[on site] Tips and Tricks: 4th Generation

Okay guys and girls. This thread is for compiling basically all the 4th generation tips and tricks we can think off. Most of us know these off by heart having trawled 'lesser' sites, google and numerous places I'm sure we have all regretted visiting in the past. So this a resource aimed primarily at someone new to the world of competitive wifi battling, to help them benefit from all the knowledge and experience we have all gleamed over the years of playing the 4th generation games. All in one handy little article.

So please, if you have an excellent tip, glitch or short cut. Or can contribute to one of the existing articles in some way, please post a reply in this thread.

Wanted;

For anyone else wishing to contribute I'm after the following;
  • Screen Capture Shots. Really Really need more of these done. Must be .png format. Please read the article for more. We're better of with more photos then we want, and picking those needed, than not enough. But the following rattled of the top of my head;
  • Screen Cap -
  • Screen Cap -
  • Screen Cap -
  • Screen Cap -
  • Screen Cap - The various steps of the various guides.
  • Someone to test the GTS cloning in platinum, suggestions for any modifications to the D/P instructions for it. Or even just confirmed that is does not work.
  • Suggestions for what to seek out for this guide next. Keep them coming.
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Diamond and Pearl Tips;

Pokemon and Pokemon Abilities every player should have.

In-game;

The 'HM Slaves' are Pokémon within a players party, not used for battling but for completion of the game or getting from area to area. Normally well known, but for the benefit of some of those that may not know, I thought I'd include a section on the best HM slaves in 4th generation.

Nothing is worse than having decided you want such-and-such item, or you are going to go to the top of this mountain to catch such-and-such Pokémon, and having set off to walk across halfway across Sinnoh, only to discover half way that you need HM0X to move this bolder. This is why many players utilize HM slaves within there party. This saves clogging up one or more move slots on a Pokémon you are training, with HM moves which are hard to delete, and often terrible for in game battling. Here are the two I use.


Driftblim @ Nothing
Level: 30-something
Ability: Haven't even checked
Nature: Don't Know
EV's: Probably None
~ Fly
~ Defog
~ Cut
~ Flash

Driftblim learns 3 of Sinnoh's HM moves, and has access to Flash. You can catch a Drifloon at the Valley Windworks on a friday, after completing the quest. Arguably Flash is of limited use, and over all Tropius is a better 'flying' HM slave, with access to 5 HM's, Flash and Sweet Scent, but Driftblim is the best 'flying' HM slave you can get early on in-game in D/P/Pt.


Bibarel

~ Waterfall / Surf
~ Strength
~ Rock Smash
~ Rock Climb

Bibarel is probably the best HM slave in existance. You can get a Bidoof very early in game and Bibarel crop up not far into a playthrough. It learns a whopping 6 HM's and is perfect for those based on water and land.

Breeding;

The 'Ultimate Parent' Ditto, not much to empathize here, but for anyone breeding pokemon Ditto is the number one tool. Ditto is capable of breeding with any Pokémon, male or female that is also capable of breeding. Not only that, but when Ditto holds an Everstone while in the day-care, Pokémon eggs generated have a 50% chance of inheriting the nature of the Ditto. A collection of Dittos with god IV's and Natures is of the highest priority to any would-be Pokemon breeder. It should be noted that with the advent of RNG abuse it is possible to breed any nature onto a Pokemon egg from any parents. This makes a Ditto with great IVs (regardless of nature) great for breeding.

The 'Ultimate Egg Move Parent' Smeargle is without doubt the best Pokémon for breeding egg moves onto new Pokémon. Smeargle is part of the Ground egg group, the largest of all the egg groups, containing 131 Pokémon. Smeargle also has the ability to learn every move in the game, via it's signature move Sketch. Often, a combination of egg moves is only possible with the use of a Smeargle as the male parent. Thus, next to Ditto, Smeargle is the second most importing breeding tool within the game. A must have for any competitive breeder.

The most effective method I have found for tutoring Smeargle, is to use the Vs Seeker key item (Obtained from Dawn/Lucas on Route 207 after the first trip down Cycling Road in D/P. In Platinum, instead he/she meets the player at the entrance to Mt. Coronet) to re-battle one of the many double battle NPC's. Leading with Smeargle, and a pokemon with the move I wish to teach smeargle. It is important to note the speed stat of Smeargle, and the speed stat of the pokemon containing the move I wish to teach. If Smeargle has a higher speed stat, it will go first in battle. Meaning if I chose sketch, the move will fail due to there being no move to copy. Sketch only has 1PP making it very difficult to use again in battle. So if Smeargle is faster, I will make it use another attack during Turn 1, and the second pokemon will use the attack I wish smeargle to copy. On turn two, I will make smeargle use sketch on my other pokemon, this causes Smeargle to copy the move from turn 1. If however Smeargle is slower than the pokemon containing the move I wish to copy, I will have Smeargle use Sketch on turn 1, and the other pokemon use the move I require.

The 'Hatchers' are Pokémon with either the ability Magma Armor or Flame Body. With these Pokémon in your party eggs hatch roughly twice as fast as they would normally.

