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How to Obtain the Coveted National Dex in Pokémon Platinum: A Trainer’s Guide

So, you’re ready to embark on a journey beyond the borders of Sinnoh and expand your Pokémon collection to legendary proportions? Obtaining the National Pokédex in Pokémon Platinum is the key to unlocking this expanded world, opening up access to a plethora of new Pokémon and areas. Here’s the definitive answer: To get the National Dex in Pokémon Platinum, you must see all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Pokédex. You don’t need to catch them all, simply seeing them is sufficient. After you’ve accomplished this, speak to Professor Rowan at his lab in Sandgem Town. He will then upgrade your Pokédex to the National Dex!

Unlocking the World: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Acquiring the National Dex isn’t just a matter of completing a checklist; it’s a rite of passage for any aspiring Pokémon Master. Let’s delve into the specifics:

1. Completing the Sinnoh Dex: Seeing is Believing

Your primary goal is to see all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Dex. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to battle and capture each one (although, where’s the fun in that?). Here’s how you can approach this crucial task:

Battles with Trainers: A significant number of Pokémon can be added to your Pokédex simply by battling trainers throughout the Sinnoh region. Pay attention to the Pokémon they use, as these encounters will automatically register them in your Pokédex.
Roaming Encounters: Explore every route, cave, and body of water. Utilize the Pokétch’s Marking Map to track the locations of roaming Pokémon like Mesprit and Cresselia, which are essential for completing your Dex.
Trading and Battling with Friends: If you have access to another copy of Pokémon Platinum, Diamond, or Pearl, trading and battling with friends is an efficient way to see Pokémon you might be having difficulty finding yourself.
Gym Leaders and Elite Four: Rematches with Gym Leaders and battles against the Elite Four present excellent opportunities to see evolved forms of Pokémon that might be rarer in the wild.

2. Reporting to Professor Rowan

Once you’ve confirmed that you’ve seen all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Dex (check your Pokédex carefully!), it’s time to return to Professor Rowan at his lab in Sandgem Town. He will be surprised and impressed by your dedication to cataloging the local Pokémon.

3. The National Dex Upgrade

After a brief conversation where Rowan and Professor Oak discuss your achievement, Rowan will upgrade your Pokédex to the National Dex. This unlocks a massive expansion, allowing you to encounter and capture hundreds of new Pokémon from previous generations, including fan favorites like Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.

4. The Aftermath: Exploring the Expanded World

With the National Dex in hand, a whole new world of possibilities opens up:

New Pokémon Encounters: Previously unavailable Pokémon will now begin appearing in the wild. Use online resources and guides to pinpoint their locations.
Pal Park: This facility, located on Route 221, allows you to transfer Pokémon from your Game Boy Advance Pokémon games (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen) into Platinum. Note that you can only transfer six Pokémon per day.
Stunning Evolution Stones: The access to many new Pokemon species, also means access to many new evolution stones and other species-specific items.
Trainer Card Upgrade: Your Trainer Card will reflect your expanded collection, showcasing your prowess as a dedicated Pokémon Trainer.

Mastering the National Dex: Advanced Tips

While obtaining the National Dex is a significant accomplishment, truly mastering it requires a deeper understanding of Pokémon Platinum’s mechanics.

Utilizing the Pokétch Effectively

The Pokétch, especially with the Marking Map App, is indispensable. Use it to track roaming Pokémon and mark areas of interest for future exploration. Also, the Day-Care Checker App can be useful for keeping track of Pokémon that you are breeding to fill out your Dex.

Breeding for Completion

Breeding Pokémon is an excellent way to obtain base forms of evolution lines that might be difficult to find in the wild. Combine this with trading to expand your Pokédex efficiently.

Leveraging Online Resources

Numerous online resources, including websites and forums, offer detailed information on Pokémon locations, encounter rates, and breeding strategies. Don’t hesitate to utilize these resources to streamline your Pokédex completion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you further understand the National Dex in Pokémon Platinum:

Do I need to catch all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Dex, or just see them?
You only need to see all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Dex to unlock the National Dex. Catching them isn’t required, although it certainly helps in confirming that you’ve seen them!
Which Pokémon are the hardest to see in the Sinnoh Dex?
Roaming Pokémon like Mesprit and Cresselia can be challenging to track down. Also, version-exclusive Pokémon (e.g., Stunky and Skuntank in Diamond) might require trading or battling with someone who owns the opposite version.
Can I get the National Dex before beating the Elite Four?
Yes, you can obtain the National Dex before defeating the Elite Four. The requirement is simply seeing all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Dex, regardless of your progress in the main storyline.
What happens after I get the National Dex?
After obtaining the National Dex, new Pokémon will start appearing in the wild, and you’ll gain access to the Pal Park, where you can transfer Pokémon from your Game Boy Advance games.
Is there a reward for completing the National Dex entirely?
While there isn’t a specific in-game reward for completing the entire National Dex, showing a complete National Dex to Professor Oak will earn you congratulations and acknowledgment of your monumental achievement. Some might argue that the true reward is the sense of accomplishment!
Where is the Pal Park located?

The Pal Park is located on Route 221, accessible after obtaining the National Dex. You’ll need to surf south from Sandgem Town to reach it.
How do I transfer Pokémon from my Game Boy Advance games using the Pal Park?
You’ll need a Nintendo DS or DS Lite, as well as a Game Boy Advance cartridge of a compatible Pokémon game (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, or LeafGreen). Insert the GBA cartridge into the GBA slot of your DS, then visit the Pal Park in Platinum to begin the transfer process. You can only transfer six Pokémon per day.
Are there any Pokémon that I can only get after obtaining the National Dex?
Yes, many Pokémon, including the Sinnoh starters in certain locations, become available only after receiving the National Dex.
Does trading Pokémon from Diamond or Pearl affect my Sinnoh Dex completion in Platinum?
Yes, trading Pokémon from Diamond or Pearl can help you complete your Sinnoh Dex. Seeing Pokémon in trades counts towards your total.
What are some effective strategies for finding rare Pokémon after getting the National Dex?
Utilize the Pokétch’s Marking Map and online resources to pinpoint the locations of rare Pokémon. Consider using items like Honey on Honey Trees to attract specific species. Patience and persistence are key!
Is it worth completing the National Dex?
For dedicated Pokémon collectors, completing the National Dex is a rewarding challenge that unlocks a vast array of new content and solidifies your status as a true Pokémon Master. However, it’s a significant time investment, so weigh your priorities accordingly.
Can I still get the National Dex if I have version-exclusive Pokémon missing from my Sinnoh Dex?
Yes, you can! Trading is the key. Find a friend who has the opposite version, or utilize online communities to arrange trades and fill the gaps in your Dex. Don’t forget that battling them in-game will also register the pokemon.

Obtaining the National Dex in Pokémon Platinum is a testament to your dedication and skill as a Pokémon Trainer. It opens up a world of new possibilities, challenges, and rewards. So, get out there, explore the Sinnoh region, and embark on the ultimate Pokémon collecting adventure!