Can Two Male Pokémon Breed in BDSP? The Definitive Guide
The short and sweet answer is no, two male Pokémon cannot breed in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP). Traditional Pokémon breeding mechanics require a male and a female Pokémon from compatible Egg Groups. However, there’s always an exception in the wonderful world of Pokémon: Ditto. This shape-shifting Pokémon throws a wrench into the usual rules, making single-gender breeding possible. Let’s dive deeper into the specifics.
Understanding the Basics of Pokémon Breeding
Breeding in the Pokémon world isn’t as simple as tossing two critters together and waiting for an egg. It involves several key factors:
- Egg Groups: Pokémon are categorized into Egg Groups, which dictate compatibility. Only Pokémon within the same group (or with Ditto) can breed.
- Gender: Traditionally, you need one male and one female Pokémon.
- Ditto: The asexual wonder that can breed with almost any breedable Pokémon, regardless of its gender (excluding other Ditto and Pokémon in the Undiscovered Egg Group).
Without Ditto, the gender requirement is firm. Two males simply won’t cut it. They can be the best of friends, battle side-by-side, but they cannot produce an egg.
Ditto: The Game-Changer
Ditto is the key to circumventing the traditional gender roles in Pokémon breeding. It can effectively “become” the opposite gender when paired with another Pokémon, allowing you to breed a male Pokémon with a Ditto and still get an egg. The resulting egg will always be of the non-Ditto Pokémon’s species.
For example, breeding a male Charizard with a Ditto will yield a Charmander egg. Ditto essentially acts as the “female” in this scenario, providing the necessary genetic material for the egg to form.
Why Can’t Two Males Breed Without Ditto?
The limitation stems from the fundamental mechanics of the Pokémon breeding system. The game’s code is designed to recognize a male and a female (or a Ditto acting as a female) as necessary components for egg creation. Without this binary, the breeding process simply doesn’t initiate. It is designed like this to prevent same-sex breeding.
Egg Groups Explained
Egg Groups are crucial for determining which Pokémon can breed together. Think of them as shared genetic heritage. If two Pokémon share an Egg Group, they’re considered compatible for breeding. There are 15 Egg Groups, each containing various Pokémon species:
- Monster
- Water 1
- Bug
- Flying
- Field
- Fairy
- Grass
- Human-Like
- Water 3
- Mineral
- Amorphous
- Water 2
- Dragon
- Ditto
- Undiscovered
Important Note: Pokémon in the Undiscovered Egg Group (mostly Legendaries and Mythicals) cannot breed at all, even with Ditto. Ditto itself also can’t breed with another Ditto.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pokémon Breeding
Here are some common questions about Pokémon breeding that you may be curious about.
1. Can Ditto Breed With Genderless Pokémon in BDSP?
Yes, Ditto can breed with Genderless Pokémon. This is incredibly important as it’s often the only way to breed Pokémon like Bronzor or Magnemite, which lack a defined gender.
2. What Happens if I Breed Two Pokémon From Different Egg Groups?
If you attempt to breed two Pokémon from different Egg Groups, no egg will be produced. They are genetically incompatible.
3. Can I Breed Legendary Pokémon in BDSP?
Most Legendary Pokémon cannot breed. They belong to the Undiscovered Egg Group, which prevents them from breeding with any other Pokémon, including Ditto. The exception to this rule is Manaphy. It can breed with Ditto to produce Phione, but Phione will never evolve into Manaphy.
4. Does Nature Affect Breeding?
No, Nature does not directly affect whether Pokémon can breed. Nature only influences the stat growth of the hatched Pokémon.
5. Does Ability Affect Breeding?
Yes, in some cases. While the ability to breed remains unaffected, certain abilities like Flame Body or Magma Armor can halve the number of steps required to hatch an egg.
6. Can I Pass Down Egg Moves Through Breeding?
Yes, certain moves can be passed down from the parents to the offspring. Typically, the male parent passes down the moves.
7. How Do I Get a Pokémon With Specific IVs?
Breeding is a crucial method for influencing IVs (Individual Values). Using Destiny Knot allows you to pass down 5 IVs from either parent to the offspring. It’s a more strategic approach to breeding the perfect Pokémon.
8. What is the Everstone Used For?
The Everstone is held by one of the parents to pass down its Nature to the offspring, increasing the chance of the baby Pokémon having the same nature.
9. How Can I Increase My Chances of Getting an Egg?
The Oval Charm, obtained from the Game Director in Hotel Grand Lake, increases the likelihood of finding an egg at the Pokémon Day Care.
10. How Long Does It Take For an Egg to Hatch?
The time it takes for an egg to hatch depends on the species of the Pokémon and its Egg Cycles. Some Pokémon hatch quickly, while others require more steps.
11. Can I Breed a Male Starter Pokémon?
Yes, you can breed a male Starter Pokémon with Ditto, or with a female Pokémon in the same Egg Group.
12. What Happens if I Breed a Male Pokémon With a Female Pokémon of a Different Species?
If the two different species are compatible, based on their egg groups, you will receive an egg that will hatch into the base form of the Mother’s species.
13. Can I Breed Baby Pokémon?
No, Baby Pokémon like Pichu, Magby, and Elekid, cannot breed.
14. Does Gender Ratio Affect Breeding?
While the ability to breed isn’t directly affected, the gender ratio of a species can influence how long it takes to find a suitable breeding partner (a female, if you’re not using Ditto).
15. Can I Transfer Egg Moves From Two Male Pokémon?
Yes, Gender does NOT matter when it comes to transferring egg moves. Even if there are two males, they will still transfer the move.
Conclusion: Breeding Bliss in BDSP
While two male Pokémon cannot breed in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl without the help of a Ditto, the breeding mechanics are rich and offer a wide range of opportunities for strategic team building. Understanding Egg Groups, utilizing Ditto, and leveraging items like the Everstone and Destiny Knot are key to mastering the art of Pokémon breeding.
Remember that gaming can be a valuable learning experience. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the intersection of education and gameplay. Happy breeding!