Guide: Unlocking The National Dex In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl

In line with being faithful remakes of the originals, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have a National Dex available which includes all 493 Pokemon from Generation I to Generation IV.

As you may expect, the National Dex is only available to players who have already completed the game’s main story. However, there is another important condition that must be fulfilled before the National Dex can be received. Below you will find a short guide explaining how to unlock the National Dex once its available:

Unlocking The National Dex

1. The first step is to complete the game’s main story by defeating the Elite Four and becoming the new Sinnoh Region Champion.
2. Players must then complete their Sinnoh Pokedex by seeing all 150 Pokemon native to the region. Note that it is only required to see the Pokemon, not catch them.
3. After completing the Sinnoh Pokedex, players must talk to Professor Rowan at his lab in Sandgem Town, which will trigger a cutscene that unlocks the National Dex.

Completing The Sinnoh Pokedex

• For the most part, players will see almost all of the Pokemon in the Sinnoh Pokedex just by playing the game normally, either by encountering Wild Pokemon or by fighting Trainers.
• The opposing cover Legendary (i.e. Dialga or Palkia) can be seen by visiting Celestic Town after defeating the Sinnoh Region Champion and visiting her Grandmother’s home. Speak with her Grandmother and she will show the player the other game’s Legendary Pokemon.
• Drifloon is another Pokemon that is difficult to encounter, as it can only be found on Fridays at Valley Windworks.
  • The only other method to “see” a Drifloon is at the Hearthome Gym. Answer all of the Gym’s quiz questions wrongly in order to trigger a battle with a trainer that has a Drifloon.
  • The latter method is recommended in order to avoid being locked out of the National Dex until the following Friday.

National Dex Features

• Receiving the National Dex will unlock the following features for players:
  • More areas unlocked in the Battle Zone, where Pokemon not from the Sinnoh Dex can be encountered.
  • Unlocks the PokeRadar.
  • Unlocks the Swarms feature.
  • Unlocks more Pokemon encounters in the Grand Underground.
  • Unlocks Ramanas Park.
  • Challenging rematches with Gym Leaders, Elite Four and Champion.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.