Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl return players to Generation 4's Sinnoh region. The original Pokemon Diamond and Pearl spawned some of the franchise's most beloved starters and Pokemon, and have remained some of the most loved titles in the series.
Whether players are returning to Sinnoh or starting their first journey through the region, the choice of which Pokemon to pair with their starter can be tough. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl give players a multitude of options when crafting their team to take on the many gym leaders, and eventually the Elite Four. Turtwig is a fan-favorite choice for starter Pokemon, and its final evolution's dual Grass/Ground-typing give players the chance to make some strategic decisions in the team composition.
Updated December 23rd, 2021 by Russ Boswell: Some players that are loading up Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl for the first time are going to gravitate to the adorable turtle-like stater, Turtwig. This useful Grass/Ground-type starts out small before growing into the ever-imposing tank that is Torterra. But even the mighty walking fortress itself isn't capable of doing it all, so players will need to snag more Pokemon to give their team some variety. Players that take the grassy starter will definitely want to know the best team for Brilliant Diamond with Turtwig. To better help players that are looking for a Brilliant Diamond Turtwig team, the following list has been updated to offer even more choices.
13 Lucario
Those looking for a great all-arounder may want to consider Lucario when choosing a Pokemon to slot into their "ultimate team." Lucario is a Steel/Fighting-type that evolves from Riolu and is capable of learning a wide array of moves that can help cover type weaknesses. Lucario's typing gives it an advantage over Flying, Steel, Dragon, Normal, and Water-types but it's able to make use of other TM-taught moves that can help it decimate even more typings.
Lucario hits hard thanks to its 145 Attack and 140 Special Attack, meaning it can still dominate Pokemon without using a STAB move. Those that want their own Lucario will need to reach a high friendship level with Riolu, where it will then evolve during the daytime.
Lucario's Stats
- HP: 70
- Attack: 110
- Special Attack: 115
- Defense: 70
- Special Defense: 70
- Speed: 90
- Total: 525
12 Medicham
Many of the Pokemon featured on this list are capable of waltzing into the halls of the Elite Four and punishing any opponents that come their way, but the journey to the Elite Four is long and arduous. Because of this, players will want to target at least one middle-tier Pokemon to help them speed through the mid-game on their way to evolving into a Sinnoh Champion.
One great option is to seek out a Meditite in the grassy area west of Eterna City. Those that are lucky (or diligent) enough can snag one of these pocket monsters with the Pure Power ability. This ability essentially doubles the Pokemon's Attack stat, making it a hard-hitter fairly early on. Evolving Meditite is as simple as leveling it to 37. Its Fighting/Psychic-typing make Medicham a force to be reckoned with.
Medicham's Stats
- HP: 60
- Attack: 60
- Special Attack: 60
- Defense: 75
- Special Defense: 75
- Speed: 80
- Total: 410
11 Metagross
Metagross is one of the toughest Pokemon in the franchise and will do well on almost any team. With its massive 135 Attack stat, which can rival even some of the game's strongest legendaries, it can be a huge asset in battle. Metagross' Psychic/Steel-typing also gives it an advantage in battle, with an immunity to Poison-type moves.
Beldum, Metagross' unevolved form, can be found on Route 228 in tall grass as well as in the game's Grand Underground. Beldum will evolve into Metang at level 20, and Metagross at level 45.
Metagross' Stats
- HP: 80
- Attack: 135
- Special Attack: 95
- Defense: 130
- Special Defense: 90
- Speed: 70
- Total: 600
10 Clefable
Clefable is easy to overlook, but this Pokemon can prove extremely useful to players. As a pure Fairy-type Pokemon, Clefable's immunity to Dragon-type moves comes in handy during tough battles.
Cleffa and Clefairy, Clefable's previous evolutions, can both be found in tall grass in the Trophy Garden and Mt. Coronet. Cleffa will evolve into Clefairy at high friendship and into Clefable when given a Moon Stone.
