If you're attempting a Pokemon Yellow Nuzlocke challenge, then you can keep track of the Pokemon you can catch with our helpful checklist.

Every Nuzlocke challenge follows two rules: 1) If a Pokemon faints, it's considered dead and can no longer be used for the rest of the run, and 2) The trainer can only catch the first wild Pokemon they encounter in each area. As such, there are only a limited number of Pokemon available to the player, but there are lots of routes and fishing spots in towns, so you have access to more party members than you think.

Related: Pokemon Red & Blue: Was Erika Meant To Be A Ghost-Type Gym Leader?

Differences To Red & Blue

Pokemon Yellow gives the player a Pikachu and each of the starter Pokemon from Red & Blue. Most Nuzlocke runs wouldn't allow the use of these Pokemon, so they'd be expected to go in the Box straight away. The wild Pokemon on each route are mostly different from the ones encountered during a Pokemon Red & Blue Nuzlocke challenge, as seen below.

Route 1

This is technically where you are given Pikachu, but it's a freebie Pokemon, so you're expected to put it in the box as soon as you catch another Pokemon.

  • Pidgey (70%)
  • Rattata (30%)

Viridian City

Via Villains Wiki - Fandom

The only change in Yellow is that you have 100% of catching Poliwag with a Super Rod, which is worth bearing in mind if you want one for your team.

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good/100% Super Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Tentacruel (50% Super Rod)

Route 2

You can't catch any Bug-type Pokemon on this route, but you can catch a Nidoran. If you get one, keep it, as it will be extremely helpful in the battle against Brock.

  • Pidgey (30%)
  • Rattata (40%)
  • Nidoran Female (15%)
  • Nidoran Male (15%)

Viridian Forest

You cannot encounter Weedle, Kakuna, or another Pikachu here. You have a better shot at catching one of the Caterpie line, which could be helpful, as Butterfree is one of the best options for taking on Brock.

  • Caterpie (55%)
  • Metapod (20%)
  • Pidgey (24%)
  • Pidgeotto (1%)

Route 3

You can no longer catch a Jigglypuff here, but Mankey or Sandshrew will both be useful allies. Mankey is a great anti-Brock Pokemon, while Sandshrew will break Lt. Surge's team.

  • Rattata (15%)
  • Spearow (45%)
  • Sandshrew (15%)
  • Mankey (15%)

Route 4

This route is similar to the last, except that it now has a 90% chance of giving you a Goldeen when using a Super Rod.

  • Rattata (15%)
  • Spearow (55%)
  • Sandshrew (15%)
  • Mankey (15%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod/90% Super Rod)
  • Seaking (10% Super Rod)

Mt. Moon

Zubat Mt Moon Pokemon Red Blue Cover

The catch rates in Yellow are similar to the ones in the Red & Blue, which means that you're probably stuck with a Zubat.

1st Floor

  • Clefairy (1%)
  • Sandshrew (4%)
  • Zubat (75%)
  • Geodude (20%)

Basement 1st Floor

  • Clefairy (5%)
  • Zubat (65%)
  • Paras (10%)
  • Geodude (20%)

Basement 2nd Floor

  • Clefairy (10%)
  • Zubat (60%)
  • Paras (15%)
  • Geodude (15%)

Cerulean City

Inside Misty's gym in Pokémon Origins

Misty is usually a trivial fight in a Pokemon Yellow Nuzlocke run, as Pikachu can wipe the floor with her. Without Pikachu, you're going to have to get creative and seek out a nearby Grass-type Pokemon to try and overwhelm her team.

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod/70% Super Rod)
  • Seaking (30% Super Rod)

Route 5

The version-exclusives from Red & Blue are gone from this route, but it now has a chance of giving you an Abra, which is one of the best Pokemon in the game, thanks to Psychic-type dominance. You can now g

  • Pidgey (40%)
  • Pidgeotto (5%)
  • Rattata (30%)
  • Jigglypuff (10%)
  • Abra (15%)

Route 6

These routes will give you a chance to catch one of the exclusive Grass-type Pokemon (Oddish in Red, Bellsprout in Blue). Both are decent choices for the early stages of the game, but you'll need a Leaf Stone to fully evolve them.

