Pokémon Shining Pearl (Nintendo Switch) — Complete Main Campaign Walkthrough

1. Leave Twinleaf Town and meet Barry

You begin in your bedroom in Twinleaf Town. Go downstairs and speak with your mother, then leave the house and enter Barry’s home in the northwest part of town. Go upstairs and speak with Barry. After he leaves, follow him north from Twinleaf Town onto Route 201, then turn west toward the Verity Lakefront and Lake Verity.

You cannot catch Pokémon yet because you do not have Poké Balls. Do not spend time battling wild Pokémon on this first trip. If you want to establish a save point, open the X menu in Twinleaf Town and choose Save before leaving for the lake.

• Speak with your mother and Barry.
• Follow Barry through Route 201 to Lake Verity.
• Save before making the starter choice if you want the option to reconsider it without repeating the opening sequence.

2. Choose your starter at Lake Verity

At Lake Verity, approach the briefcase and choose one of its three Poké Balls. Turtwig is a durable Grass-type that performs well against the first Gym’s Rock types. Chimchar offers the most direct early answer to Oreburgh Gym because its Fighting-type options are valuable against Rock Pokémon, although you still need a Water- or Ground-capable answer later. Piplup provides dependable Water-type attacks and is a comfortable general-purpose choice for the opening routes.

The second Gym is Gardenia’s Grass team in Eterna City, so plan beyond the first badge. Chimchar has the clearest natural advantage there, while Turtwig and Piplup are still usable if you add a Flying-, Bug-, Fire-, Ice-, or other suitable coverage option. No starter is required for completion, and the best choice is the one that fits the rest of your team.

After choosing, battle the wild Starly with the new partner. You cannot capture it during this encounter. The story then returns you to Twinleaf Town.

• Choose Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup from the briefcase.
• Complete the forced Starly battle.
• Return to Twinleaf Town instead of trying to explore the lake area further.

3. Receive the Running Shoes and collect the free Potions

Back in Twinleaf Town, speak with your mother. She gives you the Running Shoes and asks you to visit Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town. The Running Shoes are used by holding the assigned run button while moving; review the control prompt if you are unsure which button the game displays for your configuration.

Travel north through Route 201, then east through the tall grass toward Sandgem Town. Wild Bidoof and Starly appear on this route, but they still cannot be captured. Before entering Sandgem Town, speak with the Poké Mart employee standing near the northern part of Route 201. She gives you ten Potions.

Use the Pokémon Center in Sandgem Town when you arrive. The Potions are enough for several early trainer battles, so avoid buying a large amount of medicine before you can also purchase Poké Balls.

• Receive the Running Shoes from your mother.
• Collect all ten Potions from the Poké Mart employee on Route 201.
• Heal at Sandgem Town’s Pokémon Center.

4. Receive the Pokédex in Sandgem Town

When you enter Sandgem Town, Rowan’s assistant stops you and escorts you to Professor Rowan’s laboratory. Speak with Rowan and confirm that you want to keep the starter chosen at Lake Verity. You may give it a nickname at this point. Professor Rowan then gives you the Pokédex and explains the Sinnoh research assignment.

After leaving the laboratory, Rowan’s assistant shows you the Pokémon Center and Poké Mart. This tour is brief, but remember the locations because Sandgem is your safest healing point while the early routes are still short. The Poké Mart sells Poké Balls once they become available, but you will receive your first supply during the next story section.

• Receive the Pokédex from Professor Rowan.
• Finish the town tour so the story allows you to leave Sandgem through Route 202.
• Heal before returning to Twinleaf.

5. Return home for the Guidebook and Parcel

Go back west through Route 201 to Twinleaf Town and enter your house. Speak with your mother to rest and receive the Guidebook. Barry’s mother then arrives and gives you the Parcel that Barry left behind. Keep it in your Bag; it must be delivered at the Trainers’ School in Jubilife City.

Return to Sandgem Town and leave through the northern exit. The southern route toward Route 219 contains an optional Antidote, but the beach route is blocked until you later obtain Surf, so it is not part of the required progression.

• Receive the Guidebook from your mother.
• Receive Barry’s Parcel from Barry’s mother.
• Return to Sandgem Town and take the northern exit toward Route 202.

6. Catch Pokémon on Route 202

On Route 202, Lucas or Dawn demonstrates how to catch a wild Pokémon, then gives you twenty Poké Balls. This is the first point where you can capture Pokémon. Lower a wild Pokémon’s HP carefully before throwing a ball; avoid using your starter’s strongest attack if you want to preserve the encounter.

Useful early additions include Starly for Flying-type coverage and Shinx for Electric-type coverage. Bidoof is also easy to obtain and can later provide field-move utility, although it does not need to be a permanent member of your main battling team. Capture only what you can support with experience and healing supplies; a small balanced party is more useful than filling every slot immediately.

Route 202 also contains a Potion in the grass near its northern end. Pick it up before entering Jubilife City. Battle the route trainers for experience and money, but return to Sandgem to heal if several party members are weakened.

• Complete the catching demonstration.
• Receive twenty Poké Balls from Lucas or Dawn.
• Collect the Potion on Route 202.
• Catch at least one team member that covers a starter weakness.

7. Deliver the Parcel and prepare in Jubilife City

Enter Jubilife City from Route 202 and go to the Trainers’ School. Find Barry inside and deliver the Parcel to him. He gives you the Town Map. If you defeat the two School Kids on the right side of the school, they reward you with Work Up, which can improve a physical attacker during early battles.

The Pokétch inventor then approaches you in the city and asks for three Coupons. The clowns are located between the Pokémon Center and Poké Mart, in front of the Pokétch Company, and in front of the Jubilife TV building. Answer Yes to each question, then return the three Coupons to the inventor to receive the Pokétch. This is required for normal progression through Jubilife and is worth obtaining before leaving.

Optional useful pickups include the Quick Claw from the girl on the first floor of the Jubilife Condominiums, the Old Rod from the fisherman in the western gate to Route 218, and a hidden Paralyze Heal near the city’s southern entrance. Buy a modest supply of Poké Balls and Potions at the Poké Mart, heal at the Pokémon Center, and save before taking Route 203 toward the first rival battle.

• Deliver Barry’s Parcel at the Trainers’ School.
• Receive the Town Map.
• Collect three Coupons and exchange them for the Pokétch.
• Consider collecting Work Up, Quick Claw, Old Rod, and the hidden Paralyze Heal.
• Save in Jubilife City before continuing east toward Route 203 and Oreburgh City.

Cross Route 203 and enter Oreburgh Gate

Leave Jubilife City through the eastern gate and follow Route 203 toward the cave entrance. Battle the trainers on the route if your team needs experience, particularly if your starter is still below the level of the Pokémon you will face in the mine and Gym. Route 203 has a straightforward eastward path, although ledges divide the route into one-way sections, so follow the main trail rather than trying to return to every earlier branch immediately.

Enter Oreburgh Gate and speak to the Hiker near the entrance. He gives you TM98 Rock Smash and registers the move for later use through the Pokétch Hidden Moves app. This is a Switch-remake feature: you do not need to place Rock Smash permanently in a party Pokémon’s moveset. You also cannot use it on rugged rocks yet; the Coal Badge is required first. Continue east through the cave and exit into Oreburgh City.

• Receive TM98 Rock Smash from the Hiker in Oreburgh Gate.
• Do not attempt to use Rock Smash on field rocks before earning the Coal Badge.
• Reach Oreburgh City and identify the Pokémon Center, Poké Mart, Gym and mine entrance.

Recover and prepare in Oreburgh City

Heal at the Pokémon Center as soon as you arrive. The Poké Mart is the useful required stop before the mine: buy Potions if your supply is low and carry enough Poké Balls for any wild Pokémon you intend to catch. An Escape Rope is convenient but not mandatory for this first visit because the route to Roark is short and can be walked back to the entrance.

The Oreburgh Gym is in the northern part of the city, but Roark is not there when you first arrive. A city resident directs you toward the mine. The mine entrance is in the southern part of Oreburgh City. The Oreburgh Mining Museum is an optional landmark where Fossils can eventually be revived; it is not needed to trigger the first Gym battle, and there is no required Team Galactic battle inside Oreburgh Mine during this objective.

• Heal before entering the mine.
• Restock Potions and Poké Balls if necessary.
• Do not waste time waiting for Roark inside the Gym before visiting the mine.

Reach Roark in Oreburgh Mine

Enter Oreburgh Mine from the southern side of the city. Follow the mine’s main walkway downward and toward the basement. The first area contains Workers and wild Pokémon such as Geodude and Onix. Fight the Workers if you need experience, but return to the Pokémon Center if several party members are already injured; there is no required healing point inside the mine.

Roark is in the basement, wearing his mining gear. Walk up to him and speak to him. He demonstrates the Rock Smash field action on a rugged rock, then leaves the mine for the Oreburgh Gym. You do not need Rock Smash to reach him, so ignore blocked side paths during this visit. Once Roark has left, exit the mine and heal before attempting the Gym.

• Reach the basement without trying to clear rocks prematurely.
• Speak to Roark and watch the Rock Smash demonstration.
• Return to Oreburgh City and heal before entering the Gym.

Choose useful counters for Roark

Roark uses Rock-type Pokémon, so Water-, Grass-, Fighting- and Ground-type attacks are the best general answers. Piplup can use Water Gun against all three of Roark’s Pokémon. Turtwig has a favorable matchup with Grass attacks such as Absorb or Razor Leaf when available. Chimchar has the least favorable opening matchup while it remains a pure Fire type; evolving into Monferno at level 14 gives it a Fighting type and access to useful Fighting attacks. If you chose Chimchar, consider training a second answer instead of depending on Chimchar alone.

Budew from the early routes is a practical Grass-type option when it has a usable Grass attack. Machop from Route 207, reached from the northern side of Oreburgh City, provides Fighting-type coverage. A Geodude caught in or near the mine can survive physical attacks, but Rock-type attacks do not provide the main advantage against Roark’s Rock/Ground Pokémon, so use Geodude as a durable backup rather than your only counter. Aim for a team around the low-to-mid teens and keep at least two Pokémon capable of dealing dependable damage.

• Prioritize Water, Grass, Fighting or Ground attacks.
• Give Chimchar a backup plan if it has not evolved into Monferno.
• Keep a healthy second attacker available for Cranidos.

Clear the Gym and defeat Roark

Return to the Oreburgh Gym. The Gym contains a short set of elevated walkways and Workers. You can bypass some trainers by choosing the stairs and bridges carefully, but battling them is useful if your team needs experience before Roark. Heal outside the Gym if multiple party members are weakened; there is no need to spend Revives simply to avoid one short trip to the Pokémon Center.

Roark’s first Pokémon is Geodude at level 12, followed by Onix at level 12 and Cranidos at level 14. Geodude knows Stealth Rock, Defense Curl and Rollout. Onix knows Stealth Rock, Rock Throw and Bind, and its Sturdy ability can leave it at 1 HP after a full-health attack that would otherwise knock it out. Confirm that Onix has fainted before selecting your next action. Cranidos is the main danger: it carries Headbutt, Bulldoze and Leer, and its higher level and offensive power make it the battle’s priority threat. Keep your healthiest Water-, Grass-, Fighting- or Ground-type attacker ready for Cranidos and use a Potion during the battle if a knockout is otherwise likely.

After the victory, Roark gives you the Coal Badge and TM76 Stealth Rock. The Coal Badge unlocks Rock Smash as an overworld Hidden Move through the Pokétch. The reward is permanent story progress; TM70 Flash and the deeper Oreburgh Gate items are optional and can be collected afterward.

• Defeat Geodude, Onix and Cranidos.
• Receive the Coal Badge and TM76 Stealth Rock.
• Confirm that Rock Smash works when you interact with rugged rocks.

Collect the optional Oreburgh Gate items after the Gym

Heal and save after the battle, then return to Oreburgh Gate if you want the optional early item detour. From the Oreburgh side, take the upper path north of the cave’s main entrance and use Rock Smash on the rugged rock blocking the route. Continue right and descend to the basement. Break the rocks there and jump down the first ledge to reach TM70 Flash. Continue through the basement for additional optional items, including Stardust, but do not confuse this detour with the required route to the next story objective.

Flash can illuminate dark caves later, but it is not required for the immediate return to Jubilife City. When finished, walk back through Oreburgh Gate and follow the story route from Jubilife. Team Galactic’s larger plot continues elsewhere; there is no unresolved mine battle that must be completed before leaving Oreburgh.

• Heal and save after earning the badge.
• Use Rock Smash in Oreburgh Gate’s upper path to reach the basement.
• Collect TM70 Flash if desired.
• Return toward Jubilife City when the optional detour is complete.

1. Go from Floaroma Town to Valley Windworks

Heal in Floaroma Town, restock Poké Balls and carry several Potions plus an Antidote or other poison treatment. Leave Floaroma Town through the eastern exit and follow Route 205 south and east toward Valley Windworks. You can battle the route Trainers for experience or avoid some of them, but do not continue north toward Eterna Forest yet; the required story sequence begins at the wind farm.

At Valley Windworks, pick up the Potion outside if you want the extra healing item, then speak to the Team Galactic Grunt blocking the main entrance. Defeat his Level 11 Glameow. After the battle, he retreats inside and locks the door, so you cannot enter the building yet.

Return west along Route 205 to Floaroma Town. The two Galactic members who previously blocked the northwest entrance have moved aside. Enter the passage between the trees to reach Floaroma Meadow. This return trip is required to obtain the key that opens Valley Windworks.

• Heal in Floaroma Town before leaving.
• Travel east on Route 205 to Valley Windworks.
• Defeat the exterior Team Galactic Grunt.
• Return to Floaroma Town after the door is locked.

2. Clear Floaroma Meadow and obtain the Works Key

Inside Floaroma Meadow, two Team Galactic Grunts are threatening a man for his Honey. Battle them one at a time. Their teams are built around low-level Wurmple-family Pokémon, so ordinary attacks are sufficient, but keep an eye on poison from Bug-type moves and heal afterward if necessary.

After both Grunts are defeated, they leave behind the Works Key. Speak to the rescued man to receive the key and Honey. Honey is optional for the main story and can be used on Honey Trees to attract Pokémon; the Works Key is the required progression item.

Leave through the Meadow entrance and return to Valley Windworks. Interact with the locked door rather than trying to enter from another side. The Works Key opens it, allowing you to finish the Team Galactic operation inside.

• Defeat both Team Galactic Grunts in Floaroma Meadow.
• Collect the Works Key.
• Collect Honey from the rescued man if desired.
• Return to Valley Windworks with the key.

3. Defeat Commander Mars at Valley Windworks

Use the Works Key on the Valley Windworks door and enter. There are two interior Grunts before the commander. One uses a Level 11 Cascoon; the other uses a Level 10 Wurmple and Level 10 Glameow. You may bypass some positioning encounters, but fighting them provides useful experience before the commander battle.

Commander Mars uses a Level 14 Zubat and a Level 16 Purugly. Electric-, Rock- and Psychic-type attacks are effective against Zubat, while Fighting-type attacks are useful against Purugly. Purugly can open with Fake Out, which flinches your active Pokémon, and it has respectable physical power for this point in the game. A Machop, Monferno or another Pokémon with a reliable Fighting move can handle it well; Intimidate from Staravia or Shinx’s line can also reduce its physical damage if available.

After Mars is defeated, the kidnapped Valley Windworks worker is rescued and Team Galactic leaves the building. Heal in Floaroma Town before beginning the long Route 205 section. There is no need to pursue optional encounters at the wind farm before continuing.

• Use the Works Key to enter Valley Windworks.
• Defeat the interior Galactic Grunts.
• Defeat Commander Mars.
• Confirm that the Valley Windworks story has been cleared before leaving the area.

4. Travel north on Route 205 and enter Eterna Forest

From Valley Windworks, return to the southern section of Route 205 and follow the path north. The route contains several Trainers, items and tall-grass encounters. A rest house near the northern approach can help with recovery, but heal at the Pokémon Center in Floaroma beforehand so you begin the route in good condition.

