Pokemon Diamond and Pearl In-Game Tiers
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Pokemon Diamond and Pearl In-Game Tiers
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<meta name="description" content="A tiering list of Diamond and Pearl Pokemon based on their usefulness and availability for in-game play, courtesy of Jubilee." />
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<div class="author">By<a href="/forums/member.php?u=35462">Jubilee</a>.</div>
<ol class="toc">
<li><a href="#intro">Introduction</a></li>
<li><a href="#high">High Tier</a></li>
<li><a href="#middle">Middle Tier</a></li>
<li><a href="#low">Low Tier</a></li>
<li><a href="#bottom">Bottom Tier</a></li>
</ol>
<h2><a name="intro">Introduction</a></h2>
<p>The best possible Pokemon for an in-game team are the ones that are obtainable at the start of the game, can OHKO enemies easily, take little damage from nearly any attack, can learn many HMs, can heal itself, can learn useful moves upon level up, doesn't need excessive TMs, and has a useful ability. Such a Pokemon doesn't exist of course, but this means that Pokemon closer to this ideal are obviously the best ones possible.</p>
<p>The goal of this in-game tier list is to recommend a select group of Pokemon for an efficient run through the game. The ones that fit most of the above requirements are placed in the high tier. Very inefficient Pokemon will be put in the low tier. Ones that are neither efficient nor inefficient, for example Pokemon that have some opportunity costs but don't end up as good as high tiered ones, will be put in the middle tier.</p>
<p>Don't confuse an efficient run with a speed run. Speed runs are often ones that are segmented and recorded with luck manipulation through resets, and aim for the absolute fastest time recorded, but the real time spent on them is usually much more. Just assume you want to play through in a relatively fast time frame.</p>
<p>Team size is actually most efficient if you use only one member, but I'm assuming something more like 3 members, as otherwise you get extremely centralized lists with starters and early game Pokemon at the far top and everything else pretty much too inefficient to bother with.</p>
<p>Also note when reading through this guide that some of the moves and abilities listed for a Pokemon may only be obtained by their evolutions. Some Pokemon may be placed in higher tiers due to their evolution's capabilities as well.</p>
<h2><a name="high">High Tier</a></h2>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/63.png" alt="Abra" /><br />
<strong>Abra</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has very high Special Attack and Speed stats, however, needs to be traded to fully evolve.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/487.png" alt="Azelf" /><br />
<strong>Azelf</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Very wide<br />
Additional Comments: Although it is available very late in the game it is available at a high level of 50 which compensates for this. Also has very high Attack, Special Attack, and Speed stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/402.png" alt="Bidoof" /><br />
<strong>Bidoof</strong><br />
Availability: Very Early<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Wide<br />
Additional Comments: Very useful in-game Pokemon because it learns a vast amount of HMs, such as Cut, Rock Climb, Rock Smash, Strength, Surf, and Waterfall.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/423.png" alt="Buizel" /><br />
<strong>Buizel</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has high Attack and Speed stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/393.png" alt="Chimchar" /><br />
<strong>Chimchar</strong><br />
Availability: Beginning<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Very wide<br />
Additional Comments: Has great offensive stats, a high Speed stat, and learns a vast amount of TMs and useful moves upon level up.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/411.png" alt="Cranidos" /><br />
<strong>Cranidos (Diamond Only)</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has an incredibly high Attack stat capable of OHKOing many Pokemon.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/488.png" alt="Dialga" /><br />
<strong>Dialga (Diamond Only)</strong><br />
Availability: End<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Is only available once you have completed the game.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/92.png" alt="Gastly" /><br />
<strong>Gastly</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Wide<br />
Additional Comments: Has a very high Special Attack and Speed stat, however, needs to be traded to fully evolve.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/228.png" alt="Houdour" /><br />
<strong>Houndour</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: One of the few Fire-types in the game if you didn't choose Chimchar as your starter. Has high Special Attack and Speed stats and a useful typing and ability in Flash Fire.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/66.png" alt="Machop" /><br />
<strong>Machop</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Average<br />
Additional Comments: Has a very high Attack stat and good defenses, learns useful STAB attacks upon level up, and has a useful ability in No Guard. However, it needs to be traded to fully evolve.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/489.png" alt="Palkia" /><br />
<strong>Palkia (Pearl Only)</strong><br />
Availability: End<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Wide<br />
Additional Comments: Is only available once you have completed the game.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/396.png" alt="Piplup" /><br />
<strong>Piplup</strong><br />
Availability: Beginning<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has a good typing and has a high Special Attack stat.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/484.png" alt="Rotom" /><br />
<strong>Rotom</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has a great typing and useful ability.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/406.png" alt="Shinx" /><br />
<strong>Shinx</strong><br />
Availability: Very Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has great offensive stats and a useful ability in Intimidate.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/399.png" alt="Starly" /><br />
<strong>Starly</strong><br />
Availability: Very Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Wide<br />
Additional Comments: Has a very high Attack and Speed stat and learns powerful moves upon level up such as Close Combat and Brave Bird.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/390.png" alt="Turtwig" /><br />
<strong>Turtwig</strong><br />
Availability: Beginning<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has a high Attack stat and learns powerful moves upon level up such as Earthquake and Wood Hammer.</p>
<h2><a name="middle">Middle Tier</a></h2>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/441.png" alt="Bronzor" /><br />
