The Gnamer Nuzlocke Challenge

Chapter 1: To Not-Paris and Beyond

My journey began after an uneventful duel with the bug Gym Leader Viola, Hawlucha made quick work of her paltry two Pokemon in a magnificent display of fighting prowess.  

Having defeated my first challenge I set my sights on the next order of business: heading to the capital and hub of Kalos to head to the next gym.  To get there from Santalune town took me through Route 4, a easy going route filled with flowers and bugs.  After capturing one and throwing it to the heveans I was gifted with...



Sableye the Sableye
My newest member, joining after the first gym, this guy hasn't really done anything yet being where I closed out my session for the day.  Balanced out his stats are due to only having the attacking move Night Shade dealing a whopping fixed 7 HP per use, making up for his awful damage potential by boasting the move Recover this little fiend from hell is set to send anything that annoys him to the afterlife.


After making my way through the route I was greeted at the gate to Lumiose City by two somewhat arrogant pipsquicks, apparently there to escort me to some professor with a reputedly high sense of style and fashion.  Upon meeting him he wanted one thing, a battle.  How refreshing.



His team consisted of a Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.  After finding myself at a disadvantage with my lead Diglett I switched to Sableye, intent on whittling down and destroying his Bulbasaur.  Upon switching in I was leech seeded and ruthlessly Vine Whipped, Night Shade was dealing about an eighth damage to him after the Leech Seed every turn while I lost about a quater.  I faced two choices, switch or spend a long drawn out battle recovering and Night Shading with the possible critical blow finishing me at a bad time.

I opted to switch, alas none of the team besides Hawlucha wanted to switch in to a Vine Whip.  After a Wing Attack, a Hone Claws, and another two Wing Attacks the battle was over and I was gifted with the choice of one of the Pokemon used against me.  I chose Squirtle and wasted no time sacrificing it to the heavens for my next lucky dip, an inevitable encounter....



Zigzagoon the Zigzagoon
This thing doesn't really need much of an introduction, an infamous rodent type of Pokemon Zigzagoon's best claim to fame is making an excellent learner of HM's.  Unfortunately this is Kalos, not Hoenn, and HM's are entire optional.  Still, if I ever want something to cut some trees or smash some rocks, now I have the perfect thing!


On my way out of the lab I was intercepted by the clingon gang from the home town who I have tricked in to referring to me by my true name, Count Cruteo.  My first choice was to leave the city and resume my journey, but Serena would not take no for an answer and insisted I follow her to a cafe to meet someone.  

I skate over to the cafe, and see two aledgedly famous people exchanging zen ideals about beauty.  




After a breif exchange I left and moved finally resumed my journey.  Finally ridding myself of the clingons and back to adventuring with my critters, or so I thought.  Nevertheless I left Lumoise behind me and set out to the next route, noting the skate rink to my right and the wild grass nearby.  Wasting no time before setting up camp for the night I rolled up my sleeves and encountered a Bunelby that was quickly thrown to the heavens to summon my next loyal member.  Little did I know the power that was about to be mine...



Dratini the Dratini!
A mythical being, Dratini, my favourite base form pseudo!  Little did I know just how special this little thing was until I had a look, a female in a Dream Ball featuring the mythical ability Marvel Scale!  The power doesn't stop there, oh no, for what I held in my hand was a descendant of the Extremespeed Dratini native to Johto!  Knowing the moves Extremespeed, Dragon Dance, Aqua Jet, and Dragon Rush (now deleted in favour of Thunder Wave for balance reasons).  

Chapter 2: Furfrou Another Day

The journey to the next gym continues, prowling through the route at night besieged by hourdes of Pokemon.  Scary going until I realized these packs of Gulpins only knew Pound, finally providing Sableye with some handy battle experience and a chance to not be a burden.  

It wasn't long before the peace and joy of the simple journey through the wild with ones critters was brought to an abrupt end.
Yet again the Clingon squad show their mugs, this time daring to stand in my way with a battle.  



Vicegrip packed more of a punch than I want to give Tiero credit for, fortunately Corpish is weak and went down to Eguana before Eguana went down.  

Moving on I made my way through the rest of the route without incident, picking up a TM during my exploration, before arriving at Camphrier town.  After checking out a run down waste of time a person ran up reporting it was back again.  

Rushing off to route 7 to see what it was bore a very familiar sight.



Off to Parfume Palace to grab a Poke Flute me and my stalker go.  Upon arriving we discover the owner, a real piece of work, has lost his Furfrou and won't do anything until it's back in his custody.  After a wild Mon chase we detain the runaway creature in the back gardens.  The owner, absolutely thrilled, throws his beloved a show.



