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-   -   Challenge The Monotype Challenge v8, Tera Edition (https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=489918)

Explorer of Time January 15th, 2023 7:29 PM

The Monotype Challenge v8, Tera Edition
 

https://i.imgur.com/jk65dhy.png

Original thread created by myrrhman
Second thread created by Alakazam17
Third thread created by Necrum
Fourth thread created by Necrum
Fifth thread created by Volga
Sixth thread created by KingSwing
Previous thread created by The Undisputed Era and edited by Duck
Currently under editing ownership by Explorer of Time
Title graphic by Fairy


Welcome to the eighth edition of the Monotype Challenge, one of the oldest and most popular Pokémon challenges, now with rules updated for Tera Types and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet! Since The Undisputed Era is no longer active on these forums, I will take care of updating the Challengers and Hall of Fame listings from now on.



Core Rules


  1. You may only use Pokémon of your chosen type, or that evolve into your chosen type, in trainer battles.
  2. You may still catch Pokémon not of your type for non-battle-related purposes, such as breeding, HMs, field moves, in-game trades, Contests, or Pokédex completion. If one of these Pokémon is forced to be sent out into battle, you must immediately switch it out, or let it faint if you can't switch out.
  3. Multiple Pokémon of the same species are allowed.
  4. Your challenge starts when you first obtain a Pokémon of your type, or Pokémon that evolves into your type. If your first available Pokémon is available before the first gym, you must catch it before the first gym. If it isn't available until later you must catch it at the earliest possible opportunity.
  5. Two challenges do not stack, e.g.: only using Grass/Poison Pokémon will not count for both a Grass and Poison Monotype.
  6. All Pokémon you use that aren't of your chosen type (e.g. Charmander in a Flying run) must evolve into that type as soon as possible. The only exception is Nincada, which, in a mono-Ghost run, may be prevented from evolving into Shedinja until the player has a non-Shedinja Ghost-type.
  7. You must use at least two Elite Four viable Pokémon in the final battle.
  8. You may use Z-Moves and Dynamax.
  9. You may use Pokemon with abilities that cause them to lose your chosen type. If you use a Pokémon that changes type based on its held item, you must equip it with a held item that changes it to your chosen type as soon as possible.
  10. A Pokemon that changes forms in battle counts as its out-of-battle form for all type requirements.
  11. In rom hacks and fan games, the in-game content decides what has a given type, so double check the game's documentation to make sure a Pokémon may be used. (E.g.: if a hack changed Flygon from Ground / Dragon to Bug / Dragon, you wouldn't be able to use Flygon for a Ground run in that hack)
  12. If your team does not have any move that damages an enemy Pokémon, you may trade or hack in another unevolved Pokémon of your type that can learn a move that can hit it. (e.g. if playing mono-Psychic Ruby or Sapphire, you may trade or hack in another unevolved Psychic-type to hit Dark-types, since Ralts can't learn a move that can hit Dark until the Thief TM is obtained in Slateport.) If you can't, you may delay the start of your challenge until you have a move that can do damage.
  13. Any run started under a previous iteration of the Monotype Challenge may be conducted under the most lenient of the two versions of the rules. They will automatically be treated as Standard Mode for Hall of Fame purposes unless you choose to enter Free Mode to do something you couldn't under either the original rules or the current Standard Mode rules.
  14. Pick either the Standard Mode or Free Mode rules below, and follow one of them.
  15. You may, at any time, choose to convert a Standard Mode run into a Free Mode run at the beginning of an update. You may only convert a run from Free Mode to Standard Mode if you have not yet broken any Standard Mode rules. (If converted to Free Mode in a postgame update, preexisting Hall of Fame entries will not be marked as Free Mode)
  16. You may add any number of additional restrictions of your choice to your own challenge, but only compliance with the monotype rules will be tracked in this thread. You may apply a run to both this thread and other challenge threads so long as you follow all the rules of both threads.

Eligible Games


(If you're playing an official mainline game, you don't need to read this section)
Spoiler:
  1. You may challenge any official game, romhack, or fangame, that allows the player to pick their own team of multiple controllable Pokémon of the same type and participate in Pokémon battles, unless that game is forbidden by a rule below.
  2. Games that have preset teams, games that don't use Pokémon teams at all, and games that do not have Pokémon battles are ineligible.
  3. Games that use a different battle system from mainline Pokémon games are to be approved or denied on a case-by-case basis. Most will likely require more specialized rules in the Game-Specific Rules section before any challenge can begin. Any battle systems that don't separate Pokémon into mechanically-distinct types with strengths and weaknesses against other types are obviously ineligible. Even if they are approved, these games will not be eligible for the Ultimate or Type Mastery challenges.
  4. Games that have a different stat system from the normal six stats, likewise, will require specialized rules to define which Pokémon are Legendary, though this is not important to Free Mode challenges that do not trade or hack in Pokémon. The Generation 1 Special stat is already covered.
  5. Romhacks and fangames that don't call their catchable monsters "Pokémon" are still permitted, and their not-Pokémon are to be treated as Pokémon for the purposes of these rules.
  6. To be eligible, a romhack or fangame must have a definable endpoint, such as a Pokémon League or other final boss. Romhacks and fangames that are still in development are not eligible until their planned endpoint has been reached, at which point they become eligible even if they have not finished releasing postgame content. However, if a romhack or fangame ceases development and has not reached this endpoint, its last boss battle is to be treated as the endpoint. Romhacks and fangames without a clear final boss or ending are not eligible even if they are finished. You may post updates for games that are not eligible under this rule, so long as they'd be eligible once development is completed, but your challenge will not be added to the Hall of Fame until then.
  7. Eligible games of the Single Challenge and Game Mastery Challenge may be of any length. However, the Type Mastery challenge and the Ultimate Challenge have stricter eligibility requirements described in their own sections.
  8. Romhacks and fangames that violate Pokecommunity site rules, whether because of sexually explicit content, hate speech, or another major violation not listed here, are not eligible, even if the rulebreaking content is not discussed in any updates. Challengers of these games will be given one warning, informing them of the rulebreaking content in the relevant game/hack. Persisting past this warning will result in the offender being kicked from the thread. Attempting to challenge a game or hack that is so obviously rulebreaking that no reasonable player would be unaware of it will result in an immediate threadkick. This rule overrides all other rules concerning eligible games.


Standard Mode Rules


(If you're playing Free Mode, you don't need to read this section)
Spoiler:
  1. Unless overruled by Rule 3, you may not use any Legendary Pokémon with a base stat total of 600 or higher in trainer battles, unless that Pokémon has Slow Start or Truant as its ability. If a Legendary Pokémon has multiple forms, only those forms with a base stat total equal to or above 600 are prohibited. For official Pokémon, this includes: Mewtwo, Mew, Ho-Oh, Lugia, Celebi, Latios, Latias, Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Dialga, Palkia, Heatran, Giratina, Cresselia (Gen 4-8 Stats), Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Reshiram, Zekrom, Landorus, Kyurem, Meloetta, Genesect, Ash-Greninja, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde 50% Forme, Zygarde Complete Forme, Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma, Magearna, Marshadow, Zeraora, Melmetal, Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus, Ice Rider Calyrex, Shadow Rider Calyrex, Zarude, Koraidon, and Miraidon. Any Legendary Fakemon with a base stat total of 600+ is also prohibited (unless it has one of the two handicap abilities), as are any official Legendaries not listed here that have had their base stat total or ability modified to be in breach of this rule.
  2. Unless overruled by Rule 3, you may not use more than one Legendary Pokémon in your team at any one time.
  3. If you are playing a game or romhack where NPC trainers that you battle would be in violation of either of the above rules, to keep a level playing field, you may use up to as many Legendaries as they do, and/or Legendaries that have a base stat total of up to that of their highest-BST Legendary. This rule takes effect after the boss battle (Gym Leader, Champion, Team Leader, etc.) before the trainer that has rule-breaking Legendaries.
  4. A Pokémon is considered to be Legendary under these rules if it is obtained only through limited static encounters, cannot be bred, and has a base stat total of 570 or higher. For the sake of simplicity, any mention of Legendaries in these rules also includes Ultra Beasts and Mythicals that fit these criteria. Pokémon that are not considered Legendary in official games, but are altered to meet these criteria in romhacks or fangames (such as randomizers that change base stats) are to be treated as Legendaries. These Pokémon may still be caught for out-of-battle purposes.
  5. You may only use Pokémon Amie / Pokémon Refresh up to two hearts of Affection. In Gen VIII, you may not use Pokémon Camp or friendship increasing berries if it would increase your Pokemon's friendship to 180/Friendship Level 3.
  6. You may use Mega Evolutions. That said, the Pokémon mega evolving must still have the chosen type after the Mega Evolution. You may use a Pokemon that does not have your chosen type before a Mega Evolution, but does afterwards. However, in such a case, you must Mega Evolve it in every single battle it takes part in.
  7. If playing a game with the Terastal Phenomenon, you may only Terastalize Pokemon into your chosen type. You may not Terastalize any Pokemon into a type that is not your chosen type. You may use a single Pokemon in your party that is not your chosen type, but you must Terastalize it to your chosen type in any trainer battle or wild Pokemon boss battle it takes part in. This means that its Tera Type MUST be changed to your chosen type before it can be used at all. If you cannot Terastalize it and it ends up in a battle anyway, switch it out or allow it to faint.
  8. You may not use a move that causes your Pokemon to lose your chosen type, unless your Pokemon can use no other moves (i.e. Ditto using Transform). This includes Pokemon with Protean or Libero using a move that is not your chosen type.
  9. You may trade or hack in version exclusives, mutually-exclusive Pokémon, Pokémon only available in the post-game, or Pokémon not available in the game at all, as long as they're available in your regional dex and are not Legendaries, Mythicals, or Ultra beasts.
  10. If trading or hacking version-exclusive Pokémon, you must reach the point where you could have caught them in your counterpart's game (e.g. Meteor Falls for Solrock in Sapphire). For mutually-exclusive Pokémon, you must have reached the point where you have obtained the other available Pokémon (e.g. Hitmonchan only after getting Hitmonlee from the Kanto Fighting Dojo). Both these restrictions are waived if you can't find a Pokémon of your type before the first gym and are hacking in a starter, or if the Pokémon in question is part of your regional dex and can't be caught until the postgame.



