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Contest: When used, all judges lose 1 point of voltage
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

Contest: When used, all judges lose 1 point of voltage

Learn how to master Pokémon Contests in Diamond and Pearl, including strategies for winning and understanding how judge voltage affects your performance.

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Learn how to master Pokémon Contests in Diamond and Pearl, including strategies for winning and understanding how judge voltage affects your performance.

This section of the guide is dedicated to understanding and mastering the Contest battles in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Specifically, we will cover the mechanic where all judges lose 1 point of voltage when a certain condition is met.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Understand the Contest Categories: Contests have five categories: Cool, Beauty, Cute, Smart, and Tough. Each Pokémon has a base appeal in these categories, which can be increased with Poffins.
  2. 2
    Judge's Appeal: At the start of each turn, one judge will make an appeal. This appeal is based on the category that is currently most appealing to them.
  3. 3
    The Voltage Mechanic: If you use a move that matches the category of the judge's current appeal, all judges will lose 1 point of voltage. This is indicated by a visual cue and a message on screen.
  4. 4
    Strategic Use: By strategically using moves that match the judge's appeal, you can significantly lower their scores. This is especially useful in later turns when scores are higher and the competition is tighter.
  5. 5
    Winning the Contest: The Pokémon with the highest score at the end of the contest wins. Lowering the judges' voltage can help you achieve a higher score relative to your opponents.
Tips
  • Pay attention to the judge's appeals each turn. The category they appeal to will be displayed.
  • Have a variety of moves across different categories on your Pokémon to capitalize on this mechanic.
  • Consider using moves that have a higher base appeal in the category the judge is appealing to, as this will also increase your score.
  • This mechanic is particularly effective against opponents who rely heavily on one category.

Winning Pokémon Contests earns you Ribbons, which are displayed on your Pokémon's summary screen. Higher ranks in Contests yield better Ribbons. Additionally, winning Contests can unlock special items or opportunities with certain NPCs.

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