Yes, I too like to put on fireworks for my dogs when they run away and come back.  Not like the have a reputation for driving pets so out of their minds with fear that they run away or anything.

At this point I decide to have a bit of sightseeing in the route around the palace, were I meet my next sacrifice, a Honedge!  I promptly sacrifice it and get....



Stunky the Stunky!
This little fellow alas has to be boxed as he was level 21 and therefore above the current level cap.  

Noting some of the squad is a little underleveled I decided to explore Route 6 further while levelling them up.  Out of nowhere I'm ambushed by a fanatical couple who send out two Furfrou's in a double battle!  My answer?  Diglett and Ralts, Ralts tracing their rather handy ability that halves physical damage.  

Unfortunately Ralts was not the one needing that extra bulk, as Diglett is headbutted by one of the Furfrou's.  Before I know it his health enters red.  Then completely drains...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR98CHEfuu4


Gone.  Diglett lay dead at my feet.  He never even got to shake the ground!  He was taken from us too soon!

My response is swift and decisive, Dratini with Dragon Rage is thrown out and promptly kills the offending Furfrou while Ralts deals with the other.  A turn later vengeance is achieved, but a cold bitter feeling is left in my stomache as I realize that nothing is bringing Diglett back...  On that sour note I ended my campaign for the night.


Next morning I resume my journey, detour over I head back to route 7 and awaken the king himself, Snorlax, and take him on.  Alas he never stood a chance, knowing only normal attacks Sableye whittled it down with Thief and before long Snorlax was mine in a flawless catch!  Who do I get in return?  Why, this critter!



Charmander the Charmander!
The result of failed breeding this little thing knows Dragon Rage and Fire Fang.  Needless to say I was glad to see a fire type join the squad.


At this point I realized several of the team were falling behind in levels and Ralts was nearing evolution, so I  backtracked to Route 6 to take on some trainers and scour the land for items, among which I found a handy TM in Venomshock.  But more handy were the evolutions, introducing the new squad!



Kirlia, Charmeleon, and Frogadier!

With Route 7 finally open to me I head on up, encountering a Daycare, a Battle Castle, and a cave.  Before I can enter I am alas besieged yet again by the Clingons.  



A fairly easy encounter with my incompetent main rival playing support/fodder role, the battle was ultimately not remarkable.  
In fact a battle with an Artist through the route was of more note, almost catching my Charmeleon off guard with Rock Throw!

After finally ridding myself of the Clingon Gang I headed through a cave aptly named Zubat's Roost.  Three guesses as to what I encountered there and sent off for the next member of the team.



Skrelp the Skrelp
While this little thing was clearly the product of breeding he unfortunately lacked the amazing Adaptability.  Still a Poison Dragon type will in all likelihood come in handy down the road, so he was a nice addition overall already boasting Water Gun and, thanks to my TM, Venomshock.


After exiting the cave I encountered the pipsquick duo that guided me to Professor Stylish earlier, who kindly upgraded my pokedex to include even more Pokemon!  And with that, I pitched my (metaphorical) tent and called it a day.  There was loss, there was joy, and there was conquest!

Rest in peace Diglett.

Chapter 3: My Little Eevee Can't be This Cute!

Where last I left off pitching a camp atop a cliff with a lovely seaside view, deciding to hit the road I soon encountered the latest sacrifice, a Meinfoo!  My reward for sacrificing such a powerhouse?



Eevee the Eevee!
At this stage I'm perfectly content with having this guy not evolve and remain a team mascot, he's just too adorable!

Continuing through the route I'm besieged by one of the toughest normal trainers yet, wielding a level 19 Axew!  
Not a problem you think?  Hah, this little nightmare knows Dragon Rage, 40hp a pop.  Broken at this stage in the game.
Luckily the trainer was a moron and after almost killing Hawlucha he didn't use the move again, allowing me to Roost up and kill him.
Still, I won't deny I was a bit scared when he busted out Dragon Rage on my switch, that move is scary at this stage of the game!

Finally reaching the next town whose name isn't worth memorizing I'm told I just have to visit a nearby attraction called Glitter Cave.
The cave has been known to yield fossils on occassion!  

I ignore my rivals silly notion of heading there and instead explore the town and the surrounding coast, using a newly obtained Old Rod to catch myself two Luvdisc's, one from the town, one from Route 8.
What do I get from these?  A couple of old classics that like to go boom is what I got.



