Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Walkthrough | Complete Sinnoh Guide
Introduction: Your Essential Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Walkthrough
Welcome to a practical, player-tested pokemon brilliant diamond walkthrough that will guide you through the Sinnoh region from your first steps in Oreburgh City to challenging the Elite Four and finding Dialga. Whether you picked Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup as your starter, this guide focuses on clear, human advice: locations, strategies, type matchups, gym badges, and post-game goals like Grand Underground digging, fossils, and shiny hunting.
If you want a clear route, reliable team-building tips, easy-to-follow examples, and smart use of TMs and HMs, keep reading. I’ve played through and tested common pitfalls so you don’t have to. Let’s dive into the story, key battles, and the best ways to prepare for the Pokémon League and the post-game challenges that make Brilliant Diamond shine.
Section 1: Early Game — Starters, Oreburgh Mines, and First Gym
The early game sets your pace. Choose your starter Pokémon based on your play style:
- Turtwig: Great defense and later becomes a powerful Grass/Ground type. Easiest for a steady, defensive run.
- Chimchar: Fast and offensive. Useful against Ice and Normal types but requires careful handling against Rock and Water gyms.
- Piplup: Balanced special attacker. It evolves into a Water/Steel line providing long-term usefulness.
Tip: Catch a Rock-type early (Geodude) in Oreburgh Mine to help with Gym Leader Roark. Grind to level 12-14 before Oreburgh City’s Gym Leader. Use TMs like Toxic and Protect sparingly — conserve TMs for critical team members.
Key locations and tips:
- Oreburgh Mine: Obtain Rock-type Pokémon and the HM Strength later used for puzzles.
- Jubilife City: Early access to shops, the Poké Mart, and key NPCs that progress the story.
Section 2: Mid-Game Strategy — Mount Coronet, Gym Leaders, and Type Matchups
Once you reach Mount Coronet, Sinnoh’s geography opens up. Major towns like Hearthome, Veilstone, and Pastoria offer story beats and resources. Your main targets: collect gym badges and prepare for the Pokémon League.
Gym Leader tips and effective counters:
- Roark (Oreburgh): Rock-types — use Grass (Turtwig) or Water (Piplup). Geodude’s weaknesses are your advantage.
- Gardenia (Eterna): Grass-types — carry Fire or Flying moves (Chimchar excels here).
- Maylene (Veilstone): Fighting-types — use Psychic and Flying moves.
- Crasher Wake (Pastoria): Water-types — Electric or Grass moves work well.
- Fantina (Hearthome): Ghost-types — Dark and Ghost counters are effective; strong physical attackers help.
Practical example: At the Rematch path to the Elite Four, bring Pokémon with diverse types and teach a reliable Ice move for Dragon types and a Ground move for Electric threats. Balance your team: 2 sweepers, 1 tank, 1 utility, and 1 special attacker is a safe composition.
Section 3: Building the Best Team — Moves, EVs, and TMs
Team composition matters. Here’s a reliable core for most runs and why it works:
- Starter (e.g., Infernape or Empoleon): Main sweeper with STAB moves.
- Rock or Ground (Golem, Rhydon): Covers Fire and Electric weaknesses.
- Electric (Luxray or Electivire): Fast attacker against Water and Flying types.
- Psychic or Ghost (Gardevoir or Gengar): Counters Fighting and Poison; useful versus Maylene and Fantina.
- Fossil Pokémon (e.g., Aerodactyl or Bastiodon): Good for mid-game bulk or priority moves.
TM and HM tips:
- Use TMs for versatility: Earthquake, Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam are game-changers.
- Avoid overwriting unique moves until you’re sure. Some HM moves are required for progression but can be replaced after HM tutors in the post-game.
Example setup for your lead Pokémon: give a priority move (e.g., Aqua Jet, Quick Attack) for finishing weakened foes, a reliable STAB, a coverage move for counters, and a utility move (e.g., Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave).
Section 4: Legendary Encounters — Dialga, Sinnoh Forms, and How to Catch Them
Brilliant Diamond centers on Dialga as the Legendary Pokémon. Approaching these fights requires preparation:
- Save before encounters: Always save before the Legendary cutscene. Put the game in sleep or backup save routines if you like to soft-reset for shinies.
- Status effects: Use Sleep or Paralysis to increase catch rates. Moves like Hypnosis or status-inducing Poké Balls help.
- False Swipe: A must-have move to reduce HP to 1 without fainting. Many Pokémon tutors or TM methods can teach this move.