  • Pidgey (40%)
  • Oddish (35% Red)
  • Meowth (25% Blue)
  • Mankey (25% Red)
  • Bellsprout (35% Blue)

Surfing

  • Psyduck (95%)
  • Golduck (5%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod/100% Super Rod)
  • Shellder (50% Super Rod)
  • Krabby (50% Super Rod)

Vermillion City

Lt. Surge and Riachu

You won't be able to recreate the famous battle from the anime in this run, but the Lt. Surge battle is still trivial if you have a Ground-type Pokemon.

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Tentacool (90% Super Rod)
  • Horsea (10% Super Rod)

Route 7

This route is missing the version exclusives in this game, but it does give you more chances to catch an Abra or Jigglypuff, both of which are useful.

  • Pidgey (40%)
  • Pidgeotto (10%)
  • Rattata (15%)
  • Jigglypuff (10%)
  • Abra (25%)

Celadon City

Erika Holding Badge, Pokemon Masters Trailer

Your chances of having a Fire-type at this point in the game are slim, but Erika's team can still be defeated by Bug-type and Flying-type moves.

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod/100% Super Rod)

Route 8

This route gives you a shot at catching Kadabra, which will make the rest of the game up to the Elite Four trivial, as it's one of the best Pokemon in the game.

  • Pidgey (35%)
  • Pidgeotto (10%)
  • Rattata (15%)
  • Jigglypuff (10%)
  • Abra (20%)
  • Kadabra (5%)

Route 9

This route gives you more chances to catch an evolved Pokemon, which is helpful for filling emergency holes left in your team.

  • Rattata (15%)
  • Raticate (4%)
  • Spearow (10%)
  • Fearow (1%)
  • Nidoran Female (35%)
  • Nidorina (5%)
  • Nidoran Male (25%)
  • Nidorino (5%)

Route 10

You can no longer catch a Voltorb on this route, but you have a decent chance of encountering a Magnemite, which could act as your Pikachu substitute.

  • Rattata (15%)
  • Raticate (5%)
  • Nidoran Male (10%)
  • Nidoran Female (10%)
  • Machop (5%)
  • Magnemite (55%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Krabby (70% Super Rod)
  • Kingler (10% Super Rod)
  • Horsea (20% Super Rod)

Rock Tunnel

The encounter rates are slightly tweaked in Pokemon Yellow, but chances are you'll still end up with Zubat.

1st Floor

  • Zubat (55%)
  • Geodude (35%)
  • Machop (10%)

Basement 1st Floor

  • Zubat (45%)
  • Machop (20%)
  • Geodude (25%)
  • Onix (10%)

Pokemon Tower

via: kotaku.com

Pokemon Yellow guarantees you a Gastly or a Haunter on the third floor, and you should grab one as soon as possible, as these are the only Ghost-type Pokemon in the game (not counting Gengar, which you might not be able to use, depending on Nuzlocke trade rules.)

3rd Floor

  • Gastly (95%)
  • Haunter (5%)

4th Floor

  • Gastly (95%)
  • Haunter (5%)

5th Floor

  • Gastly (90%)
  • Haunter (5%)
  • Cubone (5%)

6th Floor

  • Gastly (90%)
  • Haunter (5%)
  • Cubone (5%)

7th Floor

  • Gastly (90%)
  • Haunter (5%)
  • Cubone (5%)

Route 11

Drowzee would make for a great addition to your team, as there are few Psychic-types in Gen 1. This is especially true if you missed out on Abra, even though Yellow gives you more chances to catch one.

