Follow these steps when setting up the game for the first time.
How do I install Pokemon Close Combat?
Pokemon Close Combat is only available for Windows computers.
Download the game here.
Once downloaded, follow these steps to set up the game.
Open the downloaded file PKMNCC Setup and select Yes when asked to allow this app to make changes to your device.
When the PKMNCC Launcher opens, click Next >.
Choose a location to install the PKMNCC Launcher. Don't choose Users folders like Documents, Desktop, or Downloads. Instead, install to a location like the Program Files folder. Do not choose a folder with a special character like . in its name.
Continue pressing Next to create a Desktop Shortcut so that you can easily find and open the game. Finally, click Install.
Open the PKMNCC Launcher and again select Yes when asked to allow this app to make changes to your device.
Once the launcher opens, click the green play icon in the bottom left to begin downloading the game’s files. Once finished, the game will open.
You've now fully installed Pokemon Close Combat. Enjoy!
What are the controls?
Pokemon Close Combat is a “3-button fighter.” These buttons default to JKL on your keyboard. J is normal attack, K is special attack, and L is Parry and grab.
Use the WASD keys to move up, down, left, and right.
Use the Esc key to pause.
How do I use my controller?
Use the Launcher to set up your controller by clicking Settings at the top of the window and selecting Game. From here, select the Controller tab to see your two options:
AntiMicroX
AntiMicroX is a tool that binds your controller inputs to keystrokes.
Click Run AntiMicroX to open the program.
Once open, press any button on your controller. This will cause that button on AntiMicroX to light up.
Click that button in AntiMicroX and choose a keystroke for it to correspond to. For example, choose to bind your controller's "A" button to "J" and your "Pause" button to "Esc."
Once finished, click Save in the top right.
While AntiMicroX remains open, your controller will work for Pokemon Close Combat.
Note: Don't check Use controller in-game if using AntiMicroX.
Default Controller Support
Click the Use controller in-game box to enable default controller support.
This doesn't support all controllers, but it does work with most standard game pads and almost all fight sticks. If your controller isn't supported, you should use AntiMicroX.
If the cursor is stuck moving diagonally on the character select screen, your controller isn't supported.
Using default controller support while having just 1 controller plugged in can sometimes cause lag. This only occurs locally and not when playing online.
How can I play online with other players?
Pokemon Close Combat uses LilithPort to connect players online.
You can adjust the game's volume using the PKMNCC Launcher, Lilithport or your computer's Sound Mixer.
Launcher
Click the PKMNCC Launcher link on the top left of the Launcher.
Click Settings.
Click Game.
Click Volume.
Here you can adjust the volume before you launch the game.
Please note that this feature is experimental and may not work 100%.
Lilithport
Click the globe with pokeball in the bottom left of the launcher to open LilithPort.
Select OK to go online.
Select Options at the top of the page and choose Settings… in the drop down menu.
Select Volume at the top of the options menu.
Use the sliding bar next to BGM to adjust the volume of the game's background music.
Use the sliding bar next to SE to adjust the volume of the game's sound effects.
Press OK to finish.
Sound Mixer
Open Pokemon Close Combat.
At the bottom of your screen, type Sound Mixer into your Windows Search Bar and select Sound Mixer Options.
Use the sliding bar next to pkmncc to adjust the game's volume.
Troubleshooting
Below are the most common questions from players who looking for help.
How do I exit full screen mode?
Press f4 on your keyboard. Then, select Window at the top of the window and choose WindowSize1x1.
Why is my framerate choppy, even offline?
Turning on the "Joystick" setting can cause framerate problems. To disable it...
Click Option at the top of the Pokemon Close Combat's window and choose Game in the drop down menu.
Uncheck the box to the left of Joystick.
Click Ok.
Error: Unable to start correctly (0xc0000022)
This error is also "An app on your PC needs the following Windows feature."
This error can occur in the launcher when updating or when downloading for the first time.
