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[[File:Basic Nuzlocke rules.png|thumb|right|250px|"Okay, let's make this run of [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions|Ruby]] more interesting...<br>>release a Pokémon if it faints<br>>have to catch the 1st Pokémon in each area and nothing else."]]
The '''Nuzlocke Challenge''' is a set of rules intended to create a higher level of difficulty while playing the [[Pokémon games]]. Many challengers feel that the rules also serve the purpose of encouraging the use of Pokémon the player would not normally choose, and promoting closer bonds with the player's Pokémon. The rules are not an in-game function, but are self-imposed on the part of the player, and thus subject to variation.

The name of the challenge originates from the <span class="plainlinks">[http://www.nuzlocke.com/ comic series]</span> of the same name, which features a {{p|Nuzleaf}} resembling ''{{wp|Lost (TV series)|Lost}}'' character {{wp|John Locke (Lost)|John Locke}} as a recurring gag character.

==Rules==
The most basic Nuzlocke rules, as they were first introduced, are as follows:
* Any Pokémon that [[Fainting|faints]] is considered dead, and must be {{pkmn2|released}} or put in the [[Pokémon Storage System]] permanently.
* The {{player}} may only catch the first Pokémon encountered in each area, and none else. If the first Pokémon encountered faints or flees, there are no second chances. If the first encounter in the area is a Double Battle in [[dark grass]], the player may choose which of the two Pokémon they would like to catch. If there's a static encounter in the area, the player is allowed to capture them despite already capturing a Pokémon in that area. [[Shiny]] Pokémon also do not apply to this rule.

Other near-universally used rules include:
* The general consensus is that players must also nickname all of their Pokémon, for the sake of forming stronger emotional bonds.
* Strongly implied, though not explicitly mentioned in the comic, is the stipulation that the player can use only Pokémon they have captured themselves, meaning traded Pokémon, mystery gifts, etc., are prohibited.  Trading and retrading the same Pokémon (for the purpose of evolving a {{p|Graveler}}, for example) is something of a gray area, and may fall under optional rules. As of [http://www.nuzlocke.com/comics/pokemon-hard-mode/page/11/ White: Hard-Mode Episode 3], it is implied that the player can accept Pokémon that are received freely from NPCs.
* Also strongly implied is a prohibition against voluntarily resetting and reloading the game when things go wrong. Being able to do so would render all of the other rules pointless. 

