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The popular Nuzlocke Challenge under pokemon fans have been making headlines lately thanks to a lot of insider talk about how the company behind the series views the community-led game run. However, with or without comments from The Pokemon Company, this community-led challenge can still improve the experience for players, especially since Pokemon Scarlet and Violet preparation for launch.


For most players, the rules in the Nuzlocke Challenge don’t go much further than a content creator on Twitch or YouTube showing these extra difficult runs. That being said, Pokemon Scarlet and VioletThe game’s debut might just be the perfect time for players to give the challenge a try and see how it can help them bond better with the new Pokemon in the game, as well as explore the familiar mechanics for old ones. improve fans.

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The Basics of Pokemon’s Nuzlocke Challenge

Starting with the basics of a Nuzlocke Challenge in pokemon titles, these runs give people the opportunity to increase the inherent difficulty in the franchise by adding limiters to Pokemon catching and reviving. Players are only allowed to catch the first Pokemon they find in a given area, and once a Pokemon faints, it’s treated as if it had been killed. This means that players are limited to a small collection of Pokemon to team up with depending on the game, as each new route, city, or zone can only capture one monster at a time. Likewise, if one is allowed to pass out, that collection will quickly diminish.

There are other rules for a Pokemon Nuzlocke run that can add some variety to each player’s attempt. For example, one is that each Pokemon captured must be given a name, which is meant to make the player become more attached to each monster, especially since they have so few to choose from. In fact, it’s this incentive to commit to the limited pokemon pool that can make a Nuzlocke a perfect fit for some players as they take their first steps in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

How a Nuzlocke run can improve a player’s bond with their Pokemon

Bonding with digital creatures like Pokemon is certainly a subjective matter as some players will immediately develop an emotional attachment when they first pick their starter, while others will only see numbers on a spreadsheet. For those who do enjoy the idea of ​​bonding with some of the monsters in the Pokemon series, a Nuzlocke Challenge can be a great way to stimulate that bond.

Since each Nuzlocke run only gives one player a few Pokemon to choose from, each member of the main team, as well as the ones saved in the box, will be important in reaching the final credits. The added stipulation that each Pokemon captured must be named may not be too difficult for many players, but those who tend to go for a full Pokedex may face a greater challenge. Naming each Pokemon can be a quick way to get players thinking about each monster they catch, at least long enough to type in a real name.

In addition to naming, however, the main bottleneck pushing the player emotionally can be much more subtle. In a Nuzlocke run, the fainting of Pokemon is treated as they die, forcing the player to release the monster after the battle. This means that players have to be extra careful to prevent their Pokemon from reaching that point, but it also makes any close call or loss an incredibly impressive moment. A Pokemon that drops to less than ten HP will make the player’s heart beat, and if it gets that close to losing the monster for the rest of the run, it will stay with the player. Likewise, losing one of the few Pokemon the player has available can be a devastating loss, especially if it’s one of the strongest party members.

Combine these factors and fans are incentivized to get attached to each Pokemon, putting extra emphasis on what normally are speed bumps Pokemon Scarlet and Violetthe main storylines. While this may not happen to every player, it has the potential to lead many more casual fans to value their Pokemon more than just for their battles. For those players who are more interested in stats than in Pokemon bonding, there is a second benefit to the Nuzlocke Challenge.

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Longtime fans can use Nuzlocke rules to revive the Pokemon series

Since the pokemon Since the series spans several decades, it’s no surprise that a large portion of the fan base is adults who have followed the series since childhood. That said, since the franchise keeps the gameplay simple enough to appeal to players of all ages, some of these fans may be looking for a way to make the series more challenging. To that extent, following a Nuzlocke’s rules can change the easiest Gym Leader from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to a nail-biting encounter.

While adding an extra challenge to pokemon is the point of a Nuzlocke Run, that change is invaluable to longtime fans. This can force players to consider every decision they make more carefully, as even a simple mistake can mean the death of a Pokemon or even the end of a run. Combine this extra challenge with the incentive to become more attached to each new Pokemon in Scarlet and Violetand the Nuzlocke Challenge could be the best way for players to get their first dive into the next entries in the series.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be released for Nintendo Switch on November 18, 2022.

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