TRAINER'S EYE #152 - "Treecko's Pursuit of a Challenge" ft. WizzlerPlays

WizzlerPlays, creator of Nuzlocke & Load, and Twitch streamer, shares how a childhood love for Pokémon in Hoenn evolved into building one of Twitch’s biggest Nuzlocke tournaments. From Treecko nostalgia and favorite Dragon-types to tournament logistics, streaming breakthroughs, and community-building, this conversation dives deep into both his personal journey and the Nuzlocke format itself. We explore how Wizzler found purpose by helping first-time streamers, small creators, and curious fans find their place in the often-intimidating world of challenge runs.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make Pokémon more challenging, more personal, or more community-driven, this episode is for you.

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Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

Chapters

• 0:00 TRAINER'S EYE #152 - WizzlerPlays
• 27:29 Commercial Break

Transcript

TRAINER'S EYE #152 - WizzlerPlays

Wizzlerplays: [00:00:00] I'm WizzlerPlays, creator of, Nuzlocke & Load, and this is my Pokemon One journey.

David Hernandez: Welcome to As The Pokeball Turns, where we interview people about their experience with Pokemon. My name is David Hernandez. I'm joined by WizzlerPlays founder of Nuzlocke & Loads, one of the biggest Nuzlocke tournaments on Twitch, taking place from April 28th to June 8th. He's here to share his [00:01:00] story and give us insight. So what is this tournament? But let's find out. Wiggler, welcome to As The Pokeball Turns. Thank you for coming on.

Wizzlerplays: Having delighted to be here.

David Hernandez: Absolutely. And I've always been wanting to dive into Nuzlockes. I haven't really had to find a good guest yet. And then I saw your event.

David Hernandez: I'm like, this is kind of perfect. I didn't want to talk about it. 'cause Nuzlocke is such a, I'll say, a niche part of the Pokemon community. Wouldn't you agree?

Wizzlerplays: Absolutely. Yeah. I think it's very much one of those things where kind hate.

David Hernandez: What about you, like what's your initial experience with Nuzlocke specifically? When did you start diving into that side of Pokemon? I.

Wizzlerplays: Well, I think another thing came about really for me when I, I think as I got older with Pokemon and sort of if you move past the early stages of just being young enough at these games are challenging regardless, and I. Wanted to get me more replayability outta these games. I was never really a shiny hunter, so for me it seemed a logical extension of my Pokemon journey really.

Wizzlerplays: So I was quite keen to [00:02:00] test it out and, and, and frankly, it's a really good chance to sort of use Pokemon. You don't necessarily have to because of the rules around encounters and stuff. And if all easy to use ones that you don't use that much. And I think that's a really cool, great way to commit, connect properly with the game of this generation.

David Hernandez: I guess to get some insight to those who may not be familiar, what are, I guess some of the common rules of a Nuzlocke?

Wizzlerplays: Sure. So, uh, so the basic principles are, that when Plug one faint is considered dead and therefore can't be used again. Um, so it challenges you to keep the team fresh, um, and make sure that you sort of view a bit more tactical in how you play. There are a few hardcore variations of that.

Wizzlerplays: So level caps, not allowed to use items if you prefer. Uh, but typically you have two main rules. One of them is around the, the permanent death status, and then the other one is about taking the first encounter you see in a new route.

Wizzlerplays: So, um, between those two, there's a lot of variations of those that people have done, but I think that's the core principle.

David Hernandez: And then you've mentioned how you found different Pokemon that you never would've used before. Can you gimme like, I guess name a couple that maybe [00:03:00] struck you that you never would've used had it not been for Nuzlockes and like how did they kind of impact your with them? Sure

Wizzlerplays: For sure. I, I think it's, it is really interesting as well because I'm, I'm not really in the competitive scene, so there's a few examples I'll give that will be kind of obvious to some people. Um, but for me, one of my favorite Pokemon all time. And, uh, one that I haven't really used that much sort of until quite recently.

Wizzlerplays: And just doing, just playing through, um, in the safari zone, doing, uh, I.

Wizzlerplays: And I went through as one of those Pokemon, because I think especially when you're growing up, there's a few sort of basic things you have around Pokemon. One of them is if it doesn't, it's not that great. And another one is it

David Hernandez: true.

Wizzlerplays: childhood thing. Um, so for me, I, I completely just underestimate how fantastic Taro is. Um, interestingly, I'm doing a series at the moment on my, on my tour channel called, uh, which we're calling the Start Lock series. So I'm taking each generation starters and trying to hardcore [00:04:00] nolock Scarlet using each of them as I've a fun little way of, of, of testing out which generation has the best starters.

Wizzlerplays: Because let's be honest, that's quite a heated debate and uh, and I have to say, I've, I gained Venus. Somewhat interestingly, I sort of, I think I criminally underrated how wonderful the, the forest frog is. So I'd say say those two are particularly memorable examples. I think one of the advantages of Not Load is it's given me a new appreciation for gastro on as well in particular.

Wizzlerplays: And, uh, we've done a number of remote on my channel and things like that. To me, most of it,

David Hernandez: Well, I think the best starters are from actually your generation. I think when you first started Pokemon Gen three, the home

Wizzlerplays: hmm.

David Hernandez: you can't go wrong with TCO Torric or Mud Kip. They're all solid and they're evolutions. Outside of maybe Torchy's combustion evolution are all good to me.