Free Mode Rules


(If you're playing Standard Mode, you don't need to read this section)
Spoiler:
  1. Legendary Pokémon, Mythical Pokémon and Ultra Beasts may be used without restrictions. They may not be traded or hacked in until the postgame.
  2. You may use Pokémon Amie / Pokémon Refresh, and other Friendship/Affection-related mechanics without restrictions.
  3. You may use Mega Evolutions. The Pokémon that Mega Evolves need not have the chosen type after the Mega Evolution. You may use a Pokemon that does not have your chosen type before a Mega Evolution, but does afterwards. However, in such a case, you must Mega Evolve it in every single battle it takes part in.
  4. If playing a game with the Terastal Phenomenon, you may Terastalize Pokemon into your chosen type. You may also Terastalize any Pokemon of your type into a type that is not your chosen type. You may use a single Pokemon in your party that is not your chosen type, but you must Terastalize it to your chosen type in any trainer battle or wild Pokemon boss battle it takes part in. This means that its Tera Type MUST be changed to your chosen type before it can be used at all. If you cannot, switch it out or allow it to faint if it takes part in any applicable battle.
  5. You may use a move that causes your Pokemon to lose your chosen type, so long as it starts as your type.
  6. You may hack or trade in any unevolved Pokemon, even ones not available in your game, with the exception of Legendary Pokémon, Mythical Pokémon and Ultra Beasts.
  7. You must list your run as "Free Mode".

Trading and Hacking


(If you can't or don't want to hack or trade, you don't need to read this section)
Spoiler:
  1. If you can't get a Pokémon of your chosen type (or one that evolves into that type) before defeating your first Gym Leader, Island Trial, or Cipher Admin, you may hack or trade a base form Pokémon of your chosen type available in your game as your starter at level 5 or lower. It may not be or evolve into a Legendary. If your game's starter(s) start at a level higher than 5, you may give yourself a starter at that higher level or lower. If you can't trade / hack, keep playing until you can get a Pokemon of your type.
  2. If double battles are required before you can get your second Pokémon of your chosen type, you may trade or hack in a second starter, and if triple or rotation battles are required before you can get your third Pokémon of your chosen type, you may trade or hack in a third starter. (Multiples of the same species count as available Pokémon for the purposes of this rule; i.e. only being able to catch 2+ wild Noibat in a game where Noibat is the only Dragon-type available before the first gym would not trigger this rule, but having a part-Dragon starter and no wild Dragon-types before a first Gym Leader that you fight in a double battle would.)
  3. You may trade or hack in Pokémon for the sake of evolution (e.g.: Haunter into Gengar), provided you already have any necessary items.
  4. You may trade or hack to evolve Pokémon that would evolve with Day/Night cycles, a Moss Rock, an Ice Rock, or a Special Magnetic Field if none of these are available in your game. If traded, you must immediately trade them back after evolving.
  5. You may trade or hack in Nectars for Oricorio.
  6. You may trade or hack in evolution items or Mega Stones that are unobtainable or not available until the postgame.
  7. If playing in a game that does not have reusable TMs, you may hack in or trade in additional TMs, but only if you have already obtained at least one copy of the TM.
  8. You can hack in moves that your Pokemon would be able to relearn at a Move Reminder if you do not have access to one. You can also hack out HM moves if you do not have access to a Move Deleter, too.
  9. If you breed a Pokemon with an egg move, you may hack that egg move onto other Pokemon of the same evolutionary family as though you were using a Gen VIII nursery. Hacking in egg moves under other circumstances is not allowed.
  10. You may trade or hack in Heart Scales (or Big Mushrooms in FRLG) for the Move Reminder.
  11. You may trade or hack in Everstones for any Pokémon of your chosen type that you don't want to evolve, such as Pokémon that would lose your chosen type upon evolution.
  12. You may hack in coins for the Game Corner. If you can't hack in coins, you may trade or hack in Pokemon or Items from it once you reach the Game Corner and have a Coin Case.
  13. All Pokémon traded or hacked in must have legal movesets (in the context of the game) as well as random IVs, natures and abilities. I.e.: Please don't trade / hack in your purebred 5 IVs perfect nature min-maxed Pokémon. They also need to be at or lower than the level of your strongest Pokémon. If hacked, they must have your character's OT, name, and TID/SID to avoid the experience bonus.
  14. You may trade or hack in level 5 or lower Pokemon for use only for HMs or other field moves. You are unable to use them in battle whether or not you would normally be able to do so. These Pokemon may learn illegal field moves.
  15. You may not use Pokemon gifted in Nintendo events, whether obtained legitimately or not. You may, however, use Event Items or Pokéwalker routes, whether obtained legitimately or via hacking. This includes both the Azure Flute and Lock Capsule, which were never obtainable legitimately. You may use caught event-exclusive Pokémon, though the vast majority are Legendary or Mythical Pokémon that are only available in Free Mode, and most are only available in the postgame.
  16. You may not sell traded or hacked items for money. If you want to remove them from your inventory, discard them instead. This includes items bought with hacked Game Corner Coins.


Challenge Types


There are four different challenge types, the default Single Challenge, and the multi-run Ultimate, Type Mastery, and Game Mastery Challenges, all described below. You may, at any time, abandon a multi-run challenge, and upon being notified, I'll move any completed runs into the Single Challenge section of the Hall of Fame.

The Single Challenge


The most common challenge done on this forum, the Single Challenge is accomplished by completing a single monotype run in a single game. This is the default challenge type and has no special rules.


The Ultimate Challenge


An Ultimate Challenge is accomplished by successfully completing a run of a given type in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Alola.

Due to the Switch's status as a console, and the subsequent price increase in the hardware and the games, we've chosen to have the Galar and Paldea games remain optional for Ultimate runs for now. The Orre region and any other spinoff-exclusive regions are also optional.

These runs may be done in any order and in any main series games that feature these regions.

Rom hacks which don't alter the maps or plot in significant ways (usually marketed as "difficulty hacks" and / or "all Pokémon available") may be used in place of their retail equivalent.

Because Kanto only has one evolutionary family available for the Ghost, Steel, Dark (which can't even be evolved in-game), and Dragon types, these four ultimate runs may be done without Kanto. Dragon may also be done without Johto if the player does not have access to trade evolutions.

As for the Fairy type, only Hoenn, Kalos and Alola are obligatory for Fairy monotypes (seeing as the Galar and Paldea games, and the Sinnoh and Let's Go Kanto remakes, are Switch games).

If you have already completed monotype runs with a type before starting an Ultimate Challenge, completed regions count towards your completion of the challenge.


The Type Mastery Challenge


A Type Mastery Challenge is accomplished by completing eighteen monotype runs, one of every type in the official Pokémon games.

These runs may be done in any order and in any full-length official games, romhacks or fangames. These should be equivalent or longer in length to an official Pokémon game with eight badges and a Pokémon League, and as such, count as "full-length" if the final boss has a full team of six Pokemon, at least one of which must be 45 or more levels higher than the starting level of the game's starter Pokemon. If the final boss does not have a Pokémon of the required level, but a postgame boss does, you must progress into the postgame to at least that boss to have your run count for the Type Mastery Challenge.

If playing a game that adds new types outside of the normal 18, these types are not required for the run.

If you have already completed monotype runs before starting a Type Mastery Challenge, those count towards your completion of the challenge.


The Game Mastery Challenge


A Game Mastery Challenge is accomplished by completing a run of every type in a single game.

Paired versions (RB, GS, RS, DP, BW, B2W2, XY, ORAS, SM, USUM, SwSh, BDSP, and SV) count as the same game for the purpose of this challenge, as do QOL romhacks that do not significantly alter difficulty or allow catching Pokemon outside the regional dex before the postgame. Third versions (Yellow, Crystal, Emerald, Platinum, USUM) and more extensive romhacks count as separate games from their base versions. A randomized Game Mastery Challenge may use separate seeds for different runs, but must use the same settings throughout.

Like the Ultimate Challenge, the Game Mastery Challenge exempts types with no obtainable Pokemon or with only one evolutionary family, meaning that Ghost, Steel, Dark, and Dragon are optional for all official Kanto games, Ghost is optional for GSC, and Dragon is optional for players of official Johto games without access to trade evolutions.

These runs may be done in any order and in any official game, romhack, or fangame.

If playing a game that adds new types outside of the normal 18, those types are required for the purpose of completing a Game Mastery Challenge, so long as they have at least two different fully-evolved Pokemon available before beating the game. Types that don't exist in the game, or types that have only one evolutionary line, are exempt.

If you have already completed monotype runs in a game before starting a Game Mastery Challenge, those count towards your completion of the challenge.


Endpoints


For the main series games, we consider the game beat when the credits start rolling for the first time.

For rom hacks and fan games, it's up to you, but beating the Champion, Elite Four or seeing a credit roll is probably a good enough rule of thumb.