Pokemon with the abilities Magma Armor and Flame Body:
  • Magma Armor:
  • Camerupt
  • Slugma
  • Magcargo
  • Flame Body:
  • Magby
  • Magmar
  • Slugma
  • Magcargo
For more information on Pokémon breeding, please read X-Act and Peterko's definitive guide to breeding: The Breeding Guide.

Catching:

The 'Synchronizer' is a Pokémon with the ability Synchronize and is the best tool for catching pokemon with a desired nature. When a pokemon with the ability synchronize is at the front of your party (this also works while they are fainted), encountered pokemon have a ???% chance of sharing the nature of the synchronizer.

The 'Sweet Scenter' is a Pokémon with the move Sweet Scent. Using the move sweet scent in an applicable location, immediately encounters a pokemon. Exceptionally useful during RNG abuse for wild Pokémon as walking to encounter a pokemon advances the frame, making encounters random.

The 'Trapper' Pokémon. Every player should have a Pokémon, or a team of pokemon dedicated to catching other Pokémon. Numerous options exist for these Pokémon, but arguably the best is a Smeargle with the ability technician.


Smeargle @ Leftovers
Level: 100
Ability: Technician
Jolly / Adamant, 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Speed
~ Spore
~ False Swipe
~ Mean Look / Foresight / Thunder Wave / Sweet Scent
~ Haze / Foresight / Thunder Wave / Sweet Scent

Spore and False Swipe are a given. A pokemon at 1 HP and Asleep has the highest chance of being caught, only further increased by choice of pokeball used. Technician powers up False Swipe to 60 base power and STAB increases this to 80. Mean Look prevents the running Pokémon such as Mespirt, Cresselia, Entie, Raikou and Suicune from fleeing the battle. Foresight is useful for allowing False Swipe to work on Ghost type Pokemon. Thunder Wave is a usable alternative to Spore on pokemon with the Insomnia ability. Haze is useful for stat-uppers, but your own stat increasing move such as swords dance can be used for upping the power of False Swipe. Recover or Refresh are also viable but lesser options, as you have access to Recovery Items, Status Healers and the X Items. Sweet scent is an option if you do not wish to have a separate pokemon in your party with the move.

For more information on catching pokemon, please read StrangerDanger and Arseus's definitive guide to catching D/P Legendarys, which contains much applicable information to catching pokemon: A Guide to Capturing D/P Legendaries.

Items;

The 'Pickup Team' are pokemon with the ability Pickup. Pokémon with this ability may find items after battle. After a battle or wild pokemon encounter each Pokémon in the players party that has the Pickup ability and is not already holding an item has a 10% chance of having picked up an item.

Level | 30% | 10% | 5% | 3% | 1%
1-10 | Potion | Antidote | Super Potion | Great Ball | Repel | Escape Rope | Full Heal | Hyper Potion | Ultra Ball | Revive | Nugget
11-20 | Antidote | Super Potion | Great Ball | Repel | Escape Rope | Full Heal | Hyper Potion | Ultra Ball | Revive | Nugget | King's Rock
21-30 | Super Potion | Great Ball | Repel | Escape Rope | Full Heal | Hyper Potion | Ultra Ball | Revive | Rare Candy | King's Rock | Full Restore
31-40 | Great Ball | Repel | Escape Rope | Full Heal | Hyper Potion | Ultra Ball | Revive | Rare Candy | Dusk Stone | Full Restore | Ether
41-50 | Repel | Escape Rope | Full Heal | Hyper Potion | Ultra Ball | Revive | Rare Candy | Dusk Stone | Shiny Stone | Ether | White Herb
51-60 | Escape Rope | Full Heal | Hyper Potion | Ultra Ball | Revive | Rare Candy | Dusk Stone | Shiny Stone | Dawn Stone | White Herb | TM44 Rest
61-70 | Full Heal | Hyper Potion | Ultra Ball | Revive | Rare Candy | Dusk Stone | Shiny Stone | Dawn Stone | Full Restore | TM44 Rest | Elixir
71-80 | Hyper Potion | Ultra Ball | Revive | Rare Candy | Dusk Stone | Shiny Stone | Dawn Stone | Full Restore | Max Revive | Elixir | TM01 Focus Punch
81-90 | Ultra Ball | Revive | Rare Candy | Dusk Stone | Shiny Stone | Dawn Stone | Full Restore | Max Revive | PP Up | TM01 Focus Punch | Leftovers
91-100 | Revive | Rare Candy | Dusk Stone | Shiny Stone | Dawn Stone | Full Restore | Max Revive | PP Up | Max Elixir | Leftovers | TM26 Earthquake

The rarity of items found are decreased the higher the Pickup pokemon's level. Often teams of 6 high level pokemon are used to collect Items.

The 'Compoundeyes' Pokémon is one with the ability Compound eyes. Outside of battle, Compoundeyes increases the chance of encountering a pokemon with a held item, even if the pokemon has fainted.

Pokemon with the ability Compoundeyes;
  • Butterfree
  • Nincada
  • Venonat
  • Yanma
The 'Item Thief' Pokémon, is a Pokémondesigned to steal specific items from wild Pokémon. This is exceptionally useful for finding evolution items such as Dragon Scale.


