CAN I BEAT A POKÉMON HEARTGOLD HARDCORE NUZLOCKE WITH ONLY BUG TYPES!? (Pokémon Challenge)

It's time for another Pokemon challenge! HeartGold with only Bug types sounded like a really fun idea since it's the weakest type by base stats, so here's my attempt. HeartGold is an amazing game and an even better remake, so let's do this!
We've done some hard Pokemon challenges in the past, but usually they were a solo Pokemon challenge run. What if we still did a really difficult challenge... but with a full team using hardcore nuzlocke rules, and with only one type? Today we find out: can I beat a Pokemon HeartGold Hardcore Nuzlocke with only Bug types?
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Monotype Hardcore Nuzlocke Ruleset:
(1) If a Pokémon faints, it must be permanently boxed or released.
(2) Only the first type-specific Pokémon encountered in each Route/Area can be caught.
(3) No Legendaries/Mythicals, duplicates, or same-evolution-line Pokémon can be caught or used. If a duplicate is encountered, the next unique type-specific Pokémon encounter can be caught.
(4) Additional Pokémon may be caught for the purpose of HM use, but these may not be used in battle at any time during the run.
(5) No Items can be used in battle (Held Items are allowed).
(6) Party Pokémon levels are limited to the highest level Pokémon of the next Gym Leader or Elite 4 Member. So long as your Pokémon are at or below the level cap when the Gym Leader/Elite 4 Member battle starts, they can level up mid-battle.
(7) "Set" Battle Mode must be used at all times.
(8) No connecting with other games for the purposes of trading/importing Pokémon, Items, etc.
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#PokemonChallenges #HardcoreNuzlocke #PokemonNuzlocke

[@SilphSpectre]

Happy Sunday, Silph Squad! It's time for a brand new challenge! Make sure to double-check that you're Subscribed to the channel to help us reach the big 100k goal! I really want to make an impact in the community towards more fun content, so the simple click of a button helps a ton with achieving that!

[@arunyadav581]

Please do fier type only in Pokemon XYZ

[@rubaiatrabby9177]

Can beat pokemon platinum only with ash sinnoh team no hm slave

[@AliLiz91]

I love monotype challenges :D And maybe if you were up to it, look into that Pokémon Radical Red ROM (: Love your channel! Keep up the great work dude :D

[@natehasenecz4100]

Silph, these hardcore nuzlocke videos are absolutely awesome, and I adore the gen 3, 4, and 5 games. Haven’t enjoyed watching KZbin this much since the true power tournament!

[@ko89n]

What about the Kanto side out of curiosity?

[@chubbyman_]

The moral of the story: Don't fuckle with Shuckle.

[@sircommenter5490]

Funny

[@OneMoreTenTimes]

If you fuckle with the shuckle you will be fuckled by the shuckle

[@artkuzon2706]

You made my day, thank you for existing

[@diobranded]

The struggle is real kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJytdJuJeKqpl6s

[@thelionman09]

@@artkuzon2706 Sad life you must have

[@kennovafastforward8460]

Him: it took 120 headbutts to get herecross Me: that poor ratata! It probably has almost no brain or head left!

[@jhilamhazra8097]

Underrated

[@iwhbydbadbmotf8915]

I usually headbut a particular tree and multiple nozlockes heracross has been my first find.

[@wilfredboss4812]

i really didn't think of that, the rattata is dead so we should just count it as a death

[@christopherambrosio8024]

Me staring at the Heracross I just got after 7 headbutts next to Bugsy's gym

[@sticks1323]

MY GRANDMOTHER.

[@luizbezerra4373]

Before starting to watch this video, just wanted to remind everyone that Bugsy swept everyone on the Johto True Power Tournament

[@jitomaynez]

I've only done 1 nuzlocke, Bugsy stopped me from becoming a nuzlocke master :'v

[@rjthepoet500]

This is THEE comment!

[@atvfellonmewheniwas7454]

Never forget

[@cjaquino28]

We will never forget.

[@jeffreygao3956]

Good for them! *kisses Bugsy*

[@Vesdus]

16:52 The man gives you a Shuckle because he is afraid your rival will come back to kidnap it. Your rival actually steals his Sneasel from that man.

