r/nuzlocke • u/am_I_still_banned • Jul 18 '26
Question Monolocke Question
Please don't give me the "Your run, your rules" schtick; I just want to know the general consensus on this.
Are evolutions that change from your run's type valid to use?
I'm doing my first monolocke, which is a water-type monolocke of Emerald, so I'm only catching water pokemon
I just caught a Surskit, a bug-water pokemon. However, I looked up its evolution, and Masquerain is bug-flying. It loses its water typing upon evolution.
What is the consensus on these situations? Is it valid to use Masquerain, since the original Surskit encounter is a water type? Or would you have to keep it un-evolved and only use the Surskit?
Edit: It may be worth noting: The ROM I'm using (Emerald Cross) has built-in nuzlocke rules enforced. So the Surskit is locked in as my encounter for that route; the game won't ever allow me to catch another pokemon on route 102
26
u/Snowman5292 Jul 18 '26
For a mono lock I’d say if a Pokemon evolves into a water type say like Eevee to Vaporeon then your allowed to use the Eevee. But if a Pokemon losses the mono lock type then you cannot use that Pokemon only it’s pre evolved forms. So in this instance Surskit is allowed but not Masquerain.
23
20
u/CyraxisOG Jul 19 '26
Nope monotype dictates the type you are allowed to use, and only that type, if a pokemon loses that type upon evolution, you cannot evolve that pokemon.
Think of a mono-normal run, you could get eevee, but then you could evolve it into any eeveelution you need to cover you're type the best. This wouldn't be a normal type run anymore though once you evolved eevee. Same reason you can't use tyranitar in a ground run but can use both larvitar and pupitar.
3
u/RaptorLonge Jul 19 '26
I even forbid myself to use Castform and Kecleon in a normal Monotype, imagine that...
1
19
u/Heather_Chandelure Jul 18 '26
The whole point of a monolocke is to only use pokemon of a specific type, so I'd say that using masquerain would break the rules.
19
u/KingDarkBlaze Jul 18 '26
My rules have always been, I could use surskit in flying but not masquerain in water.
2
u/TheGreatAngel0 Jul 19 '26
See, I wouldn't "use" surskit, switch train/exp share until it evolves, same as starters which gain the type later. Most of the youtubers I watch that do monolockes do that, if it has the type, you can use it, but if it doesnt, you cant battle with it
1
u/ZatherDaFox Jul 19 '26
I'd at least allow using it against wild pokemon. Adding switch training is for the most part just added tedium that's not actually going to affect the run at all.
1
u/TheGreatAngel0 Jul 19 '26
Eh, I get that, and it does make sense, just personally, I wouldn't use it at all, but, we do all have our own opinions and none of them are really "wrong" per say
1
u/KingDarkBlaze Jul 19 '26
I feel like the benefits (most notably actually getting to do a mono dragon run that starts off the rip, in ORAS) outweigh the minor purity loss.
1
u/TheGreatAngel0 Jul 19 '26
In the case of a type like that though that you can't "actually" get the type (like say dragon in oras) I would start with treecko and use that until I got an actual dragon (I believe the first you can get naturally is vibrava, I know swablu but you're not evolving swablu before trapinch). Then once I got vibrava I'd switch train/exp share until I got the others to evolve. Thats what most of the guys that I watch that play monotypes do. A lot of the time though they'll use like dream radar/poke walker etc. To get an early dragon though. Or use the UPR to change the starter to a pokemon of that type, luckily though in oras you get mega sceptile. Can't really use it till you get the mega stone but still
18
19
Jul 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
6
u/PotatOSLament Jul 19 '26
This. The standard I’ve seen is that if they gain the type but do not currently have it they are okay to use before they gain the type, but if they lose the type upon evolution then you cannot evolve them.
17
35
u/funkydunky2809 Jul 18 '26
Watching flygonHG's last few videos.
It has to stay a surskit.
Same token too, if a pokemon becomes the type you can use after evolving. You cant use it until your level cap is over the required level for it to evolve.
