Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Get ready for the remakes! Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are updated versions of the Gen-4 Pokemon games, bringing modern enhancements and quality-of-life improvements to the classic Sinnoh region. Whether you’re a seasoned Pokemon veteran or a newcomer to the franchise, these remakes offer a nostalgic and engaging experience. This guide will help you navigate the world of Sinnoh, providing tips for beginners and veterans alike.
The Differences Between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Just like previous main Pokemon games, the first decision you face isn’t choosing your starter Pokemon, but which version of the game to buy. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of the original Diamond and Pearl titles, and the only difference between them is the list of Pokemon exclusive to each version.
Starter Pokemon: Choose Wisely, Young One
The classic choice between Fire, Water, and Grass starter Pokemon is always a tough one. While you can choose any of them and still succeed, the composition of dungeons and gyms in BDSP significantly impacts your selection. For an easier playthrough, Chimchar, the Fire-based monkey Pokemon, is a great option. Its Fire and Fighting-type moves are effective throughout most of the game, except for Water-based areas. Piplup and Turtwig are evenly matched, but if you prefer a slightly more challenging experience, Turtwig might be the better choice.
Of course, all starter Pokemon have their strengths and weaknesses. You can always catch and train other Pokemon in the wild to round out your team. If you’re looking for an extra-easy experience, Chimchar is the way to go.
The Ins and Outs of Pokemon Types
With new Pokemon types added over the years, including the latest addition, Fairy, understanding type matchups can be tricky, especially for veteran players returning after the DS era. Here’s a breakdown of all Pokemon types, including their strengths and weaknesses:
| Type | Super Effective Against | Not As Effective Against | Immune Against/Has No Effect Against |
| Fairy | Dark, Fighting, Dragon | Poison, Fire, Steel | Immune against Dragon-type Pokemon |
| Dark | Psychic, Ghost | Fairy, Dark | Immune against Psychic-type Pokemon |
| Psychic | Poison, Fighting | Steel, Psychic | It has no effect against Dark-type Pokemon |
| Dragon | Dragon | Steel | It has no effect against Fairy-type Pokemon |
| Steel | Fairy, Rock, Ice | Electric, Fire, Water, Steel | Immune against Poison-type Pokemon |
| Fire | Ice, Bug, Steel, Grass | Dragon, Water, Fire, Rock | N/A |
| Water | Fire, Rock, Ground | Dragon, Grass, Water | N/A |
| Grass | Water, Rock, Ground | Flying, Dragon, Grass, Poison, Fire, Bug, Steel | N/A |
| Ghost | Psychic, Ghost | Dark | Immune against Normal and Fighting-type Pokemon |
| Rock | Bug, Fire, Ice, Flying | Steel, Ground, Fighting | N/A |
| Ground | Poison, Fire, Electric, Rock, Steel | Bug, Grass | Immune against Electric-type Pokemon It has no effect against Flying-type Pokemon |
| Ice | Flying, Dragon, Grass, Ground | Fire, Ice, Steel, Water | N/A |
| Electric | Water, Flying | Dragon, Electric, Grass | It has no effect against Ground-type Pokemon |
| Bug | Dark, Psychic, Grass | Fairy, Steel, Ghost, Poison, Fire, Flying, Fighting | N/A |
| Poison | Fairy, Grass | Poison, Rock, Ghost, Ground | It has no effect against Steel-type Pokemon |
| Flying | Bug, Fighting, Grass | Rock, Electric, Steel | Immune against Ground-type Pokemon |
| Fighting | Normal, Rock, Dark, Ice, Steel | Psychic, Poison, Bug, Flying, Fairy | It has no effect against Ghost-type Pokemon |
| Normal | N/A | Rock, Steel | Immune against Ghost-type Pokemon It has no effect against Ghost-type Pokemon |
Don’t Forget to Get Your Free Jirachi and Mew
Remember when Mew was the rarest Pokemon? Nowadays, Nintendo gives out the elusive Psychic cat more readily, and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are no exception. If you have save files from Pokemon Sword/Shield or Pokemon Let’s Go, you can claim both Mew and Jirachi. Pokemon Sword and Shield offer Jirachi, while Pokemon Let’s Go grants you Mew.
You can obtain these mythical Pokemon relatively early in the game. Once you reach Floaroma Town, an elderly couple stands in a field of flowers near the left side of the entrance. Simply talk to each of them and receive your free Legendaries!
Taking Advantage of A Partner
Throughout Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, you’ll have opportunities to partner with NPC trainers to explore areas together. For example, when you venture into the woods, you’ll be paired with a friend who helps keep your Pokemon healthy. This is a perfect chance to grind and gain EXP for your team. You’ll receive free heals after each battle, so you don’t have to return to town to keep your Pokemon healthy. Just remember, the NPC will disappear once you leave the area, so make the most of the opportunity while you can.
Forging Bonds With the Follow Feature
Remember the days when we dreamed of having our Pokemon walk beside us? Now, you can select your favorite Pokemon to follow you around the overworld. Visit Amity Park in Hearthome City to unlock the Follow Feature. Then, simply select “Walk together” after choosing a Pokemon from your party, and voila! Your Pokemon will follow you everywhere.
You can interact with your following Pokemon by talking to them. They might even find random, low-level items for you. The Follow Feature also provides a slight passive combat boost for your Pokemon. Once your bond with your Pokemon is strong enough, you’ll see prompts in battle indicating that your Pokemon dodged an attack or persevered through difficult battles due to your friendship.
Make Use of Held Items
Held Items are a valuable mechanic often overlooked. These items can provide emergency healing and passive buffs to your Pokemon. Some items are specifically designed for battle (Quick Claw, Leftovers, Focus Band), while others increase your Pokemon’s happiness (Soothing Bell). Certain Pokemon even level up by holding specific items. To maximize your team’s effectiveness, equip your Pokemon with the right Held Items.
Search Every Nook and Cranny
Items are scattered throughout the Sinnoh region, often hidden in plain sight. While picking up Poke Balls is a natural instinct for any Pokemon player, remember to investigate suspicious empty areas by pressing A. You can also use the Dowsing Machine on your Poketch, making it easier to locate hidden treasures. Areas like Route 206 are excellent for finding rare items and Elixirs.
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