Wizzlerplays: Absolutely couldn't agree more, I think. Uh, so for me, like gen three, my very formative time, I was old enough. I think everyone has that one game that's sort of really enamored them to Pokemon and yeah, gen three was that for me and I couldn't [00:05:00] agree more. I think it's one of those things that kind of trilogy you can say of.

David Hernandez: when it comes to you starting Pokemon with the Gen three hone games, what do you remember about playing those games? Like what is it about those that stuck out to you when you first started playing?

Wizzlerplays: I think it is. So a couple of things. I think the, the obvious one is the graphical upgrade. You know, if you, if you har to my.

Wizzlerplays: You know, late night car trips where I'd sneak my game boy, where you'd have to wait until you could see, um, you know, the, the street lights before you could actually see what's going on on your screen. And, um, and all this really quiet sort of old school Pokemon stuff. So for me, the graphical upgrades, the first four color game, the first, um, the sort of, you know, in a way the sort of crystal and um, and golden silver didn't quite deliver on it felt like a huge.

Wizzlerplays: The most realistic of games at that time. I think for me, honestly. Um, I honestly think from the, from more Gen three that [00:06:00] the designs of pretty much every boat on top to bottom are fantastic. I think there's so many, you know, it felt very innovative. It felt very fresh and it was genuinely one of the games that I felt like it could play through.

Wizzlerplays: Um, and, and did for hundreds of hours, and I think for Emerald as well, having both villain teams be, be able to be fought in the same game. I felt like it was a really cool touch. Yeah, I think you throw all those together with an amazing starter set in the world design region with some banging music. I mean, I'm hugely into my, um, Pokemon soundtrack.

Wizzlerplays: So I think, you know, the, the, the Gen three Hoenn games really do have some amazing music. So, um, throw all those together and you've got hundreds of hours week as a kid.

David Hernandez: Well, I was gonna say like I didn't realize how often the horns were used until somebody like pointed out to me and I'm like, dang, no wonder this music sounded so epic. Like

Wizzlerplays: Yeah.

David Hernandez: lead four, I think you had the Longhorns with the legendary Pokemon. They were just everywhere.

Wizzlerplays: Absolutely. And I think for me as well with, um, speaking of being everywhere, I think one of the things I love most about Gen three [00:07:00] is my favorite type has always been Dragon. And, uh, the number of dragon types introduced. Um, I, I really enjoyed, um, it was good to sort of spice that up, but I think, again, I I, there's no music you can't play in.

Wizzlerplays: Har back to some memory or, or gets me excited to play them again and, um, my, my, my poor community have heard so much about how much I love these.

David Hernandez: Now when it comes to gen three, you know, you get three stars. I believe one of those stars is your favorite Pokemon.

Wizzlerplays: Indeed. Yeah.

David Hernandez: Why TCO of all of out of three.

Wizzlerplays: Um,

David Hernandez: Um.

Wizzlerplays: think Hub Mag, as I mentioned, I think there's no, no wrong answer really with, with the starters, but there was just something an. Influence that as well. Ash has a, has a s subtile and it sort of gets trico and sort of, you know, may get to, and Brock gets mug hip. And so, um, you know, I think the, the desire when you're a kid to be Ash sort of definitely influenced that as well.

Wizzlerplays: I've got a very strong soft spot for, for [00:08:00] swallow and for Tall Cole, Andy and Crawfish. And a lot of those reasons are because they were Ashe's team. Um, so you throw that in. Plus, I guess I mentioned my dragon. Or as comes out mega vols into.

David Hernandez: Now you mentioned ra. did you think of the remix when they officially were announced, and how do you think they lived up to the originals?

Wizzlerplays: I have to say, I think they are the formative way to play gen three. Um, I know, certainly the ro packing community have done a huge amount with Emerald, but for me, or as a special, special game, um, so hyped when they were announced, still so hyped to play them. Frankly, I find any excuse to, to give myself another challenge on, to go back through them.

Wizzlerplays: And, and I think they added a lot of stuff, which was very cool. I thought the way that they incorporated the, the mythos of mega revolution and the sort of everything they've picked up from and call and placed it into, uh, into a, as I thought was particularly cool. I think that the Delta episode is still, for me, one of my favorite bits of, of all Pokemon gaming and, [00:09:00] and.

Wizzlerplays: Tune is my favorite Po Pokemon music full stop of across anything. So, um, I think they really added a lot of things. I know a lot of people were upset about the battle frontier not being back, but as someone who, for my, for my sins, never really got that into the battle frontier. It wasn't a huge loss, so I didn't see it that way.

Wizzlerplays: So definitely have my nostalgia glasses on, but again, I.

Wizzlerplays: Keeping it fresh and Mega Revolution is my favorite of the, of the gimmicks as well. So it just for, it is almost like a game was designed perfectly for me, and that's what Aura was.

David Hernandez: I think when you, uh, when I reflect on those games, you know, yes, I miss the Battle of Frontier, not because I never really engaged with it, but more so I just like the idea behind it.

Wizzlerplays: Hmm.

David Hernandez: Um, the only other thing that bugged me about RA was Ville City. I really hated the redesign,

Wizzlerplays: Oh really?

David Hernandez: than that, I. Yeah, I love the secret bases.

David Hernandez: I love the updated graphics. I love the kind of the added story like you mentioned with the Delta episode with the, the Oxys and

Wizzlerplays: Mm,

David Hernandez: really made that game so much more better without losing, I [00:10:00] guess, the soul of what made Pokemon, Ruby and Sapphire what they wore for us.

