In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, the main-story Legendary encounter is Dialga; in Pokémon Shining Pearl, it is Palkia. Reach Spear Pillar, defeat Team Galactic leader Cyrus, then battle the level 47 Legendary released in the story sequence. The official Pokémon game page confirms the version split: Dialga appears in Brilliant Diamond and Palkia in Shining Pearl.
Which Legendary can you catch in each version?
| Game | Main-story Legendary |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond | Dialga |
| Pokémon Shining Pearl | Palkia |
The story encounter is version-specific. The official Pokémon story page says you can encounter Dialga in Brilliant Diamond or Palkia in Shining Pearl; it does not describe catching both through the main-story encounter in one edition.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Pokémon Brilliant Diamond: Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41rWkUhlsaL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond: Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $59.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Pokemon Shining Pearl - For Nintendo Switch | $49.85 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond - For Nintendo Switch | $51.95 | Buy on Amazon |
How to trigger the encounter
- Continue the main story until Team Galactic’s plan takes you to Spear Pillar atop Mt. Coronet.
- Defeat Team Galactic leader Cyrus. In the sequence described by Serebii’s BDSP Legendary guide, the lake guardians then free the Legendary and begin the encounter.
- Battle the version-specific Pokémon: Dialga in Brilliant Diamond or Palkia in Shining Pearl. Serebii lists the encounter at level 47.
How to improve your chance of catching it
Pokémon’s official Trainer Guide recommends weakening a Pokémon in battle before trying to catch it with a Poké Ball. Apply that general advice to the level 47 encounter, but the sources cited here do not establish a particular team, status move, ball, capture rate, or guaranteed method.
For the official general capture guidance, see the Pokémon Trainer Guide.
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What happens if you defeat it or run away?
Serebii reports that a defeated or escaped Dialga or Palkia returns after you defeat the Elite Four. The guide does not say that the Pokémon returns immediately or specify another reset requirement, so treat the Elite Four victory as the stated recovery condition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you get both Dialga and Palkia?
The main-story encounter gives you the Legendary associated with your edition. To obtain the other version’s Pokémon, trade with someone playing the other game. Pokémon’s official Trainer Guide recommends trading for Pokémon exclusive to the other version.
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.
Traded Pokémon may not obey until you have earned enough Gym Badges. The guide says that in BDSP all Pokémon obey without question once you have all eight Gym Badges.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- 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.
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