If Windows won't enable Direct Play via the UI, you can copy and paste the following script into Windows PowerShell to turn it on: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature –FeatureName "DirectPlay" -All -Online.
You may need to run PowerShell as administrator to get the PowerShell fix to work.
Error: Could not connect to the WindowsLogic Productions game services
The PKMNCC Launcher often crashes if you use other applications while downloading or updating. Try stepping away from your computer while downloading.
Try using "Force Game Reinstall" found in Settings (Top Left) -> General -> Data Manager
If the problem persists, delete the PKMNCC Launcher and reinstall.
How do I update my game to the newest patch?
The PKMNCC Launcher will automatically update your game to the newest patch each time you open it.
To check what patch you're playing on, check the lower right of your game’s title screen.
If the launcher won't update the game for you, check the section above. Use "Force Game Reinstall" found in Settings (Top Left) -> General -> Data Manager to force an update.
Why does the Launcher keep updating repeatedly?
Sometimes the launcher will get stuck repeatedly updating after finishing an update.
Close the launcher and re-open to fix the issue.
Why did a character disappear after I paused the game?
Pausing in single-player modes sometimes cause characters to disappear. This glitch will be addressed in a future update.
Will there ever be official Mac, Linux, or mobile support?
No, Pokemon Close Combat will only ever be available for Windows. The game’s engine doesn't support other operating systems.
However, it is possible to play on these platforms using additional tools. See the questions below for specifics.
Can I play on Android?
Yes, you can use Winlator to play Windows games like Close Combat on your Android device. Follow this guide by Snack to set it up.
How To Play Pokemon Close Combat on Android Using Winlator
Yes, you can use tools like Kegworks (Previously Wineskin Winery) to run Windows applications like Pokemon Close Combat on other operating systems. However, online won't work.
Can I play on Linux?
Yes, you can use Lutris to play Windows games like Close Combat on your Linux machine. You can even play online! Follow this guide by Snack to set it up.
How To Play Pokemon Close Combat on Linux Using Lutris (WITH ONLINE NOT CLICKBAIT)
The above guide was written before the launcher was created, which doesn't work on Steam Deck. For steps 1 and 2, download the game from the links section of this wiki, or run the launcher on windows and transfer the entire game folder to your Steam Deck. Then, continue from step 3.
Setting Controls on Steam Deck
The launcher also enables the game's built-in controller support. So, to play on Steam Deck, you'll need to create controller configurations that map buttons to keyboard keys.
Open the Steam menu in game by pressing the Steam button or your controller's "menu" button (i.e. the Xbox or PlayStation symbol), or by navigating to the controller icon in the game's library page.
Under Controller, select Controller Settings.
For recommendations on how to map your controls, check out our Controls page.
Setting 2-Player Controls on Steam Deck
The Steam Deck has trouble binding controls to the numpad, which is the default location for player 2's buttons. Instead, modify game.ini in your game's folder to change the keyboard keys used for P2's buttons.
Modify the lines starting with Player2 KEY `= and ending with Player2 KEY e= .
Expand the block below to see an example copy of game.ini with the Player 2 buttons remapped so that ABCDEF correspond to ZXCVBN (instead of Numpad 1-6). You can replace the entire contents of your file with this and then create a Steam controller config for player 2 using these keys.