Wizzlerplays: for sure. And I think as well, it is the first time I ever had the chance to fight. You know, at that point, as you say, I think at that point, to have an across. Um, someone who sort of, you know, bought the base games for not much else. Um, it was, it was really exciting. I think you know, there was a, a genuine sense of euphoria was like, oh my goodness, this is actually happening.

Wizzlerplays: I can't believe this is, this is, this is real kind of thing. So, which was really, really cool. I think the Marvel redesign, again, is a little bit like, I think it required, not particularly, but I don't mind people trying something and either working or not working. I just like the, I like the fact they have the ambition to give it a go.

Wizzlerplays: I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of at Raz is them giving you lat slash lat, really early. Yeah, I think it's one of those where. And, and maybe it's because I have nostalgia of the first games, but when I played them, just being able to see them in battle is so exciting and chase them round.

Wizzlerplays: And I, I think it is true with all the recommendation injuries, like, you know, the beasts in [00:11:00] Jo to, and uh, and then you had the late wanted the same in, in, in, in gen four, but there was something so exciting about going round, chasing them and, and, and I think, um, for the game just to sort of drop, uh, a mega legendary on you, um, five.

Wizzlerplays: Um, it didn't help find the allegations that the game's getting too easy.

David Hernandez: I know you mentioned earlier that you watched the anime at the time. How

Wizzlerplays: Hmm.

David Hernandez: did you get into the anime at the time? Uh, during gen three.

Wizzlerplays: I think for, for me, I got really into Gens one and three on the anime side. Arguably in some ways more so than the games, I think they were, because it, it was always on on the weekend. It was get stuck into, and I think as well, when you. When you're playing these games, and I think particularly at schools that, you know, it depends, just depend a lot on your childhood.

Wizzlerplays: For me, the school that I was at Pogon was never a particularly big deal. Um, it wasn't something that a lot of people played. I was very much at a UQ slash school. Um, and so for me, um, the NA was sort of my only outlet. On a Pokemon sense, that wasn't the, uh, the game. [00:12:00] So I got hugely into the anime. I, I, I still look back fondly.

Wizzlerplays: I could, you know, I could still probably single the tunes, not that I would dare do that. Um,

David Hernandez: mean, you're free to, this is your podcast, so if you want to do some karaoke, let's do it.

Wizzlerplays: I was gonna say, I think took me to a pub and we had a couple of drinks and maybe I try and Sade.

Wizzlerplays: All these openings, you know, you can, you know, you could start off the music and I could almost, I could redraw the opening almost not.

Wizzlerplays: Yeah, I think the anime really, I, I think everyone naturally with Pokemon is, is, is drawn most of the game that defines their Pokemon journey in their, the that's true. And the anime is true, the games. And, um, but I do look back at Gen three, is it certainly, in my opinion, where, where Pokemon peaked is a strong word, but certainly when it was at the Patriot powers.

David Hernandez: Now when you said the anime was kind of, I guess it sounds like the anime was kind of the way you can indulge it 'cause you didn't have many [00:13:00] people who played

Wizzlerplays: Mm.

David Hernandez: in your area. Is that kind of what you're saying?

Wizzlerplays: Absolutely right. Yeah.

David Hernandez: The one thing that always stuck out to me when it came to watching anime, there was a scene, I don't know if he got that far enough.

David Hernandez: I think it was during the Battle

Wizzlerplays: Mm-hmm.

David Hernandez: and I think Ash had got taken over by his spirit

Wizzlerplays: Mm.

David Hernandez: he was battling, I believe his name was Brandon,

Wizzlerplays: Yes.

David Hernandez: the funniest line ever. I encourage y'all to just watch this episode. I laugh my butt. I whenever I need something a little to cheer me up. I always watch this episode.

David Hernandez: Ash, uh, he's possessed by this demon. He says, septal, get behind the referee.

Wizzlerplays: Yes.

David Hernandez: And I'll bust out laughing and everyone's, and I'm like, yeah, this is kind of a good idea. Like there's nothing in the rules against sat, don't thing. Like that's a very smart, like dirties tale, but smart tactic like,

Wizzlerplays: I.

David Hernandez: right. Yeah, exactly. And I wish they had kept that as a whole arc. They only kept it for a couple episodes, but that I coulda used more of that ashes

Wizzlerplays: Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I think we all, we all like a little bit of evil on our heroes, I think. And that sort of was, [00:14:00] was a fun episode. I think when, when I think Battle Frontier, I, I, I would always think of, well I think two, two fights really. One is Chao, um, which I think is, you know, even if you weren't hugely into gen three, I think that's still.

Wizzlerplays: A fight from that sort of animated, animated area that sort of stands out hugely. Um, and then the second one is, I can't remember the Frontier Brain's name and I'm sure I'll get roasted for that, but it's when it's a double battle where it's a, where ashe's core fish and swell are fighting sort of a swamp person's aine pair.

Wizzlerplays: And uh, I remember just again, every time they redid the series, the.

Wizzlerplays: I just remember watching it and seeing bubble beam with enhanced graphics and seeing the protect from sort person. I can sort of almost relive that fight because that was where I was like, oh my goodness, this is unbelievably good. And, uh, you know, I, I think, you know, and I, I've talked about this a few times on stream, but I think what's.

