Summary
Playing a Nuzlocke inPokemongames is strangely captivating. Once you try it, the thrill and stress hook you in, and playing the ‘normal’ way feels almost too easy! The core rules are simple: fainted Pokemon are gone forever, and you can only catch the first Pokemon you meet in each area. But what if you want even more challenge—or just some fun twists?
That’s where custom rules come in! In this list, we’ve gathered some of the most interesting and creative optional rules that can make your Nuzlocke runs more difficult or add a new layer of strategy. Ready to level up your Nuzlocke game? Let’s dive into some of the coolest, craziest rules you can try!
9Tougher Gym Fights
Sometimes, overleveling your Pokemon can make gym battles too easy. To challenge yourself, set the level cap to the highest or lowest level of thegym leader’s Pokemon. Any Pokemon above this level can’t be used. Additionally, match the number of Pokemon the gym leader has — if they have three Pokemon, you must use three as well.
For example, in Fire Red, Brock has two Pokemon, Geodude and Onix, at levels 12 and 14. Your limit could be 12 or 14, and you must fight him with only two Pokemon. This makes gym battles much more challenging! After all, sending a level 25 Wartortle against Brock wouldn’t be fair!
8Evolution Ban
When Pokemon evolve, the game becomes easier, so you’re able to impose an evolution ban on yourself. You can set the rule based on badges. Starting from the third badge, each badge you earn allows one of your Pokemon to evolve; on the fourth badge, two Pokemon, on the fifth, three, and so on. After the eighth badge, all your Pokemon can evolve.
Of course, you can adjust the badge order to make this rule easier or harder, depending on your preference. To follow this rule more strictly, if you encounter an evolved Pokemon, catch it and, if successful, catch its first evolution. Then release the evolved form, effectively devolving your Pokemon.
7Technical Machine Limitation
Nuzlocke is already packed with restrictions, but if you want to make it even more intense, try adding a TM ban! You can also include Move Tutors in the rule. By forbidding your Pokemon from learning TMs until you face the Elite Four, you’ll make battles way tougher. Alternatively, like the Evolution Ban, set TM limits based on badges.
For example, beating Brock could unlock TMs with up to 40 base power, while Misty would let you teach up to 50 base power TMs. Or, you could limit yourself to teaching a maximum of three TMs after each badge. Get ready for a real challenge!
6Random Pokemon
One of the fun aspects of Nuzlocke isusing Pokemon you’d never normally pickand growing attached to them. If you haven’t randomized your game, you can add a random Pokemon rule! After catching a new Pokemon, roll a dice using a random number generator based on the total number of Pokemon in your game.
Then, release the caught Pokemon and add the one that corresponds to the rolled number. For example, if the roll is 180, you have to add Flaffy to your team. This way, you might find yourself using Pokemon you’d never consider otherwise!
5Pokemon Center Limitation
One of the best parts of Pokemon games is the free healing at Pokemon Centers, right? Imagine if they weren’t free—you’d probably feel pretty anxious every time you walked in! Well, it’s time to make things a little more challenging. You can set a limit on how many times you can visit each Pokemon Center, for example, one visit per Pokemon Center per badge.
Or, why not make Pokemon Centers cost money? You could buy an item from Poke Mart that you wouldn’t typically use, making each visit a bit more of a financial burden. This rule will make you more strategic and careful in battle, knowing that every trip to the Pokemon Center costs you!
4Monotype Rule
How about combining Monotype with Nuzlocke? This will give your team a more thematic feel, but some battles will be a breeze while others will be a real challenge. Before starting, you can either choose your preferred type or randomly determine it.
Every time you catch a Pokemon from the grass, release it and roll a dice based on how many Pokemon of your chosen type are in the game. Whatever Pokemon you land on, you’ll add it to your team, either by finding it or using another method. You’ll feel just like a gym leader!
3Team Rotation
Got a lot of routes in your game, and you don’t usually lose many Pokemon in Nuzlocke runs? Then this rule is perfect for you! For this to work, you need to have a certain number of Pokemon in your PC. After each gym badge, move your entire team to the PC and create a new team using the Pokemon you’ve caught in your box.
If you’re losing a lot of Pokemon or have fewer routes, you can relax the Nuzlocke rules by catching the first two Pokemon you encounter instead of just one. Keep things fresh and challenging!
2Solo Soul Link
Soul Link is a blast, especially if you’re playing with a friend or loved one! The basic Nuzlocke rules still apply, but with a twist: both players must successfully catch Pokemon from each area, and these Pokemon become spiritually linked. If one faints, both are considered “dead” and can no longer be used.
If you’re flying solo, don’t worry—you may still try this on your own! After catching a Pokemon, the next one you catch will be linked to the previous one. If either faints, both are out of the game! It’s a heart-pounding, soul-crushing challenge!
1Trainer Card Number-Based Starter Selection
With this fun rule, you can’t just pickyour starter Pokemonfreely! Instead, you’ll choose based on the last digit of your Trainer Card number. If the number ends between one and three, pick the leftmost Pokeball with the first starter; four to six means the middle ball; and seven to nine, go for the rightmost one.
If the last digit is zero, it’s a wild card—you get to choose your starter freely! This rule becomes even more fun when you randomize the starters. However, getting Pokemon like Magikarp or Cascoon as your starter can be quite a disappointment.