Stantler @ No Item (Very Important, or Thief will fail)

~ Thief
~ Any Move
~ Any Move
~ Any Move

How it works, by having this pokemon as the lead in your party (in the second position behind a fainted pokemon with the ability Compound Eyes is best), upon encountering a wild pokemon, the Ability Frisk reveals pokemon's held item. Upon finding the item you require, use Thief to obtain the item, then simply run from the battle. Check your pokemon, and remove it's newly held item. Repeat as required. I have chosen to use Stantler, but Shuppet and Banette are also workable, but I find it's lower base speed harmful at lower levels, and the increased attack stat is only useful if you do not wish to run from the battle after obtaining the item. This pokemon works well with a Sweet Scenter to speed up the process of Item finding.


Discerning the nature of Pokémon eggs

The 'Egg Box' trick is an exploitable glitch within Diamond and Pearl (but has been fixed in Platinum), allowing you to see the nature of a Pokémon before it has hatched from an egg. This is very useful for checking the nature of a Pokémon if you have RNG abused to produce the egg.

The trick involves having a Pokémon and an egg on the same box tile, but in separate adjacent boxes with the cursor hovering over the Pokémon. With careful timing, pressing either the Left or Right shoulder buttons to change boxes from the one containing the Pokémon to the one containing the Pokémon egg, just as the small information box in the lower left hand corner of the screen switches from the Pokémon's type to just before it displays the nature. This will trick the box into displaying the nature of the Pokémon within the egg.

Pokemon Characteristics.

The Characteristic of a Pokémon, introduced in the 4th generation and viewable on the trainer memo page of the Pokémon's summary, displays a message which is determined by the highest IV. It can be used as a method of identifying a probable IV value in a given stat. But is best combined with other methods of checking IV's, such as IV battles and Platinum's IV Reporter.

Characteristic - IV Value

Hit Points
  • Often dozes off - 1 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 31
  • Loves to eat - 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30
  • Likes to Relax - 4 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 29
  • Often scatters things - 3 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 28
  • Scatters things often - 2 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 27
Attack
  • Likes to thrash about - 1 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 31
  • Proud of its power - 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30
  • Quick Tempered - 4 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 29
  • Likes to fight - 3 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 28
  • A little quick tempered - 2 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 27
Defense
  • Capable of taking hits - 1 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 31
  • Sturdy body - 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30
  • Good perseverance - 4 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 29
  • Good endurance - 3 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 28
  • Highly persistent - 2 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 27
Special Attack
  • Mischievous - 1 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 31
  • Highly curious - 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30
  • Very finicky - 4 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 29
  • Often lost in thought - 3 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 28
  • Thoroughly Cunning - 2 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 27
Special Defense
  • Somewhat vain - 1 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 31
  • Strong willed - 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30
  • Somewhat stubborn - 4 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 29
  • Hates to lose - 3 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 28
  • Strongly defiant - 2 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 27
Speed
  • Alert to sounds - 1 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 31
  • Likes to run - 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30
  • Quick to flee - 4 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 29
  • Somewhat of a clown - 3 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 28
  • Impetuous and silly - 2 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 27

Accurately determining Pokemon IV's.

The 'IV Battle' trick is a well known if little documented technique for checking the IV's of newly hatched, caught or EV wiped Pokémon. The technique involves exploiting the ability Nintendo's Wifi internet connection to level up Pokémonto Lv.100 in a non detrimental way.

Prerequisites;
  1. Two Nintendo DS gaming systems. Either both your own, or alternatively you can use a friend.
  2. Two 4th generation Pokemon game cartridges, for each of the Nintendo DS's.
  3. A working Nintendo Wifi internet connection for both Nintendo DS's.
Simply place the Pokémon you wish to IV check in you party, making note of it's Nature and Characteristic. Both players should log onto the Nintendo Wifi connection, and one joins, and the other hosts, a "Lv.100 Single Battle". Upon entering the battle, proceed to the pokemon's status display. Make note of the Individual statistics for each stat. Hit Points, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense and Speed. Simply input these numbers into an IV calculator to accurately determine the IV's of your pokemon.


How to clone using the GTS in D/P.

The 'GTS Cloning' glitch can be executed in D/P by following these steps;
  1. Enter the GTS when you are not waiting for any Pokémon you have requested to be traded to you.
  2. Put the Pokémon you are trying to clone up for offer, and ask for something people wouldn't just have lying around their boxes. You should ask for the less common gender of a Lv. 100 NFE Pokémon, something people would not have unless they specifically PokeSaved the requested Pokemon just to make that trade.
  3. As the game is saving, watch the ticking clock icon and how many times the clock has gone all the way around.
  4. When the clock has gone around about eight times, turn off your DS. If it says the Pokémon was put up for offer on the GTS, you were too late and did not clone it. The number of times that works for cloning differs depending on the speed of your Wi-Fi connection, so you should try different amounts of time by cloning something that isn't valuable to the average GTS user. Find the amount of time that clones the most reliably for you.
  5. Turn your game back on. There should be a blue screen telling you that your save file is corrupted and your previous save file will be loaded, but this is not a problem.
  6. Go into the GTS and take your Pokemon off. If it wasn't there, you DCed too early and the Pokémon wasn't cloned. Proceed to the next step if your Pokemon was on the GTS.
  7. Look in your party now. If the Pokémon isn't there, you DCed too late. If it is, good work! You have cloned a Pokemon.
EV checking and altering

Checking;



The 'EV Checker', or Effort Ribbon Women is located in the Sunyshore Market. She will check the leading Pokémon in your party, and tell you one of the following:

"Oh, your <pokemon>, It worked stupendously hard didn't it?"

