Ever thought it'd be cool to have your art, writing, or challenge runs featured on PokéCommunity? Click here for info - we'd love to spotlight your work!
Our weekly protagonist poll is now up! Vote for your favorite Conquest protagonist in the poll by clicking here.
Welcome to PokéCommunity! Register now and join one of the best fan communities on the 'net to talk Pokémon and more! We are not affiliated with The Pokémon Company or Nintendo.
What is a Boardlocke? : A Boardlocke is any type of Nuzlocke that involves a board game.
Please don't take this challenge very seriously, it was more of a meme idea at first but I ended up wanting to develop the idea and I'm actually having fun with it in my test run^^
The Ekans & Ladders Challenge is a mix of a Hardcore Nuzlocke and the board game "Snakes and Ladders". The objective of the challenge is to pass through the finish line of the board as many times as possible!
Start the challenge by choosing a Zone List, a Ruleset and if you will be playing on [Loop Mode] or [Random Mode] as well as which game(s) you will be using for the challenge, then place a piece on "START", just before Zone 1.
The different Zone Lists define which rewards or punishments may happen to you during the challenge, the [Standard Zone List] requires the use of a savefile editing tool while the [Regular Zone List] does not require to hack any game. Feel free to make your own Zone Lists!
This challenge has two rulesets: the Type Ban Ruleset and the Deathless Ruleset.
The Loop Mode has a defined order of the games that you will be playing while the Random Mode does not.
Examples:
•[Loop Mode: Emerald] means the challenge will only be played on Emerald, after ending the playthrough it will start over.
•[Loop Mode: Emerald Randomizer] means the challenge will only be played on a randomized version of Emerald, after ending the playthrough it will start over. However, each playthrough will be re-randomized.
•[Loop Mode: Emerald - Fire Red - Y] means the playthrough will start on Emerald, then Fire Red, then Y and then it will go through Emerald again and continue the loop.
•[Random Mode: Diamond - Omega Ruby - Black - Scarlet] means each time a playthrough is started, the game to play will be chosen at random between those 4 games, once finished the next game will once again be chosen randomly from those 4 games.
RULESETS:
Type Ban Ruleset:
Spoiler:
The whole challenge will be played with these rules:
•If a Pokémon faints, take one of its types at random: you can no longer use in battles a Pokémon that has that typing for the whole challenge (you cannot even use it in other playthroughs of the same challenge). If you end up in a situation where you are in the middle of a battle and cannot use any Pokemon because their types are banned, the challenge ends.
•You may only use in battles the first obtainable Pokémon that you see in each area, this includes gift Pokémon, in-game trades, catches, etc. (check the "Met at" information in your Pokémon summary). You can still choose your Starter Pokémon. You can only hatch gifted eggs and you have to hatch them in the area that you have received them. You cannot manipulate your encounters by any means.
•Nickname every Pokémon allowed to battle.
•You cannot use items in battles, held items are allowed.
•You cannot use in battles Pokémon that have a special category (Legendary, Mythical, Ultra Beast, Paradox, etc.). You can use Pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
•You cannot use in battles a Pokémon with a higher level than the highest leveled Pokémon of the next major battle (it can finish the battle if it overleveled mid battle). For the Elite 4, take the level of the Champion's ace. Your level cap can never get lower in the same playthrough (example: the rival uses Pokémon of lower level than the last Gym Leader).
•Play in Set Mode.
•You CAN use a Dupes/Species/Shiny Clause but do not Shiny hunt.
•You cannot use a damage calculator.
•You cannot use a Master Ball.
•You cannot use a Pokémon with the Wonder Guard ability.
Immediately after you defeat a Gym Leader (2 if playing a game with more than 8 Gyms) (set another objective if playing a game without Gym Leaders), roll a die and advance your piece according to the roll, then apply the effect of the Zone that you landed and AFTER THAT see if you landed on the bottom of a ladder or an Ekans' head. If you landed on the bottom of a ladder, place your piece on the Zone that's on top of said ladder but don't apply the effect of that Zone. If you landed on an Ekans' head, place your piece on the Zone that's on said Ekans' tail but don't apply the effect of that Zone.
Remember, the objective is to make as many laps as possible. Example: If I'm currently on Zone 28 and I roll a 6, I will end up in Zone 2 and one lap will be added to my score.
Once you become the champion of the region(s) of the game, start a new playthrough. Set another objective if you are playing a game without an Elite 4.
Deathless Ruleset:
Spoiler:
The whole challenge will be played with these rules:
•If a Pokémon faints, the whole challenge ends.
•You may only use in battles the first obtainable Pokémon that you see in each area, this includes gift Pokémon, in-game trades, catches, etc. (check the "Met at" information in your Pokémon summary). You can still choose your Starter Pokémon. You can only hatch gifted eggs and you have to hatch them in the area that you have received them. You cannot manipulate your encounters by any means.
