New here? Start from Episode 1
Episode 2: Route 3 → Nugget Bridge
(Lv. 22 Cap)
Episode 1 felt controlled. Manageable.
Like everything was going to plan.
Lets just say that didn’t last.
Off the back of a clean sweep against Brock, I spend my winnings on supplies and head east out of Pewter City towards Route 3.
I barely make it out before one of Oak’s aides stops me.
He hands me a pair of running shoes… along with a note from my mother.
She threatens to start charging interest on the 3000 Poké Dollars I “borrowed” before leaving Pallet Town.
I’m not entirely sure how she got Professor Oak’s aide to deliver that message.
Honestly, I’m not sure I want to know.
We head into Route 3 with Lucky leading the way. No issues at first—just a line of bug catchers and their army of unevolved Caterpie and Weedles. Free experience.
By the time we’re through, Lucky picks up Quick Attack. Growl is gone. No complaints there.
Then comes the part that actually matters.
The encounter.
Route 3 has some solid options—The Nidorans which would be amazing to get a Nidoking/queen, Jigglypuff if you get lucky… even something useful long-term. With the dupes clause, I’m guaranteed something new.
I’m hoping its not Spearow.
Of course.
I tell myself it’s fine. A backup for Sky isn’t the worst thing in the world.
A critical hit.
It’s always the same. When you don’t need it, they’re everywhere. When you’re in a tight spot… nothing.
I only have myself to blame. I got cocky. One simple switch into Lucky, one Thunder Wave—and that Spearow would’ve been mine!
Time for another encounter—easily my favourite part of any Nuzlocke.
Mt. Moon has a lot to offer. You can catch four different Pokémon here, with Zubat and Geodude being the most common. Paras can show up too… and of course, Clefairy if you’re incredibly lucky.
With Sprout being the Ace, a Paras encounter would be useless.
Hallelujah. Zubat caught.
Its named Victoria (IYKYK).A Calm nature. Early days, but if she survives and evolves into Golbat, it could potentially make the final team.
A Bug catcher approaches me and tells me suspicious men are in the cave… Is Brock flashing people outside of battle again?
We pick up a few useful items along the way—TM09 (Bullet Seed) and a Rare Candy—always worth having.
Deeper into the cave, we run into our first member of the infamous Team Rocket, hunting fossils.
No trouble at all.
He gets completely rolled by a 10-year-old and a Bulbasaur.
Not much of a gangster.
And then—finally—Sprout hits level 16.
You already know what that means.
Met a friend of Brock hiding behind some boulders—the bug catcher was right.
There are definitely some very suspicious people in this cave.
The rest of the cave was smooth sailing.
Took down the nerd guarding the fossils and claimed my prize—the Dome Fossil.
After leaving Mt. Moon, I head east towards Cerulean City.
On the way, I run into the two Karate Fighters who offer to teach a move.
I decide Lucky should learn Mega Punch—having a strong physical move this early is huge
Time for another encounter.
Options here include Ekans, Mankey, Rattata… and unfortunately, Spearow again.
Basically a coin flip between something useful… and something I really don’t want.
1st encounter Rattata.
2nd encounter Mankey..
3rd encounter..
Ekans!!
Intimidate as an ability. This is exactly what I want.
I lead with Lucky, set up Thunder Wave, then go for Quick Attack—
Critical hit.
And again… in the worst possible moment.
The health drops way lower than I expected. I’m convinced I’ve just lost it.
I throw one ball…
Caught.
I named him Kaa from The Jungle Book checked its nature Naughty!
A Naughty Ekans seems quite fitting!
I arrive in Cerulean City.
Nice place…
But the layout raises some questions.
To get to the next town, I have to walk through someone’s house.
Not knock. Not ask.
Just… walk through.
Imagine living there.
Just random trainers passing through your wall all day.
Anyway.
I stock up on supplies at the Poke Mart. Spend some time levelling up the Team on route 4 and head towards Nugget Bridge…Its Rematch time.
Smug as ever, Ink comes strolling down Nugget Bridge looking for a battle.
I lead with Lucky, knowing Inks leading with a Pidgeotto that is Lv17??? (why is that a thing)
Lucky handles Pidgeotto cleanly—but not comfortably.
Quick Attack chips more than I’d like, and by the end of it, Lucky’s already down to half health.
He sends in Rattata.
I swap to Bam—feels like the safe play all I need to do is land a Karate Chop.
It turns out to not be very safe at all.
More Quick Attacks. And more damage than expected.
Bam eventually lands a clean Karate Chop and drops it… but now two of my team are already worn down.
Abra comes out next.
Free turn. It was needed.
I take the chance to stabilise—heal up and let Lucky finish off Abra with a Mega Punch.
Then—Charmander.
I try to play it safe. Thundershocks trying to get a Paralyz off, chip damage… control the fight.
It doesn’t go to plan.
Ember hits harder than I thought. Way harder.
I switch to Sky.
It feels like the right call.
Charmander’s at half health, a few more hit should do it.
I go for Gust I figure two hits and it should be enough.
Gust gets it down to around 1/3rd health
Ember lands and hits 16 damage.
Here I take a risk I go for Quick attack thinking it would end him.
It doesn’t.
Ember lands.
Sky Falls.
Without a Critical hit it does 24 damage I’m very confused at this point.
That one hurt.
And worse… it didn’t have to happen.
I send Lucky back in to clean up with a Quick Attack.
It should be over.
Charmander hangs on with 1HP!!
One more Ember.
Lucky.
Not the best name in hindsight.
Not the strongest on the team.
Not the most reliable.
But it was Pikachu.
The one the world recognise instantly.
And I sent it back in to be roasted.
I send in Sprout to finish off this Charmander.
The fight ends.
Sprout is fine and the Bloodbath is over.
I’m absolutely gutted I was really excited to evolve Pikachu and have a Lucky Raichu.
Two of the team gone.
That’s all it takes.
One mistake.
This battle showed exactly how unforgiving a Nuzlocke can be.
After the fight, it clicks.
Blaze.
Charmander’s ability.
That Ember wasn’t normal—it was boosted.
I didn’t see it in the moment.
I just saw damage… and assumed I could manage it.
I was wrong.
I won the battle vs Ink but it didn’t feel like it.
- Nugget Bridge—with a weakened team
- More encounters (I need them)
- Misty’s Gym
ArtfulPlays 
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