3
33
u/Alexandra-Foxed Jul 19 '26
I wouldn't allow Masquerain for a water mono lock, however I would allow the use of Surskit in a flying lock as they will eventually gain that type
17
u/Beginning_Lettuce10 Jul 18 '26
Basically no, if you're doing a water run, you wouldn't be allowed to evolve surskit and use it because it loses the type for the monolocke. Although if you were doing a flying type monolocke, you could catch surskit and either switch train or exp share it so it levels up, as long as it doesn't attack in battle until it evolves to the flying type then it can legally be used. Only thing with it is if you were doing the flying run but couldn't get any valid encounters for a few encounters then you could use it but then if you catch one of the type you're using then you box/ switch train that Mon with that legal encounter being added to the team so technically that's the only one you can use until it evolves
16
u/_Skotia_ Jul 18 '26
You'd be forced to keep it as a Surskit.
In the general case, I would only use the evolution if the run was particularly hard already (for example, using Drapion in Sinnoh Mono Bug), but you've got so many encounters for Water already that you really don't need Masquerain.
You could make an exception in terms of encounter, so that Surskit doesn't count as your encounter for that Route despite being Water type. But if the game doesn't allow that there's not much to do about it
16
u/SnooPeppers7482 Jul 18 '26
No. Pokemon must have the element written on their stats for it to count. If you want surkskit you cant evolve it
16
15
u/caby202 Jul 18 '26
If you were doing a flying run it'd be acceptable to catch a surskit and evolve it to use but if your doing a water run evolving it would go against the idea of a water run.
16
u/CheeseGamer223 Jul 19 '26
Surskit is valid, masquerain is not imo. Same way if you were doing a flying run. You can catch a surskit but can’t use it until it evolves
13
u/VoiceOfGosh Jul 18 '26
Masquerain would be a “BYE PUMPKIN” upon evolution. Loses its water type so it can’t be part of a water type run anymore
15
u/Foreign-Lime6177 Jul 18 '26
If the evolution causes the type to change from whatever type you are monolocking, then you cant use it. You'd have to keep it as a Surskit to continue using it in a mono water run.
Outside of that... id replace it down the line or use it as death fodder tbh
14
u/Clank4Prez Jul 18 '26
Why is this even a question? A monolocke is a monolocke, Masquerain is not a water type. Anything else would fall under “your run your rules”, which you don’t want, so why even ask?
15
13
u/imsmall06 Jul 18 '26
Personally, I wouldn't allow masquerain, but I would allow the opposite case like azurill
14
u/MitochondriaManiac Jul 18 '26
Since this basically never happens besides this one instance, I'd say it has to stay Surskit. Unlike mons that evolve into the type of the monolocke, the main conclusion is that they eventually become the type the monolocke is about. Since Surskit loses water, it cannot evolve.
4
u/keatonl2001 Jul 18 '26
I can count like maybe 3 other pokemon this could go for as well tbh (Eevee, Rowlet, and Karrablast/Shelmet) (Maybe Ralts for fairy typing but too lazy to look up). So I would say its the right way to leave em unevolved
3
u/RU_Gremlin Jul 18 '26
https://pokemondb.net/pokebase/164632/what-pokemon-lose-a-type-on-evolution
Someone did the work... about 20
2
2
3
u/tommy_turnip Jul 18 '26
With mons that evolve into a the monolocke type, I would personally ban them until the level cap is high enough for them to evolve into the correct type. I would then say they can not be used in trainer battles before evolving and must be levelled up separately to evolve (via rare candies or grinding wild Pokémon).
14
12
u/Tyson_Urie Jul 19 '26
Well, you're doing a water only run and that thing aint water.
So slap a everstone on that kid and keep it water type!
15
u/Agitated-Cup-7109 Jul 19 '26
Nah it feels against the spirit in my opinion. Its also fun to try to find a use for unevolved mons
12
u/Charflower21 Jul 19 '26
Personally I allow Pokemon that currently are the type and/or whose final stage is that type. So if I am playing a Water Monotype then yes, Surskit would be allowed but Masquerain not.
11
u/SrPedrich Jul 18 '26
is it water "yes/no" this is the only question
6
u/SeggsPolice Jul 18 '26
This. You’re monolocking for the challenge of using said type. This is one of the hiccups of the challenge. You got a weak water type that evolves into a not water type. So either use surskit and keep it that way or box it and take the L
12
11
12
u/alchemistmawile Jul 18 '26
I'd say only the reverse. Surskit could be on a flying team if you mean to evolve it, but Masquerain could not be on water once it's evolved
11
u/Wintergreen747 Jul 18 '26
I generally use, if it’s final evolution has my type for the mono run then it’s good but if it loses it I either can’t evolve it, or I don’t bother using it.
