Post by SV on Feb 15, 2012 3:34:38 GMT -5
Some of you are probably already familiar with the Nuzlocke Challenge. For those of you who aren't, it's basically Pokemon hardmode. A friend of mine just started one up and, being sort of bored and quite amused, I decided to start one up myself.
Rules/FAQ, for anyone who's interested:
The Most Frequently Asked Questions of All Time
I changed the rules a little, is this okay?
Of course. This is your Nuzlocke, go for it!
What game should I Nuzlocke?
If you're just beginning, go for the game you're most familiar with. Willing to put yourself through the worst playthrough of Pokemon you've had? See below.
What is the most challenging game to Nuzlocke?
BlazeBlack, VoltWhite, and other hacks are generally much harder than the actual games. However, if you don't want a hack, choose the game you are the least familiar with. You won't know what Pokemon are in each area, etc. To help with this, you could set rules so you can't use Bulbapedia, Smogon, or any other walkthrough or informative site to help you. Additionally, you can add a lot of rules to make it harder- no PokeCenter, etc.
Why is a Nuzlocke called a Nuzlocke?
In the very first Nuzlocke run, the player had a Nuzleaf who looked like a character named Locke from the TV show Lost. It was the first Pokemon he had caught other than his Treecko, and so it was decided to call it a Nuzlocke challenge, because of the "Nuz" in "Nuzleaf" and the "Locke" in "Locke."
Catching Rules
What are the standard catching rules of a Nuzlocke?
Usually, you may only catch 1 Pokemon per area. It is the first Pokemon you encounter. If it faints or flees, you may not catch anything else from that area.
At the beginning of a game, when you have no access to Poke Balls but must encounter a wild Pokemon to go on with the game, does the first Pokemon I encounter on a Route count as the only Pokemon I can catch?
Most of the time, these Pokemon do not count. However, as soon as you have access to Pokeballs, it does count, and you may only catch the first Pokemon you see with access to Pokeballs.
On some Routes, there is grass and water. Can I catch a Pokemon from both?
Most of the time, no. But keep in mind it is your Nuzlocke, if you want to you can. If there is a pond in, say, a city, then you may, as the city would count as a different area.
Does each floor of a cave count as a different area?
Usually, no. If there is a Pokemon you want on a different floor of the cave, you will have to Repel your way to that floor and hope you get the Pokemon you want, if you haven't banned Repels (as some people do).
Are forests and caves considered a part of the route they are on?
Ususally, no.
In the Safari Zone, do all 4 areas count as different areas, or is the Safari Zone just one giant area?
In most Nuzlockes, you can catch a Pokemon in each area.
Do gift Pokemon count as a catch for that area?
Normally, no, however, I have seen a few people say yes.
I don't have any Pokemon that can learn an HM needed to move on! Am I allowed to catch another Pokemon for this purpose?
Yes, however, you may not use it in battle.
What is the "Dupes Clause?"
The "Dupes Clause" is optional and says you can opt to or opt to not catch a Pokemon you have caught and try again, for a Pokemon you have not caught. You may try again until you encounter something you haven't caught. This rule is very variable- you can choose not to catch a Pokemon you have, you are NOT allowed to catch a Pokemon you already have, etc. Some people are able to try three times. If the first, second, and third Pokemon encountered are all duplicates of a previously caught Pokemon, the third Pokemon is the final Pokemon- you can either take it or leave it.
What is the "Shiny Clause?"
The "Shiny Clause" says you are allowed to catch any shinies on a Route, whether they were the first Pokemon or not. Whether you use them or not is up to you.
Am I allowed to have more than six Pokemon? Can I use the box?
Of course! Unless you want to try Vitehite's "Empty Box Mode."
Fainting Rules
What are the basic fainting rules in a Nuzlocke?
If a Pokemon faints, it is dead. You must release or permabox it, or permanently box.
Am I allowed to use Revives?
Using a revive would be like bringing a Pokemon back to life, which is going against one of the main rules of a Nuzlocke. A Nuzlocke is supposed to make the game harder, and this could take away the challenge. If you want to, you can use them, but that wouldn't be considered a Nuzlocke.
Do I have to release a Pokemon if it faints?
No. You can also Permabox, or permanently box it.
My whole team wiped out! What now?
If you want, you can make a new team using any Pokemon in the box, or consider it "Game Over" and start again.
