Blazed Soul's Pokemon Hard Mode Run

[Blazed Soul]

As I have said in the cbox, due to a lost bet, I am now doing a hard mode run of Pokemon Ruby Version. As I have also said, I am naming my team after characters from Kingdom Hearts, with the Organization at the front.

This is both a journal of what will most definitely be an intense struggle, and also my pokemon related descent into insanity.

Feel free to comment, or ask questions.

The Rules for Hard Mode Runs are as followed:

-If a Pokemon in your party faints, you must release it.
-Every time you reach a new route, cave, etc., you must catch the very first Pokemon you
see, regardless of your current number of party members. The Pokemon may sit within the box for an indeterminate amount of time as a backup.
-If you fail to catch the first Pokemon you see, either via it fleeing, knocking it out, or having no pokeballs, you may not catch another. Tough shit.
-This means you can not catch a pokemon in a route you were in before you could catch pokemon. So no route 1, you were there before you had pokeballs.
-If a town you go to contains a body of water or a gift Pokemon like Bill's Eevee in G/S/C/HG/SS, that may be considered a Pokemon of a new area.
-You must nickname your pokemon so there is some sort of attachment. Each pokemon is a best friend to you, to see them die is heartbreaking.
-If your entire party faints, they all must be thrown away. If you have a pokemon left in a box somewhere, you may continue, otherwise you must start your game over.
-Treat pokeballs as rare artifacts; at no point can you buy more than one from each store. You should only use ones you find in the wild or are awarded.
-You are, under no circumstance, allowed to get a second pokemon from any given area.
-You are, under no circumstance, allowed to use healing items outside of battle. If you were
poisoned on your last turn of the battle, you better hope to god there's a pokemon center nearby.
-You may not switch out before the enemy trainer sends in a new Pokemon.
-You are not allowed to use legendaries in battle.
-No excessive power leveling

Journal Start:

I have begun my game as the female trainer, as my opponent in the bet chose the gender. The starter I chose, out of Torchic, Piplup, and Treecko, was Treecko. I have since named him Marluxia.

Marluxia reached level 7 before I faced off with Brendan, my rival, and his Torchic. Marluxia beat in the bird's head with his fists.

As of the third route I reached, I acquired pokeballs to use to begin building my team. I caught a Zigzagoon, and named him Xaldin. This is because Zigzagoon, like Xaldin, is annoying as sin.

Within three trainer battles, Xaldin died. I mourned him slightly, as it meant I only had one party member now. Arriving in Petalburg, I stocked up on status healers, and bought a single pokeball, and then helped Wally catch his Ralts. I sincerely hope I can catch a Ralts. I would name it Zexion.

On the next route, I caught a Wingull. I named her Demyx. She died within the next few trainer battles, at the hands of a Magma grunt. Team Magma will pay for Demyx's death. Marluxia is now level 13. I fear that I may become unable to catch pokemon due to his high level.

I entered Rustboro city, and defeated Roxanne with little to no problem, thanks to Marluxia. He has now evolved, and is level 16.

[Blazed Soul]

On my way to the next city, I entered grass. I caught a Whismur, and named him Saix. Using Saix, with Marluxia for backup, I defeated a Team Magma Grunt, and retrieved DEVON GOODS, along with rescuing a Wingull. I left the cave after catching a Geodude, who is now named Lexaeus, and returned to Rustboro to receive a Pokenav, a Great Ball, and a letter to deliver.

I head towards Dewford now, on a boat. Upon arrival, I received an OLD ROD. I used it, and caught a Magikarp. ****. I have named the Magikarp Xemnas out of spite.

Xemnas is dead, to a Tentacool. I do not mourn him.

I entered another cave. I received the HM for Flash, and also found an escape rope. Upon entering the second floor, I could not see, and fumbled around in the dark. I did catch a Mawile, and named her Xion, before exiting the cave to heal.

I have challenged Brawly's gym now. I defeated the trainers easily, and advanced to the leader.