Continue north until you reach the southern entrance to Eterna Forest. Cheryl is waiting there and asks you to accompany her. Accept her request. While Cheryl is with you, wild encounters become Double Battles, eligible Trainer encounters become Multi Battles with Cheryl, and she fully restores your party after each battle.

This partnership is useful for training weaker Pokémon, but it can interfere with catching a specific wild Pokémon because Cheryl’s Chansey may defeat one target. If you want to catch something, focus your attacks on the other wild Pokémon first, then throw a Poké Ball at the target. Do not leave through the southern exit unless you intend to return; Cheryl separates from you there and the escort resumes only when you re-enter.

• Follow Route 205 north from Valley Windworks.
• Enter Eterna Forest through the southern entrance.
• Accept Cheryl’s escort.
• Use the free healing after battles to train or conserve Potions.

5. Cross Eterna Forest and reach Eterna City

For the quickest route, move east from the southern entrance through the tall grass, then go north to the gap leading east into the northeastern section. In the larger central area, follow the route northeast through the tree formations. In the final section, continue north through the grass and then east to the Route 205 exit.

The western branch is optional and leads to items including an Antidote and the Moss Rock. The Old Chateau is also optional at this stage and cannot be entered until Cut is available. Mark it mentally for a later return instead of searching for a way through the trees during the escort.

Cheryl leaves when you reach the northeastern exit. Continue east along Route 205 after she departs to enter Eterna City. Heal at the Pokémon Center and prepare for Gardenia. A Flying-, Fire-, Ice-, Bug-, Poison- or Psychic-type attack is useful against Grass Pokémon. Staravia is especially practical because its Flying attacks are effective against Gardenia’s entire initial team, while Ponyta or Monferno provides Fire coverage.

• Use the eastern route for the fastest forest crossing.
• Treat the Moss Rock and Old Chateau as optional for now.
• Reach Eterna City through the eastern Route 205 exit.
• Heal before entering the Gym.

6. Defeat Gardenia in the Eterna Gym

Gardenia’s Gym is an indoor forest maze. She will not battle until all four hidden Gym Trainers have been defeated. Search the clearings between the trees and follow each defeated Trainer’s clue to locate the next one. The Trainers use low-level Grass Pokémon such as Budew, Cherubi, Roselia and Turtwig, so conserve your strongest attacks where possible.

Gardenia uses Cherubi at Level 19, Turtwig at Level 19 and Roserade at Level 22. Use a strong super-effective attack immediately rather than allowing Cherubi or Turtwig time to boost. Roserade is the main danger because it can use Stun Spore and has a Sitrus Berry. Keep a second attacker ready in case your lead is paralyzed, and use Paralyze Heals or a general status item when losing turns would cost the battle.

After winning, Gardenia awards the Forest Badge and five copies of TM86, Grass Knot. The badge allows Cut to be used outside battle through the Pokétch Hidden Moves feature. Cut is not an HM in this Nintendo Switch edition.

• Defeat all four Gym Trainers.
• Defeat Cherubi, Turtwig and Roserade.
• Receive the Forest Badge.
• Receive five copies of TM86, Grass Knot.
• Confirm that Cut is available through the Pokétch.

7. Receive Cut and clear the Team Galactic Eterna Building

Leave the Gym and walk toward the Team Galactic building in northern Eterna City. Cynthia appears outside and gives you three copies of TM93, Cut. Because Cut is handled through the Pokétch Hidden Moves system, you do not need to permanently teach it to a party member.

Use Cut on the small trees blocking the building entrance, then enter after healing at the Pokémon Center. The building has four floors and no internal healing point. Its Grunts and Scientist use low-level Bug, Poison and Psychic Pokémon, so bring a healthy party and a few Potions. Collecting every optional item is not necessary for story progress.

Commander Jupiter waits on the fourth floor. She uses a Level 18 Zubat and a Level 20 Skuntank. Rock-, Electric- or Psychic-type attacks can remove Zubat quickly, but Mean Look may prevent switching if Zubat gets the chance to use it. Skuntank is Poison/Dark and is weak to Ground-type attacks. It carries a Sitrus Berry, can use Flamethrower and has Aftermath, so prefer a Ground move that does not make contact when possible. Avoid relying on Grass or Bug Pokémon against it.

Defeating Jupiter clears the building’s required story event and rescues the Bicycle Shop owner’s Clefairy. Before leaving, you may use Cut behind the building to collect TM46, Thief. Then go to the Cycle Shop in southeastern Eterna City and speak with the owner to receive the Bicycle. Choose its color, register it if desired and use the B button to switch between its speed and control modes.

• Receive TM93, Cut, from Cynthia.
• Cut the trees blocking the Team Galactic Eterna Building.
• Defeat the building’s required Grunts and Scientist.
• Defeat Commander Jupiter.
• Rescue the Bicycle Shop owner’s Clefairy.
• Collect the Bicycle from the Cycle Shop.
• Heal and save before leaving Eterna for Route 206.

Leave Eterna City and reach Hearthome City

After completing the Eterna City events and obtaining the Bicycle, leave Eterna through the southern exit onto Route 206. Mount the Bicycle to travel along Cycling Road. The elevated road is the direct route south; cyclists and other trainers can be battled or avoided. The grass beneath Cycling Road and the cave entrance there are optional for the main story at this point.

At the southern end of Route 206, continue onto Route 207. Dawn or Lucas meets you here and gives you the Vs. Seeker and the Dowsing Machine Pokétch app. Take the eastern route through the southern part of Mt. Coronet. Follow the passage through the mountain rather than exploring every branch; the route exits onto Route 208.

Continue east across Route 208. Its ledges, trainers and berry patches are optional apart from the main path. Enter Hearthome City from the west and heal at the Pokémon Center. Hearthome is a required waypoint in this chapter, but Fantina’s Gym is not the target yet; the normal story order takes you to Veilstone and Pastoria before returning to Hearthome for the fifth Gym.

Leave Hearthome through the eastern gate onto Route 209. Follow Route 209 toward Solaceon Town. The Lost Tower and Solaceon Ruins are optional for this chapter. From Solaceon, use the southern part of Route 210, then turn onto Route 215 and follow the covered route east to Veilstone City.

• Leave Eterna through Route 206 after obtaining the Bicycle.
• Travel south on Cycling Road and continue through Route 207.
• Cross the southern passage of Mt. Coronet to reach Route 208.
• Enter and heal in Hearthome City.
• Use Route 209, Solaceon Town, southern Route 210 and Route 215 to reach Veilstone.

Prepare for and defeat Maylene

Heal at the Veilstone Pokémon Center as soon as you arrive. The Veilstone Department Store is a convenient place to buy Super Potions, status medicines, Repels and additional Poké Balls. Its TM selection can also provide useful coverage if your team can use it.

Veilstone Gym uses sliding boards and exercise equipment to form the route to Maylene. Move the boards aside, walk through the openings and circle around the equipment when a direct path is blocked. Gym Trainers are optional, but battling them gives useful experience before the Leader. If your main counter is weakened, leave the Gym, heal and re-enter; the puzzle can be solved again without penalty.

Maylene uses Meditite at level 27, Machoke at level 27 and Lucario at level 30. Psychic-, Flying- and Fairy-type attacks are useful against the Fighting portions of the team, but Lucario’s Fighting/Steel typing changes the matchup. Psychic, Flying and Fairy attacks are neutral against Lucario because Steel resists each of them. Fire, Ground and Fighting attacks are reliable super-effective options against Lucario.

Meditite has Pure Power, so do not treat it as harmless because of its level. Machoke can use Rock Tomb and Bulldoze, making an unprotected Flying-type switch-in risky. Lucario can use Drain Punch, Screech, Metal Claw and Bulk Up. Defeat it promptly rather than allowing repeated Bulk Up turns or giving Drain Punch opportunities to restore health.

Victory gives you the Cobble Badge and TM60 Drain Punch. The badge allows Fly to be used outside battle, but Fly itself is obtained in the Galactic Warehouse immediately afterward.

• Bring Psychic, Flying, Fairy, Fire, Ground or Fighting coverage.
• Remember that Maylene’s Lucario is Fighting/Steel, not pure Fighting.
• Watch for Rock Tomb, Bulldoze, Drain Punch and Bulk Up.
• Receive the Cobble Badge and TM60 after the battle.

Recover the Pokédex and collect TM94 Fly

After Maylene’s battle, Dawn or Lucas waits outside the Gym and asks for help recovering the Pokédex. Go to the Galactic Warehouse in the northwestern part of Veilstone, near the Department Store. Two Team Galactic Grunts confront you and your rival in a required double battle.

Heal before starting the double battle if the Gym Trainers or Maylene reduced your party’s HP or PP. Your temporary partner brings additional Pokémon, so focus on defeating one Grunt’s Pokémon quickly and avoid allowing several opponents to remain active while your partner’s Pokémon are occupied with support moves.

After the battle, enter the warehouse. The accessible warehouse area contains TM94 Fly; pick it up before leaving. The locked section deeper inside is not available yet. Do not confuse this warehouse with the main Galactic Headquarters building on the northeastern side of Veilstone.

The warehouse event completes the Pokédex recovery sequence and provides Fly. The route to Pastoria remains open through the southern exit, so the warehouse is not a physical roadblock to the city. Complete it now so Fly is available before continuing.

• Meet Dawn or Lucas outside the Veilstone Gym.
• Win the required double battle against the two Galactic Grunts.
• Enter the Galactic Warehouse after the battle.
• Collect TM94 Fly inside the warehouse.
• Do not attempt to clear the locked section or the main Galactic Headquarters yet.

Travel from Veilstone to Pastoria

Leave Veilstone through the southern gate onto Route 214. Follow the main route south through the trainer areas and ledges. Optional side paths contain items and additional trainers, but the southern exit is the objective.

Continue into Valor Lakefront, then head east through Route 213. Hotel Grand Lake and the resort buildings are useful landmarks on this stretch. Route 213 contains optional beach paths and trainers; use the Pastoria Pokémon Center if your team is damaged before entering the Gym or the Great Marsh.

The Great Marsh is north of Pastoria and is optional for story movement, but visit it if you want Defog. Pay to enter the marsh, then speak with the Ace Trainer near the entrance. In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, this gives you TM97 Defog and adds Defog to the Pokétch Hidden Moves app. The Fen Badge is required before Defog can be used outside battle.

The Great Marsh is also a Safari-style area with its own encounters and daily features. You do not need to search every area or catch anything there for the main story. Heal in Pastoria before beginning the Gym puzzle.

• Take Route 214 south from Veilstone.
• Use Valor Lakefront and Hotel Grand Lake to orient yourself.
• Continue east through Route 213 to Pastoria City.
• Heal at the Pastoria Pokémon Center.
• Visit the Great Marsh if you want TM97 and the Defog Hidden Move.

Solve the Pastoria Gym and defeat Crasher Wake

Pastoria Gym is a water-level puzzle. Press the colored switches to raise or lower the water, then use the newly exposed stairs and floating platforms to advance. Check the route after each switch change instead of pressing buttons at random. If you lose your position, return toward the entrance and follow the visible stairways back through the lower and upper sections.

Crasher Wake uses Gyarados at level 27, Quagsire at level 27 and Floatzel at level 30. Electric attacks are strong against Gyarados and Floatzel, but Quagsire is Water/Ground and immune to Electric attacks. Grass attacks are the best direct answer to Quagsire and deal four-times damage.

Gyarados has Intimidate, which lowers the Attack of a physical attacker when it enters battle. It is Water/Flying, so Ground attacks do not affect it. Quagsire can use Rain Dance, and its Damp Rock extends the rain. Rain activates Floatzel’s Swift Swim, making the final Pokémon faster, so defeat Quagsire early when possible or be prepared for Floatzel to move first.

After winning, receive the Fen Badge and TM55 Brine. The Fen Badge unlocks Defog outside battle if you obtained it from the Great Marsh. It does not award TM97 itself.

• Use Electric coverage against Gyarados and Floatzel.
• Use Grass coverage against Quagsire.
• Do not use Electric attacks on Quagsire.
• Remember that Ground attacks fail against Gyarados.
• Receive the Fen Badge and TM55 after the battle.

Follow the Galactic Grunt and begin the Celestic route

After Crasher Wake’s defeat, go to the Great Marsh entrance and speak with the Team Galactic Grunt there. He runs away. Follow him out through Route 213 and continue west through the Hotel Grand Lake and Valor Lakefront areas. Speak to him whenever he stops, then battle him on the route toward the Lake Valor entrance.

After the battle, continue to the nearby northern part of Valor Lakefront and speak with Cynthia. She gives you SecretPotion and explains that it can help the Psyduck suffering from headaches on Route 210.

Use Fly to return to Solaceon or travel there normally, then go north from Solaceon onto Route 210. The Psyduck blockade is in the foggy northern section near the Café Cabin. Use SecretPotion on the group to clear the route. Defog is useful for visibility, but SecretPotion is the progression item that removes the Psyduck obstruction.

Before proceeding beyond the cleared Route 210 section, heal and restock status recovery items. The next route leads toward Celestic Town and the following story events. The Great Marsh’s optional Pokémon, Lost Tower, extra route items and Gym rematches are not required for this transition.

• Speak to the Galactic Grunt outside the Great Marsh.
• Follow him through Route 213 and Valor Lakefront.
• Defeat him near the Lake Valor entrance.
• Speak to Cynthia at Valor Lakefront.
• Receive SecretPotion.
• Use it on the Psyduck blocking northern Route 210.
• Heal, restock and save before continuing toward Celestic Town.

1. Finish Hearthome’s first-visit events

Heal at the Hearthome City Pokémon Center when you first enter the city. The Contest Hall is east of the central approach. Entering it begins the introductory scene with your mother and Keira, and you receive an outfit for Super Contest Shows. Entering a contest is optional and does not affect Gym progression.

The Pokémon Fan Club is near the Poké Mart. Its chairman gives you the Poffin Case, which is required if you want to cook Berries into Poffins. Amity Square, the Fan Club, the Poké Mart and the Contest Hall can all be visited now, but none is required to unlock Fantina.

Fantina will not battle you during this first visit. Leave Hearthome and continue the main route. The Route 210 SecretPotion and Psyduck obstruction should already be resolved as part of Chapter 4; do not wait for another item or repeat that objective here.

• Heal in Hearthome.
• Visit the Contest Hall if you want the introductory scene and outfit.
• Collect the Poffin Case from the Pokémon Fan Club if you plan to make Poffins.
• Leave Hearthome and continue the Pastoria-to-Celestic story sequence.

2. Complete Pastoria and Celestic Town before returning

Continue through the Pastoria and Valor Lakefront events until the story sends you toward Route 210. The SecretPotion obtained during the Pastoria sequence and its use on the Psyduck blocking northern Route 210 are prerequisites from the previous chapter. With that obstruction removed, follow Route 210 north toward Celestic Town.

The northern section of Route 210 is covered by fog. Use Defog from the Pokétch Hidden Moves app if the visibility makes the path or trainer battles difficult. Follow the route north until you reach Celestic Town, then defeat the Team Galactic Grunt standing near the entrance to the ruins.

Enter the Celestic Town ruins and speak with Cynthia’s grandmother. Deliver the Old Charm, then inspect the mural when the scene directs you to do so. After the Celestic events, Fantina has returned to Hearthome and the Gym is open.

Fly to Hearthome if Fly is available. Otherwise, return through Route 210, Solaceon Town and Route 209. Heal before entering the Gym.

• Treat SecretPotion and the Route 210 Psyduck as completed prerequisites.
• Defeat the Team Galactic Grunt in Celestic Town.
• Deliver the Old Charm to Cynthia’s grandmother.
• Complete the mural and Celestic Town scene.
• Return to Hearthome and heal.

