Pokemon Vivid Diamond & Shining Pearl Version Exclusives: What are the differences?

Pokemon Bright Diamond & Shining Pearl are here. Do you know what else is here? Yet another circular of a question that'due south been bugging players for a quarter of a century and counting — which version should I go?

Every bit veteran fans know, well-nigh Pokemon games tend to split Pokedex content betwixt versions. This can frequently effect in players taking wildly different teams through the chief game. Similarly, many of your most important trade requests are dictated by what yous've got versus what your friends (or online strangers) have in return.

The exclusives result pretty much everything you lot'd imagine across both Diamond and Pearl; information technology'll impact the Pokemon found in the Grand Underground including the fossil Pokemon, and Pokemon spawning through angling, for case. What it won't impact is the Gym Leaders and their teams, unlike in Pokemon Sword & Shield.

We'll break down Pokemon BDSP version differences cleanly and concisely so that you tin choose between brilliance and shininess. Which is, in fact, a word. Even if information technology sounds like it shouldn't be. You lot can either hit a link to go directly there, or merely become to scrolling:

  • Pokemon Bright Diamond Exclusives
  • Pokemon Shining Pearl Exclusives
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Pokemon Bright Diamond Version Exclusives

Here's a list of every Pokemon that only owners of Brilliant Diamond can catch, much to the chagrin of Shining Pearl players the earth over. Simply remember, you can always merchandise for them!

Regular Exclusives

  • Caterpie, Metapod, and Butterfree. The starting time one-half of those "OG" 3-phase Issues-type lines from all the way back in Kanto. Butterfree can acquire a expert deal of status-inflicting moves.
  • Ekans and Arbok. Toxicant fans (and Team Rocket fans?) take note.
  • Growlithe and Arcanine. Arcanine has a terrific Attack stat. It's also a dog. Dogs rule.
  • Seel and Dewgong. Solid choice for an Water ice-type if you're in need of one.
  • Scyther and Scizor. Sinnoh has no shortness of Steel types, but Scizor is admittedly pretty awesome.
  • Murkrow and Honchkrow. Fantabulous Dark-type duology correct here.
  • Gligar and Gliscor. Gliscor is, perhaps surprisingly, fantastic in the online meta.
  • Kecleon. Well, it makes funny noises? At that place's that?
  • Elekid, Electabuzz, and Electivire. If Sinnoh's native Luxray line doesn't involvement you lot but you nevertheless want Electrics, this is your all-time shot.
  • Larvitar, Pupitar, and Tyranitar. For our coin, this is Shining Diamond's biggest advantage. Tyranitar has been a menace for over 20 years.
  • Seedot, Nuzleaf, and Shiftry. Grass/Night is kind of a absurd typing combination.
  • Mawile. Wait at the size of that thing'due south oral cavity. It's as well bad BDSP doesn't have Megas, because Mega-Mawile is a monster.
  • Zangoose. Its bark is bigger than its bite, simply we nevertheless don't want to meet information technology in a dorsum aisle at three in the forenoon.
  • Solrock. If you had an addiction to Pokemon Sun and UltraSun, perchance add this to your squad?
  • Cranidos and Rampardos. Of the obligatory fossil Pokemon exclusives, Rampardos is the more than offensively oriented.
  • Stunky and Skuntank. Skuntank's Smogon tier is "PU." Which is funny. Simply seriously, in that location are worse Dark-type picks out there than this ane.

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Legendary Exclusives in Brilliant Diamond

  • Dialga. The biggest difference between versions of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl is the issue of a certain event at the climax of the story. This alter is reflected past which of the two box legendaries you lot encounter. Between them, Dialga is often considered superior in battle, but don't discount Palkia's speed.
  • Ho-Oh. It's a firebird. A phoenix. That's rad. Also, it boasts superb Set on and Special Defense stats.
  • Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. Johto'due south "legendary domestic dog" trio is stronger than what Shining Pearl gets (the "legendary bird" trio) overall, with Suicune being specially prime.
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Pokemon Shining Pearl Version Exclusives

Meanwhile, Shining Pearl has its own share of groovy species. Volition Brilliant Diamond purchasers look on with envy? That'due south a case-by-case ground, then take a gander and determine for yourself!

Regular Exclusives

  • Weedle, Kakuna, and Beedrill. The other one-half of Kanto's most prolific Bug-types. Beedrill eschews stat debuffs for raw ability.
  • Sandshrew and Sandslash. Sandslash may exist outclassed by others of its Ground-blazon ilk these days, merely with the right setup, it can still work Earthquake-related wonders.
  • Vulpix and Ninetales. Arcanine not your cup of tea? How about something cuter?
  • Slowpoke, Slowbro, and Slowking. Bulkier than Dewgong, but defective in Ice-type STAB (Same Blazon Attack Bonus).
  • Pinsir. Some other instance where a lack of Megas does some damage. Mega-Pinsir is deadline-uber online. Pinsir? Well, he'south OK.
  • Misdreavus and Mismagius. Shining Pearl trades quirky Dark-type birds for adorable Ghost-type... ghosts.
  • Teddiursa and Ursaring. Ursaring has a monstrous Attack stat and can be a squeamish Hyper Beam spammer in the principal game.
  • Stantler. Uh, at least Pokemon Legends: Arceus looks to be finally doing something interesting with this thing?
  • Magby, Magmar, and Magmortar. Sinnoh has a well-documented chronic lack of Fire-types. Pokemon BDSP alleviates that to some caste, mainly through the Magmortar line. If you didn't cull Chimchar, strongly consider Magby.
  • Bagon, Shelgon, and Salamence. A peculiar trade for the Tyranitar line, considering that Sinnoh'south very own Garchomp is so smashing. Practise you desire another Dragon-type Pokemon? Are you lot basically Lance? If then, here you lot become.
  • Lotad, Lombre, and Ludicolo. Water/Grass is another intriguing typing. A single Ice Axle is practically guaranteed to nuke Ludicolo, merely it has a fun advantage in many other fights.
  • Sableye. Sableye's whole shtick is its lack of weaknesses. Its actual stats are miserable, but hey.
  • Seviper. Zangoose and Seviper have an infamous rivalry, which is weird since Zangoose is blatantly weak to Seviper. Maybe that arrogant defiance makes Zangoose cooler?
  • Lunatone. We can make the aforementioned joke for Lunatone that we made for Solrock, even if information technology wasn't funny the first fourth dimension. Moon and UltraMoon fans accept note.
  • Shieldon and Bastiodon. The more defensively oriented of the fossil duos.
  • Glameow and Purugly. Virtually Pokemon cats are kind of ugly. At least Purugly owns it.

Legendary Exclusives in Shining Pearl

  • Palkia. As we noted with Dialga, Palkia is less loved overall, but it can outspeed its box legendary rival and will still be incredibly handy against the Elite Four.
  • Lugia. With such sterling Defense and Special Defense, this Psychic/Flying avian can take a chirapsia.
  • Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. The legendary dogs may exist better pound-for-pound, just an argument can be fabricated that Zapdos' Special Assault and Speed makes Raikou toast.