Tip: Bring multiple types of Poké Balls — Dusk Balls for caves and Ultra Balls for general use. Save Revives and max Potions for reviving your team after a failed attempt. Dialga is a Steel/Dragon type; strong Ice and Ground moves are effective, but remember Dialga’s resistances and high defenses.
Section 5: Grand Underground, Fossils, and Post-Game Activities
Post-game is where Brilliant Diamond expands. The Grand Underground offers digging, Secret Bases, and mass outbreaks. Use this section to maximize rare finds, fossils, and unique Pokémon.
- Grand Underground: Bring multiple exploratory Pokémon with good Speed to traverse tunnels faster. Use the Explorer Kit to manage layouts and mark Rare Rooms.
- Fossils: You can revive fossils to add ancient Pokémon to your team. Consider Aerodactyl or Cranidos for physical attackers early on.
- Mass Outbreaks: Take advantage of these to catch higher level Pokémon and increase IV or nature hunting.
Breeding and IV training:
- Use the Day Care and Destiny Knot to breed for better IVs. Parents with desirable natures and IVs produce stronger offspring.
- EV training: Focus EVs on your primary attack stats. Use vitamins and specific Pokémon battles to farm EV points efficiently.
Tip: The Battle Tower and other facilities are great for testing your team after the main story. If you plan to compete online or in the Battle Tower, optimize movesets, hold items (Leftovers, Life Orb), and EV spreads.
Section 6: Shiny Hunting, Poké Radar, and Advanced Tips
If you’re into shiny hunting, Brilliant Diamond offers multiple methods. The Poké Radar and chaining via reappearances in grass or mass outbreaks increase your odds.
- Poké Radar: Build a chain by encountering the same species repeatedly. Higher chains raise shiny odds and improve IVs.
- Soft resetting: Effective for stationary legendaries. Save before the encounter and reset to try for a shiny.
- Breeding for shinies: Use the Masuda Method (international parents) to increase shiny odds.
Advanced gameplay tips:
- Use type matchups: Remember classic counters—Ground beats Electric, Ice beats Dragon, etc. Keep a type chart handy to minimize surprises.
- Manage held items: Leftovers for tanks, Choice items for sweepers, and Focus Sash for frail but crucial leads.
- Explore hidden areas like Iron Island for rare items and Pokémon. Rare berries and evolution items can be found in specific towns like Celestic or Solaceon.
FAQ — Common Questions About This Walkthrough
1. What starter should I choose in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond?
Choose based on play style: Turtwig for defense and reliable mid-game power, Chimchar for speed and offense, and Piplup for balanced special attacking and later Steel typing. All three are viable; the rest of your team will balance weaknesses.
2. Where do I find Dialga and how do I catch it?
Dialga is encountered in the story at Spear Pillar. Save before the encounter, use status moves like Sleep or Paralysis, reduce HP with False Swipe, and use high-quality Poké Balls (Dusk/Ultra). Soft-reset if you want to hunt for a shiny.
3. How do I revive fossils and which one is best?
Fossils can be revived post-game in certain NPC labs. Aerodactyl is a strong choice for early physical power, while Cranidos evolves into Rampardos, a powerful attacker. Pick based on whether you need speed and attack or a specific type for your team.
4. What’s the fastest way to beat the Elite Four and Champion?
Balance your team with coverage moves and healing items. Use a Pokémon with a strong Ice or Dragon move against the Champion’s powerful Dragon types. Level up to about 55-60, stock up on Full Restores, Max Revives, and have a clear switch-in plan for each Elite Four member.
5. Is there a recommended way to farm rare items or hidden TMs?
Explore the Grand Underground, complete the Poké Ball drills, and check NPCs in the post-game for special buys. TMs can be found in specific locations, bought in certain shops, or obtained through events. Keep an eye on Mass Outbreaks and Rare Rooms for items like Great Balls, Rare Candies, and TMs.
Conclusion: Ready to Conquer Sinnoh
This pokemon brilliant diamond walkthrough gives you a complete roadmap: from choosing your starter, conquering Gym Leaders, and building a competitive team to capturing Dialga and enjoying extensive post-game content like the Grand Underground, fossils, and shiny hunting. Remember to save often, prepare type counters for each Gym and Elite Four member, and use TMs and held items thoughtfully. With practice and these practical tips, you’ll be ready to become Sinnoh’s next Champion and enjoy the deep post-game features Brilliant Diamond offers.
Good luck, trainer — catch ’em all, build the perfect team, and most of all, enjoy your journey through Sinnoh.

