1. I must nickname all my pokemon, unless it's Suicune. That name is perfect.
2. I must have at least three Ghost pokemon on my main team by the time I reach the final gym leader.
3. My Umbreon must always be female, and her name must only be Persephone.
- (Fun Fact: Back in 2007, I literally spent three days searching through the Trophy Garden in Pokémon Diamond for a female Eevee, just so I could evolve it into an Umbreon. Since the nickname theme at the time was "Greek Gods," I named her Persephone.)
4. Prior to turning off the game, I must save my progress in a location where I like the music (usually Stow-on-Side).
5. While doing a playthrough, the pokemon at the top of my party must always be the one with the most EXP needed to reach the next level, and I must alternate accordingly during battle.
6. While doing a playthrough, no pokemon can have a level higher than my starter.
7. Moves must be listed in alphabetical order.
8. My team must be underleveled prior to taking on a gym leader, but close enough to reach the gym leader's level by the end of the battle.
BONUS
- I must see the entire roster of a new gen prior to getting the game, even if it means seeing leaks.
- I must see all of a new gen's gym leaders and their respective types prior to getting the game, even if it means seeing leaks.
- How much I like a generation almost always coincides with the the amount of Ghost pokemon that debuted in that gen.