At first glance, Pokerogue might seem like a game of pure chance. With its randomly generated floors and encounters, it’s easy to think that success is all about getting a lucky start. But after spending hours delving into its dungeons, you realize the truth: PokéRogue is a masterclass in strategy, adaptation, and resource management.

Sure, luck plays a role. A rare and powerful Pokémon appearing on the first floor can certainly make things easier. But the true masters of PokéRogue know that long-term success comes from mitigating bad luck and capitalizing on every small advantage. It’s about knowing which battles to fight and which to avoid, when to spend your money on healing items versus a powerful held item, and how to build a balanced team from the random creatures you encounter.

The game constantly forces you to make difficult choices with incomplete information. You might find a TM for a powerful move, but who on your team should learn it? Do you teach it to your current star player or save it for a Pokémon you hope to catch later? This is where your knowledge of the broader Pokémon universe—type matchups, abilities, and move sets—truly shines.

Moreover, the game rewards planning. As you play, you learn the patterns of certain bosses, the value of specific passive items, and the best ways to build teams around different archetypes (like weather teams or stat-boosting setups). Every failed run becomes a data point, teaching you what not to do next time.

So while a lucky run can feel great, the real satisfaction in Pokerogue Dex comes from a hard-fought victory where your strategic decisions, not chance, led you to the top.