The Best Pokemon team to use for the story takes into account important trainer and Pokemon League battles! Read on for a guide on the best story team for Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP).

Best Team Video Walkthrough

Best Team

Best Infernape Team

Pokemon	Recommended Moves
Infernape	・Power-Up Punch(Chimchar @ Lv. 12) ・Close Combat (On Evolution) ・Acrobatics (Lv. 52) ・Flare Blitz (Lv.68)
Gyarados	・Waterfall (Lv. 21) ・Crunch (Lv. 24) ・Dragon Dance (Lv. 36) ・Ice Fang (Move Relearner)
Garchomp	・Bulldoze (Lv. 18) ・Dragon Claw (Lv. 42) ・Earthquake (TM26)
Luxray	・Spark (Luxio @ Lv. 18) ・Crunch (Lv. 56) ・Thunder Wave (TM73)
Jirachi	・Wish (Base) ・Psychic (Lv. 42) ・Meteor Mash (Lv. 49)
Roserade	・Giga Drain (Lv. 30 when Roselia) ・Toxic (Lv. 40 when Roselia) ・Petal Blizzard (Lv. 45 when Roselia) ・Sludge Bomb (TM36)

This team features a set of Pokemon which aside from Garchomp, can be obtained in the beginning stages of the game. Jirachi can be obtained by players who have save data in Pokemon Sword or Pokemon Shield on the same Nintendo Switch.

Explanation

Until near the end of the game, Pokemon which can resist both Fighting and Fire-type moves are few and far between, including the likes of Tentacruel, Gyarados, and Azumarill. The majority of the story's gym leaders can be taken down by simply setting up Power-Up Punch. Using Infernape as a base to take down most foes, cover its weakness in Water types with Luxray.

For foes which Infernape cannot take down with one hit, and has a risk of taking a fatal blow from, Gyarados can act as a pivot to reduce Attack with Intimidate and lower their damage output.

Roserade comes into play against Water/Ground types like Quagsire and Gastrodon, and Pokemon with high physical defense such as Hippowdon.

Jirachi and Garchomp, Pokemon with inherently high stats across the board, can provide stability to the team in unexpected situations. For players who cannot obtain Jirachi, it's fine to substitute another support Pokemon with high overall base stats.

Best Empoleon Team

Pokemon	Recommended Moves
Empoleon	・Surf (TM95) ・Drill Peck (Lv. 52)
Rapidash	・Flame Wheel (Ponyta @ Lv. 25) ・Stomp (Ponyta @Lv. 30)
Garchomp	・Bulldoze (Lv. 18) ・Dragon Claw (Lv. 42) ・Earthquake (TM26)
Mew	・Psychic (TM29) ・Thunderbolt (TM24) ・Ice Beam (TM13)
Roserade	・Giga Drain (Lv. 30 when Roselia) ・Toxic (Lv. 40 when Roselia) ・Petal Blizzard (Lv. 45 when Roselia) ・Sludge Bomb (TM36)
Luxray	・Spark (Luxio @ Lv. 18) ・Crunch (Lv. 56) ・Thunder Wave (TM73)

Like the Infernape team, these Pokemon, aside from Garchomp, can be obtained in the beginning stages of the game. Mew can be obtained by players who have save data in Pokemon: Let's Go! Pikachu or Pokemon: Let's Go! Eevee on the same Nintendo Switch.

Explanation

Although Empoleon lacks the pure fighting prowess of Infernape, it brings its own advantages to the table, such as its unique Water/Steel typing granting it a total of 10 resistances and 1 immunity. Empoleon can support its defensive capabilities with moves like Charm, but its low Speed makes it difficult to stand its ground against its three weaknesses in Electric, Fighting, and Ground.

Rapidash shares 2 of Empoleon's weaknesses, but in the early game before it gains its Steel type, Rapidash can cover for Empoleon's Grass weakness, and fills the role of a fast attacker for the team with the coveted Fire typing.

Garchomp and Mew are just great to have around with their high stats, and Garchomp can cover Empoleon's Electric weakness, with Mew handling its Fighting weakness.

Roserade can stop Ground and Rock threats, while Luxray hits Water type opponents for Rapidash.

