Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP)

How to Unlock the National Dex and Complete the Sinnoh Pokedex

Pokemon BDSP Get National Dex

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
Pokemon BDSP SylveonIs the National Dex in the Game? Pokemon BDSP BulbasaurHow to Unlock the National Dex Pokemon BDSP ArceusNational Pokedex

How to Unlock the National Dex

How to Unlock the National Pokedex
  1. Don't miss seeing Drifloon at Hearthome Gym
  2. Encounter all Pokemon in native Sinnoh Pokedex
  3. Fly to Sandgem Town
  4. Talk to Professor Rowan at the lab
  5. 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
Pokemon BDSP GrotleGrotle (#002) Ace Trainer Alyssa battle (Route 210)
Pokemon BDSP TorterraTorterra (#003) Ace Trainer Sydney battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP MonfernoMonferno (#005) Ace Trainer Dennis battle (Route 215)
Pokemon BDSP PrinplupPrinplup (#008) PKMN Ranger Jeffrey battle (Route 212)
Pokemon BDSP EmpoleonEmpoleon (#009) Veteran Edgar Battle battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP BidoofBidoof (#013) Lass Natalie battle (Route 202)
Pokemon BDSP BibarelBibarel (#014) Tuber Chelsea battle (Route 213)
Pokemon BDSP KricketotKricketot (#015) Youngster Dallas battle (Route 203)
Pokemon BDSP KricketuneKricketune (#016) Bug Catcher Donald battle (Eterna Forest)
Pokemon BDSP ShinxShinx (#017) Youngster Logan battle (Route 202)
Pokemon BDSP LuxioLuxio (#018) Rich Boy Jason battle (Route 212)
Pokemon BDSP AbraAbra (#020) School Kids Christine and Harrison battle (Jubilife City)
Pokemon BDSP MagikarpMagikarp (#023) Youngster Tyler battle (Route 204)
Pokemon BDSP BudewBudew (#025) Lass Kaitlin battle (Route 203)
Pokemon BDSP GravelerGraveler (#032) Skier Bradley battle (Route 216)
Pokemon BDSP RampardosRampardos (#037) Ace Trainer Omar battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP ShieldonShieldon (#038) Ruin Maniac Calvin battle (Route 215)
Pokemon BDSP MachopMachop (#040) Youngster Sebastian battle (Route 203)
Pokemon BDSP MachampMachamp (#042) Black Belt Miles battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP PsyduckPsyduck (#043) Picnicker Diana battle (Oreburgh Gate)
Pokemon BDSP GolduckGolduck (#044) Swimmer Evan battle (Route 213)
Pokemon BDSP BurmyBurmy (#045) Bug Catcher Donald battle (Eterna Forest)
(Only one Cloak needed)
Pokemon BDSP WormadamWormadam (#046)
Beauty Devon battle (Route 214)
(Only one Cloak form needed)
Pokemon BDSP MothimMothim (#047) Ace Trainer Ernest battle (Route 210)
Pokemon BDSP WurmpleWurmple (#048) Bug Catcher Brandon battle (Route 204)
Pokemon BDSP SilcoonSilcoon (#049) Bug Catcher Jack battle (Eterna Forest)
Pokemon BDSP BeautiflyBeautifly (#050) Bug Catcher Jack battle (Eterna Forest)
Pokemon BDSP CascoonCascoon (#051) Bug Catcher Phillip battle (Eterna Forest)
Pokemon BDSP CombeeCombee (#053) Aroma Lady Hannah battle (Route 208)
Pokemon BDSP PachirisuPachirisu (#055) Twins Liz and Liv battle (Route 204)
Pokemon BDSP CherrimCherrim (#059)
Picnicker Summer battle (Iron Island)
Ace Trainer Shannon battle (Route 221)
Pokemon BDSP ShellosShellos (#060) Tuber Jared battle (Route 213)
Pokemon BDSP AipomAipom (#063)
Rancher Marco battle (Route 210)
Pokemon BDSP DrifloonDrifloon (#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.
Pokemon BDSP BunearyBuneary (#067) Lady Melissa battle (Route 212)
Pokemon BDSP GastlyGastly (#069) Psychic Abigail battle (Route 214)
Pokemon BDSP HaunterHaunter (#070) Psychic Mitchell battle (Route 214)
Pokemon BDSP MisdreavusMisdreavus (#072)
Young Couple Mike & Nat battle (Lost Tower)
Psychic Abigail battle (Route 214)
Pokemon BDSP GlameowGlameow (#076) Belle and Pa Ava and Matt battle (Route 210)
Pokemon BDSP GoldeenGoldeen (#078) Fisherman Zachary battle (Route 205)
Pokemon BDSP SeakingSeaking (#079) Ace Trainer Olivia battle (Route 217)
Pokemon BDSP BarboachBarboach (#080)
Fisherman Travis battle (Route 212)
Pokemon BDSP ChinglingChingling (#082) Psychic Valencia battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP ChimechoChimecho (#083) Psychic Valencia battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP StunkyStunky (#084) Youngster Oliver battle (Lost Tower)
