Sapphire, My first Nuzlocke: Dewford Town

So I finally got back into playing my Nuzlocke file. (Also notice that I'm pretty sure I've messed up the spelling of Nuzlocke several times in these blogs now. So forgive me, but I doubt it will be the last time I make that mistake. So I spent a lot of time training in the Petaburg woods. I just wanted to do some training since I'm heading to a new town soon and will get the chance for a free heal. Though I guess my team is so strong now that most of my team members can handle themselves enough to run out of PP before running out of health. Though Mr. Pickup and Dubstep are kind of struggling for experience. Though even they were able to get a couple levels without spending my potions. Speaking of Mr. Pickup, he picked up a ton of items in my training, including a Rare Candy, that will be useful. Watching videos while grinding certainly makes the time flies.

So after doing that, I head to Mr. Brindy's place, sailed over to Dewford Town to get my free heal of the town and picking up the Silk Scarf and Old Rod. The piror being more useful, but I'm sure I'll find a route that I could use the rod on a route that I couldn't get anything else. Afterwords I headed to Granite Cave fighting the trainers along the way. I headed in the cave and got the TM flash from a hiker. Despite the fact I would need the gym badge from this town to use Flash, I didn't want to waste the move slot on one of my team members. So I decided to see if I could get through the cave without Flash.

Oh by the way the Pokemon I got from this cave was a Makuita. Not bad, though I'm already planning on Shromhiness in being my fighting type. It was a little rough catching it, considering my Pokemon were so much stronger than the wild Pokemon. But with a little thinking I was able to get a little bit of damage off from confusion and get it catchable in a Pokeball through paralyzing it. It'll be helpful for the 3^rd gym so I won't complain. Really wanted to get an Aron since it's one of my favorite 3^rd generation Pokemon and something that quad resists normal type moves will be VERY helpful for the 3^rd gym. But it's a Nuzlocke, gotta take what I get. Anyways, I had the weird urge to call it Plump Pickle, so it is now called PlumpPickl. I actually was able to get through the cave in one piece without Flash so yippie! Going through the cave I was able to deliver the letter to Steven and get the Steel Wing TM.

Next up is the gym, and considering how I mostly only used Pokemon that there is no way I'm using for the gym, I decided to save a Potion and take on the gym leaders before healing. The two main Pokemon I'm using in this gym are in full health anyways. I forgot their was a dual fighting type with a Psychic sub-type... and Zip'd is part poison. Thankfully Zip'd was strong enough to take the hit without dieing. Besides that, no problem with the trainers and I was able to heal everyone up before fighting the gym leader.

Then at last, it's time to take on the gym leader. I lead with Hurracane, he lead with Machop. I started to panic when he was using Bulk-up and decide to switch to Tin Timber to tank some hits while I healed Hurrance... that was a mistake! Thankfully he didn't get one shot but he took more than half of his health from one Karate Chop, my god, if it was a critical... but for what felt like ages, though more like minutes I was just at a standstill. I didn't know what to do, there was no point in healing since he would of just take that damage again and it was a matter of time until a crit. came. I wasn't sure if it be worth it to switch to Zip'd or Hurracane because they would have to take whatever attack would come next. After pondering my choices for a while, I decided to switch into Zip and hope he could tank the hit to finish the job... and he did. He only lost 2 hp from the attack and it was awesome! I was able to heal everyone else back up to perfect health with Zip'd having enough health left to finish the job. Then the rest of the battle went smooth.

But still, but if my starter almost died from the 2^nd gym I am terrified of what the 3^rd gym will bring. But neverless I got the badge, got the TM, I'm good for now. I just gotta train even more than I did before for the next gym for sure. Certainly gonna start training PlumpPickl for the third gym as well. Most of all I'm thankful that everyone made it out of that gym alive.

Team:

Tin Timber the Grovile Lv. 18

Funghiness the Shroomish Lv. 18

Hurrancane Lv.17

Zip'd Lv.17

Mr. Pickup Lv.14

DubStep Lv.14

New catches:

PlupPickl the Makuitha Lv. 8

Deaths: 1

Sapphire, My First Nuzlocke: Leader Roxane

So after not playing this for a while, I decided to do a bit more grinding before heading to the gym, even if that does require the cost of a potion or two to heal the team. The experience they would gain would be well worth the cost. Plus you can never be too careful.

In the process of grinding, Mr. Pickup got me an Ultra Ball, a PP Up, even a Full Restore all which will be useful in the future, I'm sure.

I notice Tin Timber was struggling a bit with leveling up, at least compared to Funhighnesness. But just by going back to a lower route with weaker Pokemon and using absorb on things, I was able to get enough health back to feel safe training him again in the route with the stronger Pokemon without tossing a Potion to heal at the Pokemon Center. It was worth it too because Tin Timber was actually able to get higher in levels than Funghuness. He even evolved into a Grovile and learn pursuit. It was equally as strong as pound, but diversified his move pool, which I know will be good for the future. He can now hold his own and one-shot any of the Pokemon on this route and I feel comfortable with him being able to take some hits if I need to switch to him from another Pokemon.

