Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV)

How to Do a Nuzlocke Challenge and Rules

Multiplayer Nuzlocke Challenge Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
In a Nuzlocke Challenge, you can only catch the first Pokemon you encounter in each area and you must release a Pokemon from your party if it faints. Read on for the Nuzlocke Challenge rules, as well as tips on how to do a Nuzlocke Challenge in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV) for the Nintendo Switch.

How to Do a Nuzlocke Challenge

Nuzlocke Challenge Rules



Retire a Pokemon After It Faints

Fainted Lechonk Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
If a Pokemon faints in battle, you must release it or put the Pokemon in a box immediately. You can not use the fainted Pokemon for the rest of the playthrough.

Only the First Pokemon Per Area

Throwing Pokeball Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
You can only catch the first Pokemon you encounter in each area (route, cave, body of water, etc.) you enter for the first time. If the wild Pokemon faints or if you do not have any Poke Balls when first encountering a Pokemon in an area, you may not catch any Pokemon in that area. As Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are Open World, each area may be more difficult to define, however the map should let you know the name of the area you are currently in.

Paldea Region Map and Locations

Challenge Lost if All Pokemon Faint

If all your party Pokemon faint, but you still have usable Pokemon in the PC, you can continue with those. If you run out of usable Pokemon entirely, you must restart the game.

Nicknames Are Required

You must nickname each Pokemon that you catch. (Try not to get too attached now.)

Optional Nuzlocke Challenge Rules

Optional Nuzlocke Challenge Rules



Item Restrictions

Expert Mode

You may not buy or use items in or out of battle. You may only use Poke Balls that you have found.

Hard Mode

You may not buy items, but you can use any items that you find in or out of battle. Using Revives is a judgement call by the player.

No Shifting in Battle

Pokemon Battle Cyclizar and Hariyama Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Your battle change option must be set and not shift. Having the battle change option set as set means that you are not given the chance to switch Pokemon when your opponent is about to send out their next Pokemon.

No Surpassing Level of Next Gym

Grusha Ice Type Gym Cetitan Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Your Pokemon's level cannot be higher than that of the next Gym Leader's highest level Pokemon.

All Gym Leader Types and Pokemon

Let's Go! Auto Battle Nuzlocke

Lets Go auto battle with Lechonk Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon spawn in the overworld, removing the randomness necessary for a Nuzlocke challenge. One way to counter this is using the brand new Let's Go! auto battle mechanic. This is a new feature where you send your Pokemon out to randomly engage in battles with wild Pokemon on its own.

In this ruleset, the first Pokemon for your Nuzlocke is determined as the first Let's Go! auto battle engaged species of Pokemon. After it is defeated you are only allowed one attempt of catching that same species of Pokemon in the area.
How to Auto Battle with Let's Go!

Nuzlocke Challenge Tips and Strategies

Nuzlocke Challenge Tips and Strategies





Choose Fuecoco

Fuecoco Happy Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Although the starters have even stats, the fact that Fire-types are generally rarer than other types makes Fuecoco the best candidate for type coverage to start a Nuzlocke run. Also, one of the early Gym Leaders is confirmed to be a Grass Type specialist, giving Fuecoco an advantage.

Best Starter Pokemon

Catch Pokemon on Every Route

Since you are limited to the first Pokemon per route, make sure to catch a Pokemon on every route, even if there are not any Pokemon you like or think you will use there. They will come in handy as back-up if your preferred Pokemon faint or as a distraction to switch into battle while you heal your stronger Pokemon.

Pokemon by Route: Best Pokemon to Catch

Be Aware of Dual-Type Pokemon

Paldean Wooper Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have a lot of dual-type Pokemon that can catch you off-guard with a move type you were not expecting, and in a Nuzlocke, that could mean losing a Pokemon for good. To avoid this problem, make sure you know which types your Pokemon are weak against, as well as the types of your opponent's Pokemon.

Beware of Tera Type Pokemon

Terastal Dragonite Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced a brand new mechanic to the game with the Terastal Phenomenon. Pokemon with a glowing aura, in Terastal raid dens, or certain trainers' Pokemon may have a different Terastal Type to their regular type. Always be aware that any Pokemon can be any type, making Pokemon Scarlet and Violet possibly the hardest games to Nuzlocke yet!
The Terastal Phenomenon Explained

Use Tera Types to Your Advantage

Tyranitar Ghost Tera Type Pokemon Violet and Scarlet
Terastallizing your Pokemon to a type with fewer weaknesses, or a better match-up for the situation, can make your Nuzlocke much easier. Also, niche strategies such as Terastallizing a Pokemon with the ability Levitate to the Electric Tera Type, effectively removing all weaknesses, can be quite useful!
Best Tera Types: Best Pokemon to Terastallize

Know Your Team's Stats

Paying attention to stats in a Nuzlocke is far more important than it is in a standard playthrough. Keep in mind that you can only catch the first Pokemon you encounter in an area, which means your team may not have type coverage for every situation.

