How to Unlock the National Dex and Complete the Sinnoh Pokedex

Unlock the National Dex by encountering all Pokemon in the Sinnoh Region then talking to Professor Rowan at Sandgem Town. Read on to learn how to complete the Sinnoh Pokedex, encounter all Pokemon, some of the Pokedex entries you may miss, and what the National Pokedex is!

National Dex Guides
Is the National Dex in the Game?	How to Unlock the National Dex	National Pokedex

How to Unlock the National Dex

How to Unlock the National Pokedex
Don't miss seeing Drifloon at Hearthome Gym Encounter all Pokemon in native Sinnoh Pokedex Fly to Sandgem Town Talk to Professor Rowan at the lab Receive National Mode of Pokedex

Don't Miss Seeing Drifloon

Valley Windworks (Fridays)

Hearthome City Gym

More than any other step, the most important point in completing the National Dex is seeing Drifloon at the Hearthome Gym, as the trainers there are the only trainers the game who have Drifloon.

After fighting Fantina and receiving the badge, you won't be able to fight any of the Gym trainers anymore. On top of that, Drifloon is time-limited, and only appears on Friday at Valley Windworks. If you're playing the game on a Saturday, you can be locked out of getting the National Dex for a week, bar changing your Nintendo Switch date setting or trading for a Drifloon.

It's tempting to show off your math prowess here and skip the trainers, but swallow your pride and miss those questions!

How to Complete the Sinnoh Pokedex

To unlock the National Dex, you need to encounter all 150 Pokemon in the native Sinnoh Pokedex. You don't need to capture every Pokemon to do this. Battling every trainer in every area on your journey to becoming Champion should get you most of the Pokedex entries.

Below are the Pokemon that you may miss on your journey, as they may reside in areas that aren't required for main story progression or aren't regularly featured in opponent trainer battles.