<strong>Bronzor</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has great defensive stats, great typing, learns Hypnosis upon level up, and has useful abilities.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/458.png" alt="Croagunk" /><br />
<strong>Croagunk</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has a high Attack stat and useful ability in Dry Skin.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/129.png" alt="Magikarp" /><br />
<strong>Magikarp</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Despite being useless as a Magikarp, once it evolves it is an incredibly useful Pokemon. Gyarados has a very high Attack stat, great defenses, learns Dragon Dance upon level up, and has a useful ability in Intimidate. However, it has a poor level up movepool and relies on HMs and TMs.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/183.png" alt="Marill" /><br />
<strong>Marill</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has an incredibly high Attack stat with the ability Huge Power and has good bulk.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/307.png" alt="Medidite" /><br />
<strong>Meditite</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has an extremely high Attack stat with the ability Huge Power capable of OHKOing Pokemon easily. However, it has a poor level up movepool.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/200.png" alt="Misdreavus" /><br />
<strong>Misdreavus (Pearl only)</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has above average Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/198.png" alt="Murkrow" /><br />
<strong> Murkrow (Diamond only)</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has very high Attack and Special Attack stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/25.png" alt="Pikachu" /><br />
<strong>Pikachu</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Wide<br />
Additional Comments: Has an above average Attack, Special Attack, and Speed stat, and learns a wide variety of moves through TM.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/77.png" alt="Ponyta" /><br />
<strong>Ponyta</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Very shallow<br />
Additional Comments: One of the few Fire-types in the game if you don't choose Chimchar as a starter; however, has a shallow movepool outside of Fire-type attacks.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/427.png" alt="Shellos" /><br />
<strong>Shellos</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has a very high HP stat, above average defenses, and learns Recover upon level up.</p>
<h2><a name="low">Low Tier</a></h2>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/443.png" alt="Bonsly" /><br />
<strong>Bonsly</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has below average stats and a shallow movepool.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/409.png" alt="Budew" /><br />
<strong>Budew</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has poor offensive stats as a pre-evolution and has a shallow movepool outside of Grass-type attacks. However, outside of Turtwig, it is the best Grass-type in-game.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/432.png" alt="Buneary" /><br />
<strong>Buneary</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has below average offensive stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/446.png" alt="Chatot" /><br />
<strong>Chatot</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has below average offensive stats, a shallow movepool, and is available late in the game.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/35.png" alt="Clefairy" /><br />
<strong>Clefairy</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Very wide<br />
Additional Comments: Has decent stats all-round and a very wide movepool, but its movepool relies on TMs.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/430.png" alt="Drifloon" /><br />
<strong>Drifloon</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool and is only available on one day of the week (Friday).</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/74.png" alt="Geodude" /><br />
<strong>Geodude</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has a bad typing, low Speed stat, and needs to be traded to be fully evolved.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/448.png" alt="Gible" /><br />
<strong>Gible</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game and evolves at a high level of 48.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/203.png" alt="Girafarig" /><br />
<strong>Girafarig</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool and below average offensive stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/436.png" alt="Glameow" /><br />
<strong>Glameow (Pearl only)</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Below average offensive stats and a shallow movepool outside of Normal-type attacks.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/163.png" alt="Hoothoot" /><br />
<strong>Hoothoot</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has below average offensive stats and a shallow movepool.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/486.png" alt="Mesprit" /><br />
<strong>Mesprit</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Very wide<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game and must be found in the wild randomly to be captured.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/54.png" alt="Psyduck" /><br />
<strong>Psyduck</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has below average stats and a shallow movepool.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/439.png" alt="Stunky" /><br />
<strong>Stunky (Diamond only)</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Has high HP and Attack stats and learns useful moves upon level up; however, it is found quite late in the game.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/485.png" alt="Uxie" /><br />
<strong>Uxie</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Despite having excellent defensive stats, its offensive stats are quite poor.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/278.png" alt="Wingull" /><br />
<strong>Wingull</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has below average offensive stats and a shallow movepool, but learns 3 useful HMs in Fly, Surf, and Defog.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/194.png" alt="Wooper" /><br />
<strong>Wooper</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has below average offensive stats and a shallow movepool, but has good defenses and a useful ability in Water Absorb.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/41.png" alt="Zubat" /><br />
<strong>Zubat</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has poor offensive stats and a shallow movepool.</p>
<h2><a name="bottom">Bottom Tier</a></h2>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/190.png" alt="Aipom" /><br />
<strong>Aipom</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Only capturable from honey trees (which takes 6 hours for a Pokemon to appear), has a low encounter rate, and you would have to rely on luck to find one.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/339.png" alt="Barboach" /><br />
