Defeat Palkia, a Dragon/Water type with a weakness to Dragon moves, in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky. Learn strategies and prepare for Dark Crater.
Palkia is a Dragon/Water type Pokémon. Its only weakness is to the Dragon type, though it takes reduced damage from Steel (1/2) and Water/Fire (1/4). All other types deal neutral damage. Palkia possesses the Pressure ability, which increases PP usage per attack, and the Intimidator IQ Skill, which can block foe-in-front moves.
The primary attack to watch out for is Spacial Rend, a dangerous move similar to Roar of Time but without a recharge time. Your strategy should involve utilizing status seeds and moves, and attacking from a distance with Dragon or neutral damaging moves if possible.
After defeating Palkia, you will enter a nightmare where Palkia, initially believing you caused a space distortion, becomes enraged. The real Cresselia intervenes, revealing that Darkrai, disguised as Cresselia, is the true cause of the space distortions and has been manipulating events to isolate and eliminate you. Darkrai challenges you to a battle in Dark Crater.
Back in Treasure Town, Cresselia explains that Darkrai operates in dreams and that while you do cause a small space distortion, it is not the cause of the current crisis. Cresselia will accompany you to Dark Crater for the confrontation with Darkrai.
- Talk to Cresselia when ready to go to Dark Crater.
- 1Prepare your party by using any Proteins or Gummies from storage before entering a dungeon and returning.
- 2Obtain any useful Croagunk-Shop items.
- 3Bring approximately ten Reviver Seeds, or more if you are weak against Fire types.
- 4Consider Sentry duty if you need more Reviver Seeds or similar items.
- 5Teach at least one party member a room-wide move.
- 6Bring a few Sleep Seeds, which are commonly found in Beach Cave.
- 7Remember that Dark Crater is a Fire-themed dungeon.
- 8Speak to Cresselia to travel to Dark Crater.
Dark Crater Dungeon Details:
- Dark Crater: 15 floors + 1 breather room.
- Deep Dark Crater: 14 floors + end of dungeon.
- Dominant Type(s): Fire.
Cresselia's Stats (as an ally):
- Level: 47
- Type: Psychic
- Weaknesses: Dark, Bug, Ghost (takes double damage).
- Moves: Confusion (Psychic, may confuse), Aurora Beam (Ice?), Slash (Normal), Double Team (raises evasion).
Pokémon Type Matchups for Dark Crater:
- Fire-type Pokémon (e.g., Charmander, Cyndaquil, Torchic, Magmortar, Flareon, Ponyta, Growlithe, Torkoal): Weak against Rock, Water, Ground. Advantageous against Bug, Grass, Ice.
- Charizard (Fire/Flying): Weak against Water, Rock, Electric. Immune to Ground. Advantageous against Bug, Grass, Steel, Ice, Fighting.
- Fire/Fighting-type Pokémon (e.g., Monferno, Infernape, Combusken, Blaziken): Weak against Water, Rock, Ground, Flying, Psychic. Advantageous against Bug, Grass, Steel, Ice, Rock, Normal.
- Magcargo (Fire/Rock): Weak against Fire, Ground, Steel, Fighting. Advantageous against Grass, Bug, Steel, Ice, Flying.
- Rhyperior (Ground/Rock): Weak against Water, Grass, Ice, Steel, Fighting. Immune to Electric. Advantageous against Fire, Rock, Steel, Electric, Bug, Flying.
- Fire/Ground-type Pokémon (e.g., Numel, Camerupt): Weak against Water, Rock, Ground. Immune to Electric. Advantageous against Ice, Steel, Bug, Grass, Rock, Electric, Fire.
- Mismagius (Ghost): Weak against Ghost, Dark. Immune to Normal, Fighting. Advantageous over Psychic, Ghost, Dark.
In the final floor of Deep Dark Crater, Darkrai appears and reveals that he caused the crisis of time, your separation from Grovyle, your amnesia, and your form change. He admits to orchestrating these events for the same reason he is now challenging you.
- Abuse status seeds and moves against Palkia.
- Prioritize long-range attacks with Dragon or neutral damaging moves against Palkia.
- Bring plenty of Reviver Seeds, especially if facing many Fire-type enemies.
- Consider using Sentry duty to gather more Reviver Seeds.
- A room-wide move is highly recommended for clearing floors efficiently.
- Sleep Seeds are useful and can be found in Beach Cave.
- Be mindful of the Fire-themed nature of Dark Crater when choosing your party and items.
- Confrontation with Darkrai.
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