Missable Pokemon and Encounter Location

Pokemon	Encounter Location
Grotle (#002)	・Ace Trainer Alyssa battle (Route 210)
Torterra (#003)	・Ace Trainer Sydney battle (Victory Road)
Monferno (#005)	・Ace Trainer Dennis battle (Route 215)
Prinplup (#008)	・PKMN Ranger Jeffrey battle (Route 212)
Empoleon (#009)	・Veteran Edgar Battle battle (Victory Road)
Bidoof (#013)	・Lass Natalie battle (Route 202)
Bibarel (#014)	・Tuber Chelsea battle (Route 213)
Kricketot (#015)	・Youngster Dallas battle (Route 203)
Kricketune (#016)	・Bug Catcher Donald battle (Eterna Forest)
Shinx (#017)	・Youngster Logan battle (Route 202)
Luxio (#018)	・Rich Boy Jason battle (Route 212)
Abra (#020)	・School Kids Christine and Harrison battle (Jubilife City)
Magikarp (#023)	・Youngster Tyler battle (Route 204)
Budew (#025)	・Lass Kaitlin battle (Route 203)
Graveler (#032)	・Skier Bradley battle (Route 216)
Rampardos (#037)	・Ace Trainer Omar battle (Victory Road)
Shieldon (#038)	・Ruin Maniac Calvin battle (Route 215)
Machop (#040)	・Youngster Sebastian battle (Route 203)
Machamp (#042)	・Black Belt Miles battle (Victory Road)
Psyduck (#043)	・Picnicker Diana battle (Oreburgh Gate)
Golduck (#044)	・Swimmer Evan battle (Route 213)
Burmy (#045)	・Bug Catcher Donald battle (Eterna Forest) (Only one Cloak needed)
Wormadam (#046)	・Beauty Devon battle (Route 214) (Only one Cloak form needed)
Mothim (#047)	・Ace Trainer Ernest battle (Route 210)
Wurmple (#048)	・Bug Catcher Brandon battle (Route 204)
Silcoon (#049)	・Bug Catcher Jack battle (Eterna Forest)
Beautifly (#050)	・Bug Catcher Jack battle (Eterna Forest)
Cascoon (#051)	・Bug Catcher Phillip battle (Eterna Forest)
Combee (#053)	・Aroma Lady Hannah battle (Route 208)
Pachirisu (#055)	・Twins Liz and Liv battle (Route 204)
Cherrim (#059)	・Picnicker Summer battle (Iron Island) ・Ace Trainer Shannon battle (Route 221)
Shellos (#060)	・Tuber Jared battle (Route 213)
Aipom (#063)	・Rancher Marco battle (Route 210)
Drifloon (#65)	・School Kid Mackenzie and Picnicker Cheyenne battles in Hearthome Gym (Hearthome City) ・It is strongly recommended to fight these trainers in Fantina's Gym as these are the only trainer battles that feature Drifloon.
Buneary (#067)	・Lady Melissa battle (Route 212)
Gastly (#069)	・Psychic Abigail battle (Route 214)
Haunter (#070)	・Psychic Mitchell battle (Route 214)
Misdreavus (#072)	・Young Couple Mike & Nat battle (Lost Tower) ・Psychic Abigail battle (Route 214)
Glameow (#076)	・Belle and Pa Ava and Matt battle (Route 210)
Goldeen (#078)	・Fisherman Zachary battle (Route 205)
Seaking (#079)	・ Ace Trainer Olivia battle (Route 217)
Barboach (#080)	・Fisherman Travis battle (Route 212)
Chingling (#082)	・Psychic Valencia battle (Victory Road)
Chimecho (#083)	・Psychic Valencia battle (Victory Road)
Stunky (#084)	・Youngster Oliver battle (Lost Tower)
Bonsly (#092)	・PKMN Breeder Albert battle (Route 209)
Mime Jr. (#094)	・PKMN Breeder Jennifer battle (Route 209)
Happiny (#096)	・PKMN Breeder Kahlil battle (Route 210)
Blissey (#098)	・Ace Trainer Mariah battle (Victory Road)
Cleffa (#099)	・PKMN Breeder Jennifer battle (Route 209)
Clefairy (#100)	・PKMN Breeder Amber battle (Route 210)
Clefable (#101)	・Ace Trainer Sydney battle (Victory Road)
Chatot (#102)	・Gentleman Jeremy battle (Route 212)
Pichu (#103)	・PKMN Breeder Albert battle (Route 209)
Pikachu (#104)	・Cyclist Kayla battle (Route 206)
Hoothoot (#106)	・Bird Keeper Alexandra battle (Route 211)
Noctowl (#107)	・Bird Keeper Brianna battle (Route 210)
Gible (#109)	・Dragon Tamer Clinton battle (Victory Road)
Gabite (#110)	・Dragon Tamer Ondrej battle (Victory Road)
Unown (#114)	・Catch inside Solaceon Ruins
Riolu (#115)	・Veteran Grant battle (Oreburgh Gate B1F; requires Rock Smash, Surf) ・Hatch Egg given by Riley on Iron Island
Wooper (#117)	・Catch inside Great Marsh
Wingull (#119)	・Catch at Route 213 while Surfing (Common) ・Swimmer ♂ Colton battle (Route 223)
Pelipper (#120)	・Swimmer ♂ Vincent battle (Route 220)
Hippopotas (#122)	・Ace Trainer Dalton battle (Route 217)
Azurill (#124)	・Swimmer ♀ Aubree battle (Route 223)
Marill (#125)	・PKMN Ranger Allison battle (Route 212)
Azumarill (#126)	・Swimmer ♀ Haley battle (Route 213)
Skorupi (#127)	・Ninja Boy Joel battle (Route 210)
Croagunk (#129)	・Black Belt Nathaniel battle (Route 215)
Carnivine (#131)	・Ace Trainer Omar battle (Victory Road)
Remoraid (#132)	・Fisherman Kenneth battle (Route 213)
Finneon (#134)	・Fisherman Cory battle (Route 221) ・Fish with Good Rod at Route 218
Lumineon (#135)	・Swimmer ♀ Miranda battle (Route 223)
Tentacool (#136)	・Swimmer ♂ Adrian battle (Route 220) ・Catch at Route 213 while Surfing (Very Common)
Tentacruel (#137)	・Swimmer ♂ Wesley battle (Route 223) ・Catch at Route 213 while Surfing (Very Rare)
Feebas (#138)	・Sailor Luther battle (Route 222)
Mantyke (#140)	・Swimmer ♂ Adrian battle (Route 220)
Mantine (#141)	・Skier Bjorn battle with the Vs Seeker (Route 217)
Snover (#142)	・Skier Shawn battle (Route 217)
Uxie (#146)	・Cave in Lake Acuity, after beating Cyrus at Spear Pillar
Mesprit (#147)	・Cave in Lake Verity, after beating Cyrus at Spear Pillar
Azelf (#148)	・Cave in Lake Valor, after beating Cyrus at Spear Pillar
Dialga (#149)	・Spear Pillar (Brilliant Diamond) ・Talk to Cynthia's grandmother in Celestic Town, after beating Cyrus at Spear Pillar (Shining Pearl)
Palkia (#150)	・Spear Pillar (Shining Pearl) ・Talk to Cynthia's grandmother in Celestic Town, after beating Cyrus at Spear Pillar (Brilliant Diamond)