And if you want an extra challenge, you don't have to stop there! Here are some suggestions you might find interesting:
Spoiler:
RBY - Defeat or catch Mewtwo
FR/LG - Complete the Sevii Islands side-quests and rematch the Elite Four
G/S/C - Collect the Kanto Badges and defeat Red
RS - Defeat or catch Rayquaza
Emerald - Defeat Steven
OR/AS - Complete the Delta Episode and rematch the Elite Four
Colosseum - Complete Mt. Battle and Deep Colosseum
XD - Complete Mt. Battle and Orre Colosseum
DP - Complete the Stark Mountain side-quest and defeat Barry at the Fight Area
Pt - Complete the Stark Mountain side-quest and rematch the Elite Four
HG/SS - Collect the Kanto Badges, rematch the Elite Four and defeat Red
B/W - Rematch the Elite Four and defeat Alder
B2/W2 - Rematch the Elite Four
X/Y - Finish the Looker Bureau side-quest
S/M - Finish the Ultra Beast side-quest, get to the Battle Tree, and defeat Red/Blue
US/UM - Finish the RR side-quest, get to the Battle Tree, and defeat Red/Blue
LGP/E - Rematch the Elite Four
Sw/Sh - Defeat Hop for the second time in the Slumbering Weald
BD/SP - Rematch all gym leaders and the Elite Four
S/V - Become the Academy Ace


If you think you have a competitive-level monotype team, still want to use it after completing the challenge, and want to try something really difficult, try fighting your game's Battle Facilities, if any. Or, if you're playing Gen 1 through 4, import your team to Stadium, Stadium 2, Colosseum, or Battle Revolution. If you beat one of these, I'll mark it on your hall of fame!

Sign-up


Please read the rules carefully and then include the following form in a post.
Code:

User:
Type:
Game(s):
Challenge Type:
Standard Mode / Free Mode:



Explorer of Time January 16th, 2023 9:54 AM

Rules for Specific Official Games



Gen 1 - Additional Rules
Spoiler:
  1. If playing Standard Mode of a Gen 1 game, or a romhack or fangame that uses the Special stat instead of Special Attack and Special Defense, Legendary Pokémon with a base stat total of 500 or higher are prohibited instead of those with a base stat total of 600 or higher, and Legendary Pokémon are defined by having a base stat total of 475 or higher instead of 570 or higher.
  2. In RBY, you may hack in a small amount of money if you softlock yourself by running out of money for the Safari Zone (in RB) or a drink for the Celadon guards and do not have a Pokémon with Pay Day.
  3. If playing Stadium, you may transfer any Pokémon from any compatible game. This includes legendaries and mythicals, as endgame trainers also use them.


Gen 2 - Additional Rules
Spoiler:
  1. In GSC, you may trade or hack in TM09 (Psych Up) after reaching Ecruteak City.
  2. If playing Stadium 2, you may transfer any Pokémon from any compatible game. This includes legendaries and mythicals, as endgame trainers also use them.


Gen 3 - Additional Rules
Spoiler:
  1. In RS, or in Japanese Emerald and FRLG, you can use any e-Reader card.
  2. In FRLG and Emerald, if you have already used a single-use move tutor, you may trade or hack other compatible Pokemon to teach them the moves that the move tutor would have taught.
  3. In Gen III, you may use Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire to store Pokémon, and use the eggs obtained from it. Transferring Pokémon from other games counts as a trade for the purposes of the trade rules.


Pokémon Colosseum & XD: Gale of Darkness - Additional Rules
Spoiler:
  1. Shadow Pokémon are not considered a type for the purposes of this challenge. If you wish to start a "Shadow Pokémon only" challenge run, make a separate thread for it.
  2. If playing the Japanese version of Colosseum, you can use any e-Reader card.
  3. Due to both games' focus on double battles, you may hack up to two starters if you pick a type that can hack starters, and your challenge starts once you get two Pokémon of your type instead of one.
  4. If you do not yet have access to the Relic Stone, you may save edit to purify any Shadow Pokémon, provided that they already have a fully empty heart gauge and are or evolve into your type. This is to prevent unwinnable situations where a user's only Pokémon cannot make it to the Relic Stone because it can't level up or change its moveset. If you cannot or do not want to save edit, you may delay the official start of the monotype run until you reach the Relic Stone, as though you didn't have a Pokémon of your type.
  5. In Standard Mode, if you hack Pokémon as starters, you may not use a hacked starter and a snagged or gifted Pokémon of the same species or its evolution in the same party. This does not apply to wild Pokémon caught at a Poke Spot, or to Free Mode playthroughs.
  6. For a Pokémon Colosseum playthrough to qualify for the Type Mastery Challenge, the player must progress into the postgame and defeat Deep King Agnol.
  7. For a Pokémon XD playthrough to qualify for the Type Mastery Challenge, the player must progress into the postgame and defeat either Miror B. at Gateon Port or Lovrina in the first round of Orre Colosseum, or defeat Battlus at the top of Mt. Battle. If the player chooses Miror B., snagging the last Shadow Pokémon is not required.
  8. In Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, you may use Shadow Lugia if it matches your type in Standard Mode, as you snag it from a final boss that uses multiple Legendaries. If playing a mono-Flying run, you may also use as many Legendary Birds as as you can snag from him.
  9. In Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, if you have already used a single-use move tutor, you may trade or hack other compatible Pokemon to teach them the moves that the move tutor would have taught.


Gen 4 - Additional Rules
Spoiler:
  1. In DP and Japanese Platinum, you may use My Pokémon Ranch to store Pokémon. Transferring Pokémon from other games, or Pokémon traded from Hayley, counts as a trade for the purposes of the trade rules.
  2. In DPPt, you may trade or hack in Pokémon outside the regional Pokédex but obtainable via the Dongle method.
  3. In DPPt, you can trade or hack in TM64 (Explosion) after obtaining the Coin Case in Veilstone.
  4. In Platinum, if you continue a challenge into the postgame, you may trade or hack in an event Regigigas to battle/catch Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. You must permanently box, trade away, or release the event Regigigas immediately afterwards. Do not use it in battle.
  5. If playing HGSS, you may obtain Pokémon from the Pokewalker. You may also hack in Pokemon obtainable from the Pokewalker if you do not have access to them or their routes. You must still reach Goldenrod City before hacking in any Pokemon from Beyond the Sea or obtain the National Pokedex before hacking in any Pokemon from a route that requires it.
  6. In HGSS, you can trade or hack in an event Celebi to trigger the Giovanni encounter. You must permanently box, trade away, or release the Celebi immediately afterwards. Do not use it in battle.
  7. If playing Battle Revolution, you may transfer any Pokémon from any compatible game. This includes legendaries and mythicals, as endgame trainers also use them.


Gen 5 - Additional Rules
Spoiler:
  1. In BW, you may use the box legendary after catching it in Standard Mode, if it matches your chosen type. There are only two battles left in the game, and they're both balanced around you having it, so it's fair to use this time.
  2. In BW, you can trade or hack in an event Legendary Beast or Celebi to trigger the Zorua or Zoroark encounters. You must permanently box, trade away, or release the event legendary immediately afterwards. Do not use it in battle.
  3. If playing BW or B2W2, you may hack in Pokemon that were obtainable in the Dream World when it was operational. You may also use Pokémon that were legitimately obtained from the Dream World, should you somehow have them. You must have reached Entree Forest and have the required number of badges per area. You may also hack in berries that would be obtained from the Dream World, provided you already have at least one berry of that type already.
  4. If playing B2W2, you may transfer in Pokémon from Pokemon Dream Radar, or hack in Pokémon from it at an appropriate level if unavailable. Do not transfer any Legendary until the postgame.


Gen 7 - Additional Rule
Spoiler:
  1. In SM and USUM, you may trade or hack in Pokémon outside the regional Pokédex but obtainable via Island Scan.


Other Official Spinoff Games - Additional Rules
Spoiler:
  1. You can kinda sorta do a monotype challenge in a few other spinoff games listed in this section. None of these games qualify for the Type Mastery Challenge because they're so different from everything else.
  2. Since none of these games have trainer battles, once you get a Pokémon of your type, don't use any Pokémon without your type.
  3. In the Pokémon Rumble series, since the simplified stat system means that there isn't actually much of a difference between Legendary and non-Legendary Pokémon, all Legendaries are allowed in Standard mode.
  4. In most, if not all, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, getting a monotype team without hacking is impossible until the postgame. If hacking, give yourself a partner of the same type as you and don't add any Pokémon to your team that aren't your type, excluding mandatory escort missions in the story. Your endpoint is seeing the credits roll.
  5. In both Pokémon TCG video games, you can do a monotype challenge by only using Pokémon cards that have one type. You may still use any non-Pokémon cards. You may also use Eevee cards that evolve into your type, but only if you have at least one Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon card in your deck. Legendary Pokémon cards are allowed in Standard mode. The challenge starts once you have enough cards to actually have a playable monotype deck, but use your own judgement since I have no TCG experience.
  6. I have no experience with Pokémon Conquest and don't know how to do a monotype run in it, but it looks theoretically possible. If anyone is actually interested, I'll do some research.
  7. Any official spinoff games not listed here or in an above section are impossible to monotype and thus not allowed.


Rules for Specific Romhacks


  1. If playing a randomized game in Free Mode, you may save edit to set the Fateful Encounter flag for any caught Mythical Pokémon.


Rules for Specific Fangames


  1. Pokémon Xenoverse - Additional Rules
    Spoiler:
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mintaka☆ (Post 10595648)
    Pokémon Xenoverse - Additional Rules and Specifications for Monotype Runs

    1. The Starter Pokémon - Part I
    During the main game, keeping the Starter Pokémon (Shyleon, Trishout or Shulong) in the party is mandatory for story progression. If you want to play the game as intended by its creators, it is highly recommended that you run on Free Mode (see Part II as to why) and center your run around any of the types they cover - that is, Grass, Fairy, Fire, Sound, Water or Dragon - so that you can include them in your party.

    Should you choose to run with any other type, or choose not to use them in your team (e.g. in a Standard Mode run), the Starter can remain in the party, gain experience if you are playing on Modern Mode/with the Exp. Share on, and be sent out whenever the story requires it (e.g. during the Tag Battle against A and B at the Newtron Library), but must be kept out of battling duties otherwise, especially after you have access to a Pokémon of your chosen type.

