Win Super Contests by earning the most amount of points in Visual, Dance, and Move Evaluations and getting successful shows. Read on to learn what the new features and mechanics of Super Contest Shows are, how to be the Star of the Show, how to get successful shows, how to win Ribbons, and more in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP).
| Related Guides | ||
|---|---|---|
| Poffin Guide | Super Contest Show Guide | Best Poffin Recipes Sharing Board |
List of Contents
Your Pokemon will be awarded as the Star of the Show if it rakes up the most points among all contestants on the Visual, Dance, and Move Evaluations of the Contest.
| How to Be Star of the Show in Contests |
|---|
|
Earn more Visual Evaluation points by gearing a Pokemon's condition heavily towards the category they're competing in.
Feed the Pokemon Poffins to raise its conditions, such as Beauty, Cool, Cute, Smart, and Tough.
You can cook Poffins at the Poffin House in the south side of Hearthome City or in Amity Square, which can be accessed on either the northeast or northwest corners of the city.
If you want your Pokemon to dominate the Contest stage, aim to maximize your Pokemon's condition by cooking high-level Poffins
| Condition | Poffin Flavor |
|---|---|
| Beauty | Dry |
| Coolness | Spicy |
| Cuteness | Sweet |
| Cleverness | Bitter |
| Toughness | Sour |
Poffins are made from berries and the flavor of the Poffin depends on the Berries used to cook it. The above table illustrates the conditions raised by each flavor. You can check a Berry's flavor by viewing its tag in the Bag.
Note that if a Pokemon likes a flavor, the condition will be boosted a bit more, per Poffin. However, if it dislikes a flavor, the condition will be boosted a bit less. Whether a Pokemon likes or dislikes a Poffin flavor is determined by its Nature.
You can get colored Scarfs from the Scarf Guy in Pastoria City to raise the condition of your Pokemon participating in Contests. Show him Pokemon with conditions you've already raised with Poffins and he will give you a Scarf.
Simply let the Pokemon that will compete in the Contest hold a Scarf before joining a show.
| Scarf | Condition Raised |
|---|---|
 Red Scarf
|
Coolness |
 Blue Scarf
|
Beauty |
 Pink Scarf
|
Cuteness |
 Green Scarf
|
Cleverness |
 Yellow Scarf
|
Toughness |
The Stickers you use on a Ball Capsule should be based on the Contest category that you will compete in, as the effect should match the theme. The effect of the sticker is denoted in the Sticker's title (e.g. Heart, Fire, Song, Electricity, etc.).
These Ball Capsules should be decorated before joining a Contest, as you will be prompted to choose which Ball Capsule to use before the event starts.
You can get Stickers by beating Gym Leaders, talking to certain NPCs in the overworld, or buying them at Sunyshore City's Sticker store.
Pokeball Stickers & Capsule Decoration
| Contest Category | Sticker |
|---|---|
| Coolness |  |
| Beauty |  |
| Cuteness |  |
| Cleverness |  |
| Toughness |  |
A great way to get high scores at the Dance Evaluation is to keep practicing. If you're lagging behind or pressing too early, repeat the show a couple of times until you get the flow of the song. There is no penalty in losing Contests, so you're free to do it as many times as you can!
| Positive Groove | Max Positive Groove | Negative Groove | Max Negative Groove |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Your Pokemon's groove in the Contest depends on how well you are performing in the Dance Evaluation. You can expect that you will get high points in the Dance Evaluation if you've managed to maintain positive groove throughout the entire show.
Furthermore, groove is tied on some Contest moves and can dictate how effective a Contest move is.
If you feel like you're about to miss a series of upcoming notes, you can use your Contest Move as an emergency button. This will play a cutscene of your Pokemon using the move, giving you time to get back on your feet and refocus on the rhythm.
Contest Moves are far more effective when it is used along with other performers to create a Move Chain. Press X once the other Pokemon have queued in their moves.
Move Chains give out bonus points towards the Hype Meter. The higher the chain, the more Hype Points are earned.
Moves Chains also give out more points if all contestants use similar move types, but this is harder to rely on as the Pokemon and the moves other contestants use vary.
Moves in Super Contests have different effects, which can be checked in the Pokemon's Summary screen. Utilizing these moves well and using it on the right time will help you win Contests.
