Ghoul-style Ironmon FAQ

Okay Ghoul, what the heck?

Yeah I know. I've said in the past I don't really like Nuzlockes in Pokemon because, IMO, a speedrun is just a perfect Nuzlocke run, almost by definition and while Ironmon can be fun to watch, it's not something I'd be interested in... partially because I don't really like how Pokemon Randomizers function.

So what is this? What's different from Pie's basic Ironmon

So, I think there's merit to a randomizer in that it creates a new landscape - new pokemon are on each route, the starters change, etc. The downside is... I really think it messes with the leveling curve in a very unfun way. It's extremely common to be 40% up on levels relative to your opponent at a very early stage compared to playing the base game, so you have this weird thing where, as long as you get past Misty, you are significantly favored in every single fight. There's a setting in the randomizer that tries to keep enemy BST somewhat close to what's expected - I'll toggle that and see if that keeps the EXP inflation somewhat in check.

Second... There's a lot of weirdness in how Randomizer alters Pokemon functionally. Because BST spreads don't actually exist in the traditional way, Pokemon are, for better or worse, defined almost entirely by their BST and their defensive typing. Because STAB is a bonus and not expected, having a good offensive type is actually functionally worthless if it's a bad defensive type. Furthermore, the advantage of being dual type disappears (I'd be curious if someone would mod the games where dual type take 3x damage instead of 4x and if that increases the viability of dual type in randomizers but that's neither here nor there)

So what's the same and what's new?

Pokemon locations, starters etc are all randomized. I think that's a fun way to make it feel like a new game and a roguelike. Pokemon BST distribution and moves are all going to be the same. Evolution will be randomized... but not follow the type guidelines. I think this means I can A) build some very fun, unique pokemon but also, I'll have to use each pokemon for their own strengths and merits. Pokemon BST is supposed to match how it works in the game so early pokemon should be weak, stronger pokemon should show up later. I'll be following most of the rest of Pie's Kaizo ruleset - if you really need to see that, I'll explain

This is an experiment - I will not feel obligated to continue if I don't really like how this plays or if it makes for poor content. Thanks to Pie for the idea and how his ruleset changes the game into a roguelike - hopefully this is a fun twist!