    2. The X Pokémon
    Given that the X Pokémon function much like regional variants once caught, you may catch any of them as long as you are allowed to and as long as they match your chosen type. It is recommended that you farm them around the region, however; check guides as to where and how to encounter them.

    3. Abraham's Scaleon
    If you have less than six Pokémon during the battle against your Blue Energy-possessed Starter, before the 4th Gym, Cardinal Abraham will lend you his Scaleon to help you out. You may only send it out to battle if - and only if - you're on a Mono-Dragon run. Otherwise, ignore it.

    4. The Starter Pokémon - Part II (Spoilers)
    Spoiler:
    As stated in the story, the Astral Forms of the Starter Pokémon are essentially Legendary Pokémon and have stats on par with such. Therefore, they are subject to the rules of the specific variation of Monotype you are running.

    If you are on Standard Mode:
    -During the battle with Vakuum (the sphere Pokémon and the last boss before the Cardinals/Elite Four), the Starter Pokémon in its Astral Form must be switched out as soon as possible after the game prompts it to be sent out, and only the remaining members of your party must battle it.
    -After the battle with Vakuum, the Starter in its Base Form will automatically transform into its Astral Form upon sending it out to battle. You may either box it, or use the Terrestrial/Xenoversal Rings to return it back to either of its previous forms, but due to the Standard Mode rules on Legendaries, the former is recommended.

    If you are on Free Mode, you are allowed to use your Starter in its Astral Form to directly battle Vakuum, as well as to keep it in your party after said battle. It's your call, but you have that dispensation. And again, if you want to stick to the way the creators intended this game to be played, it is recommended that you sign up under Free Mode rules.


    5. Endpoint
    The goal, as stated in the Core Rules and as seen in most official games and fan games, is beating the Champion...
    Spoiler:
    ...in this game, Aster, the Lumen.


    6. Extra Goal
    Since the post-game Furious Battles are kind of impractical to do on a challenge run, the extra goal for this game would be to fulfill the conditions to unlock them, as follows:
    Spoiler:
    Defeat Taraxo on Route 13, catch Dielebi, Lugia and Ho-Oh, and then defeat Gold in Aurora Den.

    If you are on Standard Mode, you have special dispensation to get ahold of the aforementioned Pokémon, but you must not send them out to battle even if they match your chosen type.


    Any future rules and/or specifications will be added to this post. Per Aspera Ad Astra!


Explorer of Time January 16th, 2023 9:55 AM

Challengers


Singles:
Spoiler:
Bug https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/bug.gif
cyndaquilepicness - Soul Silver
Rev1395 - Blue
The Sceptile King - Crystal

Dark https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/dark.gif
joeygmurf - Platinum
Simply Dunsparce - Emerald
SqualidLarva - Black
Zero-G - Blazing Emerald

Dragon https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/dragon.gif
transwiththeplan - Shield
Zexeedkeil123 - Y
DarkChibimon - Blue

Electric https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/electric.gif
Figment - Electric
SilverLeafeon75 - Platinum
Asaki - White 2

Fairy https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/fairy.gif
Lrachelr5 - X

Fighting https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/fighting.gif
LameLlama - Brilliant Diamond
Lith97 - Emerald
Zero-G - Emerald

Fire https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/fire.gif
Bay - Black 2
Count - X
DeadlyHyena - Blaze Black 2
Fenberry - Sun
FollowTheCreed - Emerald
Poke Fan Number 489 - Radical Red

Flying https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/flying.gif
DarkVee77 - Fire Red
GladeGaming - Ultra Sun
Infer12 - Platinum
mjb8910 - X
RedHead! - Fire Red
Setheking - Soul Silver
SorveteQuente - White
Yungbossawott - Red

Ghost https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/ghost.gif
Blyvern - Platinum
Juliorain - Ultra Moon
Lugiafan123 - Brilliant Diamond
Morzoelin - Violet

Grass https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/grass.gif
323k13L - Black
Count - X
Forever_Kiara - Fire Red
Grumeaux - White
Lugiafan123 - Soul Silver
Trainer CH - White

Ground https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/ground.gif
Eolith - Emerald
Silksong - Storm Silver
Suon - Heart Gold, Diamond, Black
Zero-G - Emerald

Ice https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/ice.gif
CrazySquare - FireRed
TheHumanCleric - Ice
transwiththeplans - Sword

Normal https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/normal.gif
Curelixir - Fire Red
Hirokimura - Black
Lith97 - Emerald
MaskXP - Soul Silver
Pikachukid - Fire Red
WolffBoyJoe12 - Ultra Sun
Zero-G - Dark Rising Origins

Poison https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/poison.gif
Kezukov - HeartGold
Kyuuji - SoulSilver
Mamoswineftw - Let's Go Eevee
Wuzzy - Blaze Black 2

Psychic https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/psychic.gif
GrassN - Alpha Sapphire
jensmoking - Blue
Pok3pals - Shield
Radboy - Shield
Senoue - White
ShyRayq - Pearl
SorveteQuente - Blaze Black 2
The Smooth Lefty - Sapphire
Zero-G - Volt White 2

Steel https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/steel.gif
Captain Gizmo - Diamond
LucarioRed - FireRed
RattataDude - Pearl
RattataDude - X

Water https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/water.gif
AkiFromFT - Ruby
Ash - Heart Gold
BlissyMKW - Sun
FactoriesFarAway - Red
Imperator161 - FireRed
KingsOfTheSummit - Leaf Green
Slyfox198 - Crystal
xVaporeon - Fire Red


Ultimate:
Spoiler:
Bug https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/bug.gif
Ahri - Red, Soul Silver, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, White 2, Y, Moon, (Optional: Sword or Shield)
FactoriesFarAway - Leaf Green, Heart Gold, Ruby, Platinum, Black, Y & Sun
Kimborelli - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Omega Ruby, Platinum, White 2, X & Ultra Moon
Lugiafan123 - Fire Red, Soul Silver, Emerald, Diamond, White 2, Y & Ultra Moon
Whallan - Yellow, Soul Silver, Omega Ruby, Platinum, Black, Y & Ultra Moon
Xemnahort - Yellow, ????, ????, ????, ????, ???? & ????

Dark https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/dark.gif
Daysonyx - Sacred Gold, Emerald, Renegade Platinum, Volt White, Wilting Y & Ultra Sun

Dragon https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/dragon.gif
KingsOfTheSummit - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Emerald, Platinum, Black, Y & Moon
limeemil - Fire Red, Soul Silver, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, White, Y & Ultra Moon

Electric https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/electric.gif
Duck - Fire Red, Soul Silver, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, Black, X & Ultra Sun
RebeccaRain43 - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Omega Ruby, Diamond, White, Y, Ultra Sun, Sword
starryAstrophysicist - Fire Red, Silver, Emerald, Platinum, White, X & Moon

Fairy https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/fairy.gif
jdthebud - Omega Ruby, X & Sun
milcute - Omega Ruby, X & Sun (Optional: Sword)

Fighting https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/fighting.gif
curelixir - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, White, Y & Ultra Sun
Mochorro - Yellow, HeartGold, Sigma Σmerald, Platinum, White 2, X, Ultra Sun
Xemnahort - Yellow, ????, ????, ????, ????, ???? & ????

Fire https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/fire.gif
AngeltheTogekiss468 - Leaf Green, Soul Silver, Omega Ruby, Platinum, White 2, Y, Sun
Dadkota - Fire Red, Gold, Ruby, Platinum, Black, X, Ultra Sun
DyingWillFlareon - Leaf Green, Crystal, Ruby, Platinum, Black, Y & Moon (Optional: Shield)
kitarei - Leaf Green, Heart Gold, Emerald, Pearl, White, Y & Sun

Flying https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/flying.gif
Arubetsu - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, Black 2, Y & Ultra Sun (Optional: Shield)
Dawn - Fire Red, HeartGold, Emerald, Platinum, White 2, X & Ultra Moon (Optional: Shield)
Pumpkaboo92 - Red++, Polished Crystal, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, White 2, X, Moon & Ultra Sun (Optional: Shield)
Razzu117 - Fire Red, Soul Silver, Emerald, Pearl, Black, Y & Moon (Optional: Sword)
Valroxen - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Emerald, Platinum, White, X & Ultra Moon (Optional: Shield)
Xemnahort - Red, ????, ????, ????, ????, ???? & ????