  • Pidgey (40%)
  • Pidgeotto (10%)
  • Rattata (25%)
  • Raticate (1%)
  • Drowzee (24%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Tentacool (90% Super Rod)
  • Horsea (10%)

Diglett's Cave

Diglett Cave is identical to Pokemon Red & Blue, which means that you're guaranteed to catch one of its line here.

  • Diglett (95%)
  • Dugtrio (5%)

Route 12

You can acquire the Super Rod on this route. This will ensure that you have lots of chances to catch Water-type Pokemon in cities, giving you plenty of chances to fill out your roster, if any of your team members die. You also have a chance to catch a Farfetch'd in this route, as these were restricted to an in-game trade in Red & Blue.

  • Pidgey (15%)
  • Pidgeotto (10%)
  • Oddish (35%)
  • Gloom (5%)
  • Bellsprout (25%)
  • Weepinbell (5%)
  • Fafetch'd (5%)

Surfing

  • Slowpoke (95%)
  • Slowbro (5%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Horsea (70%)
  • Seadra (30%)

Route 13

This route gives you a chance of catching the version-exclusive Grass-types from Red & Blue, both of which are extremely useful, as you have fewer opportunities to meet them in Yellow.

  • Pidgey (10%)
  • Pidgeotto (15%)
  • Oddish (35%)
  • Gloom (5%)
  • Bellsprout (25%)
  • Weepinbell (5%)
  • Farfetch'd (5%)

Surfing

  • Slowpoke (95%)
  • Slowbro (5%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Tentacool (20% Super Rod)
  • Horsea (70% Super Rod)
  • Seadra (10% Super Rod)

Power Plant

Zapdos flying in a thunderstorm in the Pokemon anime

The Pikachu and Raichu are gone from the Power Plant, but you have a better chance of catching a member of the Magnemite line or the Grimer line.

  • Magnemite (40%)
  • Magneton (20%)
  • Grimer (15%)
  • Muk (5%)
  • Voltorb (20%)

Route 14

You can't catch any Ditto in this route, but you do have a chance of meeting a Pidgeotto or a Venomoth, both of which are superior Pokemon.

  • Pidgeotto (10%)
  • Oddish (35%)
  • Gloom (5%)
  • Venonat (19%)
  • Venomoth (1%)
  • Bellsprout (25%)
  • Weepinbell (5%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)

Route 15

This is the area that contains the EXP All item, which is a godsend for Nuzlocke runs, as it will allow you to spread experience points among the party without needing to swap anyone out.

  • Pidgeotto (10%)
  • Oddish (35%)
  • Gloom (5%)
  • Venonat (19%)
  • Bellsprout (25%)
  • Weepinbell (5%)

Route 16

This is one of the routes that contains a Snorlax. It's up to you whether the main quest Pokemon count as candidates for a Nuzlocke team. If you do fight it, try to bring in something with a Fighting-type move to take it down.

  • Rattata (25%)
  • Raticate (5%)
  • Spearow (30%)
  • Fearow (5%)
  • Doduo (35%)

Route 17

This route is more useful in Pokemon Yellow, as you now have a decent chance of catching a Ponyta, which will be one of your few options for a Fire-type Pokemon.

  • Fearow (20%)
  • Ponyta (24%)
  • Doduo (55%)
  • Dodrio (1%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Tentacool (70% Super Rod)
  • Shellder (30% Super Rod)

Route 18

You can no longer trade for Lickitung on this route (assuming your Nuzlocke rule allows for them), but you can receive a Parasect.

  • Rattata (25%)
  • Raticate (5%)
  • Spearow (30%)
  • Fearow (5%)
  • Doduo (35%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Tentacool (40% Super Rod)
  • Shellder (60% Super Rod)

Fuchsia City

Koga is a lot easier in this game, as his team mostly consists of Venonat. He also lost the Weezing, so he can't pull a Saibaman and Selfdestruct his way to victory.

