Essential Nuzlocke Rules for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Nuzlocking, a Pokémon game, has become a tradition for many players. This provides an additional challenge to the typically easy games within the series. It is also fun to change how you build your team and progress. With Pokémon Scarlet and Violet featuring many new Pokémon and a new region, you may be wondering how to Nuzlocke Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

How to play a Nuzlocke Run in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - Tips and Tricks

One of the more challenging options in Pokémon games is to play a Nuzlocke run. This is a set of rules and modifiers the player places on themselves to make the game more challenging. While you can certainly do a Nuzlocke run in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, its open-world nature and aspects make this a little more challenging. Here are some tips and tricks to play a Nuzlocke run for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Must Nickname all Pokémon

One of the most important and easiest rules is to nickname your Pokémon. When you capture a Pokémon, you must give it your chosen name. While this doesn't impact the gameplay much, it allows you to form a closer bond with your Pokémon. As Pokémon essentially have one life in a Nuzlocke, giving them a nickname strengthens their triumphs and losses.

Can only catch one Pokémon per Route

Typically you are only allowed to catch one Pokémon per area in a Nuzlocke run, meaning you will end up with a random team. However, because you can view Pokémon in the overworld in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, this becomes harder. Here are some alternative methods you can use for catching Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet for a Nuzlocke:

• Catch the first Pokémon you see in a route.
• Close your eyes when entering a new area and catch the first Pokémon you encounter.
• Catch six Pokémon in an area and then roll a die to see which you keep.
• Flip a coin when you spot a Pokémon, calling heads or tails and catching it if the coin toss matches your call.
• Only catch Tera Raid Pokémon.

Related: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Mystery Gift Codes

Release a Pokémon if it Faints

Another crucial rule in Nuzlockes is releasing your Pokémon if it faints. Pokémon only have one life in a Nuzlocke, and fainting is treated as a death. This forces you to play more strategically and will strengthen the bond between you and your Pokémon. If you lose all Pokémon in your party, this is considered a loss, and you must start the game and your Nuzlocke run over.

Limit on Healing Items

Playing a Nuzlocke run in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet means you cannot use healing items in battle. You can take this a step further by preventing the use of healing items altogether and relying solely on Pokémon Centers to keep your party healed. This rule can be brutal, so we recommend considering it optional and only using it if you really want a challenge.

Other Nuzlocke Rules

• You cannot change your battle style to Set.
• You cannot over-level past the next Gym/Team Star Leader/Titan.
• You can pass on a Pokémon if you have already caught it.
• You cannot use sandwiches.

For more information on Pokémon, check out Can you rematch trainer battles in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet? and How to defeat Hassel of the Elite Four in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet on Pro Game Guides.