A Pokémon Randomlocke on the Nintendo DS is the ultimate challenge for fans who find the standard games too predictable. By combining a "Randomizer" (which shuffles wild encounters, starters, and trainer teams) with "Nuzlocke" rules (where fainted Pokémon are gone forever), every run becomes a unique, high-stakes adventure. What is a "Randomlocke"?
A Randomlocke is a self-imposed challenge that merges two community-driven playstyles:
The Nuzlocke Challenge: The core rules require you to catch only the first Pokémon you encounter in each area and consider any Pokémon that faints to be "dead".
The Randomizer: This tool modifies a Nintendo DS ROM (like Platinum or HeartGold) so that almost everything is unpredictable. You might find a legendary Kyogre as your starter or face a trainer with a team of six Mewtwos on Route 1. Core Gameplay Features of DS Randomizers pokemon+randomlocke+ds+upd
Using tools like the Universal Pokémon Randomizer (Gen 1–5), players can customize their experience:
Starters & Wild Encounters: Shuffle the three starting choices and every wild spawn in the game.
Trainer Rosters: Every NPC trainer can be given completely random teams that scale with their level. A Pokémon Randomlocke on the Nintendo DS is
Stats & Types: For an "extreme" challenge, you can randomize Pokémon base stats, abilities, and even their elemental types (e.g., a Fire-type Bulbasaur).
Movepools & Items: Pokémon can learn entirely different moves via leveling up or TMs, and items found on the ground can be shuffled. Setting Up Your DS Randomlocke To start your run, you will need a few essential tools: How to Randomize Pokémon in 2024!
You clicked "Prevent Legendary Pokémon" like a coward before. The Update: Turn them ON, but add the "Master Ball Tax." If you catch a legendary, you must immediately use your Master Ball (even if you haven't found it yet—you owe it to the run) and you cannot use the legendary until you have 6 badges. It creates a late-game pay-off. Best for: Hardest randomlocke due to Challenge Mode
.nds and .sav files to your /Drastic/roms/ folder.Troubleshooting: If the game freezes after the intro, disable "Battle Style: Set" in your emulator settings. The upd has a known conflict with frame-skipping during trainer intros.
If you are playing a randomized Black 2 / White 2, the base game has anti-piracy triggers. You may need an AP-fix update patch applied after randomization to prevent freezes or EXP loss.
The developer (known as "KatelynLocke" on Discord) has hinted at version 3.0 for early 2024:
Follow the official thread on PokeCommunity Forums (search: "RandomLocke DS upd 2.1 support thread").
The DS games have amazing type diversity. Use it. The Update: You cannot catch a new Pokémon unless it shares a type with a dead Pokémon in your box. Lost a Geodude? You can now catch a Steelix, Golem, or... a Clefairy (Normal? No. Wait, Gen 6 made it Fairy, but on DS it's Normal—wait, no—check notes). You get the idea. It forces you to use weird counters.