"The Nuzlocke Challenge too easy for you? Try a GIFTLOCKE!"

I do not claim the Giftlocke to be an original idea. They've been around for a few years, but haven't seemed to gain any traction, so I'm hoping this post gets a bit of attention. Feel free to post any amendments or issues in the comments.The intention of this post is to serve as one of several guides to the Giftlocke Challenge in the series thus far. Below, you will find the rules and compatible Pokémon you will be able to use for your runs.As always, several standard/generally accepted Nuzlocke rules apply, which are:1. If a Pokémon faints, it’s dead. Either release it or permanently box it.2. Nickname every Pokémon that comes into your possession.3. No revives of any sort; if you come out of a battle with a dead Pokémon and a character heals it, the Pokémon is still considered dead and must be dealt with according to Rule 1.4. Blacking out/whiting out is an immediate ‘Game Over’ and the game must be restarted.5. No resetting the game when things go wrong; doing so renders most previous rules pointless.Now for the fun part: the GIFTLOCKE VARIANT RULES. These are what make a Giftlocke a Giftlocke.1. You are only allowed to use Pokémon that are gifted to you throughout the course of the game.2. Rule 1 applies throughout the game until the player is inducted into the Hall of Fame, after which players can continue how they wish: this includes HGSS, despite the first induction not being the end of the Pokémon League journey.3. There are Pokémon considered Gift Pokémon which you need to undertake extra steps in order to add them to your party. Such Pokémon and the rules for them will be explained below.There are two difficulties to the Giftlocke Challenge: STANDARD and HARD MODE.STANDARD allows players to go through the game and obtain all Pokémon considered Gifts for use in their playthrough.HARD MODE restricts players to overlook and not use any Pokémon with extra steps as stated in Variant Rule 3. Such steps pertain mainly to Fossil Pokémon, which are not gifted as ready-to-use Pokémon, the Magikarp Salesman, as you must pay for the Magikarp and thus not technically a Gift, and Pokémon intended to be returned or given to other people as your party is not the final destination for them. In the list of acceptable Pokémon below, those with bolded names fall under this category and can be easily referenced for what not to get in a HARD MODE Giftlocke.The Pokémon games and the useable Pokémon listed below are for the main series games, with the exclusion of LGPE.Please note: all Pokémon listed below are those obtainable before facing the Elite Four, as per Variant Rule 2. Also, below the names for each game are the counters for how many Pokémon are obtainable in each mode upon playthrough. ----- RED/BLUE/FIRERED/LEAFGREEN -----STANDARD: 7, HARD MODE: 4Bulbasaur/Charmander/Squirtle – Given by Professor Oak in Pallet Town.Magikarp – Sold by the Magikarp Salesman in the Route 4 Pokémon Center for $500.Omanyte/Kabuto – Fossil reward for defeating the Super Nerd at Mt. Moon; restored at Cinnabar Island Lab.Aerodactyl – Old Amber given by Scientist at Pewter City Museum; stored at Cinnabar Island Lab.Hitmonlee/Hitmonchan – Reward for defeating the Karate Master at the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City.Eevee – Given by a trainer on the Celdon Mansion rooftop.Lapras – Given by an employee in Silph Co. in Saffron City after defeating your Rival. ----- YELLOW -----STANDARD: 10, HARD MODE: 7With the exception of Pikachu as your starter Pokémon, the list remains the same as Red/Blue but with the following additions:Bulbasaur – Given by a trainer in Cerulean City if Pikachu’s friendship is high enough.Charmander – Given by a trainer on Route 24.Squirtle – Given by Officer Jenny in Vermilion City after defeating the Vermilion City Gym Leader. ----- GOLD/SILVER -----STANDARD: 6, HARD MODE: 4Chikorita/Cyndaquil/Totodile – Given by Professor Elm in New Bark Town.Togepi – Given as an egg by an Aide in the Violet City Pokémon Center after defeating the Violet City Gym Leader.Spearow – Given by Randy in the Goldenrod City North Gate – to be delivered to a man on Route 31 and can be done so after finishing the League.Eevee – Given by Bill in his house in Goldenrod City after meeting him in the Ecruteak City Pokémon Center.Shuckle – Given by Mania in Cianwood City – intended to be returned and can be done so after finishing the League.Tyrogue – Given by Kiyo after defeating him in Mt. Mortar. ----- CRYSTAL -----STANDARD: 8/7, HARD MODE: 6/5The list remains the same as Gold/Silver with the following additions:Pichu/Cleffa/Igglybuff/Tyrogue/Smoochum/Elekid/Magby – Given as a random chance egg by the Day Care Man at the Day Care