===Optional rules===
Though the above rules tend to stay consistent with all challengers, many optional variations and amendments to the rules also exist to further adjust difficulty. These include, but are not limited to:
* [[Starter Pokémon]] is based on the player's [[Trainer ID number]]. If the last number is 1-3 the player starts with a Grass type, 4-6 is Fire type, 7-9 is Water type, 0 is the player's choice. Alternatively, use the Trainer ID {{wp|Modulo operation|modulo}} 3 for the same purposes.
* Not officially enforcing the rules until the player has Poké Balls and can catch Pokémon. For example, the {{p|Poochyena}}{{sup/3|RS}}{{sup/6|ORAS}}/{{p|Zigzagoon}}{{sup/3|E}} that the player has to save [[Professor Birch]] from is not counted as the first encounter on the route, and not counting any other encounters as such until they can catch. Likewise, in the games where the rival battle is immediately after getting the starter Pokémon, the "any that faint must be released" rule is often not enforced at that time.
* Species/Dupes Clause: Adjusting the first encounter rule to prevent the player from having to catch multiple of the same Pokémon, for the sake of variety. Generally this means that the trainer can keep fighting Pokémon in the area until one is encountered that has not been caught yet, which then immediately counts as the first encounter.
** As an extension, setting a limit on how much Dupes Clause can trigger in an area. If that limit is reached, no Pokémon can be caught in that area (alternatively, the player has to settle for the last allowed duplicate to trigger the clause).
* Most players consider a [[Black out|black out/white out]] as a "game over", even if there are Pokémon left in the PC. However, it may be adjusted that other Pokémon in the PC can be used to continue, should this happen.
* Adjusting the first encounter rule to allow or disallow certain types of encounters.
* The player is restricted to only catching the first Pokémon after each gym battle, instead of first Pokémon in each area.
* Use the same amount of Pokémon as the opponent during a [[Gym]] battle or [[rival]] battle.
* Going to options and making the battle style "set", leaving the player unable to switch out after an opponent's Pokémon faints.
* Releasing the [[starter Pokémon]] after the first wild Pokémon has been caught.
* Banning the use of [[Potion]]s and [[Status condition healing item|healing items]], relying only on [[Pokémon Center]]s for healing.
** Conversely, banning the use of Pokémon Centers, relying only on Potions and healing items for healing.
* Limiting Pokémon Center visits to a certain number per town.
* Banning the use of [[held item]]s.
* Limiting the number of [[Poké Ball]]s to purchase per [[Poké Mart]].
* Banning the use of [[Master Ball]]s.
* Rather than releasing the Pokémon, it can be permanently boxed, migrated, or transferred with [[Poké Transfer]] should it happen to faint.
* The player may not evolve captured Pokémon, but evolved Pokémon may be caught.
* Turning the difficulty on to [[Key System|Challenge Mode]] if playing {{2v2|Black|White|2}}, which increases the levels of opposing Trainers.
* Banning the use of [[Legendary Pokémon]].
* As a mercy rule, allowing 1-3 "second chances" or revives of fallen team members.
* As another mercy rule, if the player runs into a [[Shiny Pokémon]], the player may still catch it, regardless of whether or not it is the first encounter in the area. It also does not need to be released if it faints. This is often called the Shiny Clause.
* As another mercy rule, each Gym [[Badge]] acts as a checkpoint. If the player gets a game over, they can start from when they got their previous Gym Badge.
* If the player has no Pokémon that can use a certain [[field move]] that is required to continue through any given point of the game, they may catch another Pokémon that can learn said field move. However, it cannot be used in battle for any reason, and must be released, permanently boxed, or migrated as soon as the player gets another Pokémon that can use said field move.
* Modifying the "first encounter only" rule for the [[Safari Zone]], sometimes allowing one encounter for each area, or until they catch one Pokémon in the entire area, and vice versa.
* Banning the use of Poké Marts to only allow use of items found in the overworld or given to the player.
* Disallowing [[Escape|fleeing]].
* Setting a [[level]] limit based on the next [[Gym Leader]]'s/{{pkmn|Champion}}'s highest leveled Pokémon. What must happen to any team members that surpass that limit before taking on the Gym Leader or [[Elite Four]] is up to the player.
* Banning Poké Balls entirely, any Pokémon obtained must be either given to the player or hatched from an {{pkmn|Egg}}.
* Banning use of the {{pkmn|Day Care}} to breed or level up Pokémon.
* Turning off the [[Exp. Share]] in Generation VI onward, or giving it to a "dead" Pokémon in previous generations.
* Banning use of certain features that make the game easier, such as [[Pokémon-Amie]], the [[DexNav]], or [[Super Training]].
* Banning the use of online resources.
* "Wonderlocke" variant: Any Pokémon caught must immediately be traded using [[Wonder Trade]] and the received Pokémon should be used instead. Typically this comes with a level restriction where if the received Pokémon is more than a certain number of levels higher than the original Pokémon, it must be traded again until an appropriate-level Pokémon is received.
Many other rules exist; challengers adjust their personal rules according to their own preferences. In order to be considered a true Nuzlocke Challenge, however, the core rules must be in place.

==Trivia==
* So far in the original Nuzlocke Series, one starter of each type has been used: {{p|Treecko}} in Hoenn, {{p|Charmander}} in [[Kanto]], and {{p|Oshawott}} in the ongoing [[Unova]] challenge.
* The original Nuzlocke run through [[Hoenn]] can be considered a failure because of the wipeout of the entire team and the loss during the Champion battle.

==External links==
*[http://www.nuzlocke.com/ Nuzlocke Comics]
*[https://nuzlockeforums.com/forum/index.php The Nuzlocke Forum]
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