Meaning that it has received 510 EV's. She will present your Pokémon with an Effort Ribbon. Or she will say;

"Oh, your <pokemon> it needs to work a little harder."

Meaning that your Pokémon has not yet received 510 EV's. Or she will say;

"Oh! That Effort Ribbon looks good on your <Pokemon>."

Meaning it has already received 510 EV's in total, and been check. Note, she will still say this if you wipe EV's away from a Pokémon, as long as it holds an Effort Ribbon.

An Ideal method for checking your Pokémon, for example a special sweeper with 6HP / 252 Sp.Atk / 252 Spd. Is to give 10 Calcium vitamins (100 EV's in Special Attack) and 10 Carbos (100 EV's in Speed), then EV train so both stats contain 252 EV's. Then show the Pokémonto the EV Checker at Sunyshore. If you have done it correctly, she will say option B. Then give a Single HP up to your Pokémon, and check again. If she says option A. Your Pokémonhas very likely been trained correctly. For absolute certainty, check your pokemon in an IV battle with an appropriate IV calculator, with you EV spread in place. Can check the IV's reported against the known IV's of your Pokémon.

Altering;

The 'EV Wiping' berries are probably the best berries out side of those used within competitive battles. They are ideal for correcting mistakes during EVing, or perhaps clearing a Pokémon of 'random' EV's gained during a normal play through. Essentially, these berries work in reverse to Pokémon Vitamins, taking away 10 EV's at a time. But, unlike the vitamins, you can use as many berries as you wish in a stat.
  • Pomeg Berry -10 HP EVs
  • Kelpsy Berry -10 Atk EVs
  • Qualot Berry -10 Def EVs
  • Hondew Berry -10 SpA EVs
  • Grepa Berry -10 SpD EVs
  • Tamato Berry -10 Spe EVs
With each use of the the Berry the message "<Pokemon> became more friendly, but it's base <Stat> fell.", will be displayed. Once the EVs of a the stat have been reduced to 0 each consecutive use of the berry will cause the message "<Pokemon> became more friendly, but it's base <Stat> won't go lower." It is important to note, that no matter how many EV's have been placed into a particular Stat, it will only take 11 berries to completely erase all EV's. This is because, the first use of the berry automatically resets the EV's to 100, as long as that stat had at least 101 to 255 EV's before use of the first berry. Each consecutive use of an EV lowering berry, reduces the amount of EV's in a particular stat by 10 EV points.

For an extensive guide to EV training in platinum, please read Erodent's comprehensive guide; The Platinum EVing Manual.


Instant Massages, Swarm Changing, Trophy Garden, and other time based Manipulation.







To manipulate the results of time based in game events, follow these steps;
  1. Save in front of whoever you get a daily event from (i.e. Trophy Garden's Mr.Backlot, Veilstone's Massage Lady, Dawn's little sister).
  2. Turn your DS clock off, and set the time to 23:59 and load up the game immediately.
  3. Let the day pass in-game (23:59-00:00).
  4. Receive your daily event, if you do not receive what you want (i.e. wrong Trophy Garden Pokemon, wrong item from massage) reset your game and repeat.
It should be noted that Swarm Pokemon are not resettable by using step 4, swarm Pokemon are designated to a certain day, so soft resetting using this method to get a different swarm Pokemon will not work. You must repeat the steps 1-4 (not just 4) to make the day pass in-game to receive different swarms.

With regards the Trophy Garden pokemon, the game has storage for 2 different pokemon known as Todays and Yesterdays. Talking to Blacklot will cause a new pokemon to occupy Today's slot, and will move the pervious pokemon to Yesterdays slot. Once you have two pokemon you like in the garden, for example Eevee in todays slot and ditto in yesterdays slot. As long as you do not talk to blacklot again, they will stay in the garden permanently. Also, it is impossible to get the same type of pokemon to occupy both slots.

Pal Parking more than 6 pokemon per-day.

The 'Pal Park' trick allows you to receive more than 6 Pokémon per-day from one 3rd generation game cartridge. This trick also allows you to reset the pal park clock if you have altered it for RNG abuse, or changed the DS used to normally pal park. For this trick to work you will need at least two separate generation 3 GBA Pokémon games. One is to be the game you wish to pal park Pokémon from, the other is used to synchronize the game clock with the DS and DS clock. Here is an example step by step guide;
  1. After having changed the date on your DS for whatever reason, RNG abuse, already Pal Parked Pokémon that day (For the later, Change your DS internal Calendar one day ahead of it's current setting).
  2. With the Synchronizer GBA cartridge inserted into your DS or DSlite (The cart you do NOT wish to migrate pokemon from), power on your DS and proceed to attempt to Pal Park as normal.
  3. You will be shown the message "You are using different Nintendo DS, or its internal clock has been altered. If the game's time settings are changed, you will not be able to migrate Pokemon for another 24 hours". It will then give you the option to match settings on the current DS. Select Yes on the touch screen and the settings will change.
  4. Power off your DS, and change to the GBA cartridge you DO wish to Migrate pokemon from.
  5. Power on your DS and migrate Pokémon as normal.
  6. Repeat steps 1 - 5 to Migrate as many Pokémon as you wish to so in a single day, making sure to swap to the correct GBA cartridge as required.

