The 12 traditional starter Pokémon from Generations I–IV appear in the Grand Underground after you earn the National Pokédex. Find them in Hideaways with matching Grass, Fire, or Water terrain. This guide’s count of 14 also includes Pikachu and Eevee, which have separate locations outside that starter list.
How to unlock returning starters
First become Champion and complete the initial Sinnoh Pokédex by encountering every Pokémon in it. Then speak to Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town to receive the National Pokédex. The Pokémon Company’s Grand Underground guide explains that the returning starters become available in Pokémon Hideaways after you earn it. As the company puts it: “After you’ve earned the National Pokédex, look for them in Pokémon Hideaways featuring terrains that match their respective types of Grass, Fire, and Water.”
Grand Underground locations for the 12 traditional starters
Use the Pokémon’s type to choose a matching Hideaway. The named locations below are listed by starter group; Riverbank Cave and Still-Water Cavern are options for both Grass and Water starters.
| Type | Starters | Hideaways |
|---|---|---|
| Grass | Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Treecko, Turtwig | Grassland Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern, Sunlit Cavern |
| Fire | Charmander, Cyndaquil, Torchic, Chimchar | Volcanic Cave, Typhlo Cavern, Sandsear Cave |
| Water | Squirtle, Totodile, Mudkip, Piplup | Fountainspring Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern |
The terrain groupings are confirmed in The Pokémon Company’s Grand Underground guide; the specific Hideaway names are also listed by iMore’s location guide.
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- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Diamond Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Brilliant Diamond game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more.
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
Where to find Pikachu and Eevee
The “14” total adds Pikachu and Eevee to the 12 conventional starters from Generations I–IV. They are not part of the Grand Underground starter groups:
- Pikachu: Trophy Garden on Route 212.
- Eevee: From Bebe in Hearthome City, or in the Trophy Garden on Route 212.
These locations are included in iMore’s guide. Eevee’s inclusion reflects its role as a starter in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!; Pikachu is included in the same 14-entry list.
Rank #2
- Journey to the Sinnoh region in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl!
- Embark on an adventure through the Sinnoh region with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl on Nintendo Switch, coming on 19th November, 2021!
- Adventures in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl will take place in the Sinnoh region. Rich in nature and with towering Mount Coronet at its heart, Sinnoh is a land of many myths passed down through the ages. You’ll visit many different locations in the Sinnoh region, while striving to become the Champion of the Pokémon League.
- The original story has been faithfully reproduced, and the sense of scale in the originals’ towns and routes has been carefully preserved. People who played Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl can revisit familiar places and relive familiar scenes once more. For those setting out through Sinnoh for the first time, plenty of new encounters and surprises await.
- These remakes include easy-to-understand, player-friendly conveniences of the modern Pokémon series, plus up-close-and-personal Pokémon battle scenes.
What to do if a starter is not appearing
Wild Pokémon are visible in the Hideaways. If the starter you want is absent, leave the Hideaway and enter it again to refresh the visible selection. This can change which Pokémon appear, but it does not guarantee that a particular starter will spawn. The refresh behavior is described in the official Grand Underground guide.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Journey to the Sinnoh region in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl!
- Embark on an adventure through the Sinnoh region with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl on Nintendo Switch, coming on 19th November, 2021!
- Adventures in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl will take place in the Sinnoh region. Rich in nature and with towering Mount Coronet at its heart, Sinnoh is a land of many myths passed down through the ages. You’ll visit many different locations in the Sinnoh region, while striving to become the Champion of the Pokémon League.
- The original story has been faithfully reproduced, and the sense of scale in the originals’ towns and routes has been carefully preserved. People who played Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl can revisit familiar places and relive familiar scenes once more. For those setting out through Sinnoh for the first time, plenty of new encounters and surprises await.
- These remakes include easy-to-understand, player-friendly conveniences of the modern Pokémon series, plus up-close-and-personal Pokémon battle scenes.
Rank #3
![Pokémon Brilliant Diamond: Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41rWkUhlsaL._SL160_.jpg)
- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Diamond Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Brilliant Diamond game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more!
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
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