Wizzlerplays: So special about sort of being the [00:15:00] age that, that, that Diane and having literally grown up with Pokemon is that sort of, when you look at these newer games and you see a lot of pushback on things like the graphics and, you know, the issues around, let's say style and Violet, for example, around graphical performance and, and how I put people off, you know, the way that I've played Pokemon, I sort of mentioned the, the on the mentioned.

David Hernandez: Mm-hmm.

Wizzlerplays: on that front possibly means I'm, I'm a little bit rose tinted glasses to, to, to, uh, to criticisms of the games. But, um, I, I, when I see all these people that complain about the graphics, I'm like, it's Pokemon man.

Wizzlerplays: It's never, it's never been sort of trendsetting in that regard.

David Hernandez: Well, I think you kind of bring up a good point on how we both grew up differently. 'cause you know, I grew up with like you to where I didn't have like an eliminated [00:16:00] screen growing up. We had one where we relied on light. So for us, graphics were always not really important. It was just being able to play the games and like it was revolutionary when we could play without like an actual flashlight.

David Hernandez: Like you don't get it. But then I guess a lot more of the more, I guess say current generations, those who grew up from maybe. I'll say Gen four and on, because you know you got the Ds that came in with the light. They care more about the graphics 'cause they always could see them.

Wizzlerplays: Yes.

David Hernandez: my take on it.

Wizzlerplays: I think that's certainly the case. I think, you know, and I'm, I'm sure to be honest, if I grew up starting, let's say.

Wizzlerplays: You know, it, it, it's a continual advancement of these things. But as you say, I think I sort of, you know, I still have my sort of light head, like my torch extension that plugged into the top of my game boy. Um, that would sort of produce a flashlight for me. And, you know, the sp developing its own inbuilt light was so revolutionary.

Wizzlerplays: So again, maybe we sort of underestimate how, um, maybe we say blink it by our [00:17:00] nostalgia, so we don't mind as much. But to be honest. I think with all the, all the discourse on the internet in the world at the moment, and generally speaking, I'm quite happy to, to be able to just enjoy something for what it is.

David Hernandez: Now moving forward from gen three, you know, we

Wizzlerplays: Hmm.

David Hernandez: four and beyond. Did you stick with Pokemon throughout, or did, was there a break at any point?

Wizzlerplays: I think from the game perspective, I stuck with it the whole time. Um, I've always, as I mentioned, because of the nature of how I sort of played games growing up, I wasn't one of those players that was hugely dependent on multiplayer games. You know, any game that I wanted to play with someone I would have siblings to do, do that in house.

Wizzlerplays: And, I do, I do honestly think that the current generation are missing out so much by. You know, all these games being multiplayer now, I think desperately, desperately sad, but.

David Hernandez: It's the perks of being old.

Wizzlerplays: Yeah, exactly. I think, yeah, I'm starting to come across a bit preachy, so I'll read that in. But, um, but yeah, I think for me, I, I've always played the games. I think certainly there were generations that I were less involved [00:18:00] in than others. I think, gen Seven's a good example of games where I've played through maybe once or twice, and, uh, gen six I've played through quite a number of times.

Wizzlerplays: But again, nothing compared to.

Wizzlerplays: Um, one of the great chances I've had with, with, with streaming really is it's given me an excuse to go back and revisit them all, which has been really gratifying.

David Hernandez: can you think of a game that to where you've revisited and I've had learned a more appreciation for it the second time you played it?

Wizzlerplays: I would definitely say univer. I think the, the black and white games. I never played black and white too. So actually I, I did just lie about the break. I did, I didn't play black and white. Um,

David Hernandez: it's

Wizzlerplays: and white too. I honestly couldn't tell you why. I think it was probably be financial reasons and you know, not being a good boy at Christmas and things like that, but, um,

David Hernandez: dude.

Wizzlerplays: exactly.

Wizzlerplays: Um, but yeah, so I, I didn't have that. Um, I didn't play back in white two, but again, I think, I think to be honest, one, revisit and apologizing [00:19:00] to.

Wizzlerplays: Um, from my perspective, I, I, I did a, a soul link with a dear stream friend of mine, um, golden bro, who doesn't stream program anymore sadly. But, uh, we did, we had the most amazing Soul Link and we were both very early in our Twitch careers as well. Um, so we, we were at a stage where, you know, we didn't have things like multi set up.

Wizzlerplays: We were. So amateurish and our overlays and things like that. I think we have about, you know, when it started we had about 200 followers between us. And when we'd finished it was closer to a thousand between us and it was a really formative part of the Twitch journey. And that was in black and white. And so, uh, it took us 26 times, uh, 26 to tens to beat sort of a randomized, uh, black and white file.

Wizzlerplays: And, uh, it was still me, the peak of my entire switch career. I. We'd have, you know, he'd do a, an elite Elite four fight, and then, you know, 50 people watch that. And then everyone would switch over to my channel and then watch me do the same fight and, and, and things like that. And I, I mean, that [00:20:00] was, that was the peak of, Twitch I think, at that point.

Wizzlerplays: And, uh, and yeah, Jen Fife was that game that we chose for it. And, uh, yeah, I absolutely love it. So apologies to.

David Hernandez: It's all good. It's all good. We forgive you. It's we

Wizzlerplays: Exactly.

David Hernandez: Now, you mentioned how you stream on Twitch now. What made you want to start diving into that side of content creation? Going live, playing Pokemon games or just games in general?

Wizzlerplays: Yeah, I think so. I'll, I had never used Twitch before. Personally, I was never a viewer on Twitch and, you know, um, people would argue I'm still not a viewer now. Um, but, It actually started during Covid, right? So I was, I was playing, um, because I'd sort of to get into the nose locking era a bit, and I sort of was doing sword shield, which I would argue so over, but I'm sure conversation.

