[note 2] | Psychic | 1998 | |
|
28 | Slowbro | Water & Psychic | 1998 |
| 29 | Eevee | Colorless | 1998 | |
| 30 | Meowth | Colorless | 1998 | |
| 31 | Beedrill | Grass | 1998 | |
| 32 | Lapras | Water | 1998 | |
| 33 | Chansey | Colorless | 19981998 | |
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34 | Tauros | Colorless | 1998 |
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35 | Arcanine | Fire | 1998 |
| 36 | Aerodactyl | Fighting | 1998 | |
| 37 | Pikachu (Strong) | Lightning | 1998 | |
| 38 | Lickitung | Colorless | 1998 | |
| 39 | Psyduck | Water | 1998 | |
| 40 | Charmander (Strong) | Fire | 1998 | |
| 41 | Farfetch'd | Colorless | 1998 | |
| 42 | Squirtle (Strong) | Water | 1998 | |
| 43 | Mewtwo | Psychic | 1998 | |
| 44 | Clefairy (Strong) | Colorless | 1998 | |
| 45 | Mew (Strong) | Psychic | 1998 | |
| 46 | Moltres (Legendary) | Fire | 1998 | |
| 47 | Zapdos (Legendary) | Lightning | 1998 | |
| 48 | Articuno (Legendary) | Water | 1998 |
Evolution Sets
Evolution Sets (Japanese: 進化パックシリーズ) were special releases that included multiple Pokémon Character dice of the same Evolutionary line. These sets include special Mini Character Dice containers as well as a special Key Chain featuring the included Pokémon.[10]
| Image | Number | Name | Type | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charmeleon & Charizard | Fire | 1998 | |
| 2 | Wartortle & Blastoise | Water | 1998 | |
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3 | Ivysaur & Venusaur | Grass | 1998 |
| 4 | Jolteon & Flareon & Vaporeon | Colorless, Lightning, Fire, & Water | 1998 | |
| 5 | Kadabra & Alakazam | Psychic | 1999 |
Expansion Pack Sets
The Expansion Pack Sets (Japanese: 拡張パックシリーズ) included a set of extra Move Cards for the Pokémon depicted on the box, as well as additional Move Cards from others in the same number set.[11] All sets include extra Custom Chips. 12 Mini Character Dice are also included, with one out of two Mini Character Dice sets being sold in the same packaging. Some sets also include bonus items such as Move Card cases, Mini Character Dice cases, or additional Life Counters. Below is a list of Expansion Pack series sets:
| Image | Number | Name | Possible Mini Character Dice | Release Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Pikachu | Mewtwo, Machop, Bulbasaur, Charmander | Pikachu, Abra, Squirtle, Clefairy | 1997 | |
| Machop | 1997 | ||||
| Abra | 1997 | ||||
| Clefairy | 1997 | ||||
| Charmander | 1997 | ||||
| Squirtle | 1997 | ||||
| Bulbasaur | 1997 | ||||
| 02 | Mewtwo | Rhyhorn, Ditto, Zapdos, Scyther, Snorlax | Poliwag, Rhydon, Moltres, Poliwhirl, Mew | 1997 | |
| Ditto | 1997 | ||||
| Rhydon | 1997 | ||||
| Scyther | 1997 | ||||
| 03 | Poliwhirl | 1998 | |||
| Moltres | 1998 | ||||
| Zapdos | 1998 | ||||
| Snorlax | 1998 | ||||
| 04 | Gyarados | Gyarados, Dragonite, Rapidash, Ponyta, Electabuzz | Haunter, Gastly, Geodude, Graveler, Golem, Pinsir, Articuno | 1998 | |
| Rapidash | 1998 | ||||
| Pinsir | 1998 | ||||
| Golem | 1998 | ||||
| 05 | Dragonite | 1998 | |||
| Haunter | 1998 | ||||
| Electabuzz | 1998 | ||||
| Articuno | 1998 | ||||
| 06 | Wigglytuff | Kabuto, Kabutops, Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill, Meowth | Charmeleon, Charizard, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Shellder, Eevee, Chansey, Lapras | 1998 | |
| Kabutops | 1998 | ||||
| Slowbro | 1998 | ||||
| Beedrill | 1998 | ||||
| 07 | Meowth | 1998 | |||
| Chansey | 1998 | ||||
| Lapras | 1998 | ||||
| 08 | Tauros | Growlithe, Arcanine, Tauros, Psyduck, Aerodactyl, Lickitung, Blastoise, Venusaur, Farfetch'd (2x), Wartortle, Ivysaur | Growlithe, Arcanine, Tauros, Psyduck, Aerodactyl, Lickitung, Jolteon, Flareon, Vaporeon, Farfetch'd, Ivysaur, Wartortle | 1998 | |
| Arcanine | 1998 | ||||
| Aerodactyl | 1998 | ||||
| Psyduck | 1998 | ||||
Color Dice Sets
Each Plakoro Color Dice Set contains one of two possible variations for each Character Dice. The set also includes 6 Mini Character Dice (3 for each featured Pokémon), 10 move Cards, and 2 Life Counters.[12] Below is a list of the Plakoro Color Dice sets.[11]
| Image | Name | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Marill & Pikachu | 1999 | |
| Slowking & Scyther | 1999 | |
| Lugia & Charmander | 1999 | |
|
Elekid & Meowth | 1999 |
| Bellossom & Mewtwo | 1999 | |
| Heracross & Psyduck | 1999 | |
| Special Limited Edition Set (Chikorita & Cyndaquil)[note 3] | 1999 |
Second Edition
Starter Sets
Starter Sets (Japanese: スタートセット) are similar to the Basic Series of the First Edition. The sets include 1 Character Dice, 1 Energy Dice, 18 Custom Chips, 1 Character Card, 7 Move Cards, and 1 Instruction Sheet.[13] Below is a list of Starter Sets:
| Image | Name | Type | Price | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bulbasaur | Grass | ¥990 | July 2026 |
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Charmander | Fire | ¥990 | July 2026 |
