It ended in a dirty mineshaft

After a brief sojourn into the wilderness to mourn for Hey Man the Dewott, we decided to do what he would've wanted: kill Pokemon until we burned out.

We caught Yo the Petilil and And How the Solosis in preperation to destroy Elesa. Yo died from the first attack that hit it. She didn't have the gumption, man. But And How was brilliant. With Psyshock and a Dark Hidden Power, she had some versatile attacks, and some beefy offensive stats to make those attacks hella formidable. Charm and Light Screen made her a great defensive player for the whole party too. We swept through the preliminary trainers without a problem, but Elesa, she was a problem. And How kept the foes at bay with her Light Screen, but they were hitting her too hard; she was hardly able to get a Psyshock in. Soon the dreaded critical hit happened, and And How was gone. Whoa There the Magnemite tried to swoop in and sonicboom them to death, but its resistance to Electric attacks wasn't enough to keep it in play. Whoa there fell. What's Up the Darumaka became an unlikely hero in this fight, flexing through the zaps and Fire Punching and Rock Tombing through Elesa's Pokemon to win us a bitter, tenuous victory.

We moved on, just What's Up, Aw Geez and me. It was a dismal trek to Driftveil City. Aw Geez and What's Up were more than a match for the resistance we encountered, but their hearts weren't in it. But our spirits were lifted with a new addition to the party in the form of N's Zorua, which was given to us by former team Plasma doods. We were all a little suspicious of it for not being a wild catch - did it even know about the Nuzlocke Challenge? But it was so cute and snuggly that we warmed up to it in a jiff.

We trained and fought Clay the next day. Two of my fighters had evolved and we felt great. Zoroark trampled the warm-up trainers effortlessly, and our fight with clay looked to be the same. His Krokorok had no idea that he was even fighting another Dark-type as Zoroark disembowled it with some highly assertive Snarls. His Sandslash was even easier. But his Excadrill... its resistance to Zoroark's displays of aggression was pretty spooky, so we switched to Aw Geez, but even fully evolved, she couldn't handle more than one Rock Slide. Neither could What's Up. Unable to damage it more than slightly, Zoroark fell last.

The brave fallen:


We will fight again. Mark my words, friends. White 2 hasn't seen the last of me.

hey man

My Dewott died. He was fighting a football player's Timburr. It wake-up slapped him for a critical hit. He was almost at full health. He died immediately. I am going to exile myself into the far reaches of the Pokemon world to mourn him. My three remaining partners will come with me. It's not healthy to be a alone at times like this. Maybe we'll return someday, but don't count on it. We can't think about the future now. Dewott deserves this. Rest in peace, Hey man.

Things got sad :[

It was too good to last, friends.

No! No cause for alarm. The party is still going strong. I have three badges, four pokemon, and plenty of hope for the Elite 4. But now, there have been losses.

Good things happened first, in the form of three new party members. I caught Shut it the Grimer in Castelia city's sewers, and Aw geez the Pidove in a grassy gnoll deep within the city. With the combination of a Scope Lens, the ability Super Luck, and the attack Air Cutter, Aw geez started getting critical hits almost every other attack. Can you believe it? Also, she somehow combined a Modest nature with the trait "somewhat vain." A FLYING PARADOX! Shut it combined some beefy Sludge with the more tactical Minimize and Disable to be a flexible and potent brawler. She was even particularly alert to sounds! The two of them effortlessly trounced Burgh's bug Pokemon, earning us the Insect Badge.

But all was not well. Upon entering the Desert Resort area to pwn some noobs, we caught a serious little Darumaka named What's up, who, with her Hustle ability, boasts the beefiest attack stat on the team. But all was not well. We encountered a Pokemon Ranger with a Darumaka of his own, and he had the edge. Though Aw geez did a beefy number on it, his headbutt took Aw geez's health down below the yellow in one it. Thinking quickly, I switched Aw geez out for my starter, Hey man, but to the same effect! I switched through four pokemon that way, hoping one would be able to man up and take the hit without coming close to death. Then it happened. Shut it the beautiful Grimer took a critical hit to the face and was down. Her tag team partner, Aw geez, wracked with guilt and despair, returned to the fray with a brutal caw and quick attacked the thing to death, barely.

Electro Ball is an attack that does damage in proportion to the attacker's speed difference over the defender. If the defender is paralyzed, their speed goes way down. That's why I should have switched when Come on was paralyzed by gym leader Elena's first lackey trainer's Elekid. But I didn't, and the first pokemon I caught in this run is no more. So long, Come on, the Herdier who loved to fight. We'll miss you. And also Shut it.

