Introduction to Pokémon Battles: To Pokemon

Learn the fundamentals of Pokemon battles in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Discover how to start battles, understand battle flow, options, and outcomes.

There are two ways to start a Pokémon battle in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: encountering wild Pokémon in areas like tall grass or caves, or engaging in Trainer Battles with NPCs. Some trainers, like Gym Leaders, will only battle when spoken to directly.

Regardless of the opponent, battle mechanics remain consistent. When a battle begins, your first Pokémon in the party is sent out automatically, unless it has fainted. Battles are turn-based, with both you and your opponent selecting one action per turn. While there's no time limit in single-player, multiplayer battles do have one.

Battle Options

During a battle, you have four main options:

1. Fight: Select one of your Pokémon's learned moves. Each move has a PP (Power Points) value indicating its usage count. Press the Y Button to view move descriptions.
2. Pokémon: Access your party to check stats or switch your current Pokémon. Switching can be strategic but grants the opponent a free turn.
3. Bag: Use items like potions to heal HP or status conditions, or use battle items to gain an advantage.
4. Run: Attempt to escape the battle. This is only possible in wild and multiplayer battles, not against NPC trainers. Escape may fail if your Pokémon's Speed is too low.

Battle Outcomes

The Pokémon with the higher Speed stat typically moves first, though priority moves like Quick Attack can alter this. Switching Pokémon or using items always takes priority over moves. When a Pokémon's HP reaches 0, it faints. In trainer battles, the trainer must send out another Pokémon; if they have none left, they lose. Defeating or capturing a wild Pokémon ends the battle.

All your Pokémon earn experience points (EXP) after a battle, with those participating earning more. Gaining enough EXP leads to a Level Up, increasing stats and potentially learning new moves or evolving. Defeating trainers also rewards you with money.