Contest: None (39)

This section of the Pokémon Platinum walkthrough covers Contest Hall and its associated challenges, detailing strategies for each category and rank. Learn how to win.

Welcome to the Contest Hall! While not a mandatory part of the main story, participating in Pokémon Contests is a fun way to showcase your Pokémon's appeal and earn some neat rewards. You'll need to have Pokémon that excel in the five different conditions: Cool, Beauty, Cute, Smart, and Tough. Each category has four ranks: Normal, Super, Hyper, and Master. You'll need to win the Normal and Super ranks before Hyper and Master become available.

Getting Started

To enter a contest, head to the Contest Hall in Hearthome City. You can only enter one Pokémon per contest. Before you start, make sure your Pokémon have good moves that fit the contest's category. Moves that increase your Pokémon's appeal also play a crucial role. You can increase your Pokémon's appeal by feeding it Poké Blocks, which you can make yourself in the Super Contest Room using berries. Different berries make different types of Poké Blocks, so experiment to find the best ones!

Contest Categories and Strategies

Normal Rank

This is the easiest rank to start with. Most Pokémon can perform well here with a few decent moves. Focus on moves that match the contest type and have a good appeal rating. Don't worry too much about the "Nerves" or "Excitement" meters yet; they have less impact at this stage.

Super Rank

The Super Rank requires a bit more strategy. Your opponents will have stronger moves and better appeal. Make sure your Pokémon's Poké Block stats are decent, and try to use moves that have higher appeal. Learning moves that work well in combination with each other can also give you an edge.

Hyper Rank

This is where things get serious. You'll need a well-trained Pokémon with high appeal stats and a good move set. Consider moves that can jam up your opponents' turns or boost your appeal significantly. Using moves that match the "Nerves" or "Excitement" of the crowd can also be very effective. For example, if the crowd is "Nervous," a move that makes them "Nervous" will get a bonus.

Master Rank

The Master Rank is the ultimate challenge. You'll be facing the best trainers and their Pokémon. Success here often depends on having a Pokémon with maxed-out appeal stats (through Poké Blocks) and a perfectly tailored move set. Pay close attention to the "Nerves" and "Excitement" meters, as they can swing the tide of battle. Some moves are particularly effective when the crowd is in a certain mood, so plan accordingly.

Poké Blocks

Making Poké Blocks is essential for success, especially in the higher ranks. You can make Poké Blocks in the Super Contest Room. The quality of your Poké Blocks depends on the berry you use and how well you mix it. A "Spicy" berry, for example, will make a "Spicy" Poké Block. Try to make "Dry" or "Spicy" Poké Blocks if your Pokémon is competing in Cool or Beauty contests, "Sour" or "Spicy" for Cute, "Bitter" or "Dry" for Smart, and "Spicy" or "Sour" for Tough. You can feed your Pokémon up to 25 Poké Blocks, and they will have no effect once the corresponding stat is maxed out.

Rewards

Winning contests earns you various prizes. In the Normal and Super ranks, you'll receive items like TMs and accessories. Winning the Hyper and Master ranks often rewards you with unique items, such as the Normal Ribbon or the Super Ribbon, which are great for showing off your achievements. You might also receive special accessories that can't be obtained elsewhere.

Don't get discouraged if you don't win right away! Contests require practice and a good understanding of your Pokémon's strengths and the contest mechanics. Good luck!