3. Prepare for Fantina’s Ghost team

Fantina uses Drifblim at level 32, Gengar at level 34 and Mismagius at level 36. Build a team around the low-to-mid 30s rather than relying on one weakened attacker. Dark- and Ghost-type moves are super effective against all three Pokémon.

Ghost Pokémon are immune to Normal- and Fighting-type moves. A Normal-type Pokémon is immune to Ghost-type attacks, but it cannot damage Fantina’s Pokémon with ordinary Normal attacks. Use that defensive immunity to switch safely, not as your only offensive plan.

Mismagius has Levitate, so Ground-type attacks fail against it. Gengar does not have Levitate in this battle; its ability is Cursed Body, which may disable a move that hits it. Ground moves can therefore work against Gengar, although Dark- or Ghost-type coverage is usually more consistently useful across the whole team.

Drifblim carries Will-O-Wisp and Strength Sap, so physical attackers can lose effectiveness through burn and Attack reduction. Its Hex becomes more threatening after a status condition is applied. Gengar can use Confuse Ray, Sludge Bomb and Dazzling Gleam, while Mismagius uses Confuse Ray, Phantom Force, Dazzling Gleam and Magical Leaf.

Carry healing items and status recovery such as Full Heals, Awakenings and Paralyze Heals. Save before entering the Gym so a failed attempt does not force you to repeat the route or spend supplies unnecessarily.

• Bring Dark- or Ghost-type offensive coverage.
• Use several Pokémon around levels 32–36.
• Prepare for burn, confusion and poison.
• Remember that Ground moves fail against Mismagius but not Gengar.
• Save before speaking to Fantina.

4. Solve the Hearthome Gym door puzzle

The Gym’s rooms display arithmetic questions with three answer doors. Choosing the correct door takes you directly toward Fantina. Choosing an incorrect door sends you to a trainer battle before you can continue, so wrong answers are not permanent failures but do cost time and may damage your team.

Use this sequence: for 3 plus 5 plus 7, choose 15 through the right door. For 12 plus 28, choose 40 through the middle door. For 3 multiplied by 13, choose 39 through the left door. The final question asks for the first room’s answer, so choose 15 through the right door.

The trainer routes are useful if you need experience or want to register Drifloon. One Gym trainer carries Drifloon, giving you a way to record its Pokédex entry without waiting for its Friday Valley Windworks appearance. If you want the fastest route to Fantina, use the four correct doors.

• Question 1: 15, right door.
• Question 2: 40, middle door.
• Question 3: 39, left door.
• Question 4: 15, right door.
• Heal or use items before beginning the leader battle.

5. Defeat Fantina and claim the Relic Badge

Fantina sends out Drifblim first, followed by Gengar and Mismagius. Start with a Pokémon that can use a reliable Dark- or Ghost-type attack, but avoid letting one attacker handle the entire battle if it becomes burned, confused or weakened.

Against Drifblim, avoid finishing it with a contact move unless you can tolerate Aftermath damage. Will-O-Wisp can cripple physical attackers, and Strength Sap can restore Drifblim’s health while lowering the attacker’s Attack. Use a special attacker, a Dark-type move, or switch to a fresh Pokémon if the matchup deteriorates.

Against Gengar, watch for Cursed Body disabling your main move. Change attacks or switch rather than repeatedly selecting a disabled move. Ground attacks can hit Gengar, but remember that Gengar also carries Dazzling Gleam and Sludge Bomb, so do not leave a vulnerable Dark- or Poison-weak Pokémon exposed.

Mismagius has Levitate, Phantom Force, Dazzling Gleam and Magical Leaf. Do not use Ground attacks against it. If it uses Phantom Force, it disappears for a turn; use that time to heal, change Pokémon or make another safe preparation if necessary.

After winning, Fantina awards the Relic Badge, five TM65 items teaching Shadow Claw and her Gym Stickers. The Relic Badge enables Surf outside battle through the Pokétch Hidden Moves app. You do not need to teach Surf to a party member solely to activate the field move.

• Defeat Drifblim, Gengar and Mismagius.
• Receive the Relic Badge.
• Collect TM65 Shadow Claw and Fantina’s Stickers.
• Confirm that Surf is available outside battle.

6. Travel from Hearthome to Canalave City

Leave the Gym and speak with Cynthia outside. Her conversation directs you toward Canalave City and the Canalave Library. If Fly is available, Fly to Jubilife City. From Jubilife, take Route 218 west.

Route 218 requires Surf to cross the water. Open the Pokétch Hidden Moves app, activate Surf and ride west across the route. Continue through the gate building to enter Canalave City. A member of Professor Rowan’s research team appears in the gate area, confirming that you are on the intended route.

Heal at the Canalave City Pokémon Center immediately after arriving. The city’s important landmarks include the Canalave Library, the Gym and the docks leading to Iron Island. The library is the next major story destination, while Iron Island is a useful exploration stop associated with the upcoming Team Galactic plot. Follow Chapter 6 for the Canalave and Byron sequence.

• Speak with Cynthia outside the Gym.
• Fly to Jubilife City if possible.
• Use Surf on Route 218.
• Enter Canalave City through the western gate.
• Heal at the Canalave Pokémon Center.
• Visit the Canalave Library when the story directs you.

7. Optional: enter Super Contest Shows

Super Contest Shows are optional. In Shining Pearl, four performers work together in a group production. The event uses Visual, Dance and Move Evaluations rather than the original DS contest structure. Choose one of five categories: Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Cleverness or Toughness, then work through Normal, Great, Ultra and Master Rank.

The Dance Evaluation is a rhythm sequence. Press A as notes reach the timing line and hold A for extended notes. During the show, press X once to use the selected Contest Move. Timing that move with other performers can create a Move Chain and increase the performance score.

The Visual Evaluation is improved by a Pokémon’s condition, Ball Capsule decorations and a held scarf that matches the relevant condition. The Poffin Case from the Fan Club lets you cook Berries at the Poffin House or in Amity Square. Match the Poffin flavor to the condition you want to raise, and practice cooking if you are aiming for high ranks.

Winning a rank awards Stickers and unlocks the next rank for that category. Winning Master Rank awards that category’s Mastery Ribbon. After a Pokémon has earned Mastery Ribbons in all five standard categories and you have entered the Hall of Fame, it can enter Shining Contests, Shining Pearl’s sixth postgame category. Contests can therefore be postponed without delaying Canalave or the main story.

• Choose a category and rank.
• Practice the Dance Evaluation timing.
• Select one Contest Move and use it once during the show.
• Cook matching-flavor Poffins if you want higher Visual Evaluation scores.
• Leave contests for later if your priority is story progression.

Cross Route 218 and reach Canalave City

Leave Jubilife City through the western gate to enter Route 218. Surf across the water when the route reaches the canal, then continue west through the gatehouse into Canalave City. Heal at the Pokémon Center as soon as you arrive. The route is short, but the rival battle on Canalave’s central bridge begins automatically when you approach it, so do not walk onto the bridge with a weakened party unless you are ready to fight.

Canalave is a useful supply stop for the rest of this chapter. The Poké Mart provides healing items and Poké Balls, the Pokémon Center is the nearest full recovery point, and the harbor docks provide the ferry to Iron Island. The Canalave Gym is on the western side of town, while Canalave Library is in the northwest. The Move Deleter is in a house on the eastern side of the city and can remove moves without charge.

Surf is required to cross Route 218 and is also used around Canalave’s waterways. In the Switch remakes, field moves are activated through the Pokétch Hidden Moves app rather than requiring a Pokémon to keep the move in its moveset.

• Heal before approaching the central bridge.
• Bring enough healing items for the rival battle and Iron Island.
• Confirm that Surf is available through the Pokétch Hidden Moves app.

Defeat Barry on the Canalave bridge

Barry’s Canalave team depends on your starter choice, but it includes Staravia, Buizel, Heracross and the Pokémon that has the type disadvantage to your starter. His Pokémon are around levels 32 to 35, so a party in the mid-30s is appropriate. Heracross is especially vulnerable to Flying-type attacks, while Staravia can use Intimidate to reduce the Attack of physical attackers.

After winning, heal if necessary before choosing your next destination. You may challenge Byron immediately, but Iron Island is the better order for most players because it provides experience, useful items and access to Riley’s temporary partnership. Iron Island is optional for badge progression; you do not need to complete it to enter Canalave Gym.

• Save before stepping onto the bridge if you want a retry point.
• Use Flying-type attacks against Heracross when possible.
• Heal before entering Iron Island or the Gym.

Complete Iron Island with Riley

Go to the harbor docks and speak with the sailor offering passage to Iron Island. The island is optional, but it is the most useful preparation stop before Byron. Follow the accessible mine paths until you meet Riley. Accept his request to travel together. His Lucario joins as a temporary battle partner, turning many encounters into Double Battles and restoring your party after battles during the escort section.

Continue through the connected cave rooms and follow the route toward the lower floors. Team Galactic Grunts are responsible for the trouble on the island. When you reach the Grunts near the end of Riley’s section, defeat them in the battles with Riley. Once the mission is complete, Riley thanks you and offers a Riolu Egg. Accept it if you want Riolu; if your party is full, the egg can be sent to the PC Box, so an empty party slot is convenient but is not a prerequisite for obtaining it.

Return to the island entrance and take the ferry back to Canalave City, or use Fly after the area becomes available on your map. Heal before entering the Gym. Iron Island also contains optional items, including a Shiny Stone, but do not spend all of your healing supplies on extra wild battles if your team is already ready for Byron.

• Speak with the sailor at Canalave’s harbor docks.
• Use Riley’s healing support instead of wasting items after every battle.
• Accept the Riolu Egg or check the PC Box if your party was full.
• Return to Canalave and heal before the Gym.

Navigate Canalave Gym’s platforms

Enter Canalave Gym after completing Iron Island or after healing from the rival battle. The Gym is a multi-level steel structure built around elevators and moving platforms. Move across the lower platforms, take the lifts that carry you upward, and use the fixed walkways to cross between sections. Trainers can be battled for experience, but you can avoid some of them if your team is already near the appropriate level and you want to conserve HP and PP.

The Gym’s main route is a sequence of rising platforms rather than a switch puzzle. When a platform leaves you on an upper walkway, continue toward the next lift instead of returning to the entrance. The final set of platforms carries you to Byron at the top. If you need to leave, the exit route after the battle uses the platforms on the opposite side of the Gym.

• Keep at least one Fire-, Fighting-, Ground- or Water-type attack available.
• Avoid spending your strongest moves on optional trainers if PP is low.
• Use the Pokémon Center before returning to the Gym after a failed attempt.

Prepare for and defeat Byron

Byron uses Bronzor at level 36, Steelix at level 36 and Bastiodon at level 39. Fire-, Fighting- and Ground-type attacks are generally effective against his team. Water is also useful against Steelix and Bastiodon, whose secondary Ground and Rock typings make them vulnerable to it. Do not rely on one attack type, because Bronzor has Levitate and is immune to Ground-type moves.

Bronzor can use Trick Room, which causes slower Pokémon to act first for several turns, as well as Confuse Ray, Sandstorm and Flash Cannon. Defeat it quickly with a Fire, Dark or Ghost attack, or use another reliable neutral attack if those options are unavailable. Steelix carries Earthquake, so avoid sending a vulnerable Fire- or Electric-type into it without a plan. A Flying-type Pokémon or another Pokémon immune to Ground moves can help against Earthquake, although Steelix’s other attacks still matter.

Bastiodon is difficult to defeat because of its high defenses and Sturdy ability. Sturdy can prevent a full-health knockout from a single hit, so be prepared to finish it with a second attack. Fighting- and Ground-type moves are strong choices, while special attackers can avoid some of the problems caused by physical defense. Do not assume Fire alone will solve the battle: Bastiodon’s Rock typing means Fighting, Ground and Water are especially dependable answers.

Winning grants the Mine Badge, TM91 Flash Cannon and Byron’s Gym rewards. The Mine Badge permits Strength to be used outside battle through the Pokétch Hidden Moves app and raises the obedience limit for traded Pokémon to level 70. The Strength item was obtained earlier, but field use is blocked until this badge is recorded.

• Use a balanced answer rather than only Ground moves because of Bronzor’s Levitate.
• Watch for Trick Room and Confuse Ray from Bronzor.
• Bring a second attacker in case Sturdy leaves Steelix or Bastiodon at 1 HP.
• Save after receiving the Mine Badge.

Visit Canalave Library and begin the lake investigation

After Byron is defeated, leave the Gym. Barry waits outside and tells you to meet Professor Rowan at Canalave Library. Go to the library in the northwest of the city and climb to the upper floor. Speak with Rowan, his assistant and Barry to trigger the next story scene.

Rowan explains that the legendary Pokémon and the three lakes of Sinnoh are central to his research. The group divides the investigation among Lake Valor, Lake Verity and Lake Acuity. An explosion and report from Lake Valor then establish your next destination. Leave Canalave after the scene and travel toward Valor Lakefront, reached by going south from Veilstone City through Route 214 or by approaching from the Pastoria side when the route is available.

Do not treat the Mine Badge as the end of the Canalave story. The Library scene is required to advance the Team Galactic plot. Strength also opens optional routes and item areas elsewhere, but those detours are not required before following the Lake Valor objective.

• Speak with Rowan on the upper floor of Canalave Library.
• Confirm that the lake investigation scene and Lake Valor objective have triggered.
• Save before leaving Canalave if you want a clear point before the next Galactic sequence.

Begin at Canalave Library and investigate Lake Valor

After defeating Byron in Canalave Gym, go to the Canalave Library and speak with Professor Rowan, Dawn or Lucas, and your rival. An explosion at Lake Valor interrupts the meeting, and Rowan sends you to investigate. Travel to Valor Lakefront by going south from Veilstone City through Route 214, or east from Pastoria City if that route is more convenient.

Enter Lake Valor and follow the drained lakebed toward Valor Cavern. Team Galactic Grunts occupy the path; defeat the required Grunts and continue into the cavern. Commander Saturn is waiting inside. His team includes Kadabra, Bronzor and Toxicroak around levels 35 to 37. Dark- and Ghost-type attacks are useful against Kadabra, but Bronzor has Levitate, so do not rely on Ground moves against it. Toxicroak is vulnerable to Psychic- and Ground-type attacks, although Bronzor’s ability makes a single Ground attacker unreliable for the whole battle.

After Saturn is defeated, Team Galactic’s operation continues elsewhere. Heal at a Pokémon Center, then use Fly to reach Twinleaf Town. This is the fastest route to Lake Verity.

• Attend the Canalave Library meeting.
• Travel to Lake Valor through Valor Lakefront.
• Defeat the required Lake Valor Grunts.
• Defeat Commander Saturn in Valor Cavern.
• Heal and Fly to Twinleaf Town.

Clear Lake Verity and defeat Commander Mars

From Twinleaf Town, travel north through Route 201, then west and north to Lake Verity. Professor Rowan and Dawn or Lucas are already facing Team Galactic. Defeat the Grunts blocking the lake path, then continue north toward the cavern. Some nearby trainers can be fought separately or together depending on how you approach them, so heal before entering if the Lake Valor battles left your party weakened.

Commander Mars challenges you at the cavern. Her team includes Golbat, Bronzor and Purugly, with the highest member around level 39. Rock- and Electric-type attacks are effective against Golbat, while Fighting-type attacks are useful against Purugly. Bronzor again has Levitate, so use Fire-, Dark- or Ghost-type attacks instead of assuming Ground moves will work.

After Mars is defeated, the Lake Verity portion is complete. Before heading north, confirm that Strength is available for field use. If you somehow missed TM96 Strength in the Lost Tower south of Solaceon Town, obtain it before continuing. You will also need Rock Smash for the northern Mt. Coronet passage; both Hidden Moves should already be available at this point because of your earlier badges.

• Reach Lake Verity from Twinleaf Town.
• Defeat the Team Galactic Grunts near the lake.
• Defeat Commander Mars.
• Confirm that Strength and Rock Smash are available for field use.

