Pokémon BDSP: How to Do a Nuzlocke Challenge Run

A Nuzlocke run is a special challenge in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. It’s designed to make the game more challenging for veterans.

A Nuzlocke run is a self-imposed challenge in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl that ups the ante for players looking to make the game a bit more difficult. While Pokémon games have been fairly easy to beat, the Pokémon community has developed several different types of runs to make the game more challenging. These aren’t actual challenges that players can input in the game but rather strict rules that the player needs to follow. In the case of Nuzlocke runs, these are historically the ones players go to make the game harder. For example, if a Pokémon faints in battle, the trainers will no longer be able to use it for the rest of the playthrough.

In a normal playthrough, trainers can go to the Pokémon Center or use Revives to heal their Pokémon. In a Nuzlocke, the moment the Pokémon has its HP reach zero, it’s immediately sent to the PC. A big part of this run is building a sentimental relationship with these Pokémon. Another rule is that trainers must nickname all the Pokémon they capture. Nicknames are just a small way for players to build a connection with their Pokémon. That’s what makes it incredibly heartbreaking when the Pokémon dies in a Nuzlocke run.

Related: The Best Competitive Water-Type Pokémon In Diamond & Pearl

To win a Nuzlocke challenge, the trainer will need to beat the Elite Four and become the Champion of the Sinnoh region without having all of their Pokémon faint. Trainers can also only capture the first Pokémon they encounter on a new route. This includes every encounter method from fishing, surfing, or running through the grass. Although, if players encounter a Pokémon they already have, they can capture the next one they encounter if it’s different. But, if the Pokémon escapes or the player is unable to capture it, they can no longer capture a Pokémon on this route.

Tips For Clearing Nuzlocke Runs in Pokémon BDSP

• Keep an eye out for critical hits. These will likely be the cause of death for many Pokémon. Avoid getting Pokémon’s HP too low by using Potions to heal.
• Since the Grand Underground has changed significantly from the original games, it is up to the player on how they wish to handle the Grand Underground Hideaways. These locations feature wandering Pokémon for trainers to capture. They could count each den as a separate area or count the Grand Underground as an entirely separate area alone. The choice is theirs.
• For more of a challenge, trainers can limit or not buy items. They will only survive off of what items they find in the overworld.
• Go into the game settings and change the Battle Style to ‘Set.’ This will make it so the player can’t switch Pokémon when the opponent trainer is about to send out their next Pokémon. That extra turn can make the game much more difficult.

Nuzlocke runs can be incredibly challenging but also functions as an emotional rollercoaster. Once the trainer defeats Cynthia, they have completed the Nuzlocke run. Although, if players run out of all their Pokémon, it’s game over. The player will then need to start right from the very beginning of the game. As the challenge’s rules suggest, Nuzlocke runs are not for the faint of heart.

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Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.

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