Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

Post-Game Activities

Master the post-game content of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Conquer the Fight Area, capture legendary Pokémon like Heatran, and access new challenges after beco.

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Post-Game Activities

Congratulations, Trainer! You've conquered the Sinnoh League and become the Champion. But the adventure in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl is far from over. A whole new world of challenges, legendary Pokémon, and exciting areas awaits you in the post-game. This detailed guide will help you navigate everything there is to do after the credits roll.

Accessing the Fight Area and Battle Zone

Your first step into the true post-game begins by unlocking a new region. Follow these instructions:

  1. Return Home: After defeating the Elite Four and Cynthia, you'll wake up back in your room in Twinleaf Town.
  2. Visit Professor Rowan: Head to Professor Rowan's lab in Sandgem Town. He will congratulate you and inform you about new areas.
  3. Speak with Dawn/Lucas's Dad: Go to the Canalave City port. Speak to the sailor standing by the boat. This is Dawn's (or Lucas's) father. He will offer to take you to the Fight Area.
  4. Arrive at the Fight Area: The boat will transport you to the Fight Area, the first accessible part of the Battle Zone.

Exploring the Battle Zone

The Battle Zone is a new island region brimming with powerful trainers, rare Pokémon, and crucial items. It's divided into several key areas:

Fight Area

This is your entry point to the Battle Zone. It's a small town with a Pokémon Center and a Poké Mart. Your primary objective here is to progress to the next areas.

  • Battle Tower: Located in the Fight Area, the Battle Tower offers continuous battles against increasingly difficult trainers. This is an excellent way to test your team's strength and earn Battle Points (BP), which can be exchanged for valuable items like Rare Candies, Protein, and HP Up.
  • Route 225: To the east of the Fight Area, Route 225 leads to the Survival Area. This route is filled with strong wild Pokémon and trainers. Be prepared for battles!

Survival Area

Accessible via Route 225, the Survival Area is home to the Battleground, where you can rematch Gym Leaders. You'll also find the Move Tutor here, who can teach your Pokémon powerful moves in exchange for Battle Points.

  • Gym Leader Rematches: After reaching the Survival Area, you can find and battle Sinnoh's Gym Leaders at the Battleground. Their teams will be significantly stronger than before, offering a true challenge. Each Gym Leader can be battled once per day.
  • Move Tutor: Located in a house in the Survival Area, this NPC will teach your Pokémon moves like Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, and more, in exchange for BP.
  • Route 226: To the east of the Survival Area, Route 226 leads to the Resort Area. This route requires the use of Rock Climb and Surf.

Resort Area

The Resort Area is a luxurious spot with a villa you can purchase and decorate. It's also the gateway to the Stark Mountain.

  • Villa: In the Resort Area, you can purchase a villa for 1,000,000 Pokedollars. You can then decorate it with furniture bought from various vendors across Sinnoh. This is purely cosmetic but a fun way to spend your earnings.
  • Ribbon Syndicate: If your lead Pokémon has 10 or more Ribbons, you can enter the Ribbon Syndicate in the Resort Area. Inside, you can purchase expensive but rare Ribbons for your Pokémon.
  • Route 227: To the north of the Resort Area, Route 227 is a volcanic path leading to Stark Mountain.

Stark Mountain

Stark Mountain is a crucial location for legendary Pokémon encounters. You'll need to navigate its fiery caverns.

  1. First Visit: Upon your first visit to Stark Mountain, you'll encounter Buck, a trainer who will accompany you through part of the mountain.
  2. Heatran Encounter: After exploring Stark Mountain with Buck and reaching the end of the main chamber, he will take the Magma Stone. Leave the mountain and return to the Survival Area.
  3. Return to Stark Mountain: Speak to Buck in the Survival Area's Battleground. He will return the Magma Stone to Stark Mountain.
  4. Capture Heatran: Re-enter Stark Mountain and navigate back to the chamber where Buck placed the Magma Stone. The legendary Pokémon Heatran (Level 50) will now be waiting for you. Be prepared with plenty of Ultra Balls and a strong team!

Catching Legendary Pokémon

Beyond Heatran, several other powerful legendary Pokémon become available after you become Champion:

  • Cresselia: After obtaining the National Pokédex (see below), go to Canalave City. Enter the sailor's house and speak to his son, who is having nightmares. The sailor will then take you to Fullmoon Island. There, you'll find Cresselia (Level 50). Interact with it, and it will flee, leaving behind a Lunar Wing. Cresselia will then roam Sinnoh. Use the Marking Map app on your Pokétch to track its location and encounter it in the wild.
  • Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres: These legendary birds become available after you obtain the National Pokédex and speak to Professor Oak in Eterna City. Like Cresselia, they will roam Sinnoh. Track them using the Marking Map.
  • Giratina (Distortion World - Platinum only): While not in Diamond and Pearl, it's worth noting that in Pokémon Platinum, Giratina can be found in the Distortion World. In Diamond and Pearl, Giratina can be found in Turnback Cave after obtaining the National Pokédex.
  • Regigigas: To awaken Regigigas (Level 70) in Snowpoint Temple, you must first transfer Regirock, Regice, and Registeel from a GBA Pokémon game (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald) to your Diamond/Pearl game via Pal Park. Once all three are in your party, enter Snowpoint Temple and interact with Regigigas.

Completing the National Pokédex

This is arguably the biggest post-game challenge. To unlock the National Pokédex, you must see all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Pokédex (you don't need to catch them all, just encounter them). Once you've done this, visit Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town. Professor Oak will then appear and upgrade your Pokédex to the National Dex, allowing you to track and catch Pokémon from other regions.

  • Pal Park: Located on Route 221, Pal Park allows you to transfer Pokémon from your GBA Pokémon games (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen) to Diamond and Pearl. This is essential for completing the National Pokédex and obtaining Pokémon like the Regi trio.
  • Grand Underground: New Pokémon become available in the Grand Underground after obtaining the National Pokédex. Explore the various hideaways to find Pokémon like Swinub, Sneasel, and more.
  • Daily Events: Certain Pokémon can only be found on specific days or through special events. Keep an eye out for these, such as the Swarm Pokémon that appear on certain routes after speaking to Dawn/Lucas's sister in Sandgem Town.

Other Activities and Challenges

  • Trainer Card Upgrades: As you complete more post-game objectives (e.g., entering the Hall of Fame, winning at the Battle Tower, catching many Pokémon), your Trainer Card will upgrade, changing its color and adding stars.
  • Pokémon Contests: If you enjoyed the Super Contests during the main story, you can continue to compete in them in Hearthome City. Aim for the Master Rank and collect all the Ribbons!
  • Underground Exploration: The Grand Underground offers endless hours of fun. Dig for treasures like Spheres, Fossils, and Evolution Stones. You can also create your own Secret Base and invite friends.
  • Rematch the Elite Four: Once you've become Champion, you can challenge the Elite Four and Cynthia again. Their teams will be stronger, and their Pokémon will be at higher levels, providing a tougher rematch.
  • Shiny Hunting: For the truly dedicated, shiny hunting involves repeatedly encountering Pokémon in hopes of finding a rare, differently colored variant. This can be done through various methods, including the Poké Radar on certain routes.

The world of Sinnoh is vast and full of secrets. Enjoy your continued journey as a Pokémon Master!