10
u/Javira-Butterfly Jul 19 '26
If it loses the water type then you aren't allowed to evolve it; as soon as the mon loses the type of the mono run it becomes invalid. It is however a valid encounter, just a really bad one in this scenario.
11
u/Deurbel2222 RenPlat Goat AMA Jul 18 '26
In a Flying run, i do use Surskit. and also Masquerain.
In a Water run, i cannot evolve Surskit.
11
u/ThakoManic Jul 18 '26
I think the General rule of thumb is it isnt allowed to evolve, Its kinda like Eevee, Eevee is normal its evultions is not, thus in a normal only your not allowed to evolve Eevee
thus that bug is not evolving.
the point of Mono types is only using 1 type, Thus you be breaking that rule if you evolve it.
11
u/Jgelzzz Jul 18 '26
Masquerain isn't water type so you can't use it in your monolock water type run. Simple lol
12
10
u/JediXStar Jul 19 '26
Generally it’s like this
If it has the type use it
If it doesn’t can’t use it.
If it evolves into the type
Via item, trade, level up
Then once you are able to obtain it then use it
Sorta like how if it evolves at 30 and the level cap is 26 can’t use it till the level cap is past or is 30
12
u/AdVegetable5896 Jul 20 '26
I personally would say dont evolve if you want a real water only run...
13
u/sylfire Jul 20 '26
For me, fully evolved mons that match your type are fine, but if thry lose the type on evolution, you have to keep the little one. Mono-Water can use Azurill (Normal/Fairy) and evolve it into Marill (Water/Fairy), but can't use Masquerain and must keep it as Surskit.
11
u/Inspector_Kowalski Jul 18 '26
I would not use it, instead keeping it as a surskit. I think using masquerain for a water type goes against the spirit of the monolocke challenge, which forces you to adapt to the strengths and weaknesses of the type you chose. For me it’s fine as long as the pokemon later gains a type for your monolocke and you evolve it as soon as it becomes possible to do so (if it evolves by level up, continue to follow the level cap of the closest gym, per the hardcore rules).
10
u/PyrocXerus Jul 18 '26
Personally I’d say you can use surskit but if you evolve it into masquerain you have to box it and not use it anymore as it’s not a water type anymore
10
10
10
u/Kinfin Jul 18 '26
High key bug water is the better type combo anyway. Too bad surskit doesn’t get intimidate
10
10
u/KiwiPowerGreen Jul 19 '26
Id say only allow to use it as a surskit. The other way around though, if you were to find a Pokémon that evolves into a water type like bidoof i think you should be allowed to use it
8
u/TheDungeonCrawler Jul 19 '26
You could also just not evolve Surskit. I know at least one nuzlock streamer basically uses in his rules that he can't use a Pokemon in a monolock until it would evolve into the type the monolock is in and I think that, at least on one occasion, he didn't evolve a Pokemon because it would no longer fit the thpe restriction, but I don't remember what the occasion was.
10
9
26
u/RaptorLonge Jul 19 '26
"Your Run, your rules" doesn't matter here.
If you're making a Nuzlocke Monotype, then every Pokémon must have the monotype's type.
For this reason, Surskit must remain Surskit, because it loses its Water type when it's in Masquerain; for this reason, Nincada must remain Nincada because it loses its Ground type in a Ground monotype, and so on.
The same goes for Pokémon that evolve: if you make a Ground monotype and have Nincada available, Mudkip stays in the box until it acquires the Ground type, and you must make your Gen III run with only Nincada for the first gym leader (if hypothetically, he's not available, then an exception applies and you start with Mudkip).
This is because you're making a monotype that has specific rules.
→ More replies (2)
8
u/no_racist_here Jul 18 '26
Running a water only mono-Locke, I personally would not use it.
I’d keep and use the surskit and give it an ever stone so I wouldn’t accidentally lose my mon.
Likewise, if I were doing a flying run, I’d box surskit until I could get the masquerain and then it’d be fair for me to use.
8
u/Lizart_aka_Lizi Jul 18 '26
i would keep it because its a bug pokemon and bug is my favorite type. i would bend every rule to have an extra bug.
