Diamond, Pearl and Platinum FAQ/Quick Guide

Frequently asked questions

What's to 'soft reset' and how do I do it?
To soft reset is to reset your game without turning your DS off and on again. Just press L+R+Start+Select at anytime and your game will reset.

How do I get SHINY Pokémon?
Shinies appear randomly, either in the wild or via eggs. Any Pokémon without set characteristics can be shiny, including starters. The chance to get one is about 1/8192. The chances do not increase if you breed two or more shinies with each other.

What are the orange dots trailing me on the Sinnoh Town Map?
The orange dots indicate your recent movements between areas. There are five dots that mark the places you've moved between.

Where is the 3rd gym leader? She won’t go back to her gym!
Fantina isn’t the 3rd gym leader. You must proceed from Hearthome and arrive at Veilstone City – the third leader is there. Fantina is the 5th leader – she does not arrive until you learn about Sinnoh’s history in the Celestic Town Shrine.
In Pokémon Platinum, you can battle her as soon as you arrive in Hearthome.

Why do I need the National Dex? How do I get it? How do I get to the remaining parts of Battle Zone?
The National Dex is required to capture the remaining legendaries, and see Pokémon that can be collected when Game Boy Advance games are inserted in Slot . It is required to get into further areas of Battle Zone as well. You can get the National Dex after seeing 150 Sinnoh Pokémon (Manaphy, Sinnoh Dex’s 151st Pokémon, is not included) by visiting Professor Rowan's lab.
In Pokémon Platinum, you need to see all 210 Pokémon in the new Sinnoh dex, Manaphy's data can be obtained, after beating the Elite Four, from the book on Mr. Backlot's desk. (on Route 212)

How do I get the Poké Radar?
You must have already obtained the National Dex (see above). By visiting Professor Rowan's lab, Professor Oak will visit and give you the Poké Radar.

I can’t catch Dialga or Palkia in my game to complete my Sinnoh Dex! Where do I find it?
After you see all 150 Sinnoh Dex Pokémon, the old lady living in a house right atop the Celestic Town Shrine will show you a picture of the Pokémon you need. Either Dialga or Palkia will then be registered into your Sinnoh Dex.
In Pokémon Platinum you can catch both Dialga and Palkia after beating the Elite Four.

How do I get my Pokémon from Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen or Emerald onto Diamond or Pearl? How do I get to Pal Park?
Read the instruction manual yet? You should have the National Dex first. Then, go to Pal Park at Route 221 and learn about it there. To upload a Pokémon from a GBA game into your DS card, connect a GBA cartridge into Slot 2 of your Nintendo DS. On the main menu, you are given the option to download Pokémon from your game. This only works with Pokémon GBA games that have the same language as your DS game. The Pokémon you download into Pal Park will be taken off the Game Boy Advance game and will not be transferable back into your old game.

Remember you can't transfer Pokémon from Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver or Crystal in any way to Diamond, Pearl or Platinum.

Where do I get Eevee?
Bebe, the PC System owner, is sent an Eevee from a friend from Johto after you get the National Dex. Her house is next to Hearthome’s Pokémon Center. Eevee can also be found in the mansion backyard at Route 212.
In Pokémon Platinum, you can get Eevee as soon as you arrive in Hearthome.

How do I get Eevee's new evolutions?
To evolve Eevee into Leafeon (grass-type), go to Eterna Forest. You'll see a strange rock near the exit to Eterna City, the Moss Rock. Level up Eevee near the rock and it should evolve into Leafeon immediately. In the case of Glaceon (Ice-type), go to Route 216, and you'll see another similar rock at the north. Again, level up Eevee there, too, to evolve it into Glaceon.

I need to track Mesprit and Cresselia!
The Pokétch's "Marking Map" app is used to track them down. Talk to the Pokétch Company's president to obtain the app.

Where do I get my Friend Code?
Once you have beaten the first Gym Leader in Oreburgh, go down to the basement of the Pokémon Center. Teala, the attendant at the basement, will explain the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection system and give you a Pal Pad. After connecting to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for the first time, your Friend Code will be assigned to you, which you can see if you open the Pal Pad and choose the respective option.

Where do I find the Move Deleter?
The Move Deleter is located in Canalave City (the city with the harbour), in the house below the Pokémon Center.

Where do I find the Move Tutor?
The Move Tutor is located in Pastoria City (where the Great Marsh is), in the house next to the little lake. A Heart Scale is required for the exchange of teaching your Pokémon a move. Some Pokémon can additionally learn attacks such as ThunderPunch and Fire Fang.

