If you have clicked on this article, you already know that Pokémon Sacred Gold (and its counterpart Storm Silver ) by Drayano is not your average Johto vacation. This is a hardcore ROM hack designed to test every ounce of your Pokémon knowledge. It features increased enemy levels, expanded rosters (every Pokémon up to Gen 4 is available), tougher movesets, and boss battles that feel like competitive war zones.

Slapping a standard Nuzlocke rule set onto this hack is a recipe for a death box overflowing by the second gym. To survive, you need —not just luck.