Funghighness also learned Mega Drain, and is now basically one-shoting all the wild Pokemon as well. The two of them are now at Lv.17. They are well over-leveled compared to the rest of my team, but this was all well worth the time and extra Pokemon Center payment. I think it's time for me to take on the gym.

First I took on the trainers. I was a little worried, but Hurracane was able to handle all of their Pokemon without a sweat. I'm not worried about the leader now at all. Though Hurrane is sitting the rest of this gym out, because I know the leader has rock moves still good experience neverless and he finally learned a flying move. Which will be needed for the next gym.

Might of overdid the training since I breezed by the leader without Tin Timber losing even half his health and no worries. Then again, better safe than sorry. ;) So the badge and Rock Tomb TM are mine. I don't even need to heal. Which marks a good chance to get Dubstep a level or two.

Don't want to train too much though, I think I can even take out a Grunt without wasting a Potion. But first wild Pokemon of the cave, it's a Whismur. Like I said, it's the only Pokemon you can find. I was able to catch it, (remember my clauses), without too much trouble. Decided to call it MicahelMix hopefully I'll never need to call on him... At least I get a free heal, which I'll use after this Grunt fight.

It was just one Poccheyna, but it did spook me for a second when my Pokemon started missing at it keep using howl. But it turns out I got scared over nothing. I even got health left to spare for grinding before heading back and using my free heal. As for cut, for now I don't feel it's worthwhile to teach waste a move-slot on any of my Pokemon to get to the few items I gain access to... for now. Mr. Pickup may make a good HM slave in the future if DubStep can prove itself as a worthy normal type. Since its a Nuzlock, I want to see what happens before I give Mr. Pickup a weak move that I can't forget until late in the game.

Team:
Tin Timber the Grovile Lv.18
Funghiness Lv.17
Mr.Pickup Lv.10
Zip'd Lv. 13
Hurracane Lv.14
DubStep Lv.12

Deaths: 1

Sapphire, My First Nuzlocke: Petaburg Woods

So I was actually able to make it through Petaburg Woods in one piece.   After getting out of the woods I checked the grass above and ran into a Wingull, just what I needed.  I managed to catch it and call it Hurracane.  I know that's not how you spell the actual name, but that's how I wanted to spell it.  (And totally not because I was derping out on how to spell hurricane.)  Honestly I was a bit worried about the trainers and how Hurracane came into the party at Lv. 4.  But it all worked out for the best as I was able to beat all the trainers without having any causalities.  I did have to give-up one Potion for an extra Pokemon Center visit but considering that I found at least one on the ground, it evened out. Even was able to get Hurracane up to level with the rest of the team.  Zip'd even evolved into a Dustox which caught me off guard 'cause I thought it was a Silcoon and not a Castcoon for whatever reason but it's probably for the better because my team is more diverse now.

I still have a bit of a fear of Taillow after what happened to MadmChomp, but I did manage to get the courage to beat a wild one... I'm still for the most part running away from them though.

So after the training and beating all the trainers I finally made it into Rustboro City and after getting items I could find, including the Cut HM, and my free heal, I headed into the next Route to get the trainers and my Pokemon of the route out of the way.  In a route with so many new Pokemon like Nincast, Tallow, and Skitty, guess what I got? A Whismur.  Sure it's new but the cave up ahead has nothing but this Pokemon so I was a bit disappointed with the opportunity to diversify my team wasted, but that's how the Nuzlock works.  At least now I have a full team.  By the way the Whismur is named DubStep

Since I get a free heal after catching a new Pokemon, I made the most out of this opportunity to take out all the trainers on the Route I could and my team even had some energy left to do a bit more grinding on the wild Pokemon.  But now I think I've got my team as strong it can be without healing, yet without also not putting them in danger of fainting so I'm gonna go heal now and maybe after that I'll check out the gym.

Since it is a rock type gym Shromhigness and Tin Timber are going to be my keys to victory if I want everyone to come out alive. I don't even want to risk Hurracane out in battle since I know the leader has Rock Tomb which would make quick work out of him.  Thankfully these two Pokemon having Absorb and Leech Seed made training them with high health pretty easy and I only had to heal because they were running out of PP.  I'll have to play it safe with the gym trainers just to see how strong they are.

Team:
Tin Timber (Treeco)Lv. 13
Zip'd (Dustox) Lv. 11
Mr. Pickup (Zigzagoon) Lv.10
Funghiness (Shroomish) Lv. 14
Hurracane (Wingull) Lv. 10
DubStep (Whismur) Lv. 7

Sapphire, My First Nuzlocke: Twitter feed catch-up

Now to get everyone on the same page with my Nuzlock by reposting what I've posted on my Twitter feed here.