Ghost https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/ghost.gif
FireBat87 - Fire Red, Soul Silver, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, White, Y & Moon (Optional: Shield)

Grass https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/grass.gif
adzpower - Leaf Green, Heart Gold, Omega Ruby, Pearl, Black 2, Y & Sun
curelixir - Leaf Green, Heart Gold, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, White, Y & Ultra Sun
Elite4Sage - Emerald, Leafgreen, Platinum, SoulSilver, Black 2, X & Ultra Sun (Optional: Shield)

Ground https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/ground.gif
Casual Toxic Stall - Fire Red, Crystal, Emerald, Platinum, Black 2, Y & Ultra Moon
MachoPony - Red, HeartGold, Emerald, Platinum, White, X &Ultra Moon

Ice https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/ice.gif
Lugiafan123 - Fire Red, Soul Silver, Emerald, Platinum, White 2, Y & Ultra Moon (Optional: Shield)
StenirRPG - Red, Silver, Sapphire, Brilliant Diamond, White, Y, Sun

Normal https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/normal.gif
Ahri - Red, Silver, Omega Ruby, Platinum, White 2, X & Sun
arucker101 - Leaf Green, Soul Silver, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, White, White 2, X, Moon & Ultra Moon (Optional: Sword)
Cardwell74 - Blue, Crystal, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, White, X & Ultra Sun
Obichu - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Emerald, Platinum, Black, Y & Ultra Moon
Pluckles - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Emerald, Platinum, Black, X & Moon
SamHershy - Fire Red Omega, Sacred Gold, Theta Emerald EX, Renegade Platinum, Blaze Black 2, X & Ultra Moon
zetsubanx - Blue, Gold, Ruby, Platinum, Black, X & Ultra Moon
Poohbear1 - Blue, Gold, Ruby, Pearl, White, X, and Moon

Poison https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/poison.gif
Ahri - Red, Soul Silver, Omega Ruby, Platinum, White 2, X & Sun (Optional: Shield)
Faelmine - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Omega Ruby, Platinum, Black 2, Y & Ultra Moon
James and Eevee - Fire Red, Soul Silver, Ruby, Pearl, White 2, X, & Ultra Moon
Lugiafan123 - Fire Red, Soul Silver, Emerald, Diamond, White, Y & Ultra Moon
Oggynal - Let's Go Eevee, Heart Gold, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, White 2, Y & Ultra Sun (Optional: Sword)
Sorvete - Fire Red, Storm Silver, Omega Ruby, Renegade Platinum, Black 2, X & Ultra Moon
viper8890 - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Omega Ruby, Platinum, Black 2, X & Ultra Moon
W33DL3 PYROP3 - Leaf Green, Soul Silver, Emerald, Platinum, Black, X & Moon
Xemnahort - Blue, Crystal, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, White 2, X & Ultra Moon, (Optional: Sword)

Psychic https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/psychic.gif
yurinator557 - Leaf Green, Heart Gold, Emerald, Platinum, Black 2, Y & Sun

Rock https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/rock.gif
Xemnahort - Yellow, ????, ????, ????, ????, ???? & ????

Steel https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/steel.gif
Newfi Cheese - Leaf Green, Soul Silver, Alpha Sapphire, Platinum, Black 2, Y& Moon

Water https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/water.gif
calenlily - Blue, Soul Silver, Ruby, Platinum, ????, Y & Ultra Moon
Figment - Let's Go Pikachu, Soul Silver, Omega Ruby, Platinum, White 2, Y & Ultra Moon (Optional: Sword)
Pumpkaboofan4life - Red, Crystal, Alpha Sapphire, Pearl, Black, X & Moon (Optional: Shield)
Sheep - ???, Crystal, ???, ???, ???, ??? & ???
Xemnahort - Blue, ????, ????, ????, ????, ???? & ????


Type Mastery:
Spoiler:
Completed types are also listed elsewhere in the Hall of Fame, since some challengers may have multiple qualifying runs of the same type.

Explorer of Time - Flying (Shin Red), Ground (Gold), Poison (Perfect Crystal 2020), Psychic (Ruby Cross), Water (Colosseum), Dark (XD: Gale of Darkness), Normal (FireRed+), Grass (Emerald Cross), Fighting (Diamond), Steel (Platinum QOL), Rock (HeartGold), Fire (Black), Electric (Black 2), Fairy (X), Bug (Omega Ruby), Ghost (Sun), Ice (Ultra Sun), Dragon (Sword)
Infer12 - Alpha Sapphire (Fighting), Diamond (Flying), Crystal (Fire), Sapphire (Psychic), Ruby (Ground), Emerald (Grass), Black 2 (Ice), Platinum (Steel), White (Bug), White 2 (Electric), Platinum (Poison), X (Ghost), Leafgreen (Water), Sun (Fairy), Ultra Moon (Rock), Solar Light & Lunar Dark (Normal), GS Chronicles (Dragon), White 2 (Dark)


Game Mastery:
Spoiler:
Platinum
Kostucha - Flying, Bug, Rock, Water, Normal, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Ghost, Steel, Fire, Grass, Electric, Psychic, Ice, Dragon, Dark

Ruby and Sapphire
Reginald Cosmic - Ground, Flying, Normal, Fighting, Poison, Rock, Bug, Ghost, Steel, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Psychic, Ice, Dragon, Dark

Explorer of Time January 16th, 2023 10:11 AM

Hall of Fame


Singles:
Spoiler:
Bug https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/bug.gif
AzureSparkz - Leaf Green
CelloX - Shield
jdthebud - Blue, Silver, Sapphire, Platinum, Black
Makaan - Ultra Moon
nikkissippi121 - Shield
Pebblycone - Ruby
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Dark https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/dark.gif
Infer12 - XD: Gale of Darkness
jdthebud - Red, Silver, Ruby, Diamond, Black
Lordecoxinha - Black
Makaan - X
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Dragon https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/dragon.gif
Aleimon Thimble - Sun
AzureSparkz - Fire Red
jdthebud - Red, Gold, Sapphire, Platinum, White
transwiththeplans - Ultra Sun

Electric https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/electric.gif
AzureSparkz - Fire Red
Janp - Fire Red
jdthebud - Blue, Crystal, Sapphire, Platinum, Black
Panda280 - Shield
ShyRayq - White 2
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Fairy https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/fairy.gif
Radboy - Omega Ruby
Panda280 - Shield
Mintaka - Xenoverse (Free Mode)

Fighting https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/fighting.gif
Infer12 - Alpha Sapphire
jdthebud - Yellow, Crystal, Sappire, Platinum, Black
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Fire https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/fire.gif
Captain Gizmo - Fire Red
jdthebud - Blue, Crystal, Ruby, Platinum, Black 2
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Flying https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/flying.gif
Explorer of Time - Shin Pokémon Red
Infer12 - Diamond
jdthebud - LeafGreen, Crystal, Emerald, Pearl, White
Sumner - White
The Undisputed Era - Emerald
Wuzzy - Emerald Kaizo

Ghost https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/ghost.gif
jdthebud - Blue, Crystal, Sapphire, Pearl, White
Silphalion - Y

Grass https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/grass.gif
jdthebud - Red, Silver, Sapphire, Platinum, Black
sunshinesonia - Black 2
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Ground https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/ground.gif
AzureSparkz - Fire Red
Explorer of Time - Gold
jdthebud - Yellow, Crystal, Ruby, Platinum, Black
MachoPony - Red
Reginald Cosmic - Sapphire
Silphalion - Platinum
Suon - Leaf Green, Ruby
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Ice https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/ice.gif
AlexaMichelle - LeafGreen
ddrox13 - Platinum
jdthebud - Red, Crystal, Ruby, Platinum, Black
Makaan - Sword
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Normal https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/normal.gif
Aleimon Thimble - Leaf Green
jdthebud - Green, Crystal, Ruby, Platinum, Black
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Poison https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/poison.gif
Aleimon Thimble - Platinum
curelixir - Fire Red
Explorer of Time - Perfect Crystal 2020
jdthebud - Yellow, Silver, Ruby, Platinum, Black 2, Y
Kyuuji - Soul Silver
Makaan - Sword
ShyRayq - Diamond
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Psychic https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/psychic.gif
Explorer of Time - Ruby Cross
jdthebud - Blue, Silver, Ruby, Platinum, White 2
Lunacrest - Leaf Green, Gold, Sapphire
ShyRayq - Pearl
Swagroar - X, Ultra Moon
The Undisputed Era - Emerald

Rock https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/rock.gif
jdthebud - Blue, Gold, Sapphire, Platinum, Black 2
Panda280 - Crystal Dust

Steel https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/steel.gif
Goldikarp - Platinum
jdthebud - Silver, Sapphire, Platinum, Black
Makaan - Sword
RattataDude - White 2

Water https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/water.gif
[REDACTED] - Leaf Green
Aleimon Thimble - Platinum
Explorer of Time - Colosseum
jdthebud - LeafGreen, HeartGold, Emerald, Platinum, Black 2
Cubchoo - Fire Red, Crystal, Platinum, Black 2
SiegeGoatRevenge - Blue
The Undisputed Era - Emerald


Ultimate:
Spoiler:

Bug https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/bug.gif
StenirRPG - Red, Gold, Ruby, Brilliant Diamond, Black, X & Sun

Dragon https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/dragon.gif
Janp - Fire Red, Heart Gold, Emerald, Platinum, Black, Y & Ultra Moon

Fire https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/fire.gif
StenirRPG - Blue, Gold, Emerald, Shining Pearl, Black, X, Sun

Grass https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/grass.gif
ddrox13 - Fire Red, Storm Silver, Emerald, Diamond, Black 2, Y & Sun (Optional: Shield)

Ground https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/ground.gif
Smotemotem - Leaf Green, Heart Gold, Sapphire, Pearl, White, X & Moon (Optional: Sword)

Rock https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/type/rock.gif
StenirRPG - FireRed, HeartGold, Omega Ruby, Brilliant Diamond, White 2, Y & Moon

Explorer of Time January 16th, 2023 10:15 AM

Changelog:

8.0



Spoiler:
8.0: Initial version of the thread. Mega evolution rules have been changed so that Pokemon that have Mega Evolutions with different types can be used in specific circumstances. Rules for Terastalization have been implemented. I've also broadened and clarified the list of things that can be traded and hacked in, reimplemented the Dream Radar and Pokewalker rules, re-added a more detailed Free Mode for those who want a less restrictive ruleset, and added a bunch of rules to cover any edge case I can think of.

8.0.1: Edited Dream Radar transfer rule and clarified type-changing moves interacting with Libero and Protean.
8.0.2: Added Rule 12 in the core rules, which clarifies when you can switch between Standard and Free Modes.
8.0.3: Added a rule in the trade or hack rules allowing trading or hacking Pokemon for the purpose of field move compatibility.
8.0.4: Moved several game-specific rules to the second post in the thread.
8.0.5: Clarified that Pokémon not of the chosen type may still be caught for any non-battle purposes, such as Pokédex completion or breeding.
8.0.6: Added in the Xenoverse-specific rules and added a clarification that Reshiram and Zekrom are OK to use in BW1 Standard Mode if they match your type.
8.0.7: Provided a specific definition of Legendary Pokemon for games with Fakemon.
8.0.8: Updated credits and links to previous thread versions, and allowed legendary Pokemon in Stadium, Stadium 2, Colosseum, XD, and Battle Revolution to provide a level playing field with endgame trainers in all five games.
8.0.9: Allowed trading or hacking to get multiple uses of single-use Gen 3 move tutors.


