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January 2023

Pokémon Nuzlocke Tools, Tips & Tricks!

Now that my first Pokémon Nuzlocke is completed (Shining Pearl, the generation IV remake), I thought it would be helpful to make a document outlining everything I found helpful in completing my run. Also checkout my post on Pokémon Battling Basics!

If you already know the basics of a Nuzlocke, feel free to skip below.

What is a Nuzlocke?

The term Nuzlocke is a portmanteau Nuzleaf (the evolution of Seedot) and the Lost T.V. show character John Locke. Apparently, a 4Chan user by the name of Nuzlocke created an online comic series titled Ruby: Hard Mode where a Nuzleaf is caught with a likeness to John Locke. And there the name was born.

So, what is a Nuzlocke?

A Nuzlocke is a set of self-imposed rules to intentionally make the Pokémon games more difficult. Think of it like a challenge mode. The most common set of rules are as follows:

  • When a Pokémon faints, it dies and can no longer be used for the rest of the run. So, release or box it.
  • You may only catch the first Pokémon you encounter in a given area. If the Pokémon faints or flees, then you may not catch a new Pokémon.
  • You must nickname each Pokémon you catch.

Pretty straight forward! However, there are many other rules you can add:

  • When all of your Pokémon in your party faint, the run is over and you must reset the entire game (this would be triggered by the white out screen).
  • The no death run. If any Pokémon faints, then you must restart the run from the beginning.
  • No item runs.
  • Shiny Clause: If you encounter a shiny at any point, you may catch it and use it one your run.
  • Duplicate Clause: If the first Pokémon you encounter in an area is a duplicate of a first-encounter Pokémon from a different area, then you may encounter a new Pokémon.
  • Level caps. The level cap is determined by the highest level of the next Gym Leader’s Pokémon. For the Elite 4 and the Champion, the level cap is commonly set to the highest level Pokémon of the final Elite 4 member, not the Champion.
  • Blind Run. This is a run where you aren’t allowed to check which Pokémon are in an area, what Pokémon a battler or Gym Leader has, or really anything.

Aaaannndddd some clarifications/room for interpretation:

  • What about eggs? Most folks handle eggs one of two ways either: they are a free Pokémon or they take up spawn for the area you received the egg (or the area where the Pokémon hatches, dealer’s choice).
  • What about gift or trade Pokémon? If an NPC offers you a Pokémon or offers a trade, the same rule as above applies.
  • What do you mean by area? This can either strictly mean route, or any new named area. However, this does not count different terrain in the same area. For instance, on Victory Road in Shining Pearl, going inside a cave does not count as a different area and therefore does not warrant catching a new Pokémon.
  • When does the run begin? The run begins when you receive Poke Balls, so any area you passed on your way to obtain Poke Balls does not count and you can backtrack and catch Pokémon on those routes.

Just remember these are self-imposed, so if you want to make a change that feels more fun, just do it!

Tips & Tricks

As has been said by beginner and pro Nuzlocker alike, the number one killer of Nuzlocke runs is distraction. So, these tips and tricks aren’t about high-level strategy, but things that are really easy to miss, or nice ways to optimize your runs!

  • Know tricky abilities! You don’t have to memorize them all, but there are a few abilities you always want to be aware of such as: sturdy (endures one-hit KO moves with 1hp) and levitate(immune to ground type moves).. These can change the whole flow of battle whether wild or in battle. Also, they are great to know when catching and training your own Pokémon.
  • Know deadly moves: While traversing Victory Road, I encountered a Graveler. It was my first encounter so I began trying to capture it with a Quick Ball. After the second attempt, it Self-Destructed and killed the Blissey I had just spent over an hour grinding up from level 1. This also goes for 4x effective moves. It doesn’t hurt to pull up the Pokemon’s move/learn set before engaging. There are Pokémon that resist these moves and items that always allow you to flee, which are good options.
  • Repel hunting: Each Repel controls for a specific level range, so you can lookup the level ranges of certain Pokémon and use Repels to increase your chances at catching specific Pokémon. You can also use them to get to caves or water instead of grass encounters.
  • Damage is variable: Each attack has a range of damage. So, you can’t assume that an attack that brought you down to just under half will not K.O. on the next attack.
  • Always have items on you: My recommendations: Full Heals (or at least Antidotes), Repels, Escape Ropes, Quick Balls, Timer Balls, Ethers, and Max Potions.  You get so much money in Pokémon, so spend it!
  • Play the Gym Leader: The safest strategy is to prepare for the next Gym Leader rather than building a well-balanced team off the bat. You will need a well-rounded team for the Elite 4/Champion, so make sure you are catching every area and re-evaluate your team then.
  • Catch all of your first encounters: Even if it seems useless, just do it. When you lose some Pokémon or go up against a strange or difficult moveset, have a Pokémon you can grind and use for one battle is clutch in these runs.
  • Remember to backtrack or “save” areas: The Nuzlocke doesn’t “begin” until you receive Poké Balls, so backtrack and get those early encounters! In Diamond and Pearl, Gible can only be caught in one location: Wayward Cave, but only when you have unlocked Strength. So, I Repel’d the area and came back to try my chance at a Gible later in the game (it didn’t work, but that’s okay!). Totally fair play!
  • Sacrifice strategically: Pokémon will die. It’s just a fact of Nuzlocke’s. The key is to be strategic with who will die. Know which Pokémon in a pinch you will sacrifice to get a heal on another party member.

The number rule of Nuzlocke’s: !!Play Conservatively!!

If you aren’t doing a blind run, you should be looking up the trainer battles and Gym Leaders before engaging. You should be grinding to over-level, or hit level caps for all of your Pokémon. If there is even the most remote chance your Pokémon could die from a crit or status condition or weather effect, switch them out or run away. USE HEALING ITEMS. When you are grinding, double and triple check the movesets of the encounters (I almost lost my Lucario from a rogue close combat I didn’t expect)..

Tips & Tricks