BEST BRILLIANT DIAMOND & SHINING PEARL POKEMON
Game Notes
BDSP is a faithful remake of Diamond and Pearl, and the tier list is mostly the same with a few key differences. The Fire-type drought is still here — Infernape and Rapidash are your main options. Garchomp is still the best non-legendary at 600 BST. The Grand Underground adds encounters not in the original DP, giving you more team options mid-game. Cynthia is harder this time with competitive items and smarter AI, so your team needs to be ready for a real fight.
Pokemon Spotlight
Garchomp
Cynthia's ace for a reason. 130 Attack at 102 Speed with Dragon/Ground coverage. BDSP's Cynthia runs Swords Dance Garchomp with competitive AI, and it's the hardest fight in the game. Available from Wayward Cave before gym four.
View page detailsGarchomp — S Tier, 600 BST
Cynthia's ace for a reason. 130 Attack at 102 Speed with Dragon/Ground coverage. BDSP's Cynthia runs Swords Dance Garchomp with competitive AI, and it's the hardest fight in the game. Available from Wayward Cave before gym four.
Dialga
Brilliant Diamond's box legendary. Steel/Dragon resists 10 types and only falls to Fighting and Ground. 150 Sp. Atk with Draco Meteor and Flash Cannon. Dialga dominates the Sinnoh roster with its near-unmatched defensive typing.
View page detailsDialga — S Tier, 680 BST
Brilliant Diamond's box legendary. Steel/Dragon resists 10 types and only falls to Fighting and Ground. 150 Sp. Atk with Draco Meteor and Flash Cannon. Dialga dominates the Sinnoh roster with its near-unmatched defensive typing.
Weavile
Weavile's 125 Speed and 120 Attack make it BDSP's premier revenge killer and pursuit trapper. Dark/Ice STAB coverage hits Psychic, Ghost, Flying, Dragon, and Ground types for super effective damage. It's frail at 70/65/85 defenses, but most targets don't survive long enough to fight back.
View page detailsWeavile — A Tier, 510 BST
Weavile's 125 Speed and 120 Attack make it BDSP's premier revenge killer and pursuit trapper. Dark/Ice STAB coverage hits Psychic, Ghost, Flying, Dragon, and Ground types for super effective damage. It's frail at 70/65/85 defenses, but most targets don't survive long enough to fight back.
ArceusNormalMIXEDHP120Atk120Def120SpA120SpD120Spe120HP120Atk120Def120SpA120SpD120Spe120
MewtwoPsychicSPECIALHP106Atk110Def90SpA154SpD90Spe130AbilityPressureNatureTimidItemLife OrbPsystrike100Ice Beam90Aura Sphere80Fire Blast110HP106Atk110Def90SpA154SpD90Spe130
LugiaPsychicMIXEDHP106Atk90Def130SpA90SpD154Spe110AbilityMultiscaleNatureBoldItemHeavy Duty BootsAeroblast100Roost–Calm Mind–Ice Beam90HP106Atk90Def130SpA90SpD154Spe110
Ho ohFirePHYSICALHP106Atk130Def90SpA110SpD154Spe90AbilityRegeneratorNatureImpishItemHeavy Duty BootsSacred Fire100Defog–Whirlwind–Roost–HP106Atk130Def90SpA110SpD154Spe90
RayquazaDragonMIXEDHP105Atk150Def90SpA150SpD90Spe95AbilityAir LockNatureJollyItemFocus SashDragon Ascent120Extreme Speed80Dragon Dance–Earthquake100HP105Atk150Def90SpA150SpD90Spe95- #1DialgaSteelDragonSPECIALHP100Atk120Def120SpA150SpD100Spe90AbilityPressureNatureTimidItemAdamant OrbFlash Cannon80Draco Meteor130Roar of Time150Dragon Pulse85HP100Atk120Def120SpA150SpD100Spe90
- #2
PalkiaWaterDragonSPECIALHP90Atk120Def100SpA150SpD120Spe100AbilityPressureNatureTimidItemLustrous OrbSpacial Rend100Hydro Pump110Thunder110Fire Blast110HP90Atk120Def100SpA150SpD120Spe100 