Take the northern Mt. Coronet route to Route 216

From Lake Verity, Fly to Celestic Town and heal at the Pokémon Center. Leave town through the western side of Route 211 and enter Mt. Coronet. This is the northern passage, not the southern Route 207 entrance used later in the story.

Inside Mt. Coronet, move north through the cave. Use Rock Smash on cracked rocks and Strength on boulders blocking the route. Follow the upper and lower passages that continue north rather than returning toward Route 211. The cave contains wild Pokémon and trainers, so use Repels if you want to conserve health and PP for the snowy routes. Continue until the northern exit places you on Route 216.

The party should be in good condition before the long snow crossing. Carry healing items and status recovery, particularly Full Heals or Paralyze Heals. Fire-, Fighting-, Rock- and Steel-type attacks provide useful coverage against the Ice- and Fighting-oriented Pokémon found in this region.

• Fly to Celestic Town and heal.
• Enter Mt. Coronet from western Route 211.
• Use Strength and Rock Smash to continue north.
• Exit Mt. Coronet onto Route 216.

Cross Routes 216 and 217

Proceed north through Route 216. A rest house on this route restores your party, so use it before entering Route 217 if your team has taken damage. The snow slows movement, and deeper snow restricts bicycle travel. Treat the rest house as the main recovery point before the blizzard route; the nearby houses farther north do not replace it as a healing station.

Continue through Route 217 while using cabins, trees, ledges and trainer locations as landmarks. The blizzard reduces visibility, so avoid wandering sideways through the open snowfield. Keep moving generally north, then use the route’s northern exit toward Acuity Lakefront. Repels can reduce interruptions, but keep enough battle experience if your team is below the level of the local trainers.

On Route 217, collect TM100 Rock Climb outside the isolated hiker’s house. Speak to the hiker afterward to receive the Icicle Plate. Rock Climb cannot be used outside battle yet; Candice’s Icicle Badge is required first. Continue north through Acuity Lakefront until you reach Snowpoint City. The Galactic Grunts at the northern entrance prevent access to Lake Acuity for now, so do not treat the blocked entrance as a missed route.

• Heal at the Route 216 rest house.
• Cross Route 217 using cabins, trees and ledges as landmarks.
• Pick up TM100 Rock Climb.
• Speak with the nearby hiker for the Icicle Plate.
• Enter Snowpoint City.

Prepare for and solve Snowpoint Gym

Heal at Snowpoint City’s Pokémon Center before entering the Gym. Candice’s Shining Pearl team consists of Snover at level 38, Sneasel at level 38, Medicham at level 40 and Abomasnow at level 42. Fire-, Fighting-, Rock- and Steel-type attacks are generally effective against Ice Pokémon, but Medicham is part Psychic type and can punish Dark- or Normal-type answers with Fighting coverage. A Flying-type attack is a safer answer for Medicham than sending one Steel Pokémon against the entire team.

Abomasnow’s Snow Warning starts hail when it enters battle, and its Grass/Ice typing makes careless Water-, Ground- and Rock-type switches risky. Fire attacks are especially valuable against Snover and Abomasnow. Sneasel is fast, so use a strong Fighting- or Fire-type attack before it can take advantage of its speed and Ice or Dark coverage.

The Gym is an ice-slide puzzle. You slide in a straight line until reaching a wall, snowbank, trainer, stair or normal floor. Use the snow patches as launch points and the walls or stairs as planned stopping points. Build enough speed to smash the snowballs blocking the central route. If your position becomes confusing, leave and re-enter the Gym to reset the puzzle, then work from the entrance again. Save before speaking with Candice.

• Bring Fire, Fighting, Rock or Steel coverage.
• Carry a Flying-type answer for Medicham if possible.
• Use snow patches to build momentum.
• Reset the puzzle by exiting and re-entering if necessary.
• Save before challenging Candice.

Defeat Candice and open Lake Acuity

Defeat Candice to receive the Icicle Badge and five copies of TM14 Blizzard. In Shining Pearl, this is not TM72 Avalanche. The Icicle Badge also allows Rock Climb to be used outside battle through the Pokétch Hidden Moves app.

Heal at Snowpoint’s Pokémon Center after the battle. Leave town and travel south through Acuity Lakefront. The northern entrance is now open, allowing you to enter Lake Acuity. Surf across the lake to the central island and watch the scene involving your rival and Commander Jupiter. Jupiter has already captured Uxie, and she leaves for Veilstone City after the confrontation.

If the entrance is still blocked, confirm that Candice has been defeated and that you are approaching Lake Acuity through Acuity Lakefront rather than trying to reach it from an inaccessible side path. Do not attempt to catch Uxie during this story scene; the lake guardian becomes an obtainable encounter later.

• Defeat Candice.
• Receive the Icicle Badge and TM14 Blizzard.
• Use Rock Climb outside battle.
• Enter Lake Acuity after the blockade is removed.
• Watch the rival and Commander Jupiter scene.

Collect the Storage Key and Galactic Key

Fly to Veilstone City after the Lake Acuity scene. Heal at the Pokémon Center and restock healing items before beginning the headquarters sequence. Go to the Galactic Veilstone Building in the northeast of town and speak with the Team Galactic Grunt outside. He runs away and leaves the Storage Key behind. Pick it up before leaving.

Take the Storage Key to the Galactic Warehouse in the northwestern part of Veilstone. Use it on the locked warehouse door, then move through the opened area and descend into the underpass. The Dusk Stone and TM36 Sludge Bomb are optional pickups; collect them if you have enough time and supplies.

Follow the underpass through its stairways and teleporters until you reach the locked western section containing the Galactic Key. Pick up the key, then return to the main Galactic Veilstone Building. The Galactic Key opens the internal doors needed to reach Cyrus and the imprisoned lake guardians.

• Heal in Veilstone City.
• Speak with the grunt outside the Galactic Veilstone Building.
• Collect the Storage Key.
• Use it at the Galactic Warehouse.
• Navigate the warehouse underpass.
• Collect the Galactic Key.
• Return to the main Galactic building.

Clear Galactic HQ, defeat Cyrus and free the guardians

Use the Galactic Key at the main headquarters entrance. The building contains several Grunts and scientists, so conserve PP on your strongest attacks. Teleporters include optional branches, but the route forward uses the stairs and panels that lead upward through the headquarters. One northern teleporter leads to a room with beds; examine the beds to restore the party before the important battles.

Continue through the upper floors and challenge Cyrus. In Shining Pearl, his team includes Murkrow, Golbat and Sneasel, with Sneasel at level 43. Fighting-, Rock- and Electric-type coverage is useful, but prepare for Sneasel’s speed and Ice attacks. After defeating Cyrus, accept the Master Ball. He leaves for Mt. Coronet.

Follow the available teleporter route east and then north until you reach Commander Saturn and the three lake guardians in the machines. Saturn uses Kadabra, Bronzor and Toxicroak around levels 38 to 40. Defeat him, then interact with the control panel to release Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf. You do not capture them here. Use the green teleporter in the battle area to leave the headquarters.

• Use the Galactic Key to enter Team Galactic HQ.
• Restore the party with the HQ beds.
• Defeat Cyrus.
• Accept the Master Ball.
• Defeat Commander Saturn.
• Activate the control panel and free Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf.
• Exit through the headquarters teleporter.

Finish at Route 207 and Mt. Coronet

After leaving Team Galactic HQ, Fly to Oreburgh City and heal or restock. Travel east onto Route 207. At the northern part of Route 207, use Surf across the water and Rock Climb at the climbable wall to reach the southern Mt. Coronet entrance.

This is the correct handoff to the next chapter. Bring healing items, Repels and a party prepared for further Team Galactic battles. The route ahead leads through Mt. Coronet toward Spear Pillar and the Shining Pearl Palkia sequence. Save before entering the major ascent if you want a clean retry point.

Snowpoint Temple is not part of this main-story handoff. It is an optional postgame area and should be left alone until after the Hall of Fame and National Pokédex requirements are met.

• Fly to Oreburgh City.
• Reach Route 207.
• Use Surf and Rock Climb to enter Mt. Coronet.
• Begin the Mt. Coronet ascent toward Spear Pillar.

Optional postgame: Snowpoint Temple and Regigigas

After entering the Hall of Fame and obtaining the National Pokédex, return to Snowpoint City. The guard at Snowpoint Temple initially prevents entry, but Candice arrives and allows you to proceed. The temple contains sliding-ice floors and several basement levels. Strength and Rock Smash are useful for moving through the interior and collecting optional items.

Regigigas waits on the deepest floor at level 70. It will battle only when Regirock, Regice and Registeel are all in your active party. In Shining Pearl, obtain those three Regis through their Ramanas Park encounters, using the required Discovery Slates and Grand Underground resources.

Save immediately before examining Regigigas. Lower its HP carefully with False Swipe if available, then use sleep or paralysis and throw suitable Poké Balls. Keep a second save before beginning a long capture attempt if you are managing a larger postgame save plan. This temple is optional and does not need to be visited before the Pokémon League.

• Enter the Hall of Fame.
• Obtain the National Pokédex.
• Return to Snowpoint Temple after Candice permits entry.
• Bring Regirock, Regice and Registeel in the active party.
• Save before the level 70 Regigigas encounter.
• Prepare False Swipe, a status move and enough Poké Balls.

Finish the prerequisites and prepare your party

Complete the Team Galactic HQ sequence in Veilstone City first. Cyrus must have taken the Red Chain, and Commander Saturn must have been defeated so the lake guardians are freed. After leaving the headquarters, the story directs you back toward Route 207 and Mt. Coronet.

Heal before entering the mountain and carry Super Repels or Repels, healing items, status recovery and plenty of Poké Balls. The upper route contains several Galactic battles and a mandatory multi-battle before Cyrus. The story route requires access to Surf and Rock Climb, and Strength is used for boulders on the upper floors. Rock Smash is useful for optional item access but is not needed for every part of the main climb. Waterfall is not required to reach Spear Pillar.

Shining Pearl has one ordinary save file. Use that save immediately before the Spear Pillar events if you intend to capture Palkia or hunt for a preferred nature or shiny result. Do not overwrite it until you are satisfied with the encounter.

• Finish Team Galactic HQ and free the lake guardians.
• Enter from the Route 207 side of Mt. Coronet.
• Have Surf, Rock Climb and Strength access available.
• Stock healing items, Repels and Poké Balls.
• Make a manual save before the summit events.

Enter from Route 207 and climb the southern interior

Travel to the Mt. Coronet entrance on Route 207, north of Oreburgh City. Enter the cave and go north from the entrance. Use Surf across the water, collect the Protein if desired, then use Rock Climb on the climbable wall and take the stairs upward.

On the next floors, follow the connected platforms and stairs rather than detouring into every item alcove. The main path proceeds through the central cave toward Team Galactic members near the upper exit. Strength moves boulders blocking some platforms. Rock Smash can open access to optional hidden or side items, but do not mistake an item detour for the required route.

Continue north, west and upward through the bridges and staircases. The route includes Max Potion, Escape Rope, Revive and other optional supplies. Two Galactic Grunts near the upper section mark that you are approaching the mountainside. Defeat them, then continue south through the exit to reach the snowy exterior.

• Surf across the first interior water section.
• Use Rock Climb after taking the Protein area.
• Use Strength on blocking boulders.
• Continue toward the upper exit and defeat the Galactic Grunts.
• Exit onto the snowy mountainside.

Cross the snowy mountainside and use the upper cave route

On the snowy exterior, follow the narrow route east and then north. Use Rock Climb at the cliff wall to reach the higher level. There are grassy detours and item paths, but the required route continues through the caves linking the southern and northern halves of the peak.

At the branching section, use the cave that carries you through the mountain rather than following the optional item paths. You will emerge on another part of the snowy exterior. Continue north along the narrow path, take the steps down where the route bends, then use Rock Climb again at the western end.

The upper exterior and connecting caves have similar visual landmarks, so use the following order to stay oriented: snowy exterior, Rock Climb, cave passage, snowy exterior, northern steps, Rock Climb west, then the cave leading to the final stretch. A Strength boulder can provide a less obstructed route through one grassy section. Continue through the final cave and back outside toward Spear Pillar.

• Follow the snowy path east and north.
• Use Rock Climb to reach the higher outdoor level.
• Re-enter the upper cave and return to the northern exterior.
• Take the northern steps and use Rock Climb west.
• Enter the cave leading to the final Spear Pillar approach.

Defeat the Galactic commanders with Barry

At the Spear Pillar entrance, two Galactic Grunts initiate a double battle. Continue forward after defeating them. Commander Mars and Commander Jupiter then challenge you together in a required multi-battle, with Barry fighting alongside you.

Prioritize one target at a time and avoid spending your strongest limited-PP attacks on minor Grunts. The commanders use Pokémon around the low-to-mid 40s, including Bronzor, Golbat, Purugly, Skuntank and related team members. Fire, Electric, Rock, Fighting and Ground coverage can help, but remember that Bronzor has Levitate, so ordinary Ground attacks will not affect it.

Barry heals your entire party after Mars and Jupiter are defeated. This is the final guaranteed recovery point before Cyrus, so do not use expensive healing items during the commander battle unless a faint or emergency requires it.

• Defeat the two entrance Grunts.
• Fight Mars and Jupiter in the required multi-battle.
• Target one opposing Pokémon at a time.
• Use the recovery opportunity after Barry heals the party.
• Check PP and status conditions before confronting Cyrus.

Battle Cyrus and save the Palkia encounter

After the commanders are defeated, Cyrus challenges you. His team ranges from level 45 to level 48: Honchkrow, Crobat, Gyarados and a level 48 Weavile. Electric or Rock attacks are useful against the Flying Pokémon, while Electric attacks are especially effective against Gyarados. Weavile is vulnerable to Fighting, Fire and Fairy attacks, but it is fast and deals heavy physical damage, so do not leave a fragile Pokémon in front of it.

After Cyrus is defeated, the story sequence continues and Palkia appears. Before approaching the encounter point or advancing the final prompt, make your manual save. This is the reliable reset point if Palkia is knocked out, if you run out of capture resources, or if you are attempting a particular nature or shiny result.

In Shining Pearl, Palkia is a level 47 Water and Dragon-type legendary with Pressure. Bring a Pokémon that can lower its HP safely, ideally with False Swipe, and use sleep or paralysis if available. Do not use an uncontrolled critical-hit move when Palkia is near fainting. Ultra Balls, Timer Balls and Dusk Balls are practical choices; Dusk Balls are useful while the encounter is treated as taking place in a cave.

• Defeat Cyrus’s level 45–48 team.
• Save manually immediately before Palkia becomes battleable.
• Bring controlled damage and a status move if possible.
• Catch level 47 Palkia or reset to retry the encounter.
• Confirm Palkia is in the party or PC after capture.

Collect the Lustrous Orb and leave the mountain

After the encounter, inspect the area north of Palkia’s position and collect the Lustrous Orb. The orb is an optional held item that strengthens Palkia’s Water- and Dragon-type moves; it is not required for the main story, but it is worth taking before leaving the summit.

If Palkia was defeated or the encounter was otherwise failed, the legendary returns at the same location after you enter the Hall of Fame, provided the relevant postgame conditions are met. Catching it now is usually simpler because you have already prepared the party and saved immediately beforehand.

Exit Mt. Coronet and continue the main story. The next required objective is not Victory Road or the Pokémon League. Travel toward Sunyshore City, resolve the local story interruption there, defeat Volkner for the eighth Gym Badge, then proceed through Victory Road toward the Pokémon League.

• Take the Lustrous Orb north of the encounter location if desired.
• Keep the pre-encounter save until the capture is secure.
• Leave Mt. Coronet through the available route.
• Continue to Sunyshore City and pursue the eighth Gym Badge.
• Do not treat Spear Pillar as completion of the main story.

Reach Sunyshore City and find Volkner

From Pastoria City, leave through the eastern gate and follow Route 213 toward Valor Lakefront. Continue east onto Route 222 and follow the route until you enter Sunyshore City. Route 222 contains trainers, tall grass and item pickups, so heal in Pastoria or at the Sunyshore Pokémon Center before attempting the Gym.