8.1



Spoiler:
8.1.0: Added two new multi-run challenges to stand alongside the Ultimate Challenge, the Type Mastery Challenge and the Game Mastery Challenge. The Type Mastery Challenge is a challenge to do eighteen monotype runs, including all official types, across any number of games. The Game Mastery Challenge is a challenge to do a monotype run of every type within a single game.

Made the Ghost and Dragon types exempt from Kanto (And Johto players who can't trade), to make them consistent with the Steel exemption for Kanto, because all three types only have one fully-evolved Pokemon.

Made single runs completed prior to starting a multi-run challenge (Ultimate, Type Mastery, Game Mastery) count towards completion of that challenge.

Allowed hacking egg moves for Pokemon if the player has another Pokemon of the same evolutionary family with the same egg move, similar to the Gen VIII nursery, and prohibited hacking other egg moves.

8.1.1: Changed the rules for hacking or trading starters to match the level of the original starters, for games that start the player off with a Pokemon at a level other than 5, provided alternate cutoff points for trading or hacking a starter for official games without gym badges (Colosseum, XD, SM, and USUM), and made multiple new rules for Pokemon Colosseum and XD, to be found in the game-specific rules.

8.1.2: Added rules detailing Pokémon and items from Nintendo Event distributions. Gifted event Pokémon are not allowed, caught event Pokémon and event items are allowed. Allowed storing Pokémon in Pokémon Box: Ruby and Sapphire and My Pokémon Ranch.
8.1.3: Allowed trading or hacking in Everstones.
8.1.4: Closed a loophole that accidentally allowed trading or hacking legendaries/Mythicals/UBs in Standard Mode games that allow them.
8.1.4.1: Minor grammatical corrections.


8.2



Spoiler:
8.2: Allowed the use of a single Legendary with a BST under 600 in Standard Mode, or a single Legendary with a BST above 600 and Slow Start or Truant as abilities.

Maintained and made clearer the "level playing field" exemption for games/hacks that have NPC trainers who use even stronger Legendaries.

Provided a clearer mechanical definition of "Legendary", which includes nearly all official Legendaries, Mythicals, and Ultra Beasts (and also Ash-Greninja because it fell within the criteria), and clarified in the Gen 1 Game-Specific Rules how the BST caps apply to games that don't split Special into Special Attack and Special Defense.

Allowed combining this challenge with other challenge threads so long as all rules in both threads are followed.

Added rules for determining which games are eligible for this challenge. TL;DR, NSFW and hate speech hacks/fangames aren't allowed, in-development games won't be eligible for the Hall of Fame until they've released their final boss, games/hacks that have big battle system changes will need special rules before a challenge begins, and spinoff games like Ranger that don't make sense to do this challenge with aren't allowed. No games already used in any challenge, current or former, are impacted.

Multi-Run challenges can be abandoned upon request, and all completed runs from them will be moved to the Single Challenge Hall of Fame.


8.2.1: Allowed legit Dream World Pokémon obtained from before 2014, should a challenger be lucky enough to somehow have them.
8.2.2: Made the multiple-starter-hacking rule applicable to any game or romhack that requires double/triple/rotation battles before a Pokemon of a chosen type can be caught, not just Colosseum and XD.
8.2.3: Provided a clearer definition of what counts as a full-length game or romhack for the purposes of eligibility for the Type Mastery Challenge, and added rules for a few other spinoff games.
8.2.4: Closed a loophole that would've allowed hacking in items to sell for money, and fixed two grammatical errors.
8.2.4.1: Reorganized the Game-Specific rules, cleared up slightly confusing wording involving Standard Mode Rule 3, but made no changes to the rules themselves.
8.2.5: Fixed an error regarding Cresselia's Gen 9 base stat change in the Standard Mode legendary rules.


8.3



8.3: Moved the rule about trading or hacking unobtainable Pokemon in the regional dex to the Standard Mode rules, since Free Mode has its own separate rules on the topic.

Required that the player have reached the point where they could've caught a Pokemon in their counterpart game before trading or hacking version-exclusives. As this rule would affect in-progress challenges, runs started before 4/7/2023 are allowed to trade or hack version-exclusives at any point in time.

Made mutually-exclusive Pokémon, like some fossils, tradeable or hackable under the same restriction.

Allowed keeping Nincada unevolved until a second Ghost-type is obtained, if the player's first available Ghost-type is Shedinja.

Added a clause allowing trading or hacking in a Pokémon if the player's party is completely unable to damage a Pokémon without Struggle, or delaying the start of the challenge if players can't trade or hack.

Clarified that using multiple Pokémon of the same species is allowed.

8.3.1: Required that final bosses or postgame equivalents have a full team of six Pokémon to qualify for the Type Mastery Challenge, and mentioned a third postgame battle that qualifies a Pokémon XD run for it.
8.3.2: Allowed trading in Game Corner items or Pokemon if hacking in Coins isn't possible, and allowed trading or hacking a TM in DPPt that required the slot machines but couldn't be bought with Coins.
8.3.3: Reordered and reworded a few of the Core Rules, and mentioned when a player needs to catch their first Pokemon.

Explorer of Time January 16th, 2023 10:15 AM

(Reserved in case a second future post needs to be on the front page)

Explorer of Time January 16th, 2023 10:25 AM

User: Explorer of Time
Type: Psychic
Game(s): Ruby Cross
Single / Ultimate: Single
Standard Mode / Free Mode: Standard Mode

And finally, to start the thread! I'll be playing a QoL hack of Ruby called Ruby Cross, which adds several QOL features. The only ones relevant to gameplay, however, are that it adds reusable TMs, allows non-Legendary Sapphire version exclusives to be caught (though I do not plan to use Lunatone), allows trade evolutions to be evolved without trading, and allows HM moves to be deleted without the Move Deleter.

Mintaka☆ January 16th, 2023 11:33 AM

Question! Do those who are already in the middle of a run have to sign up again specifying if they're running Standard or Free Mode?

I'm doing a Mono-Fairy run of Xenoverse as you know, and I've been pondering...
Spoiler:
...if it would be better for me to abandon my current challenge and restart by signing up for Free Mode. The reason for this is that the Starter is a Legendary Pokémon, its final form has stats on par with one, and it cannot be removed from the team until right before the Elite Four due to story reasons. Until very recently, my Starter also had Camouflage in its moveset, which allowed it to bypass its massive Poison weakness while it was the only Pokémon in my party during the early game. I've since let it forget said move, but I've already broken a ton of rules for what is considered Standard Mode.

That said, given this game's.. special rules and structure, I do also suggest that any future runs of this game be automatically set to Free Mode.

Explorer of Time January 16th, 2023 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mintaka☆ (Post 10595523)
Question! Do those who are already in the middle of a run have to sign up again specifying if they're running Standard or Free Mode?

I'm doing a Mono-Fairy run of Xenoverse as you know, and I've been pondering...
Spoiler:
...if it would be better for me to abandon my current challenge and restart by signing up for Free Mode. The reason for this is that the Starter is a Legendary Pokémon, its final form has stats on par with one, and it cannot be removed from the team until right before the Elite Four due to story reasons. Until very recently, my Starter also had Camouflage in its moveset, which allowed it to bypass its massive Poison weakness while it was the only Pokémon in my party during the early game. I've since let it forget said move, but I've already broken a ton of rules for what is considered Standard Mode, so...

As in rule 10 of the core rules, use the more lenient of my ruleset or the second thread's ruleset for any possible rule. Your run will be still be considered Standard Mode unless you plan to use the Pokemon listed under your spoiler. If you choose to use it, as the previous ruleset did not allow Legendary Pokemon either, your run will be converted to Free Mode and marked as such on your challenge/hall of fame. (Unless you've already fought a trainer that uses a Legendary, then it's still Standard Mode. I don't know what Xenoverse's balancing is like, but it sounds like it expects you to have that Pokemon and will up the difficulty accordingly, and hacks/fangames like that are what the clause is for.)

I'll update the OP with rules for converting from Standard Mode to Free Mode.

Mintaka☆ January 16th, 2023 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorer of Time (Post 10595527)
As in rule 10 of the core rules, use the more lenient of my ruleset or the second thread's ruleset for any possible rule. Your run will be considered Standard Mode unless you plan to use
Spoiler:
your starter's final form
. If you choose to use it, as the previous ruleset did not allow Legendary Pokemon either, your run will be converted to Free Mode and marked as such on your challenge/hall of fame. I'll update the OP with rules for converting from Standard Mode to Free Mode.

Thank you for the quick answer! I'll ponder upon it before the next update...
Spoiler:
...as I'm considering on ditching my Starter already. I always have this sort of crisis after it obtains its Xenoversal Form, but it's especially bad now because, ugh, Xeno Shyleon is ugly as HELL and its Astral Form isn't much better. On the other hand, I've already broken the current ruleset for Standard as mentioned above with the Camouflage issue and I do plan on using Astral Shyleon to get through the plot-mandated battle with Vakuum (which is borderline sadistic in terms of difficulty), so I might just convert to Free Mode regardless of whether Shyleon stays in my party after said battle.


Could it also be possible to dedicate a small section to rules for specific fan games? I can adapt the ones I wrote for Xenoverse in the previous thread to the current rulesets, and maybe other people who choose to do other fan games (as in, those which aren't enhancement hacks of official games - Xeno, Uranium, Unbound, Insurgence, Reborn, Rejuvenation, etc.) can add theirs later.

