Yes, gender choice significantly impacts the pool of starter Pokémon available to you in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX. While gender has no bearing on gameplay mechanics, story progression, or relationships with other Pokémon after the initial selection, it directly influences which Pokémon you can become at the beginning of your adventure.
How Gender Influences Your Starter Pokémon
At the very start of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, you undergo a personality quiz to determine which Pokémon best suits you. Your initial gender selection (Boy or Girl) acts as a filter on the potential Pokémon results from this quiz. This means certain Pokémon are exclusively available to male player characters, while others are only available to female player characters.
For instance, if you choose 'Boy,' specific Pokémon will be excluded from your possible starter options. Conversely, choosing 'Girl' will remove a different set of Pokémon from the pool of potential player characters.
To illustrate, here's a breakdown of which starter Pokémon are excluded based on your gender choice:
| Gender Chosen | Unavailable Player Pokémon (from quiz) |
|---|---|
| Boy | Chikorita, Torchic, Skitty |
| Girl | Psyduck, Machop, Cyndaquil |
This restriction applies solely to the Pokémon you are assigned as the main character. Your choice of a partner Pokémon, which you select separately after your own Pokémon has been determined, is not affected by your gender choice.
Implications for Your Adventure
The primary implication of gender choice is the initial team composition you can form. If you have a strong preference for playing as a specific Pokémon, you'll need to ensure your chosen gender aligns with its availability.
- Customization: This mechanic adds a subtle layer of initial customization, making your first playthrough feel unique based on this early decision.
- Replayability: For players looking to experience the game as a different starter, changing the gender in subsequent playthroughs is a direct way to access new player Pokémon options from the quiz.
Beyond this initial selection, your gender choice has no further impact on recruiting other Pokémon throughout your journey, the items you can use, or any in-game events. It's purely a filter for your very first Pokémon assignment.
