Generation VIII

Best Team for Pokémon Shining Pearl

Pokémon Shining Pearl is the Pearl remake with the same faithful approach as Brilliant Diamond. Pearl-exclusive Pokémon include Palkia, Misdreavus, and Glameow/Purugly.

Recommended Team

Empoleon

Water / Steel — Starter

watersteel

Weak toelectric2×fighting2×ground2×

Piplup's Water/Steel typing gives Empoleon one of the best defensive type combinations in the game; Surf, Flash Cannon, and Ice Beam provide excellent special coverage through the entire Sinnoh journey.

Gyarados

Water / Flying — Physical Sweeper

waterflying

Weak toelectric4×rock2×

Old Rod Magikarp south of Jubilife City; Dragon Dance + Waterfall sweeps most of Sinnoh's Gym Leaders and Gyarados's high Attack pairs well with Empoleon's Special focus.

Staraptor

Normal / Flying — Physical Powerhouse

normalflying

Weak toelectric2×ice2×rock2×

Starly on Route 201; Brave Bird and Close Combat provide physical Flying and Fighting coverage that the rest of the team's special attackers can't replicate.

Lucario

Fighting / Steel — Coverage Sweeper

fightingsteel

Weak tofire2×fighting2×ground2×

Riolu Egg from Riley on Iron Island; Lucario's Close Combat handles the Rock and Dark types in Aaron's and Bertha's Elite Four teams.

Togekiss

Normal / Flying — Shiny Stone Evolution

fairyflying

Weak toelectric2×ice2×poison2×rock2×steel2×

Receive the Togepi Egg from Cynthia in Eterna City; evolve Togetic via friendship then use a Shiny Stone for Togekiss; Air Slash's flinch rate and Aura Sphere coverage are excellent for the late game.

Garchomp

Dragon / Ground — Ace

dragonground

Weak toice4×dragon2×fairy2×

Gible in Wayward Cave under Cycling Road; Cynthia's signature Garchomp in Shining Pearl must be answered with your own; Earthquake and Dragon Claw provide unresisted coverage.

Tips & Notes

→
Shining Pearl has Misdreavus/Mismagius as a version exclusive — Mismagius (via Dusk Stone) is one of the best Ghost-type special attackers in Sinnoh.
→
Togekiss requires both friendship evolution to Togetic and a Shiny Stone; collect Shiny Stones from the Grand Underground or sparkling spots on certain routes.
→
Pearl players can trade with Diamond players to fill version exclusives like Murkrow (Diamond) or Stunky (Diamond) if you want those types.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best team for Pokémon Shining Pearl?

The recommended team for Pokémon Shining Pearl is: Empoleon, Gyarados, Staraptor, Lucario, Togekiss, Garchomp. Pokémon Shining Pearl is the Pearl remake with the same faithful approach as Brilliant Diamond. Pearl-exclusive Pokémon include Palkia, Misdreavus, and Glameow/Purugly.

What starter should I choose in Pokémon Shining Pearl?

Empoleon (Water / Steel — Starter): Piplup's Water/Steel typing gives Empoleon one of the best defensive type combinations in the game; Surf, Flash Cannon, and Ice Beam provide excellent special coverage through the entire Sinnoh journey.

What tips should I know for Pokémon Shining Pearl?

Shining Pearl has Misdreavus/Mismagius as a version exclusive — Mismagius (via Dusk Stone) is one of the best Ghost-type special attackers in Sinnoh. Togekiss requires both friendship evolution to Togetic and a Shiny Stone; collect Shiny Stones from the Grand Underground or sparkling spots on certain routes. Pearl players can trade with Diamond players to fill version exclusives like Murkrow (Diamond) or Stunky (Diamond) if you want those types.

Build this team in PartyDex

Check movesets, type charts, evolution chains & encounter locations for every team member.

Open in PartyDex →

Pokémon Shining Pearl — Game Overview

Gym leaders, starters, Pokédex, and more

→