Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: Unlocking the National Pokédex guide
You’ll need to obtain the National Pokédex in order to access the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl post-game. Our National Pokédex guide will show you how to unlock the National Pokédex and locate any missing Pokémon that are keeping you from completing it.
THE NATIONAL POKÉDEX UNLOCKS WHAT?
The National Pokédex unlocks additional Pokémon in the Grand Underground, such as starter Pokémon from earlier regions, when you have it. It also grants access to the entire post-game island. After defeating the Pokémon League, you can go to the top right island, but you won’t be able to move anyplace until you acquire the National Pokédex. It’s also required before you may obtain any Legendary Pokémon.
HOW DO I GET THE NATIONAL POKÉDEX UNLOCKED?
You must see every Pokémon in the Sinnoh region in order to upgrade to the National Pokédex. (It’s important to note that you must just view them, not catch them.) You must also win the Pokémon League. After you’ve completed this, return to Professor Rowan’s office in Sangem Town to watch a cutscene that will upgrade your Pokédex.
WHAT ARE THESE LEFTOVER BLANK SPOTS AND WHERE DO I FIND THEM?
You will see all but a few Pokémon if you battle every trainer on your adventure. Drifloon, Riolu, Mesprit, Uxie, Azelf, and Dialga or Palkia are the only exceptions (depending on your game version).
On Fridays, Drifloon can be found at the Valley Windworks.
Riolu is created from an egg given to you by Riley on Iron Island. To reach Iron Island, speak with the sailor in Canalave City and board his boat.
In their respective lakes, Mesprit, Uxie, and Azelf can be found. The combat with Uxie and Azelf will begin once you interact with them. Mesprit will escape if you interact with it, but it will still appear in your Pokédex as seen.
To see Dialga or Palkia, speak with Cynthia’s grandmother at Celestic Town. She’ll show you a book with the Legendary that didn’t come with your game version and mark it as seen.
If you’re missing a lot of Pokémon, we recommend going back over any routes you may have skipped in search of trainers. Some routes, such as Route 212, are totally skippable in the game.
It’s also possible that you’ll be able to combat trainers online with these Pokémon in order to register them in your Pokédex.