Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearltake players back to Generation 4’s iconic Sinnoh region.Pokemon Diamond and Pearlintroduced some of the most iconic Pokemon in the franchise, and withBrilliant Diamondand Shining Pearl’sinclusion of the Grand Underground, players have even more opportunities to catch unique Pokemon.
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WhetherBrilliant Diamond andShining Pearlplayers are visiting Sinnoh for the first time or returning after many years, they will be on the lookout for strong Pokemon to add to their team. Poison-type Pokemon aren’t always the easiest to come by, but theycan be extremely useful in battlewith their effectiveness against Fairy and Grass-type Pokemon.
10Vileplume
Vileplumeis a great Pokemon that has nice stats overall. Its 110 Special Attack is a nice boost to most Pokemon teams and serves especially useful when fighting Grass-type opponents.
Vileplume’s lower evolutions, Oddish and Gloom, can be caught in the wild. Oddish can be found in tall grass onRoute 229andRoute 230, and an already evolved Gloom can be caught onRoute 224,Route 229, andRoute 230. Both Pokemon can also be found in the game’sGrand Underground. Oddish will evolve into Gloom at level 21, and then will need aLeaf Stoneto be evolved into Vileplume.
HP: 75
Total: 490
9Drapion
Drapionis a dual-type Poison and Dark Pokemon, giving it a helpfulimmunity to Psychic-type moves. This can be a great asset in battle, especially during the Elite Four’s Psychic-type trainer battle.
Drapion evolves from Skorupi, and both Pokemon can be found in tall grass inGreat Marsh. Skorupi can also be found in theGrand Undergroundand will evolve into Drapion at level 40. This is a higher-level evolution, but players shouldn’t have ahard time leveling Skorupi updue toBrilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’sExp. Share being constantly active.
HP: 70
Total: 500
8Gengar
Gengaris a Poison and Ghost dual-type Pokemon with two immunities, Fighting and Normal-type moves. Having multiple immunities sets Gengar apart from not only other Poison-type Pokemon but also Pokemon inBrilliant Diamond and Shining Pearlin general. With a130 Special Attack statthatcould rival even someof thelegendaries in the game, Gengar is a great addition to any trainer’s team.
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Gengar evolves from Ghastly and Haunter. Ghastly can be found in theLost TowerandOld Chateauand can be found in tall grass onRoute 209. Haunter can be found inTurnback Cave. Ghastly will need to be level 25 to evolve into Haunter and thentradedwith another trainer to evolve into Gengar.
HP: 60
7Muk
While none ofMuk’sstats are overly impressive, none are overly disappointing either. Muk is a reliable Pokemon for players looking for a Poison-type attacker. Muk’s sole Poison-typing also gives it few weaknesses and a good amount of resistances.
Grimer, Muk’s pre-evolution, can be caught onRoute 212in tall grass once players have access to thePoke Radar. Grimer can also be caught in theGrand Undergroundand will evolve into Muk at level 38.
HP: 105
6Nidoqueen
Nidoqueenis the Poison and Ground-type “Drill Pokemon”. Nidoqueen’s dual-typing gives it a unique immunity to Electric-type moves, which comes in handy during the game’s final gym battle in Sunyshore City. Nidoqueen has access to a great move pool, with Poison, Fighting, Ground, and even Dark-type moves at its disposal, making it a versatile choice to fill the Poison-type hole in a trainer’s team.
To get Nidoqueen, players will need to catch afemaleNidoran which can be found onRoute 201using thePoke Radaror in theGrand Underground. Nidoran will evolve into Nidorina at level 16 and will then require aMoon Stoneto evolve into Nidoqueen.
HP: 90
Total: 505
5Nidoking
Nidokingis a Ground and Poison-type Pokemon with an immunity to Electric-type damage. Nidoking is more specialized in its attack when compared to its counterpart, Nidoqueen, which is both a weakness and a strength. With a 102 Attack and an 85 Special Attack, Nidoking can hold its own against opponents but may fall short in its defensive stats.
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To get ahold of Nidoking, players will need to first catch amaleNidoran which can be found onRoute 201using thePoke Radar. Nidoran will evolve into Nidorino at level 16, and will then require aMoon Stoneto be evolved into Nidoking.
HP: 81
4Tentacruel
Tentacruel’suseful Water and Poison dual-typing gives it a long list of resistences and only three weaknesses (Electric, Ground, and Psychic-type moves). Tentacruel has a nice Speed, allowing the Pokemon to outpace many opponents in battle, and a Special Defense stat that isn’t bad either.
Tentacruel will evolve from its pre-evolution, Tentacool, at level 30. Tentacool can be found in many bodies of water around Sinnoh, though Tentacruel is just as common, being found onRoute 205, Route 213, Route 218, Route 219, Route 220, Route 221, Route 222, and many others.
HP: 80
Total: 515
3Roserade
Roseradeis a Poison and Grass dual-type Pokemon. With a 125 Special Attack stat and access to a great move pool of strong Grass-type moves, Roserade is a useful Pokemon throughout the entire game.
Roserade evolves from Budew and Roselia. Roselia can be caught in tall grass onRoute 212,Route 221,Route 224,Route 229, and in theGrand Underground. Budew will evolve into Roselia during the daytime withhigh friendship, and then will require aShiny Stoneto evolve into Roserade.
2Venusaur
Venusaur, one ofPokemon’siconic original starters, is not only a good Poison-type Pokemon but also one of thebest Grass-types as well. None of Venusaur’s stats are bad and with its dual-typing of Grass and Poison comes useful resistances like Water, Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Fair-type resistance.
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Venusaur evolves from Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur is catchable in theGrand Undergroundand will evolve into Ivysaur at level 16 and Venusaur at level 32.
Total: 525
1Crobat
Crobat’sPoison and Flying dual-typing gives it an immunity to Ground-type moves, which is extremely useful throughoutBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearl. This comes in especially valuable during the Elite Four’s Ground-type battle. Crobat also has an impressive 130 Speed stat allowing it to outpace most opponents in battle.
Crobat’s prior evolution, Zubat, can be caught easily throughout Sinnoh.Route 203,Route 204,Route 206,Route 207,Route 208,Route 209,Route 211,Route 216, andRoute 217. Zubat will evolve into Golbat at level 22 and then Crobat withhigh friendship.
HP: 85
Speed: 130
Total: 535
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearlare available for the Nintendo Switch.
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