We made a tactical retreat from the fourth gym, but mark my words. We will have our vengeance.

Begun, This Nuzlocke Challenge Has, or, How a Dunsparce Nearly Ruined Everything That Was Ever Good and True

It has begun. I traded my party over to my White version and started a Nuzlocke challenge on White 2. I started with a beautiful Oshawott named hey man. He is calm and valiant, and he hates to lose. Good thing he NEVER WILL.

Our first wild encounter was a Patrat. Hey man was so furious that he demolished it and ate it whole before I could reign him in. Okay, time to confess a secret... I could have stopped him. But I didn't.

We caught a Lillipup on the next route. Her name is come on but he could've been called General Chomp-Your-Skull-Off, because she is a hardy little bloodhound who likes to fight more than she likes her own mother.

Our first gym challenge was over in seconds as come on chomped Cheren's puny little normal-types into smithereens. Hey man sat by my side and watched, crossing his stubby little arms with satisfaction. His hands needed not be dirtied.

Route 20 is where it all got real. We were challenged to a battle by a nursery aide with a Dunsparce. A DUNSPARCE. Hey now was at half heath, so I switched him out, not expecting the Dunsparce to use PURSUIT for double damage. I wet my pants as hey man escaped with one hit point to spare, leaving only come on the Lillipup to take down this ridiculous titan. The Dunsparce immediately used rollout, the most fearsome of moves, as anyone who battled Whitney's Miltank in Gold/Silver will attest. Come on bit and bit, and the Dunsparce, unflinching and disgusting, kept rolling beefier. Finally come on chomped it in half, only bearing 5 HP to her name. Come on, hey man and I held each other close last night, more aware of the fleeting, precious nature of life than ever before.

Virbank city was no more difficult. Our wild encounter south of the city was a naughty little Magnemite by the name of whoa there, who is also highly persistent - a fine quality to have in a band of unstoppable champions. Whoa there is so persistent, in fact, that he decimated Roxie's party singlehandedly in a harbinger of things to come. Once more, hey there watched by my side in satisfaction. He is too good for this, you see.

Since then, hey now and come on have evolved into devastating, tyrannical versions of their former selves. Now we're ransacking Castelia City's battle company, a building full of pokemon trainers who wear suits, lose battles, and somehow make a profit???

My Dewott hates to lose. Until now, we have not lost... and nothing will stand in our way.

These Galactic Commanders are going to be the death of me...

After the courageous battle with Roark, Nubs and co. set off with high spirits. Back tracking from Oreburgh the team traveled up to Floarama, meeting many new teammates along the way. With so many training opportunities afoot and no real dangerous foes at hand, the fledgling team was able to circulate some of the newer members through to see who had what it took to train with the good Sergeant. The cadet to come in head and shoulders above the rest was the ever-cool Champ the Buizel. As the only water type thus far Champ was an immediate standout, but his fantastic speed, large utility of attacks and confident demeanor solidified his spot on the team. Well trained and eager for the next stage of their journey, the team set off again after a few disappointing run ins with honey trees.
Not more than a few steps outside of town, the team came a cross a near hysterical girl whose father had been kidnapped by the insufferable vagabonds known as team Galactic. Never one to shy away from a heroic deed or a potential smack down, the Good Sergeant went on a warpath, decimating the undisciplined grunts in his way. At last he came face to face with Commander Mars, delinquency incarnate.
The battle started out similar to the others, Mars' zubat stood about as much chance as every other zubat Butternubs had faced thus far, but the Purugly was different. The plan was simple, Trist the Zubat flies out, confuses the target, returns, Antonio finishes it off. Beautiful in its simplicity. Trist executed her part perfectly, but before she was able to tag out, the grotesque and over-powered feline shook itself out of its stupor to land a single blow. Faint attack. Critical hit. Trist fainted. The team was shaken by its second death and after a quick cat thrashing at the hands of Antonio, the girl was reunited with her father and the team set off again, though not as spryly as before.
New catches were made along the way, though mostly wurmples and zubats, and these only seemed to serve as reminders of our fallen comrade. So the team arrived in eterna with no new members. The gym here was grass type, and with an evolved fire breathing monkey and murder-hawk, there wasn't much to report. After sweeping the gym, the team discovered a Galactic hideout behind some cleverly disguised twigs. It was time for some revenge. An oddly familiar warpath was cleaved through the misguided peons until once again, Nubs stood toe to toe with another Galactic Commander, Jupiter the Fartbreather. This showdown was eerily similar as well, and Butternubs realized too late just how similar it would be. Potts the Starly bravely led the charge against Jupiter's foul Skuntank, cowing the brute with his intimidate ability and growl, but his expert tactics couldn't prepare him for sheer, dumb luck. Night Slash. Critical hit. Potts fainted. And just like that, Galactic was ousted from Western Sinnoh, and Butternubs had lost two great allies and his team's two best fliers.
And so the team sets forth once again. The pain of lives snuffed too soon somewhat dulled by the lucky find of the incredibly goofy Gobles the Chingling and the less lucky Anex the Meditite. Gobles is too unseasoned to protect himself in battle now, but with the power of friendship (and surreptitiously farmed friendship increasing berries), he will God willing become a mighty Chimecho, a very uncommon nuzlocke team addition indeed.

