Generation VIII
Best Team for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond is a faithful Switch remake of Diamond, preserving the original Sinnoh storyline with updated 3D visuals and the Grand Underground fossil Pokémon system. All 493 Pokémon are obtainable in the post-game.
Recommended Team
Infernape
Fire / Fighting — Starter
Chimchar is the recommended Brilliant Diamond starter; Infernape's mixed offensive stats allow it to run both Flare Blitz and Close Combat for near-complete physical coverage.
Gyarados
Water / Flying — Dragon Dance Sweeper
Old Rod Magikarp south of Jubilife City; Gyarados arriving at level 20 with Intimidate is one of the strongest early-game Pokémon in BDSP.
Staraptor
Normal / Flying — Physical Attacker
Starly on Route 201 is available at the very start; Brave Bird + Close Combat provides two of the strongest physical moves available in Sinnoh.
Lucario
Fighting / Steel — Gifted Sweeper
Riley gives you a Riolu Egg on Iron Island (post-5th badge); Lucario's Aura Sphere and Close Combat sweep the Elite Four's Dark, Rock, and Steel types.
Roserade
Grass / Poison — Special Attacker
Budew on Route 204 evolves via friendship into Roselia; use a Shiny Stone for Roserade, which provides the team's best Grass-type special attacker.
Garchomp
Dragon / Ground — Champion Sweeper
Gible in Wayward Cave under Cycling Road (post-4th badge); Cynthia uses Garchomp in BDSP too — having your own lets you mirror and outspeed hers.
Tips & Notes
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BDSP is faithful to the original Diamond with minimal changes — Pokétch apps and the Underground are upgraded but the core game is the same.
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The Grand Underground lets you find Pokémon from multiple generations in Pokémon Hideaways — great for building your team before the Elite Four.
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Cynthia's Garchomp is level 62 in BDSP — ensure your team is at least level 58 before challenging the Champion.
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