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How to Catch Spiritomb in Pokémon Platinum: A Veteran Trainer’s Guide

So, you’re after Spiritomb in Pokémon Platinum? A creature born of 108 spirits bound to an Odd Keystone, it’s no walk in the park to obtain. Getting your hands on this Ghost/Dark type requires patience, persistence, and a bit of understanding of the game’s mechanics. The core method revolves around the Hallowed Tower on Route 209, the Odd Keystone, and, crucially, interacting with other players in the Underground.

The Steps to Spiritomb Summoning

Here’s the breakdown in a nutshell:

Obtain the Odd Keystone: Find it on Route 209 in the Hallowed Tower or obtain it from a Black Belt trainer on Route 208.
Place the Odd Keystone: Interact with the Hallowed Tower on Route 209 and choose to insert the Odd Keystone.
Descend into the Underground: Enter the Underground using the Explorer Kit.
Interact with Other Players: This is the crucial step. You must speak with 32 unique NPCs within the Underground. These can be either human players via local wireless or Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (which is no longer supported, more on that later).
Return to the Hallowed Tower: After fulfilling the requirement of 32 unique NPC interactions, return to the Hallowed Tower on Route 209.
Battle and Catch Spiritomb: If everything has been done correctly, Spiritomb will now appear when you interact with the Hallowed Tower. Prepare for a tough battle – it’s a one-time encounter!

Digging Deeper: A Detailed Walkthrough

Now, let’s break down each of these steps in more detail. Remember, patience is key. This isn’t a quick and easy catch!

Securing the Odd Keystone

The Odd Keystone is the cornerstone of your Spiritomb hunt. There are two primary methods of obtaining it:

Hallowed Tower: Head to Route 209 and you’ll find the Hallowed Tower – a crumbling structure near the center of the route. Examine the tower’s base, and you’ll discover the Odd Keystone.
Black Belt Trainer: Alternatively, a Black Belt trainer standing on Route 208 will give you the Odd Keystone. This is a great option if you’re struggling to find the interactable spot at the Hallowed Tower.

The Hallowed Tower Ritual

Once you have the Odd Keystone, return to the Hallowed Tower on Route 209. Interact with the tower, and you’ll be prompted to insert the Odd Keystone. Confirm your choice. This is the first step in awakening Spiritomb.

Diving into the Underground

Now, grab your Explorer Kit and head down into the Underground. This is where the real challenge begins. The Underground is a network of tunnels beneath the Sinnoh region where you can mine for treasure, set up your Secret Base, and, most importantly, interact with other players (or, in this case, their NPC representations).

The Infamous 32 NPCs: The Heart of the Challenge

This is where many trainers get stuck. The requirement to interact with 32 unique NPCs is the crux of the Spiritomb encounter. Why 32? Because 32 is a power of 2, specifically 2 to the 5th power, which is 100000 in binary. This relates directly to 108 in binary because 108 = 64 + 32 + 8 + 4. The 64, 8, and 4 are just easter eggs because Spiritomb’s stats always add up to these numbers.

Unfortunately, due to the closure of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for the Nintendo DS, directly interacting with other players online is no longer possible in the original Pokémon Platinum. This leaves you with a couple of alternatives:

Local Wireless: If you have access to other Nintendo DS consoles with Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum, you can connect locally and enter the Underground together. Each player will contribute towards the 32 NPC count.
Repeat Encounters: This is the unfortunate reality for most modern players. You can still encounter NPCs in the Underground even if you’re playing solo. However, you must repeatedly enter and exit the Underground to respawn these NPCs. This can be extremely time-consuming. Talk to every single NPC you find, exit, and re-enter to reset them. Keep track of how many you have encountered, and if they are unique.

The Return and the Showdown

Once you’ve painstakingly interacted with 32 unique NPCs in the Underground, return to the Hallowed Tower on Route 209. Interact with the tower, and you’ll trigger a battle with Spiritomb!

Spiritomb is Level 25, so make sure you have Pokémon that can withstand its attacks. Bring a Pokémon with False Swipe to whittle down its health without knocking it out, and pack plenty of Ultra Balls or Dusk Balls for optimal capture chances. Consider status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis to further increase your odds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I get Spiritomb if I don’t have anyone to trade with or connect with locally?

Unfortunately, without local wireless, you’re stuck with the grueling task of repeatedly entering and exiting the Underground to find enough unique NPCs. It’s tedious, but possible.

2. How do I know if I’ve spoken to 32 unique NPCs?

There’s no in-game counter. You’ll have to keep track yourself. Use a notepad or spreadsheet to avoid losing count!

3. Does it matter what the NPCs say?

No, the content of their dialogue is irrelevant. All that matters is that you interact with them.

4. Are the NPCs in the Underground always in the same location?

No, the NPCs spawn randomly in different locations throughout the Underground. Explore thoroughly each time you enter.

5. Can I soft reset for a better nature or IVs on Spiritomb?

Yes! Spiritomb‘s stats are determined when the battle begins. You can save before interacting with the Hallowed Tower and soft reset (L+R+Start+Select) if you’re not happy with its nature or Individual Values (IVs).

6. What is the best strategy for catching Spiritomb?

Use a Pokémon with False Swipe to bring it down to 1 HP, then inflict a status condition like Sleep or Paralysis. Use Dusk Balls at night or in caves for increased catch rate.

7. Is Spiritomb a good Pokémon to use in battle?

Spiritomb has solid defensive stats and a unique typing that leaves it with only one weakness: Fairy. However, its offensive stats are lackluster. It can be a decent wall or support Pokémon, but don’t expect it to be a powerhouse attacker.

8. Can I get more than one Spiritomb in Pokémon Platinum?

No. Spiritomb is a one-time encounter. Once you’ve caught it, you can’t get another one through this method. You would need to trade with another player or breed a Spiritomb in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

9. Does the time of day affect the Spiritomb encounter?

No, the time of day does not affect the Spiritomb encounter. It will appear whenever you interact with the Hallowed Tower after meeting the NPC requirement.

10. Is it possible to encounter Spiritomb shiny in Pokémon Platinum?

Yes, Spiritomb can be shiny. The odds are the standard 1 in 8192 (or 1 in 4096 if you’re playing on a ROM with modified shiny odds).

11. Does the “talk to 32 players in the underground” requirement apply to Pokémon Diamond and Pearl?

Yes, this requirement is exactly the same in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.

12. Are there any other rare Pokémon encounters with unique requirements in Pokémon Platinum?

Yes, another notable example is Manaphy. To obtain Manaphy, you must receive a Manaphy Egg from Pokémon Ranger and transfer it to your copy of Pokémon Platinum. This can be an extra challenge for players wanting to complete their Pokedex.

So there you have it: a comprehensive guide to capturing the elusive Spiritomb in Pokémon Platinum. It’s a challenging task, especially in the modern era without readily available online connections, but the satisfaction of adding this unique Pokémon to your team is well worth the effort. Good luck, trainer!