Getting Started with Heart & Soul 2.x

This is a short, player-first route into the current Heart & Soul 2.x release line. PolishedDex documents the game from the Release-v2.0.4 source tag; the upstream project remains the authority for the patch file, its distribution, and support.

Before you start

Use a legally obtained copy of Pokémon Emerald (U). The upstream project provides a patch, not a base game.
Read the official release page before patching. It contains the project’s current patch instructions, supported-emulator guidance, and links for bug reporting.
Start a new save when coming from before 2.0. The upstream release warns that pre-2.0 saves are not compatible with the 2.x release line.

PolishedDex does not host game files or patches. Use the official Heart & Soul 2.0.4 release for those.

Pick your run before New Game

During new-game setup, Heart & Soul opens its challenge menu. You can return to it from a PC after starting, but Nuzlocke, randomizer, difficulty, and challenge settings generally only become easier once the run exists.

Choose a simple direction first:

If you want to…	Start here
Play a mostly standard Johto run	Walkthrough & Progression Guide
Understand settings before committing	Features, Settings & Challenge Modes
Run Nuzlocke rules the game enforces	Nuzlocke Mode & Rules
Randomize a run	Features, Settings & Challenge Modes
Plan encounters or a restricted team	Locations & Encounter Finder and Team Builder
Prepare for major fights	Trainer Battles & Boss Preparation

A practical first-run path

Review the Features, Settings & Challenge Modes guide, especially the post-start restrictions.
Start the game with the run type you actually intend to play.
Use the Walkthrough & Progression Guide for source-backed Johto milestones.
Before a Gym or major battle, check Trainer Battles, then compare options in the Pokédex, Moves, and Type Chart.
For Normal or Hard Nuzlocke, inspect each tracked area in Encounter Finder before its encounter is used.

What changed in 2.0.4?

Heart & Soul 2.0.4 adds the Gen 1–3 versus Gen 1–9 randomizer range, makes the EXP multiplier adjustable after starting, restores Kanto level caps, updates rematch scaling, and fixes a range of Nuzlocke, randomizer, trainer, map, and battle issues.

Read the 2.0.4 Release Notes for the sourced summary and the official changelog link.

Need the exact game data?

PolishedDex is most useful after you start playing:

Pokédex: species, abilities, stats, evolutions, and learnsets.
Locations: encounters, items, and exact published trainer placements.
Trainer Battles: trainer teams and location links where map scripts establish them.
Tools: encounter planning, level caps, team building, type matchups, and more.

For installation problems, patch-file questions, or bug reports, use the upstream project’s support paths linked from its official 2.0.4 release.