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How to Get the PokéRadar in Pokémon Platinum: Your Ultimate Guide

Acquiring the PokéRadar in Pokémon Platinum is essential for any trainer seeking to expand their collection with rare Pokémon or shiny variants. It’s your key to chaining Pokémon, a method that dramatically increases the odds of encountering specific species, including those elusive shiny sprites. To get it, you must defeat the Elite Four and the Champion, Cynthia, and then obtain the National Pokédex from Professor Oak in Sandgem Town. After this, Professor Elm in his lab will gift you the sought-after PokéRadar!

Unlocking the PokéRadar: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Gaining access to the PokéRadar isn’t as simple as picking it up early in the game. It requires dedication, strategy, and a fair amount of battling. Here’s a detailed walkthrough:

Conquer the Sinnoh League: Your primary objective is to defeat the Elite Four (Aaron, Bertha, Flint, and Lucian) and the Champion, Cynthia. This is no small feat, requiring a well-balanced team, strategic planning, and a good understanding of type matchups. Train diligently, gather powerful Pokémon, and prepare for a challenging gauntlet.
Claim Your Victory and Witness the Credits: Once you’ve triumphed over Cynthia, sit back and enjoy the end credits. This signifies the completion of the main storyline and unlocks new possibilities in the post-game.
Acquire the National Pokédex from Professor Oak: After the credits roll, head to Sandgem Town, where you started your adventure. Visit Professor Rowan’s lab. There, you’ll find Professor Oak, who will present you with the National Pokédex. This upgraded Pokédex expands your tracking capabilities to include all Pokémon species, not just those native to Sinnoh.
Professor Elm’s Gift: With the National Pokédex in hand, your next stop is Professor Elm’s lab. Find him within his lab, standing near the door. Talk to him and he’ll give you the PokéRadar.

Mastering the PokéRadar: Essential Tips and Tricks

Once you have the PokéRadar, it’s crucial to understand how to use it effectively. This device reveals patches of grass that might contain Pokémon, allowing you to chain encounters and increase your chances of finding rare or shiny Pokémon.

Finding a Suitable Location: The best places to use the PokéRadar are large, open areas with plenty of grass patches. Avoid areas with too many obstacles or different types of terrain, as these can break your chain.
Charging the PokéRadar: The PokéRadar needs to be charged before each use. You can charge it by walking 50 steps. Keep an eye on the radar in the lower right corner of the screen to see its charge level.
Activating the PokéRadar: Once charged, simply use the PokéRadar from your key items pocket. Patches of grass will shake, indicating the presence of a Pokémon.
Entering the Shaking Grass: Approach one of the shaking grass patches and walk into it to initiate a battle.
Maintaining the Chain: To maintain your chain, you must defeat or catch the Pokémon in the shaking grass. Then, recharge the PokéRadar and use it again. Select a patch of shaking grass that is at least four tiles away from your current position. The further away the patch, the higher the chance of maintaining the chain. Also, aim for patches that shake in the same way as the patch you just battled in to further increase the probability of continuing the chain.
Breaking the Chain: Be aware that certain events can break your chain, including encountering a different Pokémon species, entering a building, or the shaking grass not appearing after using the PokéRadar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the PokéRadar

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you understand and utilize the PokéRadar effectively:

FAQ 1: What exactly does the PokéRadar do?

The PokéRadar is a key item in Pokémon Platinum that allows you to find and chain Pokémon in specific areas. When activated, it reveals patches of grass that shake, indicating the presence of a Pokémon. By repeatedly encountering and defeating or catching the same Pokémon in these shaking patches, you can build a chain and increase your chances of encountering rare or shiny Pokémon.

FAQ 2: Is the PokéRadar necessary to complete the game?

No, the PokéRadar is not necessary to complete the main storyline of Pokémon Platinum. You can successfully beat the Elite Four and the Champion without ever obtaining or using the PokéRadar. However, it is essential for completing the National Pokédex and for hunting shiny Pokémon.

FAQ 3: Can I use the PokéRadar in any location?

You can only use the PokéRadar in areas with grass patches. It won’t work in caves, buildings, or on routes without grass. The best locations are large, open areas with plenty of accessible grass.

FAQ 4: How do I increase my chances of finding a shiny Pokémon using the PokéRadar?

The longer your chain, the higher the probability of encountering a shiny Pokémon. The odds of a shiny Pokémon appearing increase significantly as your chain length grows, with the best odds around a chain of 40 or more.

FAQ 5: What causes a chain to break?

Several factors can break a PokéRadar chain:

Encountering a different Pokémon species: You must battle and defeat or catch the same Pokémon each time to maintain the chain.
Entering a building or cave: Changing locations will reset the PokéRadar chain.
The shaking grass not appearing: Sometimes, the shaking grass won’t appear after using the PokéRadar. This also breaks the chain.
Leaving the area and returning: If you move too far away from the area where you started the chain, it might break.
Turning off the game: This will, obviously, reset your chain.

FAQ 6: What happens if I run out of Repels?

Repels are crucial for preventing random encounters and ensuring that you only encounter Pokémon through the PokéRadar. If you run out of Repels, you’ll likely encounter other Pokémon, breaking your chain. Always stock up on Repels before using the PokéRadar.

FAQ 7: Are there any specific Pokémon that are easier to chain than others?

Some Pokémon are easier to chain due to their habitat and encounter rate. Pokémon found in large, open areas with consistent grass patches, like Starly on Route 201 or Bidoof on Route 205, are often good choices for beginners.

FAQ 8: Can I use the PokéRadar to find Pokémon that are not normally found in the area?

No, the PokéRadar will only attract Pokémon that are already programmed to appear in that area. It won’t conjure up Pokémon from other regions or locations.

FAQ 9: Do weather conditions affect the PokéRadar?

While weather conditions might affect the specific Pokémon that appear in an area, they don’t directly affect the functionality of the PokéRadar. You can still use the PokéRadar in any weather condition, but the Pokémon you encounter may vary depending on the weather.

FAQ 10: Is it worth using the PokéRadar to find rare Pokémon?

Yes, the PokéRadar is a valuable tool for finding rare Pokémon. While it requires patience and persistence, the increased encounter rate and potential for shiny Pokémon make it a worthwhile endeavor for dedicated trainers.

FAQ 11: How many steps do I need to take to recharge the PokéRadar fully?

You need to take 50 steps to fully recharge the PokéRadar after each use. Keep an eye on the radar in the lower-right corner of the screen to monitor its charge level.

FAQ 12: What is the best way to choose a shaking patch to maintain a chain?

Choose a shaking patch that is at least four tiles away from your current position, and that shakes in the same way as the patch where you encountered the previous Pokémon in the chain. The further away the patch and the more similar the shaking, the higher the chance of maintaining the chain.