Pokémon: Nuzlocke Challenge!

[igotrhythm]

Okay, for those of you living under a rock, the Nuzlocke Challenge (named after its inventor--in a twist of fate, he failed his own challenge, though the fact that he documented his progress through webcomics probably has something to do with its continued popularity) is a new way to play the games you loved as a kid in a manner that's actually difficult. The particulars vary (you can search for one that you like if you want) but the basics are as follows:

1. You are only allowed to catch the first Pokémon you encounter in any given area. If for any reason this is impossible (for example, the first route in which you are bereft of balls), then tough baloney sandwiches, you get nothing from that area. A shiny does not count towards this limit. (thanks xVaLoRx)

2. Battle style is to be on Set at all times. No free switching after KO!

3. If a Pokémon faints in battle, it is not allowed to be revived, and must be released at the first available opportunity, as it is considered dead.
Errata: In some games, there are "team-ups" while going through certain areas. All wild encounters are 2v2 while this team-up is in effect, and your Pokémon are fully healed after each encounter. There is nothing you can do about this, so in these situations the fainting rule is waived and you may pick either of the first pair that comes out of the grass.

4. All your Pokémon are to be given nicknames. This does nothing to enhance the difficulty of the game on a technical level. Rather, it serves to increase the jimmy-rustling factor.

5. If you get wiped out, you may continue your challenge with any Pokémon languishing in your PC, though your old party is to be released as per the third rule. If you get wiped out and your box is empty, it's game over. Exception: If the team-up errata were in effect during this battle and your partner wins it for you, your party is fully healed by your partner as normal and you may continue.

I tried this the other night with Platinum, and to my surprise, it was actually a lot of fun. I picked Chimchar and started the match with Roark with an X Attack, which allowed Monferno the power he needed to pull off the sweep. Sadly, my run ended with Commander Mars in the Valley Windworks. FUCK that Purugly.

So yeah, share your stories of triumph and teeth-gnashing defeat. And remember, crit happens.

[dAnceguy117]

Originally Posted by igotrhythm

And remember, crit happens.

word.

been slowly playing through a run simultaneously with a few pals. game: Pokemon Black (1). our rules are a little different:

- free switching after KO on
- not allowed to keep more than 6 Pokemon
- only allowed to buy: poke balls, repels, TMs, mail (lol)
- not allowed to use a TM more than once

recently lost 4 of my 6 in a gym battle. ughhhh. trudging on...

[xVaLoRx]

Originally Posted by igotrhythm

1. You are only allowed to catch the first Pokémon you encounter in any given area. If for any reason this is impossible (for example, the first route in which you are bereft of balls), then tough baloney sandwiches, you get nothing from that area.

an exception to this is if you find a shiny, which you are allowed to catch

[igotrhythm]

Well, yeah, who wouldn't forget about the rules if you get that (1/2)^13 chance to fire?

[Xiz]

Unessesary pokemon games to play:

Blind mode:
- Pretend you're a blind pokemon trainer. Use sharpie on your gameboy to completely cover the screen to prevent cheating. You can only be guided by sounds.

Fight Club:
- You can only use takle on every pokemon, for everything. No other moves allowed

Michael Vick Mode:
You can only catch dog-related pokemon. These pokemon must never be above 50% heath at any time before battle.

Ditto Duel:
- You can only use 6 dittos, each ditto must replicate the current pokemon your against. If you beat the other pokemon, you must trade it out for a new ditto. Using an old ditto = loss.

Chris Brown Mode:
You may only use a diglet to battle female pokemon

[Trogdor!!!!]

I'm actually running a Nuzlocke right now on Black 1. I actually might track progress here considering I'm only on Burgh.

I've finished Nuzlocke's on HG, Sapphire, and Platinum.

[Arkuski]

I might have to try this. I also have yet to complete a Joey challenge.

[Anon1337]

http://www.nuzlocke.com/pokemonhardmode.php?p=60

[igotrhythm]

If you wanna be anal-retentive about doing it "right" and get it from the source, yeah, you can do that too.

http://www.nuzlocke.com/challenge.php

[Trogdor!!!!]

I lolstomped Burgh because all I have is a Petilil and a Pignite who are substantially higher levels than Leavanny. I may or may not be picking up a Sandile (probably may not just for the sake of variety considering I've had one literately all 4 times I've played through this game previously l0l). I'll honestly more than likely will end up getting a Darumaka even though it'll be hard as hell raising it's level without having it faint because of it's shit defensive stats. I'm also planning on getting a Yamask because I want something bulky for later in the game. There are too many options lol.

[thesunfan]

I've died on Gary's Charizard on FR, it was his last pokemon.
Did complete Gold though, and I'm trying Emerald now, failed 2 times in a row though. Its a lot of fun, but things like my FR run just ruin me. Didn't know about the shiny exception or rule #2 however, so its a good thing I read this. =)

[igotrhythm]

Well, as I linked earlier in the thread, it was originally just rules 1 and 3 (with 5 following from 3). Like I said, the variations are myriad.

[Mourningfall]

I've seen so much talk of this, I'm gonna try the Nuzlocke challenge on Pokemon Yellow.
I really hope I run into Mankey on Route 3, it's the only way I can see myself besting Brock. ;x

[All_That_Chaz]

I did a nuzlocke blue a couple years ago. Ended up with Blastoise, Sandslash, Dodrio, Gyarados, Victreebel, and Jolteon. It was a lot of fun, but gen 1 is insanely easy for nuzlocke. At least it is for me because I have pretty much all of the trainers somewhat memorized so I know what to put out.

[igotrhythm]

Ugh. Gen 1 would be the last I would nuzlocke. Why? MISTY.

Hell, if anything I'd be the "little brother" asking my big brother for the easy mode key. Doing a vanilla Platinum run and Maylene's Lucario curbstomped me because just now I'm experimenting with 5 mons plus HM slave Bibarel instead of a full team.

[All_That_Chaz]

My bellsprout wrecked Misty. Growth raises "Special" in gen 1 which was both special attack and defense, so bubblebeams did nothing, and my boosted vine whips wrecked. I didn't play the variant of no healing items so I growthed up, healed off the paltry damage done by her staryu, and fucked her pokemon up with vine whips.