Best Torterra Team

Pokemon	Recommended Moves
Torterra	・Leech Seed (Grotle @ Lv. 32) ・Earthquake (Upon Evolution) ・Wood Hammer (Move Relearner)
Rapidash	・Flame Wheel (Ponyta @ Lv. 25) ・Stomp (Ponyta @Lv. 30)
Garchomp	・Bulldoze (Lv. 18) ・Dragon Claw (Lv. 42) ・Earthquake (TM26)
Mew	・Psychic (TM29) ・Thunderbolt (TM24) ・Ice Beam (TM13)
Staraptor	・Aerial Ace (Lv. 28) ・Close Combat (On Evolution) ・Brave Bird (Lv. 49)
Lucario	・Aura Sphere (On Evolution) ・Flash Cannon (TM91) ・Nasty Plot (Lv. 24 when Riolu)

The Torterra team has a bit more late-game support than the other teams with Garchomp and Lucario.

Explanation

Torterra is the slowest and bulkiest of the three starters, making it an unsuitable choice for a story team, in which it's generally best to run fast attackers who can first-hit-KO their way through repeated battles without having to take damage. Still, Torterra has its advantages in being one of the few physical-attacking Grass-type Pokemon, giving it a unique niche that can make it worth investing in.

Rapidash is a solid choice for backup lead for its Fire typing and speed, allowing it to cruise through battle-heavy areas that would wear Torterra down.

Torterra has several weaknesses in Ice, Fire, Flying, and Bug, and Rapidash has its own, but fortunately, they cover each other's threats rather well, with Rapidash strong against Ice and Bug, and Torterra strong against all three of Rapidash's main threats in Water, Rock, and Ground.

For players who would rather build their party sooner, Lucario and Garchomp are not requirements, nor is Mew for those who cannot obtain it – their high stats and ability to handle a range of opponents make them great to have, but they're not essentials for covering the rest of the party.

Best Team Candidate Tier List

Rank	Pokemon
	Infernape ○ Gyarados ○ Garchomp Lucario
	Empoleon ○ Torterra ○ Luxray ○ Azumarill Rapidash ○ Roserade ○
	Jirachi ○ Mew ○ Alakazam ○ Gengar ○ Golem ○ Staraptor ○

Pokemon marked with an ○ can be obtained early in the game, so players should take the opportunity to begin training them early on.

Explanation

Evaluated on lead member and support potential

Each of the ranks in our tier list above are determined based on the criteria below.

Rank	Meaning
S	When sufficiently trained, can handle gyms and the Elite Four without significant problems
A	May not be able to take out opponents with a single neutral-damage attack, or be outsped and struggle to keep up; potential as a backup lead
B	Able to act as a support for a lead member

Best Pokemon by Type

Type	Pokemon
Grass	Torterra ○ Roserade ○
Water	Empoleon ○ Gyarados ○ Azumarill
Fire	Infernape ○ Rapidash ○
Electric	Luxray ○
Ice	None
Fighting	Infernape ○ Lucario
Ground	Garchomp Torterra ○ Golem ○
Poison	Roserade ○
Flying	Staraptor ○
Psychic	Mew ○ Jirachi ○ Alakazam ○
Bug	None
Rock	Golem ○
Ghost	Gengar
Dragon	Garchomp
Dark	None
Steel	Lucario Jirachi ○
Fairy	Azumarill
Normal	None

Types listed as “None” are not ones for which no strong Pokemon exist, but only that there are no Pokemon within that type which players need to dedicate time training when playing the main story.

Pokemon marked with an ○ can be obtained early in the game, so players should take the opportunity to begin training them early on.

Best Moves for Each Teammate

We've selected a set of best Moves to teach each of the teammate candidates listed above based on the following criteria.

How to Select the Best Movesets

When crafting a Moveset for each of your Pokemon, you can follow this advice to get a sense of which four Moves would be a good fit. It's generally ok to break the rules occasionally while making up for it with other Moves.

