You can get all the Sinnoh starter Pokemon via trade with a friend or secondary device. Read on to learn for steps on how to get all starters via trade in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) for the Nintendo Switch!

How to Get All Starters

Catch Starters in the Grand Underground

Pokemon	Grand Underground Hideaways
Turtwig	Grassland Cave Riverbank Cave Still-Water Cavern Sunlit Cavern
Piplup	Fountainspring Cave Riverbank Cave Still-Water Cavern
Chimchar	Sandsear Cave Typhlo Cavern Volcanic Cave

After completing the National Dex, all starter Pokemon can be caught in the Grand Underground inside specific hideaways.

How to Unlock the National Dex

Via Trade

You can get all Sinnoh Starter Pokemon on one account only via online trade. You can trade with other players or trade with a secondary device you can run another save file of the games on.

Pokedex Completion Trading Board

Trade & Reset Method

Required Materials

Below are the materials needed in order to get all Sinnoh Starters by yourself.

• 2 devices (Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite)
• 2 copies of either Pokemon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl

Method Steps

Required Time: About 30 Minutes

Additional Notes

• Make sure to set text speed to "Fast" as soon as you are given the option. Pressing buttons during the dialogue will also make dialogue pass by quicker (we recommend hitting ZL and ZR repeatedly).
• It is faster to avoid Pokemon battles in tall grass than to battle them. Move your stick slowly to creep through the grass. If you do enter a battle, just run away.
• Traded Pokemon are often disobedient above a certain level, so if you find them not following your orders, you can raise their friendship level or simply collect more badges.

Breed & Trade Method

Since Starter Pokemon are Breedable, you can set up a trade with people who have the starter Pokemon you are missing. You can have them breed the desired starters and trade them over. Alternatively, you can have them lend a starter for you to breed then return, if you want to be the Pokemon's original owner.

The breeding method is recommended if you are particular about desired IVs (Individual Values) and Natures.

How to Breed and Hatch Strong Pokemon

Pokemon BDSP Related Guides

Beginner's Tips and Tricks

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Tips and Tricks