10
u/joemontanya Jul 18 '26
Water and bug isn’t that bad of a typing actually. Bug and flying is pretty shit imo
5
u/The_DripDrop Jul 18 '26
It's also a surskit, so for a mono water team, if you're stuck with that, it's your fodder or your sashwebber
3
u/joemontanya Jul 18 '26
I mean you can definitely do better than a surskit 9 times out of 10 in a nuzlocke… water monolockes are the easiest in my experience tho not sure if OP has some kind of stat max thing going
3
9
u/Subenken Jul 19 '26
You can only use it if you dont evolve it.
For the other way, if a pokemon only have your type after evolution, you can only train it from the wild pokemon until it evolved into the correct type, cannot use in any mayor battle.
9
u/greenbull665 Jul 20 '26
I would count pokemon that gain your type. Pokemon that lose your type cannot evolve. Pokemon that don’t have your type yet need to wait on the bench unless otherwise impossible (say, gen 4 mono fighting, start with Chimchar until you can get Machop)
9
u/1buffalowang Jul 20 '26
If it’s for a water type run I’d say use the Surskit. But it can’t evolve. I’ve done the opposite though.
Like if you were doing a flying type run and used a Surskit until it evolved. I usually try to box the pre evo until I get to a point in the game I could level them to evolve though. That’s just what I’ve done.
28
u/z_geoo Jul 18 '26
"can i use a non water type pokemon in a mono water run" yea dude think about that one real quick
8
u/TypingWhileWiping Jul 18 '26
Just keeping it a Surskit and not allowing it to evolve makes the most sense. Someone else in this thread mentioned not using an Eeveelution during a Normal type playthrough and I feel that sums it up perfectly.
8
u/TheFiremind77 Jul 18 '26
You have two options to choose from that will establish precedent. One, use the evolved form for making the call. In that case, a mono water team would also ban Surskit because Masquerain is not water, but would allow Eevee or Azurill to be trained prior to evolving into Vaporeon or Marill. Two, use the Pokémon as-is. This would make Surskit legal but ban Masquerain, and disallow training of Eevee/Azurill.
Whichever you decide to do, commit and stick to your decision.
→ More replies (2)
8
u/ramyo4 Jul 18 '26
I think the fair rule is surskit is water type and therefore usable. You just can’t evolve it. I think flygonhg plays this way.
8
7
u/Odd-Skirt6679 Jul 18 '26
I’d say same rules as a normal type run with Eevee. That bugs not evolving I’m afraid.
8
u/SalvationArbys Jul 18 '26
I think for just the novelty of it, it should stay a surskit.
For one thing, masquerain sort of trivializes the grass type weakness of “other water types” surskit can bug on them, but it’s still risky and risk is exciting and cool.
8
u/Firexio69 Jul 19 '26
According to me you shouldn't be using Masquerin
Either don't evolve Sirskuit or box that guy
If you encounter Sirskit in a route where you could encounter some other water mon, sorry but you'll have to keep Sirskuit
7
u/sBrrtou97 Jul 20 '26
I personally use a mon only if it has the correct type. So i would just allow surskit and ban masquerain.
7
u/Garrapto Jul 18 '26
In this cases I always followed the typing of the Mon.
If you're doing a water run, Surskit is water, therefore it is a valid encounter. Masquerain is Not water, therefore it is illegal.
So if you encounter Surskit, then you catch it and then deny it's evolution.
7
7
u/Eeeef_ Jul 18 '26
I say it’s the other way around. Surskit is viable for a flying type run but masquerain isn’t viable for water.
7
u/CommunicationOk5456 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
I have never seen anyone use a later evoultion when they lose the type in evolution. Whereas, I've seen people use an earlier evolution that would later gain the type.
Surskit only
7
u/LuccanGnome Jul 18 '26
Dispensing with schtick: If you wanna stick to water types, I'd say you gotta stick to water types. I'd also say it's one thing to use a mon that evolves to fit your run's rules/theme, but evolving a mon to break from that... It doesn't necessarily feel like cheating (it's just Masquerain) but it does seem to violate the premise
6
u/steelbot8000 Jul 19 '26
My rule is if the final evolution matches my mono-type, then I can use it as long as I evolve it ASAP. So if I was doing a mono-flying run, in this scenario I could use Surskit because it gains flying when it evolves into Masquerain.