When you arrive, Flint of the Elite Four is near the Gym and explains that Volkner is absent. Go to Vista Lighthouse on the southeastern side of Sunyshore City. Enter the lighthouse, use the elevator and speak with Volkner at the top. This conversation is required before the Gym becomes available. Return to the Gym after Volkner leaves the lighthouse, then save before entering.

• Heal before leaving Pastoria or after entering Sunyshore.
• Speak with Flint near the Gym.
• Visit Volkner at the top of Vista Lighthouse.
• Save before beginning the Gym puzzle.

Prepare for Volkner’s mixed team

Volkner’s first-story team is Raichu at level 46, Ambipom and Octillery at level 47, and Luxray at level 49. The Gym is Electric-focused, but Ambipom is Normal type and Octillery is Water type, so do not build the entire battle plan around one Ground-type Pokémon.

Ground attacks are effective against Raichu and Luxray. Raichu carries a Shuca Berry, which reduces the damage from its first super-effective Ground hit, and it also knows Surf. Its other moves are Nuzzle, Volt Switch and Charge Beam. A Ground-type lead can work, but use one that can survive Surf or keep a second answer ready.

Ambipom opens with Fake Out, which can flinch your Pokémon on the first turn. Fighting-type attacks are useful, although Ambipom holds a Chople Berry that weakens one super-effective Fighting hit. Octillery carries Octazooka, Focus Energy, Aurora Beam and Charge Beam. Grass-type damage is effective, but switch carefully if your Grass Pokémon is vulnerable to Aurora Beam.

Luxray is level 49 and holds a Sitrus Berry. Its Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Crunch and Iron Tail cover several common Ground-type weaknesses. Use a sturdy Ground attacker, a second Ground user or a strong neutral attacker rather than relying on one weakened Pokémon. A party in the upper 40s or around level 50 is a practical target for this Gym.

• Bring reliable Ground coverage.
• Prepare a Fighting-type answer for Ambipom.
• Bring Grass coverage or a strong neutral attacker for Octillery.
• Account for Raichu’s Surf and Shuca Berry.
• Keep a healthy answer available for Luxray.

Solve the first Gym room

Sunyshore Gym contains three rooms of large gears and rotating platforms. In the first room, step on the green button on the east side, then return to the central area and step on the green button on the west side. The platforms will align so you can cross toward the next section.

Battle the Gym Trainer on the route if you want additional experience, or pass around the trainer when possible. If you activate a button accidentally, return to the nearest accessible switch and realign the gears rather than attempting to cross an incomplete bridge.

• Press the east green button first.
• Press the west green button second.
• Cross the aligned platforms.
• Battle or bypass the first-room trainer.

Cross the second Gym room

In the second room, use the blue button on the left three times. This rotates the gear and forms a staircase. Take the staircase to the opposite side and continue past the trainer.

Near the trainer, activate the next blue button, then the green button. Follow the newly aligned route to the stairs on the right, battle the trainers if desired, and continue into the third room. If the route does not connect, check that the first blue button was pressed three times before using the later blue and green buttons.

• Press the first blue button three times.
• Use the left staircase.
• Press the blue button near the trainer.
• Press the green button afterward.
• Continue into the third room.

Cross the third Gym room

In the third room, step on the red button on the east gear, then cross to the left gear and step on its red button. Move downward and continue through the trainer area. Climb the left-side stairs and battle the trainer on the upper route.

At the upper section, press the green button twice. Move to the blue button and activate it, then descend using the stairs on the east side. Continue downward past the trainer and press the red button on the east side once. Return upward using the right-side route and cross the final bridge to reach Volkner.

• Press the east red button once.
• Press the west red button once.
• Climb the left stairs.
• Press the green button twice.
• Press the blue button once.
• Descend using the east stairs.
• Press the east red button once more.
• Return upward and cross to Volkner.

Defeat Volkner and claim the Beacon Badge

Use Ground attacks against Raichu and Luxray when your attacker can handle their coverage. Do not assume Raichu will fall to one Ground attack because of its Shuca Berry. If Raichu survives, finish it with another suitable attack or switch to a safer response. Nuzzle can paralyze your Pokémon, while Volt Switch lets Raichu deal damage and bring in another team member.

Use Fighting damage against Ambipom, remembering that its Chople Berry weakens one Fighting hit. Grass attacks are effective against Octillery, but Aurora Beam can punish Grass Pokémon. If Octillery uses Focus Energy, defeat it promptly or switch to a Pokémon that can withstand a critical hit.

Luxray is the final and highest-level Pokémon. Its Ice Fang, Crunch and Iron Tail mean that a Ground-type counter still needs reasonable defenses. Volkner can use healing items during the battle, so preserve your strongest attacker and avoid spending every healing item on minor damage.

Victory awards the Beacon Badge, five copies of TM57 Charge Beam and Volkner’s Gym stickers. The Beacon Badge also allows Waterfall to be used outside battle, but you must still collect TM99 from Jasmine before teaching the move to a compatible Pokémon.

• Defeat Raichu, Ambipom, Octillery and Luxray.
• Receive the Beacon Badge.
• Receive five copies of TM57 Charge Beam.
• Receive Volkner’s stickers.
• Confirm that Waterfall is permitted outside battle.

Receive Waterfall and prepare for Route 223

Leave the Gym and travel to the northern part of Sunyshore City, near the beach and the entrance to Route 223. Speak with Jasmine, the Gym Leader from Johto, after defeating Volkner. She gives you three copies of TM99 Waterfall.

Heal at the Sunyshore Pokémon Center. At the Poké Mart, buy the best available healing items, Revives, Full Heals or other status medicine, and Repels. Route 223 contains numerous Water-type trainers and wild encounters, while Victory Road adds a long cave route and additional trainer battles.

Prepare a Pokémon that can use Surf for Route 223 and a compatible Pokémon that knows Waterfall for the waterfall leading to the Pokémon League. Review your party’s move coverage before leaving: Electric- or Grass-type attacks are useful against Route 223’s Water-type opponents, while Victory Road rewards a balanced team with both physical and special damage.

Optional preparation includes battling remaining trainers on Route 222, using the Vs. Seeker for experience, collecting city items and replacing low-PP moves at a Pokémon Center. These activities are not required if the party is healthy and appropriately leveled. Save outside the Gym or Pokémon Center before beginning the final route to the League.

• Speak with Jasmine and receive three TM99 Waterfall copies.
• Teach Waterfall to a compatible Pokémon if needed.
• Prepare Surf for Route 223.
• Buy healing items, status medicine, Revives and Repels.
• Check the party’s Electric, Grass, Ground, Fighting and Water coverage.
• Save before leaving Sunyshore City.

Cross Route 223 and establish your final healing point

Leave Sunyshore City through the northern exit and use Surf on Route 223. The route is a long water passage with Swimmers and Sailors, so heal before leaving and avoid unnecessary wild battles if important moves are already low on PP. Battle trainers when you want the experience, but do not spend your strongest limited-use attacks on every encounter.

Continue north, following the main water channel. At the northern end, use Waterfall to climb the large waterfall. The Pokémon League Pokémon Center is at the top. Heal there before entering Victory Road; this is the practical full-healing stop for the approach, and there is no healing camp inside the cave.

Make sure the required field moves are available through your party or the Pokétch Hidden Moves app. You need Surf, Waterfall, Rock Climb, Rock Smash and Strength during the route. Register the Bicycle before entering because the second-floor slopes and ramps cannot be crossed efficiently on foot.

• Restore HP, status and move PP at the Pokémon League Pokémon Center.
• Carry healing items for HP and status conditions before entering Victory Road.
• Confirm access to Surf, Waterfall, Rock Climb, Rock Smash and Strength.
• Save at the Pokémon League Pokémon Center before beginning the cave.

Navigate the first Victory Road floor

Enter Victory Road and cross the wooden bridge directly ahead. The first major descent is a Rock Climb wall on the right side. Climb down to reach the lower path, then work east and across the next bridge. The northern side paths contain optional items, including TM41 Torment and a Full Heal; collect them if your party is healthy, but neither is needed to finish the cave.

From the bridge area, go down the stairs and loop north to cross another bridge. Continue through the connected paths until you find the next Rock Climb wall. Climb down, move west, then north and use the stairs leading upward. This takes you to the second floor.

The room is easy to misread because several bridges and ledges return you to earlier areas. Use the most recent staircase or Rock Climb wall as your landmark. If you reach an item dead end, backtrack to the last bridge rather than searching the blocked eastern passage. The eastern blocked cave near the northern exit is not part of the first visit; it opens only after becoming Champion and obtaining the National Pokédex.

• Use Rock Climb on the first wall to reach the lower western routes.
• Cross the bridges and take the stairs upward after the second Rock Climb section.
• Treat TM41 and the Full Heal as optional side-route rewards.
• Do not attempt to enter the blocked eastern cave on the first trip.

Solve the second-floor boulder and Bicycle section

On the second floor, use Rock Smash on the breakable rocks and Strength on the silvery boulders. Start by clearing the rock and moving the nearby boulder so the western passage opens. Continue around the ramp and boulder arrangement rather than pushing every boulder immediately; if a boulder is moved incorrectly, take the stairs down and return to reset the room’s positions.

The Bicycle is required for the sloped ramps and jumps. Line up with each ramp before accelerating, and use the appropriate gear when you need more control. The western side contains optional rewards such as a Full Restore and Max Ether. The eastern side has another Full Restore and TM71 Stone Edge. These items are useful but not required for the League route.

After clearing the boulders and breakable rocks, follow the open passage east and then back toward the southern stairs. The correct route eventually sends you down to the lower floor. Do not use valuable PP on wild Pokémon while solving the room; the trainer battles and the League ahead matter more than minor extra experience.

• Clear breakable rocks before attempting the boulder route.
• Use Strength only when you can see where the boulder will stop.
• Use the Bicycle for every required ramp and jump.
• Reset the room by changing floors if a boulder blocks your route.

Cross the lower water floor

On the lower floor, move east toward the water and use Surf. Follow the water route south and then west around the rock walls. A hidden Pearl can be found on a rock near the water route, but it is optional. Continue through the land passage and stairs to reach the next first-floor section, where a Rare Candy and a hidden Max Revive are available on side paths.

Return to the water area and follow the main route north. Use the large waterfall to climb to the higher ledge, then move west. At the intersection, the southern waterfall leads to TM59 Dragon Pulse, which is optional. If you want it, descend that waterfall, collect the TM, and return to the upper water route.

For the required route, remain on the higher path after using Waterfall, then move west and south toward the stairs. Keep track of your party’s condition before the final trainer section. Use a Max Potion, Full Restore or other healing item before a risky battle rather than entering with a fainted lead or empty attacking move.

• Use Surf to reach the lower-floor landings and the main waterfall.
• Collect the Rare Candy, Max Revive and Dragon Pulse only if your team can spare the detour.
• Save PP for trainer battles and the Elite Four.
• Heal before the last sequence if multiple party members are injured.

Reach the northern exit and return to the League Pokémon Center

After returning from the waterfall route, take the stairs back to the upper section and move west. A side path leads to Razor Claw. Continue back toward the central route, then use the rock-climbable wall and the nearby ledges to reach the final northern passage.

The final section includes another boulder arrangement and a side route to TM79 Dark Pulse. The TM is optional. For the main route, climb down and continue east, then use the final Rock Climb wall to move upward. Follow the upper path north until you leave Victory Road.

The exit places you at the lower approach to the Pokémon League. Follow the outdoor path, use Surf where required, and climb the waterfall to reach the League building. Enter the Pokémon Center before challenging the Elite Four. Restore HP, status and PP, then use the Poké Mart to replace missing recovery items and Poké Balls.

• Take the northern route through the last Rock Climb wall.
• Use the optional Razor Claw and Dark Pulse paths only if desired.
• Exit Victory Road and climb the waterfall to the League building.
• Heal and restock again at the Pokémon League Pokémon Center.

Prepare a party for the consecutive League battles

The first League challenge is a sequence of four Elite Four battles followed immediately by Champion Cynthia. There is no normal Pokémon Center between opponents, so enter with six Pokémon that can each contribute. A team made around one attacker may clear Victory Road but fail when the League changes from Bug to Ground, Fire and Psychic specialists before Cynthia’s mixed team.

Use both physical and special damage. Include reliable answers to Ground, Fighting, Fire, Water, Grass, Psychic and Dragon threats, and make sure at least one Pokémon can safely handle Cynthia’s Garchomp. Ice-, Fairy- or Dragon-type attacks can help against Dragon threats, while a fast Pokémon or priority move can finish weakened targets. Ground coverage is also valuable against several League Pokémon, but do not rely on only one Ground attacker because opposing Water, Grass or Ice moves can remove it.

Status support is useful but not mandatory. Paralysis or sleep can create an opening against a fast opponent, and a Pokémon with recovery, screens, healing, or a safe pivot can preserve the rest of the team. Give held items to the Pokémon that need them most, especially items that improve survivability or strengthen a key attacking type.

Use Rare Candies when they bring an important team member to a useful battle threshold without wasting time on low-value encounters. Otherwise, gain experience from remaining Victory Road trainers or high-level wild Pokémon. Restore PP with Ether or Elixir items before entering rather than spending your last strong moves on optional battles.

• Bring six usable Pokémon rather than one over-leveled sweeper.
• Use a mixture of physical and special attacks.
• Prepare answers for Ground, Fire, Water, Psychic, Grass, Fighting and Dragon threats.
• Carry Full Restores or Max Potions, Revives, status medicines and PP-recovery items.
• Give each team member a useful held item when possible.
• Save after the final healing and shopping trip, immediately before entering the League.

Prepare before entering the Pokémon League

Heal at the Pokémon Center outside the League and place your intended six Pokémon in the party before crossing the entrance. Buy Full Restores, Revives, and a supply of Max Potions or Hyper Potions. Full Restores are particularly useful because they restore HP and remove status in one action. Carry enough healing to recover after several difficult battles rather than assuming your team will finish the sequence without item use.

Review every moveset before entering. You want answers to Bug, Ground, Fire, Psychic, Water, Grass, Dragon, and Fairy threats. A strong Ice- or Fairy-type move is valuable for Garchomp, while Ground coverage helps against Flint’s Fire-oriented team and Lucian’s Bronzong if that Bronzong’s ability does not block it. Do not depend on Ground attacks alone: Bronzong can have Levitate, so keep Fire, Dark, or Ghost coverage available for Lucian.

Save before entering the League. If you use the game’s autosave option, do not treat it as a replacement for a deliberate manual save before the challenge. Set your lead Pokémon based on Barry’s team and keep your other five Pokémon healthy enough to switch into the Elite Four matchups.

• Save before entering the Pokémon League.
• Restore HP and PP on all intended party members.
• Carry Full Restores, Revives, and several strong healing items.
• Keep both physical and special damage available.
• Have a plan for Garchomp that does not rely on one Ice attack only.

Defeat Barry before entering the Elite Four rooms

When you try to enter the Elite Four, Barry challenges you at the League entrance. His team depends on your chosen starter, but it includes Staraptor, Floatzel, Roserade, Heracross, Snorlax, and the fully evolved starter that has a type advantage over yours. His team is around the high 40s to low 50s, so this is a useful final check of your party before the main League run. Barry’s Staraptor can carry Focus Sash, so do not assume a single strong hit will always finish it.

Use Barry’s battle to identify which Pokémon you want leading against Aaron. Avoid spending low-PP attacks or multiple healing items merely to end the rival battle with every Pokémon at full health. However, do not enter Aaron’s room with a weakened Fire-, Flying-, or Rock-capable answer. Aaron’s Heracross can hit hard, and Drapion is Poison/Dark rather than Bug-type, so Psychic attacks are a poor choice against it. Ground attacks are the more reliable super-effective option when available.

