Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl may have a smaller Pokédex at 493 Pokémon, but some of the iconic monsters in these Pokémon games can only be obtained by using the Poké Radar. This device, similar to the PokéNav in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and the generation three remakes, allows players to find special Pokémon only found on specific routes using a navigation device. Here's how to get the Poké Radar in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
How to get the Poké Radar
Though it seems easy at first, acquiring the Poké Radar is actually quite a feat and may not be possible until players are later on in the game. Follow these steps to get the Poké Radar in your hands:
- Obtain the National Pokédex — Before you panic, breathe. Unlocking the National Pokédex doesn't require you to catch every Pokémon, but you do have to see every Pokémon. Pokémon count as "seen" whether you obtain them as a gift, hatch them from an egg, encounter them in the wild or battle them in a gym. An old woman in Celestic Town will even show you an image of the flagship legendary of the game opposite to yours, so that's covered as well.
- Speak to Professor Rowan — Once you've seen every Pokémon, head to Sandgem Town and speak with Professor Rowan. He'll ask you about your Pokédex, and after showing it to him, Professor Oak will show up, handing you the National Pokédex.
- Head to Ramanas Park — Professor Oak will be waiting for you at Ramanas Park, and hand you the Poké Radar. Now you can really get to huntin'!
How to use the Poké Radar
You can access the Poké Radar from your in-game bag in the Key Items pocket. To access it more quickly you can register to a quick button press, similarly to how you can access your Bike. When using it in a patch of grass on a compatible route, random patches of grass will begin to shake. Heading to a shaking patch guarantees a Pokémon encounter, which starts a "chain" if you catch or defeat the same Pokémon in shaking patches over and over. The chain will grow until you run away, encounter a different Pokémon, or get knocked out. The longer the chain, the higher the likelihood of it breaking. Players will need to use their discretion to determine a good risk versus reward balance.
The benefits of chaining are that you'll be able to catch exclusive Pokémon via this manner. Pokémon encountered as part of a chain also have a 1/128 chance of having a Hidden Ability. Whatever Pokémon you're chaining will also have a higher chance of perfect IVs the longer the chain, so IV trainers will find value in this mechanic. But best of all, there's also a higher chance of obtaining shiny Pokémon through shiny shaking patches of grass.
Poké Radar exclusive Pokémon
Some Pokémon can only be caught via the Poké Radar, with some being version exclusive. Here's a list of them:
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Nidoran♀ | Route 201 |
| Nidorina | Route 221, Valor Lakefront |
| Nidoran♂ | Route 201 |
| Nidorino | Route 221, Valor Lakefront |
| Venonat | Route 229 |
| Venomoth | Route 229 |
| Mankey | Route 225, Route 226 |
| Primeape | Route 225, Route 226 |
| Slowpoke (Shining Pearl only) | Route 205 |
| Grimer | Route 212 |
| Tauros | Route 209, Route 210 |
| Ditto | Route 218 |
| Sentret | Route 202 |
| Togepi | Route 230 |
| Mareep | Valley Windworks |
| Flaaffy | Route 222 |
| Hoppip | Route 205, Fuego Windworks |
| Skiploom | Route 205, Fuego Windworks |
| Sunkern | Route 204 |
| Wobbuffet | Lake Verity, Lake Valor, Lake Acuity |
| Houndoom (Shining Pearl only) | Route 214, Route 215 |
| Stantler (Shining Pearl only) | Route 207 |
| Smeargle | Route 212 |
| Tyrogue | Route 208, Route 211 |
| Miltank | Route 209, Route 210 |
| Larvitar (Brilliant Diamond only) | Route 207 |
| Mightyena (Brilliant Diamond only) | Route 214, Route 215 |
| Swellow | Route 213 |
| Ralts | Route 203, Route 204 |
| Kirlia | Route 203. Route 204 |
| Nincada | Eterna Forest |
| Loudred | Mt. Coronet |
| Aron (Brilliant Diamond only) | Fuego Ironworks |
| Torkoal | Route 227, Stark Mountain |
| Trapinch | Route 228 |
| Vibrava | Route 228 |
| Swablu | Route 211 |
| Baltoy | Route 206 |
| Kecleon (Brilliant Diamond only) | Route 210 |
| Duskull | Route 224 |
| Dusclops | Route 224 |
| Snorunt | Route 216, Route 217, Acuity Lakefront |
| Bagon (Shining Pearl only) | Route 210 |
Searching for the perfect monster
For anyone looking for something to occupy their time in the post-game, the Poké Radar can serve as a way to hunt for shinies and rare Pokémon with cool natures and abilities. Completing the Pokédex is the implied goal of all Pokémon games (I mean, the slogan is "Catch 'em all!", after all), so those who enjoy doing so in each game can have a bit of a change of pace in catching methods.
Embark on an epic adventure
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are gorgeous remakes of the popular Nintendo DS titles that were first released in 2006. Explore the world, complete your Pokédex, and battle it out across eight gyms and countless Pokémon trainers, all dressed up in an amazing chibi style.