Evolving a Pokemon Without Trading.

The 'GTS Evolution' trick allows you to evolve a Pokémon that normally only evolves when it is traded to another game cartridge by using the GTS. You can save yourself a lot of time by using this trick rather than posting in the requests thread looking for someone to help you evolve your Machoke or whatever. Here are the steps:
  1. Go to the GTS and offer a Pokemon that evolves when traded such as Kadabra, Graveler, or a Scyther holding a Metal Coat for something much more valuable. It is unlikely that somebody will trade their Level 100 Dialga for your Level 30 Kadabra, so you shouldn't accidentally lose your Pokemon.
  2. Search the GTS for any Pokemon and successfully trade for it.
  3. Withdraw (take back) the Pokemon you offered in Step 1 from the GTS.
  4. The game will be fooled into thinking that your Pokemon has been traded and it will evolve as if it had been sent to somebody else's came cartridge - even though it never left yours!

Speeding up the Process of Happiness based evolution.

Some of the metagames most potent pokemon evolve based on the level of their dynamic happiness stat. Often evolving these pokemon is a timely affair, so following are some tips and an over all guide to happiness. Also of note, that happiness level effects the base power of the moves Return, and Frustration.

Determining currant happiness level;



The 'Happiness Rater' is a NPC (Non-Player Character) present in all games since generation II. D/P/Pt's happiness rater is located at the Pokémon Fan Club in Hearthome City. He will say a phase relating to the current happiness value of your pokemon;
  • "It doesn't seem to like you at all. It looks mean." - Happiness value of between 0 ~ 49.
  • "You should treat it better. It's not used to you." - Happiness value of between 50 ~ 99.
  • "It's quite cute." - Happiness value of between 100 ~ 149.
  • "It's friendly toward you. It looks sort of happy." - Happiness value of between 150 ~ 199.
  • "I get the feeling that it really trusts you." - Happiness value of between 200 ~ 249.
  • "It looks really happy! It must love you a lot." - Happiness value of between 250 ~ 255.
From the 3rd generation onwards, Pokemon have a base happiness per species. Most pokemon caught or recently traded have a happiness level of 70 points. Also useful to happiness checking; In the Eterna City Pokémon Center, a girl inside the will give away a Poketch application that indicates in a basic way the party Pokémon happiness level. Maximum happiness is shown by two large hearts, by holding the stylus on the pokemon. On Route 213 east of Pastoria City, Dr. Footstep within the Footstep House, will also tell a Pokémon's happiness level, dependent on the Pokémon species. At maximum happiness, he will attach a ribbon to the Pokémon.

Changing the currant happiness level;

Various in game activities increase or decrease the happiness level of your pokemon.


As you can see from the chart the Soothe bell gives one extra happiness point per happiness raising event. This makes it the most invaluable tool for increasing happiness, and can be applied to any pokemon unlike the luxury ball. The Soothe Bell can be obtained from either a Maid at Mr. Backlot's Pokémon Mansion (D/P/Pt), or from Cheryl after traveling through Eterna Forest (Pt).

The Effects of Happiness on moves;

Two pokemon moves have there base power determined by the happiness level of your pokemon;

The move Return has it's base power vary between 0 (minimum Happiness) and 102 (maximum Happiness). Base Power = Happiness / 2.5.

The move Frustration has it's base power vary between 0 (maximum Happiness) and 102 (minimum Happiness). Base Power = (255 - Happiness) / 2.5.


Making large amounts of money in a short time.



The 'Rich Couple' trick is the standard way to make large sums of money in-game, quickly. You will at least need the Vs. Seeker key item (Obtained from Dawn/Lucas on Route 207 after the first trip down Cycling Road in D/P. In Platinum, instead he/she meets the player at the entrance to Mt. Coronet). To maximize the effectiveness of this trick, you will also need an Amulet Coin (Found in the left-hand ruin in Amity Square in D/P/Pt).

The Rich Couple are a Gentleman and Socialite found on Route 212, just west of the Pokémon mansions front garden. They have a Chatot and Roselia respectively, each re-battle with the Vs Seeker will cause their pokemon's level and base money awarded to increase. At maximum level, each give a base money of $12000 (D/P) or $12200 (Pt). With the Amulet Coin attached to the pokemon you are using to battle them with, the money awarded is increased to $24000 (D/P) or $24400 (Pt). Making it possible to completely fill your wallet, purse or bank account within 42 battles.


Free Pokemon and Pokemon eggs.

Togepi - Upon completing the Eterna City section of the game, Cynthia will give you an egg containing a Togepi.

Riolu - Upon completing the Iron Island quest, Riley will give you a pokemon egg containing a Riolu.

Eevee - Bebe in Hearthome City will give you an Eevee upon completion of the national dex.
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Platinum Tips;

Pokemon and Pokemon Abilities every player should have.

See the Guide in the D/P section above, as no changes have been made in Platinum.


Pokemon Characteristics.

See the Guide in the D/P section above, as no changes have been made in Platinum.


Checking newly caught and hatched pokemon.



