Nuzlocke Challenge

The Nuzlocke Challenge is a set of rules intended to create a higher level of difficulty while playing the Pokémon games. Many challengers feel that the rules also serve the purpose of encouraging the use of Pokémon the player would not normally choose, and promoting closer bonds with the player's Pokémon. The rules are not an in-game function, but are self-imposed on the part of the player, and thus subject to variation.

"Okay, let's make this run of Ruby more interesting... -release a pokémon if it faints; -have to catch the 1st pokémon in catch area and nothing else"

The name of the challenge originates from the comic series of the same name, which features a Nuzleaf resembling John Locke as a recurring gag character.

Rules

The most basic Nuzlocke rules, as they were first introduced, are as follows:

Any Pokémon that faints is considered dead, and must be released.
The player may only catch the first Pokémon encountered in each area, and none else. If the first Pokémon encountered faints or flees, there are no second chances. (If the first encounter in the area is a double battle in dark grass, the player can choose which of the two Pokémon they would like to catch.)

While not exactly a definite rule, the general consensus is that players must also nickname all of their Pokémon, for the sake of forming stronger emotional bonds.

Optional rules

Though the above rules tend to stay consistent with all challengers, many optional variations and amendments to the rules also exist to further adjust difficulty. These include, but are not limited to:

Starter Pokémon is based off your Trainer ID number. If the last number is 1-3 the player starts with a Grass type, 4-6 is Fire type, 7-9 is Water type, 0 is the player's choice.
Adjusting the first encounter rule to ban duplicate captures.
- Not counting the very first encounter on the first route as the Pokémon that can be caught until the player has Poké Balls (for example, the Zigzagoon^RS/Poochyena^E that the player has to save Professor Birch from is not counted as the first encounter on the route, and not counting any other encounters as such until they can catch).
Considering a black out/white out to be "game over," even if there are Pokémon left in the PC.
Use the same amount of Pokémon as the opponent during a Gym battle or rival battle.
Going to options and making the battle style "set", leaving the player unable to switch out.
After the first wild Pokémon was caught, the starter Pokémon must be released.
Banning the use of Potions and healing items, relying only on Pokémon Centers for healing.
Banning the use of Pokémon Centers, relying only on Potions and healing items for healing.
Limiting Pokémon Center visits to a certain number per town.
Banning the use of held items.
Limiting the number of Poké Balls to purchase per Poké Mart.
Banning the use of Master Balls.
Rather than releasing the Pokémon, it can be permanently boxed, migrated, or transferred with Poké Transfer should it happen to faint.
The player may not evolve captured Pokémon, but evolved Pokémon may be caught.
No catching/using legendary Pokémon.
As a mercy rule, allowing 1-3 "second chances" or revives of fallen team members. Some people might use this rule in Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen or Platinum where the first rival battle is immediately after the player gets their starter.
As another mercy rule, if the player runs into a shiny Pokémon on the incredibly rare chance, the player may still catch it, regardless of whether or not it is the first encounter in the area.

Many other rules exist; challengers adjust their personal rules according to their own preferences. In order to be considered a true Nuzlocke Challenge, however, the two core rules must be in place.

External links

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