[@pumpkin6192]

Source?

[@lucettaalexander]

•_•

[@DaTunaGoddess]

Wait whaat

[@princessc.j.6192]

Yo ive been alive for ever and never knew tht thank u

[@rboss5919]

How'd he get a Sneasel in Johto?

[@RavebirdRock]

"Speaking of my grandmother, spinerak evoles" What do those two things have to do with each other!?

[@Idkwhattoputlmaoejjdjsdn]

Ariados is a spider. Spiders weave webs. Grandmas sew. Yeah

[@landongreer4401]

Yeah. And grinding on route 38?!

[@danieledwards3501]

I think he was linking it to the ghost type gym and not the evolution

[@dutchjoyce6106]

because he said it would be very helpful for the ghost type gym leader

[@sceptile7581]

@@elliotw.888 Honestly no one asked

[@vegaphoenix475]

Yanmega was the Pokémon design that caused me to re-evaluate bug types and now they’re one of my favorites.

[@Z5Z5Z5]

Poison and Bug are my favorite types

[@Brokenscam]

Personally I would say that it was either escavalier or scolipede are bug Pokemon that did that for me.

[@jonnylawless6797]

Heracross will forever have a place on my team. Ever since I found one in Emerald, it's been a go-to.

[@fawnieee]

@@jonnylawless6797 Scyther for me. I think it's so cute.

[@unholynoise3087]

My top 3 are bug, poison, and then dark. Dragon is probably 4th but thats because I just love dragons in general. My favorite bug is Scoilipede, Poison is a tie between seviper and arbok (because I love snakes so much) and dark is Murkrow. For dragon, I love the dieno line, especially dieno because the cute and Hydrigon because of the power and design, its just really annoying to get because it evolves at lvl 64

[@AhmedHussain-ju6xd]

39:25 YES, _the dragon slayer strikes back_

[@MisterSleep1123]

AATTVV

[@sakuranakamura1814]

AATTVV's legacy continues!

[@alexthecursedchild3968]

ur everywhere in the video,s i watched

[@DaGoof120]

Watching a venomoth take out 3 dragonite in a row was extremely satisfying to watch

[@marthabolanos5930]

Venomoth: *Kills Lance's Dragonites* Me: *TPP flashbacks*

[@rossy9095]

ATV was the first thing I thought of haha!

[@axlvegeta5473]

"Complete" Red: Am I a joke to you

[@andrewmueller9182]

seems like you're the only other person that thought why didn't he go on to challenge Red???

[@cynniethia]

unpopular opinion: bug types have some amazing designs. edit: my favorites are scolipede, illumise, phermosa, scizor AND LEAVANNY. leavanny is like my 6th favorite pokémon.

[@clarafindley6689]

This isn't a unpopular opinion really

[@SCOTLAND_ISGREAT]

Yeah they do

[@nero7862]

Scizor top 5 favorite pokemon for me

[@pkmntrainer8115]

Gen one bug catchers are proud

[@clarafindley6689]

@@nero7862 same

[@Hamanuna]

Wait... Floofy is the same underleveled Venomoth that beat Lance's Dragonite in Pokemon Twitch?

[@megabladechronicles962]

ATV's little brother

[@Hamanuna]

@@megabladechronicles962 Yes... I know he has a family!

[@Hikari16Itsumo]

I thought the same

[@jacobbaker6592]

Atvs son

[@BurakkuHishou]

It's destiny

[@osmall111]

You had a perfectly good opportunity to call this the Buzzlocke

[@abdurehmanmalik808]

SilphSpectre: "On Route 29 we have our first act of kindness; Lyra gives us some Poke-balls!" Prof. Elm who gave him a starter, Prof. Oak who gave him a Pokedex, the old man who gave him a tour of town and free running shoes, his mom who volunteered to be a free bank service and a bunch of others that I'm probably forgetting: "Why are we still here- just to suffer?"