Pokemon BDSP BonslyBonsly (#092) PKMN Breeder Albert battle (Route 209)
Pokemon BDSP Mime Jr.Mime Jr. (#094) PKMN Breeder Jennifer battle (Route 209)
Pokemon BDSP HappinyHappiny (#096) PKMN Breeder Kahlil battle (Route 210)
Pokemon BDSP BlisseyBlissey (#098) Ace Trainer Mariah battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP CleffaCleffa (#099) PKMN Breeder Jennifer battle (Route 209)
Pokemon BDSP ClefairyClefairy (#100) PKMN Breeder Amber battle (Route 210)
Pokemon BDSP ClefableClefable (#101) Ace Trainer Sydney battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP ChatotChatot (#102)
Gentleman Jeremy battle (Route 212)
Pokemon BDSP PichuPichu (#103) PKMN Breeder Albert battle (Route 209)
Pokemon BDSP PikachuPikachu (#104) Cyclist Kayla battle (Route 206)
Pokemon BDSP HoothootHoothoot (#106) Bird Keeper Alexandra battle (Route 211)
Pokemon BDSP NoctowlNoctowl (#107) Bird Keeper Brianna battle (Route 210)
Pokemon BDSP GibleGible (#109) Dragon Tamer Clinton battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP GabiteGabite (#110) Dragon Tamer Ondrej battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP UnownUnown (#114)
・Catch inside Solaceon Ruins
Pokemon BDSP RioluRiolu (#115)
Veteran Grant battle (Oreburgh Gate B1F; requires Rock Smash, Surf)
Hatch Egg given by Riley on Iron Island
Pokemon BDSP WooperWooper (#117) ・Catch inside Great Marsh
Pokemon BDSP WingullWingull (#119) ・Catch at Route 213 while Surfing (Common)
Swimmer ♂ Colton battle (Route 223)
Pokemon BDSP PelipperPelipper (#120) Swimmer ♂ Vincent battle (Route 220)
Pokemon BDSP HippopotasHippopotas (#122) Ace Trainer Dalton battle (Route 217)
Pokemon BDSP AzurillAzurill (#124) Swimmer ♀ Aubree battle (Route 223)
Pokemon BDSP MarillMarill (#125) PKMN Ranger Allison battle (Route 212)
Pokemon BDSP AzumarillAzumarill (#126) Swimmer ♀ Haley battle (Route 213)
Pokemon BDSP SkorupiSkorupi (#127) Ninja Boy Joel battle (Route 210)
Pokemon BDSP CroagunkCroagunk (#129) Black Belt Nathaniel battle (Route 215)
Pokemon BDSP CarnivineCarnivine (#131) Ace Trainer Omar battle (Victory Road)
Pokemon BDSP RemoraidRemoraid (#132) Fisherman Kenneth battle (Route 213)
Pokemon BDSP FinneonFinneon (#134) Pokemon BDSP -Fisherman Cory.png
Fisherman Cory battle (Route 221)
・Fish with Good Rod at Route 218
Pokemon BDSP LumineonLumineon (#135)
Swimmer ♀ Miranda battle (Route 223)
Pokemon BDSP TentacoolTentacool (#136) Swimmer ♂ Adrian battle (Route 220)
・Catch at Route 213 while Surfing (Very Common)
Pokemon BDSP TentacruelTentacruel (#137) Swimmer ♂ Wesley battle (Route 223)
・Catch at Route 213 while Surfing (Very Rare)
Pokemon BDSP FeebasFeebas (#138) Sailor Luther battle (Route 222)
Pokemon BDSP MantykeMantyke (#140) Swimmer ♂ Adrian battle (Route 220)
Pokemon BDSP MantineMantine (#141) Skier Bjorn battle with the Vs Seeker (Route 217)
Pokemon BDSP SnoverSnover (#142) Skier Shawn battle (Route 217)
Pokemon BDSP UxieUxie (#146) ・Cave in Lake Acuity, after beating Cyrus at Spear Pillar
Pokemon BDSP MespritMesprit (#147) ・Cave in Lake Verity, after beating Cyrus at Spear Pillar
Pokemon BDSP AzelfAzelf (#148) ・Cave in Lake Valor, after beating Cyrus at Spear Pillar
Pokemon BDSP DialgaDialga (#149)
Spear Pillar (Brilliant Diamond)
・Talk to Cynthia's grandmother in Celestic Town, after beating Cyrus at Spear Pillar (Shining Pearl)
Pokemon BDSP PalkiaPalkia (#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

Pokemon BDSP ManaphyManaphy
(#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?

Capture Giratina in Turnback Cave

Pokemon BDSP Giratina (Altered Forme)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

Ramanas Park Legendaries

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

Pokemon BDSP EeveeEevee

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

Pokemon BDSP RotomRotom

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

Pokemon BDSP National Dex

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 Partial

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 -

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