Welcome to the Pokelike Nuzlocke Mode Survival Guide.
Nuzlocke Mode (selected by clicking the red Nuzlocke button on the title screen) is Pokelike's ultimate test of resource management, team-building, and positioning. Below are the source-code-verified rules and mechanical differences that govern Nuzlocke runs, followed by strategic advice to help you earn your Nuzlocke Hall of Fame achievements.
💀 Core Nuzlocke Rules
Unlike standard runs, Nuzlocke runs enforce permanent consequences for every battle action:
1. Permanent Death (Permadeath)
- The Rule: Any Pokémon that faints (reaches 0 HP) in combat is permanently fainted.
- The Mechanic: At the end of the battle, any fainted Pokémon are immediately deleted from your active team (
state.team). - Held Items: If a fainted Pokémon was holding an item (such as an Eviolite or Life Orb), the item is automatically unequipped and returned to your bag. You do not lose your items upon a Pokémon's death.
2. The Rival (Silver) Exception
- The Exception: Battles against your宿敌 Rival (Silver) are exempt from the permanent death rule.
- The Mechanic: If you win a Rival battle, any of your Pokémon that fainted during that fight are retained and fully healed afterward, just like in Normal Mode.
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[!CAUTION] This exception only applies if you win the fight. If your entire team faints, it is still a Game Over.
3. Level Progression Penalty
- In standard mode, defeating a Trainer node grants your active combatants +2 Levels (+3 if holding a Lucky Egg).
- In Nuzlocke Mode, all Trainer victories are treated as hard fights, granting only +1 Level per win. This severely restricts your level scaling, making wild encounters and Rare Candies much more valuable.
4. Banned Items & Consumables
- Escape Ropes: Escape Ropes are completely removed from the item drop pool. Furthermore, if you somehow have a leftover Escape Rope, it cannot be consumed to prevent a Nuzlocke game over.
- Max Revives: While Max Revives are still in the usable bag item pool, they are useless because fainted Pokémon are removed from your team immediately upon leaving the battle screen, leaving no fainted targets in your party to revive.
🗺️ Map Generation Adjustments
To offset the extreme difficulty of permanent death, the map generator applies a crucial safety net on the first layer of the map:
- Layer 1 Catch Nodes: In Normal Mode, the path split on Layer 1 usually forces a choice between a Battle node (right) and a Catch node (left). In Nuzlocke Mode, the generator overrides this to place two Catch nodes.
- This guarantees you can recruit at least two team members before facing your first mandatory trainer battle.
🚫 Starter Pokémon Restrictions
- Kanto Starters: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle no longer appear as wild encounters in either Normal or Nuzlocke runs. You must rely entirely on your initial draft choice if you want to use them.
💡 Nuzlocke Survival Strategies
Eviolite is Your Best Friend
Since keeping Pokémon alive is your highest priority, defensive items are top-tier. Eviolite (💎) blocks evolution but gives a Not Fully Evolved (NFE) Pokémon +50% Def and +50% Sp.Def.
- Key targets: Chansey (with massive base HP) and Kadabra (to prevent getting one-shot before sweeping).
Plan for Silver's Starter Counter
Silver will always carry the starter that directly counters your starter selection:
- If you pick Chikorita (Grass) $\rightarrow$ Silver carries the Cyndaquil (Fire) line.
- If you pick Cyndaquil (Fire) $\rightarrow$ Silver carries the Totodile (Water) line.
- If you pick Totodile (Water) $\rightarrow$ Silver carries the Chikorita (Grass) line. Draft secondary type coverages (like Rock or Electric) early to counter his ace.
Save Moon Stones and TMs for Level Caps
Do not rush to evolve your Pokémon with Moon Stones too early unless you need a stat spike for an upcoming boss. Similarly, save your TMs to upgrade your moves to Tier 2 (special or physical depending on their stats) right before a gym leader.