Knowing your team's stats helps to remedy this, as it allows you to know which role each Pokemon on your team will play, even in situations where you might not have a super-effective move up your sleeve.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Related Guides

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Beginner's Tips and Tricks

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Tips and Tricks

Gameplay Tips and Tricks
Character Customization List of Hairstyles and How to Change Hairstyles
List of Clothes and How to Change Clothes How to Relearn Moves
Best Order to Complete the Story Missables and One-Time Events
Money Farming Guide How to Level Up Fast
How to Picnic: All Features and Benefits List of Meal Powers and How to Check
All Multiplayer Features How to Trade Locally and Online
How to Farm Gimmighoul Coins All Stake Locations
How to Change the Date and Time Do Shooting Stars Mean Anything?
Weather Effects and How to Change the Weather How to Use Auto Heal and Items Used
How to Farm League Points (LP) Obedience Guide: Badge Requirements
Map Guide and Icons Explanation Challenge Runs: How to Make the Game Harder
How to Save Your Game How to Add Friends
How to Run List of Marks and Titles
Rotom Phone and Features Shiny Sandwich Recipes: How to Make Shiny Sandwiches
Post Game Content: What to Do After the Story How to Win Porto Marinada Auctions
List of Glitches and Exploits How to Get More PC Boxes
All In-Game Trades How to Farm Herba Mystica
Best Sandwiches to Make How to Complete the Pokedex and Rewards
Tips to Improve Your Experience List of Biomes and Locations
Best Pokeballs to Use and How to Catch Pokemon Easily What Happens on Your Birthday?
Is There a Move Tutor? How to Farm EV-Reducing Berries
Can You Change Your Gender and Name? Can You Give Nicknames to Traded Pokemon?
Is There a Name Rater? Farm Unlimited Held Items from Wild Pokemon Exploit
High Speed Glide Glitch Diamond Dust Weather and How to Spawn It
All New Mass Outbreak Pokemon How to Wash Pokemon
Pokemon Tips and Tricks
Best Starter How to Get All Starters
Best Team for the Story How to Catch Titan Pokemon
Shiny Hunting Guide: All Shiny Odds How to Soft Reset for Shinies, Nature, and IVs
Shiny Locked Pokemon: Are Starters Shiny Locked? Best Tera Types: Best Pokemon to Terastallize
All Koraidon and Miraidon Ride Upgrades and How to Unlock Mass Outbreaks Guide: How do Mass Outbreaks Work
How to Evolve Every Pokemon How to Do a Nuzlocke Challenge and Rules
How to Stop Evolution How to Evolve Pokemon: List of All Evolution Methods
How to Check Friendship How to Change Tera Type
Rare Tera Type Hunting Guide How to Catch All Pokemon
Pokemon Nursery Location and Guide | Is there a Daycare? How to Tell if a Pokemon is Shiny
How to Force Respawn Wild Pokemon Best Pokemon for Catching
All Special Evolution Conditions When Do Legendaries Respawn?
How to Get the Second Koraidon/Miraidon Best Sylveon for Money Farming
Tera Type Pokemon Guide: All Forms and Symbols How to Catch Flying Pokemon
How to Catch Pokemon Hanging on Trees How to Catch Pokemon in Rivers and Oceans
How to Catch Pokemon Off-Guard List of Breed Exclusive Shiny Pokemon
Can You Get a Shiny Walking Waves? Can You Get a Shiny Iron Leaves?
Can You Get Shiny Decidueye? Can You Get Shiny Samurott?
Can You Get Shiny Typhlosion? Can You Get Shiny Inteleon?
How to Find Authentic Sinistea Can You Get Shiny Chesnaught?
How to Transfer Pokemon from Pokemon HOME Can You Get Shiny Delphox?
Can You Get Shiny Rillaboom?
Battle Tips and Tricks
How to Auto-Battle with Let's Go! How to Escape and Run Away From Battle
Double Battles Guide: Best Moves and Tips Battle Stadium: Will There Be Ranked Battles?
What Happens When You Lose? How to Play Ranked Battles
Academy Classes Tips and Tricks
Classes Answers and Rewards All Biology Answers for Midterms and Finals
All Math Answers for Midterms and Finals All History Answers for Midterms and Finals
All Languages Answers for Midterms and Finals All Battle Studies Answers for Midterms and Finals
All Art Answers for Midterms and Finals All Home Ec Answers for Midterms and Finals
Teacher Friendship Events, Quests, and Rewards
Other Tips and Tricks
List of Settings and Best Settings List of Marks and Ribbons
How to Adjust Screen Size How to Transfer Save Data
How to Restart or Delete Save Data How to Backup Your Save Data
Camera App Guide List of All Emotes and Locations
Exchange Pokemon HOME Points for LP List of All Poke Ball Throwing Styles

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