Nicknaming Rules
What are the standard nicknaming rules of a Nuzlocke?
You must nickname all your Pokemon, in order to have a larger bond with them and have it hurt more if they pass away.
Do I have to follow this rule?
No. This rule is very optional.
I forgot to nickname a Pokemon!
Go to the Name Rater as soon as he is available and change your Pokemon's name to that. If he is not available until later in the game, be sure to call it by a name until you can.
Other
What is BlazeBlack/VoltWhite/SeaGreen/ScorchedEarth/Etc?
These are hacks, usually intended to make the games harder or improve the typing, moveset, etc. of Pokemon the creator of the hack believes should be in the official games. These games are unofficial and can sometimes be messed up, freeze, etc.
Okay, so where can I get on?
I'm not good with hacks, but basically, you must download an emulator, a clean ROM of the game, and something else, like UnRARx or something? If you need help with a hack you would like to Nuzlocke, please do not consult this FAQ as you will probably end up exploding your computer.
I caught a Haunter/Boldore/Graveler/Kadabra/etc, is it okay to give it to my friend to evolve it and have them give it back?
Normally, yes. If you are on a ROM on your computer, it is also okay to hack it and make it so giving it an evolutionary stone/item/etc will evolve it.
In Gen 5, can I "Audino Grind?"
I have never seen anyone not do this- Audinos are great to train on in Nuzlockes.
Am I allowed to breed Pokemon in the Day Care?
Personally, I only breed once- it's a new area. It's your choice, though.
Shamelessly lifted from reddit
I just now started mine. (Okay, that's a lie; I started one earlier tonight on Pearl but I failed to delete the previous save file so I was SOL. I'm kind of bummed. I had a female Bidoof named Candy-Jo and I was getting really attached to her. Alas.) Anyway. I'm like 30 minutes in right now. My party is currently:
- Gordon (Turtwig, L5)
- Leslie (Bidoof, L2)
I'll do my best to keep you all updated, especially if other people decide to get in on this silliness.
And if you do, feel free to inform us of your progress via screen caps, illustrations, stories, or just the occasional synopsis.
Good luck, folks!
UPDATE 1: 1:09 : Added Burgess the Starly to the party. Leslie was struck down by a rival Bidoof's lucky critical. Given that I named Leslie for this creepy middle-aged guy who has an unhealthy infatuation with my friend, I consider this an improvement.
Rules/FAQ, for anyone who's interested:
The Most Frequently Asked Questions of All Time
I changed the rules a little, is this okay?
Of course. This is your Nuzlocke, go for it!
What game should I Nuzlocke?
If you're just beginning, go for the game you're most familiar with. Willing to put yourself through the worst playthrough of Pokemon you've had? See below.
What is the most challenging game to Nuzlocke?
BlazeBlack, VoltWhite, and other hacks are generally much harder than the actual games. However, if you don't want a hack, choose the game you are the least familiar with. You won't know what Pokemon are in each area, etc. To help with this, you could set rules so you can't use Bulbapedia, Smogon, or any other walkthrough or informative site to help you. Additionally, you can add a lot of rules to make it harder- no PokeCenter, etc.
Why is a Nuzlocke called a Nuzlocke?
In the very first Nuzlocke run, the player had a Nuzleaf who looked like a character named Locke from the TV show Lost. It was the first Pokemon he had caught other than his Treecko, and so it was decided to call it a Nuzlocke challenge, because of the "Nuz" in "Nuzleaf" and the "Locke" in "Locke."
Catching Rules
What are the standard catching rules of a Nuzlocke?
Usually, you may only catch 1 Pokemon per area. It is the first Pokemon you encounter. If it faints or flees, you may not catch anything else from that area.
At the beginning of a game, when you have no access to Poke Balls but must encounter a wild Pokemon to go on with the game, does the first Pokemon I encounter on a Route count as the only Pokemon I can catch?
Most of the time, these Pokemon do not count. However, as soon as you have access to Pokeballs, it does count, and you may only catch the first Pokemon you see with access to Pokeballs.
On some Routes, there is grass and water. Can I catch a Pokemon from both?
Most of the time, no. But keep in mind it is your Nuzlocke, if you want to you can. If there is a pond in, say, a city, then you may, as the city would count as a different area.
Does each floor of a cave count as a different area?
Usually, no. If there is a Pokemon you want on a different floor of the cave, you will have to Repel your way to that floor and hope you get the Pokemon you want, if you haven't banned Repels (as some people do).
