Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl take and expand upon one of Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum's iconic features: The Underground. Originally, players would go into the Underground to mine treasures or set up their secret base. In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, players can catch Pokemon in what is now called the Grand Underground.
The Grand Underground appears to take heavy inspiration from the Wild Area in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. Instead of finding Pokemon in random encounters, players can see Pokemon walk around. However, going into the Grand Underground for the first time will reveal that certain areas are unavailable. To unlock all of the Grand Underground, players will have to progress in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's main story.
Grand Underground Zones
Upon arriving in Eterna City, players can visit the house next door to the Pokemon Center and get the Explorer Kit. They will then be sent to the Grand Underground for the first time. If players use the Y button in the Grand Underground, they can either Go Up/Leave, Call, or open up the Grand Underground Map.
Pull up the map, and it will become evident that areas of the Grand Underground are sectioned off from one another. The Grand Underground is divided into zones that become available as the player advances through the story.
Use the Explorer Kit in the following locations to unlock all regions:
|
Zone |
Region |
|---|---|
|
Western |
Anywhere between Canalvine City and Celestic Town |
|
Southwestern |
Canalvine City, Twinleaf Town |
|
Northwestern |
Snowpoint City, Fullmoon Island |
|
Middle/Center |
Celestic Town |
|
Eastern Zone |
Anywhere between Celestic Town and Sunyshore City |
|
Northeastern |
Battle Zone |
|
Southeastern |
Sunyshore City |
In the beginning, players will have access to the Western Zone. Once they end up on the other side of Hearthome City, using the Explorer Kit will take them to the Eastern Zone instead.
Pokemon Hideaways
Players may have also noticed the small and large squares on the map. These indicate Pokemon Hideaways. Hideaways are where Walking Pokemon can be encountered. Larger squares indicate larger hideaways that house bigger Pokemon, such as Steelix or Onix. There are a total of 7 Large Hideaways per Region/Zone.
|
Large Hideaway |
Hideaways |
Zone |
|---|---|---|
|
Riverbank Cavern |
Grassland Cave, Fountainspring Cave, Spacious Cave, Riverbank Cave |
Western |
|
Still-Water Cavern |
Grassland Cave, Spacious Cave, Swampy Cave, Riverbank Cave |
Southwestern |
|
Glacial Cavern |
Icy Cave, Whiteout Cave, Spacious Cave, Dazzling Cave |
Northwestern |
|
Stargleam Cavern |
Dazzling Cave, Icy Cave |
Middle/Center |
|
Big Bluff Cavern |
Volcanic Cave, Spacious Cave, Rocky Cave, Sandsear Cave, Dazzling Cave |
Eastern |
|
Typhlo Cavern |
Rocky Cave, Volcanic Cave, Fountainspring Cave, Spacious Cave, Dazzling Cave, Grassland Cave |
Northeastern |
|
Bogsunk Cavern |
Fountainspring Cave, Spacious Cave, Swampy Cave, Rocky Cave |
Southeastern |
When catching Pokemon in hideaways, it's best to have Pokemon at higher levels. The Grand Underground Pokemon's levels grow as more gym badges are earned. At the start, with only the Oreburgh City gym badge, most Pokemon should be around level 16. Trainers should bring Poke Balls and a Pokemon that can inflict status ailments if they intend on catching Grand Underground Pokemon this early in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.