It is still recommended to use your Contest Move along with other participants to take advantage of Move Chains. If you see moves are lining up, use your move as well.
| Move Description | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Hype Points gained will increase by a set amount if groove if positive | Great to use when you're doing well in the rhythm game and to fill up the Hype Meter |
| Hype Points gained will increase by a set amount if groove if negative | Not recommended, as you need to miss notes to bring your Pokemon's groove down |
| Groove will not drop for a set amount of time | Useful when you're about to miss notes due to mistimed button presses |
| Missed notes will not be judged by a set amount of time | Useful when you're about to miss notes due to mistimed button presses |
| For a set amount of time, the Heart Gauge will be easier to fill up | Very useful in making shows successful and when aiming to rack up Hall Points |
| Receive 1-5 Hype Points depending on the Pokemon's groove | Use only when you have positive groove |
| The move has no additional effects | Not recommended, as this move will only give Hype Points and nothing more |
| Note: Hype Points gained and values vary per move. | |
Any move with this effect is the best move to use in Contests as it will be more effective if your Pokemon's groove is positive, which should already secure high points in the Dance Evaluation. The Hype Point bonus will also contribute to having a successful show.
Besides being the Star of the Show, the show you participate in must be considered a success in order to move up the ranks of Contest categories. You will achieve this if you fill up the Hype Meter to the indicated limit, which is done by performing well in Dance Evaluations and using the correct Contest Moves.
Each rank will have a higher Hype Meter limit you need to reach to have a successful show, with each rhythm game being harder the higher the rank.
Successful shows also give you Hall Points, which levels up the Contest Hall once you get enough. This brings physical changes on the Contest Hall that the Pokemon are performing at.
| Heart Gauge | Hype Meter |
|---|---|
|
 |
Hitting the notes at the right time fills up the Heart Gauge. Once this is full, hearts will fly towards the Hype Meter, filling it up.
How much the Heart Gauge is filled up is based on the rating of your timing, denoted as Too Fast/Too Slow, Nice, Great, and Brilliant (in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond) or Shining (in Pokemon Shining Pearl).
It takes practice to master the rhythm of the songs, so keep on playing until you can hit all the notes perfectly.
To fill up the Hype Meter quickly, use moves that give Hype Points instead of those that give you immunity from missing notes.
| Recommended Contest Moves for Successful Shows |
|---|
|
Super Contests in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl now feature two win conditions. You need to achieve both of these in order to dominate Sinnoh's Contest stage!
A Pokemon that scores the highest points at the end of the show is awarded as the Star of the Show. Points in the Visual, Dance, and Move Evaluations are added and whoever has the highest total points is announced as the winner.
To win Ribbons, a Pokemon must be the Star of the Show of the Master Rank Contest in the Category it competed in.
Note that in case of ties, more than one Pokemon can be awarded the Star of the Show.
Hype Points and the Hype Meter are new mechanics introduced in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Super Contests. All Contest participants share a new goal of filling up the Hype Meter, which can be seen at the top of the screen, by earning Hype Points from using Contest moves and performing well in the Dance Evaluation.
Getting enough points and reaching the Hype Meter limit will mark the show a success, unlocking higher ranks and letting you earn Hall Points, which upgrades the stage that you are performing at.
A show will be considered as a failure if you did not get enough Hype Points and fail to fill up the Hype Meter to the limit.
In Super Contest Shows, Ball Capsule decorations are judged in Visual Evaluations, along with the level of a Pokemon's condition. You need to use Stickers that match the Contest category to earn high points in the Visual Evaluation part of the Contest!
For the Dance evaluation, Super Contest Shows now test your ability of matching the rhythm of the notes as they appear on your screen. Timing is rated as Too Fast/Too Slow, Nice, Great, and Brilliant (in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond) or Shining (in Pokemon Shining Pearl).
The better your performance in the Dance Evaluation, the easier it is to fill up the Hype Meter, which helps in guaranteeing a successful show!
Moves are now only used once and is tied to the Dance Evaluation's gameplay. Performers can also work together to time their Contest Moves together to create a Move Chain, which garners a lot of Hype Points to fill the Hype Meter.
Moves also has different effects, which can be used strategically during the rhythm game.
If you finish a Contest with the Hype Meter filled up, the show is considered a success, and you will be rewarded with Hall Points.
Once you gain enough Hall Points, your Hall Rank will level up and the Contest stage will have a different appearance!
| Hall Rank | Contest Stage |
|---|---|
| Hall Rank 1 |  |
| Hall Rank 2 |  |
| Hall Rank 3 |  |
| Hall Rank 4 |  |
| Contest Categories | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coolness | Beauty | Cuteness |
| Cleverness | Toughness | Brilliant (in BD) Shining (in SP) |
Super Contests are divided into six categories, with the sixth one being a new entry in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Each category will focus on a specific condition,, as well as its own song that will play during the rhythm game.