The 'Hidden Power Reporter' is a NPC (Non-Player Character) located in Veilstone City's Game Corner Prize Exchange. He will tell you the Hidden power type of any Pokémon you show him, provided the pokemon in question can learn the move hidden power.

Pokémon that cannot learn Hidden Power
  • Magikarp
  • Ditto
  • Smeargle
  • Caterpie
  • Metapod
  • Weedle
  • Kakuna
  • Wurmple
  • Silcoon
  • Cascoon
  • Combee
  • Wynaut
  • Wobbufett
  • Beldum
  • Kricketot
  • Burmy
  • Combee



The 'IV Reporter' is located with the Battle Tower (Fight area, Battle Frontier) to the right of the building, near a PC. Upon speaking to him he will judge the intriguing potential of your Pokémon. Indicating at first the overall abillity of your Pokémon based on the total number of Individual Values in each stat added together;
  • "This Pokémon's potential is decent all around." - Combined IVs Total = 0 ~ 90
  • "This Pokémon's potential is above average overall." - Combined IVs Total = 91 ~ 120
  • "This Pokémon has relatively superior potential overall." - Combined IVs Total = 121 ~ 150
  • "This Pokémon has outstanding potential overall." - Combined IVs Total 151 ~ 186
He will then indicate your Pokémon's best over all stat. In the case of one or more of the highest level IV's being of the same value, the stat he comments upon will be randomly determined. So it is best to talk to him multiple times to get an overall picture of your Pokémon.
  • "It's rather decent in that regard." - IV value of between 0 ~ 15
  • "It's very good in that regard." - IV value of between 16 ~ 25
  • "It's fantastic in that regard." - IV value of between 26 ~ 30.
  • "It can't be better in that regard." - IV value of 31.
Accurately determining Pokemon IV's.

See the Guide in the D/P section above, as no changes have been made in Platinum.


Instant Massages, Swarm Changing, Trophy Garden, and other time based Manipulation.

See the Guide in the D/P section above, as no changes have been made in Platinum.


Pal Parking more than 6 pokemon per-day.

See the Guide in the D/P section above, as no changes have been made in Platinum.


Evolving a Pokemon Without Trading.

See the Guide in the D/P section above, as no changes have been made in Platinum.


Speeding up the Process of Happiness based evolution.

See the Guide in the D/P section above, as no changes have been made in Platinum.


Making large amounts of money in a short time.

See the Guide in the D/P section above, as only slight changes have been made in Platinum.


Free Pokemon and Pokemon eggs.

Togepi - Upon completing the Eterna City section of the game, Cynthia will give you an egg containing a Togepi.

Riolu - Upon completing the Iron Island quest, Riley will give you a pokemon egg containing a Riolu.

Eevee - Bebe in Hearthome City will give you an Eevee.

Porygon - In Veilstone City after competing the Galactic HQ quest, a couple in the right hand house directly behind the Pokémon center will give you a Porygon.
__________________


Heartgold and Soulsilver Tips;

__________________


Pokemon Battle Revolution Tips;

Unlocking the 'Shocking Secrete Gift'.

To unlock a Lv.50 Adamant Electrivire, with moves: Cross Chop / Ice Punch / Thunder Punch / Earthquake, simply go to edit your profile, and in the 'Self-Introduction' field, simply add the code for your region of the game. You can then follow the on screen prompts in the PBR shop, to download the wondercard for your game.
  • US - BA16-X4SH-E2AT
  • UK - tko3-9jwp-34kl
  • France - jk4i-df87-dsf9
  • Spain - 04in-1ynj-24fv
  • Germany - 0f9-ud0g-ughj
  • Italy - t4oi-6j8d-sb5r
Unlocking the 'Heated Secrete Gift'.

To unlock a Lv.50 Modest Magmortar, with moves; Flamethrower / Psychic / Hyper Beam / SolarBeam. Simply go to edit your profile, and in the 'Self-Introduction' field, simply add the code for your region of the game. You can then follow the on screen prompts in the PBR shop, to download the wondercard for your game.
  • US - B416-X4HT-VTWF
  • UK - jl49-05kn-odnv
  • France - 13io-h4rf-1tpa
  • Spain - kn34-q0uc-1mbx
  • Germany - kre9-ef90-5hgn
  • Italy - 97ea-78hl-jrgu
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My Pokemon Ranch Tips;

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Thanks and Credits;

Syberia - for providing screen captures of the Hidden Power and IV guys.
RB Golbat - for providing further details of which pokemon cannot learn Hidden power via TM.
its omar yo - for testing and researching the IV ranges equating to the phrases used by the IV guy.
Staraptor Call - for providing the step by step guide for GTS cloning in D/P.
Chaos669 - for providing the step by step guide to manipulating time based in-game events.
Mendokuse - for providing the step by step guide for evolving pokemon using the GTS.
Great Sage - for confirming that Burmy cannot have it's hidden power indicated by the HP guy.
Xia - for providing the HTML for the happiness chart.
Malfunction - for providing a screen capture of the EV checker.
jumpluff - for overall editing, correcting my frankly hideous grammar, HTML-ing the whole article for the site, and providing screen captures for many things within the article (As well as some 'FLOOOOOOOOON pics ^_^).
 