• Defeat Barry before proceeding into the Elite Four.
• Keep a Fire-, Flying-, or Rock-capable attacker healthy for Aaron.
• Use Ground coverage against Drapion when practical.
• Do not waste low-PP moves on weaker members of Barry’s team.

Handle Aaron and Bertha while conserving key resources

Aaron specializes in Bug-type Pokémon. Fire-, Flying-, and Rock-type attacks are dependable answers to much of his team, but do not let a fragile attacker take unnecessary damage from Heracross. Drapion should be handled with Ground attacks or strong neutral damage. After the battle, heal the Pokémon you need for Bertha rather than automatically using a Full Restore on every party member.

Bertha follows with Ground-type Pokémon. Water-, Grass-, and Ice-type attacks are effective, but watch for coverage moves and avoid leaving Electric-, Fire-, or Poison-type Pokémon exposed to Ground attacks. Hippowdon can set sand and withstand ordinary physical hits, so use a strong super-effective move instead of allowing it several turns to attack or recover. Quagsire and Whiscash are immune to Electric attacks, so switch to Grass or another suitable option rather than spending turns on ineffective moves.

You can use healing items and change Pokémon between battles, but you cannot return to the Pokémon Center. Preserve at least one strong Water, Grass, or Ice answer for Bertha and avoid using all of its PP against ordinary targets.

• Use Fire, Flying, or Rock attacks against Aaron when safe.
• Use Ground attacks against Drapion rather than Psychic attacks.
• Keep Grass, Water, or Ice coverage for Bertha.
• Watch for Ground-type attacks before switching in Electric, Fire, or Poison Pokémon.
• Restore only the HP, status, and PP that you actually need.

Defeat Flint and Lucian without sacrificing your final answers

Flint’s first League team is Fire-focused but is not made entirely of Fire types. Water-, Ground-, and Rock-type attacks are useful, but choose targets carefully. Rapidash and Infernape are fast and can punish a damaged switch-in. Steelix is also vulnerable to Water and Ground attacks, while Drifblim may use disruptive setup tactics rather than simply attacking. Do not assume one Water Pokémon can safely defeat the entire team if it has already taken damage or lost important PP.

Lucian uses Psychic Pokémon and can punish a team that relies only on Fighting attacks. Dark- and Ghost-type moves are useful, while Fire, Dark, or Ghost attacks can handle Bronzong if Levitate makes Ground attacks ineffective. Be cautious with physical attackers if Reflect, status, or defensive abilities reduce their effectiveness. After Lucian falls, heal the entire party, inspect remaining PP, and reorganize your lead before speaking to Cynthia.

• Reserve Water, Ground, or Rock coverage for Flint.
• Do not expose a weakened counter to Rapidash or Infernape.
• Check Bronzong’s ability before relying on Ground attacks.
• Use Dark or Ghost coverage against Lucian when available.
• Fully restore the party before starting Cynthia’s battle.

Plan Cynthia’s six Pokémon individually

Cynthia’s first Champion team is Spiritomb at level 61, Roserade at level 60, Gastrodon at level 60, Lucario at level 63, Milotic at level 63, and Garchomp at level 66. The team has no single weakness that can be exploited from start to finish, so prepare an answer for each major threat rather than expecting one Pokémon to sweep.

Spiritomb should be met by a Pokémon that can deal reliable damage, especially with Fairy, Dark, or Ghost attacks. Do not plan around Cynthia switching it out; trainer Pokémon generally remain in battle unless the game’s battle logic specifically causes a change. Roserade is vulnerable to Fire, Flying, Ice, and Psychic attacks, while Gastrodon and Milotic make Grass coverage especially valuable. Remember that Gastrodon’s Storm Drain can punish Water attacks, so do not use Water moves against it for damage.

Lucario can be handled with appropriate Fire, Ground, or Fighting coverage, but account for its speed and special attacks. Milotic carries Recover and can use Ice Beam, so a Grass attacker must be healthy enough to withstand retaliation. Keep your strongest late-game answer for Garchomp instead of spending every powerful move earlier in the battle.

• Prepare a specific answer for Spiritomb.
• Use Grass coverage against Gastrodon and Milotic when safe.
• Use Fire, Ground, or Fighting coverage against Lucario.
• Do not allow Milotic free turns to use Recover.
• Keep a healthy final attacker for Garchomp.

Break through Garchomp and finish the Champion battle

Cynthia’s Garchomp is level 66 and holds a Yache Berry, which reduces the damage from the first super-effective Ice attack. Lower its HP safely before committing your best Ice move, or use repeated Ice or Fairy pressure so the Berry cannot completely decide the battle. Garchomp also has powerful Dragon- and Ground-type attacks and can use Swords Dance, so do not give it a free setup turn.

A fast healthy Pokémon is useful for the final portion of the fight, but speed alone is not a guarantee of victory if the attacker is weakened or Garchomp has already boosted its Attack. If your team has Intimidate, paralysis, screens, a defensive pivot, or a priority move, use those tools to create a safe opening. Heal before a likely knockout range rather than waiting until the active Pokémon can be defeated by the next hit.

Cynthia may use Full Restores during the battle. If you inflict status or reduce a Pokémon to low HP, be prepared for the fight to continue after she heals it. Preserve enough PP for the endgame instead of spending every high-power attack on Pokémon that can be defeated with a reliable weaker move.

• Expect Garchomp’s Yache Berry on the first super-effective Ice hit.
• Do not allow Garchomp a free Swords Dance turn.
• Keep one fast or priority-capable Pokémon healthy.
• Use defensive pivots or status to create safe attacks.
• Keep enough PP for the final two battles and Cynthia’s last Pokémon.

Complete the Hall of Fame sequence and establish the postgame save

After Cynthia is defeated, your victorious party is registered in the Hall of Fame. The credits play the first time you enter the Hall of Fame, and the game then returns you to your house in Twinleaf Town. The Hall of Fame entry records the team used to complete the League and remains part of the save data even after you change your active party.

When control returns in Twinleaf Town, open the menu and make a manual save. This gives you a clear postgame starting point for completing the National Pokédex, preparing Ramanas Park resources, exploring the Grand Underground, and visiting other unlocked facilities. Before each later legendary encounter, save again in the encounter area after preparing your capture team. Keep the completed League save intact; the Hall of Fame record is not a substitute for a pre-encounter save, and a legendary capture attempt should be handled as a separate save decision.

The first League victory is also the progression marker for several postgame features. Ramanas Park and later legendary-related content use the fact that the player has entered the Hall of Fame, while the National Pokédex and individual encounter requirements determine what can actually be accessed. Do not assume that defeating Cynthia immediately makes every legendary available.

• Defeat Barry, Aaron, Bertha, Flint, Lucian, and Cynthia.
• Enter the Hall of Fame and allow the first-time credits sequence to finish.
• Confirm that control has returned to Twinleaf Town.
• Make a manual postgame save.
• Create a separate pre-legendary save before future capture attempts.

1. Confirm the Hall of Fame entry and return to Sandgem Town

After defeating Cynthia, the game records your Hall of Fame entry and returns you to your house in Twinleaf Town. Save after regaining control. From Twinleaf, travel north through Route 201 and Sandgem Town, or use Fly if it is available, then enter Professor Rowan’s laboratory.

Professor Rowan and Professor Oak check whether you have registered 150 Pokémon as seen in the Sinnoh Pokédex. You do not need to catch all 150, and Manaphy is excluded from this requirement. If the upgrade does not occur, open the Sinnoh Pokédex and identify the missing entries before attempting other postgame facilities.

Several entries can be missed if you avoided optional trainers. The opposing version’s legendary can be registered by reading the book in Cynthia’s grandmother’s house in Celestic Town after seeing your own version’s legendary. Riolu can be registered by battling the appropriate trainer in Oreburgh Gate or by hatching Riley’s Egg from Iron Island. Unown can be seen in Solaceon Ruins. These are examples of entries worth checking if the total is below 150.

Speak with Rowan after the Sinnoh Pokédex shows the required seen entries. Professor Oak arrives during the laboratory scene and upgrades the Pokédex to National mode. This is the visible sign that the regional Pokédex requirement has been accepted.

• The Hall of Fame entry has been recorded.
• The Sinnoh Pokédex contains 150 required seen entries.
• Professor Oak has upgraded the Pokédex to National mode.
• A separate save has been made after returning to Twinleaf Town.

2. Receive the Poké Radar and note the first postgame changes

After Professor Oak upgrades the Pokédex, speak with Professor Rowan again in the laboratory. Rowan gives you the Poké Radar, which is placed in the Key Items pocket. The device detects certain Pokémon in shaking patches of tall grass and is useful for National Pokédex work and shiny-hunting chains.

The National Pokédex also expands Pokémon availability in Grand Underground Hideaways, enables additional wild Pokémon and daily swarm encounters, and activates stronger later rematches. These changes do not mean that every legendary is immediately available. Ramanas Park encounters require Slates, and several other legendary encounters have separate story or item requirements.

Before leaving Sandgem Town, check your supplies. You will soon need Poké Balls, healing items, status treatment, and, for some encounters, a team member with False Swipe or another reliable way to reduce a target’s HP without knocking it out.

• The Poké Radar is present in the Key Items pocket.
• The Pokédex displays National mode.
• The party and bag are prepared for postgame travel and capture attempts.

3. Use the Snowpoint ferry correctly

Fly to Snowpoint City and walk to the harbor. Speak with the sailor at the pier to travel to the Battle Zone. This ferry becomes available after you have entered the Hall of Fame, before or independently of the National Pokédex upgrade.

The ferry takes you to the Fight Area, a small port town with a Pokémon Center and Poké Mart. Fight Area is the first accessible part of the Battle Zone. Speak with Buck and inspect the local shops. The Poké Mart is a useful place to restock standard healing items, Poké Balls, and Repels; an NPC also provides the Super Rod in the nearby Battle Zone area.

Do not treat the Fight Area as access to the whole Battle Zone yet. Until you have obtained the National Pokédex, the routes leading beyond the Fight Area are blocked. Consequently, Battle Park and the Battle Tower are not available immediately when the ferry first delivers you to the Fight Area.

After Professor Oak has upgraded the Pokédex, return to the Fight Area and walk north toward the Battle Park. The barriers to the rest of the Battle Zone are removed, allowing access to Battle Park, Route 225, Survival Area, and the other connected postgame routes. Battle Park contains the Battle Tower and the Exchange Service Corner, where Battle Points can be spent. The Battle Tower is optional for the immediate postgame route, so prioritize capture supplies and story prerequisites before beginning long battle streaks.

• The Snowpoint sailor has transported you to the Fight Area.
• The Fight Area Pokémon Center and Poké Mart are available.
• The National Pokédex has been obtained before attempting to enter Battle Park.
• Battle Park and Battle Tower are reachable only after the National Pokédex upgrade.

4. Enter Ramanas Park after both prerequisites are complete

Ramanas Park is at the southern end of Route 221. From Sandgem Town, travel south through Route 219 and Route 220, then continue along Route 221 until you reach the park entrance. The park opens only after you have entered the Hall of Fame and received the National Pokédex.

Ramanas Park and its Slate system require update data version 1.1.0 or later. The update added the Battle Zone travel sequence, Ramanas Park, and other post-launch functionality. If the entrance or Slate facilities are missing despite satisfying the story and Pokédex conditions, update Pokémon Shining Pearl before troubleshooting the save file.

On your first visit, inspect the park and speak with the available staff. Professor Oak can provide the Chain Counter, while the park shop displays the current Slate exchange options. The nearest themed room is the Discovery Room. Its pedestal uses a Discovery Slate to summon one of Regirock, Regice, or Registeel.

Shining Pearl’s version-exclusive Ramanas Park group includes Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres in the Kanto Room, plus Lugia in the Squall Room. Discovery Room and several other rooms are available in both versions. Room progression matters: the park shop does not offer every Slate at once, and later Slates become available after earlier legendary groups have been captured. Check the shop and pedestals after each completed group rather than assuming every room is immediately active.

• The National Pokédex is active.
• The Hall of Fame entry is recorded.
• Ramanas Park on Route 221 can be entered.
• The game is updated to version 1.1.0 or later if the park is unavailable.
• The Slate shop and themed-room pedestals can be inspected.

5. Mine Mysterious Shards in the Grand Underground

Use the Explorer Kit from your Key Items pocket to enter the Grand Underground. Once underground, follow the map to wall sections marked by sparkling digging points. Interact with a marked wall and complete the digging panel to collect treasures. Mysterious Shard S and Mysterious Shard L are among the possible mining rewards.

Mysterious Shards are not purchased in the Grand Underground. They are obtained by repeatedly digging. Their appearance is random, so leave and re-enter the Grand Underground for additional digging points when you need more attempts. National Pokédex progress also expands the Pokémon available in Hideaways, making the area useful for team building and species registration.

Return to Ramanas Park after collecting enough shards. The Slate Exchange counter sells a Slate for either three Mysterious Shards S or one Mysterious Shard L. The Discovery Slate is the first target for the Discovery Room. Do not spend shards on an unrelated Slate if you are trying to unlock a specific legendary group.

A Slate provides one legendary battle opportunity. If you fail to capture the Pokémon or defeat it, another Slate is required for another attempt. After capturing all Pokémon associated with a room, that room’s Slate can remain fixed in its pedestal, so keep mining if you intend to pursue several groups.

• The Explorer Kit can be used to enter the Grand Underground.
• At least one Mysterious Shard has been obtained through digging.
• The Ramanas Park exchange counter confirms the current Slate options.
• You have selected a target room before spending shards.

6. Prepare before activating a Slate or starting another postgame quest

Heal before inserting a Slate into a pedestal. Buy Ultra Balls and other appropriate Poké Balls, plus Max Potions, Full Restores, Revives, and status-healing items. Bring a Pokémon with False Swipe or a comparable HP-control move, and include a reliable sleep or paralysis user when possible.

Save immediately before placing the Slate into the pedestal. Keep this capture save separate from your normal postgame file. If an encounter goes badly, reload the pre-encounter save rather than consuming another Slate. Check that the intended encounter is still available before saving over the file.

A practical first postgame loop is: visit Sandgem Town for the National Pokédex and Poké Radar, take the Snowpoint ferry to inspect the Fight Area, return to Route 221 to check Ramanas Park, then enter the Grand Underground for repeated mining sessions. Heal whenever the capture team has lost important PP or status moves.

National Pokédex access does not unlock every legendary encounter. Heatran requires the Stark Mountain sequence involving Buck and his grandfather. Regigigas requires Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. Giratina and Cresselia have their own encounter conditions. Handle those objectives separately instead of spending all resources on Ramanas Park Slates.

• Poké Balls and healing items are stocked before a legendary attempt.
• A False Swipe or equivalent HP-control option is ready.
• A sleep or paralysis option is available when possible.
• Separate saves exist for the completed Hall of Fame, capture attempts, and Battle Tower progress.

Unlock Ramanas Park and verify the required postgame state

Finish the Sinnoh story by defeating the Elite Four and Champion and entering the Hall of Fame. You must also obtain the National Pokédex from Professor Oak after completing the Sinnoh Pokédex requirement. In practice, both the Hall of Fame entry and the National Pokédex are needed before Ramanas Park’s encounters can be used.

Travel to Route 221 from Sandgem Town and continue to the southern end of the route. Enter Ramanas Park and speak with the staff in the entrance building. The park contains a shop for Slates and an outdoor section with small caves leading to themed rooms and pedestals.

If Ramanas Park is not available on a cartridge or system with older software data, update Pokémon Shining Pearl. Post-Hall of Fame content, including Ramanas Park, was added with the version 1.1.0 update. Surf is needed to reach some of the park’s rooms, so ensure Surf is available through the Pokétch Hidden Moves system before attempting to visit every cave.