[GamePlay]
Editor.TestPlay.Player0.cpu=0
Editor.TestPlay.Player1.cpu=0
Editor.TestPlay.GameSpeed=10
Editor.TestPlay.HitJudge=0
Editor.TestPlay.GameInformation=0
Editor.TestPlay.StageNb=0
Editor.TestPlay.JoyStick=1
Editor.TestPlay.time=60
Editor.TestPlay.exit=0
Editor.TestPlay.VSMode=0
Editor.TestPlay.VSSinglePlay=3
Editor.TestPlay.VSTeamPlay=3
Player1 KEY ã=87
Player1 KEY E=65
Player1 KEY º=83
Player1 KEY ¶=68
Player1 KEY `=74
Player1 KEY a=75
Player1 KEY b=76
Player1 KEY c=85
Player1 KEY d=73
Player1 KEY e=79
Player1 KEY PAUSE=27
Player1 JOY `=0
Player1 JOY a=1
Player1 JOY b=2
Player1 JOY c=3
Player1 JOY d=4
Player1 JOY e=5
Player1 JOY PAUSE=9
Player2 KEY ã=84
Player2 KEY E=70
Player2 KEY º=71
Player2 KEY ¶=72
Player2 KEY `=90
Player2 KEY a=88
Player2 KEY b=67
Player2 KEY c=86
Player2 KEY d=66
Player2 KEY e=78
Player2 KEY PAUSE=27
Player2 JOY `=0
Player2 JOY a=1
Player2 JOY b=2
Player2 JOY c=3
Player2 JOY d=4
Player2 JOY e=5
Player2 JOY PAUSE=9
GameWindowPoint_x=0
GameWindowPoint_y=0
GameWindowSize_x=640
GameWindowSize_y=480
GameScreenMode=0
Your Player 2 controller configuration should map the directional inputs to TFGH on the keyboard (T for Up, F for Left, G for Down, H for Right) and ZXCVBN for ABCDEF.
Configurations for P1 and P2 are also uploaded Steam's Templates. To use these configurations, select "show all layouts" when browsing configs. They're called "PKMNCC PLAYER 1" and "PKMNCC PLAYER 2."
How do I fix this menu bug in Versus?
Do you see the following glitched screen when playing in versus mode?
To fix it...
Click Option at the top of the Pokemon Close Combat's window and choose Game in the drop down menu.
Below Select BG[VS.], click the BG drop down menu and select any stage that isn't 1PMenu.
Click Ok.
Player Open Error
This means the file is missing from your game directory.
This is likely due to a download or file extraction error.
Try using "Force Game Reinstall" found in Settings (Top Left) -> General -> Data Manager
If problems still persist, you can try Pokemon: Close Combat/Links and download the game via past version downloads.
Learning and Improving
Below are the essentials for leveling up at Pokemon Close Combat.
I’m new to fighting games, where should I start?
Check out this video guide by Altilt to learn the basics for playing the game:
New To Fighting Games? - A Pokémon: Close Combat Tutorial
In the characters section of this wiki, you will find frame data for each move in a Pokemon's arsenal.
Pokemon Close Combat runs at 100 frames per second.
A move with 10 "startup" takes 1/10th of a second from the time the move is input to produce a hitbox on screen.
A move that is "+10 [+5]" (plus 10 on hit, plus five on block) leaves the player with 1/10th of a second on hit or 1/20th of a second [on block] of advantage.
Frame data for air attacks assumes that the move is done at the lowest possible height.
I’m trying to play online, but I keep losing… How do I improve?
So you know your moves and how to perform them, have read your character’s wiki page and have even beaten The Path a few times. But, when you go online, you don’t stand a chance. Here are some specific skills you can practice to help level up.
Parry Projectiles:
Projectile spam is relatively weak in Close Combat because of the parry. By pressing C and forward just before a projectile hits you, you can dash forward and close the gap between you and your opponent. You don’t need to be able to Parry every projectile to be able to win, but if your only response to projectiles is to block, you’ll stand little chance against opponents who spam projectiles.
To practice parrying in Training Mode, set Wobbuffet to “FIREBALL” and “DO E ALWAYS.” Practice moving back and forth, parrying the fireballs. When parrying fireballs from mid- or close-range, practice dashing forward and hitting Wobbuffet with a combo.
Learn the Meaty:
A "meaty" is an attack that hits the opponent on the first frame they stand up from a knockdown. A character performing a meaty will start their attack while the opponent is still standing up, such that the hitbox of the attack is already out when the opponent becomes actionable. If the knocked-down player attempts to use a throw, parry, or non-invincible move when they stand up, they will instantly be hit by the opponent’s meaty attack. (Players who want to avoid getting hit with a meaty must either block or use an invincible move on the first frame they stand up.)