<strong>Barboach</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has below average offensive stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/415.png" alt="Burmy" /><br />
<strong>Burmy</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Poor<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Only capturable from honey trees (which takes 6 hours for a Pokemon to appear), has poor stats overall, and has a shallow movepool.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/460.png" alt="Carnivine" /><br />
<strong>Carnivine</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Decent<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game and has a shallow movepool outside of Grass-type attacks.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/113.png" alt="Chansey" /><br />
<strong>Chansey</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Very shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has very poor offensive stats, a very shallow movepool, and very low Defense and offensive stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/425.png" alt="Cherubi" /><br />
<strong>Cherubi</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Only capturable from honey trees (which takes 6 hours for a Pokemon to appear), has below average offensive stats, and a shallow movepool outside of Grass-type attacks.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/438.png" alt="Chingling" /><br />
<strong>Chingling</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has poor offensive stats and a shallow movepool.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/420.png" alt="Combee" /><br />
<strong>Combee</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Poor<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Only capturable from honey trees (which takes 6 hours for a Pokemon to appear), has a shallow movepool, and has poor offensive stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/349.png" alt="Feebas" /><br />
<strong>Feebas</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Very poor<br />
Movepool: Very shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game, too hard to capture, too hard to evolve, and practically useless until it does evolve.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/461.png" alt="Finneon" /><br />
<strong>Finneon</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Poor<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has poor offensive stats and a shallow movepool outside of Water-type attacks.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/118.png" alt="Goldeen" /><br />
<strong>Goldeen</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has below average stats and a shallow movepool.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/214.png" alt="Heracross" /><br />
<strong>Heracross</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Wide<br />
Additional Comments: Only capturable from honey trees (which takes 6 hours for a Pokemon to appear), has a low encounter rate, and you would have to rely on luck to find one.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/454.png" alt="Hippopotas" /><br />
<strong>Hippopotas</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Poor<br />
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool and an ability that hinders the rest of the team.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/404.png" alt="Kricketot" /><br />
<strong>Kricketot</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Poor<br />
Movepool: Very shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has very poor stats besides its Attack stat, has a very shallow movepool, and is useless until it evolves.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/463.png" alt="Mantyke" /><br />
<strong>Mantyke</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game and has below average offensive stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/444.png" alt="Mime Jr." /><br />
<strong>Mime Jr.</strong><br />
Availability: Mid-game<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has a shallow level-up movepool outside of Psychic-type attacks.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/451.png" alt="Munchlax" /><br />
<strong>Munchlax</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Wide<br />
Additional Comments: Only capturable from honey trees (which takes 6 hours for a Pokemon to appear), only has a 1% chance of appearing, and is only available on certain trees which depend on your ID/SID combination.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/95.png" alt="Onix" /><br />
<strong>Onix</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool and poor Speed and Special Defense stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/422.png" alt="Pachirisu" /><br />
<strong>Pachirisu</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Poor<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has poor stats overall and a shallow movepool.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/223.png" alt="Remoraid" /><br />
<strong>Remoraid</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game and has below average offensive stats.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/452.png" alt="Riolu" /><br />
<strong>Riolu</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Obtained too late in the game and at too low of a level.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/413.png" alt="Shieldon" /><br />
<strong>Shieldon</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has below average offensive stats and a terrible typing.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/456.png" alt="Skorupi" /><br />
<strong>Skorupi</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game and has a shallow movepool.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/215.png" alt="Sneasel" /><br />
<strong>Sneasel</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Above average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game and has a shallow movepool.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/464.png" alt="Snover" /><br />
<strong>Snover</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game and has an ability that hinders the rest of the team.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/447.png" alt="Spiritomb" /><br />
<strong>Spiritomb</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Average<br />
Movepool: Shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Very hard to obtain since it can only be caught once 32 people have been talked to in the underground over Wi-Fi.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/72.png" alt="Tentacool" /><br />
<strong>Tentacool</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/175.png" alt="Togepi" /><br />
<strong>Togepi</strong><br />
Availability: Late<br />
Stats: Below average<br />
Movepool: Decent<br />
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game and obtained as an egg. Is also very hard to evolve.</p>
<p><img src="/download/sprites/dp/265.png" alt="Wurmple" /><br />
<strong>Wurmple</strong><br />
Availability: Early<br />
Stats: Poor<br />
Movepool: Very shallow<br />
Additional Comments: Has poor stats overall and has a shallow movepool.</p>