[@iantaakalla8180]

When all of those helpful NPCs form the Pokémon equivalent of the Diamond Dogs:

[@flamenny9936]

This looks like an absolute nightmare, I'm concerned about your sanity sometimes with these runs

[@sneakyasian589]

1A`ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Ü L ÜÜ

[@ygorules2]

Fast Balls work better on mons with base 100 speed or higher. Yanma’s is around 95 unfortunately

[@ActualTrash8]

Wait dont quick balls do that and fast balls are better when you do it on the first turn?

[@alenrodriguez8211]

@@ActualTrash8 you got them reversed

[@ActualTrash8]

@@alenrodriguez8211 oh

[@wonder777warrior6]

all i got are heavy balls fam.

[@paxtonstewart8042]

Is no one gonna talk about how Butterfree managed to survive all the way through this nuzlocke? The mad lad was there from the start

[@moose4134]

For one of your next hardcore nuzlockes, try Ice types only. Most generations will make this one very difficult and probably very interesting. I'd say gen 4 has some interesting options for dual ice types.

[@LucasMachadoS]

YES, ice types only would be a CHALLENGE

[@yukarimi3224]

But aren't most Ice types locked to almost the final stages of the game? The first ones that came to mind were the Ice Path in Johto and the Shoal Cave in Hoenn

[@moose4134]

@@yukarimi3224 yeah i suppose i can't think of a good way to obtain any ice types early game

[@iantaakalla8180]

If there were to be an Ice-type challenge, it would have to be in Black or White (because of Vanillish), X or Y (because of Amaura and Lapras) or Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (because of Smoochum and Lapras and Seel and Crabombinable). I would say Sword and Shield because you can get a large variety of Ice-type Pokémon , but getting your Ice types from there will involve Dynamax Adventures and a few Wild Areas and all those Pokémon are at high levels. I guess you could try for a Snover or a Vanillite in the non-DLC Wild Areas, but even then that’s two Pokémon until just before the sixth gym. That being said, since the universal randomizer works on X and Y and also Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you can give yourself an Ice-type as a starter.

[@CAMSLAYER13]

@@moose4134 yea, i think you'd actually need to pick a starter and hack it in.

[@andy3622]

Kingdra as it crits silph "trust no one, not even yourself"

[@The_Court_Poet]

13:30 “Speaking of my grandmother, Spinarak evolved” is one of the weirdest connecting sentences I’ve ever heard

[@SupermarketSweep777]

The trainers in Jasmine's gym were also in the lighthouse. You already fought them, which is why only Jasmine remains.

[@ashleighrazel9030]

Your heracross has the based nature. Karate chopped miltank while charmed.

[@GeoArchon123]

Best nature.

[@liamschermer7901]

"Mother didn't raise no simp" - Heracross probably

[@angelicaph483]

Well that heracross has a sigma mindset lol

[@beebobber546]

“We have some limitations” (no Ledian) I wouldn’t call that a limitation 😂

[@johnapple6646]

@@jalvarez8941 dies in one hit in the late game and never has time to set up

[@eheroneos56]

Man seeing Floofy do that brought me back to TPP and AATTVV taking out Lance's Dragonite.

[@leandrevillamero799]

Yanmegas move pull is shallow,so its honestly underwhelming,since if he had a better move pull,he couldve been a reliable fast,sp atk sweeper since each turn it increases speed with speed boost.

[@jerryrobinson9985]

I'm surprised you chose Cyndaquil I thought you'd choose chikorita so silver would have cyndaquil to make the challenge even insane

[@luisdolivari6441]

i mean its easy to say when you are not doing it

[@Zwarrior2Fires]

The bug only rules made this more than hard enough bro lol

[@stellarknight04]

I think Butterfree can take on Quilava, but no one can hurt Typhlosion until he gets Shuckle

[@AliLiz91]

Holy smokes! I'm so looking forward to this! A full bug team sounds interesting. I'm loving your challenges :D

[@latrodectusmactans7592]

Venomoth beating Lance’s Dragonite brings back memories of Twitch Plays Pokémon.