5/12/11

3rd Town of game:

After much hesitation I decided to finally to try a Nuzlock run. It's been going real smooth so far with 3 party members & no deaths.  Granted there have been close calls but I've been very careful with my Pokemon's health so far in case of the "stupid crit." situation.  I'm also trying a healing rule I made up, I only get free heals at the Pkm Center first time I go into a new town & when I catch a new Pkm.  ...after that I have to toss a Potion in order to use one. I'm not counting home as a Pkm Center so I will admit I was abusing that. :P

Team:
Tin Timber the Treeco
Madmchomp the Poocheyna
Zip'd the Wurmple

Deaths: 0

Right outside Petaburg Woods:

**** Swellow and it's Focus Energy and having Peck. RIP MadmChop, I tried my best to keep you alive, but your sacrifice was not in vain. :( 

The worst part about MadmChomp's death is I knew Poocheyna was frail and hard to keep alive from the beginning and I was doing great having her win battles without pushing her too hard. I was on the edge of my seat a lot but she never fell in danger of dieing...

then that trainer just had to use a high level Tallow on me. With half my team, including my starter being weak to peck, it would of been a miracle if everyone made it out alive. I was swapping between a lot of Pokemon just to keep everyone alive. It basically came down to the point of either risk having Zip'd died to it's peck or send out MadmComp to tank the hit while I healed my starter... however the jerk decided to do quick attack instead and I think it was a critical too.

Though without MadmChomp's sacrifice, either Zip'd or my starter wouldn't of made it through the battle, and for this MadmComp shall be honored. Was hoping I could get her into being a Mighteyna but alas faith wouldn't allow it. RIP once more MadmChomp.

On the brightside, Mr.Pickup did picked up a nugget so that should take care of me in relation to my healing rules for a very long time.

In case you're wondering, my team so far is.
Tin Timber the Treecko Lv.10
Zip'd the Cascoon Lv.7
Mr.Pickup the Zigazagoon Lv.7

Deaths: 1

And I made it outside Petalburg Woods, though I'm not going to being leaving Route 1 anytime soon, especially if I'm going to be grinding while watching a stream I would need total concentration for any Pokemon stronger than that. Even now I got to be careful my Pokemon don't get lower than Green health in the process.

Well I'm done watching the stream. In the process I caught a Shromish from Petaburg Woods and basically got everyone expect Tin Timber to Lv.9 , Tin Timber is already at Lv.10.

I think after this, I'm gonna going to try and go through Petaburg Woods and then call it a night. Mr. Pickup picked up a couple Super Potions during the grinding so I think I'll be good with the healing items for at least a little while.

Team:
Tin Timber Lv.10
Zip'd Lv. 9
Mr. Pickup Lv. 9
Funghiness the Shroomish Lv. 9

Deaths: 1
Actually got the idea for Funghiness while I was hanging out in the stream chat. :P 

Sapphire, My first Nuzlocke Run: Intro & Rules

So against my hesitation for so long, I decided to give the whole Nuzlock run a try.  If you've never heard of a Nuzlock run before it basically involves playing through a Pokemon game with the main rules below.  I also added a few custom rules to either make it less annoying on me or add an interesting twist.

Rules of Nuzlocke:

You are only allowed to catch the very first Pokemon you see in a route.  You make it faint, tough luck, you don't have Pokeballs tough luck.
If a Pokemon faints in battle it is considered dead. It must released or boxed and never be used again the rest of the playthrough.
If all your Pokemon faint, it's game over.

Custom Rules:

Poke Center as Business Clause:

I am allowed one free heal the first time I come to a town and 1 free heal for each new Pokemon I catch.  After that I must "pay" 300 poke'dollars/yen to use the Pokemon Center. (This means I have to toss 1 Potion from my inventory to use the Pokemon Center.) Home does not count as a Pokemon Center, and I can get as many free heals as I want there but of course that will only be applicable early on in the game. When I'm anywhere beyond Petaburg Woods, plot-wise I am not allow to go home just to heal.

Species Clause:

I think I will allow myself to catch more than one Pokemon of the same kind.  However, I am only allowed to use one Pokemon of the same species at a time on my team.  Any extras have to be boxed and can't be withdrawn until the first one dies or for the purpose of HM moves.

HM Execption Clause:

If I have a Pokemon that can learn an HM move I am not allowed to catch an HM slave, it has to be taught to one of those Poekmon.  If I don't and it is required to advance through the plot of the game, then I am allowed to catch one Pokemon to use for nothing but progressing the plot. Once that point has been reached it must be released or never used again.

Shiny Clause:

If I'm lucky enough to find a freakin' shiny in this run I'm gonna catch the freakin' shiny!  Even if it breaks the main rules.  However, I will not be using it within the actual Nuzlock run if it breaks the "catch only first Pokemon per/route" rule.  It'll act like a prize for when I finish the run.

I'm a newb Clause:

This is my first time playing this type of challenge so I reserve the right to bend the custom rules as I feel appropriate.