Wizzlerplays: But, um,

David Hernandez: mean, you can go into your hate if you want to. I don't mind.

Wizzlerplays: no, I, I, I love Sword Shield. I'll, I'll defend it furiously, but maybe that's because.

David Hernandez: That's true. [00:21:00] Yeah. Y'all finally got some respect on y'all's country. Yeah.

Wizzlerplays: exactly. Exactly. Um, and, uh, but yeah, so we, um, I was playing through it since sort of, you know, we, by my, my flatmates and I would play staff for, for attention. And so I was, um, and you know, things to do, so I was playing it and uh, they said, well, why don't you put it on the tv? So I sort of cleaned the switch to the tv.

Wizzlerplays: We did the Elite four and the Leon Fight and the Turners fight, and, and I got a real buzz out of them enjoying it. You know, a along what with, with what I was doing. And, and that was sort of a moment where I was like, actually I really liked to, you know, particularly for me 'cause I, I liked, I'm, I'm a very.

Wizzlerplays: Social guy. I go out a lot, I play a lot of sports. But when I do, but I do also play a lot of games and, um, and so from the, um, from the gaming perspective, I really enjoy sharing that with people. I think when I think about my formative friendships, you know, I love talking about films that I've seen. I love comparing, you know, sports results the weekend.

Wizzlerplays: I love, you know, going to the pub with people and watching [00:22:00] games or, or playing things and, and, um. And that was a real sort of light bulb moment for me because I was like, actually people do do this for a living. And so there's clearly an opportunity to do it. So I, I've never sort of pursued twitches any more than a hobby.

Wizzlerplays: But, um, so I started, I started streaming, I wanna say, um, August 22, I think it was. Um, and, um. Although I probably got that wrong on my own, um, my channel, which probably isn't great.

David Hernandez: test you.

Wizzlerplays: Yeah, exactly. I was gonna say don't, don't ask me for info, but yeah, let me just check. Yeah. First stream. Yeah.

Wizzlerplays: 10th of August, 2022. Uh, but I just so enjoyed it. I remember, I still remember that first chat message. I still remember that first follow and, um, you know, I got raided to give you an indication of how naive I was, I got raided, um, my first major raid when I was about sort of 20 odd followers or so.

Wizzlerplays: Via this huge streamer called Joanna. So shout out Joanna, if you're, if you're listening. Um, and thank you again. Um, and um, and I got raided by 70 people and I thought a virus into my computer. I was like, oh my goodness, what's going on? Everyone's posting the same message. This is all, this is exactly what, this is why people.[00:23:00]

Wizzlerplays: Don't go on the internet, all this. So I sort of went to panic and were like, no, this is a good thing you lot of people watching now.

Wizzlerplays: And um, and on that note, I do think actually when you have no context, if you think about what. Generally is, it's such an aggressive term, such a lovely action.

David Hernandez: Yeah.

Wizzlerplays: So, um, so yeah, anyway, that gives you a little bit of an indication just how naive I was around, um, Twitch more broadly. So I think once I'd had that sort of connection with my flatmates and then sort of took it to twitch, um, there was no going back really.

Wizzlerplays: I think that first raid sort gave me a few chances who are still there to this day, who I'm incredibly humbled by. So, um, that was, that was the start really. I've never looked back.

David Hernandez: What type of content do you try to stream on Twitch initially and then also to what you move to now?

Wizzlerplays: So it was always Pokemon. for me, uh, for certain to start with. Uh, I think in the last year or two I've really to embrace the side a little bit. Um, more so. Always challenge runs and nos. Early days I was, I was [00:24:00] very much a shiny hunter hater kind of thing. Not literally obviously, but just, I never saw the appeal of it myself.

Wizzlerplays: And um, and you know, you start off with, oh, it's just, it's just, it's just different cold pixels, mate. It's not, it's not worth jumping up and down and screening, streaming about. And, um, I joined an event, um, from Blue and Wilder, so shout to you, my friend, um, who does the, they did this event called the Mego Munch Fest, which was a, a shiny hunting.

Wizzlerplays: And I thought I'd just say, you know what? Let's give it a go. What's the worst that could happen? Um, and um, and that little blue cloth popped up and I was like, oh, that's a nice feeling. I really like that. Um, I love that. And I still remember vividly that sort of, that first. First Onstream shiny. I was like, oh, this is really fun.

Wizzlerplays: I like it. Can I do it again please? We kind of like get a fucking kid getting off a ride. Do it again. Do it again. Um,

David Hernandez: Uh.

Wizzlerplays: and uh, and then so I pivoted the shiny hunting quite a lot and um, you know, the 2022 wizard would be furious with me. But, um, but then the shiny hunting, I sort of really got the appeal of, I very much got the bug.

Wizzlerplays: Um, and, and frankly that's what LED tournament, um. I I, within [00:25:00] my community when I started Twitch, I sort of didn't really have a lot of Nuz locker, um, stream of friends. All of them were shiny hunters. And so there was, there, there must be something in this that I'm missing. And I think after that tournament I was like, yeah, I get it now.

Wizzlerplays: And so, uh, we sort of opened up things to do shiny hunting and, and now, and I'm. Let's go where my reset for the magic, the Pokemon. So you know, depending on your perspective, how far I come or how far I fallen, I suppose.