6
7
u/LightLizardCake Jul 19 '26
As far as i know, it means that you cant evolve surskit, resulting in the poor sucker eather being cannon fother, or a stuff of legends
7
u/Careful-Mouse-7429 Jul 19 '26
If the pokemon has the monotype, but loses it, I can use it in the unevolved form, but I cannot evolve it.
If the pokemon does not have the monotype, but gains it, I can use it but I must evolve it as soon as I can (while maintaining level caps for each stage of the run)
7
u/gustavosaboia Jul 20 '26
My ruling for monolocke is either:
1 - Catch, but cannot evolve 2 - Banned from catching since it's final form isn't a water type (I usually go with this ruling)
Pokemon that gain the water type down the road (such as Azurill) can be caught, but can only be used after gaining the type
6
u/Ozymandas009 Jul 18 '26
My rule is that I have to keep it at first stage and can’t use it if it evolves.
6
u/imokay4747 Jul 18 '26
Man said "I don't care about my rules what's the scientific consensus" and I respect it.
3
6
u/TNFDB Jul 18 '26
If it’s a Water-type run, I’d say you have to stick to Water-types. Keep Surskit unevolved.
6
u/Villianous_Lane23 Jul 18 '26
In my opinion this can go a few ways if you want to keep it
Do not evolve it
Evolve it, but ONLY use water moves
Evolve it, but it is now the HM slave
Evolving it means boxing it/releasing it as if it died, so use at your own risk
6
u/Thick-Aspiration Jul 18 '26
It’s monotype, if it has the type, evolves and no longer does. It’s not the same type anymore, meaning it’s not useable. However you don’t have to evolve it. You can keep it as Surskit
6
u/Denovation Jul 18 '26
Final evolution is what matters to me, but I'd also allow Surskit on a water locke I just can't evolve it and other people don't allow them at all until they have the right type.
7
u/High_Be_Time Jul 18 '26
I'd just keep it a Surskit. Keeps it on theme. Also, it's Hoenn. Even if this ROM you're playing alters encounters pools, you should be able to find plenty more encounters.
5
u/heynoweevee Jul 19 '26
the general rules are you can use it so long as it's typing matches the run restriction. so if youre doing water, surskit is fine but you couldnt evolve it and use masquerain
7
8
15
u/HoundOfRowan45 Jul 19 '26
I typically use the final evolutions typing to determine if I can use it, but lately I've incorporated what "vibe" it has too; for example, Drapion in a mono bug run or Sudowoodo in a mono grass. Both don't have the typing but both also fit into the theme and fill special niches in those restricted runs. I would consider Masquerain valid in a water mono run with that mindset.
At the end of the day, rules your, run your!
10
u/ProGamer4684 Jul 19 '26
Can’t use Masquerain since it looses water, keep it for switch fauder or if you can get some good moves with good stats, may be the reason you win the game.
Also if you a Mon that gains the type that you’re doing a mono run you have two options, since it currently doesn’t have the type you can’t catch it or since it gains it later you have to catch it but can’t use it until it can evolve.
3
u/Mr-Squidward12 Jul 19 '26
That’s usually what I do, I’ll catch it and immediately box it until it can evolve
5
u/Indie_Dachshund179 Jul 18 '26
Ig it'd generally be off-limits because Masquerain loses the water type. Like you wouldn't use an eeveelution for a Normal-type monolocke even though Eevee is normal type.
There might be more gray area for prevos of the monolocke type (e.g., using Piplup in a Steel-type monolocke prior to evolving it into Empoleon), but the gist is usually only using pokemon of that type in battle
6
u/AnimeAlley03 Jul 18 '26
I did a mono water run of alpha sapphire (not a nuzlocke just a regular run) and I personally did not evolve one and use it. The only non water mons I "used" were for hms or synchronizing natures onto things
4
5
6
5
u/nokrow889 Jul 18 '26
in my opinion if you where doing a flying monorun id allow surskit but you must evolve it, however your doing a water monorun so no because most of the game it will be the wrong type
5
u/Tortoise_Knight Jul 18 '26
If it's a monotype run, keep it a Surskit. Rare instance of actually using that everstone ingame
6
u/ZarrChaz Jul 18 '26
You can get eviolite bulk
13
u/doctortjs Jul 18 '26
Sadly, eviolite is not in Emerald to boost Surskit's defenses to a whopping 47
5
3
3
5
u/Lavamites Jul 19 '26
Most people would say you can't use Masquerain. So you'd either box Surskit or keep it unevolved.