Caterpie, Metapod, Weedle, Kakuna, Wurmple, Silcoon, Cascoon, Combee, Wynaut, Wobbufett, Beldum, Kricketot, Burmy, Combee all can not learn Hidden Power via TM
 
  • "It's rather decent in that regard." - IV value of between 0 ~ 15
  • "It's very good in that regard." - IV value of between 16 ~ 25
  • "It's fantastic in that regard." - IV value of between 26 ~ 30.
  • "It can't be better in that regard." - IV value of 31.
I tested this on my platinum and confirmed it.
 
Caterpie, Metapod, Weedle, Kakuna, Wurmple, Silcoon, Cascoon, Combee, Wynaut, Wobbufett, Beldum, Kricketot, Burmy, Combee all can not learn Hidden Power via TM
Thanks, is that a complete list? I'll remove the red text if it is.


  • "It's rather decent in that regard." - IV value of between 0 ~ 15
  • "It's very good in that regard." - IV value of between 16 ~ 25
  • "It's fantastic in that regard." - IV value of between 26 ~ 30.
  • "It can't be better in that regard." - IV value of 31.
I tested this on my platinum and confirmed it.
Thanks for the help. If your interested, then you could work on the total values to produce the first phrase. As there is some dispute over what the total value is to produce the 'Outstanding' phrase.

Matt
 
I'm not sure if this is worth enough to add, but it was very difficult for me to find out if I could get TM Explosion, so I thought maybe this could help some new member (or existing members)

Viletung said:
Pokémon Platinum; How to get TM Explosion in the European version

Currently it's unknown how to get the TM Explosion, but we do know that the Lady behind the desk in the Game Corner gives you the TM Explosion, I have successfully got it once. It's also unknown if we can get more then one.

Here's a screen of getting the TM, I hope to bring a better version soon.

 
  • "This Pokémon's potential is decent all around." - Combined IVs Total = 0 - 61
  • "This Pokémon's potential is above average overall." - Combined IVs Total = 62 - 123
  • "This Pokémon has relatively superior potential overall." - Combined IVs Total = 124 - 185
  • "This Pokémon has outstanding potential overall." - Combined IVs Total = 186 (31 IVs in all stats)*
I've had pokemon with different hidden powers give the outstanding potential overall message so i dont think that is correct
 
I'm not sure if this is worth enough to add, but it was very difficult for me to find out if I could get TM Explosion, so I thought maybe this could help some new member (or existing members)
Wow! I didn't even know that was Possible. I've got an EUR cart too, so suffer from the same problem. If you can figure out the mechanics of how to get one that would be excellent.


  • "This Pokémon's potential is decent all around." - Combined IVs Total = 0 - 61
  • "This Pokémon's potential is above average overall." - Combined IVs Total = 62 - 123
  • "This Pokémon has relatively superior potential overall." - Combined IVs Total = 124 - 185
  • "This Pokémon has outstanding potential overall." - Combined IVs Total = 186 (31 IVs in all stats)*
I've had pokemon with different hidden powers give the outstanding potential overall message so i dont think that is correct
This is similar to what I was told In IRC, and I've have "outstanding" pokemon from 31/x/31/31/31/31 and various hidden power pokes. I do need someone to test and confirm the ranges for each phrase.

For anyone else wishing to contribute I'm after the following;
  • D/P GTS cloning guide
  • Platinum GTS cloning guide

Matt
 
I believe to get Explosion you need to get through 10 consecutive rounds of the Clefairy bonus game. The only way to figure out if you got it is to talk to the person at the counter sometime after doing this. I hope that answers the question
 
I believe to get Explosion you need to get through 10 consecutive rounds of the Clefairy bonus game. The only way to figure out if you got it is to talk to the person at the counter sometime after doing this. I hope that answers the question
I think the main issue Viletung touched on, is those of us with EUR platinum carts don't have access to the games machines. It whole slot machines portion was removed from the EUR release.

I know you can 'Find' coins in the EUR plat games, I'm assuming every day but cannot confirm that.
 
I think the main issue Viletung touched on, is those of us with EUR platinum carts don't have access to the games machines. It whole slot machines portion was removed from the EUR release.

I know you can 'Find' coins in the EUR plat games, I'm assuming every days but cannot confirm that.
Yes, that's correct, in the European Platinum the machines are gone. Because of the age of the, it's still gambling...
 
How to clone using the GTS in D/P:
1. Enter the GTS when you are not waiting for any Pokemon you have requested to be traded to you.
2. Put the Pokemon you are trying to clone up for offer, and ask for something people wouldn't just have lying around their boxes. You should ask for the less common gender of a Lv. 100 NFE Pokemon, something people would not have unless they specifically PokeSaved the requested Pokemon just to make that trade.
3. As the game is saving, watch the ticking clock icon and how many times the clock has gone all the way around.
4. When the clock has gone around about eight times, turn off your DS. If it says the Pokemon was put up for offer on the GTS, you were too late and did not clone it. The number of times that works for cloning differs depending on the speed of your Wi-Fi connection, so you should try different amounts of time by cloning something that isn't valuable to the average GTS user. Find the amount of time that clones the most reliably for you.
5. Turn your game back on. There should be a blue screen telling you that your save file is corrupted and your previous save file will be loaded, but this is not a problem.
6. Go into the GTS and take your Pokemon off. If it wasn't there, you DCed too early and the Pokemon wasn't cloned. Proceed to the next step if your Pokemon was on the GTS.
7. Look in your party now. If the Pokemon isn't there, you DCed too late. If it is, good work! You have cloned a Pokemon.
 
