||Trainer's School ||

Learn how to train your Pokémon effectively at the Trainer's School in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Get tips on battling trainers and preparing for challenges.

Alright, let's head into the Trainer's School! It’s a good place to get a feel for battling and pick up some useful items. Inside, you'll find your Rival, so make sure to talk to him to hand over that parcel. He'll give you the Town Map in return – handy, even if it's a bit basic.

Don't forget to check out the blackboard for some quick tips, and definitely battle the two trainers inside. They're great for getting some easy experience points. After you beat the male trainer, chat with him again, and he’ll toss you a free Potion. Oh, and there’s a X Attack hiding in the upper left corner, so grab that too!

Now, for a little side quest that's totally worth it: talk to the guy standing between the Pokémon Center and the Trainer's School. He'll send you on a hunt for three clowns scattered around town. They're easy to spot – yellow outfits and jester hats! You’ll find one in front of the Pokémart (north of the Pokémon Center), another in front of the Jublife TV station (north of town), and the last one in front of the Pokétch Company (northwest of town).

Just answer their questions honestly (saying 'yes' to all three worked for me!), and you'll snag a Pokétch Coupon from each. Once you've got all three coupons, head back to the man to the left of the Pokémon Center. He'll give you the Pokétch itself! This cool device lets you use a bunch of neat apps on your touch screen, which will get even better as you progress. Right now, it's mostly for time, but it's a great start.

Before we move on, there's a little detour you might want to take. Head west from Jublife to Route 218. In the gatehouse there, a fisherman is waiting with an Old Rod. While it mostly catches Magikarp, grabbing one early can be super useful if you don't have a Water-type Pokémon yet. Just remember, Magikarp itself is weak, but its evolution, Gyarados, is a total powerhouse at level 20!

Once you’ve stocked up on Poké Balls and Potions from the Pokémart and explored everything you wanted in Jublife, it’s time to head east to Route 203.

Route 203 Pokémon Encounters

As soon as you step onto Route 203, get ready – your Rival will challenge you right away! Make sure your Pokémon are around level 6-10. If they're not quite there yet, don't worry, just do a little training on this route.

Trainer: School Kid Harrison

• Pokémon: Starly lv 6 (Normal/Flying)
• Info: Harrison likes to use a X Speed at the start of the battle to boost Starly's Speed, and it often uses Quick Attack. It's best to have Pokémon at least level 5 or higher. Keep a Potion handy just in case things get tough.

Trainer: School Kid Christine

• Pokémon: Bidoof lv 6 (Normal)
• Info: Christine's Bidoof is pretty standard, but watch out! She likes to use a Potion near the end of the battle. Make sure your Pokémon are evenly leveled and have a Potion ready for yourself.