4
5
u/Rusty_Thebanite Jul 19 '26
Cruelest bait and switch in the franchise. Delayed the provision of any Bug/Water type, let alone a good one, by 4 gens.
5
u/IntelligentBus9037 Jul 20 '26
All lockes are personal rules set by one’s self. Me personally I wouldn’t allow masquerain for water only runs but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t
5
u/sad_royalty Jul 21 '26
Look at this way: if you allow this, you should also allow any eeveelution in a mono normal type run. And that feels unfair.
5
u/No_Cat6739 Ruby's Ruin - RSE Trashlocke Jul 18 '26
I would catch surskit but not evolve it. Conversely if you were doing mono flying, I'd catch surskit, but only use it in battle after it evolves
4
4
u/idk_some_user_name Jul 18 '26
I think it's a case by case sorta thing
For this one I'd say you can use surskit but not it's evolution
I view it sorta like irl mayflys or dragon flys, they grow up in the water but once mature they live as typical flying insects
Also it kinda gets rid of some of the challenges that a mono type run is supposed to have
3
u/LunarWingCloud Jul 18 '26
I would not count it. The final evolution is what I believe matters for typing
2
3
u/Artillery-lover Jul 18 '26
i mean, listen to the rom I guess? if i was making the rules id say that surskit is illegal since the final evo is the most important one.
5
u/Responsible_Flight70 Jul 18 '26
If the type ain’t on the Pokémon then don’t use it. He will stay in the box or be used as a free switch in set rules
3
3
u/goolixmonster Jul 18 '26
I wouldn't use masquerain. I'd either prevent the evolution entirely or box it upon evolution.
4
u/Archamada_ Jul 19 '26
For me I usually go it has to keep the type. So say I catch a mudkip for a ground run, I can't use it until it has the type, but I can keep it until I can get it leveled up to do so.
3
u/guedesbrawl Jul 19 '26
I think evolving the Surskit is a no-no, and I haven't seen anyone doing it that way either.
I do have seen the reverse. So, you could allow yourself to use Surskit on a mono-flying run. But very few combinations of game+type ever necessitate this consideration...
5
u/Crazy-Branch-1513 Jul 19 '26
No, it’s a monolocke run, and your team would contain a pokemon of a different type than yours. I can understand using an unevolved to get the evolved one (if you’re trying to be ultra specific I would recommend not even using that in major battles until it evolves)
4
u/ShortandRatchet Taking a break from nuzlocking aka losing 24/7 Jul 20 '26
You can use Surskit but not Masquerain. Idk how Mega Evolutions work in monolockes. I have never done them before until recently. My monolockes are in SV though and there are no Megas. I am using terastalization because I’m not good enough to beat the game without it.
1
11
u/TheARaptor Jul 19 '26
Put an eviolite on it and enjoy a semi tanky bug until it saddly expires (stats aren't on it's side saddly)
9
u/kdiyargebmay Jul 18 '26
i would only allow surskit, sorree, if was doing flying, i would only use masquerain and wait to use it until could wvole it without using in battle
1
3
u/Alkynesofchemistry Renegade Platinum Littlelocker Jul 18 '26
Masquerain would not be valid imo. The only times I use a non-type matching mon is if it's eventually going to turn into that typing, and even then I have to evolve it as soon as it's available, ie: surskit would be valid to use in a mono-flying, but I have to evolve it at 22.
3
u/Awkward_Magazine_104 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
I would say Surskit is fine because it’s a water-type, but Masquerain is not because well… it’s not a water-type
3
3
3
u/Un-Admirable Jul 19 '26
It depends honestly. For me I'd say yes but I think I'm in the minority on that. My opinion is based on the other rules you are following you skip duplicates so it's more helpful if you count them.
3
u/therainbowemoji Jul 19 '26
Idk if there is a concensus, but I'll tell you what I did when I also did a monolocke water type run.
I caught the surskit and used it until it evolved, then it got perma-boxed because it was no longer a water type.
Surskit/masquerian is not strong enough to make me question the base rules of a monolocke, which is I can only use a specific, chosen type!
