Platinum fixes the biggest problems with Diamond and Pearl's original Sinnoh dex. The Fire-type drought is less severe with Houndoom and Flareon now available before the postgame. Garchomp is still the best non-legendary at 600 BST, and Giratina is the box legendary caught in the Distortion World before the Elite Four. More Pokemon in the regional dex means more team options across the board.

How to read this tier list
Elite Pokemon
Base Stat Total of 600+
Legendary
Story-central, catchable in-game
Mythical
Rare, event-exclusive
BST
Base Stat Total (sum of all 6 stats)
Fast with strong offense
Bulky with good offense
Very high offense, slow
Extremely bulky, low offense
High offense but fragile
Bulky support, low offense
Fast utility, momentum control

  • Garchomp is still the answer. 600 BST, Dragon/Ground, 130 Attack, available early from Gible under Cycling Road. Infernape is still the top starter even though the Fire drought is less severe. Giratina is the box legendary at 680 BST, caught in the Distortion World before the Elite Four.

  • The expanded Pokedex is the biggest fix. Pokemon like Houndoom, Eevee, and Gligar are available before the postgame now, so you're not stuck with two Fire-type lines. The Distortion World adds a Giratina encounter before the Elite Four. Surfing and battle animations are faster. Gym leader teams are adjusted, and the Battle Frontier replaces the Battle Tower for post-game.

  • Chimchar is still the best even though Platinum adds more Fire options. Infernape's speed (108) and mixed offense (104 Atk, 104 Sp. Atk) are too good to pass up. Piplup is a stronger second choice in Platinum than in DP since you have Fire alternatives now. Turtwig remains the hardest start with Torterra's quad Ice weakness and slow Speed.

  • Infernape (starter), Staraptor from Starly on Route 201, Garchomp from Gible under Cycling Road, Gyarados from Magikarp, Lucario from Riley's egg on Iron Island, and Roserade from Roselia with a Shiny Stone. That lineup takes you from Roark to Cynthia with no glaring weaknesses.

  • Partially. Diamond and Pearl only had Chimchar's line and Ponyta as Fire types before the postgame. Platinum adds Houndoom and Flareon (from Bebe's free Eevee in Hearthome City) to the pre-E4 pool. Still limited compared to other regions, but at least you have real alternatives to Chimchar and Rapidash now.

  • Giratina is 680 BST and caught in the Distortion World at Level 47, before the Elite Four. Its Ghost/Dragon typing has great offensive coverage and it tanks hits. If you're okay using a box legendary, it's one of the strongest Pokemon available during the main game. The game is beatable without it, but it makes Cynthia a lot easier.

  • Staraptor has 120 Attack, Intimidate, and Close Combat for Rock and Steel coverage. You get Starly on Route 201 within minutes of starting. It evolves fast and stays useful the entire game. Most early-route birds fall off by the midgame, but Staraptor never does. It's the best regional bird in the series up to Gen 4.