nuzlocke-tracker/.beans/nuzlocke-tracker-jain--handle-nincada-split-evolution-ninjask-shedinja.md

title, status, type, priority, created_at, updated_at

title	status	type	priority	created_at	updated_at
Handle Nincada split evolution (Ninjask + Shedinja)	completed	feature	normal	2026-02-08T19:38:55Z	2026-02-08T20:47:50Z

Nincada is a special case in Pokemon: when it evolves at level 20, the player gets both Ninjask (the normal evolution) AND Shedinja (if there's an empty party slot and a spare Poke Ball). This creates a unique situation for Nuzlocke tracking since one encounter effectively produces two usable Pokemon.

Problem

The current evolution system assumes 1:1 evolution (one Pokemon evolves into one Pokemon). The Nincada line breaks this — a single caught Nincada can yield two team members. Nuzlocke rules vary on how to handle this:

• Some players treat Shedinja as a free bonus (allowed to use both)
• Some players must choose one and box/release the other
• Some rulesets ban Shedinja entirely since it wasn't "encountered"

Considerations

• The evolution data already has a shed trigger type for the Nincada → Shedinja evolution, separate from the level-up trigger for Nincada → Ninjask
• This may need a rule option in run settings (e.g., "Allow Shedinja from Nincada evolution")
• The encounter tracking may need to support creating a second encounter entry from the same route when a Nincada evolves
• Consider whether this is purely a rules/UI concern or if the data model needs changes