GiratinaGhostDragonMIXEDHP150Atk100Def120SpA100SpD120Spe90AbilityPressureNatureBoldItemMaster BallWill-O-Wisp–Rest–Defog–Shadow Force120HP150Atk100Def120SpA100SpD120Spe90
KyogreWaterSPECIALHP100Atk100Def90SpA150SpD140Spe90AbilityDrizzleNatureTimidItemChoice ScarfIce Beam90Thunder110Water Spout150Origin Pulse110HP100Atk100Def90SpA150SpD140Spe90
DeoxysPsychicMIXEDHP50Atk150Def50SpA150SpD50Spe150HP50Atk150Def50SpA150SpD50Spe150- #3GarchompDragonGroundPHYSICALHP108Atk130Def95SpA80SpD85Spe102AbilityRough SkinNatureJollyItemLife OrbEarthquake100Swords Dance–Stealth Rock–Protect–HP108Atk130Def95SpA80SpD85Spe102
HeatranFireSteelSPECIALHP91Atk90Def106SpA130SpD106Spe77AbilityFlash FireNatureTimidItemAir BalloonEarth Power90Magma Storm100Stealth Rock–Taunt–HP91Atk90Def106SpA130SpD106Spe77
GroudonGroundPHYSICALHP100Atk150Def140SpA100SpD90Spe90AbilityDroughtNatureAdamantItemLife OrbPrecipice Blades120Stone Edge100Earthquake100Swords Dance–HP100Atk150Def140SpA100SpD90Spe90
TyranitarRockDarkPHYSICALHP100Atk134Def110SpA95SpD100Spe61AbilitySand StreamNatureAdamantItemChoice BandCrunch80Stone Edge100Earthquake100Stealth Rock–HP100Atk134Def110SpA95SpD100Spe61
DarkraiDarkSPECIALHP70Atk90Def90SpA135SpD90Spe125HP70Atk90Def90SpA135SpD90Spe125
ZapdosElectricSPECIALHP90Atk90Def85SpA125SpD90Spe100AbilityStaticNatureBoldItemHeavy Duty BootsRoost–Volt Switch70Defog–HP90Atk90Def85SpA125SpD90Spe100- #4WeavileDarkIcePHYSICALHP70Atk120Def65SpA45SpD85Spe125AbilityPressureNatureJollyItemHeavy Duty BootsIce Shard40Swords Dance–HP70Atk120Def65SpA45SpD85Spe125
- #5
ClefableFairySPECIALHP95Atk70Def73SpA95SpD90Spe60AbilityMagic GuardNatureBoldItemRocky HelmetMoonblast95Calm Mind–Thunder Wave–Stealth Rock–HP95Atk70Def73SpA95SpD90Spe60
SlakingNormalPHYSICALHP150Atk160Def100SpA95SpD65Spe100AbilityTruantNatureJollyItemChoice BandEarthquake100Giga Impact150Hammer Arm100HP150Atk160Def100SpA95SpD65Spe100
RegigigasNormalPHYSICALHP110Atk160Def110SpA80SpD110Spe100AbilitySlow StartNatureAdamantItemChesto BerrySubstitute–Knock Off65Rest–Protect–HP110Atk160Def110SpA80SpD110Spe100
DragoniteDragonPHYSICALHP91Atk134Def95SpA100SpD100Spe80AbilityMultiscaleNatureAdamantItemHeavy Duty BootsDragon Dance–Earthquake100Roost–Extreme Speed80HP91Atk134Def95SpA100SpD100Spe80
MewPsychicMIXEDHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100AbilitySynchronizeNatureJollyItemMental HerbStealth Rock–Taunt–Thunder Wave–HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100
CelebiPsychicGrassMIXEDHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100AbilityNatural CureNatureCalmItemHeavy Duty BootsLeaf Storm130U-turn70Future Sight120Recover–HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100
SalamenceDragonPHYSICALHP95Atk135Def80SpA110SpD80Spe100AbilityIntimidateNatureAdamantItemLife OrbDragon Dance–Earthquake100Dragon Claw80Roost–HP95Atk135Def80SpA110SpD80Spe100
MetagrossSteelPsychicPHYSICALHP80Atk135Def130SpA95SpD90Spe70AbilityClear BodyNatureAdamantItemAssault VestMeteor Mash90Earthquake100Agility–Zen Headbutt80HP80Atk135Def130SpA95SpD90Spe70
LatiasDragonPsychicSPECIALHP80Atk80Def90SpA110SpD130Spe110AbilityLevitateNatureTimidItemWeakness PolicyCalm Mind–Draco Meteor130Psychic90Dragon Pulse85HP80Atk80Def90SpA110SpD130Spe110
LatiosDragonPsychicSPECIALHP80Atk90Def80SpA130SpD110Spe110AbilityLevitateNatureTimidItemChoice SpecsDraco Meteor130Psychic90Defog–HP80Atk90Def80SpA130SpD110Spe110
JirachiSteelPsychicMIXEDHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100AbilitySerene GraceNatureJollyItemWeakness PolicyWish–U-turn70Drain Punch75Healing Wish–HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100- #6
ManaphyWaterMIXEDHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100AbilityHydrationNatureModestItemWateriumzTail Glow–Surf90Rest–Energy Ball90HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100 
ShayminGrassMIXEDHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100AbilityNatural CureNatureTimidItemLife OrbAir Slash75Seed Flare120Synthesis–HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100
ArticunoIceMIXEDHP90Atk85Def100SpA95SpD125Spe85AbilityPressureNatureCalmItemHeavy Duty BootsRoost–Freeze-Dry70Defog–Ancient Power60HP90Atk85Def100SpA95SpD125Spe85- #30
UxiePsychicMIXEDHP75Atk75Def130SpA75SpD130Spe95AbilityLevitateNatureCalmItemLight ClayLight Screen–Reflect–Memento–Yawn–HP75Atk75Def130SpA75SpD130Spe95 
MagmortarFireSPECIALHP75Atk95Def67SpA125SpD95Spe83AbilityFlame BodyNatureHastyItemSitrus BerryThunderbolt90Fire Blast110Psychic90Substitute–HP75Atk95Def67SpA125SpD95Spe83
LaprasWaterIceMIXEDHP130Atk85Def80SpA85SpD95Spe60AbilityWater AbsorbNatureAdamantItemSitrus BerryFreeze-Dry70Avalanche60Thunderbolt90Waterfall80HP130Atk85Def80SpA85SpD95Spe60
TyphlosionFireSPECIALHP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100AbilityFlash FireNatureModestItemChoice ScarfEruption150Focus Blast120Extrasensory80HP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100
BlastoiseWaterMIXEDHP79Atk83Def100SpA85SpD105Spe78AbilityTorrentNatureBoldItemWhite HerbIce Beam90Shell Smash–Scald80Rapid Spin50HP79Atk83Def100SpA85SpD105Spe78
ExeggutorGrassPsychicSPECIALHP95Atk95Def85SpA125SpD75Spe55AbilityChlorophyllNatureModestItemChoice SpecsPsychic90Leaf Storm130Explosion250Grass Knot–HP95Atk95Def85SpA125SpD75Spe55
FeraligatrWaterPHYSICALHP85Atk105Def100SpA79SpD83Spe78AbilitySheer ForceNatureAdamantItemLife OrbDragon Dance–Ice Punch75Crunch80Waterfall80HP85Atk105Def100SpA79SpD83Spe78
WalreinIceWaterMIXEDHP110Atk80Def90SpA95SpD90Spe65AbilityIce BodyNatureCarefulItemWise GlassesIce Beam90Curse–Avalanche60Aqua Ring–HP110Atk80Def90SpA95SpD90Spe65- #31
EmpoleonWaterSteelSPECIALHP84Atk86Def88SpA111SpD101Spe60AbilityTorrentNatureModestItemAssault VestScald80Flash Cannon80Ice Beam90Grass Knot–HP84Atk86Def88SpA111SpD101Spe60 
VenusaurGrassPoisonMIXEDHP80Atk82Def83SpA100SpD100Spe80AbilityChlorophyllNatureModestItemLife OrbGiga Drain75Growth–Sludge Bomb90Leech Seed–HP80Atk82Def83SpA100SpD100Spe80
FlareonFirePHYSICALHP65Atk130Def60SpA95SpD110Spe65AbilityGutsNatureSassyItemAguav BerryFlare Blitz120Rest–Last Resort140Sleep Talk–HP65Atk130Def60SpA95SpD110Spe65
PhioneWaterMIXEDHP80Atk80Def80SpA80SpD80Spe80HP80Atk80Def80SpA80SpD80Spe80
GirafarigNormalPsychicMIXEDHP70Atk80Def65SpA90SpD65Spe85HP70Atk80Def65SpA90SpD65Spe85
VigorothNormalPHYSICALHP80Atk80Def80SpA55SpD55Spe90HP80Atk80Def80SpA55SpD55Spe90
MisdreavusGhostSPECIALHP60Atk60Def60SpA85SpD85Spe85HP60Atk60Def60SpA85SpD85Spe85- #71
WormadamBugGrassSPECIALHP60Atk59Def85SpA79SpD105Spe36HP60Atk59Def85SpA79SpD105Spe36 - #72
MothimBugMIXEDHP70Atk94Def50SpA94SpD50Spe66HP70Atk94Def50SpA94SpD50Spe66 
CroconawWaterPHYSICALHP65Atk80Def80SpA59SpD63Spe58HP65Atk80Def80SpA59SpD63Spe58
PlusleElectricSPECIALHP60Atk50Def40SpA85SpD75Spe95HP60Atk50Def40SpA85SpD75Spe95
