Starting Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl? Here are the answers to the questions of the first few hours: which version to pick, which starter Pokémon to choose, how to make the most of the Grand Underground and the modern features of the remakes, and how to be ready to face Cynthia.

Which version should you pick?

The story is identical. The version changes the cover legendary, around twenty wild species and the legendaries of Ramanas Park:

The full list is on our page Differences from Diamond and Pearl and between versions.

Which starter Pokémon?

  • Turtwig evolves into Torterra, Grass/Ground, very sturdy. It has the advantage against Roark and his Rock-type Pokémon, but becomes very vulnerable to Ice, which is four times effective against it.
  • Chimchar evolves into Infernape, Fire/Fighting, fast and offensive. It is a valuable choice in a region where Fire-type Pokémon are rare.
  • Piplup evolves into Empoleon, Water/Steel, which resists many types. The most comfortable for the adventure.
Turtwig, the Grass-type starter Pokémon.
Chimchar, the Fire-type starter Pokémon.
Piplup, the Water-type starter Pokémon.

Features to know about

The Poketch

Received in Jubilife City, the Poketch appears at the top right of the screen and can be hidden. Its apps are added as the adventure goes on: pedometer, marking map, step counter for Eggs and above all Hidden Move.

The Hidden Move app

The old HMs (Cut, Surf, Strength, Fly, Rock Climb…) are no longer taught to Pokémon. The Hidden Move app calls a wild Pokémon that performs the action for you. You no longer have to sacrifice a move slot or carry an “HM slave”. Each function is unlocked with the matching Badge.

The Exp. Share

The Exp. Share is always on: the whole team gains experience. If you find the adventure too easy, limit the number of Pokémon you bring along.

Walking Pokémon

At Amity Square in Hearthome City, up to six walking Pokémon can stroll along with you, including Eevee and its evolutions. You can also cook Poffins there for Contests.

The Grand Underground, from Eterna City

In Eterna City, the Underground Man hands you the Explorer Kit. Get into the habit of heading down there regularly: the hideaways hold Pokémon that are absent from the surface, handy for varying your team early in the adventure, and digging yields evolution stones, fossils and items to resell. Everything is explained on our Grand Underground page.

Eight tips for the adventure

  1. Diversify your team thanks to the hideaways: the Sinnoh Pokédex is short on Fire types, and the hideaways make up for it.
  2. Catch a Fighting-type Pokémon before Byron’s Gym (Steel) and a Fire or Fighting type before Candice’s (Ice).
  3. Keep some Revives for Victory Road, which is long and crowded.
  4. Harvest berries: the Town Map shows berry trees and honey trees.
  5. Prepare for the League well before entering: the Elite Four and Cynthia field far stronger teams than the Gym Leaders.
  6. Plan for Garchomp, Cynthia’s signature Pokémon: Ice- and Fairy-type moves are its weak points.
  7. Use save files from other games: with Let’s Go or Sword and Shield on the console, Mew and Jirachi are waiting for you in Floaroma Town.
  8. Update the game: the latest version fixes many bugs and adds online features.

For what comes next, the complete walkthrough takes you through it step by step.