And lost brutally. Marluxia, my level 18 starter, fell first to a level 17 Machop. Xion avenged him through use of the move Astonish, which held him in a stun-lock to the death. She was then killed by the second, a Makuhita. His use of the super effective Arm Thrust move eliminated the rest of my team.

I now delete my file, and begin anew.

[Blazed Soul]

At the start of this second journey, a friend, who will not be referred to again after this note, has decided to play a Hard Mode alongside me, using Sapphire Version. We have decided that since Brawly is known for being the most overpowered leader in all the games, that a power level rule will be implemented on him, allowing us to get all team pokemon to level 20 so as to beat the surfer into the ground.

Journey 2, Start:

I begin again, a female trainer again. My new starter, Axel the Torchic. I hope that he will fare better than Marluxia.

Axel reached level 7 before we faced off with Brendan. It seems that things repeat themselves. Scratch prevailed against Mudkip. And no, I do not liek Mudkipz, not one bit.

After a return to Littleroot to receive pokeballs, a pokedex, and RUNNING SHOES, I proceeded to the Route 102. There I caught a Poochyena, who I have named Saix. It seems a more appropriate name than one for a Whismur, although he knows the special ability Run Away, very OOC for Saix. Four trainers defeated in the area.

As I arrived in Petalburg, Axel was at level 10, and Saix was at level 8. Again, I helped Wally catch his Ralts. Again, I want a Ralts.

I caught a Zigzagoon on Route 104, she is named Xaldin again. For the same reasons as the last time. After a brutal massacre of both his own kind and Wurmples, Xaldin is now level 8. Two trainers defeated in the area.

Upon entering Petalburg Woods, I encountered my next capture. A Wurmple, now named Vexen. I returned to route 102 to train the low leveled Vexen, whereupon I immediately encountered a Ralts, followed by another Ralts. ****! I am very upset now.

Upon reaching level 7, Vexen evolved into a Cascoon, and learned Harden. Whoo. I am now going to head through the Forest. Vexen reached level 8 by going through a team of six Wurmples by herself. Saix had a duel with a Team Magma Grunt's own Poochyena.

Trainer battle. Saix fell to a Nincada. ****. I avenged my fallen warrior by making the Nincada into his funeral pyre. I will carry on. Vexen reached level 10, and evolved again, to a Dustox, and learned Confusion. Three trainers defeated in the area.

Upon leaving the Forest to enter Route 104, I was given the TM for Bullet Seed. None of my team can learn it. I was also given a WAILMER PAIL. Four Trainers defeated in the area.

I have reached Rustboro City, I recognize that the gym battle will be significantly harder than my previous endeavor, due to my starter. So, I am skipping the battle, for now. I have received HM 01, Cut, and taught Xaldin the move. Moving into Route 116, I encountered and caught a Nincada, now named Marluxia due to the sheer annoyance he was to catch. I may or may not hold a grudge against his species for Saix's death. After a minor stay of time to level up Marluxia to a helpful level, I challenged the Gym.

The initial gym trainer allowed Marluxia to level up to level 9, and learn Sand Attack. Whoo. He will most likely die due to his Bug/Ground type. I have decided to leave the gym until after acquiring another pokemon. Entering Rusturf Tunnel, I immediately encountered a Whismur. I caught her, and have named her Roxas. I am curious as to whether or not she will survive the gym. Like Marluxia, I doubt she will.

[Rocket!]

"And then I'll use Sand Attack..."

Rootin' for ya! Just make sure Vexen doesn't die, y'hear? He's my favorite.

Maybe.

Also, I notice the rules don't have anything on eggs-- the freebie with the Wynaut, or breeding in general. How'll those come into play? (Eventually?)

