Top Ground, Psychic & Ghost Pokémon In Brilliant Diamond
Are you diving into the world of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and looking to assemble a powerful team? Ground, Psychic, and Ghost-type Pokémon can add some serious strategic depth to your lineup. These types are known for their unique strengths and weaknesses, making them valuable assets in battles against the Elite Four and beyond. This guide will walk you through some of the best Ground, Psychic, and Ghost-type Pokémon you can find in Brilliant Diamond, giving you the edge you need to become a Pokémon Champion.
Ground-Type Pokémon: The Stalwart Defenders
Ground-type Pokémon are known for their strong physical attacks and impressive defense. They're immune to Electric-type moves, which is a huge advantage, and are super effective against Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel-type Pokémon. However, they're weak against Water, Grass, and Ice-type attacks, so you’ll need to balance your team accordingly. Let's explore some of the best Ground-types in Brilliant Diamond.
Garchomp: The Pseudo-Legendary Powerhouse
When it comes to Ground-type Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond, Garchomp is undoubtedly one of the top choices. This Dragon/Ground-type Pokémon boasts an incredible Attack stat, making it a formidable physical attacker. Garchomp's dual typing also gives it access to powerful Dragon-type moves, adding to its versatility. Its high Speed stat ensures that it often attacks first, giving you a significant advantage in battles.
To get a Garchomp, you’ll need to catch a Gible in the Wayward Cave, which is located under Cycling Road. Gible evolves into Gabite at level 24, and Gabite evolves into Garchomp at level 48. This may take some time and effort, but the payoff is well worth it. Garchomp’s stats and movepool make it a powerhouse in both the main storyline and competitive battles.
Consider teaching your Garchomp moves like Earthquake (a powerful Ground-type move), Dragon Claw (a strong Dragon-type move), and Stone Edge (for coverage against Flying-types). A well-trained Garchomp can sweep through entire teams, making it an invaluable addition to your roster. Garchomp’s prowess in battle makes it a must-have for any serious trainer aiming to conquer the challenges of Brilliant Diamond.
Hippowdon: The Sand Stream Setter
If you're looking for a Ground-type Pokémon with exceptional bulk and the ability to control the weather, Hippowdon is an excellent choice. Hippowdon's Sand Stream ability summons a sandstorm upon entering battle, which boosts the Special Defense of Rock-type Pokémon and deals damage to opponents who aren't Ground, Rock, or Steel-type. This can be a game-changer in battles where weather effects play a crucial role.
Hippowdon's high HP and Defense stats make it a sturdy tank, capable of withstanding heavy hits. Its Attack stat is also respectable, allowing it to dish out significant damage with Ground-type moves like Earthquake and High Horsepower. Hippowdon is particularly useful in double battles, where its Sand Stream ability can benefit your entire team.
To obtain a Hippowdon, you'll need to catch a Hippopotas in the Ruin Maniac Cave. Hippopotas evolves into Hippowdon at level 30. Training a Hippowdon can be a rewarding experience, as it provides both offensive and defensive capabilities to your team. Its strategic utility, combined with its sheer resilience, makes Hippowdon a top-tier Ground-type in Brilliant Diamond.
Other Notable Ground-Types
While Garchomp and Hippowdon are standout choices, there are other Ground-type Pokémon that can be valuable additions to your team. Pokémon like Mamoswine (Ground/Ice), Steelix (Steel/Ground), and Rhyperior (Ground/Rock) offer unique type combinations and movepools that can help you cover a variety of matchups. Exploring these options can lead to a more diverse and well-rounded team.
Psychic-Type Pokémon: The Masters of Mind
Psychic-type Pokémon are known for their high Special Attack and Special Defense stats. They are strong against Fighting and Poison-type Pokémon but weak against Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type attacks. Psychic-types often have access to powerful special moves that can turn the tide of battle. Let's take a look at some of the best Psychic-type Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond.
Alakazam: The Swift Special Attacker
When it comes to sheer special attacking prowess, Alakazam is a force to be reckoned with. Its Special Attack stat is among the highest in the game, allowing it to unleash devastating Psychic-type moves like Psychic and Psyshock. Alakazam's Speed stat is also exceptional, ensuring that it often attacks first, making it a potent sweeper.
To get an Alakazam, you’ll need to trade a Kadabra while it’s holding a Linking Cord. Kadabra evolves from Abra at level 16, but trading it is essential to obtaining Alakazam. This can be a bit of a challenge, but the effort is worth it for such a powerful Pokémon. Alakazam's ability, Magic Guard, protects it from indirect damage, such as poison or burns, adding to its durability in battles.
Consider teaching your Alakazam moves like Shadow Ball (for coverage against Ghost-types) and Focus Blast (for Fighting-types). A well-trained Alakazam can dismantle opposing teams with its speed and special attack power. Alakazam’s ability to strike quickly and powerfully makes it a top-tier Psychic-type in Brilliant Diamond.