Explorer of Time January 16th, 2023 1:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mintaka☆ (Post 10595557)
Could it also be possible to dedicate a small section to rules for specific fan games? I can adapt the ones I wrote for Xenoverse in the previous thread to the current rulesets, and maybe other people who choose to do other fan games (as in, those which aren't enhancement hacks of official games - Xeno, Uranium, Unbound, Insurgence, Reborn, Rejuvenation, etc.) can add theirs later.

Absolutely! I'll need advice from people who have played those games, if I haven't played them myself, but I'll be playing close attention to this thread and I will take suggestions.

Mintaka☆ January 16th, 2023 4:17 PM

Pokémon Xenoverse - Additional Rules and Specifications for Monotype Runs

1. The Starter Pokémon - Part I
During the main game, keeping the Starter Pokémon (Shyleon, Trishout or Shulong) in the party is mandatory for story progression. If you want to play the game as intended by its creators, it is highly recommended that you run on Free Mode (see Part II as to why) and center your run around any of the types they cover - that is, Grass, Fairy, Fire, Sound, Water or Dragon - so that you can include them in your party.

Should you choose to run with any other type, or choose not to use them in your team (e.g. in a Standard Mode run), the Starter can remain in the party, gain experience if you are playing on Modern Mode/with the Exp. Share on, and be sent out whenever the story requires it (e.g. during the Tag Battle against A and B at the Newtron Library), but must be kept out of battling duties otherwise, especially after you have access to a Pokémon of your chosen type.

2. The X Pokémon
Given that the X Pokémon function much like regional variants once caught, you may catch any of them as long as you are allowed to and as long as they match your chosen type. It is recommended that you farm them around the region, however; check guides as to where and how to encounter them.

3. Abraham's Scaleon
If you have less than six Pokémon during the battle against your Blue Energy-possessed Starter, before the 4th Gym, Cardinal Abraham will lend you his Scaleon to help you out. You may only send it out to battle if - and only if - you're on a Mono-Dragon run. Otherwise, ignore it.

4. The Starter Pokémon - Part II (Spoilers)
Spoiler:
As stated in the story, the Astral Forms of the Starter Pokémon are essentially Legendary Pokémon and have stats on par with such. Therefore, they are subject to the rules of the specific variation of Monotype you are running.

If you are on Standard Mode:
-During the battle with Vakuum (the sphere Pokémon and the last boss before the Cardinals/Elite Four), the Starter Pokémon in its Astral Form must be switched out as soon as possible after the game prompts it to be sent out, and only the remaining members of your party must battle it.
-After the battle with Vakuum, the Starter in its Base Form will automatically transform into its Astral Form upon sending it out to battle. You may either box it, or use the Terrestrial/Xenoversal Rings to return it back to either of its previous forms, but due to the Standard Mode rules on Legendaries, the former is recommended.

If you are on Free Mode, you are allowed to use your Starter in its Astral Form to directly battle Vakuum, as well as to keep it in your party after said battle. It's your call, but you have that dispensation. And again, if you want to stick to the way the creators intended this game to be played, it is recommended that you sign up under Free Mode rules.


5. Endpoint
The goal, as stated in the Core Rules and as seen in most official games and fan games, is beating the Champion...
Spoiler:
...in this game, Aster, the Lumen.


6. Extra Goal
Since the post-game Furious Battles are kind of impractical to do on a challenge run, the extra goal for this game would be to fulfill the conditions to unlock them, as follows:
Spoiler:
Defeat Taraxo on Route 13, catch Dielebi, Lugia and Ho-Oh, and then defeat Gold in Aurora Den.

If you are on Standard Mode, you have special dispensation to get ahold of the aforementioned Pokémon, but you must not send them out to battle even if they match your chosen type.


Any future rules and/or specifications will be added to this post. Per Aspera Ad Astra!

Explorer of Time January 16th, 2023 5:55 PM

I've added them to the rules, thank you!

Mintaka☆ January 16th, 2023 6:56 PM

Pokémon Xenoverse (FREE MODE)
Mono-Fairy - Fallen Star Mintaka
Update 4 (Gravity Tunnel - Westar City)


Team:
-Shyleon Xenoversal Form (Pascal), level 52
-Granbull (Diana), level 54
-Grudako (Ranmaru), level 53
-Fatail (Aniceto), level 53
-Mimikyu (El Mimi), level 36

As stated above, I have decided to set this run to Free Mode because I already failed to comply with the rules of Standard Mode (re: Camouflage) and because I want to have the ability to decide whether I'll bring Shyleon with me beyond the final boss battle.

I'd rather not talk much about the plot in this segment. I absolutely hate this part of the game and most of the events that happen within it, so let's just sum it up to:
-Pascal got his Xenoversal Form, got corrupted by Blue Energy and temporarily left, came back, and I almost kicked him out of the team of my own volition because I couldn't even look at him. I had this crisis with the other two starters in previous playthroughs, but this is by far the worst.
-Eventually I reached some kind of conciliation with him, however. If he helped me defeat the ones responsible for his transformation, I would let him stay. Ergo, he promptly helped me earn my fourth badge, and returned to the fold.
-We reached Westar City and kicked G.E.I.S.T. out of Wild Bull Saloon - because really, in a story where the protagonist is dead to begin with, they're the villains. Then, after much running, we welcomed a new member into the team - El Mimi the Mimikyu! I have to confess I almost abandoned my run because I couldn't find a single Mimikyu, but then he walked in and everything was alright. That was a bit exaggerated because I'd like to imagine he was always with me, just not battle-ready - just like a certain motorcycle dragon in a recent official Pokémon game. Either way, what a sweet good baby he is!

Now we're off to challenge Sheriff Caspar for my fifth badge! I know I'm much more into the college sweetheart Ginger now, but I'd be lying if I said I don't have a thing for the handsome old Sheriff still. He was the very reason I gave Xenoverse a try. I don't know where I'd be without him, and like with Ginger, it's a shame he won't pop up again until post-game. Why do I have to see a lot more of the Ass-ter of my ex-husbando and less of my current husbandos? :C

Explorer of Time January 18th, 2023 10:02 AM

Pokémon Ruby Cross (Standard Mode)
Mono-Psychic - Stargazer Astrid
Update 1 (Littleroot Town -> Rustboro Gym)


My first update in the new thread!

Since I'm doing a mono-Psychic run of Ruby, the only Psychic-type prior to the first gym is Ralts. Unfortunately, it cannot hurt the Team Magma Grunt's Poochyena with any move it learns via level-up, and can't learn a non-Psychic attack move until I get to Slateport. Given the standard mode rules, I could trade* in a Beldum, the only non-Legendary Pokemon in my regional dex which isn't available until the postgame. (My other option, the Sapphire-exclusive Lunatone, is technically available in this hack.)

Beldum gets tired very easily, with it only knowing a single move that does recoil damage, but its Steel typing gives it a large defensive advantage early on. Ralts is pretty strong offensively, but can't take a lot of hits. He does know Double Team, though, which means that if I can set it up he won't get hit much. Ralts actually soloed the battle against Roxanne, by using Growl to take down Geodude's attack to the minimum, then using Double Team to max out evasion, then fainting it with several Confusions, then Growling at Nosepass six times and fainting that with confusion too.

*This romhack isn't trade-compatible with PKHeX, but it is trade-compatible with the vanilla games, so I genned in a Beldum with a random nature and IVs, gave it an OT/TID/SID matching mine to stop it from getting an experience boost, and traded it for a random Wurmple.

Team

https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/gen3rs/beldum.png Beldum (⚥) | Psychic/Steel | Level 11
Moves: Take Down, (Empty Slot), (Empty Slot), (Empty Slot)
32 HP / 19 Atk / 24 Def / 14 SpA / 18 SpD / 13 Spe
Ability: Clear Body | Nature: Rash | Item: Quick Claw

https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/gen3rs/ralts.png Ralts (♂) | Psychic | Level 13
Moves: Confusion, Growl, Double Team, (Empty Slot)
33 HP / 12 Atk / 14 Def / 16 SpA / 15 SpD / 19 Spe
Ability: Synchronize | Nature: Jolly | Item: Oran Berry

Explorer of Time January 18th, 2023 9:04 PM

Pokémon Ruby Cross (Standard Mode)
Mono-Psychic - Stargazer Astrid
Update 2 (Rusturf Tunnel -> Granite Cave)


It's my second update, but it's a short one. I went down to Rusturf Tunnel, beat the Team Magma Grunt with my Beldum, then explored a few areas with Cut. Then, I went down to Dewford Town. The locals, funnily enough, had "Lukewarm Event" as their randomly-generated trend. I decided to keep it as-is for now. I taught my Ralts Flash, since Ruby Cross allows Pokemon to forget HM moves without the Move Deleter, but otherwise I haven't had anyone level up enough to get a new move. I beat Brawly with my Ralts, this time using Confusion most of the time because of the type advantage. I used three Potions during the battle to heal up, and I used Growl once or twice to stop Bulk Up from getting too strong. When I went to Granite Cave, I caught an Abra. It's useless to me now, but I'll get TMs for it in Slateport very soon. I don't plan to keep it on my final team, since I don't want a second Pokemon without a secondary type, but it will stay on for quite a while.