Center south of Goldenrod City.RULE VARIANT: IF TYROGUE HATCHES FROM THE EGG, YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO OBTAIN THE TYROGUE FROM MT. MORTAR UNLESS THE HATCHED TYROGUE IS SHINY.Dratini – Given by the Master in the Dragon’s Den in the north of Blackthorn City. ----- RUBY/SAPPHIRE/EMERALD -----STANDARD & HARD MODE: 3Treecko/Torchic/Mudkip – Given by Professor Birch on Route 101.Wynaut – Given as an egg by an Expert in Lavaridge Town.Castform – Given by a scientist in the Weather Institute after beating Team Magma/Aqua. ----- DIAMOND/PEARL -----STANDARD & HARD MODE: 3Turtwig/Chimchar/Piplup – Given by Professor Rowan at Lake Verity.Happiny – Given by a Hiker at the Hearthome City West Gate.Riolu – Given as an egg by Riley on Iron Island after clearing Team Galactic. ----- PLATINUM -----STANDARD & HARD MODE: 5Turtwig/Chimchar/Piplup – Given by Professor Rowan on Route 201.Togepi – Given as an egg by Cynthia at the Eterna City West Gate after defeating Jupiter.Eevee – Given by Bebe at Hearthome City.Porygon – Given by a PokéFan in Veilstone City.Riolu – Given as an egg by Riley on Iron Island after clearing Team Galactic. ----- HEARTGOLD/SOULSILVER -----STANDARD: 8, HARD MODE: 6Similar to the list for GOLD/SILVER with one exception and two additions.Togepi – Given as an egg by Zuki in the Violet City Poké Mart after defeating the Violet City Gym Leader.Mareep/Wooper/Slugma – Given by Primo in the Violet City Pokémon Center after inputting the correct password.Dratini – Given by the Master in the Dragon’s Den in the north of Blackthorn City. ----- BLACK/WHITE -----STANDARD: 4, HARD MODE: 3Snivy/Tepig/Oshawott – Given by Professor Juniper in Nuvema Town.Pansage/Pansear/Panpour – Given by a girl in the Dreamyard.Tirtouga/Archen – Given as a fossil by a backpacker in Relic Castle; restored at the Nacrene Museum.Larvesta – Given as an egg by a Ranger in a house on Route 18. ----- BLACK 2/WHITE 2 -----STANDARD & HARD MODE: 3Snivy/Tepig/Oshawott – Given by Bianca in Aspertia City.Zorua – Given as a reward for defeating Rood in Driftveil City.Deerling – Given by a scientist at the Weather Institute on Route 6. ----- X/Y -----STANDARD: 5, HARD MODE: 4Chespin/Fennekin/Froakie – Given by Tierno in Aquacorde Town.Bulbasaur/Charmander/Squirtle – Given by Professor Sycamore in Lumiose City after defeating him.Tyrunt/Amaura – Fossil given by an assistant in Glittering Cave after beating Team Flare; restored at Ambrette Town Fossil Lab.Lucario – Joins your team from Korrina at the Tower of Mastery.Lapras – Given by a Pokémon breeder on Route 12. ----- OMEGA RUBY/ALPHA SAPPHIRE -----STANDARD & HARD MODE: 5Treecko/Torchic/Mudkip – Given by Professor Birch on Route 101.Cosplay Pikachu – Given by a Pokémon breeder at any contest hall after completing a contest.Wynaut – Given as an egg by an Expert in Lavaridge Town.Latias/Latios – Added to the party after clearing Southern Island of Team Magma/Aqua.Castform – Given by a scientist at the Weather Institute after defeating Team Magma/Aqua. ----- SUN/MOON -----STANDARD: 5, HARD MODE: 3Rowlet/Litten/Popplio – Given by Hala in Iki Town.Eevee – Given as an egg by a breeder at Paniola Ranch.Archen & Shieldon OR Tirtouga & Cranidos – Bought as fossils from a shop for $7,000 apiece in Konikoni City; restored at the Fossil Restoration Center on Route 8.Aerodactyl – Given by an Ace Trainer at Seafolk Village. ----- ULTRA SUN/ULTRA MOON -----STANDARD: 10, HARD MODE: 5Rowlet/Litten/Popplio – Given by Hala in Iki Town.Eevee – Given as an egg by a breeder at Paniola Ranch.Tirtouga, Cranidos, Omanyte, Anorith & Tyrunt OR Archen, Shieldon, Kabuto, Lileep & Amaura - Bought as fossils from a shop for $7,000 apiece in Konikoni City; restored at the Fossil Restoration Center on Route 8.Aerodactyl - Given by an Ace Trainer at Seafolk Village.Pikachu – Given by the Boss of Surf Association at the Heahea Branch of the Surf Association after getting the high score on all four Mantine Surf courses.Poipole – Given by the Ultra Recon Squad after defeating Ultra Necrozma. ----- LET'S GO, PIKACHU!/LET'S GO, EEVEE! -----STANDARD: 7, HARD MODE: 4Pikachu/Eevee – Given by Professor in Pallet Town (version-dependent).Magikarp – Sold by the Magikarp Salesman in the Route 4 Pokémon Center for $500.Omanyte/Kabuto – Fossil reward for defeating the Super Nerd at Mt. Moon; restored at Cinnabar Island Lab.Aerodactyl – Old Amber given by Scientist at Pewter City Museum; restored at Cinnabar Island Lab.Hitmonlee/Hitmonchan – Reward for defeating Koichi at the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City.Lapras – Given by an employee in Silph Co. in Saffron City.Porygon – Given by a scientist at Silph Co. after beating Giovanni. via /r/pokemon https://ift.tt/2EgpFkC