Rest in peace Forrest, Trist and Potts. Your sacrifice will not be in vain.

Oh by the way, I (Paul) completed my first Nuzlocke in Soul Silver.

Yeah so that happened. This was many months ago. I was busy getting married and stuff, so I was a little preoccupied, but it was such a beautiful thing. We did it. We really, really did it. And I gotta say, it was such a thrill. Lots of pals were lost on the way, but the intrepid survivors fought bravely and triumphed, and are now spending their retirements in the most lavish PC box money can by in my White version. Granted, I have no idea how exactly I did it anymore, but trust me, these guys brought home the bacon.


Tadpole the Poliwhirl was, honestly, an accident. So many friends lost on the way, the sixth slot in my party was like a morbid speed date of wide-eyed newbies, doomed to be torn apart before they would ever know the glory of a gym victory. I caught ol' Tadpole after getting my eighth badge, knowing that someone would have to fill out my party. It was a good choice; with Belly Drum, Earthquake and Wake Up Slap, he knew how to put those goofy fists to use.


Pokeythang the Nidoqueen was tactical dynamite. Opening most fights with a double round of Toxic Spikes, and sporting defense out the wazoo, she was sure start every battle in our favor. A gentle giant, attacking wasn't her main dig, but with Crunch, Avalanche and Earth Power, she could wield an outrageous variety of typed attacks that ain't nobody gonna see coming. With her immunity to poison, she was instrumental in our victory against Koga. It's just a tragedy that Spikeything the Nidorino couldn't be there to see her succeed :(


Meet Raticate the Furret. Strategically named to throw his enemies off balance, she was the quick-striking, finishing-offing, speed demon of the bunch. Sucker Punch and U-Turn helped her avoid damage while Shadow Claw, along with her immunity to ghost attacks, made her the ultimate ghost killer. She was also a master of Attraction and espionage. Though her overbearing swagger made it hard for the rest of the team to deal with at times, having her in the fight made everyone feel that much safer.


Horse the Rapidash joined the party fairly late in the game, but with the speed and power of a falling piano and the killer instinct of a falling piano, he exceeded all expectations. Megahorn was crucial in defeating Will's psychic Pokemon, and strong fire and normal attacks made Horse an important asset in nearly every battle.


Vileplume the Jumpluff was so helpful, you guys. Though she may look like a cottonball, her light squishiness actually made her remarkably resilient. Sleep powder and leech seed paired well with U-turn, making her another excellent hit-and-run fighter. Paired with Raticate, these girls could tag-team just about anyone slower then them... which was everyone. Giga Drain helped her stay ship-shape throughout the battles. Grass/Flying is resistant to a surprising number of types - she was super useful in taking on Bruno's fighting and rock types, and none of the elite 4 could really handle her antics. Don't let anyone talk smack on Jumpluff, yall.


The death of Venusaur the Bayleef was very hard on me. We weren't sure we could go on. I had a few Pokemon that I was excited about, but none of them felt like a true partner. None of them really understood me. I didn't just need a warrior; I needed a friend. Then came Raichu the Ampharos like Gandalf over the hills to Helm's Deep. A quirky little guy, he fought a balanced fight, casting Light Screen to protect the party while putting his tremendous sp. attack to use with moves like Discharge, Focus Blast and Signal Beam. His staticy body stopped many an assailant in their tracks. He was proud of his power, and I was too. Thank you Bulbasaur for giving me the hope I so desperately needed to forge ahead, to start anew, to claim my destiny.



