Tips for first time Nuzlockers?

Welcome to the wonderful world of pain and suffering, Fifi. You are about to embark on the most dangerous journey of any trainer. Here's my advice:

>Don't give yourself the limited Pokémon center rule unless you are prepared.
>Use moves that you wouldn't expect would work. Some times it will save your hide.
>Use your money wisely.
>grind, grind, GRIND!

 

Depending on your rules, use your Daycare Center to let a few extra Pokémon (if you end up with extras) gain levels while you continue your journey.

 

This is the best way to start unless you have a ton of experience with the game that you will be locking.

 

Not too much to add from what they say. Start with "easy rules" and try winning at least 2 games with them. Then try something harder.

I hope you enjoy the hard site of Pokémon!

 

I agree with everyone and go with the most basic rules for our first Nuzlocke. Also, if you're playing a Nuzlocke of any 5th generation game, make sure you take advantage of the audinos you can find in rustling grass, because those things give out a ton of exp.

 

Oh that's great too! Audinos are really useful to LVL UP faster. Note: Heal Pulse enemies will be your favourite XD
@Mandriel you are cool

 

That's basically how I got through my White Nuzlocke It's a lot more efficient than just running through the tall grass.

And thank you very much for thinking I'm cool ^^

 

Hey!! not anyone remembers the detaisl that easily at running a Nuzloke (they mostly think about survival and forget ). My respects! (and hugs).

 

I've done a few Nuzlockes myself and I have some tips for survival:

-Always, ALWAYS air on the side of caution. If you think there's a chance a random crit could kill your Pokémon then either switch or heal.
-Pay a lot of attention to the battles and use type advantage as much as you can.
-Be at least 3-5 levels above the gym leader's strongest.
-Be super careful around Koffings/Voltorbs/anything that can use Self Destruct/Explosion

 

Type effectiveness goes a long way. If you're struggling in a gym fight but have a Pokémon to switch into that can resist the stabs of the leader, it can give you the opportunity to heal up your other Pokémon and finish with no deaths.

Having Pokémon that can learn buff moves that can sweep (bulk up, calm mind, quiver dance etc.) can really go a long way. Just keep in mind critical hits can bypass the buffs.

 

Stick with the most basic rules the other people said here. Also, grind. If you end up in a new route, make sure your Pokémon are three or five levels above the highest level a route has for hard mode, and five to seven if you want to be safe or if the next gym/totem has types that go against most of your Pokémon.

 

Another important thing to remember is take it slow. Don't rush battles, even if you're confident. Sometimes those pesky Pokémon can pull something out of nowhere and you lose a Pokémon.

 

If possible, always have a well-stocked first aid kit handy. Especially in the earlier games where poison is still an issue outside of battle. Antidotes are your best friends.

Another thing I would suggest is to use Pokémon you wouldn't normally use. For instance, I never liked Durant at first until I used one during an Egglocke (It's the same as a Nuzlocke, except I trade all the first encountered Pokémon for random eggs), and suddenly it becomes one of my hardest hitters due to its Hustle ability and giving it a Wide Lens to increase accuracy. You'd be surprised how some underrated Pokémon turn out to be diamonds in the rough.

 

1. If there's a route/area with Wobbufetts, keep a Ghost-Type with a Physical Move on it so you can't get Countered to death. Or make sure you have something that can status those things to death. I have lost too many of my precious Pokémon thanks to Wobbufett. Also, if there's Self-Destructors, Ghost-types don't hurt to have either. I always try to have at least one Ghost-type on my team at any time due to this.
2. If you're early in the game, keep some money aside for Pokeballs, but spend hand to mouth on healing items for the most part. You never know when a simple Potion/Antidote could save your Starter/eventual powerhouse. Once you get a little further, you can stockpile and then not worry as much.
   
3. When facing any Gym Leader, try to be higher leveled, as people have already said. If you're early in the game, I recommend having at least your starter in its second stage before the first, and at least three other mons evolved as well by the second for cushion. (For example, in my Sapphire Nuzlocke, I went up against Brawly with Grovyle, Kirlia, Golbat, and Swellow.)
4. Never be afraid to backtrack to Pokémon Centers (If your rules allow those). You might be at the end of a route/battle chain. You might be close to evolving and need that last bit of XP. But if your luck is bad and you neglected healing something could happen like, BOOM, you forget that your jerk of a rival pops up here with a fresh and battle-ready team, a sneaky Sneasel/Linoone/Golbat ruins your day by outspeeding your escape, or that Hiker in the mountains blows your precious starter up with a Graveler (All of the things above have happened to me ;- If you're in doubt, go heal up and trudge back through again. It'll take time, but at least your team is safe.
5. You're gonna have to desginate an HM slave some time if you're playing anything before S/M. Make sure it's at least semi-useable if things get down to the wire. I don't want to admit it, but my Pearl Nuzlocke got saved by a Bibarel in Victory Road. Yeah.

 

Those are some great tips. I'll be sure to keep them in mind if I ever try a Nuzlocke again.