In order to flush out that Pokédex and really start breeding Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, it helps to have Ditto. It's the go-to Nursery partner for any Pokémon game, especially for people looking to catch Shiny Pokémon.
Unfortunately, it cannot be caught until after you've become Champion and unlocked the National Pokédex. Here's what you have to do to unlock and catch it.
How to unlock Ditto
- Become the Champion by defeating all eight gym leaders, the Elite Four, and Cynthia.
- See all 151 Pokémon from the Sinnoh region. You do not need to catch them.
- Go to Sandgem Town and talk to Professor Rowan. Professor Oak appears and give you the National Dex.
Now that you've done all of that, you're ready to go Ditto hunting.
Where to catch Ditto
There are a few places you can encounter Ditto in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Grand Underground
Ditto can be found in the Grand Underground in both the Stargleam Cavern and Dazzling Cave Pokémon Hideaways after you've beaten the Elite Four. There is one the bottom right side of the main exploration area that you can get to pretty early on. If you don't see Ditto when you enter the Cave, leave and come back to reset which Pokémon spawn.
Route 218 with the Poké Radar
Ditto can be found on Route 218, located between Jubilife City and Canalave City. However, it's only catachable when using the Poké Radar you just received after unlocking the National Dex. You have a 20% chance of finding Ditto here, so keep using the Poké Radar until you do. For reference, I found mine on my second try.
How to breed Ditto
Run to Solaceon Town located between Route 209 and 210. There's a blue building here that serves as a nursery. Place Ditto and almost any Pokémon into the nursery together. Run around for a bit and then check back. Eventually an egg will appear.
You'll need to put the egg in your party and then run around until it hatches. Keep in mind that Ditto cannot breed with any Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, except for Manaphy.
Trade for an International Ditto
The Masuda Method, refers to when you breed two Pokémon together that have different languages attached to them to increase you chances of hatching a Shiny Pokémon, like breeding my male Ponyta with a female Ponyta that has a Japanese language of origin together. Ditto is the ultimate Pokémon to get in a different language as it is genderless and can breed with almost anyone.
Your chances of breeding a Shiny are normally 1/4096, but that greatly increases to 1/683 using the Masuda Method. That being the case, you should jump at the chance to trade Dittos with another player from another country if you have the chance.
Ditto to that
Now you know where to get our little purple friend. Good luck catching him and breeding all of the Pokémon that you want.
