Beating Cynthia is only the beginning. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl extend the adventure with the Battle Zone, the National Pokédex, around twenty legendaries to catch, the Battle Tower and the Super Contests Showcase. Here is everything left to do, in a logical order, with links to our guides.
1. Head to the Battle Zone
After the credits, your mother tells you what to do next. Take the boat at Snowpoint City to reach the Battle Zone, in the north-east of Sinnoh. You arrive at the Fight Area, where your rival is waiting. There you will find the Battle Park and its Battle Tower, as well as access to Stark Mountain, Heatran’s lair.
Your friend also tells you that the elder of Celestic Town would like to show you an ancient book: a short scene that sheds light on the legend of the Pokémon of Sinnoh.
2. Get the National Pokédex
The National Pokédex is the key to the post-game. It is handed over at Professor Rowan’s lab in Sandgem Town once you have seen every species in the Sinnoh Pokédex. It opens up:
- Routes 225 to 230 and the rest of the Battle Zone;
- Ramanas Park and its legendaries from Kanto, Johto and Hoenn;
- Strange Souvenirs in the Grand Underground;
- new species in the hideaways, in tall grass and while fishing;
- Heatran, Regigigas, Giratina and Cresselia.
3. Catch the legendaries
- The lake guardians, if you have not done so already: Uxie, Azelf, then the hunt for Mesprit.
- Heatran on Stark Mountain, Regigigas at the Snowpoint Temple (with the three golems on your team), Giratina in Turnback Cave.
- Cresselia, after Fullmoon Island.
- The legendaries of Ramanas Park, slate by slate.
- Arceus, if you have a completed Pokémon Legends: Arceus save file, once Cresselia has been caught.
Locations and conditions are detailed on our Legendary and Mythical Pokémon page.
4. The Battle Tower
At the back of the Battle Park, the Battle Tower offers streaks of battles in Singles or Doubles. Pokémon above Level 50 are brought down to Level 50, and two Pokémon cannot hold the same item. A tougher Expert class then opens up: you move up one rank for every seven consecutive victories. Wins earn BP, which you can spend at the park’s Exchange Service Corner.
| Reward | Price |
|---|---|
| Ability Patch | 200 BP |
| Lucky Egg | 77 BP |
| Ability Capsule, Mints (nature change) | 50 BP |
| Choice Band, Choice Specs, Choice Scarf, Life Orb | 25 BP |
| Bottle Cap | 25 BP |
| Rare Candy | 20 BP |
| TM26 Earthquake, TM36 Sludge Bomb, TM59 Dragon Pulse, TM71 Stone Edge | 80 BP |
The Exchange Service Corner also offers power items for training, vitamins at 1 BP and most battle TMs. The full list is in our article What to do after finishing the game?
5. The Super Contests Showcase
In Hearthome City, the Super Contests Showcase awaits if you have not already explored it. Winning all five categories at Master Rank with the same Pokémon unlocks a Contest exclusive to your version. Our Super Contests Showcase page explains the system.
6. Complete the National Pokédex
The National Pokédex in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl covers the Pokémon of the first four generations. To complete it, combine:
- the hideaways of the Grand Underground, which host new species once you have the National Pokédex;
- Ramanas Park for the legendaries;
- trades with the other version for version exclusives;
- the Mythical Pokémon obtained thanks to your save files from other Switch games.
Once the National Pokédex is complete, you receive the Shiny Charm, which increases your chances of encountering Shiny Pokémon.
7. Side activities
- Amity Square in Hearthome City, where up to six walking Pokémon stroll along with you and where you can cook Poffins.
- Ball Capsules, to decorate with Seals and customize how your Pokémon enter battle.
- The Colosseum in Pokémon Centers, added by update 1.2.0, for online battles with a variety of rules.
- The Global Terminal in Jubilife City, which allows online trades since update 1.3.0.
