Completing the Sinnoh Journey: How Long Does it Take to 100% Pokémon Brilliant Diamond?

The quest for 100% completion in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond is a substantial undertaking, promising a deep dive into the Sinnoh region. For those aiming to see and do everything, be prepared to invest around 109 hours of gameplay. This figure represents the time it typically takes to complete the main story, catch all available Pokémon, finish side quests, and conquer the post-game content. Let’s break down what that entails and how to get there!

The 100% Completion Checklist: A Comprehensive Guide

Achieving 100% completion in Brilliant Diamond requires more than just finishing the main storyline. It demands a dedicated effort across numerous facets of the game. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

• Main Story Completion: Defeat the Elite Four and become the Champion.
• Sinnoh Pokédex Completion: See all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh region. This is crucial for unlocking the National Pokédex.
• National Pokédex Completion: Catching all 493 Pokémon that are coded into the game. Trading and transferring from other games will likely be necessary for Pokémon exclusive to other versions or events.
• Legendary Pokémon Acquisition: Catching every legendary Pokémon available in the game, including those unlocked in the post-game.
• Ribbon Collecting: Earning all available ribbons on a single Pokémon, which involves winning contests, battling in the Battle Tower, and completing other in-game challenges.
• Battle Tower Mastery: Reaching a high streak in the Battle Tower, showcasing your team-building and battling skills.
• Contest Domination: Winning Master Rank in all contest categories.
• Underground Exploration: Unearthing all rare items and completing tasks within the Grand Underground.
• Side Quest Completion: Completing all available side quests and events within the game.

Factors Influencing Completion Time

Several factors can influence how long it takes to achieve 100% completion in Brilliant Diamond. These include:

• Player Skill Level: Experienced Pokémon players may navigate battles and puzzles more efficiently, reducing overall playtime.
• Team Composition: A well-balanced team can make battles quicker and easier, especially against tough opponents like the Elite Four.
• Trading and Online Interaction: Access to Pokémon through trading can significantly speed up Pokédex completion.
• Game Knowledge: Understanding game mechanics, locations of rare items, and optimal strategies can save time.
• Shiny Hunting: If you’re determined to catch every shiny Pokémon, expect your playtime to increase dramatically due to the low odds of encountering them.
• Resource Availability: Having access to guides, online communities, and other resources can help you overcome challenges more efficiently.

Maximizing Efficiency for 100% Completion

To minimize your playtime while pursuing 100% completion, consider the following tips:

• Plan Your Team: Research the strengths and weaknesses of different Pokémon to create a well-rounded team that can handle various challenges.
• Utilize HMs Wisely: Teach HM moves to Pokémon that can also learn other useful attacks to avoid wasting move slots.
• Explore Thoroughly: Search every area carefully for hidden items and secrets.
• Take Advantage of Trading: Use online trading to acquire Pokémon that are difficult to find or exclusive to other versions.
• Learn from Others: Consult online guides, forums, and videos to learn tips and tricks from experienced players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many Pokemon do I need to catch to complete the Sinnoh Pokedex?

You don’t need to catch all 150 Pokémon to complete the Sinnoh Pokédex! You only need to have seen them. This means encountering them in the wild or during battles. However, for the National Pokédex, you will need to catch or trade for all 493 pokemon coded into the game.

2. What are the odds of getting a shiny starter in Brilliant Diamond?

The odds of getting a shiny starter in Brilliant Diamond are approximately 1 in 4100. Be prepared for many soft resets if you’re determined to get a shiny from the very beginning!

3. Will I know if my BDSP starter is shiny before I pick it?

Yes, you’ll know if your BDSP starter is shiny before you officially choose it. Check its appearance during the selection screen or when it’s sent out in battle.

4. What is the best Sinnoh starter?

While preference is subjective, Chimchar is often considered the best Sinnoh starter. Its evolution, Infernape, is a powerful Fire/Fighting-type that’s useful against many of the game’s challenges. However, Piplup and Turtwig are viable as well.

5. Is Brilliant Diamond the hardest Pokémon game?

Many consider Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum to be among the hardest in the series due to their challenging Elite Four, limited Pokémon availability early on, and sometimes grindy gameplay.

6. What Pokémon is number 134 in Brilliant Diamond?

Finneon is Pokémon number 134 in the Sinnoh Pokédex.

7. What is number 59 in the Sinnoh Pokedex?

Cherrim is Pokémon number 59 in the Sinnoh Pokédex.

8. Where is No 146 in Shining Pearl?

Uxie is Pokémon number 146. After encountering Giratina in the distortion world, Uxie can be caught in the Acuity Cavern after acquiring HM08 (Rock Climb).

9. What are the rarest Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond?

Some of the rarest Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond include Kecleon, Castform, Rotom, Ditto, Porygon, Eevee, Spiritomb, and the starter Pokemon.

10. Can you get Celebi in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond?

As of now, Celebi is not directly obtainable within Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl through regular gameplay.

11. What is number 114 in the Sinnoh Pokedex?

Unown is Pokémon number 114 in the Sinnoh Pokédex. It can be found in the Solaceon Ruins.

12. What is the longest Pokémon game?

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (original versions) are among the longest Pokémon games, with completion times averaging around 40.5 hours for the main story and significantly longer for 100% completion.

13. What is the hardest Pokémon to catch?

While difficulty varies by player, Arceus is often considered one of the most difficult Pokémon to catch, especially requiring completion of Pokémon Legends: Arceus and a specific item in Brilliant Diamond.

14. Who is the weakest starter Pokemon?

Chikorita (Gen II) is often cited as one of the weakest starter Pokémon due to its mono-Grass typing, poor stats, and challenging matchups in the Johto region.

15. Can you get Arceus in Brilliant Diamond?

Yes, Arceus can be caught in Brilliant Diamond, but you need to have save data from Pokémon Legends: Arceus and complete all main quests in that game, and then obtain the Azure Flute in your Brilliant Diamond game.

Conclusion: The Rewarding Journey of 100% Completion

Achieving 100% completion in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond is a testament to dedication and thoroughness. While the journey may be lengthy and challenging, the satisfaction of seeing and doing everything the game has to offer is incredibly rewarding. Understanding the game mechanics, planning your team effectively, and utilizing available resources will streamline your path to completion. Remember, this is a learning experience, and that ties directly to the work of groups like the Games Learning Society, who are dedicated to understanding the relationship between gaming and learning, or GamesLearningSociety.org. Embrace the challenge, explore the Sinnoh region fully, and become a true Pokémon master!