Pokémon Diamond & Pearl: Complete Guide

Diamond & Pearl Pokédex →

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl are the fourth-generation games, released for the Nintendo DS in 2006. They introduced the Sinnoh region, a snowy, mountainous land with a large lake at its center, and added 107 new Pokémon.

Their biggest contribution to the series was the physical and special split. Before Sinnoh, whether a move used the physical or special stats depended on its type; from here, each move had its own category. That change reshaped competitive play and made many familiar Pokémon better or worse overnight.

They also moved the series online. The DS's Wi-Fi connection allowed trading and battling with players around the world. The games suit players who enjoy a slower, more methodical pace and a world with a strong sense of place.

Diamond & Pearl quick facts

Pokémon Diamond & Pearl quick facts
Release date	September 28, 2006
Platform	Nintendo DS
Region	Sinnoh
Generation	Generation IV
Versions	Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl
New Pokémon	107 new species
Starters	Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup
Legendary and Mythical	Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Dialga, Palkia, Heatran, Regigigas, Giratina and Cresselia

Story and structure

This section describes the structure of the adventure without spoiling its key events.

You live in Twinleaf Town and set out after a chance encounter with Professor Rowan's assistant. A rival and a friend travel with you for the first part of the journey, and the road leads past lakes, caves and a mountain that splits the region in two.

Team Galactic, a group led by a calm and driven leader, wants to reshape the world using the power of three legendary Pokémon connected to the lakes of Sinnoh. The three lakes, and the guardians within them, are the backbone of the story.

Gyms and the Pokémon League

Eight Gym Leaders lead to the Elite Four and a Champion known for a powerful, varied team. Some of the Gyms have puzzles you need to solve before you can battle.

Legendary Pokémon

Dialga and Palkia, the two creatures at the center of the story, appear on the covers of Diamond and Pearl respectively. Many other legendary Pokémon are scattered across the region, some of them behind side quests.

After the Pokémon League, the game opens to new areas, including a post-game island reachable by ferry.

New mechanics explained

The physical and special split

Each move is now either physical, special or a status move, regardless of its type. Physical moves use Attack and Defense, while special moves use Special Attack and Special Defense.

Tip: Check whether a Pokémon's best stat matches its moves. A strong special attacker with physical moves wastes its potential.

Online play and trading

The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection let players trade through the Global Trade Station and battle friends over the internet. It was the first time the series had worldwide trading built in.

Tip: Trading is still the easiest way to fill the Pokédex if you only have one version.

The Underground and the Poketch

An underground network lets you dig for treasure and decorate a secret base, and the Poketch is a wristwatch app suite that adds tools such as a map and a counter.

Tip: Spend a few minutes in the Underground regularly. It is a good source of evolution items and rare stones.

Starter Pokémon

Professor Rowan's assistant offers three starters, each evolving twice, and each gains a second type at its final form.

Starter Pokémon comparison
Starter	Final form	Final typing	Evolves at
Turtwig	Torterra	GrassGround	Levels 18 and 32
Chimchar	Infernape	FireFighting	Levels 14 and 36
Piplup	Empoleon	WaterSteel	Levels 16 and 36

Turtwig line

Turtwig becomes Torterra, a sturdy Grass and Ground Pokémon with strong physical attacks.

Watch out: Ice attacks hit it four times as hard, and it is slow.

Chimchar line

Chimchar is quick and aggressive. Infernape has a wide mix of Fire and Fighting moves.

Watch out: Water, Ground and Flying attacks threaten it, and it can be fragile.

Piplup line

Piplup becomes Empoleon, a Water and Steel Pokémon with a large number of resistances.

Watch out: It starts out slow, and Electric, Fighting and Ground attacks are a concern.

Our recommendation

For a first playthrough, we recommend Chimchar. Infernape is fast and covers most of the Gym lineup with Fire and Fighting moves. Piplup suits players who like a defensive team, and Turtwig is a patient pick.

Version differences

Diamond and Pearl share a map and story, with differences in cover legendary and a few wild Pokémon.

Diamond features Dialga and Pearl features Palkia.
A small set of wild Pokémon appear in only one version, so trading with a friend helps with the Pokédex.

Platinum later combined the two games with a new story twist, so it is the most complete way to play Sinnoh.

Keep exploring

Tips for new players

Learn the new split. Look at a move's category before teaching it.
Pick up the Hidden Machines you need early, as several routes are blocked without them.
Do not skip the lakes. They contain items and legendary Pokémon.
Use the Underground to dig for items on quiet evenings, as it is a calm way to collect evolution stones.
Catch a balanced team. The Gyms cover a variety of types, so a single type team struggles.
Save before challenging the Elite Four. The Champion's team is among the strongest of the series.
Use the Poketch apps. The day-care checker and the berry tracker save time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Diamond and Pearl?

They share the same story and map. Diamond features Dialga, Pearl features Palkia, and each has a handful of exclusive wild Pokémon.

What is the physical and special split?

It is a change where every move has its own category (physical, special or status) instead of the category being decided by its type. It was introduced in Diamond and Pearl.

How many Pokémon did Diamond and Pearl add?

They added 107 new Pokémon, bringing the total to 493.

Are there remakes of Diamond and Pearl?

Yes. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remade the games for the Nintendo Switch.