Many other Pokemon played key supportive roles in our journey. I would like to thank
!!TNEPRES the Arbok for always being there just in case, and Wet Dragon the red Gyarados and Big Bird the Fearow for being our boat and plane, respectively.

And now, a moment of silence for the many, many, many brave heroes who gave their lives to make this possible.
Clefable the Togepi
Dragon the Dratini
Crustacean the Krabby
Scyther the Ledian
Bird the Pidgeotto
Fungus the Paras
Goldfish the Goldeen
Spikything the Nidorino
Omastar the Corsola
Tauros the Stantler
Lil Dragon the Dragonair
Rock the Graveler
and especially,
Venusaur the Bayleef
it was all for you, man.

It is with a trembling heart that the good Sergent approaches the doors of the first gym of Sinnoh. At first it had seemed like it would be too easy. Forest the Budew's timely arrival made the task of taking out a rock gym seem not at all daunting. But that was before Forest's untimely demise at the hands of an oreburgh mine machop's critical strike. The party's first death. The team was doubly stung by the loss of a teammate and the knowledge that without him, they had no type advantage against Roark's minions. After one death the second seemed so  much closer. On top of it all, of the four remaining properly trained team members, three had weaknesses to rock, and the other to ground. Nevertheless, there was no way to move forward except through this adversary. So Antonio the Chimchar lead the way along with trusty Potts the Starly, Hazel the Shinx, Trist the zubat, and the grubby and ezzie, the supporting geodude and zubat. All are too well aware that their new adventure may be coming to an abrupt and embarrassing end.







Edit: OH WAIT.

Turns out chimchar evolves, becomes part fighting and learns mach punch at level 14. GG NOOB.  Antonio used his new might to crush Roark's first pokemon, a chumpy peon of a geodude, with a single, soul shattering blow. Next up was his onix, who put up significantly more of a fight. With the help of an obnoxious potion, he was able to use stealth rock, screech, and rock throw on Antonio before being laid low like the worm he is. If this were the namby-pamby red or blue versions, that would have been it. One geodude, one onix, boom. Rock gym over. However, this was not going to be so simple, as Roark had one more beast to throw at me, one that I had already learned to fear. Antonio was in a difficult situation. He was at just over half health, with severely lowered defenses, and any one he switched to would take super effective damage from the stealth rocks. Roark could see how the chips were falling as easily as Butternubs, and with a murderous gleam in his eye he sent out his most dangerous pokemon. The butt-sniffing cranidos. It knew that none could stand against it, save the ragged champion that stood before him. With a smirk it prepared itself for a merciless sweep.
But it was here that Roark made his fatal mistake. He very reasonably assumed that no one would leave their starter in such a dire situation. Most would have sacrificed any number of zubats or bidoofs to protect their beloved first partner, which usually only serves to stave off the inevitable. No, if this tyranny was going to end, it was going to end now.

"Butt-sniffer! Use pursuit as he tries to escape!"

"Antonio! Mach punch!"

"... wait, what?"

"CRRUNNNCHHH!"

The crunch was the sound of Butt-sniffer's nose being sandwiched between Antonio's fist and its own walnut sized brain. This made thinking even harder for the already dull brute. Their lack of skill at this particular pass time has a lot to do with their modern day extinction. Reeling from the blow, it tried to reason out what was happening. No pokemon should have stayed in the game when it was so weakened. Counting on the opponent switching out and backstabbing them as they fled had been a tried and true strategy for countless previous battles. Had Antonio fled, the extra damage from the underhanded attack along with his lowered defense could have spelled his doom. But because he stood his ground, refusing to put any other teammates in danger, his nobility coupled with a resistance to dark attacks protected him better than Harry's mom could from an avada kadavra curse. Suddenly the tables had turned. Roark was left with a half dead pokemon, an exhausted potion supply, and no chance of moving a muscle before the finishing blow ended his gym leader streak. This dim light bulb of a realization was the last thing that meandered through butt-sniffer's brain before Antonio's fist sent his already crumbling nose careening through after it, severing his corpus callosum and further complicating his preexisting learning disorders.

His underhanded tactics thwarted, Roark had no choice to hand over the first badge To Sgt. R. Butternubs. His team of champions emerging from what at first seemed like sure defeat as conquering heroes.  What lies next for the intrepid adventurers? Only time can tell.....