Pokémon Ruby's Ruin

Gohan's Tips
Apr 29
2 min read

Author: Elysssium.

PROGRESS: Project Version V1 (27/04/2026) - The game is complete and fully playable, offering a balanced yet ruthless trashlocke experience through the modified Hoenn region.

A trashlocke difficulty hack that twists vanilla Hoenn into a ruthless hellscape where the player is stranded with weak Pokémon and limited resources to survive relentless gauntlets.

🛑Features:

➡️Gauntlets: Every route, gym, and dungeon is a gauntlet where escape via items or moves is impossible until every enemy trainer is defeated.

➡️Level Cap System: Mandatory intermediate level caps are enforced to prevent over-leveling and ensure the Elite Four are fought on equal terms.

➡️Altered Progression: Certain areas are accessed earlier or have been made mandatory, such as the Trick House and Abandoned Ship.

➡️Free EXP and Relic Candies: Pokémon Centers feature EXP trainers for easy leveling, while rare Relic Candies allow players to bypass intermediate caps.

➡️Nerfed HMs & Setup Moves: Player setup moves have reduced PP and common HMs like Surf have reduced power, while the AI retains original stats.

➡️Removed EVs: Defeating Pokémon no longer yields EVs and vitamins no longer work, removing the ability to grind for stat advantages.

➡️Forced Set Mode: Players are locked into Set mode, preventing free switches after fainting an opponent's Pokémon.

➡️Removed Badge Boosts: The internal stat boosts traditionally granted by earning gym badges have been disabled.

➡️Restricted Healing: Healing items are disabled during battle, meaning recovery is only possible through held items.

➡️Finite Resources: Money and items are limited as berry farming, wild held items, Pick Up, and trainer rematches have been removed.

➡️Unique Starters: Players choose between Lileep, Tyrogue, or Zubat, representing three distinct playstyles and classes.

➡️Evolution Changes: All evolutions are now level-based, with most being delayed or removed to maintain the "trashlocke" challenge.

➡️Expanded Encounters: Most areas offer 6 to 12 varied captures with a focus on balance and environmental storytelling.

➡️Custom Trades: Brand new trade NPCs are available that will accept any Pokémon in exchange for a new encounter.

➡️Updated Graphics: Features custom tiles, palettes, and a new UI for the Summary screen, PC boxes, trainer card, and bag.

➡️New Scripts and Events: Dozens of new mini-events and dialogue changes have been added for guidance and world-building.

➡️New TMs and Items: Some TMs have been replaced with new moves like Detect and Dream Eater, complemented by brand-new items.

➡️Quality of Life: Includes a Move Relearner in every Pokémon Center, FireRed style fishing, fast Nurse Joy, instant egg hatching, and cheaper Pokeballs.

SCREENSHOTS