David Hernandez: how fallen or maybe how wide your world's become. It depends on how you look

Wizzlerplays: Exactly, exactly.

David Hernandez: One thing I wanna ask, because you know, you said you started Nuzlocke because you wanted a challenge. what made you not want to go into competitive? 'cause I feel like competitive would that itch.

David Hernandez: Or is it just something that kind of turned you off from it?

Wizzlerplays: well, there's a few things. I think the logistics of doing well compared to poker in terms of trying to get to tournaments and things like that is, is a big barrier for a lot of people around the world now [00:26:00] was for me, um, in terms of going to tournaments and things like that, I think, um, I personally really enjoy, um, challenging myself.

Wizzlerplays: Um, so it's not necessarily about being the best. I'm not interested in being the best nuz lock in the world. So a, a good example of this, I haven't played Renegade Platinum or Radical Red or any of these very famous Nuz locking ROM hacks. Um, but what I do do is I take the base games and then have fun with them.

Wizzlerplays: So things like the Star Lock series or things like, um, I did a, I.

Wizzlerplays: Ones and then the three Canton ones through Scarlet. So it was more that sort of, I was creating challenge that was within my control, I suppose, um, and meant that I can do it within my own format. I think sort the, the respect, the admiration I have for. Um, competitive players is, is huge. I mean, they are, um, all incredibly talented, not at least because of the skills they have to actually play the game, but keeping up with matters, keeping up with the new game, following other teams [00:27:00] and sort of the, the time that went into it was just time that I didn't feel I have, and I'm very much one of those people that when I start something I really tried to commit to it as much as I can.

Wizzlerplays: Um, and so, you know, the view was if I'm dip, dip.

Wizzlerplays: Nowadays, do I think about competitive? Sure. But, um, I think again that, that, that, that factor of things like the, the, the skill in some ways it almost feels like you'd have to do so much work to catch up with the knowledge of people around you that to get to a stage where you'd wanna in competitive can potentially be able to reach.

Commercial Break

[00:28:00]

David Hernandez: Now when it comes to your passion for nose locking, this led

Wizzlerplays: Mm-hmm.

David Hernandez: creating something called the Nuz Lock and Load.

Wizzlerplays: Mm.

David Hernandez: is that? And could you like elaborate, like the inspiration behind the idea?

Wizzlerplays: Sure. So, um, Nale Node is a Nle Toman that I've created, um, and run for three years now. but the basic idea was, I sort of mentioned that sort of my, my early career, um, on Twitch. All of my friends were shiny hunters.

Wizzlerplays: And so for my one year anniversary stream, my sort of or idea, I sort of wanted to create a tournament where, you know, because the shiny hunters that got me into shiny hunting, I wanted to try and get some of the shiny hunters into na. Um, so initially I sort of pitched as like a 10, 15 person event. You know, I, I opened the invite up to, but didn't, didn't expect a huge [00:29:00] pickup.

Wizzlerplays: So as I mentioned, we were hoping 10 15. Um, so it, it blew up, uh, big time. So we had, uh, 105 streamers in year one, 114 last year. Uh, and we're around 70 at this point in time for NA mode three. So, uh, it's, it's sort of, it is grown beyond my wildest dreams. But the basic premise is that there's different difficulty tier depending on different looking.

Wizzlerplays: Um. Different, no locking, uh, abilities, experience, desires. Um, so we have sort of sounded intermediate and hardcore. The first year was in pal, we got invited. The second year was in Sword and Shield, and then this year is in Legends, acus. And the focus with all of these tournaments has and always will be on first time non lockers, first time streamers.

Wizzlerplays: Um, you know, I think first year I played, we had around 15 first time Oppers. Second year we played, we had five brand new streamers, people who started streaming specifically for the event, and around 21st time no stoppers. And then we are looking roughly around those numbers for, for N oh three. And when I look back on [00:30:00] Twitch and things that I want, that's what I'm most proud of.

Wizzlerplays: I think the, um, getting people in, because I think locking is. With gate keeping. And I think when you look at the big, got people Likehow who are very good at sort of breaking that stigma down and sort of you trying to get people to sort of feel like there's gate behind anymore. And they've done a huge job.

Wizzlerplays: And from my perspective, I think where the is now, I'm trying to. Contribute in my own way to sort of breaking that down. And I think particularly if you are a first time stream or a first time no locker, um, it is the perfect tournament, uh, for you because the, the culture has always been driven by what is it that works, uh, for the standards and, and, and first time players.

Wizzlerplays: And is it the right environment? Is it the right culture? And I'm, I'm really proud of the. They did the culture within the discord and within the tournament and how support, because that's why I made it so, um.

Wizzlerplays: I guess what I'm known for now, really. And, um, what's so nice is, especially sort of for another, from mode one to two to three, is seeing people connect via the ton. [00:31:00] One who have since done collab streams together, who have since, you know, done all these extra things together and you know, and sort doing solos together, doing uh, you know, DA streams together, doing sh streams together and sort of seeing that and, you know, knowing that that's always a friendship that was cultivated by a space that I created is a really special feeling.

David Hernandez: And now if people want to get involved with your nose lock and load, like how do they do that?

Wizzlerplays: Very simply, um, come to my profile on Twitter or Blue Sky and um, and either reach out myself. Pages themselves. Um, we do have, as mentioned, a huge number of streamers in the, Discord as well. So people wanna, if people know someone taking part, they can obviously put them in touch with me. Uh, but again, I would, I would really, I welcome with open Arms, anyone who wants to give it a go.