• Hall of Fame entry completed
• National Pokédex obtained
• Route 221 accessible
• Ramanas Park entrance open
• Surf available for water-separated rooms
• Manual save created before buying or using Slates

Mine Mysterious Shards in the Grand Underground

Use the Explorer Kit to enter the Grand Underground after receiving the National Pokédex. Search the radar for sparkling excavation points and dig through the walls. Mysterious Shard S and Mysterious Shard L can appear as excavation rewards during postgame digging.

The Ramanas Park shop accepts either three Mysterious Shard S or one Mysterious Shard L for one Slate. Each Slate creates one legendary battle opportunity. The three Regis, three Kanto birds, and two Eon Pokémon each require separate Slate uses, while Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Mewtwo, Lugia, and the Distortion Room encounter each use one Slate.

Do not buy a large number of Slates before checking the current shop list. Slate availability is progression-based, and unused Slates cannot be converted back into Mysterious Shards. For a complete Shining Pearl Ramanas Park capture set, plan for three Discovery Slates, three Kanto Slates, two Soul Slates, one Squall Slate, and one each of the Oceanic, Tectonic, Stratospheric, and Genome Slates. The Distortion Slate is used for a battle rather than a capture.

• Explorer Kit ready
• Post-National-Dex Grand Underground access confirmed
• Mysterious Shard S or L collected
• Slate cost checked before purchase
• Enough Slates planned for the intended room targets

Complete the Discovery Room first

At the start of Ramanas Park’s Slate progression, the Discovery Slate is the available purchase. Buy one Discovery Slate for three Mysterious Shard S or one Mysterious Shard L, then walk to the Discovery Room and place it in the matching pedestal.

The Discovery Room contains Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, all at level 70. A Discovery Slate produces one of the remaining Regis in the room, so catching the entire group requires three successful Slate uses. The species order is not something you can choose in advance.

Save in front of the pedestal before each attempt. If a Regi is knocked out or the battle ends without a capture, reset to the pre-activation save to preserve the Slate and retry. If you continue after failure, you will need another Discovery Slate.

After all three Regis are captured, return to the entrance shop. The Kanto Slate and Soul Slate become available in Shining Pearl. The Kanto Slate is for the version-exclusive Kanto legendary birds; the Soul Slate is for Latias and Latios.

• Regirock captured
• Regice captured
• Registeel captured
• Three Discovery Slate uses planned
• Kanto Slate and Soul Slate checked after the Regis are complete

Capture the Kanto birds and unlock the next group

Buy Kanto Slates and use them in the Kanto Room. Shining Pearl’s Kanto Room contains Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, all at level 70. The room selects from the remaining birds in random order, so buy and prepare for three Kanto Slate uses if you want the complete group.

Use Soul Slates in the Soul Room for Latias and Latios. The Soul Room requires two successful Slate uses, although it is not necessary to finish the Soul Room before progressing to the next Slate tier. The Eon pair also appears at level 70 and may be encountered in either order.

After Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres have all been captured, return to the shop. Shining Pearl’s Squall Slate becomes available for Lugia, and the Oceanic, Tectonic, Stratospheric, and Genome Slates become available for Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, and Mewtwo. These rooms are not all freely selectable when Ramanas Park first opens; their shop availability is tied to the earlier captures.

The Squall Room is Shining Pearl-exclusive and contains Lugia. Brilliant Diamond’s corresponding version-exclusive rooms are the Johto Room and Rainbow Room, so do not use those names or Pokémon as directions for Shining Pearl.

• Articuno captured
• Zapdos captured
• Moltres captured
• Latias and Latios planned or captured
• Squall Slate available after the three Kanto birds
• Shared legendary Slates checked after the Kanto group

Use the matching rooms and plan the Slate budget

Match each Slate to the room with the same name. The Discovery Slate goes in the Discovery Room, Kanto Slate in the Kanto Room, Soul Slate in the Soul Room, Squall Slate in the Squall Room, Oceanic Slate in the Oceanic Room, Tectonic Slate in the Tectonic Room, Stratospheric Slate in the Stratospheric Room, and Genome Slate in the Genome Room.

The Oceanic Room contains Kyogre, the Tectonic Room contains Groudon, the Stratospheric Room contains Rayquaza, and the Genome Room contains Mewtwo. Each is a level 70 encounter and requires one matching Slate. You can tackle these rooms in any order after their Slates become available.

Some rooms are separated from the entrance area by water. If a path ends at a water channel, use Surf through the park’s outdoor section rather than searching for another land route. Entering a room does not replace the need to save before activating its pedestal.

After a room’s full group has been captured, its Slate remains fixed in the pedestal and that room is finished. Record which targets have been caught and how many Mysterious Shards and Slates remain before moving to another postgame goal.

• Matching Slate and room confirmed
• One Slate reserved for each single-target room
• Surf route identified where needed
• Room completion recorded
• Remaining Shards and Slates counted

Save before every encounter and build a capture team

Save directly in front of the correct pedestal before placing a Slate. A manual pre-encounter save is the safest routine because it lets you reset after an accidental knockout, an unwanted nature or ability result, or a failed capture without spending another Slate. Disable autosave if you prefer complete control over this routine.

Lead with a Pokémon that knows False Swipe or another controlled weakening move. False Swipe can reduce a target to 1 HP without knocking it out, but switch away when the user is taking too much damage. Avoid recoil, poison, burn, weather damage, and uncontrolled critical-hit risks after the legendary is in the red.

Prepare a second Pokémon that can inflict Sleep or Paralysis. Sleep is temporary and may need to be reapplied; Paralysis remains useful for the rest of the battle and is a dependable alternative. Trapping moves such as Mean Look or Block can help against an encounter that tries to flee, but they are optional and should not replace a saved attempt and a sturdy defensive switch-in.

Flinch moves do not improve the capture formula by themselves. They can buy a turn when they work, but do not build the plan around repeated flinches. Prioritize low HP, a reliable status condition, safe switches, and enough healing items to survive a long battle.

• False Swipe user ready
• Sleep or Paralysis user ready
• Defensive switch-in prepared
• Trapping move available if useful
• Healing and status items packed
• No poison, burn, recoil, or residual-damage plan

Finish each capture with appropriate Balls and recovery

Bring Ultra Balls as the general-purpose option. Timer Balls become more useful as a battle lasts, and Dusk Balls can be useful when the encounter conditions support them. Quick Balls are worth trying on the opening turn, but they should not be your only capture plan.

Lower the legendary’s HP carefully, apply Sleep or Paralysis, and throw Balls while monitoring your party’s HP and the target’s move supply. Heal before a Pokémon is in danger of being knocked out rather than waiting for a critical situation. If the target wakes up, use a safe switch before attempting to refresh its status.

If the legendary faints or you run out of viable Pokémon, close the battle by resetting to the save made before the Slate was placed. If you continue from the failed result, that battle opportunity is gone and another matching Slate is required for a retry.

When the capture succeeds, check the party and Boxes before leaving the room. Confirm the species is present, then create a new manual save. Repeat the process for every remaining target. A successful capture does not automatically complete a multi-target room until all of that room’s targets have been caught.

• Ultra Balls stocked
• Timer Balls available
• Dusk Balls available if desired
• Target reduced safely
• Status condition applied when possible
• Party and Boxes checked after capture
• Manual save made after each success

Complete the Distortion Room only after catching Turnback Cave Giratina

The Distortion Slate is separate from the normal capture progression. It becomes available after you have captured Regirock, Regice, and Registeel and captured Giratina in Turnback Cave. The Turnback Cave encounter is the capturable Giratina required for this condition.

After purchasing the Distortion Slate, place it in the Distortion Room pedestal. The resulting encounter is a level 100 Origin Forme Giratina. Unlike the other Ramanas Park legendary encounters, this Giratina cannot be caught. It appears in a darkened form and must be defeated.

Save before activating the Distortion Slate and bring a team suited to a level 100 battle. Use reliable damage, defensive switches, and healing items rather than Capture Balls. After victory, collect the Griseous Orb and save again. Do not treat this encounter as a second Giratina capture opportunity.

• Regirock captured
• Regice captured
• Registeel captured
• Turnback Cave Giratina captured
• Distortion Slate available
• Level 100 Origin Forme Giratina defeated
• Griseous Orb obtained
• Post-battle save completed

1. Receive the Explorer Kit and complete the Underground Man’s tasks

Travel to Eterna City and enter the house immediately beside the Pokémon Center. Speak to the Underground Man to receive the Explorer Kit. The Kit is a Key Item, so keep it registered if you expect to make repeated trips underground.

After your first visit, return to the Underground Man and complete his requests in order. Using the Explorer Kit earns colored spheres, digging up an object earns a Digger Drill, creating a Secret Base earns five Quick Balls, five Dusk Balls and five Dive Balls, and placing a statue in the base earns a pedestal. These tasks provide the basic tools for mining, Secret Base decoration and Hideaway hunting.

Use the Explorer Kit from an outdoor location. To leave, open the Grand Underground map and choose the option to return to the surface. You return to the same general surface location from which you entered, and your collected items, statues and Pokémon remain yours.

• Get the Explorer Kit from the Underground Man in Eterna City.
• Complete the first digging task to obtain a Digger Drill.
• Create a Secret Base and place at least one statue so the type-effect system becomes available.

2. Choose local or internet play deliberately

When entering, choose local communication or internet communication. Local play is suitable for exploring alone or with nearby Nintendo Switch systems. Internet play allows other players to appear in the same Grand Underground session and requires an internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online access.

A private online session can be configured with a Link Code. If you do not want to encounter strangers, use solo or local play instead. Do not share personal information through in-game communication, and use the Nintendo Switch communication settings that match your privacy preference.

Multiplayer can help with digging and with collecting the Glossy Stones left by Diglett and Dugtrio. The Diglett gauge is shared by players in the same session. A Diglett contributes one point and a Dugtrio contributes three points. Reaching 40 points activates a temporary bonus lasting four minutes. The bonus improves the chance of rare or Shiny Pokémon appearing in Hideaways and increases the chance of receiving Gorgeous Stone Boxes while digging. It is not a guaranteed Mysterious Shard bonus, so do not treat it as a reliable shard drop method.

• Use solo or local play for a controlled farming route.
• Use a Link Code for a private online session.
• Collect Diglett and Dugtrio Glossy Stones when convenient, but do not delay all mining until the bonus is active.

3. Enter the correct Grand Underground zone

The Grand Underground is divided into seven zones, with the Eastern and Western Zones forming the broad main section. The place where you activate the Explorer Kit determines which section you enter. Use the following surface landmarks when targeting particular environments.

Eterna City, Hearthome City, Veilstone City and nearby central routes lead to the Eastern and Western Zones. Celestic Town provides access to the Central Zone. Snowpoint City and nearby northern areas lead to the Northwestern Zone. Twinleaf Town, Jubilife City, Canalave City, Ramanas Park and nearby southwestern routes lead to the Southwestern Zone. Sunyshore City leads to the Southeastern Zone. The Battle Zone provides access to the Northeastern Zone, which becomes available after you reach the Battle Zone in the postgame.

Open the Grand Underground map before committing to a route. Unidentified Hideaways appear with question-mark icons. Enter one to reveal its terrain icon and name. The room’s terrain remains associated with that location, although the Pokémon present can change after you leave and return.

• Use Celestic Town for the Central Zone.
• Use Snowpoint City for the Northwestern Zone.
• Use Sunyshore City, Ramanas Park or the Battle Zone when you need the southeastern, southwestern or northeastern sections.

4. Find and use Pokémon Hideaways

Hideaways are the large caves and caverns shown on the Grand Underground map. Their terrain determines the kinds of wild Pokémon that appear. Grassland Caves and Sunlit Caverns favor grassy environments, Volcanic and Sandsear Caves favor Fire-oriented encounters, Icy and Glacial areas provide Ice-themed encounters, and Riverbank, Fountainspring and Still-Water areas provide Water-oriented encounters. Spacious Caves contain a broad mixture of species.

Not every Pokémon is available on the first visit. More species appear as you progress through the story, after the Palkia encounter, and after obtaining the National Pokédex. Some species are version-exclusive, so Shining Pearl players should confirm that a desired Pokémon is actually available in their edition rather than assuming every Brilliant Diamond encounter is shared.

To refresh a Hideaway, leave the room and re-enter. Check the visible Pokémon before starting a battle, then leave and return if the species you need is absent. Place statues of the desired type in your Secret Base first. The type represented by your statues affects the appearance rate of matching Pokémon in Hideaways, and rarer statue boxes provide stronger effects.

• Reveal Hideaway names by entering each unknown room once.
• Use the overworld entry point that contains the terrain you need.
• Place matching statues before a targeted Pokémon search.

5. Dig safely for fossils, statues and rare items

Golden mining markers appear on the Grand Underground map. When close to one, press R to activate the radar and highlight the exact wall location. Examine the sparkle to begin the digging minigame and note how many buried objects are present.

Use the hammer to clear a broad section quickly, but remember that it damages the wall more heavily. Use the pickaxe for controlled excavation around partially revealed objects. Grey bedrock and metal strips cannot be removed, so do not waste swings trying to break them. The wall collapses when its damage limit is reached; only treasures fully uncovered before the collapse are kept.

Prioritize Mysterious Shards after the National Pokédex, fossil items, evolution stones, Plates and statue boxes. Common spheres can be traded to underground vendors for goods, including pedestals, technical machines and replacement Digger Drills. Digging spots reset when you enter the Grand Underground or leave a Hideaway, so a useful solo loop is to enter near your target zone, clear nearby markers, enter and leave a Hideaway if you need a refresh, then return to the surface and re-enter.

• Use R to locate the exact mining sparkle.
• Use the hammer for opening space and the pickaxe for valuable objects.
• Leave and re-enter the Grand Underground when you want a fresh group of digging spots.

6. Farm Mysterious Shards for Ramanas Park

Mysterious Shard S and Mysterious Shard L begin appearing as digging rewards after you have obtained the National Pokédex. They are rare, and no individual wall guarantees one. Continue checking multiple mining spots instead of repeatedly relying on a single room.

At Ramanas Park on Route 221, the lower exchange attendant trades three Mysterious Shard S or one Mysterious Shard L for one Slate. A Slate is consumed when used, even if the legendary encounter ends without a successful capture. Save before placing a Slate so you can retry the encounter without losing the resource.

For a three-legendary room such as the Discovery Room containing Regirock, Regice and Registeel, plan for three Slates. That means nine Small Shards, three Large Shards or an equivalent combination. In Shining Pearl, the Kanto Room provides Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres, while the Squall Room provides Lugia. Other Ramanas Park rooms have their own Slate requirements and unlock order, so buy only the Slate needed for your next planned encounter.

A practical farming route is to enter the Grand Underground from the outdoor area near Ramanas Park, clear the nearby yellow mining markers, return to the surface, and enter again. This keeps travel short and refreshes available digging spots, but it does not guarantee a shard. If the 40-point Diglett bonus is active, use it for Hideaway hunting and Gorgeous Stone Box hunting as well as ordinary digging; do not assume it directly raises shard odds.

• Obtain the National Pokédex before farming for Mysterious Shards.
• Exchange three Small Shards or one Large Shard for one Slate.
• Save before using a Slate at Ramanas Park.
• Prepare nine Small Shards or three Large Shards for a three-legendary room.

7. Turn excavated rewards into completion progress

Fossils can be taken to the Oreburgh Mining Museum and revived into Pokémon. Ordinary Sinnoh Pokédex progress still comes from battling trainers, fishing, honey trees, evolution and surface encounters, so the Grand Underground should supplement rather than replace the rest of the region.

Place statues in your Secret Base to improve Hideaway targeting. Use underground vendors to exchange unwanted spheres for useful items, pedestals and Digger Drills. Keep a capture-ready party before entering a Hideaway, especially if you are hunting a rare species or planning to catch a legendary after returning to the surface.

If you are pursuing Spiritomb, remember that the Grand Underground also contains the required player and NPC interactions. That is a separate objective from mining and Hideaway hunting, but exploring every zone can help with the total number of unique underground encounters needed.

