Pokémon: 5 Reasons You Need To Take The Nuzlocke Challenge

Nerd Lvl. 100.

Pokemon Nuzlocke
Nintendo

Although Pokémon is one of the most recognisable franchises in the world, until the recent Sun and Moon titles the formula for each game has generally followed the same pattern. Through seven generations it has grown slightly stale, but that's why the Nuzlocke Challenge was created, adding a new layer of difficulty to your favourite entry in the series.

In short, it is essentially playing Pokémon hard mode by following a set of three main self-imposed rules:

1 - The trainer can only catch the first Pokémon encountered in each area. If you knock the wild Pokémon out or run out of Pokeballs then the opportunity to catch any Pokémon in the area is gone.

2 - If a Pokémon faints then it is classed as dead and must be released into the wild from the trainer's team, never to be used again.

3 - Every Pokémon caught must be given a nickname.

Though there are many different variations on The Nuzlocke Challenge with more specified rules, these are the base rules that any challenge is built upon. These three rules will add a new dimension to any Pokémon journey, and once you have played like this you will never go back.

5. Pokémon Mean More To You

Pokemon Nuzlocke
The Pokémon Company

Everybody who plays Pokémon loves their Pokémon, but there always comes a time when you catch something stronger than you already have in your party. All that's left to do is put your weaker Pokémon in the PC, never to be seen again.

This has plagued Zubats and Wurmples for years.

However, in the Nuzlocke Challenge, since the trainer's catching opportunities are limited, every Pokémon becomes as important as the next. At any point in the game the Pokémon you think is key to victory can be struck down and will have to be released. This means that you may rely on that Zubat or Wurmple at a moment's notice.

The nickname clause is put into place for the sole purpose of getting the trainer more attached to the Pokémon. This makes it so much harder to release a Pokémon when it faints, which makes battling even harder. There is no room for error, because even the slightest mistake or even a rogue critical hit can force the trainer to release their favourite partner.

As expected, this is so much harder when you are releasing your 'Batman' instead of just 'Zubat', and the trainer has to work so much harder to make sure this doesn't happen.

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This standard nerd combines the looks of Shaggy with the brains of Scooby, has an unhealthy obsession with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is a firm believer that Alter Bridge are the greatest band in the world.