DarkViolet Any% NMG FAQ

Dark Violet NMG FAQ

Q: What is this game?
A: Pokémon Dark Violet, it's a FRLG hack that was initially released 8 years ago, finished in 2018 and was then recently updated in 2022.

I first routed and ran this game in 2020 and recently revisited it as I realized there was massive time save possible.

Q: Are you playing on emulator?
A: Yes, Bizhawk.

Q: Main differences with this compared with vanilla FRLG?
A: Some gen 4 mechanics, including auto renew repels and newer items, as well as the physical/special split. No Poke Marts; they're built into the Centers. As well, most of the areas have been completely redone from scratch. There are also a TON more mandatory trainers which made the game very tedious to run.. assuming you run a truly glitchless ruleset.

Q. So this run is glitched?
A. Yes, the run uses only one glitch, and it's considered in the Pokémon fan games speedrun community as a minor glitch, but oh boy is it a powerful glitch - the good old repel skip!

The way it works is you need a binary hack which has auto renew repels. When it prompts you to refresh the repel, you can take a step as it's applied. If that tile you step into is a sequence trigger, you skip that trigger. As a result, you can beat this game with only one badge! This is also because you can use field moves outside of battle without badges, provided the move is used from the Pokémon menu.

Q: What Pokemon do you use in the run?
A: I will use Squirtle to start off with, just like vanilla FRLG. Squirtle is the best option for clearing the early game. Because it's only used for the early game (through Mount Moon) there is no need to manipulate its stats. I will reset minus Attack and minus Special Attack.

Once I clear Mount Moon, repel skips render Kanto "pseudo-open world". There is, however, one mandatory trainer that needs to be fought to return to Viridian to get to the badge checks. He packs a L46 Machoke which our L21 Wartortle obviously can't beat. My solution is to skip into Celadon and buy an Abra from the Game Corner. Equipped with the Psychic TM and Lucky Egg, Abra can quickly rack up experience (and money) to be able to beat Machoke.

Abra can't tackle the Elite Four, so I will need to catch something else. I end up catching a Golduck (well, two to be precise, as there is another mandatory trainer just after the badge checks) for this. Golduck is not impressive by any means, but is the best option for the Elite Four and comes at a good level (L60-L62). I will reset minus Sp. Atk on Golduck.

Q: What is the WR?
A: 2:09:56 by me.

Q: How good could the time be with the repel trick?
A: I'll be thrilled with sub-2 hours!