Wizzlerplays: Uh, we do have the hardcore division for, for those who like pain. Um, we do have the in, we do have the intermediate division for those like bit of pain.

Wizzlerplays: Frankly, really [00:32:00] brave. A lot of these people are, in terms of sort of really putting themselves out there, not least in terms of this quite large community now and tournament, but doing a game in a format that you're not used to in some way streaming for the first time. It's, uh, it's, it's, it's hugely awesome thing to do.

Wizzlerplays: So, again, depending on your, there's, there's no difficulty where. And so yeah, hopefully you'll be able to, to reach out to me easily and, and if not, then, um, hopefully you know someone who knows me and be very happy to put in touch.

David Hernandez: It sounds like you got a skill level for those who want a solo with an unknown or those who wanna try to beat the game with the shit engine that only knows struggle. So it sounds like you got something for

Wizzlerplays: Yeah, absolutely. We try and cater to everybody and try to make the tournament as big as they can. And I think for me, the most exciting thing about this year is it's the first time we've done a stream. We we're doing it for charity, um, as well. So we're trying to raise money, uh, for the British Red Cross and, uh, trying to raise money for, for those who need it, for emergency around the world.

Wizzlerplays: Water torn and, um, and otherwise in danger locations. [00:33:00] So, uh, again, I just hope it's another thing that can help further help sort of pull the federal community together and do some real good for the,

David Hernandez: Now you've mentioned how you know you're shining Hunter initially, but then you went to Nolock and now you're kind of a mixture of

Wizzlerplays: mm-hmm.

David Hernandez: you describe it as, I guess they're two separate. I, I don't wanna say conflicting, but you sound like they're kind of two different communities. Is there not really much reason for ones across one another?

David Hernandez: Like why do you feel like they're so different to the point to where, I guess shiny hunters don't wanna become like N lockers and vice versa?

Wizzlerplays: Well, I think it's a couple of things. I think it's one, it is, it, it's, it is formative experience. Right. I think, you know, we, you know, I spoke about how, you know, I'm, I'm not bothered by the bow frontier not being an oras because I never did it right. And I think I was never bothered when I started streaming about shiny hunting because I never did it.

Wizzlerplays: Um, and I think, um, there's a lot of things. That inherently people have a fear of the unknown. Uh, people don't like change on the whole. Um, and so I think, and again, you can sort of get, you can easily have reputations sort of impact you for, uh, all kind of reasons. You know, and I, I sort of [00:34:00] lot on both sides.

Wizzlerplays: I think, you know, I. Sort of, there are some no looking, um, channels that go in and sort of, you see the, you see all these spreadsheets, you see all these calculators, you see all these incredibly complicated plans and they just seem so over your head. You don't wanna touch it. Um, and then on the other hand, you sort of go to a hunting, um, stream where there's 16 screens where someone's rough seat, uh, rough uh, software resetting for roll or something, you know.

Wizzlerplays: Almost put you off both parts. But I think like with all things, it's about sort of, you know, viewer interest. I think it's like, well, you know, what is it that you like about Call of Duty that you might like about, might not like about Battlefield? Because in theory they do the same thing. They have similar sort of, um, similar sort of style of play and I think it's just a very different way of playing, um, something that a lot people got quite attached to.

Wizzlerplays: I never did any shiny hunting as a kid or, or, or sort of, you know, growing up. Although I do, I do have a very fond memory of finding a shiny crabby off the, uh, off the beach in, on Irvine City back in, um, back in silver. So, [00:35:00] younger wisdom I'm still representing. Um,

Wizzlerplays: um, but I, I do think, I just think it's fundamentally down to preference and.

Wizzlerplays: A lot of reservations that come with doing something different. I think it's a, you know, to me it's quite similar to someone who's been, you know, just been in New Pokemon to start to embrace variety a bit more. There's an element of a leap into the unknown and um, that can always be scary, but that's hopefully why another and load continues to be a big tournament and why hopefully more and more new people come and join it because it's designed to try and make that, not a scary leap, but something that sort of, everyone can get excited by.

David Hernandez: Now you alluded to earlier, how your country was inspired by Pokemon SHO and Shield,

Wizzlerplays: Mm.

David Hernandez: the PO game was inspired by your region.

Wizzlerplays: It meant a lot. It meant a lot

David Hernandez: I wanted to ask like what are some of the similarities and like, do you ever, like when you were playing a game, did you ever like, oh, I know where that's based off from kind of experience.

Wizzlerplays: for sure. I think there's definitely a few ca cases of [00:36:00] that, I think. Um, that, that sort of opening sort of greenery fields, um, area sort of reminds me a lot of the countryside. I'm actually quite a rural man in, there are a few things but are more beautiful than the English countryside when the sun's out.

Wizzlerplays: Um, and I think it's one of those things. It's so rainy all the time when it does finally have the sun out, it really is a special place to be. Um, you know, wind and London, sort of obvious connections as well and sort of, I'm London based myself. So that was always, that was quite nice sort of going in and being like, ah, well this is, if poker did London, this is what it would look like.

Wizzlerplays: Um, and uh, a lot of it was, the English isms as, as it were, that sort of came through some of the characters, you know, sort of the attempted sort of, you know, um, what's going on here then from the police in the game and things like that, that sort of really sort of made it sort of regional.