Manaphy Not Needed to Complete Sinnoh Pokedex

Manaphy (#151)

Even though Manaphy is numbered 151 in the Sinnoh Pokedex, it is not required to have its entry registered to complete the Sinnoh Pokedex.

How to Get Manaphy Egg Mystery Gift

Talk to Professor Rowan

After getting all 150 Pokedex entries, talk to Professor Rowan at his lab in Sandgem Town. He will congratulate you, then Professor Oak from the Kanto Region will arrive to upgrade your Pokedex to National Mode.

Unlockables After Getting National Dex

What's Unlocked After Getting the National Dex?
Giratina in Turnback Cave Poke Radar Ramanas Park Legendary Pokemon Swarming Pokemon Eevee Egg from Bebe Rotom in Old Chateau Entrances to Route 225 and 230

Capture Giratina in Turnback Cave

Giratina (Altered Forme) (Lv. 70)

After obtaining the National Dex, the Spring Path on Route 214 will open. The Spring Path leads to Sendoff Spring, where you can enter Turnback Cave. Giratina is located in the room that comes after the 3rd pillar, however the layout of Turnback Cave is randomly generated, so it will take some RNG luck.

Just keep going through rooms until you pass the room with the 3rd pillar. You need to accomplish this in under 30 rooms, or else you'll be sent back to the entrance. If you head back into the previous room from which you entered, you will be sent back to the entrance.

Poke Radar

After obtaining the National Dex, you will also immediately receive the Poke Radar from Professor Rowan after getting the upgrade. The Poke Radar will allow you to find wild Pokemon from different regions in the wild areas of Sinnoh.

How to Use the Poke Radar

Ramanas Park Legendary Pokemon

The Ramanas Park at the end of route 221 becomes open after you receive the National Dex. In Ramanas Park, you can encounter legendary Pokemon such as Rayquaza, Mewtwo, and other Legendary Pokemon that are version exclusives.

Ramanas Park Guide and All Legendary Pokemon

Swarming Pokemon

After becoming Champion and getting the National Dex, you can unlock the ability to encounter Swarming Pokemon by talking to the sister of the Professor's Assisstant (Lucas/Dawn) in the house south of the lab.

List of Swarm Pokemon

Eevee Egg

Eevee

After obtaining the National Dex, you can get an Eevee Egg from Bebe in Hearthome City, in the house beside the Pokemon Center. Hatching the Egg gives you a Level 5 Eevee.

How to Hatch Eggs Faster

Rotom in Old Chateau

Rotom

After unlocking the National Dex, a Level 15 Rotom appears in the Old Chateau at night. The Rotom can be found by interacting with the TV on the 2nd floor of the Old Chateau.

Route 225 and Route 230

Upon receiving the National Dex, the entrances from the Fight Area to Route 225 and Route 230 are unlocked. Traversing these routes allows you to access the Survival Area, the Resort Area, and Stark Mountain, where you can capture the Legendary Pokemon Heatran. Additionally, the Super Rod can also be found right before entering Route 225.

What is the National Dex?

Record of All Known Pokemon

The National Dex is the Pokedex that contains records of all known Pokemon, across all the different regions. In Generation 4 (the generation that the original Pokemon Diamond & Pearl released in), there were a total of 493 Pokemon on the National Dex. As of the current generation, Generation 8, there are currently 898 Pokemon across the released games.

The National Dex featured in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl only consists of the 493 Pokemon from Generation 4.

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	-