Koffing the Koffing and Voltorb the Voltorb
Between these two liking to explode and one liking to spew noxious gas I might need a gas mask!  
Always nice to have a fast strong electric type, although not sure whether Koffing will be used given I already have Skrelp and Stunky, but you never know.  At this point I'm not worried about the grass and fairy gyms, that's for sure!

After smashing some rocks and finding items I head off to Gliter Cave, encountering a Hippopotas on the way, she quickly became a potential powerhouse!



Teddiursa the Teddieursa
This guy is from high quality stock, a breeding reject with five, count em, five perfect IVs!  And an Adamant nature.  Oh, but the awesomeness doesn't stop there, he also has several powerful breeding moves including Chip Away, Crunch, and a fighting move whose name I forget.  Needless to say this baby when he evolves is going to be a right horror!

Moving in to Glitter Cave I explore the area discovering a TM, some nice items, and another Pokemon.
This time a Lunatone, which loved to spam Hynosis.  Be that as it may Dratini paralysed it and took it down to red with Dragon Rage.
Four Pokeballs later it was caught and sent off for another inevitable trade.



Ducklett the Ducklett
An inevitable Pokemon that may not see use unless (knock on wood) some of my other wtare types perish first.  Still, it's not terrible for in-game and pretty cute to boot!

Pressing further in to the darkness besieged by Pokemon all the way I eventually come to what appears to be the center of the cave to fine...



WHO COULD YOUR LEADER POSSIBLY BE!?  I'M STUMPED!!




After crushing a few of the insolent morons calling themselves Team Flare I come across a pair of them.
Luckily my rival has my back and we take them on together!




On my side: BubbleAddict and a Espurr
On Flare's Side: Toxicroak and Scraggy

Clearly I should play a support role and attack the Scraggy while Espurr goes for a 4x effective Confusion on the Toxicroak, right?
But of course such a obvious play is too good, Espurr instead uses Reflect leaving both opponents alive and getting promptly killed in return!

This activates Scraggy's Moxie.  Yes, that's right, the Scraggy is a three hit kill and just got a boost while a Toxicroak is also on the field.
Screw Serena, of course making obvious plays is too much to ask for!

In comes a Absol, hooray!
Promptly killed by the Toxicroak, boo!

Meanwhile the Scraggy finally decides to attack me, and almost kills BubbleAddict on the spot!
I switch in Hawlucha, realizing the Scraggy needs to die immediately or else something of mine is dying once Serena's final Pokemon is defeated.

Thankfully the rest of the match goes relatively easily.  I use Aerial Ace and kill the Scraggy, leaving a Toxicroak that seems to want to spam Poison Sting on me.  
Battle over, Team Flare is ousted from the cave, I declare victory!

Chapter 4: You Best Be Worshipping the RNGesus

We resume after departing for the next town, a short seaside route away, where a gym awaited me.  
I decided to train up a few Pokemon, one of which being Eevee, soon after...




Don't for a second think this was good.  It's horrible.  
Why you ask?  Well, y'see, turns out it doesn't learn a psychic move for another twenty or so levels, meaning Espeons most powerful move since I missed Psywave is Swift...

Yeah, think I'll be boxing this.  

Moving on I finally decide to tackle the gym, bringing Skrelp, BubbleAddict, and Hawlucha as my main mons with Dratini and Sableye as support.



In all honesty this battle went by fairly easy with BubbleAddict taking out the first Pokemon and Hawlucha tanking a hit and defeating the second with Karate Chop.  

Moving on to the next route I promptly come across my next sacrifice, ironically being an Eevee.  
I get in return...



Bunnelby the Bunnelby
Literally the regions opening route rodent, the only surprise is just how long it took to receive this.  
Still, I can forsee a useful role for Diggersby after the passing of Diglett, so it's not necessarily a bad trade.  Certainly it'll be more useful than Espeon.  

Moving through the route I eventually come across Stone Henge some mysterious stones leading to a town called Geosenge Town, and a Pokemon evolves!



It isn't long until trouble rears it's head and Team Flare make their presence known...




I lead with my level 21 Stunky who desperately needs some levels, she leads with a level 23 Electrike.  
I start things off by Smokescreening it, thinking I can status it in to submission before clawing it to death, Electrike goes for Howl.

This continues for several turns and I start to feel confident I can defeat it before it can attack.  
This is not to be.  Electrike proceeds to land a +4 Sparke, instantly killing Stunky...

Retaliation is swift and powerful, with Sableye coming in and promptly killing the Electrike and the second Pokemon who I forget it made such an impact.


Moving along I encounter another easily dispatched Flare Grunt and trainer before arriving at Geosenge Town.  
It is here I'm lectured by a Flare Grunt who then runs away and hides.  