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod/90% Super Rod)
  • Gyarados (10% Super Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod/25% Super Rod)

Route 19

You're guaranteed to encounter a Tentacool on this route. It's worth evolving into Tentacruel, as it has decent stats and the powerful Water/Poison-type combination. You can also catch a Tentacruel in this game.

Surfing

  • Tentacool (100%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Tentacool (60% Super Rod)
  • Tentacruel (10% Super Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Staryu (30% Super Rod)

Route 20

You have an even better chance of catching a Tentacruel on this route. It's helpful to keep one as a backup team member, in case of your stalwarts dies on the battlefield.

Surfing

  • Tentacool (100%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Tentacool (40% Super Rod)
  • Tentacruel (40% Super Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Staryu (20% Super Rod)

Seafoam Islands

Articuno Pokémon flying

The Seafoam Islands are far less interesting in Pokemon Yellow, because Game Freak decided to lower the rates of rare Pokemon, and added more encounters with Zubat. Because that's what Gen 1 needed more of. Zubat.

1st Floor

  • Zubat (50%)
  • Golbat (5%)
  • Slowpoke (15%)
  • Krabby (30%)

Basement 1st Floor

  • Zubat (45%)
  • Golbat (10%)
  • Slowpoke (10%)
  • Seel (5%)
  • Krabby (25% Blue)
  • Kingler (5% Blue)

Basement 2nd Floor

  • Zubat (40%)
  • Golbat (15%)
  • Slowpoke (4%)
  • Slowbro (1%)
  • Seel (10%)
  • Krabby (20%)
  • Kingler (10%)

Basement 3rd Floor

  • Zubat (25%)
  • Golbat (25%)
  • Seel (15%)
  • Dewgong (5%)
  • Krabby (20%)
  • Kingler (10%)

Surfing

  • Tentacool (70%)
  • Staryu (30%)

B3 Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Krabby (40% Super Rod)
  • Kingler (20% Super Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Staryu (40% Super Rod)

Basement 4th Floor

  • Zubat (20%)
  • Golbat (30%)
  • Seel (20%)
  • Dewgong (5%)
  • Krabby (15%)
  • Kingler (10%)

Surfing

  • Tentacool (70%)
  • Staryu (30%)

B4 Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Krabby (40% Super Rod)
  • Kingler (20% Super Rod)
  • Horsea (25% Super Rod)
  • Staryu (40% Super Rod)

Cinnabar Island

This is where you will encounter Blaine, who uses Fire-type Pokemon. You've had a million chances to catch a Water-type Pokemon on the run so far, so you should be well equipped for taking Blaine down.

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Tentacool (40% Super Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Staryu (60% Super Rod)

Pokemon Mansion

happy ditto

The Pokemon Mansion also suffers in Pokemon Yellow, as it had some of its rare encounters replaced with Rattata and Raticate.

1st Floor

  • Rattata (35%)
  • Raticate (25%)
  • Growlithe (20%)
  • Grimer (20%)

2nd Floor

  • Rattata (35%)
  • Raticate (25%)
  • Grimer (35%)
  • Muk (5%)

3rd Floor

  • Raticate (35%)
  • Raticate (25%)
  • Grimer (35%)
  • Muk (5%)

Basement 1st Floor

  • Raticate (40%)
  • Grimer (40%)
  • Muk (10%)
  • Ditto (10%)

Route 21

This route connects Pallet Town to Cinnabar Island. You can visit it as soon as you have Surf, for even more Tentacool/Tentacruel goodness.

  • Pidgey (60%)
  • Pidgeotto (10%)
  • Rattata (25%)
  • Raticate (5%)

Surfing

  • Tentacool (100%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Tentacool (60% Super Rod)
  • Tentacruel (10% Super Rod)
  • Staryu (30% Super Rod)

Route 22

You can visit this route early in the game and it's incredibly useful for challenging Brock. The Nidoran line can learn Fighting-type moves, which will make the battle against Brock's team a lot easier. You can catch Mankey here in Pokemon Yellow, which is also a good anti-Brock weapon.