[Blazed Soul]

A short update. I am evening out my party, and as such, have decided that each leader shall have a "cap level" which I am not allowed to pass, save for battling the leader. For Roxanne, that level is 14. Axel and Xaldin have reached the cap so far. Neither have much use for this leader though, unfortunately. Marluxia is fast approaching the cap, with Vexen close behind him. If not for Vexen's unfortunate type of Bug/Poison, which makes Roxanne's attacks super effective, she would be the anchor. Roxas is, unfortunately for her, useless here.

I am less than sure of my chances against Roxanne. It may or may not require a miracle. I am lucky that Xaldin's Pick Up ability seems to favor me. Two Rare Candies, an Ultra Ball, a Nugget, and now a Protein. Perhaps luck before the fall though? I am unaware.

Rocket, the eggs can count as a freebie only if you receive the egg and it is not sent to your box. On a mode like this, would you want to only have five strong pokemon, and a level one?

[prythian]

Shame those Rare Candies and Protein would be useless except to sell, because of that no items outside of battle rule...

I mean, I suppose you could argue otherwise, but they are items that are usable outside of battle only.

[Blazed Soul]

Prythian: You are correct there. My money was as such, spent on things that I could use.

Another update. I defeated Roxanne handily, and moved on, heading into the Tunnel where I caught Roxas, and defeated a Magma Grunt, retrieving the DEVON GOODS and rescuing a Wingull, again. Four Trainers and a Leader defeated.

Returning the GOODS got me a great ball and a pokenav, again, and I headed to Dewford, again. Hopefully, my team will fare better this time.

Upon arriving in Dewford, I once again acquired and used the OLD ROD, this time, to my joy, catching a Tentacool on my first try. I have named her Demyx, and I believe her Supersonic move will come in very handy.

I entered the Dewford Cave, and yet again, to my surprise, encountered a Mawhile. I caught her at the cost of three pokeballs, and again named her Xion. Unfortunately, tragedy struck soon after. Demyx was killed by an Aron, with a lucky critical hit. Axel retaliated with a brutal burst of fire, and the experience allowed him to level up to level 16, where he learned Peck, and evolved. Vexen reached level 18 fairly quickly, learning Protect, along with Gust. I believe that she will be the anchor of my team, alongside Marluxia, as both of them are resistant to fighting type attacks.

Most of my team is now at or around level 18. I am entering Brawly's gym with Xion, who is only level 16, in the lead. She should fare well against the lower level Gym Trainers. She won out, like her predecessor, through a stun lock combo of Astonish and Bite. Upon reaching Brawly, Axel was the first out. A combination of Peck and Ember quickly ended the Machop's life, but not before he was dealt enough damage to warrant pulling him on the first turn. Vexen was the next out, and he quickly eliminated Brawly's Makuhita. The badge was mine. Three trainers and a leader defeated.

I delivered the letter to Steven in the cave, and quickly left the town for Slateport.

Upon arrival, I challenged every trainer on the beach and inside the house, getting Roxas and Xion both to level 18. My team is turning out nicely. I deposited Roxas in the Waiting Room box, so that when Marluxia evolved in two levels, I would get a Shedinja as well as a Ninjask.

Upon entering the next route, I caught a Gulpin. Using a roulette program online, I decided his name to be Xigbar. I put him in the box for now. Then, tragedy struck, as Marluxia was struck down through a combination of sleep followed by confusion. Xion avenged him by destroying his opponent, a very unlucky Skitty utterly. I returned to Slateport, and put him in the Graveyard box alongside Saix and Demyx, and withdrew both Xigbar and Roxas. There, I saved and quit for the time being. Four trainers defeated.

[Blazed Soul]

In a single stroke, half my party is now dead, thanks to my "rival" Brandon. This was shortly after my last post, I began heading towards the next gym, when I encountered him. The battle began easy enough, Brandon's Shroomish against Roxas. She nearly eliminated it before it paralyzed her, and then quickly destroyed her with Mega Drain. One partner lost.

As revenge, I sent out Xigbar, who quickly destroyed the Shroomish. Then, Brandon's starter, Marshtomp appeared on the field. He nearly eliminated Xigbar, so I was forced to swap him out for Vexen. She held her own against Marshtomp's Water Gun with her Confusion, until it used Mud Shot, and eliminated her from above half health. Two partners lost.

