Pokemon Diamond and Pearl introduced a lot of cool Pokemon to the series. With new evolutions, exclusive typing, and important Legendary Pokemon the games brought a lot to the table. With the release of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, a lot of new and long-time fans will be able to catch these Pokemon in the region they first appeared.
While many if not all have been available in recent games it is still cool to be able to get a feel for them in the region they originated from. Sinnoh is also full of lore for the Pokemon franchise. Some of the most important Pokemon stories will likely be told ace again in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's stories.
Garchomp For the Carry
Garchomp is the Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon for Gen 4, and one of the strongest non-Legendary Pokemon that players could get. Its Sand Veil ability makes it a powerful Pokemon for teams built around sandstorm, even today. This, combined with its Dragon-type STAB with Outrage, alongside high speed and attack stats, made it an incredible Pokemon for players to incorporate into their party in Diamond and Pearl.
Garchomp also boasts one of Pokemon’s cooler designs. As a dual-type Ground and Dragon Pokemon, Garchomp was given sharp features across its body. The Pokemon’s sprite is very reminiscent of a hammerhead or dinosaur giving it the appearance of a land shark.
Lucario As A Fighter
Lucario’s canid design and dual-Fighting and Steel-type have long made it a fan favorite Pokemon. While traditionally these types often favor physical attacks, its stats favor special abilities. This made Lucario synonymous with moves like Aura Sphere early on, and has enabled it to be a Pokemon that can flex between the two if necessary.
Despite its popularity and flexibility, Lucario is a bit difficult to obtain in the games. The only way to get it in the original release of Diamond and Pearl was by evolving Riolu. This could only be done after hatching an egg that the player receives from Riley on Iron Island. While many fans are probably looking forward to once again being able to raise their Riolu, hopefully there will be simpler or more streamlined ways to obtain the Pokemon in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Froslass and Rotom For Ghosts
Froslass and Rotom have two of the most unique typings in all of Pokemon and were both introduced in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. While both are dual-type Ghost Pokemon, Froslass is the only Ghost and Ice-type Pokemon to have been released so far, while Rotom is the only Ghost and Electric-type Pokemon. As impressive as their exclusivity is, their designs and mechanics add more to their intrigue.
Froslass evolves from Snorunt who was added with its evolution Glalie in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. While either male or female Snorunt can evolve into Glalie, only a female Snorunt can evolve into Froslass. To get Froslass, players to need to use a Dawn stone on Snorunt to evolve the Pokemon. While Froslass' stats are solidly mid-tier, it can fill out a bit of a glass cannon role against Psychic, Dragon, and other Ghost Pokemon.
Rotom trades an evolutionary line for an array of unique form that it can take. While in its regular form, it retains the dual-Ghost and Electric typing but its other forms drop Ghost in exchange for either Fire, Water, Grass, Flying, or Ice. Rotom’s form changes also alters its stats from its base form and what attack types it is resistant to and weak to.
These forms can be great for diversifying a player’s team or just exploring different options when it comes to using Rotom’s learned moves. While the Pokemon might not be unique for having forms, as many Pokemon in the series have had them, it is a mechanic that feels unique based on how much of the Pokemon changes in these forms.
Darkrai As A Special Sweeper
Darkrai’s design and power have made it a go-to Pokemon for many players for years. The Dark-type Mythical Pokemon was the first of its kind, and included some of Pokemon’s more alarming lore pieces. Its pure typing can be a weakness when facing Pokemon like Lucario, but its strength comes from the Pokemon’s speed and special attack.
With moves like Dark Pulse, Dream Eater, Dark Void, and Nasty Plot at its disposal, Darkrai has the potential to sweep through enemy teams with minimal effort. As a Mythical Pokemon, it was one of the many event exclusives when Gen 4’s games were initially released, and needed a Member Card to be obtained without glitches. With how much the series has expanded access to Pokemon through features like Pokemon Home, there will hopefully be a more direct way to obtain Darkrai in the remakes this fall.
Spiritomb For A Wall
Spiritomb is another Pokemon that is somewhat mid-tier, but its typing continues to help it be one of the best Pokemon that fans can get in the Sinnoh region. While there are some convoluted steps to catching the Spiritomb, the dual-type Ghost and Dark Pokemon is immune to Normal, Psychic, and Fighting-type attacks, while it is only weak to Fairy-type moves. Its strong defense can also make it a decent wall in more competitive battles after getting some decent moves and IVs from Pokemon breeding.
Getting Spiritomb in Gen 4 can be a bit cumbersome, though. Players will require an Odd Keystone that has to be put into the Hallowed Tower, before they interact with other players in the Underground, a total of 32 times. With the remakes looking to be true to the originals, it is likely that players will still have to go through these steps each time to reactivate the encounter. After the first time, an easier method will likely be hatching eggs after some Pokemon breeding at the Pokemon Day Care.
Leafeon and Glaceon For Eeveelutions
There was a time when Pokemon fans believed that the community would get new Eeveelutions every other generation or so. With the additions in Gen 2, Gen 4, and Gen 6 it seemed like this was true, but so far there have been no new evolutions for Eevee in Pokemon Sword and Shield. While this may be disappointing for some, the return to Sinnoh will introduce players to the first region that Glaceon and Leafeon were introduced.
At the time of their introduction, their evolution mechanics made use of Mossy and Icey Rocks found in the region, instead of the evolutionary stones that they currently use. This meant that Eevee needed to be leveled up in a certain area to evolve into either Leafeon or Glaceon. The pure typing of both Eeveelutions gives them access to their respective type’s STAB, and allowed them to be a part of viable monotype set-ups in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl.
While the games have continued to evolve since Gen 4, many Pokemon like the Eeveelutions will likely see their popularity increase in the remakes. Nostalgia will likely fuel some urges to have teams that resemble what fans remember as kids but if Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have a similarly limited Pokedex like Pokemon Sword and Shield did then there is plenty of room for more off-meta Pokemon like Bidoof and Whooper to catch some of the spotlight this fall.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will release on November 19, 2021, for Nintendo Switch.