• Revive fossils at the Oreburgh Mining Museum.
• Use statues to target types rather than searching every Hideaway randomly.
• Carry Poké Balls and a suitable catching Pokémon during Hideaway trips.

1. Complete the postgame prerequisites

Enter the Hall of Fame, then return to Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town after recording all of the required Sinnoh Pokédex entries. Professor Oak will upgrade your Pokédex to the National Pokédex. This is the key requirement for Ramanas Park, the Grand Underground’s Mysterious Shards, Spring Path, Turnback Cave, Fullmoon Island, and the Battle Zone’s postgame events.

Before starting a capture attempt, prepare a Pokémon with False Swipe or another reliable low-power attack, a Pokémon that can inflict sleep or paralysis, and a durable switch-in. Carry Ultra Balls, Timer Balls, Dusk Balls, healing items, and enough PP-restoring items for dungeon travel. Save immediately before each stationary legendary. Pokémon Shining Pearl has one active save file, so do not overwrite a pre-encounter save until the capture is secure.

• The Hall of Fame has been entered.
• Professor Rowan has upgraded the Pokédex to the National Pokédex.
• Ramanas Park and the Battle Zone are accessible.
• False Swipe or controlled damage, status support, and capture Balls are ready.

2. Obtain the three Regi Pokémon

Go to Ramanas Park after unlocking it. Enter the Discovery Room and exchange Mysterious Shards for Discovery Slates at the park shop. Each Discovery Slate costs either three small Mysterious Shards or one large Mysterious Shard. Mysterious Shards are obtained by digging in the Grand Underground after the National Pokédex is unlocked.

Use Discovery Slates in the Discovery Room to encounter Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. Each encounter is a separate battle, and each of the three Pokémon is available once in Shining Pearl. Save before activating each pedestal, lower the target’s HP carefully, apply sleep or paralysis, and capture it before leaving the room.

You need all three Pokémon in the active party for Regigigas. Having them stored in the PC is not enough when you examine the Regigigas encounter.

• Regirock has been caught or transferred into the game.
• Regice has been caught or transferred into the game.
• Registeel has been caught or transferred into the game.
• All three Regis are in the active party before entering Regigigas’s room.

3. Catch Regigigas in Snowpoint Temple

Travel to Snowpoint City and enter Snowpoint Temple. If the temple guard blocks the entrance, speak with Candice in Snowpoint City after the main story; she will authorize your entry. Descend through the temple’s floors and solve the ice-sliding rooms by using walls and rocks to control where you stop. Continue downward until you reach the lowest basement chamber.

Save directly before interacting with Regigigas. The encounter is level 70, and Regigigas has the Slow Start Ability, reducing its Attack and Speed during the early portion of the battle. Use those turns to apply status and lower its HP gradually. Avoid an untested Fighting-type attack or any critical-hit risk, especially when Regigigas is already in the red.

If the battle ends without a capture, reload the pre-encounter save rather than saving afterward. Once Regigigas is caught, confirm it appears in the Pokédex before leaving the temple.

• The three Regis are still in the active party.
• Regigigas is visible in the lowest Snowpoint Temple chamber.
• The game is saved immediately before interaction.
• Regigigas is caught and recorded in the Pokédex.

4. Reach Giratina in Turnback Cave

After obtaining the National Pokédex, go to Route 214 and take the newly available Spring Path. Follow it to Sendoff Spring, then use Rock Climb to reach the entrance to Turnback Cave. Bring a Pokémon that knows Defog if you want to clear the cave’s fog, and carry healing items because the cave contains wild Pokémon and the route can take several encounters to complete.

Turnback Cave’s intermediate rooms are randomized. In each room, search the exits for a room containing a central pillar. Examine every pillar you find, then leave through an exit other than the one you used to enter. You must find three pillar rooms before the room limit is exceeded. If you pass through 30 rooms without completing the sequence, you are returned to the entrance.

The room immediately after the third pillar room is Giratina’s chamber. Once you have examined the third pillar, take an exit and proceed into the guaranteed final room. Save there before interacting with Giratina; saving at the entrance cannot preserve a particular randomized route.

• Spring Path and Sendoff Spring have been reached from Route 214.
• Rock Climb is available for the approach to Turnback Cave.
• Three pillar rooms have been examined within the room limit.
• The game is saved in the chamber immediately before Giratina.

5. Capture Giratina safely

Giratina appears at level 70 in Altered Forme and is a Ghost/Dragon-type Pokémon. Normal- and Fighting-type moves cannot damage it, so lead with a Pokémon that can use False Swipe while avoiding those ineffective attacks. If False Swipe is unavailable, use weak neutral attacks and check the damage carefully before repeating them.

Apply sleep when possible, or use paralysis if sleep support is unavailable. Watch the battle’s turn count and your team’s HP, because a long attempt can consume PP and leave a weakened party exposed. Dusk Balls receive their improved effect inside Turnback Cave, while Timer Balls become more useful as the battle continues.

If Giratina is knocked out or the battle is otherwise lost, reload the save made immediately before interaction. Keep the post-capture save separate in practice by saving only after confirming the capture and any desired item management.

• A status move is ready.
• A Ghost-resistant or otherwise durable switch-in is available.
• False Swipe or controlled low-power damage is prepared.
• Giratina is caught before leaving Turnback Cave.

6. Trigger Heatran at Stark Mountain

Travel through the Battle Zone to Route 227 and enter Stark Mountain. The interior requires Strength and Rock Smash. Continue through the main cavern until Buck joins you. Follow the route with him to the deepest chamber, where he takes the Magma Stone and leaves.

Return to the Survival Area. Enter the house west of the Pokémon Center and speak with Buck’s grandfather. Then speak with Buck when he is present there. In the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl sequence, Buck returns the Magma Stone after these conversations.

Go back through Route 227 and Stark Mountain to the deepest chamber where the Magma Stone was taken. Heatran will now be waiting there. Save immediately before interacting with it. Heatran is level 70 and is Fire/Steel, making Water-, Ground-, and Fighting-type attacks effective, but use controlled damage because a critical hit can end the encounter permanently until you reload.

• The Stark Mountain event with Buck has been completed.
• Buck’s grandfather has been spoken to in the Survival Area.
• Buck has also been spoken to there and the Magma Stone has been returned.
• Heatran is waiting in the deepest Stark Mountain chamber.
• Heatran is caught and a post-capture save is made.

7. Start Cresselia and plan version-exclusive Ramanas Park encounters

To begin Cresselia’s event, speak with Sailor Eldritch in the Canalave City house and agree to travel to Fullmoon Island. Interact with Cresselia there; it will flee and leave behind the Lunar Feather. Return to Canalave City and give the Lunar Feather to Eldritch’s son. Cresselia will then roam through Sinnoh like Mesprit. Use the Pokétch marking map to track its current area, and use a trapping or sleep strategy if you want to prevent it from fleeing immediately.

Because Cresselia is a roaming encounter, save before beginning the Fullmoon Island sequence rather than expecting a fixed battle save. Once it is roaming, use route transitions to make its location change, then enter tall grass when its marker matches your current route. A Pokémon with a move or Ability that prevents fleeing can make the eventual battle more manageable.

Shining Pearl’s Ramanas Park exclusives are Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, and Lugia. They require the Kanto and Squall rooms after the relevant earlier slate progression. The Discovery Room and the Regi trio are available in both Switch versions, while the Johto Room and Rainbow Room are Brilliant Diamond content. Check the room requirements before spending Mysterious Shards.

• The Fullmoon Island event has been started.
• The Lunar Feather has been returned to Eldritch’s son in Canalave City.
• Cresselia is roaming in Sinnoh if that encounter is being pursued.
• The desired Ramanas Park room and version requirements have been confirmed.

Reach the Fight Area, then unlock the Battle Tower

After defeating Cynthia and completing the Hall of Fame sequence, return to Snowpoint City and speak with the sailor near the harbor. He will ferry you to the Fight Area in the Battle Zone. Heal at the Pokémon Center as soon as you arrive, then check the local Poké Mart for supplies. The Fight Area is available after the Hall of Fame, but this does not mean that every postgame facility is already open.

Walk north from the Fight Area into the Battle Park. The Battle Tower is located inside the Battle Park, but access to the Battle Park requires the National Pokédex. If the entrance or surrounding Battle Zone routes are still blocked, return to Sandgem Town and complete the Pokédex upgrade first.

Once the Battle Tower is open, speak with the reception staff and obtain the Point Card. Choose Single Battles or Double Battles. A Single challenge uses three Pokémon, while a Double challenge uses four. Each challenge consists of seven consecutive battles, and your Pokémon are restricted by the facility’s level rules. Pokémon do not gain experience from Battle Tower fights, so use the facility for Battle Points and streak practice rather than leveling.

The Battle Tower has a normal class and a Master Class. The first major streak milestones are 21 wins and 49 wins, which lead to battles against Tower Tycoon Palmer in the applicable format. Battle Points can be exchanged at the Battle Park shops for competitive items, vitamins, TMs, evolution items, and other training supplies. A story party can enter, but it usually needs better role coverage, held items, move selection, and effort training to maintain a long streak.

• Enter the Hall of Fame.
• Take the Snowpoint City ferry to the Fight Area.
• Return to Professor Rowan after meeting the Pokédex requirement.
• Unlock the Battle Park and Battle Tower.
• Collect the Point Card and select a battle format.

Obtain and verify the National Pokédex

To receive the National Pokédex, see all of the required entries in the Sinnoh Pokédex and then visit Professor Rowan in his Sandgem Town laboratory. You do not need to catch every Sinnoh species for this upgrade. Trainer battles, wild encounters, gift Pokémon, and the opposite version’s legendary entry can normally provide the needed registrations. If an entry is missing, use the Pokédex number to identify the absent species and revisit its route, trainer, or story location.

After the upgrade sequence, Professor Oak provides the Poké Radar. The Poké Radar is an important tool for postgame grass encounters and chain-based hunting, but it is separate from Ramanas Park’s slate system. Confirm the upgrade by opening the Pokédex and checking that National Mode is available.

The National Pokédex also expands the Grand Underground’s available Pokémon and enables access to additional postgame progression. The Battle Park and Battle Tower are tied to this upgrade, so defeating the Champion alone is not enough to begin Battle Tower challenges. Speak with Rowan before repeatedly returning to the Battle Park if the facility remains inaccessible.

• See every required Sinnoh Pokédex entry.
• Visit Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town.
• Receive the National Pokédex upgrade.
• Collect the Poké Radar from the laboratory.
• Verify that National Mode appears in the Pokédex.

Use Ramanas Park and the Grand Underground

Ramanas Park is located on Route 221, south of Sandgem Town. Its legendary encounters are activated with slates purchased at the park after you have gathered the required Mysterious Shards. Mysterious Shards come from digging spots in the Grand Underground. Enter with the Explorer Kit, travel between digging locations, and return to the surface when you need to access the park or reset your route.

Plan your slate purchases before spending shards. Different rooms and legendary groups require different slates, and several captures can require repeated digging sessions. Do not spend every shard on the first available encounter if your goal is to obtain several legendary Pokémon. The available legendary groups and room requirements differ between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, so confirm that the target is present in Shining Pearl before farming for its slate.

Save immediately before activating each legendary encounter. Shining Pearl has one active game save rather than multiple manual save slots, so a later save overwrites the earlier checkpoint. If a capture attempt fails, close the game without saving and reload the pre-encounter save. Prepare a Pokémon with False Swipe, a reliable sleep or paralysis move, and enough appropriate Poké Balls before interacting with the pedestal or encounter object.

The expanded Grand Underground is also useful for completing the National Pokédex, finding fossils, collecting statues, and searching Pokémon Hideaways. Use the Pokédex and Hideaway encounter tables to identify which biome can supply a missing species. Statues influence the types of Pokémon appearing in Hideaways, so place statues in a Secret Base when you want to emphasize a particular type.

• Unlock the National Pokédex.
• Dig for Mysterious Shards in the Grand Underground.
• Confirm the desired legendary is available in Shining Pearl.
• Purchase the appropriate Ramanas Park slate.
• Save immediately before every legendary encounter.

Activate the Judge function and prepare a Battle Tower team

After reaching the Battle Tower, speak with the facility’s relevant staff member to activate the Judge function. Once it is available, open the Boxes screen and use the Judge display to inspect a Pokémon’s individual values. The Judge function helps identify promising breeding results, but it does not replace nature selection, effort training, legal moves, or a coherent battle plan.

Build the team around distinct jobs. In Singles, use a lead that can create immediate pressure or establish a useful condition, a switch-in that covers important weaknesses, and a cleaner that can finish weakened opponents. In Doubles, prioritize spread moves, speed control, protection options, and partners whose abilities and moves complement one another.

Check the Battle Tower’s registration rules before entering. Story Pokémon may be legal but poorly suited to repeated fights, and the facility temporarily applies its level rules. Include both physical and special damage when practical, avoid stacking one weakness across the entire team, and test the team through shorter seven-battle attempts before spending resources on a longer streak.

• Reach the Battle Tower after receiving the National Pokédex.
• Activate the Judge function with the Battle Tower staff.
• Inspect candidate Pokémon in the Boxes screen.
• Assign clear roles to the registered team.
• Test the team in seven-battle challenges before attempting major streaks.

Follow a practical completion checklist

For a solid postgame completion target, record the Hall of Fame entry, obtain the National Pokédex, collect the Poké Radar, visit Ramanas Park, and begin the Grand Underground collection. Then work through the individual prerequisites for postgame encounters such as Snowpoint Temple, Stark Mountain, Turnback Cave, and Fullmoon Island. These locations do not all open through one universal trigger; some require particular Pokémon, story events, or items.

For regional completion, catch every species required by the National Pokédex rather than merely registering it as seen. This is a longer project involving evolution levels, friendship or special evolutions, fossils, swarms, fishing, version-exclusive trades, breeding, Ramanas Park encounters, and Pokémon obtained through other games or services where appropriate.

Keep your capture resources organized. Place False Swipe users, status users, spare Pokémon, Ultra Balls, Dusk Balls, Timer Balls, healing items, and escape tools in a dedicated preparation box or party. Save before each important encounter and remember that saving again after a failed attempt removes the earlier checkpoint.

• Hall of Fame entry recorded.
• National Pokédex obtained.
• Poké Radar collected.
• Battle Park and Battle Tower opened.
• Ramanas Park visited.
• Mysterious Shard farming established.
• Grand Underground Hideaways and statue collection underway.
• National Pokédex species being caught, not only seen.
• Postgame legendary prerequisites checked individually.

Transfer Pokémon through Pokémon HOME carefully

The Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME can connect to Pokémon Shining Pearl. From HOME, select the linked Shining Pearl save and use the Boxes interface to deposit or withdraw Pokémon that are compatible with the game. The mobile version can manage collection information, but transfers between HOME and Shining Pearl are performed through the Nintendo Switch version of HOME.

Before moving a Pokémon, open its summary and check the Connected Games or compatibility information. A Pokémon may be available in HOME but not usable in every connected title. Moves can also change when a Pokémon enters a game where its current moves are unavailable; check the Pokémon’s summary after the transfer. Pokémon HOME preserves game-specific move information so that returning a Pokémon to a previously linked game can restore the applicable moveset.

Organize a clearly labeled in-game Box before transferring. Keep valuable legendary Pokémon in Shining Pearl until you have confirmed that the destination supports them and that the transfer is intentional. HOME stores Pokémon, not a complete restoration point for the Shining Pearl save, so it cannot replace an in-game save checkpoint.

Because Shining Pearl uses one active save, maintain a pre-transfer checkpoint by saving before the transfer and avoid overwriting it until you have verified the result. Do not assume that HOME, cloud backup, or a completed Hall of Fame record creates multiple recoverable versions of the same game save.

• Save Shining Pearl before opening HOME.
• Organize the Pokémon into clearly labeled Boxes.
• Check each Pokémon’s compatible games.
• Verify moves, forms, and held items after transfer.
• Keep legendary captures in the game until the destination is confirmed.
• Remember that HOME is not a full save backup.