How to Catch Every Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
From the very first Pokémon game, each title in the series has invited players to complete their Pokédex by capturing every unique creature possible. Originally, there were only 151 Pokémon to find, but with each game, the Pokédex has expanded, and so have the challenges. Among the most difficult Pokémon to catch are the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon—rare, powerful, and often tied to special locations or conditions. These creatures add an exciting layer of challenge, requiring strategic tracking, battling, and sometimes even puzzle-solving.
In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, players can hunt down a total of 30 Legendary and Mythic Pokémon. However, capturing all of them requires not only skill and patience but also access to both game versions. As always, certain Pokémon are exclusive to each version, meaning you’ll need to trade with other players to truly complete your collection. Additionally, most Legendary Pokémon only become accessible after you’ve conquered the Pokémon League, with some even needing you to complete the Sinnoh Pokédex first.
Note: At the time of writing, Darkrai, Shaymin, and Arceus are Mythical Pokémon that have not been officially released in the game. Stay tuned for updates if they become available through special events.
Where to Find Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Most Legendary Pokémon can be found in both game versions and are typically located across the overworld, in the Underground, or in the newly introduced Ramanas Park. This park, a special area accessible only after completing the main storyline, houses many of the version-exclusive Legendary Pokémon. Here’s a detailed guide on how to catch each Legendary Pokémon.
Ramanas Park Map: A Guide to Accessing Legendary Pokémon
Ramanas Park is the ultimate destination for trainers aiming to capture the game’s rarest Pokémon. Located in the Sinnoh region, this park is divided into several rooms, each dedicated to a different Legendary Pokémon. To access these Pokémon, you’ll need to collect Mysterious Shards in the Grand Underground, which can be exchanged for special items called Slates at the park entrance. Each Slate corresponds to a specific Legendary Pokémon, allowing you to summon and battle it in its dedicated room.
Here’s a breakdown of the rooms within Ramanas Park and their corresponding Pokémon:
- Discovery Room: Home to Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. Requires a Discovery Slate.
- Soul Room: Where Latias and Latios can be summoned with a Soul Slate.
- Genome Room: Mewtwo resides here, unlocked by the Genome Slate.
- Ocean Room: Kyogre’s room, accessible with the Oceanic Slate.
- Tectonic Room: Groudon can be summoned here using the Tectonic Slate.
- Rainbow Room: Exclusively for Ho-oh (Brilliant Diamond) or Lugia (Shining Pearl) and requires a Rainbow or Squall Slate.
- Kanto Room: The legendary birds (Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres) can be found here with the Kanto Slate.
- Johto Room: The Johto Beasts (Raikou, Entei, Suicune) are accessible in this room with the Johto Slate.
To make the most of your time in Ramanas Park, collect as many Mysterious Shards as possible and prepare your party for intense battles with these high-level Pokémon.
Legendary Pokémon Available in Both Versions
Mesprit
- Location: Lake Verity, unlocked after beating the Elite Four.
- Catching Method: Interact to register it in the Pokédex, then track it down with the Marking Map app in your Pokétech.
Uxie
- Location: Lake Acuity, accessible post-Elite Four.
- Catching Method: Interact to start its roam and use the Marking Map for tracking.
Azelf
- Location: Lake Valor, available post-Elite Four.
- Catching Method: Same as above; interact, then track.
Cresselia
- Location: Fullmoon Island (Canalave City via Sailor Eldritch).
- Catching Method: Obtain the National Pokédex, interact with Cresselia, and then use the Marking Map to track.
Regigigas
- Location: Snowpoint Temple.
- Requirements: National Pokédex, Regirock, Regice, and Registeel in your party.
Heatran
- Location: Stark Mountain, accessible after completing a storyline with Buck in the Battle Zone.
- Requirements: National Pokédex.
Giratina
- Location: Turnback Cave (Sendoff Spring, Route 214).
- Requirements: National Pokédex, and reach the center within 30 moves.
Manaphy
- Location: Mystery Gift (Jubilife City).
- Catching Method: Obtain Manaphy’s egg through the Mystery Gift until February 21.
Jirachi
- Location: Floaroma Town, given by an NPC.
- Requirements: Save data from Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield.
Mew
- Location: Floaroma Town, given by an NPC.
- Requirements: Save data from Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee!
Phione
- Catching Method: Breed a Manaphy with Ditto in the daycare (Solaceon Town).
Exclusive Legendary Pokémon for Brilliant Diamond
Dialga
- Location: Spear Pillar.
Raikou, Entei, Suicune
- Location: Johto Room, Ramanas Park (Johto Slate required).
Ho-oh
- Location: Rainbow Room, Ramanas Park (Rainbow Slate required).
Exclusive Legendary Pokémon for Shining Pearl
Palkia
- Location: Spear Pillar.
Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres
- Location: Kanto Room, Ramanas Park (Kanto Slate required).
Lugia
- Location: Squall Room, Ramanas Park (Squall Slate required).
Tips for Capturing Legendary Pokémon
Capturing Legendary Pokémon is no easy feat. Here are some tips to improve your chances:
- Stock Up on Ultra Balls and Timer Balls: These increase your odds in longer battles.
- Use Status Effects: Moves that cause Sleep or Paralysis will make capturing easier.
- Save Before the Battle: Always save your game before encountering a Legendary Pokémon.
- Use Pokémon with False Swipe: This move will lower the target’s HP without causing it to faint, keeping it at 1 HP for easier capture.
If you’re looking for Pokémon locations in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, I can provide a guide on where to find specific Legendary Pokémon or any particular creatures you’re aiming to catch. Here’s a general outline of where some Legendary Pokémon can be found:
Common Legendary Pokémon Locations
- Ramanas Park – This is a special post-game area where you can find many Legendary Pokémon, such as Regirock, Regice, Registeel, and others specific to certain Slates you obtain with Mysterious Shards.
- Lake Trio (Mesprit, Uxie, Azelf) – Each of these can be found at the three lakes in Sinnoh:
- Mesprit at Lake Verity
- Uxie at Lake Acuity
- Azelf at Lake Valor
- Spear Pillar – This location atop Mt. Coronet is where you encounter either Dialga or Palkia, depending on your game version.
- Turnback Cave – Here, you can find Giratina after getting the National Pokédex.
- Fullmoon Island – Cresselia can be found here after talking to Sailor Eldritch in Canalave City and starting a special quest.
- Stark Mountain – This is where you’ll encounter Heatran after completing a storyline quest with Buck.
Each Legendary requires specific conditions to be met, such as having the National Pokédex or completing the Elite Four. Let me know if you’re interested in the location details for any particular Legendary Pokémon!