  • Rattata (10%)
  • Spearow (10%)
  • Nidoran Female (25%)
  • Nidoran Male (35%)
  • Mankey (20%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod/90% Super Rod)
  • Poliwhirl (10% Super Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)

Route 23

You won't get far on this route until you have Gym Badges, so you won't have a chance to catch any Pokemon until the end of the game.

  • Fearow (15%)
  • Nidorina (25%)
  • Nidorino (35%)
  • Mankey (20%)
  • Primeape (30%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod/70% Super Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Poliwhirl (30% Super Rod)

Victory Road

moltres sky attack

Victory Road continues the tradition of making the dungeons less interesting in Pokemon Yellow, by increasing the chances of meeting a Geodude on each floor.

1st Floor

  • Zubat (20%)
  • Geodude (65%)
  • Graveler (5%)
  • Onix (10%)

2nd Floor

  • Zubat (10%)
  • Golbat (10%)
  • Machoke (5%)
  • Geodude (55%)
  • Graveler (10%)
  • Onix (10%)

3rd Floor

  • Golbat (15%)
  • Machoke (10%)
  • Geodude (50%)
  • Graveler (15%)
  • Onix (10%)

Route 24

You can no longer catch an Abra on this route in Pokemon Yellow, but it does give you an early shot at catching one of the exclusive Grass-types.

  • Pidgey (29%)
  • Pidgeotto (1%)
  • Oddish (35%)
  • Venonat (10%)
  • Bellsprout (25%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod/90% Super Rod)
  • Seaking (10% Super Rod)

Route 25

This route is practically the same as the previous one, so pray that you don't meet another Pidgey.

  • Pidgey (29%)
  • Pidgeotto (1%)
  • Oddish (35%)
  • Venonat (10%)
  • Abra (15%)
  • Bellsprout (25%)

Fishing

  • Magikarp (100% Old Rod)
  • Poliwag (50% Good Rod)
  • Goldeen (50% Good Rod)
  • Krabby (70% Super Rod)
  • Kingler (30% Super Rod)

The Safari Zone

The Safari Zone is equally as frustrating in Pokemon Yellow as it is in the other Gen 1 games. You have a slightly higher chance of encountering a rare Pokemon, but the rates are ridiculously low, and the fact that you only get one shot means you're probably going to be stuck with a Nidoran. It's still worth a try, as you have nothing to lose in visiting the Safari Zone.

The Safari Zone fishing rates are mostly the same as the regular routes, except for a few exceptions mentioned below.

Hub Area

  • Nidoran/Male (15%)
  • Nidoran/Female (25%)
  • Nidorino (10%)
  • Paras (5%)
  • Parasect (15%)
  • Exeggcute (15%)
  • Rhyhorn (10%)
  • Chansey (1%)

Fishing

  • Dratini (20%)
  • Dragonair (10%)

Center Area East

  • Nidoran/Male (25%)
  • Nidorina (10%)
  • Nidoran/Female (10%)
  • Exeggcute (20%)
  • Cubone (10%)
  • Marowak (5%)
  • Chansey (4%)
  • Scyther (1%)
  • Tauros (10%)

Fishing

  • Dratini (10%)

Area 2

  • Nidoran/Male (15%)
  • Nidorina (10%)
  • Nidoran/Female (25%)
  • Exeggcute (15%)
  • Cubone (5%)
  • Rhyhorn (10%)
  • Kangaskhan (15%)
  • Scyther (4%)
  • Pinsir (1%)

Fishing

  • Dratini (10%)

Area 3

  • Nidoran/Male (15%)
  • Nidorina (25%)
  • Nidoran/Female (25%)
  • Nidorino (10%)
  • Exeggcute (20%)
  • Cubone (10%)
  • Marowak (5%)
  • Pinsir (4%)
  • Tauros (10%)

Fishing

  • Dratini (10%)

Next: Who Did Blue Beat To Become The Champion In Pokemon Red & Blue?

Source: Bulbapedia