Xaldin was sent out next, as I hoped that his superior speed, coupled with Headbutt, would stop Marshtomp. I was wrong. Mud Shot overpowered him, and eliminated him within three turns. Fed up, I sent out Xion next, who destroyed Marshtomp with her use of Bite and Vicegrip. Three partners lost.

Next out was Brandon's Numel, a very bad thing for Xion. So, I swapped her out for Axel, who easily destroyed the flame camel. At the end of the battle, I received praise for how well I had raised my pokemon, and an ITEMFINDER. I think I shall look for ways to kill Brandon, or at least avoid him.

Current team makeup: Axel (Combusken), Xion (Mawhile), and Xigbar (Gulpin).

[Rocket!]

VEXEN, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

FIGHT ON, AXEL! *sniff* FIGHT FOR YOUR LOST COMRADES!

[Blazed Soul]

I continue on now. I caught an Oddish on Route 117, and named him Marluxia, the second of my party to hold the name. I quickly leveled him up to even with the party, and he evolved at level 21.

After getting all my party to level 24, I entered the gym. The trainers were easily handled, though I did retreat to the pokemon center before challenging Wattson. When I did challenge the Leader, the battle was quite hard as Xigbar was next to useless due to steel ignoring poison damage. I had taught him Rock Smash, and I put it to good use, easily defeating the Magnemite. The next pokemon out was a Voltorb. I used one of the Soda Pops I had to heal Xigbar, and used her to nearly eliminate the Voltorb in two attacks, except that Wattson used a Full Restore to heal the pokemon.

Xigbar managed to get the Voltorb's health back down, but took too much damage doing it, so I swapped her for Xion. It was lucky I did so, as the Voltorb used Self Destruct. Xion was largely unaffected, and I couldn't help but laugh. The final pokemon out was Magneton, and so I send out Axel to retaliate. Axel's fire type moves made short work of the Magneton, and I earned the next badge. Three trainers, and one Leader defeated.

Leaving Mauville towards the next city, I encountered and caught a Geodude on Route 111, from inside a breakable rock. I caught him, and named him Lexaeus. Unfortunately, Lexaeus was killed on his first battle by a Roselia, who had a critical attack of Absorb. I mourned him shortly, and continued on. Four trainers defeated.

On Route 112, I encountered a Numel, who I caught and also named Lexaeus, as it was Ground Type. I trained him slightly, and entered Fiery Path. The first pokemon encountered there was a Koffing, who I unfortunately killed. Proceeding through the tunnel, I found that I was back on Route 111, and could not catch any pokemon to supplement my party.

I continued onto Route 113, where I encountered and caught a Sandshrew. I named her Zexion, as Sandshrews have small statures. I trained Zexion and Lexaeus, and continued through Fallarbor Town. On Route 114, I caught a Nuzleaf and named her Larxene, since I noted that I hadn't yet used the name for a pokemon. This Larxene will be relegated to the box once I catch an electric type to give the name. Unfortunately, the second pokemon I encountered, a Seedot, killed Zexion because of a critical hit with Bide. I grew disheartened after this, and have saved and quit for this entry.

Current team makeup: Axel (Combusken), Xion (Mawhile), Xigbar (Gulpin), Larxene (Nuzleaf), Marluxia (Gloom), and Lexaeus (Numel)

[Blazed Soul]

My party has been decimated, but I continue on.

Shortly after I caught Larxene, and Zexion was killed, I defeated the rest of the trainers on Route 114, and continued onto Meteor Falls. There, I ran into Team Magma, who were chased off by Team Aqua. The leader of Team Aqua, Archie, introduced himself, and recruited my help in stopping Team Magma from detonating the volcano.

