Players will have the month of July to play the PointCrow & pChal hardcore Nuzlocke Emerald challenge on their stream. Their hall of fame team will then battle other players in a 1v1 showdown on August 2nd.
Players must work with their assigned experienced Coach to complete the challenge. Coaches cannot help during battles or wild encounters.
The Pokemon team of 6 that defeats the champion IS THE TEAM YOU BRING TO THE TOURNAMENT. Players may not change moves, abilities, held items (including who is holding the items), etc. after beating the champion.
If the Nuzlocke is NOT completed by July 25th 11:59PM PT, a team will be chosen for you by the other coaches, pChal & PointCrow
Nuzlocke Rules
If a Pokemon is fainted, it's gone forever. You can't use it for anything, including battles, abilities, and encounters.
Only one Pokemon may be caught from each location, and it must be the first encounter (if the location tag is different, it's a new encounter). Duplicate Pokemon cannot be used, reroll the encounter until you find a new one. Pokemon of the same evolution family = dupe (even if split evo/form).
Pokemon must be nicknamed.
Shiny Pokemon found can be caught regardless of encounter location.
No items at all during battle.
Pokemon, Moves, and Abilities are randomized (with logic: weak Pokemon will be randomized into other weak Pokemon, strong Pokemon will be randomized into other strong Pokemon).
Your Pokemon's level cannot be higher than the next Gym Leader's highest level. This is automatically set.
Pokemon (wild or caught) that are over the level cap may not be used until you are past said cap's gym leader.
If Nuzlocke is lost (you whited out), you have to start over from the beginning. There is no limit to the number of attempts you can make.
Quality of Life features are present and allowed to be used (auto level to cap, infinite repels, No HM friends needed, linearized gameplay).
Gen 9 mechanics are implemented.
Once a team defeats the Elite Four the pokemon they beat the champion with will be removed from the game so that other teams will be unable to encounter them on a fresh save.
Tournament Rules
Players will bring the 6 Pokemon from their Nuzlocke Hall of Fame team to the Tournament.
Pokemon battles are double battles.
Standard Pokemon VGC rules, notably Players will bring 6 Pokemon to the tournament and choose 4 to battle in each round. Players can choose a separate 4 Pokemon each round
Open teamsheets are present: Players will be able to see the opposing trainer's team of 6 Pokemon, their moves, abilities, and held items.
All Pokemon are level 50
Pokemon's abilities, moves, held items may not be changed during the tournament.
No Terastallization, Z moves, dynamax, or mega evolution.
Gen 9 mechanics are implemented.
Item clause is in effect. All Pokemon must have unique held items, no two Pokemon can be holding the same item.
Matches are Best of 3, first to 2 wins moves on.
Coaches may converse and strategize briefly between rounds, and at length between matches. Similar to the nuzlocke portion, you may not help during battles.