Welcome to our complete guide on how to Nuzlocke Pokémon Ruby! If you’re a fan of the Pokémon franchise, chances are you’ve heard of the Nuzlocke Challenge. This self-imposed set of rules is designed to make your Pokémon gaming experience more challenging and exciting. In this guide, we’ll go through the basic rules of a Nuzlocke Challenge and provide some tips for playing Pokémon Ruby with these rules. So let’s dive in!
What is a Nuzlocke Challenge?
The Nuzlocke Challenge is a set of gameplay rules that players impose on themselves to increase the difficulty of a Pokémon game. These rules are not officially recognized by Game Freak or Nintendo, and are entirely optional. The main goal of a Nuzlocke Challenge is to make the player more attached to their Pokémon, as well as making the game more challenging.
The Basic Rules
While there are many different variations of the Nuzlocke Challenge, the basic rules are as follows:
- Any Pokémon that faints is considered dead, and must be permanently released or stored in a designated PC box for “dead” Pokémon.
- You can 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.
- You must nickname all your Pokémon, for the sake of forming stronger emotional bonds.
- A black out/white out is considered a “game over”, even if there are Pokémon left in the PC.
Tips and Tricks for Nuzlocking Pokémon Ruby
1. Plan Your Team Wisely
Since you’re limited in the number of Pokémon you can catch, think about your team composition and the types of Pokémon you want to use. Be mindful of type advantages and disadvantages, and try to have a balanced team.
2. Use Items Strategically
Items like Potions, Antidotes, and Paralyze Heals can be lifesavers in a Nuzlocke Challenge. Make sure to stock up on these and use them when needed.
3. Level Up Your Pokémon Evenly
Ensure your Pokémon are at a similar level, so you’re not relying too heavily on one or two powerful Pokémon. This will also help prepare you for any unexpected challenges that may arise.
4. Be Cautious with Wild Pokémon Encounters
Since you can only catch the first Pokémon you encounter in an area, try to make the most of these encounters. If you’re not sure if you’ll be able to catch the Pokémon without killing it, use moves that deal less damage or have a status effect like Sleep or Paralysis.
5. Save Your Game Frequently
While not a specific rule of the Nuzlocke Challenge, it’s always a good idea to save your game frequently, just in case something goes wrong or you make a mistake.
Optional Nuzlocke Rules
Some players like to add additional rules to their Nuzlocke Challenge to make it even more challenging or interesting. Here are a few optional rules you can consider implementing:
- Species Clause: If the first Pokémon encountered in a new area is a species you’ve already caught, you can ignore it and catch the next unique species you encounter.
- Shiny Clause: If you encounter a shiny Pokémon, you’re allowed to catch it regardless of whether it’s your first encounter in the area or not.
- Level Limit: To prevent overleveling, you can impose a level limit on your Pokémon, such as not allowing them to exceed the level of the next Gym Leader’s strongest Pokémon.
Remember, these rules are entirely optional and can be customized to fit your personal preferences and playstyle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Nuzlocke Challenge is a fun and exciting way to experience Pokémon Ruby (or any Pokémon game) in a new light. By following the basic rules and applying some of our tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to conquering this challenge. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the journey!