I investigate the town and decide to have a quick peek at the next route before healing my Pokemon up... Mistake.



I am ambushed by a sneaky gym leader by the name of Korrina, who wants to duel me with two powerful Lucarios.



I send out Voltorb, who can pack a punch after a few Charge Beams and is fast enough to already outspeed Lucario.  
I start out with Charge Beam, and get the Special attack boost!  Lucario meanwhile uses...



Well.  F***.  
RIP Voltorb?

Lucario continues to use Swords Dance sharply boosting its attack stat while lowering my special defence with Metal Sound for several turns.
All the while I continue to use Charge Beam, getting the attack raise each and every time!  

Lucario is taken down to red, it has stupidly wasted its chances to kill Voltorb for several turns while I've been getting stronger every turn.
At this rate I'll kill the next one eas-Voltorb Used Charge Beam, the attack missed!
Lucario used Power-Up Punch!

NOOOOOOOOOOO!  WHAT THE HELL!  I hate you Korrina!

Vengeance is swift and fast, with Hawlucha cleaning up and killing the second Lucario in the space of three turns.  
Alas nothing is bringing back Voltorb.  The deaths have started, and are racking up quickly.  


I put Voltorb to rest, grab Dratini who had been stored, and head out to the next short route, half of my journey to the third gym complete.
I soon get my next Pokemon.



Budew the Budew
Lame now, but I won't say no to a Roserade later on!  The loss of Stunky has also opened up room for a Poison type on the squad too.

The route is going peacefully, and Dratini, my current Trump Slot, is less than one level away from evolving in to a powerful Dragonair!
I see a couple of trainers standing together, my chance to level it up and evolve!

I lead with Hawlucha and Dratini, they lead with Mr. Mime and Machoke.  
I immediately realize I have to kill the Mr. Mime lest it take out Hawlucha, so double team it with Aireial Ace and Dragon Rage.

I'm surprised when it Psybeams the Dratini, ignoring the super effective chance.  That is until it crits and takes out over two thirds of Dartini's health.
Of course, hax, which because the AI knows when it will occur, can target accordingly.  Bloody cheating bastards.  

Machoke moves next, Low Sweeping...

...

Dratini...  




I progress to the next area, Reflection Cave.  
Still stunned over the loss of Dratini who was on the cusp of achieving evolution I barely pay attention, until...



Kirlia evolves in to Gardevoir!
I should mention I'd waited until the learning of Psychic, so Gardevoir is a absolute monster right now!

Shortly after that, or maybe not, still wracked with grief over Dratini I had resumed not paying attention, I threw a Swoobat out to the wild and got...



Honedge the Honedge!
Anyone and everyone who has played these games knows what an absolute monster this evolution line is.  
With a Fighting gym on the corner no less.  I won't say things are looking up, because losing Dratini, no, nothing is going to be bright ever again.
Nevertheless my chances of winning the next gym are definitely rising, and that is something I'm glad of.  


Finally I make it out of the cave and reach Shalour City, home of Mega Evolution and a nice place to pitch camp.  Exhausted, I do just that.

Rest in Peace

Chapter 5: I've Been Waiting For This Day

Ah, Shalour City, home of a certain murderer.  Who said revenge doesn't taste good?  I reckon it'll taste might nice myself.

Upon entering the city I'm intercepted by a couple of the good ol Clingon Gang and informed I should head to the big ol tower in the middle of the town.  



Wow, I would never have guessed to go there!

I notice there's room to fish so I quickly throw in my line and grab another Pokemon from Wonder Trade.



Wurmple the Wurmple!
I've been waiting for this day!  The fated encounter with Caterpie Wurmple we all knew was coming!
Safe to say this is getting boxed and ignored, it'll take too much time to raise for the fighting gym anyway.

Arriving at the Tower of Mastery the Clingon Gang assembles and we're lectured on Mega Evolution.
Alas!  There is only one bracelet available, the incompetents all decline.  All of them save one...



I would describe the battle, but honestly it'd be far simpler to say I had Honedge use Swords Dance and then swept her team.  
Yes, even the Absol, not that she's capable of using such a Pokemon properly.  

I'm then told that to actually gain the power I must also beat the Gym Leader.  Heh, how convenient.  

At this point I went off and trained some Pokemon up, specifically Honedge and Koffing, the result?




With that sorted I headed off to the Gym, with two ghost types and Weezing I felt fairly confident in an easy win.
I progressed through the gym, crushing a few trainers on the way, eventually reaching Korrina herself.



Payback time.