[@icedtea241]

just in case anyone was wondering, heracross is always lvl 3-5 in hgss so if you find a tree that has spearow or aipom that are lvl 6-8, heracross won't be found there. I think silph also said they can only be found on rt 33 but that's not true, I found mine in azalea town and I believe there's one more place as well... anyway, these videos are always so enjoyable and I hope you all have a lovely day :)

[@CreativeWitchArt]

The fire and flying type gym- UNLIMITED POWER The physic type gym- im too weak!

[@joshuamercer7572]

Amazing run! Bug types are my fav and the Spinarak line is tied with the Joltik line as my fav Pokémon, so seeing Jeffrey put in work was a big dopamine rush! Truly, you make the Buggernaut proud.

[@Zitos77]

Ahh another amazing video as always. Seriously this and the True Power Tournament have given me a new love and respect for the bug type.

[@Thurblife]

I've been enjoying your nuzlocke content as I have been running through a HGSS hardcore nuzlocke as my first ever nuzlocke, it's been quite the challenge. Having your videos has gotten me through a ton of grind sessions. Keep it up brother!

[@jbillion]

Seems like you're really enjoying these HC Nuzlockes Silph, its nice to see such frequent uploads!

[@SillyInsaneGamer]

Damn, that was both amazing as pretty brutal occasionally! I wasn't expecting Butterfree to do so amazingly though, nice run man! Always excited for your runs! ^^

[@yetigames7513]

venomoth, the dragon slayer has once again destroyed lance's dragonite

[@zach1171]

What a coincidence, I just started one of these on my own the other day, and im at the second city right now!

[@zach1171]

@@haaazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Yea butterfree is lowkey carrying me atm, spinarak and paras are trash compared to it, Compound eyes sleep powder is really good at this point of the game

[@SilphSpectre]

Best of luck Zack! Keep me posted on your progress & team

[@zach1171]

@@haaazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Damn that sucks, I think sleep powder butterfree will do fine against the gym, since im pretty sure it 4x resists uturn from scyther

[@zach1171]

@@SilphSpectre Preciate it! I’ll see what you do in this video when i watch it in about 30 minutes after church service is over, and i’ll see how you beat bugsy

[@zach1171]

@@haaazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Unless quick attack crits me, i should be able to sleep powder and 2 hit K.O with gust from butterfree, but you never know 🤷‍♂️. i’ll let you know how it goes

[@adamjsher04]

I mean, Venomoth has a reputation these days for being the Dragon Slayer

[@brendancosgrave2490]

Great video Silph, my favorite game with one of my favorite types. I did think that Lance's outrage might have caught you at the end but well played. Looking forward to the next one.

[@juno6195]

I’ve been doing the masuda method recently and I often watch these videos while I’m doing that as they’re engaging and fun, so I just wanna say thanks :)

[@shooting_25]

Ah yes “oh speaking of my grandmother spinarak evolved”

[@simonsays617]

this is my first time being relatively early for a video, this is awesome! just wanted to say i love your content, im a new subscriber but ive been binge watching your videos while i work on art- you're narrating is so well written and i enjoy watching these challenges!. u inspired me to pick up a nuzlocke again with my friend and ive been having so much fun :D hope youre having a good one! Thanks for the great content

[@serenity5809]

I've literally been waiting for a new video to come out. Thanks for all the great content.

[@ThePokeTran]

What an amazing run, the bug types really surprised me

[@clarafindley6689]

Congratulations on 80k subscribers

[@kingX777]

You killed Lances charazard with a Shuckle, wow 👏🏽👏🏽

[@andyschulltz]

I’m absolutely loving this series so far. Keep it up!

[@skeetermania3202]

Well, here’s a first. A Johto challenge that doesn’t go all the way to Red. Really puts into perspective how awful the level curve in this game is.

[@Gwynbleidd1724]

Silph on Sundays always a joy

[@Gauntlet7514]

5:32 never thought I would hear someone having a hard time against a Beedrill, I get why but I still never thought I would hear that

[@visioapparel4302]

Between these and the true power series you're one of the best pokemon channels hands down. keep it up

[@Mekkles]

Silph have you always used hardcore nuzlocke rules in your runs or did Jan "Pokemon Challenges" inspire your ruleset? Just curious, love your vids keep up the good work.