Players who routinely “mash” attacks on wake up (a common habit for beginners) will lose to players who can recognize this tendency and punish with a well-timed meaty.
To practice meaty hits in Training Mode, set Wobbuffet to “PARRY” and “DO E WAKE-UP.” Knock Wobbuffet down, and then practice timing a move such that Wobbuffet gets hit as soon as they stand up. If your move comes out but Wobbuffet isn't hit, you've mistimed your meaty early. If your move is parried, you've mistimed your meaty late.
Master some Combos:
You don't need to learn a character’s entire wiki combo section in order to have success. You do, however, need to learn at least a couple bread and butter combos. After all, if your opponent does an average of 10 damage to you per opening, and you do an average of just 3, you will need to win neutral far more often than your opponent in order to be competitive.
To practice combos in Training Mode, set Wobbuffet to “AUTO-BLOCK” This way, Wobbuffet will rudely interrupt your combo if they have an opening to block. Alternatively, you can simply watch the combo counter at the bottom of the screen, which resets if Wobbuffet becomes actionable.
It can also be helpful to practice combos in The Path. Instead of focusing on winning, focus exclusively on landing the combo that you’re practicing over and over on the bots. This can help to improve muscle memory in a low-stakes environment against opponents who are actually fighting back.
Be Safe(r) on Block:
Some moves are "minus" when used against a blocking opponent, allowing the defender time to punish once the move has been blocked.
When attacking an opponent with a "block string," a series of moves in quick succession hitting a blocking opponent, do your best to avoid ending on a heavily minus (-7 or more) move. If your opponent has successfully blocked all of the previous hits in a block string, it's better to stop attacking than to use a minus move on block. Similarly, don't rely on moves that are minus on block as your main approach tools. Experienced opponents will catch on and play more defensively, waiting for you to use a minus move and blocking for an easy punish. If you're the one blocking, keep an eye out for moves that are unsafe on block and punish them with combos!
Start Up-Backing:
In addition to simply blocking more, a particularly powerful type of blocking (mainly on heavier characters with slower jumps) is up-backing.
By taking advantage of your pre-jump throw immunity, you can automatically defend against attacks and throws at the same time!
"Heavy" characters (Bewear, Chesnaught, Great Tusk, Slither Wing, Kommo-o) can block for longer before jumping, allowing them to beat frame traps.
Be warned that you're vulnerable to larger pressure gaps and lows, so don't rely on this as your only defensive option.
Formulate an Offense:
A simple form of up-close pressure can be formulated in a few steps:
1. Set Wobbuffet to FAST ATTACK ON BLOCK END, and try to find a meterless move where you can parry or (ideally) counter-hit Wobbuffet's attack afterwards.
2. Find a way to use an overhead (displayed as High on the wiki) move or throw relatively quickly after the move.
3. Focus on making the opponent block the first move, then parry or frame trap (counter-hit their attack) right afterwards to punish their attack.
4. Once they stop attacking after the move, start using highs, throws, and repeating the move again to repeat the situation and tack on Endurance damage.
5. Repeat the move too many times and you'll get pushed out of range. To counterract this, use a forward-advancing, advantageous move or walk forward slightly between hits.
Study High-Level Gameplay:
One surefire way to improve is to emulate the strategies of successful players.
Find recent tournament replays of skilled players piloting your character. As you watch, note what they do differently from you. How do they approach their opponent? What moves do they use more than you, or what moves do they use in a different way? What combos do they rely on most? What options do they choose on defense? Take note of just a few new ideas to incorporate into your gameplay and practice implementing them. Repeat this process as you continue to improve.
Keep in mind that LilithPort also allows you to watch your own replays. Consider watching back your own gameplay and comparing your decisions to the decisions made by tournament players!
Further Questions
Use the Discord server's#ask-for-help channel to get help with any other questions.