Instant Massages, Swarm Changing, Trophy Garden, and other time based Manipulation

I know many people know that it's possible to do this, but some are left in the dark. Someone has to point out the obvious ^^).

1. Save in front of whoever/whatever you get a daily event from (i.e. Trophy Garden's Mr.Backlot, Veilstone's Massage Lady, Dawn's little sister).
2. Turn your DS clock off, and set the time to 23:59 and load up the game immediately.
3. Let the day pass in-game (23:59-00:00).
4. Receive your daily event, if you do not receive what you want (i.e. wrong Trophy Garden Pokemon, wrong item from massage) reset your game and repeat this step.

Note: Swarm Pokemon are not resettable by using step 4, swarm Pokemon are designated to a certain day, so soft resetting using this method to get a different swarm Pokemon will not work. You must repeat the steps 1-4 (not just 4) to make the day pass in-game to receive different swarms.
 
  • "This Pokémon's potential is decent all around." - Combined IVs Total = 0 ~ 90
  • "This Pokémon's potential is above average overall." - Combined IVs Total = 91 ~ 120
  • "This Pokémon has relatively superior potential overall." - Combined IVs Total = 121 ~ 150
  • "This Pokémon has outstanding potential overall." - Combined IVs Total 151 ~ 186
 
Instant Massages, Swarm Changing, Trophy Garden, and other time based Manipulation

I know many people know that it's possible to do this, but some are left in the dark. Someone has to point out the obvious ^^).

1. Save in front of whoever/whatever you get a daily event from (i.e. Trophy Garden's Mr.Backlot, Veilstone's Massage Lady, Dawn's little sister).
2. Turn your DS clock off, and set the time to 23:59 and load up the game immediately.
3. Let the day pass in-game (23:59-00:00).
4. Receive your daily event, if you do not receive what you want (i.e. wrong Trophy Garden Pokemon, wrong item from massage) reset your game and repeat.

Note: Swarm Pokemon are not resettable, swarm Pokemon are designated to a certain day, so soft resetting using this method to get a different swarm Pokemon will not work. You must repeat the steps to make the day pass in-game to receive different swarms.
This looks good, except for one thing. For trophy garden pokemon, you can reset any time, as long as you haven't talked to Mr.Backlot yet. No need to wait the minute. (Which can become pretty time-consuming.)
 
Thankyou Staraptor Call, Chaos669 and its omar yo for the contributions to this guide. It's much appreciated, and I think this article is really starting to shape up.
 
I know Loedoc, I think I worded it wrong though, I should have said "Repeat this step". Thanks for the clarification.
 
I know Loedoc, I think I worded it wrong though, I should have said "Repeat this step". Thanks for the clarification.
I have changed to your new wording, unless anyone else can make a better suggestion for wording, I think it's perfect.

I think for the main articles, all that needs now is some screen caps, as they say 'a picture paints a thousand words'.

Thank you again to everyone that has contributed so far, as I commented earlier in IRC, this is top quality work. With some of the articles far surpassing in terms of detail and depiction, what most of use have been using for years.

I hope we can continue to expand on all this, and on that note I welcome any further additions if any of you can think them up.

Matt
 
I have a tip/trick to contribute.

Evolving a Pokemon Without Trading:

This trick allows you to evolve a Pokemon that normally only evolves when it is traded to another game cartridge by using the GTS. You can save yourself a lot of time by using this trick rather than posting in the requests thread looking for someone to help you evolve your Machoke or whatever.

Here are the steps:

1) Go to the GTS and offer a Pokemon that evolves when traded such as Kadabra, Graveler, or a Scyther holding a Metal Coat for something much more valuable. It is unlikely that somebody will trade their Level 100 Dialga for your Level 30 Kadabra, so you shouldn't accidentally lose your Pokemon.

2) Search the GTS for any Pokemon and successfully trade for it.

3) Withdraw (take back) the Pokemon you offered in Step 1 from the GTS.

4) The game will be fooled into thinking that your Pokemon has been traded and it will evolve as if it had been sent to somebody else's came cartridge - even though it never left yours!


I hope this can be useful to someone, even if it's not all that exciting.

By the way, I've confirmed this to work on both Diamond and Platinum (Most likely Pearl, too, but I don't own it so I'm not 100% sure.)
 
Minor typo:

Hidden Power said:
The 'Hidden Power Guy' is a NPC (None Player Character) located in Veilstone City's Game Corner Prize Exchange. He will tell you the Hidden power type of any pokemon you show him, provided the pokemon in question can learn the move hidden power.
I believe it should be Non-Player Character not None Player Character.
 
@Mendokuse: It works on Pearl too, I've tried it.

Someone should cover the Elite Four's Door glitch in early Japanese DP, and how to get Darkrai and Shaymin with it.
 

Xia

On porpoise
is a Contributor Alumnus
I'm not sure if anyone's covered the tweaking glitch in DP, but that definitely needs to be addressed.

EDIT: And I can go ahead and HTMLize that happiness chart; do you want it here or PMed?
 

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