Nuzlocke Dupes Clause Explained
The Dupes Clause (also called Duplicates Clause) is one of the most popular optional Nuzlocke rules. Almost every Nuzlocke player uses some version of it. Here's what it means and how to use it.
What Is Dupes Clause?
If your first encounter on a route is a Pokémon species you have already caught (or is in the same evolutionary line), you may skip it and try again for a different Pokémon.
For example: You already have a Zubat. You enter a new cave and the first encounter is another Zubat. With Dupes Clause, you can skip this Zubat and keep looking until you find something different.
Why Use Dupes Clause?
Without Dupes Clause, you can end up with a team full of the same Pokémon — especially in games where certain species dominate the encounter tables (Zubat in caves, Tentacool on water, Rattata on early routes). This makes the game boring and limits your options.
Dupes Clause exists to add variety to your team and make the run more interesting, without making it significantly easier. The vast majority of the Nuzlocke community considers it a standard inclusion.
Common Variations
Basic Dupes Clause
Skip exact duplicate species only. If you have Zubat, you skip Zubat but must catch Golbat (because it's technically a different species in your Pokédex).
Species Clause (Strict Version)
Skip the entire evolutionary line. If you have Zubat, you also skip Golbat and Crobat. This is the more popular version and prevents you from accumulating multiple members of the same family.
Limited Rerolls
Some players limit how many times you can reroll. For example, you get 3 attempts to find a non-duplicate. If all 3 are duplicates, you get nothing from that route.
Dead Dupes
If a Pokémon species has died in your run, does it count as a "dupe"? This varies by player. Some allow catching a dead species again (giving you a second chance), while others consider dead Pokémon still "owned" for Dupes Clause purposes.
Our Recommendation
Use Species Clause (skip the entire evolutionary line) with unlimited rerolls. This gives the most variety and is the version used by most Nuzlocke content creators and communities.