[@amparolopez6236]

Just a note Pokemon Challenges did not invent the "Hardcore nuzlocke" all he did was give it the name.

[@Mekkles]

@@amparolopez6236 Thanks I'm aware. Maybe you disagree but I definitely think he's the one popularizing them more now than ever. I don't think it's a coincidence that he and hardcore nuzlockes are blowing up in tandem right now and the last few months.

[@JNT101]

Comments are Infinitely good for the KZbin algorithm. P.S. - this challenge seems very tough.

[@cardaaa3857]

I love your commentary during these types of videos. Keep it up!

[@thesaltyweeb]

Nice run man! Pity you lost Yanmega earlier... I really wanted to see how it would have performed! But man that ending with Venomoth... erm Floofy beating the last 2 Dragonites was damn good!

[@AhmedHussain-ju6xd]

Nice to see a hardcore nuzlocke. Comments are still good for the youtube algorithm

[@Aerowarrier]

Dude went into Lance without detect, that was a big mistake lol

[@kenichilegend]

Great video Man! i love this challenge, i wanted to try it too, i did a poison tipe nuzlocke and got the usual OP venomoth that we all love. About this i wanted to tell you that after you reach 4th gym, even without the badge, you can get to lake rage, there you can catch venonath at a low level with pretty good moves. at the same point you can also get girafarig, if you do a solo psychic type it could be useful to know.

[@LucasMachadoS]

That run was INTENSE, thinking on doing a bug monotype run myself Actually, your video is the first nuzlocke played on HGSS I've seen on YT, nice played dude!

[@AhmedHussain-ju6xd]

Unpopular opinion: Bug types have some of the best designs and has a lot of good pokemon

[@quinceekingston4335]

One of my favorite channels for sure

[@SilphSpectre]

Thanks Quincee!! That's a huge compliment and your support means a lot :D

[@1337-Nathaniel]

"without that crit we had a good chance of going through deathless" Meanwhile, poor Forretres is already pretty dead and forgotten. Poor Walnut

[@Amelia4111]

FORRETRESS IS SUPPOSED TO END WITH 2 S'S!

[@damjankrupa3950]

Lance's Dragonites: I fear no Pokemon. But that thing... Floofy: Lance's Dragonites: It scares me.

[@grungscreamvr8864]

Jeffrey: I'm somewhat of a clown myself.

[@JetblackJay]

Where's red

[@jeffreygao3956]

Because he’s afraid of getting a dot dot dot.

[@Mmmjakis]

Bug types are incidentally my favorite. Ninjask is my fav (tied with Crobat) and I love Forretress and Heracross, Scizor, etc. They just look so cool!!

[@LiberatorGalore]

Flutter the Butterfree was my favorite to watch during your playthrough, however that Floofy caught be by surprise!!!!

[@kohinoorbanerjee4009]

Could you maybe do one with fire types, my favourite type of them all?

[@Azumafoo]

As everyone else has been saying I love your vids too

[@AliLiz91]

I love your username and profile pic lol :D

[@ssds24]

Thoroughly entertained throughout the whole vid. Great job!

[@jfor817]

Recently found your channel and have watched all your challenges this past week love these

[@vbph2011]

Woop! Automatic watch, as always. Any plans to play through a Drayano hack, like Renegade Platinum? A hardcore nuzlocke might be hard for one of them, so maybe a regular nuzlocke?

[@SilphSpectre]

Hey Josh! Thanks for the support my friend. Rom hacks are definitely in the future; there are some intriguing things we can do with them for sure :)

[@shironasama0445]

Don’t have to force jokes my guy, your runs are interesting as is.

[@broworm1]

a butterfree getting a fly damage boost from a big beak while making a gust of wind, love it

[@staybizzyentertainment1759]

I love these videos so much man! You are my favourite poketuber by far!

