PointCrow finally finished the "Kaizo IronMon" challenge in Pokemon FireRed using a Flareon. Read on to learn more about this commendable achievement and what this challenge is all about.
Streamer Beats Pokemon FireRed After Thousands of Resets
Played the Game Under the “Kaizo IronMon” Challenge
PointCrow, a popular Twitch streamer, finished an extremely challenging Pokemon FireRed playthrough after thousands of resets in a span of 15 months. Called the "Kaizo IronMon" challenge, it takes the typical Nuzlocke experience to a whole new level.
With only one Pokemon to use, the path to beating the Elite Four is almost impossible to reach. However, after a series of difficult battles, his level 90 Flareon delivered the final blow to Champion Blue's Dugtrio, officially beating the "Kaizo IronMon" challenge. On the verge of tears, he shouted, "3,978 resets and a dream! Let’s go!"
One of the toughest variants of the "IronMon Challenge," it restricts players to battle trainers with only one Pokemon with randomized stats and movesets. Moreover, they can only use Pokemon with a base stat under 600. However, it is allowed if you have one that evolves with a 600 base stat or higher. The full list of rules is quite long, but they are in place to make playthroughs extremely difficult for would-be challengers.
Though PointCrow is not the first one to finish this challenge, his commitment to see through it is nothing short of commendable.
Nuzlocke: The Source of All Pokemon Challenges
The Nuzlocke challenge originated from Californian screenwriter Nick Franco. In 2010, he posted comics on 4chan’s video game board, showing his playthrough of Pokémon Ruby under an extreme set of rules. After getting attention beyond 4chan’s board, many Pokémon players were inspired to try this unique experience.
Originally, there were only two sets of rules. The first rule allowed challengers to capture only one Pokémon per new location. Meanwhile, the second rule dictated that if a Pokémon fainted, it must be released into the wild. Aside from increased difficulty, Franco explained on his website that it "caused him to care for his monster companions more than ever before."
Since the inception of the Nuzlocke challenge, many players have introduced new restrictions to make the game enjoyable and difficult. For instance, some of them use the first wild Pokémon they catch or avoid any wild encounters altogether. Others even randomize the starter Pokémon to add an unexpected twist to their playthroughs. However, players are free to tweak these rules according to their preferences.
Fast forward to 2024, and new Pokémon challenges were created to test players, including the "IronMon Challenge." Currently, there’s an even tougher tier than what PointCrow endured: the "Survival IronMon." This variant imposes stricter rules, such as limiting players to healing only ten times and purchasing a maximum of 20 Potions before facing the first gym.
Sources:
The IronMon Challenge
Nuzlocke website
PointCrow’s Twitch Stream