Where do I find the Name Rater?
The Name Rater is located in the tall building, next to the Pokémon Mart in Eterna City.

HELP! My Pokémon has a smilie in its stat screen!
That smilie indicated that your Pokémon has been infected with and cured from the Pokérus, a virus that helps your Pokémon grow faster.

Are there any special or hudden box wallpapers?
This link contains detailed information, but it varies with each player's IDNo.

HM locations

* HM01, Cut is given by Cynthia in Eterna City.
* HM02, Fly is found in the Team Galactic warehouse.
* HM03, Surf is given at the Shrine in Celestic Town.
* HM04, Strength is found on the top floor of the Lost Tower just outside of Solaceon. (In Platinum it's on Iron Island)
* HM05, Defog is found in Pastoria Great Marsh.
* HM06, Rock Smash is given to you by a Hiker in Oreburgh Gate.
* HM07, Waterfall is given to you by Jasmine in Sunyshore City.
* HM08, Rock Climb is behind the house on Route 217. The guy inside the house mentions dropping an HM.

Legendary Pokémon

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum

Dialga or Palkia

You should bring Poké Balls before you arrive at Spear Pillar. You will encounter Dialga or Palkia depending on what version of Pokémon you have once Team Galactic’s Boss awakens it. Your rival will arrive to heal your Pokémon, but you should have items prior to climbing the mountain. Dialga or Palkia are found at Level 47.

Mesprit, Azelf, Uxie

After battling against Dialga or Palkia, these Pokémon are located at Sinnoh’s three lakes. All three are found at Level 50 in the caves of the lake. Mesprit runs away and must be tracked with by the Marking Map app (see the Pokétch Company’s president for the app).

The Pokémon below require the possession of the National Dex.

Heatran

Once obtaining the National PokéDex, you will be able to access the entire island of “Battle Area”, which can be accessed by taking a boat from Snowpoint City. Between Survival Area and Resort Area is Stark Mountain, where Heatran may be found.

As you browse Stark Mountain, you team up with Buck, a trainer owning Claydol. Help him through the mountain’s largest crater until you reach the northern exit. There, he’ll pick up an item and leave.

Buck will be staying at a house in Survival Area. Speak to him for a moment before he runs off again. Heatran will appear at the northern end of Hard Mountain, waiting for a battle.

Regigigas

There is a temple in Snowpoint City made inaccessible if you don’t have a National Dex. Once you do, you can enter it. Bring Regirock, Regice and Registeel with you. Browse down the temples of the floor until you find him. He will only battle if you have the legendary trio with you.

To battle Regigigas, you need Regirock, Regice, & Registeel in your party (which means that you have to transfer them over via Pal Park first). Once you do that, you can enter the Snowpoint Temple and go through a few ice puzzles to reach Regigigas. The first puzzles are easy, and get increasingly harder as you reach Regigigas. It will be at Level 70, but has the trait Slow Start, cutting its Attack & Speed in half for a few turns, so use that to your advantage. If you don't have the other Regis then Regigigas will still be there, but it will be asleep and unfightable.

Giratina

When browsing Route 214 (south of Veilstone City), a bunch of trees in the east direction at the southern end of the route should clear out. You should then be able to access Turnback Cave. After using Rock Climb to get up this mounted lake, get into the cave and browse the numerous exits to get to the room where Giratina lies.

Cresselia

In a house near the port of Canalave City, a sick child needs a Crescent Feather to allow him to get well again. After speaking with the residents in the house, a sailor will volunteer to sail you to Full Moon Island. Cresselia is found there, but it flees upon sight of you, leaving the feather. Deliver that to the sick child. Cresselia flies around the region and can be tracked using the Pokétch’s “Marking Map” app.

Pokémon Platinum specific

Dialga and Palkia

You can meet both Dialga and Palkia at Spear Pillar once beating the Elite Four and obtaining the National Dex.

Giratina (Origin forme)

In Diamond/Pearl where you met Dialga/Palkia at Spear Pillar, in Platinum, you instead go into the Distortion World, where after exploring it for a while, you'll run into Giratina (in it's Origin forme), if you don't catch it now it'll be available at it's Diamond/Pearl location inside Turnback Cave. (in it's default forme)

Regice, Registeel, Regirock

If you trade over a movie/Toys R Us Regigigas, three caves open up in Sinnoh.

* Regirock is in a cave located in the middle of Route 228.
* Registeel is in a cave located inside Iron Island.
* Regice is in a cave located in Mt. Coronet, just before the entrance to route 216.


Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres

After getting the National Dex, talk to Professor Oak in Eterna City, he'll tell you that the birds have been spotted in Sinnoh, after which they'll be roaming around and you'll be able to track them on the tracking app.

via Mystery Gift

(only reflecting Pokémon which are currently/have been obtainable in the US/EUR/AUS.)

What is the Global Trade Station?
The Global Trade Station (GTS for Short) is the building in Jubilife City that becomes available for entrance after you beat the first gym in Oreburgh City.

How Does the GTS Work?
It allows you to connect online to search for pokemon other people have put inside the GTS in search of other pokemon, and allows you to place ONE (1) pokemon in the GTS at a time in search of another pokemon you have seen in the game. If you see a trade you like, simply click on it and after confirming you want to take the trade, it will how you your PC boxes, and will allow you to search through them as well as your party pokemon in search of the pokemon that the person is searching for. This will appear with a group of people popping up on teleporter pads after a search has been conducted. You may click on one of the trainer icons to see what the person is seeking in exchange for the pokemon you searched for, or you may see where they are located around the world.
Example:
Person A Puts a Chimchar inside of the GTS in search of a Piplup. Person B comes along and has a Piplup, while he is looking for a Chimchar, by inputing the species, gender, and level of the Chimchar they are searching for, they come across Person A's Chimchar. Person B will click the trade, and be prompted to their boxes and party. After selecting the Piplup, if it matches the criteria that Person A was looking for in the Piplup (Level, Gender, Species), then it will be highlighted. After selecting Piplup, It will be sent into a pokeball, and go into the light at the end of the tunnel, and a shiny new pokeball will pop out for Player B. Out will pop Player A's Chimchar, which then becomes Player B's pokemon. When Player A next logs into the GTS, they will be greeted with a new pokeball flying down out of the light and onto their screen, and be greeted with the Piplup you sent them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any requirements to the GTS?
First off, to access the GTS, you must first have the gym badge from Oreburgh City, otherwise a guy will stop you from entering. Secondly, in order to search or request a pokemon in the GTS, you must have at least SEEN the pokemon, and it is registered in your pokedex.

Why is someone offering a Level 100 ____ for a simple pokemon like Bidoof?
There are many reasons it may be.
A.) This person may be from say Japan, and just wants an English/German/etc. named pokemon.
B.) The pokemon may be hacked, and they just want to add more trainer numbers to their game, or want to get rid of it.

Why is someone requesting a Level 100 _____ for a simple pokemon like Bidoof?
Again, The same applies in this scenario, many reasons.
A.) Language again can make an impact, some Japanese/English players are very desperate to get another languaged pokemon.
B.) The person may have seen the pokemon in a temporary trade with a friend, or traded away the pokemon to another person for a different pokemon, or can simply just want another one of them.
C.) Check what the pokemon is holding, it may be a Bidoof that is holding something like a Master Ball, which most people would trade a level 100 for.

Why can't I search for ____?
In order to search for ANY pokemon in the GTS, you must have seen them before and they must be registered as seen in your Pokedex.

Does Wi-Fi Trading/Battling Allow You to Search for Them?
Yes and No. Battling Online will NOT add pokemon to your pokedex as seen. Trading however, can. If someone temporarily trades you a pokemon, for instance, you help someone evolve their Electabuzz into an Electivite, you would obtain the pokedex data for both Electabuzz and Electivire and gain the ability to search for either.



What is Pal Park?
Pal Park is an area located on Route 221, which is south of Sandgem Town. It becomes available after you obtain the national dex from Professor Oak. In order to obtain the National Dex, you must have SEEN all 150 pokemon that are in the Sinnoh Dex. (151 if you have seen Manaphy). This is actually quite possible to do as long as you battle every trainer in the game. The 2 most missed pokemon in the sinnoh pokedex are Wormadam and Drifloon. A Wormadam is held by a Beauty on Route 214. Drifloon, is however harder to find, unless you like to fight. In the 5th gym, with ghosts, you will have the option to skip the starting trainers, however, one of them holds the ONLY Drifloon you will see in the game, except the ONE wild one that appears during friday mornings and days at the WindWorks. Keep in mind, about 20 or more pokemon will not appear in the game until you reach Victory Road, and about 5 will not appear until you defeat the Elite 4 and the Champion. When you have seen 150/151 pokemon in the Sinnoh Dex, head back to Professor Rowan's lab in Sandgem Town. You will be greeted by Professor Oak, who, after a little time, will upgrade your pokemon to national mode, and you will be given the Pokemon Radar, which allows you to encounter National Pokemon in most grassy areas. He will also invite you to the Pal Park.

