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

firefighting

Weak towater2×ground2×flying2×psychic2×

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

waterflying

Weak toelectric4×rock2×

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

normalflying

Weak toelectric2×ice2×rock2×

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

fightingsteel

Weak tofire2×fighting2×ground2×

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

grasspoison

Weak tofire2×ice2×flying2×psychic2×

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

dragonground

Weak toice4×dragon2×fairy2×

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best team for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond?

The recommended team for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond is: Infernape, Gyarados, Staraptor, Lucario, Roserade, Garchomp. 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.

What starter should I choose in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond?

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.

What tips should I know for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond?

BDSP is faithful to the original Diamond with minimal changes — Pokétch apps and the Underground are upgraded but the core game is the same. The Grand Underground lets you find Pokémon from multiple generations in Pokémon Hideaways — great for building your team before the Elite Four. Cynthia's Garchomp is level 62 in BDSP — ensure your team is at least level 58 before challenging the Champion.

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Pokémon Brilliant Diamond — Game Overview

Gym leaders, starters, Pokédex, and more

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