[@Demo54321]

Would really love to see these kinds of nuzzlock on rom hack games like renegade platinum and Storm silver

[@AhmedHussain-ju6xd]

Yanma be like: *Fast as fu** *boi*

[@Duppling]

Step one: Pray for a Heracross Step two: Pray it has a nature that boosts attack Step three: Get Swords Dance and Metronome (Held) through the Game Corner in Goldenrod Step four: Find Drain Punch next to the silo thing Step 5: Get as many attack EVs as possible Step 6: Use swords dance once or twice before spamming Drain Punch and win. If you find a ghost, just teach it a physical non-Normal or Fighting type move

[@norbelarchilla5578]

This is my fav nuzlock, and after watching it like 3 times NOW I get the "speaking of my grandmother" reference, jeez going against a ghost type gym cold as ice

[@nazgultheblackrider2641]

first I LOVE UR VIDS

[@g0ttathedead]

I just subbed yesterday keep up the good work

[@Soviet_gengar]

Sliph: 1 found heracross by headbutting 120 times... Me: found hercross by headbutt 4 times

[@LordBathtub]

Me and my best pal, now flatmate, did something similar. We didnt play Nuzlocke but we did a full bug only playthrough, i did most of the planning work and he did all the controlling amd grinding. It was absolutely fantastic fun, took us about 10 days and we made it really interesting by shaking up the team as we went and trading some cool pokemon over from other games. Absolutely loved it 🥰

[@Skyfighter64]

I've got an idea for a Pokemon challenge that I would like to hear some opinions on: What about a 6-Pokemon run. Rules are similar to Nuzzlocke (with hardcore version as an option), with a couple exceptions: 1. No route/capture restrictions. If you see the Pokemon you want, capture it. No limit on tries. 2. You have 6 Pokemon you are allowed to work with. If it is in your party for any reason, it stays, and can not be replaced. Faint is still box or release, runner's preference. 3. No slots for HM slaves. You have to work HM's into your set party of 6. I figure this probably wouldn't be in and of itself too tough, since not restricting what Pokemon you can capture gives you more options, but on the other hand, forcing you to only allow to use 6 at all means any Pokemon losses are devastating, especially if there are late game mon's that you want on your team. I figure there's a balance somewhere of needing some early game Mons and the sheer power of some of the late game psuedo's. Anywho, I was just thinking about this as a thought experiment, so let me know if it sounds like a fun idea.

[@james_ford86]

@SilphSpectre I'm fairly certain Will's Xatu has the Early Bird ability, which wakes it from sleep faster than other pokemon. Relying on sleep against them was a misplay. Thankfully, you didn't have to pay for it too hard.

[@thedudedarius3318]

New to the channel. Really liking the hardcore challenges. Keep up the work

[@deyndel]

I was HOLLERING for you after beating Whitney with my all time favorite bug, Heracross. Definitely earned a sub. 👍🏼

[@SomeguyRants]

Great video didn't think I'd watch it all but i love bug types and HGSS so It caught my attention all the way through.

[@infamousgengar2706]

Working my way through the series! Enjoying it really well

[@Mason-kd7xk]

I'm sorry but the juxtaposition of losing foretress and shuckles uselessness and sprite at @26:00 had me dying! great video!

[@acriolu]

Rewatching since I'm currently doing my own HeartGold Bug type only hardcore nuzlocke challenge

[@retrovibez1176]

that whitney fight is why i’m convinced CPU trainers have boosted RNG

[@AhmedHussain-ju6xd]

My man your nuzlockes are a banger. Hopefully you will reach 100K subs soon

[@CMZneu]

Great NUZLOCKE!!! butterfree + sleep powder + compound eyes is actually very effective, especially if you can get a fast one.

[@Marionettadesu]

As the shuckle saying goes: "Don't try to hurt shuckle or he'll bide you to death with a club that has nails in it" I love it

[@shawverno.1130]

Before I saw this challenge video I started the exact same challenge! I really enjoyed this one the bugs were pokemon I don’t normally use. Sleep powder venemoth was my MVP

[@shirox11]

Bug type nuzlockes are one of my favourites. The advantage of being powerful early, but falling off as the game goes on, while still having some true engame level beasts like heracross.

[@blueruin12]

Bug Pokémon are super underrated . Bug is one of the best types in the whole game . Everyone just sleeps on them

[@nightzebra]

Definitely one of my favorite videos of yours. Love me some bug types