I'd originally planned to wall her with Weezing, unfortunately her team included a Meinfoo so I changed my plans fearing Psychic attacks.
I sent in Honedge, alas that was a bit broken as she had nothing to apparently hit it with.

I knocked out the Meinfoo, she sent in Machoke.  I sent in Weezing again, determined to have it do something in the battle.
Which it did, sort of, unfortunately it was getting a little worn out by repeated Rock Tombs so I switched back to Honedge for the finishing blow.

Her final Pokemon was something well known to me, a Hawlucha!  I stayed in and watched in horror as it Hone Claws'd!
Setting up a Swords Dance myself I watched as it... Hone Claws'd again.

And again...


Aaaaand again...

At this point I realized Hawlucha clearly had nothing to hit me with so I just put it out of its misery and won my badge.  

Korrina then informs me that to attain the power of Mega Evolution I am to ascend to the top of the Tower of Mastery.
I do just that, and there I find... Korrina...

Apparently those who seek the power need to earn it, so she's the test.  Before she can start one of her Lucario runs up to my side.
It has apparently decided to join forces.  And who could blame it, change is on the wind and I'm clearly the better trainer.  



This is it.  One vs one, Lucario vs Lucario.  

Okay, that's enough flowery nonesense, I knocked her Lucario out in two Power-Up Punches because mine is faster and won.  
Revenge complete!

It's at this point I remembered I'd forgotten to fish for a Pokemon before the second gym, so I head all the way back and get!



Archen the Archen!
Wow, where were you not ten minutes before this?  Suffice to say this thing is a potential monster if it lives long enough to evolve!

Moving on I head to the next route, having already caught a Pokemon there progress was swift and within ten minutes I had arrived at my next destination, Coumarine City!  

But before that, we have a new evolution people!  Presenting the most powerful Pokemon in the lands!



That's right, Honedge evolved in to Doublade!

Upon entering the city I get a call from a very annoying person, Serena my "rival" demands a battle and will await me outside the next gym.  

I head through the town, pick up a few nifty items and TMs, and reach the other side.  before taking her on however i nip in to the next route and bag my next Pokemon, a nice and powerful...



Noctowl the Noctowl
Again I ask, where were you not half an hour ago?  Still, with a grass gym up next and my recent acquisition of the TM Acrobatics...

Moving back to the city I head to the gym and take on my rival.  The entire battle was so uneventful I'm not even going to describe it beyond "the last time we thought, only even more one sided".

Heading in to the gym I find a nice surprise waiting for me, the type is grass!  Seizing the perfect opportunity I thrust Archen to the front of the party and teach it Acrobatics!

For those not in the know, Acrobatics is a base 55 flying type move, which means it gets a Same Type Attack Boost on Archen.  
That's not all, if the user isn't holding an item its power is doubled.  That's right, it turns in to a base 110 move!

I quickly move through the gym, Archen gaining levels the entire time, and arrive at the top to find the next leader!



For a while I was worried I had overleveled at this point, and am relieved when he sends out his opening Jumpluff and find its level is bang on par with Archen.

Unfortunately I'd forgotten about Acrobatics, and promptly crushed his first two Pokemon with Archen alone, two levels off evolution now.
His final Pokemon scared me a little though, Gogoat.  Given Archen's ability making him useless if he loses more than half his health I switch to Doublade.

From there I simply do the usual, Swords Dance up and kill, thus claiming my fourth badge!

Finally done with cities for a while I move on to the desert, and soon wish I was still in the city.
As I walk I'm assaulted by Pokemon left and right, Pokemon that chase after you!  

I find my way out is barred due to a power outage in Lumiose, so double back and head for the Power Plant.
Just as well I soon discover, as I encounter a Team Flare Grunt!  

Dispatching him with ease I enter the Power Plant to find the place taken over by the Team.  I head on in to the main area.
There I am forced to fight grunt after grunt as I take a long way round, for they outright say they are buying time.

Ufortunately for them they provided fodder for two Pokemon to ascend to greater realms of power, presenting my TWO newest evolutions!



Archeops and Greninja!

With my two new power houses I finally reach the center, and am greeted by the personification of style!



Unfortunately for our first Team Flare admin his Pokemon were not up to the power of mine, and he is promptly washed away by BubbleAddict.

Up next we are challenged by a Team Flare member so important they got a name.



Unfortunately she lacked any real style, and falls to my team quicker than you can say "she has no true sense of style!"

Having finally routed Team Flare and getting power back on to Lumiose City I head back, and despite the annoying encounter I bear witness to the fruits of my labour.  




Before we end this chapter, I have one more thing to present, another two evolutions who I raised specifically for the next gym!



Diggersby and Ursaring!