Wizzlerplays: So for me as a, as a, as a, as a, as a Brit, mum is spelled MUM rather, m om. Um, and so the first game that's on shield was the first one where the, where they [00:37:00] had mum spelled in the way that we spelled it. Oh, it's so English. It's great, you know, and it's, it's amazing how these little, these tiny little details can sort of, you know, add up to a sort of a feeling like home, um, sense with it.

Wizzlerplays: And, uh, yeah, I, I, I do love people. Aren't a huge fan, but one of the biggest takeaway I think, which was in Shield was that, um, a lot of people sort of came back and said, you know what, actually these themes are much better than I remember them being the soundtracks. Better than I remember it being. And, uh, yeah, I, I, I do really enjoy shield as well.

David Hernandez: You know, I think that's the one thing I appreciate about Pokemon is it's so detail oriented. There's stuff that surface level that goes over people's heads, but there's also stuff that's always below the surface. You know, example the in the mom for you. The one thing I always appreciated for Pokemon, um, for that game was actually how they treated gym battles. Surprisingly, I loved how they kind of brought y'all's. I'll say fandom or, uh, spirit when it comes to soccer

Wizzlerplays: Hmm.

David Hernandez: Pokemon battlefield, like I really felt like it was a huge deal, just the same way whenever [00:38:00] I see, um, sometimes NFL be over there or sometimes whenever I see a soccer game over there, it, it felt like the exact same feeling for me.

Wizzlerplays: Yeah, absolutely. I couldn't agree more actually. A really good point. Um, but actually I think.

Wizzlerplays: Um, around sort of gym leaders and the fame they have, like Leon sponsors all over his cape and things like that. That's exactly, in a lot of ways there's an element of that that's exciting from an English perspective because this is how seriously we take our sports here. Um, but actually, um, it almost felt very realistic, um, in terms of actually if, if in the mid real world today.

Wizzlerplays: There would be gym battles and stadiums. There would be all this sponsorship, there would be all this press and, and all this stuff about it. So it was exciting for me on two levels.

David Hernandez: Will was replaced. Thank you for coming on the podcast. I want to finish off with this last question. It's a

Wizzlerplays: Mm-hmm.

David Hernandez: one. you to give me your dream team, but only Dragon Pokemon. What Six [00:39:00] Dragon Pokemon would you bring?

Wizzlerplays: Oh, okay. That's actually a really good question. Um, because I dragon I could be here for days.

Wizzlerplays: I think I've got to go with the Go Rayquaza. Um, you know, for, for, I still think it's the coolest, shiny, the coolest Pokemon. I think it's, it, it's the only reason I don't have it above, um, sort of the TCO grow Sile line. It's just it accessibility. Um, you know, you sort of get them right, get it right at the end of the game.

Wizzlerplays: Uh, so would definitely be me off. Um.

David Hernandez: also just let you know, you can also do Megas and dmax as well. You know, I'm just restricted to

Wizzlerplays: Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah. Well, I mean, look, if a meteorites in the bag and it happened to like my fervent wish, then maybe it might evolve. Um, and that would be great. So I'd say, I'd say Za, I think that end settlements, um, again, I know it's gen three and sort of, I'm starting to sound a broken record. I just think science is so cool.

Wizzlerplays: I think for me, despite being [00:40:00] someone who grew up with Gem one and two as well, um, you know, when a lot of people love Dragon Night, but there was, is quite cute as well as quite a strong and quite cool. Solos just strikes me as something as terrifying. And that's what for me, a dragon is when you think about how dragons are displayed in media and films and everything else, you know, they're supposed to skate.

Wizzlerplays: That was the first, first one where I came up on screen. I like, oh, okay, that's cool. Um, kind of thing. So I'd have Reza, I'd have, I. Because let's be honest, we've all had, we've all had our fair share of p ts from Cynthia Chomp. Let's be fair,

David Hernandez: That's true.

Wizzlerplays: one of the possibly defining things of, Pokemon fans is, is an innate fear or love, depending on the community you're in of Cynthia.

Wizzlerplays: Um, so I would have those three, um, I would say flag on. I'm still very much repping the mega flag on train. Um, I have come to terms that, um, you know, it's not gonna happen in my head. I hope you said prove me wrong, but I've emotionally come to [00:41:00] terms.

Wizzlerplays: I'd love to have, uh, flag on my mega would probably be Alta, which I appreciate is quite a rogue one. Um, because um, I just think the typing of Fairy Dragon is an amazingly cool combo. I really enjoy it. I think it's fantastic. Um, and then lastly I'd probably have Ty Ranch. I think, I think anyone who grew up watching Jurassic Parks sees Tum and thinks, oh, that's exciting.

Wizzlerplays: It might kill me with a flare. Um, you know, so, so I'd say that it may not be smartest team of six I. Feel very cool or like having then that I think that that would be my selection.

David Hernandez: Well was please, thank you for coming on. As to Poke Ball turns, before you go, if people wanna watch your content, if they want to connect with you, where can they go? By all means, please plug away.

Wizzlerplays: So I'm on Twitch, blue sky, and, and [00:42:00] usual socials, uh, I stream exclusively. Uh, I flirted a little bit with YouTube, uh, but my ability and patience with editing sort have got the better of me. So I would, I'd obviously be very agreeable to described it there, but I wouldn't have any expectations upon subscribing would be my anything.

Wizzlerplays: But, uh, but no again, and I also have another load on, um, on Twitter and Blue Sky as well, which again, if you are interested in signing up, we'd be very, very happy to have it.