MinunElectricSPECIALHP60Atk40Def50SpA75SpD85Spe95HP60Atk40Def50SpA75SpD85Spe95
GrotleGrassPHYSICALHP75Atk89Def85SpA55SpD65Spe36HP75Atk89Def85SpA55SpD65Spe36
PrinplupWaterSPECIALHP64Atk66Def68SpA81SpD76Spe50HP64Atk66Def68SpA81SpD76Spe50
DelcattyNormalUTILITYHP70Atk65Def65SpA55SpD55Spe90HP70Atk65Def65SpA55SpD55Spe90
Pokemon Comparison
FAQ
Garchomp, same as the originals. 600 BST, Dragon/Ground, 130 Attack, available from Gible in Wayward Cave. The Grand Underground makes it slightly easier to find strong Pokemon early, but Garchomp is still the top non-legendary. Infernape is critical since the Fire-type drought from original DP is still present.
Cynthia is significantly harder. She has competitive held items (Leftovers, Yache Berry on Garchomp), better movesets, and smarter AI that switches and predicts. Her Garchomp is a notorious team wiper. The rest of the game is about the same difficulty. Mandatory Exp. Share keeps your team leveled but also makes you slightly overleveled for gyms.
The Grand Underground has Pokemon Hideaways with encounters not in the original DP surface routes. Pokemon like Houndoom, Absol, and Ralts are available earlier than in the originals. It partially fixes the Fire-type problem since you can find Houndour underground. It also gives you access to evolution stones earlier. Check the Underground before assuming a Pokemon is unavailable.
Barely. The Grand Underground adds Houndour as a catchable Fire-type before the postgame, which helps slightly. But the surface encounters are the same as original DP — Chimchar's line and Ponyta are still your main Fire options. If you don't pick Chimchar, check the Underground for Houndour as your backup coverage.
Cynthia's Garchomp holds a Yache Berry (halves Ice damage once), so don't expect an Ice move to one-shot it. It also knows Swords Dance and will boost if given a free turn. Bring your own Garchomp or a fast Ice-type that can hit twice. Her Spiritomb has no weaknesses in BDSP (no Fairy type in this game's engine). Her Milotic, Roserade, and Lucario all carry competitive items too. Have a plan for each of her six.
GAME AVAILABILITY
- Gen IY
Yellow151 Pokemon - Gen IRB
Red & Blue151 Pokemon - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver251 Pokemon - Gen IIC
Crystal251 Pokemon - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire202 Pokemon - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen151 Pokemon - Gen IIIE
Emerald202 Pokemon - Gen IVPt
Platinum210 Pokemon - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver256 Pokemon - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl151 Pokemon - Gen VBW
Black & White156 Pokemon - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2301 Pokemon - Gen VIXY
X & Y457 Pokemon - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire211 Pokemon - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon403 Pokemon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon302 Pokemon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee153 Pokemon - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield400 Pokemon - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus242 Pokemon - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl151 Pokemon - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet400 Pokemon - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A364 Pokemon - Gen XWW
Winds & Waves51 Pokemon