Best Hardcore USUM Ruleset

After 100+ hours hardcore nuzelocking UM, this is the ruleset I found works best for a hardcore run of this game (remember rules are subjective to whatever is the most fun to you)

  1. Permadeath
  2. Nicknames
  3. First Encounter
  4. No healing/stat boosting items in battle and set mode in battle
  5. Set Mode
  6. No over leveling past trial or grand trial ace (all of the above are the basic hardcore rules)

Here are some added rules to balance the game:

  1. No Z moves (can easy destroy some trials)

  2. SOS encounters don’t count as first encounters (leads to selecting level, higher IVs, and better Pokémon, can be broken at times)

  3. The use of adrenaline orbs, ev boosting items, and move tutors are allowed

(Move tutors are not broken in this game, and adrenaline orbs help speed up EV training along with ev items)

  1. Dupe Clause (sometimes gives a free larvitar encounter and other good free encounters, but still a necessary rule)

  2. Route 1 encounter is only the grubbin you are locked into (splitting route 1 makes the early game easier, encounters don’t start until pokeballs are received, and grubbin, although always guaranteed, counts at the first encounter)

  3. EXP share can be kept on, but is recommended to turn off when level cap is close (exp share should be off in early game until level cap is more manageable)

  4. Locked in trials after starting (some trials reset after leaving and leads to breaking level caps)

  5. Edging level cap starts when trial begins (Trials are inconsistent with level caps so going above level cap starts when trial begins)

  6. If a Pokémon goes above the level cap, box them directly after until next cap

Again, self imposed rules are made to provide the player with the best experience, so feel free to change the rules to whatever fits best in your run