Soul Link step by step: rules, logging and streaming

What a Soul Link is

Two players, two runs, one shared fate. Each follows the rules of a Nuzlocke in their own game, and the Pokémon caught in the same area are linked as a pair. If either faints, its partner in the other run is also considered lost.

There is no official ruleset. The most common version adds that pairs must be in the team together and that both players progress in step. Everything else —repeated types, different games, gifts— is agreed between the two.

How pairs are formed

1. Same area, same turn: both players reach the area and resolve their first encounter before moving on.
2. Announce the result: species, whether it was caught, and the nickname. Neither player moves ahead with information the other lacks.
3. Log the pair: for example, “Route 3: Nimbus (Pidgey) + Cinder (Ponyta)”.
4. The pair travels together: if one joins the team, the other joins in the other run; if one goes to the box, so does its partner.

That last convention is what gives the challenge its point: you cannot bring the best Pokémon from your run if its partner is weak in the other player's.

Shared deaths and failed catches

When a Pokémon faints, its partner is retired in the other run as soon as the current battle ends. It goes to the graveyard box or is released, according to your rules.

Common optional rules

• Unique primary types: no pair in the team may share a primary type with another. It prevents redundant teams but forces you to give up good catches.
• Shared duplicates: the duplicates clause applies if the species is already in either run.
• Shinies: an extra shiny pairs with the other run's next encounter or stays outside the link.
• Common level caps: both players use the same cap even if their games differ.
• Evolutions: free or synchronised with the partner.

Hardcore rules can be combined with a Soul Link too, but they multiply the decisions you have to coordinate.

Decisions you need to agree on

1. Game or games, and a list of equivalent areas if they differ.
2. What happens with starters, gifts, eggs and static encounters.
3. Failed catches by only one player.
4. Whether pairs must stay together in the team and the box.
5. Type, duplicate and shiny rules.
6. Level caps and item rules, if any.
7. What happens when one of you blacks out.
8. How you settle a new question: usually, stop, decide together and write it down.

You can start from the Nuzlocke ruleset template and add a Soul Link section with these decisions.

Shared log and coordination

A shared log prevents most arguments. A shared spreadsheet with one row per area and columns for both players is enough. The series kit includes a “Pair (Soul Link)” column in the encounter log.

• Sync points: stop before each gym or required battle to review teams, levels and deaths.
• A voice or chat channel: announce every encounter before throwing Poké Balls.
• Saves in step: do not progress separately between sessions unless you agreed to.

How to organise the stream

Each player streams their own run, or both share one broadcast. Either way, viewers need to see the pairs and the deaths without asking.

• Visible teams: if you use NuzPoke, each player creates their own run and manages their own team. To show your partner's team, add their view URL as another Browser Source; never share the admin URL.
• Deaths handled on both sides: NuzPoke does not link runs or enforce Soul Link rules. When a pair falls, each player removes their Pokémon in their own run.
• Label each team: add an OBS text source with the player's name above each block.
• Audio: decide who hears the other player's game and check there is no echo.

For the composition, see the gallery of reproducible layouts and how to protect each run's links.

Sources and approach

The core rule —catches linked by area and shared death, waiting for your partner before catching— matches the description by Smogon University, which also mentions the optional no-repeated-types rule. Everything else is a convention or option each pair decides.