1. At least 10 PP, 80 Power, and 100 Accuracy
2. Moves like Flare Blitz which cause damage to the user should be avoided as they force frequent Item use and slow down the game pace
3. Having two Moves of the same type for separate purposes is possible

Example Movesets for Each Pokemon

Pokemon	Moves
Infernape	Flame Wheel	Close Combat
	Rock Slide	Grass Knot
Gyarados	Waterfall	Ice Fang
	Dragon Dance	Earthquake
Garchomp	Earthquake	Dig
	Dragon Claw	Rock Slide
Lucario	Aura Sphere	Earthquake
	Flash Cannon	Meteor Mash
Empoleon	Surf	Flash Cannon
	Grass Knot	Ice Beam
Torterra	Wood Hammer	Bullet Seed
	Earthquake	Rock Slide
Luxray	Thunderbolt	Spark
	Crunch	Thunder Wave
Rapidash	Flamethrower	Megahorn
	Smart Strike	Poison Jab
Roserade	Giga Drain	Energy Ball
	Sludge Bomb	Dazzling Gleam
Jirachi	Psychic	Flash Cannon
	Grass Knot	Thunderbolt
Mew	Psychic	Flamethrower
	Ice Beam	Grass Knot
Staraptor	Brave Bird	Facade
	Close Combat	Pluck

Pokemon BDSP Related Guides

Beginner's Tips and Tricks

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Tips and Tricks

Post Game Guides
Post Game Content and 100 Percent Guide	How to Use the Poke Radar
How to Unlock the National Dex	Ramanas Park Guide
List of Swarm Pokemon	How to Get to the Battle Zone
How to Get Mysterious Shards	Ribbon Syndicate Guide
How to Get Trainer Card Stars	When Do Legendaries Respawn?
How to Complete the National Dex	-
Beginner's Guides
Best Team	Best Starter Pokemon
How to Trade Locally and Online	Pokemon by Route: Best Pokemon to Catch
How to Have Pokemon Follow You and Walk With Pokemon	How to Get Money Fast
Groups Guide: How to Join and Create	Character Creation and Customization
Pokemon Allowed in Amity Square Guide and Map	Daily and Weekly Events Guide
How to Battle Online	How to Evolve Pokemon
Type Chart	Language Settings
How to Add Friends	How to Catch Pokemon: Best Pokemon for Catching
List of Settings and Best Settings	What Happens When You Lose?
Should You Use TMs?	-
Collectibles and Locations
Move Reminder: How to Relearn Moves	All Poketch App Locations
Move Tutor Locations and Move List	All Honey Tree Locations and Pokemon
List of Clothes and Styles	Missables and One-Time Events
All HM Locations (Hidden Moves)	Pokemon Nursery Location
How to Change Clothes and Metronome Shop Location	List of Ribbons
Useful Characters and Their Locations	Poketch Clowns Locations
Move Deleter Location	List of Stickers
All In-Game Trades	Pokemon News Press Guide and All Poke Ball Rewards
Poke Mart Items List and Unlock Conditions	-
Game Mechanics
Poffin Guide: How to Cook the Best Poffins	Super Contest Show Guide
How to Use Stickers (Pokeball Seals)	Fishing and How to Get Each Rod
How to Make Traded Pokemon Obey You	How to Grow Berries
How to Use Ball Capsules	How to Use Vs. Seeker
How to Use Itemfinder and Find Hidden Items	Nature Chart and How to Check Natures
How to Change the Date and Time	How to Change Nicknames
Jubilife TV Lottery Prizes and How to Win	Massage Girl: How to Get Massages
How to Delete Save Data	How to Get More PC Boxes
How to Access Pokemon Boxes on the Road	How to Transfer Save Data
How to Use the PC and Boxes	Can You Nickname Traded Pokemon?
How to Stop Evolution	Characteristics Guide and Meaning
How to Save Your Game	How to Release Pokemon
Is Fashion Case in the Game?	How to Adjust Screen Size
How to Hide the Poketch	Are There Accessories?
How to Farm Held Items	Town Map
Advanced Tips and Tricks
How to Get All Starter Pokemon	How to Do a Nuzlocke Challenge
How to Tell if a Pokemon is Shiny	-
Pokemon Battles
How to Use STAB Effectively	Double Battles Guide
All Status Conditions	How to Escape and Run Away From Battle
How to Avoid Random Battles	-