Pick your game(s)

Soullockes work with any mainline Pokémon game. Common setups:

• Same game, two players: Both play the same version (e.g. Emerald) on separate devices. Same regions and routes, so linking is straightforward.
• Paired versions: One plays Ruby, the other Sapphire (or Diamond/Pearl, Black/White, etc.). Routes are equivalent; you link by "same" area (e.g. Route 101 in both).
• Different generations: Some groups run different games (e.g. FireRed + Emerald) and link by badge or story milestone. This requires more agreement on what counts as "same" progress.

Agree on rules before you start

Besides the core Soullocke rules, decide together:

• Dupes clause: can you skip duplicate species for a new encounter?
• Shiny clause: are shinies free catches and/or immune to death?
• Static/gift Pokémon: one per area or none?
• Level caps: e.g. don't exceed the next gym leader's highest level.
• Items in battle: none, or limited (e.g. no healing in battle).

Write them down or keep the rules summary open so you both stay on the same page.

Stay in sync

The trickiest part of a Soullocke is keeping encounters and team/box decisions aligned. Use the Soullocke tracker so both of you log catches and moves in one place. Check the timeline and box view before making big decisions (e.g. switching team) so you don't accidentally leave a linked partner in the PC while the other is on the team.

When one of you misses an encounter

If Trainer A has no valid catch in an area (e.g. first encounter fled, or dupes clause used and nothing new found), Trainer B also doesn't get a catch for that area—the link is "skipped." It keeps the run fair and the link meaningful. Some groups allow "catch-up" rules (e.g. one free solo catch per game), but that's optional and something to agree on upfront.

Have fun

Soullockes are about shared highs and lows—when a linked pair clutches a gym or when you lose both to one crit. Communicate with your partner, update the tracker regularly, and enjoy the run. Ready to start? Create a run and share the link.