Team

Spoiler:
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/gen3rs/beldum.png Beldum (⚥) | Psychic/Steel | Level 14
Moves: Take Down, (Empty Slot), (Empty Slot), (Empty Slot)
39 HP / 23 Atk / 29 Def / 16 SpA / 22 SpD / 15 Spe
Ability: Clear Body | Nature: Rash | Item: Quick Claw

https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/gen3rs/ralts.png Ralts (♂) | Psychic | Level 14
Moves: Confusion, Growl, Double Team, Flash
35 HP / 13 Atk / 14 Def / 17 SpA / 16 SpD / 20 Spe
Ability: Synchronize | Nature: Jolly | Item: Oran Berry

https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/gen3rs/abra.png Abra (♀) | Psychic | Level 10
Moves: Teleport, Flash, (Empty Slot), (Empty Slot)
26 HP / 9 Atk / 8 Def / 27 SpA / 18 SpD / 21 Spe
Ability: Synchronize | Nature: Relaxed | Item: (None)

Reginald Cosmic January 20th, 2023 7:32 PM

Question since I'm new to the forum: What counts as a "lost run" in this situation? Clearly, this isn't a nuzlocke where Pokémon "die" when they faint, but before I joined the forum today, I'd been doing a Ground-type only run on Pokémon Sapphire Version, and I lost to Gym Leader Wallace by a hair (his Molitic had a sliver of health), so I had to reload. If this was under these rules, would that have counted as losing the run, or would I be allowed to reload, or would I need to accept the loss of money and continue from the "white out"?

Explorer of Time January 20th, 2023 9:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reginald Cosmic (Post 10597176)
Question since I'm new to the forum: What counts as a "lost run" in this situation? Clearly, this isn't a nuzlocke where Pokémon "die" when they faint, but before I joined the forum today, I'd been doing a Ground-type only run on Pokémon Sapphire Version, and I lost to Gym Leader Wallace by a hair (his Molitic had a sliver of health), so I had to reload. If this was under these rules, would that have counted as losing the run, or would I be allowed to reload, or would I need to accept the loss of money and continue from the "white out"?

You do not lose the run if you lose a battle. If you lose a hard battle, figure out what you did wrong, and fix your mistakes, then congratulations! You're doing exactly what this challenge was designed for. You can either reset or accept the loss of money, your choice. (If you don't have much money, it may actually be advantageous to white out, since you'll keep your XP.)

In general, the only way to "lose" is to violate the rules somehow, such as by having a non-Ground HM Pokemon deal the final blow to that Milotic.

Reginald Cosmic January 20th, 2023 9:15 PM

Thank you for answering.

I was thinking of doing a psychic-type run of Pokémon Ruby Version (except without hacking in/trading for a different starter), but since you're doing that, I might do a water-type run of FRLG. I don't want to be a copycat.

Mintaka☆ January 20th, 2023 9:54 PM

Pokémon Xenoverse (FREE MODE)
Mono-Fairy - Fallen Star Mintaka
Update 5 (Westar City - Route 8)


Team:
-Shyleon Xenoversal Form (Pascal), level 56
-Granbull (Diana), level 59
-Grudako (Ranmaru), level 57
-Fatail (Aniceto), level 57
-Mimikyu (El Mimi), level 50

This week I started preparing a final exam that I'll sit in March, so I didn't have much time to keep playing. However, today I finally got out of what I call this game's IDGAF Zone! I beat Caspar for my fifth badge, then boarded the Quasar Express and so much stupidity happened I don't even remember most of it. Perhaps that's a good thing. This was me the whole time during that segment:



Except when the Basterd (who talked about taking my comrade Gengar X back to Hadwarf City as a test subject, how dare he), and Maldi-Tamara (whose Vespiquen nearly locked up my game during my battle with her), at which point I was like this:



That was it for today, but know that I'm extremely eager to get to Hypelion and forget about this mess before the next one. That was way too much.

Reginald Cosmic January 20th, 2023 11:33 PM

I actually need to post about the Ground mono type run I'm doing because I need advice. The forum rules do say not to make separate threads for the same challenge, so I can't post it elsewhere. I'll try to provide a TL;DR down below.

This is my team so far. (The levels might be slightly different depending on how I use Rare Candies.)

Swampert Level 52 (Surf/Blizzard/Earthquake/Waterfall)

Camerupt Level 46 (Strength/Eruption/Flamethrower/Earthquake)

Flygon Level 48 (Crunch/Dragon Claw/Fire Blast/Fly)

Claydol Level 46 (Psychic/Shadow Ball/Ice Beam/Flash)

Rhydon Level 46 (Facade/Brick Break/Thunderbolt/Blizzard)

Donphan Level 48 (Return/Earthquake/Iron Tail/Rock Smash)

So, I need to preface this by saying that this is the original Sapphire, so TMs aren't infinitely useable. For example, I used the Earthquake TM on Donphan, so I couldn't teach it to Flygon or Rhydon also. This is also why I'm using Blizzard instead of Ice Beam on two Pokémon (since this isn't FRLG).

My concerns are about Glacia (the Elite Four Member I couldn't beat on my original childhood adventure) ... and Drake... Steven's not going to be a pushover either. I'm getting side tracked. Should I spend my money for Full Restores and Revives or invest in the Flamethrower TM at the Game Corner? I don't think one (or even two) X Accuracy items are going to magically allow Flygon to sweep Glacia's team with Fire Blast since dragon-type Pokémon are weak to ice. It doesn't help that one of her Pokémon knows an actual OHKO move (Sheer Cold).

Also... should I even bother giving Rhydon Rare Candies? Brick Break is nice for Sydney, but... the last time I played this game, Sydney's Pokémon went down like they were cardboard compared to Glacia, Drake, and to a lesser extent Steven. Some of you might be confused to see a Rhydon with special moves in this challenge, but remember: the devs (probably) thought it was awesome for Pokémon like Gyarados, Nidoking, and Rhydon to have a bad*** moveset of Thunderbolt/Thunder, Ice Beam/Blizzard, Flamethrower/Fire Blast, and Surf. Where was I? Oh, yeah, should I bench Rhydon for the Elite Four and Champion? He can still be in the Hall of Fame just for being in the party.

(Also, no, I did not bother with Geodude because I didn't feel like trade evolving on this playthrough for something that isn't an Alakazam... and I can confirm Nincada is dead weight in a Ground mono type run of Ruby & Sapphire. You really are better off soloing Hoenn with Marshtomp until Wattson says you're allowed to catch Numel).

TL;DR Version Do I have to buy the Flamethrower TM for Glacia, and is Rhydon worth it?

Eleanor January 21st, 2023 2:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reginald Cosmic (Post 10597222)
snip!

Alright, I think there's a few ways you could go about this... but first of all, I don't feel like Flamethrower for Glacia is a good idea. First, her 2 Sealeo and Walrein all have Thick Fat, which means Fire moves are resisted. Second, Flamethrower is a downgrade from Fire Blast in terms of power. And third, trying to sweep Glacia with a Flygon feels very risky and difficult to pull off in those conditions, since it takes just one well placed Ice Beam or Blizzard and it's likely over.

Rhydon has some decent moves to deal with Glacia, namely Brick Break and Thunderbolt (I guess). Maybe even Rock Blast if you can still get access to it... but those stats and that typing sure doesn't help there. If you want to go on the offensive and set up with X items, for example, you could probably do it with Rhydon instead of Flygon as long as you can keep it healthy at the start of the battle. Still pretty unreliable I admit...

A move that might help there could be Light Screen on Claydol, since it already has a nice Sp. Def. stat to compensate for the Ice weakness. If you can get it to use Light Screen and faint on the next turn, you could have a chance to set up with a Pokémon. That, however, may also help for a different strategy, which is just...

Trying to resist Glacia's hits (even by using a lot of healing items) and retaliating! Swampert, being part Water, could help with that, and iirc in Victory Road you can find a second Water-Ground in Whiscash (also gets Earthquake by level up and is pretty bulky). I'm not sure if you still have access to the Toxic TM but if you do, that strategy could also be worth a shot (as scummy as it is). Doesn't make for the best match-up against Sydney, true - it has two Grass-types - but his Pokémon are pretty frail like you said, and you could just brute-force your way through some of them. You have Camerupt, Flygon, and Swampert for Sharpedo since it's not weak to Water.

[bit of a tangent but wow, the fact that Rock Slide isn't even a TM is so inconvenient in this case... it would be super effective on the Walrein line after all!]

Drake is likely to get swept with Claydol and Swampert's Ice moves, if you avoid Crunch on Claydol. Steven has a pretty high level advantage on you with the levels you have, but I feel like you do have a good chance of beating him with your team!

Hope this helped and good luck with your run! ♥

Reginald Cosmic January 21st, 2023 12:27 PM

Wow, thanks for all the helpful advice.

I have a lot to consider. I feel like a jerk removing the very first Pokémon ever created from my team, but ... that championship crown! If I go the route of catching a Whiscash, what should I teach it besides Earthquake and Toxic? Would Amnesia be worth the investment of a turn against Glacia?

I will probably go the Move Deleter to remove Flash from Claydol's moveset, and teach it Light Screen by TM. I feel like it would be inherently more useful than HM move Flash at this point (because I don't want to win by cheesing it with Flash spam, assuming that's even reliable).

Good ol' Water/Ground-type Pokémon, nothing beats that. [Opponent sends out Sableye with Wonder Guard] Wait. That's illegal.

Explorer of Time January 22nd, 2023 1:20 PM

Amnesia would be a great option for it. For a fourth move, I'd go with another Ice Beam if you happen to have a second TM13 for whatever reason, or just Surf if you don't. Ice Beam would be very good against Drake and Surf is good against half of Steven's team.

Reginald Cosmic January 22nd, 2023 2:03 PM

Thanks so much. I don't normally use status moves in playthroughs with some exceptions like Thunder Wave or Hypnosis/Sleep Powder, but I felt like Amnesia was a good move. (I know in Gen I, it's bonkers.)

Now to spend a half-hour trying to catch a level 40-something Whiscash on Victory Road. Wait. Is this that game where you have to do a mini game to encounter a Pokémon with the Rod? Oh, dear. It looks like I got my work cut out for me.


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