•Nickname every Pokémon allowed to battle.
•You cannot use items in battles, held items are allowed.
•You cannot use in battles Pokémon that have a special category (Legendary, Mythical, Ultra Beast, Paradox, etc.). You can use Pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
•You cannot use in battles a Pokémon with a higher level than the highest leveled Pokémon of the next major battle (it can finish the battle if it overleveled mid battle). For the Elite 4, take the level of the Champion's ace. Your level cap can never get lower in the same playthrough (example: the rival uses Pokémon of lower level than the last Gym Leader).
•Play in Set Mode.
•You CANNOT use a Dupes/Species/Shiny Clause.
•You cannot use a damage calculator.
•You cannot use a Master Ball.
•You cannot use a Pokémon with the Wonder Guard ability.
Immediately after you defeat a Gym Leader (2 if playing a game with more than 8 Gyms) (set another objective if playing a game without Gym Leaders), roll a die and advance your piece according to the roll, then apply the effect of the Zone that you landed and AFTER THAT see if you landed on the bottom of a ladder or an Ekans' head. If you landed on the bottom of a ladder, place your piece on the Zone that's on top of said ladder but don't apply the effect of that Zone. If you landed on an Ekans' head, place your piece on the Zone that's on said Ekans' tail but don't apply the effect of that Zone.
Remember, the objective is to make as many laps as possible. Example: If I'm currently on Zone 28 and I roll a 6, I will end up in Zone 2 and one lap will be added to my score.
Once you become the champion of the region(s) of the game, start a new playthrough. Set another objective if you are playing a game without an Elite 4.
ZONE LISTS:
Standard Zone List:
Spoiler:
1: You can teach Surf or Waterfall to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
2: You can teach Flamethrower or Fire Punch to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
3: For the rest of the current playthrough, your current team members can only one hit KO opposing trainer owned Pokémon three times each.
4. Choose 1 Pokémon, that Pokémon is allowed to always be 2 levels above the level cap.
5. You can teach Thunderbolt or Thunder Punch to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
6. Do the following process to every Pokémon in your party: Roll a die, if it lands on 5 or 6, the Pokémon cannot use status moves for the rest of the current playthrough.
7. Choose at random 1 Pokémon from your party that is allowed to battle and place it on PC for the rest of the current playthrough.
8. You can teach Recover to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
9. Your level cap for the next Gym Leader / Champion will be two levels less.
10. You can teach Ice Beam or Ice Punch to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
11. You may use 1 Full Restore or any type of Potion in the middle of a battle during the current playthrough.
12. Your current party cannot use moves with a Base Power higher than 80 during the current playthrough.
13. You may use 1 X item (like X Attack) during the current playthrough.
14. You can teach Surf or Waterfall to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
15. Start a new playthrough immediately.
16. You can teach Ice Beam or Ice Punch to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
17. You can teach Agility to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
18. Choose 1 Pokémon Type at random; you cannot use moves of that type for the rest of the current playthrough.
19. You can teach Thunderbolt or Thunder Punch to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
20. You can teach Recover to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
21. You may use 1 X item (like X Attack) during the current playthrough.
22. For the rest of the current playthrough, your current team members can only one hit KO opposing trainer owned Pokémon three times each.
23. You can transfer 1 Pokémon from the current playthrough to your next playthrough via a savefile editing tool once you obtain 4 badges in your next playthrough, set its level to match your team.
24. During the current playthrough, the first time a Pokémon faints won't end the challenge, simply never use that Pokémon again in the current playthrough.
25. For the rest of the current playthrough, you cannot use any type of Pokéballs against a wild Pokémon once three turns have passed.
26. You can box permanently your current team for the rest of the current playthrough for the chance to capture and use in battles 1 Pokémon that has a special category (Legendary, Mythical, Ultra Beast, Paradox, etc.).
27. You can teach Flamethrower or Fire Punch to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
28. You can teach Earthquake or Earth Power to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
29. You can teach Ice Beam or Ice Punch to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
30. Start a new playthrough immediately.
31. You can teach Agility to 1 Pokémon (even if it doesn't learn it normally).
32. Choose 1 random number from 1 to 31, apply the effect as if you landed on that number's Zone (don't apply the effects of ladders and Ekans).
Regular Zone List:
Spoiler:
1. During the current playthrough, the first time a Pokémon faints as a result of a critical hit won't end the challenge, simply never use that Pokémon again in the current playthrough.