Clefable's Stats
- HP: 95
- Attack: 70
- Special Attack: 95
- Defense: 73
- Special Defense: 90
- Speed: 60
- Total: 483
9 Milotic
One of the best Water-type Pokemon in the game, Milotic is a pure Water-type Pokemon, which means it only has two weaknesses: Grass and Electric-type moves. Milotic's huge Special Attack and Special Defense stats also give it an edge in battle.
Milotic can be a difficult Pokemon for players to get ahold of. Feebas, Milotic's pre-evolution, can be caught using a fishing rod on Mt. Coronet. Feebas will evolve into Milotic when it reaches max beauty and then levels up, or if is traded holding a Prism Scale.
Milotic's Stats:
- HP: 95
- Attack: 60
- Special Attack: 100
- Defense: 79
- Special Defense: 125
- Speed: 81
- Total: 540
8 Rapidash
Rapidash is a pure Fire-type Pokemon, making it a good cover for Torterra's weaknesses like Ice, Bug, and Fire-Type moves. Rapidash's Attack and Speed stats also give it an edge in battle.
Ponyta, Rapidash's unevolved form, is very accessible and can be found in tall grass on Route 206, Route 210, Route 211, Route 214, Route 215, as well as in the Grand Underground. Ponyta will evolve into Rapidash at level 40, which shouldn't be hard to achieve due to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Exp. Share always being turned on.
Rapidash's Stats
- HP: 65
- Attack: 100
- Special Attack: 80
- Defense: 70
- Special Defense: 80
- Speed: 105
- Total: 500
7 Crobat
Crobat is a Poison/Flying-type and has great stats. Its typing gives it an immunity to Ground-type moves, which comes in handy at several points throughout the game, especially during battle with the Elite Four's Bertha.
Golbat, Crobat's pre-evolution, is one of the most common Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. It can be found at Wayward Cave and Oreburgh Mine at any time, and on Route 203, Route 204, Route 206, Route 207, Route 208, Route 209, Route 211, Route 216, and Route 217 at night. Zubat will evolve into Golbat at level 22, and Crobat once the player reaches high friendship with the Pokemon.
Crobat's Stats
- HP: 85
- Attack: 90
- Special Attack: 70
- Defense: 80
- Special Defense: 80
- Speed: 130
- Total: 535
6 Houndoom
Houndoom is a Dual-type Fire/Dark Pokemon. Its typing gives it an immunity to Psychic-type moves, which can be extremely helpful for players, especially during the battle with Elite Four's Psychic-type trainer. Houndoom's Special Attack stat also helps it plow through opponents in battle with its Fire-type moves.
An already evolved Houndoom can be caught on Route 214 and Route 215 once players have access to the Poke Radar. Houndoom can also be found in the Grand Underground. If players do catch a Houndour, Houndoom's unevolved form, it will evolve into a Houndoom at level 24.
Houndoom's Stats
- HP: 75
- Attack: 90
- Special Attack: 110
- Defense: 50
- Special Defense: 80
- Speed: 95
- Total: 500
5 Lickilicky
Lickilicky evolves from Lickitung and is a pure Normal-type Pokemon, meaning it has few weaknesses and also few resistances. It does have an immunity to Ghost-type moves, which is very useful throughout Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Lickitung can be found in tall grass at Lake Valor and in the Grand Underground. It will evolve into Lickilicky after it has learned the move Rollout.
Lickilicky's Stats
- HP: 110
- Attack: 85
- Special Attack: 80
- Defense: 95
- Special Defense: 95
- Speed: 50
- Total: 515
4 Gyarados
Gyarados is one of the most fearsome Pokemon in the series. It is a Water/Flying type that evolves from the infamously useless Magikarp. It is entirely immune to Ground-type moves, but does have a 4s weakness to Electric-type moves. If players are able to avoid Electric-type Pokemon, Gyarados can be one of the best pairings for Turtwig due to its massive Attack alone.
Magikarp and Gyarados (the latter with a lesser likelihood) can be caught in almost every body of water in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl using a fishing rod. Magikarp will evolve into Gyarados at level 20.
Gyarados' Stats
- HP: 95
- Attack: 125
- Special Attack: 60
- Defense: 79
- Special Defense: 100
- Speed: 81
- Total: 540