Espeon: The Sun-Powered Psychic
Espeon, an evolution of Eevee, is another excellent Psychic-type choice in Brilliant Diamond. Espeon boasts a high Special Attack stat and a good Speed stat, making it a reliable special sweeper. Its ability, Synchronize, can be useful for inflicting status conditions on opponents, adding a strategic element to battles.
To evolve Eevee into Espeon, you’ll need to raise its friendship to a high level during the daytime and then level it up. This requires some dedication, but Espeon's performance in battle makes it a worthwhile endeavor. Espeon's movepool includes powerful Psychic-type moves like Psychic and Psyshock, as well as coverage moves like Shadow Ball and Dazzling Gleam.
Espeon is particularly effective in teams that can set up Sunny Day, as its Special Attack is boosted in sunlight. Its versatility and offensive capabilities make it a valuable asset to any team. Espeon's combination of speed, special attack, and strategic utility make it a top-tier Psychic-type in Brilliant Diamond.
Other Notable Psychic-Types
Beyond Alakazam and Espeon, there are other Psychic-type Pokémon that can contribute to your team. Pokémon like Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy) and Bronzong (Steel/Psychic) offer unique type combinations and abilities that can be advantageous in different situations. Exploring these options can help you create a more balanced and effective team.
Ghost-Type Pokémon: The Ethereal Fighters
Ghost-type Pokémon are known for their unique immunities and offensive capabilities. They are immune to Normal and Fighting-type moves, which can be a significant advantage in battles. Ghost-types are strong against Ghost and Psychic-type Pokémon but weak against Ghost and Dark-type attacks. Let's explore some of the best Ghost-types in Brilliant Diamond.
Gengar: The Speedy Special Sweeper
Gengar is a classic Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon known for its high Special Attack and Speed stats. This makes it an excellent special sweeper, capable of dealing significant damage before opponents can react. Gengar's dual typing gives it access to powerful Ghost and Poison-type moves, as well as coverage moves that can hit a variety of opponents.
To get a Gengar, you’ll need to trade a Haunter. Haunter evolves from Gastly at level 25, but trading it is necessary to obtain Gengar. This can be a bit of a hurdle, but Gengar's performance in battle is well worth the effort. Gengar's ability, Levitate, gives it immunity to Ground-type moves, further enhancing its defensive capabilities.
Consider teaching your Gengar moves like Shadow Ball (a powerful Ghost-type move), Sludge Bomb (a strong Poison-type move), and Thunderbolt (for coverage against Water-types). A well-trained Gengar can sweep through teams with its speed and special attack prowess. Gengar’s combination of speed, special attack, and strategic utility makes it a top-tier Ghost-type in Brilliant Diamond.
Spiritomb: The Dual-Typed Enigma
Spiritomb, a Ghost/Dark-type Pokémon, is unique for its lack of weaknesses (excluding Fairy-type after the introduction of Fairy-types in later generations). This makes it a challenging opponent to deal with, as it resists several common types and is immune to Normal, Fighting, and Psychic-type moves. Spiritomb's balanced stats make it a versatile addition to any team.
To obtain a Spiritomb, you’ll need to interact with the Odd Keystone at the Hallowed Tower on Route 209. This involves placing the Odd Keystone in the tower and then interacting with 32 different NPCs in the Underground. This process can be time-consuming, but Spiritomb's unique typing and abilities make it a worthwhile catch.
Spiritomb's movepool includes powerful Ghost and Dark-type moves like Shadow Ball and Dark Pulse, as well as coverage moves that can hit a variety of opponents. Its strategic versatility and resilience make it a top-tier Ghost-type in Brilliant Diamond. Spiritomb’s unique typing and strategic capabilities make it an invaluable asset for any trainer.
Other Notable Ghost-Types
Besides Gengar and Spiritomb, other Ghost-type Pokémon can be valuable additions to your team. Pokémon like Dusknoir (Ghost) and Drifblim (Ghost/Flying) offer unique abilities and movepools that can help you cover a variety of matchups. Exploring these options can lead to a more diverse and well-rounded team.
Building Your Team: Synergies and Strategies
When building your team in Brilliant Diamond, it’s essential to consider type matchups and move coverage. A well-balanced team should have Pokémon that can cover each other's weaknesses and exploit opponent's vulnerabilities. Combining Ground, Psychic, and Ghost-type Pokémon can create a formidable lineup that can handle a variety of challenges.
For example, pairing a Ground-type like Garchomp with a Psychic-type like Alakazam provides both physical and special attacking power. Adding a Ghost-type like Gengar gives you access to powerful Ghost-type moves and an immunity to Normal and Fighting-type attacks. Experiment with different combinations and strategies to find what works best for your playstyle.
Conclusion
Incorporating Ground, Psychic, and Ghost-type Pokémon into your team can significantly enhance your battling capabilities in Brilliant Diamond. From the powerful Garchomp to the swift Alakazam and the enigmatic Spiritomb, these Pokémon offer a range of strengths and strategic advantages. By carefully selecting and training these Pokémon, you'll be well-equipped to take on the Elite Four and become a Pokémon Champion.
For more in-depth information about Pokémon types and strategies, consider visiting the official Pokémon website. Happy training!