2. Choose 1 Pokémon, that Pokémon is allowed to always be 2 levels above the level cap.
3. Choose 1 Pokémon Type at random; you cannot use moves of that type for the rest of the current playthrough.
4. You are allowed to manipulate 1 encounter during the current playthrough (via repel, etc.)
5. You may use 1 Full Restore or any type of Potion in the middle of a battle during the current playthrough.
6. You are allowed to activate the Species Clause during the current playthrough.
7. Your current party cannot use moves with a Base Power higher than 80 during the current playthrough.
8. Until you beat the next two Gym Leaders / Champion on this playthrough, you are allowed to use a damage calculator.
9. Choose 1 Type, you are allowed to ignore all wild battles with a Pokémon of that type as if they did not happen.
10. For the rest of the challenge, you are only allowed to catch Pokémon with normal Pokéballs.
11. You have the option to end your playthrough immediately and start a new one.
12. Your current party cannot use status moves for the rest of the playthrough.
13. You obtain 1 Battle Wildcard. Before starting any battle in any playthrough of the current challenge, you can use the Battle Wildcard. During the battle in which the Battle Wildcard was used, the first time a Pokémon faints won't have any consequences.
14. You may use 1 X item (like X Attack) during the current playthrough.
15. You can box permanently your current team for the rest of the current playthrough for the chance to capture and use in battles 1 Pokémon that has a special category (Legendary, Mythical, Ultra Beast, Paradox, etc.).
16. You are not allowed to use Super Effective moves during your next Gym Leader / Elite 4 Member battle.
17. You are allowed to use any type of item that cures status (except Revives and Full Restores) 1 time in a battle during the current playthrough.
18. Choose at random 1 Pokémon from your party that is allowed to battle and place it on PC for the rest of the current playthrough.
19. For the rest of the current playthrough, if a Pokémon faints as a result of being the target of a move that faints the user (like Self-Destruct or Explosion), it won't have any consequences.
20. For the rest of the current playthrough, if an opponent uses an item (like a Super Potion), you are allowed to use the same quantity and type of items during that battle as the opponent did.
21. You can box 2 random Pokemon currently on your party permanently, if you do, the next time you land on an Ekans' head don't place your piece on the Zone that's on said Ekans' tail.
22. For the rest of the current playthrough, your current team members can only one hit KO opposing trainer owned Pokémon three times each.
23. For the rest of the current playthrough, you cannot use any type of Pokéballs against a wild Pokémon once three turns have passed.
24. You obtain 1 Heavy-Duty Boots Wildcard. This Wildcard may be used anytime that you land on a Zone. If used, don't apply the effect of that Zone (you will still apply the effects of ladders and Ekans).
25. You obtain 1 Switch Mode Wildcard. You can choose to use it before starting any battle in any playthrough of the current challenge, if you do, change the battle style from Set Mode to Switch Mode, then, when the battle ends, change it again to Set Mode.
26. Do the following process to every Pokémon in your party: Roll a die, if it lands on 6, the Pokémon is allowed to always be 2 levels above the level cap; if it lands on 1, the Pokémon's level cap will always be 2 levels less than what's stipulated.
27. For the rest of the playthrough, if a Pokémon exceeds the current level cap (even in the middle of a battle), release it immediately (it can finish the battle).
28. Start a new playthrough immediately.
29. For the rest of the current playthrough, if a Pokémon faints during a wild Pokémon battle, it won't have any consequences.
30. For the rest of the current playthrough, you cannot use stat boosting moves (like Swords Dance or Charge Beam).
31. Choose 1 Pokémon obtainable in the current game excluding Pokémon that have a special category (Legendary, Mythical, Ultra Beast, Paradox, etc.), You are allowed to catch and use in battles the first Pokémon of that species evolutionary tree that you encounter.
32. Choose 1 random number from 1 to 31, apply the effect as if you landed on that number's Zone (don't apply the effects of ladders and Ekans).
Challengers:
Spoiler:
·Vaati: [Deathless Ruleset] [Loop Mode: X - HeartGold - Omega Ruby] [Standard Zone List]
![[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge](https://i.imgur.com/Qwu4e2b.png "[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge")
![[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge](https://i.imgur.com/morJ8K4.png "[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge")
![[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge](https://i.imgur.com/q5j1gyO.png "[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge")
![[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge](https://i.imgur.com/7Wts2fJ.png "[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge")
![[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge](https://i.imgur.com/Na8GB9t.png "[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge")
![[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge](https://i.imgur.com/7lVBKkl.png "[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge")
![[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge](https://i.imgur.com/c1zY4ZP.png "[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge")
![[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge](https://i.imgur.com/VeFGjLU.png "[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge")
![[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge](https://i.imgur.com/DCKLDz1.png "[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge")
![[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge](https://i.imgur.com/0rZbvFv.png "[PokeCommunity.com] Vaati's Boardlockes: The Ekans & Ladders Challenge")