I returned to Fallarbor Town, healed my pokemon, and went to the cable car to ascend Mt. Chimney. Once there, I walked past a few fights between Teams Aqua and Magma, including Archie, who was holding three Grunts at bay. On his orders, I moved on, defeating a Magma Grunt easily. Then, I challenged the Magma Admin Tabitha, who I also defeated somewhat easily.

Then....I fought Maxie. His Mightyena, while powerful, was unable to do more than cause minor injuries before it was defeated. His Camerupt was the next out, against Larxene, whom I had taught Dig for this battle. She used dig, he used Magnitude. Magnitude 10, Critical Hit. Larxene fell. Next out was Lexaeus, who managed, by luck of his enemy not using Magnitude, to cause enough damage to make Maxie use a Super Potion. And then, Magnitude 8, and he fell. I threw out Xigbar next, but he, like the one who followed him, Marluxia, was killed easily by Ember before being able to use a Grass or Poison move. Axel was the one who defeated him, through a lucky critical. Then, Maxie sent out his final pokemon, Golbat. Golbat's Wing Attack finished off Axel, to my dismay.

Xion was my last now. She brutally dispatched the Golbat, with Bite and Vicegrip, and cemented my victory. Maxie retreated, and I retrieved the meteorite they stole. I then left the mountain via cable car, returned to the nearest town, Mauville, and healed my only companion now, Xion.

We will continue on. I refuse to be defeated like this.

Team: Xion (Mawhile)

[Blazed Soul]

Damnation, I have lost again. This time, my destroyer was the rookie Gym Leader, Flannery. Of course, when half my team consisted of a Steel Type, I was resigned to my fate. On the way down the Jagged Pass, I caught a Machop, whom I named Xaldin. He was to be the backbone of my team for the gym. I trained him until he was level 25, three levels below Xion, and we entered the gym.

On the way there, I fought all the trainers, and at the end of the battle before Flannery, Xaldin reached level 28 and evolved from a Machop into a Machoke. I hoped that his would be enough to handle Flannery's team of Fire Pokemon.

Unfortunately, I was wrong. Her first Slugma used Sunny Day before being taken down by Xaldin's karate chop twice. I had given him a King's Rock, in hopes it would help, and it did. Like a fool, I paid it no mind. The second Slugma went down before it could get off a move, thanks to a lucky critical hit. And then, her Torkoal arrived.

First move, Xaldin used karate chop, it flinched. Second move, Xaldin used karate chop, it used flail. I had a hope. Third move, Xaldin used karate chop, and missed. It used Overheat. Xaldin died in fire.

Sunny Day wore off then, and I reluctantly let Xion into the battle. She used Bite, Torkoal used Overheat. It was all over.

I begin again. I WILL beat this. And revenge will be ever so sweet.

Current Team: None.

[Rocket!]

See, this is why you need some Mudkip love.

Water.

Greatest element evar, dood.

I still have my Swampert from years ago. Still a member of my go-to-team. ^^

You need not be so obstinate, young padawan... come to the GOOD side... WE HAZ TEH WINZ.

[Blazed Soul]

heheheheheheheAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

Victory is mine this time. I cannot will not lose this time.

I have started again, with a Treecko. (Rocket, I refuse to use Mudkip.) His name is Luxord, and I cannot help but imagine him with facial hair like that of his namesake.

My journey began like the last two, my starter at level 7 when I defeated my rival, returning to Littleroot, heading to Petalburg. I had a purpose this time. I avoided catching a pokemon until after I helped Wally catch his Ralts. I then prayed to the Random Number Generator.

My prayers were answered. The first pokemon I encountered was a Ralts. I caught him, and have named him Zexion. Happiness abounds. Unfortunately for me, Zexion's moveset is slightly lacking. At level 4, he only knows Growl. This will have to be remedied later.

...I am certain that my luck in finding a Ralts will turn sour quickly. Luck for me soon becomes luck for the computer, and that luck is normally fatal.

Current Team: Luxord (Treecko), Zexion (Ralts)

[Rocket!]

Yes, but where is your water Pokemon?