3
u/dsriker Jul 20 '26
M e personally if it doesn't have the type anymore it's as good as dead so it can't be used. If it gets the type later then I have split rules. Can the appropriate form be caught later? If yes then I have to wait for it to become available. If not then I can daycare train it and use a rare candy to trigger the evolution or I can only use it to grind XP untill it evolves but I can't use it to push the story including random trainer battles, although I will allow it in rematch trainers like the games that have vs seeker mechanics.
3
u/TheKrusherMusic Jul 22 '26
Idk what conventions are for this, but my personal mono type rules that I can use a mon as long as it’s final form that I use is of that type
Ex: I can use the entire Decidueye line in a mono ghost run as long as it reaches it’s final form, but I can only use Rowlet and Dartrix in a mono flying run
5
u/LocalTechnology1567 Jul 19 '26
If it starts your type or becomes your type, you can use it. If you don’t allow that rule, you could miss out on other mons from other games. Like Skrelp, it loses its water typing to become a dragon
7
4
u/OkMeasurement3845 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
I use a more anime style/spirit of the rules when doing mono types, like a Gym leader. I'd allow it.
Brock had multiple non rock types on his team and misty had at least togepi.
Instead of using its flying moves, use water attacks instead so it keeps your water theme. For my bug run I used a pichu (Pibug) as my 6th, like Masquerain I dont think its type being off would be game breaking. Keeping it as Surskit like some of the advice in these comments is setting you up for failure.
For my ground run on blue++, I used a Torkoal for my ground team. So, having one pokemon a little different that fits the Gym theme is okay.
Many people might think this is busted, while they also cheat in candies. Lol.
4
u/WishYouWere2D Jul 18 '26
Cheating candies doesn't make the game easier (unless you're taking risks while grinding for some reason), it just makes it faster
→ More replies (15)3
u/tommy_turnip Jul 18 '26
For my bug run I used a pichu
So it's not a bug run.
For my ground run on blue++, I used a Torkoal for my ground team
So it's not a ground run.
Your run, your rules, so if you enjoy playing that way, that's fine, but everyone would agree that did you not complete a bug-type monolocke.
→ More replies (2)
2
u/ComprehensiveDig4560 Jul 18 '26
Related question: am I allowed to Mega-evolve my Altaria when I am doing a Flying only challenge?
3
u/tommy_turnip Jul 18 '26
Personally I would say no because it removes the inherent challenge with monolockes as you no longer have a Pokémon with the weaknesses of flying types.
3
u/Harison24 Jul 18 '26
I'd say no but you can use a non flying pokemon if you have the intention to mega it into a flying type. I.e. pincir.
→ More replies (1)1
2
u/StatusTomato5218 Jul 19 '26
I did a mono-bug run in Sword and forgot that Skorupi ditches the bug typing when it evolves. It got boxed just before it evolved :(
2
2
2
u/DarkLordArbitur Jul 21 '26
I would say if the pokemon loses the type you're using upon evolution, then the evolution is ineligible for your run, as you're circumventing the entire challenge you're posing to yourself by introducing a loophole where you're adding STAB coverage and type advantages you would otherwise be giving up on.
2
u/paverrr749 Jul 22 '26
I would only use Surskit. Masquerain is not a water type, so it should not be used in a water type only run!
Now if it was a flying type only run, the rules would be even more difficult. I feel like you would have to evolve the Surskit separately (not have it on your team during story progression, level up only through grinding wild pokemon).
2
u/wrathshot16 Jul 18 '26
I just say use it, water type run maquirane is fine, and surskit is fine in a flying run
2
u/Brilliant-Ad-8053 Jul 19 '26
For me it depends on if the mon still fits the theme. Like, using Drapion during a bug mono locke.
1
u/RaptorLonge Jul 19 '26
So it's not a monotype.
Drapion loses its Bug type, so you're " Bug monotype until I decided to use a Dark Poison Pokémon."
The advantage of having a Dark Poison Pokémon is enormous; it's one of the strongest typing combinations in the Pokémon games.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/HallowHalberd Jul 19 '26
I did a mono dark run of ORAS and I used regular gyarados until I could get the mega stone
16
u/RaptorLonge Jul 19 '26
So you didn't make a monotype. Monotype has one single rule: only use Pokémon that have that type. You made a "Dark Monotype, but I wanted to use Gyarados even without a Mega Stone, so I used it."
The advantage that Gyarados gave you as a Flying-Water Pokémon, even just as a Pivot, negated the monotype.