Are forests and caves considered a part of the route they are on?
Ususally, no.
In the Safari Zone, do all 4 areas count as different areas, or is the Safari Zone just one giant area?
In most Nuzlockes, you can catch a Pokemon in each area.
Do gift Pokemon count as a catch for that area?
Normally, no, however, I have seen a few people say yes.
I don't have any Pokemon that can learn an HM needed to move on! Am I allowed to catch another Pokemon for this purpose?
Yes, however, you may not use it in battle.
What is the "Dupes Clause?"
The "Dupes Clause" is optional and says you can opt to or opt to not catch a Pokemon you have caught and try again, for a Pokemon you have not caught. You may try again until you encounter something you haven't caught. This rule is very variable- you can choose not to catch a Pokemon you have, you are NOT allowed to catch a Pokemon you already have, etc. Some people are able to try three times. If the first, second, and third Pokemon encountered are all duplicates of a previously caught Pokemon, the third Pokemon is the final Pokemon- you can either take it or leave it.
What is the "Shiny Clause?"
The "Shiny Clause" says you are allowed to catch any shinies on a Route, whether they were the first Pokemon or not. Whether you use them or not is up to you.
Am I allowed to have more than six Pokemon? Can I use the box?
Of course! Unless you want to try Vitehite's "Empty Box Mode."
Fainting Rules
What are the basic fainting rules in a Nuzlocke?
If a Pokemon faints, it is dead. You must release or permabox it, or permanently box.
Am I allowed to use Revives?
Using a revive would be like bringing a Pokemon back to life, which is going against one of the main rules of a Nuzlocke. A Nuzlocke is supposed to make the game harder, and this could take away the challenge. If you want to, you can use them, but that wouldn't be considered a Nuzlocke.
Do I have to release a Pokemon if it faints?
No. You can also Permabox, or permanently box it.
My whole team wiped out! What now?
If you want, you can make a new team using any Pokemon in the box, or consider it "Game Over" and start again.
Nicknaming Rules
What are the standard nicknaming rules of a Nuzlocke?
You must nickname all your Pokemon, in order to have a larger bond with them and have it hurt more if they pass away.
Do I have to follow this rule?
No. This rule is very optional.
I forgot to nickname a Pokemon!
Go to the Name Rater as soon as he is available and change your Pokemon's name to that. If he is not available until later in the game, be sure to call it by a name until you can.
Other
What is BlazeBlack/VoltWhite/SeaGreen/ScorchedEarth/Etc?
These are hacks, usually intended to make the games harder or improve the typing, moveset, etc. of Pokemon the creator of the hack believes should be in the official games. These games are unofficial and can sometimes be messed up, freeze, etc.
Okay, so where can I get on?
I'm not good with hacks, but basically, you must download an emulator, a clean ROM of the game, and something else, like UnRARx or something? If you need help with a hack you would like to Nuzlocke, please do not consult this FAQ as you will probably end up exploding your computer.
I caught a Haunter/Boldore/Graveler/Kadabra/etc, is it okay to give it to my friend to evolve it and have them give it back?
Normally, yes. If you are on a ROM on your computer, it is also okay to hack it and make it so giving it an evolutionary stone/item/etc will evolve it.
In Gen 5, can I "Audino Grind?"
I have never seen anyone not do this- Audinos are great to train on in Nuzlockes.
Am I allowed to breed Pokemon in the Day Care?
Personally, I only breed once- it's a new area. It's your choice, though.
Shamelessly lifted from reddit
I just now started mine. (Okay, that's a lie; I started one earlier tonight on Pearl but I failed to delete the previous save file so I was SOL. I'm kind of bummed. I had a female Bidoof named Candy-Jo and I was getting really attached to her. Alas.) Anyway. I'm like 30 minutes in right now. My party is currently:
- Gordon (Turtwig, L5)
- Leslie (Bidoof, L2)
I'll do my best to keep you all updated, especially if other people decide to get in on this silliness.
And if you do, feel free to inform us of your progress via screen caps, illustrations, stories, or just the occasional synopsis.
Good luck, folks!
UPDATE 1: 1:09 : Added Burgess the Starly to the party. Leslie was struck down by a rival Bidoof's lucky critical. Given that I named Leslie for this creepy middle-aged guy who has an unhealthy infatuation with my friend, I consider this an improvement.