Walkthroughs, FAQs

This isn't the usual type of walkthrough that holds your hand every step of the way through the game. Those are boring and take all the fun out of the game (plus the games aren't really that difficult most of the time). Here you will find some popular questions, like how to catch certain Pokémon or where items are.

Pokedex questions

Obtaining Mystery Gifts

To catch many of the rare Pokémon you need to obtain the Mystery Gift item through Wi-Fi. Here's how.

Go to the Jubilife TV station (in Jubilife City, surprise surprise), go up to the third floor and talk to the guy that asks for your opinion on TV. Give him these four phrases: EVERYONE, HAPPY, WI-FI, CONNECTION.

Next, save and restart your game and go to the Mystery Gift option over Wi-Fi. You will receive the special object, and can pick it up from the Pokémart.

How do I catch Darkrai?

To catch Darkrai you need to obtain Member Card. This can be obtained through Mystery Gift as explained above.

Once you have received the card, go to the locked building at the North of Canalave. Inside, get into the bed and you will go into a dream and wake up on New Moon Island, where you can catch Darkrai. It's at Level 50 and not easy to catch. Make sure you have lots of Ultra Balls and Dusk Balls (if you go at night).

Note: the Member Card was only available from Aug 3 to Sep 13, 2009.

How do I catch Shaymin?

To catch Shaymin you need to obtain Oak's Letter. This can be obtained through Mystery Gift as explained above.

Once you have received the letter, go to Route 224 (to the East of Victory Road) and keep heading North until you come across Professor Oak. He'll ask you to name someone special (it doesn't matter who, put your mom in there some something). After that an extremely long pathway will open up. Follow it and at the end you will encounter Shaymin. It's at Level 30 so is fairly easy to catch.

Note: Oak's Letter was only available from Sep 28 to Nov 8, 2009.

Obtain a shiny Pichu!

Pichu is available through Mystery Gift - simply follow the instructions above, leave an empty spot in your party Pokemon, then go to any Pokémart to receive your shiny Pichu.

That's not all! If you transfer it to HeartGold or SoulSilver (released March 2010), you can take it to Ilex Forest to meet Spiky-eared Pichu, who is featured in the new movie, Pokemon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

Note: Pichu was only available from Mar 5-25, 2010.

Gameplay questions

How do I beat the Elite 4?

I thought the Elite 4 were harder to beat in this generation that previous games, mainly because of the smarter AI. In previous games all Pokémon would attack using a random move, for example Confuse Ray over and over, even when your Pokémon is already confused. In Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, the opposition nearly always uses the moves that will do most damage. If you send out Tyranitar against Heracross, it will use its fighting move, not its bug move.

Anyway, the Elite 4's Pokémon are as follows. It should be pretty easy to assemble a team to have a good type advantage. Don't forget to take plenty of revives and potions! Click the names to see the Pokémon's strengths and weaknesses.

1. Aaron (specialist type: Bug)

Hint: Fire moves will get you far. You'll need a Ground move for Drapion.

2. Bertha (specialist type: Ground)

Hint: Special Water and Grass moves (i.e. Surf, Grass Knot) are an absolute must.

3. Flint (specialist type: Fire)

Hint: Once again, Surf won't let you down.

4. Lucian (specialist type: Psychic)

Hint: Dark or Bug moves are an advantage, though Alakazam will fall at any Physical move.

5. Champion Cynthia (mixed types)

Hint: Ice is a huge bonus; Electric, Fire and Psychic will be useful.