I have the National Dex, What Now?
Ok, now that you have the National Dex, you may access Pal Park. It is accessed through the same town you are in, Sandgem Town. First off, head south to that beach that you probably saw when you first started, but never knew where it went. Follow that route on top of a pokemon that knows Surf, and you will reach land shortly after. After walking on the land (and battling trainers, like when you had to Surf), you will arrive at a building. Enter, and Professor Oak will welcome you to Pal Park before promptly leaving to go to Eterna City. Welcome to Pal Park! As you can tell by talking to the people inside, everyone is a big fan of you and can't wait to see a "Catching Show" from you.

I'm in Pal Park, What Now?
After arriving in Pal Park and talking to Professor Oak, walk up to the counter and talk to the employee there. He immediately recognizes you as the League Champion, and asks you to participate in a "Catching Show" in which you transfer pokemon from FireRed/LeafGreen/Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald by inserting them in the GBA slot and selecting Migrate from ____ at the D/P opening menu. (This can only be done if you save AFTER you talk to the employee.) There is also a girl in Pal Park in the Southeast part of the building that will give you the final two Poketch applications, the Kitchen Timer and Color Changer, if you show her a Snorlax and Kecleon, respectively, and in order.

I've Selected the 6 Pokemon to Migrate, but how do I?
Ok, first off, after saving, restart the game, there will be a new option on your opening menu, which states Migrate from ____ (Whatever GBA game is inserted in your DS). Click it, press yes if you wish to migrate, it will explain that you can NEVER bring the pokemon back to your GBA game, press Yes again if you are ok with it. After that, you will be brought to your GBA boxes, simply select the 6 pokemon you wish to migrate and it will bring up a confirmation screen. Press yes and yes again to save both the GBA and the DS games.

I've Migrated, Now What?
When you log back into Diamond or Pearl, talk to the employee, he will ask you if you want to do a Catching Show, say yes and he will present you with 6 Park Balls. These Park Balls have a 100% catch rate of pokemon inside of Pal Park, so there is absolutely no chance of you losing pokemon you transfer over. When you get inside, Pal Park is split into 5 areas. The Area In The South, The plains, is where pokemon that wouldn't fit into the other areas would come here, such as Rayquaza. The Northwestern corner of the area is the forest area, the most
common pokemon you will find here after transferring are things from the forest in the GBA games, such as Caterpie, Pikachu, Shroomish. In the Northeastern part of the park is the lake, in which requires a pokemon that knows surf in order to encounter wild pokemon on. Pokemon such as Marills that wouldn't be in the sea, but would be in water will be located at. The Middle Part, Otherwise known as the mountain region, is there pokemon like Geodude, Aaron, and Groudon would call their home. The final area of Pal Park is in the Southeastern part of the park. This is the sea, and it too requires you to have a pokemon with surf in your party. Pokemon such as Kyogre would be located here. After catching all 6 pokemon, you will leave the park and you will get a berry as a reward if you catch them all within a certain amount of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Can't I Transfer My _____?
Check their movesets. Pokemon that contain an HM from EITHER Game, (Flash is an HM in the GBA games, but not in D/P) will be unable to migrate, the normal problems people have are with Fly and Surf.

What if I Don't Catch All 6 Pokemon?
If you do not catch all 6 pokemon for some reason, such as you do not have enough time or power on your DS, and it gets turned off, simply return to Pal Park and retry to catch them. Any pokemon you catch, even if you retire are returned to Pal Park until you manage to catch all 6 in one run.

Are There Any Restraints on How Many You Can Migrate?
Yes. You can ONLY Migrate 6 Pokemon every 24 hours. Not day, in other words, if you transfer at 10 P.M., you will not be able to transfer again in 2 hours, when the day changes. The game will require you to wait until 10 P.M. the next day.

What if we Change the DS Clock?
DO NOT DO THIS!!! Changing the DS' Internal Clock will Automatically force you to wait ANOTHER 24 hours, as D/P was somehow implemented to fight against Time Skips.

What Will Transfer with my Pokemon?
Any Item that is attached to your pokemon will be still held by your pokemon when you find them in your PC box. All IV and EV values are the same, as well as movesets. The OT Will stay as the GBA trainer, and you WILL get boosted experience for them, however, you will be unable to nickname these new pokemon

Will I Lose My Pokemon If I Don't Catch Them All?
No. You will just have to restart as if you never caught one in Pal Park. However, they are quite easy to find and catch in Pal Park, though some pokemon (like Legendaries) are rarer to find then others.