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Squirtle | Water | ¥990 | July 2026 |
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Pikachu | Lightning | ¥990 | July 2026 |
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Eevee | Colorless | ¥990 | July 2026 |
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Mew | Psychic | ¥990 | July 2026 |
Adventure Sets
The Adventure Sets (Japanese: たんけんボックス Expedition Box) were a series of Plakoro blind boxes.[14] Each box contained 1 out of 36 randomly-selected Character Dice, 4 Custom Chips, 1 Character Card, 5 move Cards, and an instruction manual.[15]
In total, the sets featured 36 possible Character Dice, representing 6 different Pokémon, with two variations each. Additionally, every Character Dice could appear in one of three rarity variations: Common, Rare, or Legendary. Adventure Sets are not designed for standalone play; a Starter Set is still required in order to participate in Plakoro battles. A list of the Expedition Sets is in the below table.[13]
| Image | Name | Potential Pokémon Included | Price | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Adventure Set 01 | Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Pinsir, Onix, Grimer | ¥385 | July 2026 |
Evolution Sets
| Image | Name | Type | Price | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Additional Merchandise
A variety of other products were released as supporting merchandise in the Plakoro line.
- Plakoro Battle Bases (Japanese: プラコロバトルベース) were plastic arenas that can be used to battle Plakoro dice in. These battle bases were also packaged with exclusive variants of several Character Dice along with their respective Move Cards.[16] The red battle base includes special variants of Pikachu, Clefairy, Abra, and Charmander. The green battle base features Mew, Machop, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle. Finally, the blue battle base features translucent variants of Mew and Mewtwo.
- Each release of the Plakoro Energy Launcher (Japanese: プラコロ: エネコロシューター) featured a random translucent variant of either Articuno, Zapdos, or Moltres.[17]
- Plakoro Storage Case (Japanese: プラコロ図鑑ケース) was a storage container where Plakoro dice could be stored securely. A total of 24 could be stored at a time.[18]
- Plakoro Tactics (Japanese: プラコロタクティクス) is a board game released by Bandai that uses the mechanics of the Plakoro dice game in a more traditional board game format.[19]
Gallery
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Plakoro Energy Launcher -
Plakoro Battle Base (Red ver.) -
Box of the Plakoro Tactics
Multimedia
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Notes
References
- ↑ Tweet by プラコロ・ポケプラ【公式】(@plakoro_pokepla). Posted March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Youtube Video | 公式】「プラコロ」初公開映像 posted by ポケモン公式YouTubeチャンネル (PokemonCoJP). Posted March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ↑ プラコロ#1 Vol.1 ピカチュウ開封レビュー＆ルール説明 | Youtube posted by サバイバルセブンズ (@SurvivalSevens). Posted November 17, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 POKEMON PRACORO | A PLAY EXPERIENCE MAKER'S WORK LOG FOR FUTURE SELF Posted December 17, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
- ↑ キャラコロカラー | プラコロwiki Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ↑ How to Play: Plakoro Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ↑ About | Plakoro Offcial Website Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ↑ Tumblr Post Posted September 10, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ↑ Pracoro Dice Battle | List of the Pracoro dice Sets along with their series number | File | BoardGameGeek Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ↑ 進化パック フシギソウ、フシギバナ Amazon Listing Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Placolo List - Placolo Wiki - Atwiki Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ↑ Amazon JP Listing for プラコロ キャラコロカラー エレキッド／ニャース Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 スタートセット|Products|Plakoro Website Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ↑ Pokémon Dice Battle Board Game 'PLAKORO' Revives and Evolves for 30th Anniversary – Products to Launch Sequentially in July! Posted March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ↑ プラコロ たんけんボックス 01 | Bandai Hobby Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ↑ プラコロバトルベース・赤 | プラコロwiki. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ↑ エネコロシューター | プラコロwiki Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ↑ プラコロ図鑑ケース | プラコロwiki Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ↑ 【ボードゲーム】プラコロタクティクスの立ち回り方。コマの動かし方編 - VC勢おかしょーのポケモンブログ Retrieved March 3, 2026.
See Also
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This article is part of Project Merchandise, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all Pokémon toys, dolls, books, and collectible merchandise. |