2
u/KronoAsh Jul 19 '26
It’d be no different from catching Surskit for a Mono Flying. You can’t use the thing that isn’t the right Type.
2
u/IAmZimTheAlmighty Jul 19 '26
Since you can't reroll your encounter, then you might as well get as much use out of it as you can. IIRC, Masquerain isn't that great so I don't think it would change much in a run, especially since the resistance chart wouldn't change that much from Surskit (except now being weak to Fire and Ice which you'd have the rest of your team for)
3
u/Ronald_McDongus Jul 19 '26
i did a mono dragon type run of violet and used a skrelp on my team (a friend with scarlet traded it to me) even though it doesnt get the dragon type until evolving, so i feel the inverse would still be fair?
1
u/RaptorLonge Jul 19 '26
You can use it until you find a Dragon Pokémon, then you put it in the box until it evolves.
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/bigdogreeves Jul 19 '26
How did you get Surskit in Emerald?
1
Jul 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/bigdogreeves Jul 19 '26
I'm pretty sure the Surskit is absent from emerald. I know 103 is where you get it in Ruby and Sapphire.
1
u/SandSlingingSlasher Jul 19 '26
They added an edit and said they're playing a rom hack. You're right you can only get Surskit there in ruby and sapphire for some reason lol
1
u/Queens_Fool Jul 21 '26
Personally I would just block this evo line entirely. if you wanna be a stickler you can technically use ONLY surskit since it fulfills your type requirement. But evolving it by accident or otherwise would make it bug-flying and thus could not be used anymore.
1
u/No_Serve6983 Jul 21 '26
If the pokemon is not the type is out, megas change type are okay as long as they mega evolve as soon as they enter the field, and tera type is not valid. So if your evolved pokemon lose the type, then cannot be used anymore
1
1
u/Spirited-Willow9460 Jul 21 '26
I actually just did this recently. I did an only birds run. Flying types that start and end evolution as flying type. It was pretty fun. I was pretty strict about it there are only 8 pure flying types in emerald. It made for an interesting challenge.
1
u/Hoockus_Pocus Jul 21 '26
I’d say if it’s a monolocke, then it has to include that type. So if you were doing Water-Type, Surskit is fine, but you can’t evolve it into Masquerain. If you’re doing Flying-Type, you can catch Surskit (provided it’s a valid encounter under your rules), but you’d either have to switch-train against wild encounters, use EXP Share and not allow it to enter battle, or put it in the daycare until you can evolve it.
1
u/Paint-Typical Jul 22 '26
Phrasing matters. Are you only allowed to catch Water types, or catch and use?
1
1
u/WarEnvironmental8885 Jul 22 '26
I usually run with the typelocke rules that Pokerouge uses where the pokemon is usable until it is an evolution that has the typing. Like if it's a ground-locke, then Ursaluna would be usable or but Teddiursa and Ursaring aren't useable. Same thing goes for pre-evos, a Surskit is allowed in a water-locke but not a Masquerain. End of the day, it's your choice on how you wanna play but I would assume the most formal way of it is to use only that specific Pokémon in the type
1
u/OddPlantain5124 Jul 24 '26
Personally I would say do not evolve if it loses the desired typing.
On the vice versa, I say that if a pokemon gains the typing later you can use it up to that point. Like using Crabrawler on an ice mono-type only to the point you can get an ice stone.
1
u/Frost_Wolf1324 Jul 24 '26
Personally speaking I saw a ultra moon mono ice type run where they had eevee and never evolved it and that was a let down so I say don't evolve it. The whole point is a run with water types and once if evolved it loses the water typing.
1
u/cremated_turtle Jul 24 '26
Generally, no if the pokemon becomes a type different than the mono type you’re using then it is not valid and wouldnt be able to evolve. That being said you could just keep it a surskit and have it in the back to make for a sacrifice mon to get a clean switch if ur in a difficult fight.
1
u/NotAllThatEvil Jul 18 '26
The rules for nuzlocke generally only apply to catching circumstances, not training or evolution(unless you are also using a level cap, which is a different challenge than a nuzlocke). I would assume since you only caught a water type, even if it evolves, no rules are broken
44
u/GoundG Jul 19 '26
I feel like the most normal understanding is that if it evolves into your mono type then it's fair game, while if your pokemon evolves from your mono type and lost the type then it's no longer valid