A new category is added in Super Contests in the remakes, with the Brilliant category being exclusive to Pokemon Brilliant Diamond, and the Shining category being exclusive to Pokemon Shining Pearl.
To unlock this, you need to defeat the Elite Four and beat Cynthia to enter the Hall of Fame.
A Contest Star Ribbon is required to participate in these new categories, which will be awarded to a Pokemon if it wins all Master Rank shows in the Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Cleverness, and Toughness category.
Winning the Master Rank of this category will earn your a Twinkling Star Ribbon!
| Contest Ranks from Lowest to Highest | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Great | Ultra | Master |
Each Contest category is further divided into ranks. To compete in a higher rank, the show you will participate in must be considered a success, which means that you need to fill in the Hype Meter past the required limit.
When you join a certain Contest category, you will start in Normal rank. You will not be able to participate in higher ranks until all lower rank shows are considered a success.
As you move up into the ranks, you will face tougher contestants, and the rhythm game will also get harder.
You will get Stickers when you and your Pokemon are awarded as the Star of the Show. The Sticker you will obtain will depend on the Contest category that you have participated in.
How to Use Stickers (Pokeball Seals)
| Ribbon | Requirement |
|---|---|
 Coolness Master Ribbon |
Be Star of the Show in the Coolness Contest on Master Rank |
 Beauty Master Ribbon |
Be Star of the Show in the Beauty Contest on Master Rank |
 Cuteness Master Ribbon |
Be Star of the Show in the Cuteness Contest on Master Rank |
 Cleverness Master Ribbon |
Be Star of the Show in the Cleverness Contest on Master Rank |
 Toughness Master Ribbon |
Be Star of the Show in the Toughness Contest on Master Rank |
 Contest Star Ribbon |
Be Star of the Show in all Contests on Master Rank |
 Twinkling Star Ribbon |
Be Star of the Show in Brilliant or Shining Contest on Master Rank |
Ribbons are awarded only when your Pokemon is awarded as the Star of the Show in a Master Rank Competition of a Contest Category.
You need to perform well in all Evaluations in a Contest to be the Star of the Show.
If you want to collect Ribbons for your Pokemon, aim to be the best performer in every rank of a Contest!
Super Contest Shows are a popular pastime in the Sinnoh region where players can compete with their Pokemon without having to engage in battles. You can take part in Super Contest Shows in the Contest Hall, the building with the dome-shaped roof in the northern section of Hearthome City.
Gym Leader Fantina and Johanna, your mom, are frequent visitors of the Contest Hall.
There are several Contest categories you can take part in; Coolness, Cuteness, Beauty, Toughness, and Cleverness, with the Brilliant or Shining category being unlocked after defeating the Champion.
Each category has 4 ranks, with each succeeding rank escalating in difficulty. The ranks are Normal, Great, Ultra, and Master.
In each category, your first contest will be on the Normal Rank. If you win on Normal Rank, you can start participating in the Great Rank of that category and so on. The show must be considered a success to unlock the next rank, until you reach the final Master Rank.
On Master Rank Contests, Fantina, Hearthome City's Gym Leader and Jasmine, Olivine CIty's Gym Leader back in the Johto region will join the show! Compared to other contestants, their Pokemon can receive high ratings. You may also face your mom, Johanna, and her Kangaskhan!
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Super Contest Show Guide and New Features
Genshin Impact Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP) Strategies & Guides Wiki
Honkai: Star Rail Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Call of Duty Black Ops 6 (BO6) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Metaphor: ReFantazio Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Zenless Zone Zero Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Palworld Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon Legends: Arceus Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
New Pokemon Snap Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
FF7 Remake Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
©2021 Pokémon. TM, ®Nintendo.
The copyrights of videos of games used in our content and other intellectual property rights belong to the provider of the game.
The contents we provide on this site were created personally by members of the Game8 editorial department.
We refuse the right to reuse or repost content taken without our permission such as data or images to other sites.
![Rogue Command Review [Early Access] | Command, Conquer, Repeat](https://img.game8.co/4044204/c148391485ca332164121e8dd9561c31.png/thumb)
![GFL 2 Review [Closed Beta] | It’s About Time](https://img.game8.co/4038975/c0175c6aba9a1b7f16711eb48fb88a82.png/thumb)
