So let's begin with my character. I decided to use the female trainer, because I myself am female, and also because quite honestly I prefer the female trainer's design to the male's in this game. Usually I would name my character "Banana" because I like to attach the words "Sweet Banana" to just about everything I do nowadays. But in this case because of the convention I chose for nicknaming my Pokémon, "Banana" would be a possible nickname for one of my female Pokémon. Instead I thought of going with my actual name, but I've used that a few times in Pokémon games already. So I decided to shorten it and just go with "Jess".
With that done I was taken through the intro where I was "introduced" to my lifelong best friends, Cheren and Bianca. After the opening bit of dialog it was finally time to pick my starter Pokémon. I decided to let fate determine my choice using the last digit of my trainer ID as follows:
- If the last digit is 1-3, I choose Snivy.
- If the last digit is 4-6, I choose Tepig.
- If the last digit is 7-9, I choose Oshawott.
- If the last digit is 0, I may choose whichever starter I want.
Checking my trainer card, my ID did, in fact end in 0.
So the choice was totally up to me. Now I'm traditionally always one to opt for the Grass starter in any Pokémon game, but keeping the Nuzlocke rules in mind I based my decision a
little more on strategy this time. I chose Oshawott because it is the most well-rounded starter stat-wise, which I figured would make it my safest bet. So I chose this little guy and, after defeating Bianca and Cheren (with what was shamefully almost a close call against Bianca), I decided to name him "Scampi", after one of my favorite seafood dishes.
He has a Gentle nature, which ups Special Defense but lowers Defense. I had a feeling his Defense was a little low in my battle against Bianca and Tepig. Low Defense can be dangerous for a Nuzlocke (in this case, a Wedlocke), but at least Special Defense is boosted. I'll probably try to supplement his Defense stat with Iron when I get the chance.
After naming Scampi and receiving my Pokédex and Pokéballs, it was time to set out on Route 1. Now that I had the Pokéballs, I could catch the first female Pokémon I encountered on that route. I was kind of nervous about what I would get, because I never particularly cared for Patrat or Purrloin. It turned out that my very first encounter was...
A female Lillipup! I had hoped this would be my first catch. Lillipup is a solid physical attacker that also grows to have good Defense and Special Defense stats. I wasted no time in capturing this pup. I originally wanted to name her "Snickerdoodle" because I thought it would be an adorable name for a Lillipup, but I wasn't given enough characters to spell it all. Instead, I chose what I thought would be the next best name that still fit, "Gingersnap". Its Impish nature raises Defense and lowers Special Attack, which is just perfect because Special Attack is the one stat Lillipup doesn't really need. Also, its Pickup ability would definitely come in handy by allowing me to collect a bunch of free items early on. Not to mention that she and Scampi make a pretty cute couple.
Next I arrived in Accumula town and was introduced to the Pokémon Center. I took this time to set aside a special "Memorial" PC Box to store my fallen Pokémon. I really hope I don't have to use it too much.
Then came some plot devices, i.e. enter Team Plasma. Once that was over I returned to training. During this Gingersnap exceeded my expectations when the first item it found with its Pickup ability was... a Hyper Potion! I love you already, Gingersnap!
On to Route 2, my first encounter is a female Patrat... meh. As I mentioned I've never been particularly fond of Patrat, but this gives me a good opportunity to try raising a Pokémon I've never really used before. Looking at her makes me think I should name her after a fruit, so I choose "Guava". She just looks like a "Guava". Her Mild nature raises Special Attack and lowers Defense, a pretty bad combination for a Patrat, but maybe after I get some TMs I'll see if there are any good special attacking moves she can learn.
The rest of Route 2 consisted of battling trainers and wild Pokémon, including a rematch with Bianca. I tried to even out my team's levels a little bit. Guava learned Bide at level 8, something I'll have to make a note of when fighting other Patrat. Bide can be a nightmare in Nuzlocke-style play.
Route 2 led to Striaton City. First stop: the Pokémon Trainer School to battle Cheren a second time. With that out of the way I turned my attention east, to the Dreamyard. After fighting through a couple trainers I reached the person I was looking for, and she gave me her Pansear! This counts as my encounter for the Dreamyard. I was a little torn because this means that I can't catch a Munna, but I definitely needed this Pansear for the Striaton Gym so I think it was a wise decision. Fortunately, this Pansear was a male so I could pair him with Guava and keep him in my party. I decided to name him "Hot Wings", because... I don't know, I just felt like it. It fits my naming convention and I think it suits him pretty well. The Lax-natured Hot Wings is strong in Defense but weak in Special Defense. Pretty much a defensive tradeoff, but for the first two Gyms I think a higher physical Defense stat is slightly more important anyway.
Then came some plot devices, i.e. enter Team Plasma. Once that was over I returned to training. During this Gingersnap exceeded my expectations when the first item it found with its Pickup ability was... a Hyper Potion! I love you already, Gingersnap!
On to Route 2, my first encounter is a female Patrat... meh. As I mentioned I've never been particularly fond of Patrat, but this gives me a good opportunity to try raising a Pokémon I've never really used before. Looking at her makes me think I should name her after a fruit, so I choose "Guava". She just looks like a "Guava". Her Mild nature raises Special Attack and lowers Defense, a pretty bad combination for a Patrat, but maybe after I get some TMs I'll see if there are any good special attacking moves she can learn.
The rest of Route 2 consisted of battling trainers and wild Pokémon, including a rematch with Bianca. I tried to even out my team's levels a little bit. Guava learned Bide at level 8, something I'll have to make a note of when fighting other Patrat. Bide can be a nightmare in Nuzlocke-style play.
Route 2 led to Striaton City. First stop: the Pokémon Trainer School to battle Cheren a second time. With that out of the way I turned my attention east, to the Dreamyard. After fighting through a couple trainers I reached the person I was looking for, and she gave me her Pansear! This counts as my encounter for the Dreamyard. I was a little torn because this means that I can't catch a Munna, but I definitely needed this Pansear for the Striaton Gym so I think it was a wise decision. Fortunately, this Pansear was a male so I could pair him with Guava and keep him in my party. I decided to name him "Hot Wings", because... I don't know, I just felt like it. It fits my naming convention and I think it suits him pretty well. The Lax-natured Hot Wings is strong in Defense but weak in Special Defense. Pretty much a defensive tradeoff, but for the first two Gyms I think a higher physical Defense stat is slightly more important anyway.
All that's left in Striaton now is to take on the Gym! But first I want to train all of my Pokémon and make sure their levels are competitive. I know over-leveling is generally frowned upon, but getting through these first few Gyms unscathed is pretty crucial, so I don't want to risk losing anyone this early in the game. I'll return with the results of my training and the Striaton Gym battle in Part 2!
(credit for party sidebar format goes to Marriland)
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