Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (not to be confused with Diamond and Jade, two fake games) are the first two main-series Pokémon games for the Nintendo DS, as well as the two main games of the fourth generation.
Global Trading System
One of the main additions to DP is the Global Trading System, or GTS for short. The GTS — located in Jubilife, just to the left of the Pokémon Center — is an attempt at fixing the previous inability to trade with people far away by setting up a system where one can place . On the one hand, you can trade with people all over the world. On the other hand, you can... trade with people all over the world, including many six-year-olds (or people with the mental capacity of someone six years old at most) who believe that if they place their Bidoof up for trade, everyone is going to fall over themselves in order to give them a Palkia.
This leads to a great deal of people either complaining about how they are unable to find any sensible trades or think that the GTS is the worst idea ever. If it is not the ridiculous offers that get people annoyed, it is the large quantity of Pokémon obtained illegitimately, whether from Pokésav or an Encounter Shiny Pokémon
Action Replay code. The group complaining about the former needs to think a bit about what they are doing; the latter does have some legitimacy to their claims, however.
If it is possible for anyone to put up a Pokémon and ask for any Pokémon they have seen, it follows that one could also place an offer and request whatever it is they are looking for in the event that all of the available trades are ridiculous. As it so happens, the GTS is frequented often enough by so many people that if one places a reasonable trade, one will usually get the Pokémon one asked for within half an hour. If one does not obtain the Pokémon quickly, then it is probably not a difficult thing to remove that Pokémon from the GTS and deposit something else. In my experiences, people are very willing and eager to trade for a Ditto. If whatever you are looking for is easily obtainable - say, you need a Larvitar - then you can likely place a Ditto up for trade requesting whatever it is and get it rather quickly. This both saves time (as you are now less likely to complain somewhere where other people will get annoyed after seeing it) and energy (since you won’t need to complain about that), and you will have also obtained whatever Pokémon it was that you desired.
Searching for Legitimate Pokémon
The first step on finding a trade for a non-hacked Pokémon is to search for the Pokémon you desire. Of course, you need to have had encountered it at some point, which means that you may have to exchange friend codes and borrow the Pokémon from someone who has it already if there is no way for you to find it otherwise. But now you want your own, don’t you?
The first rule of thumb is that if a Pokémon evolves at a level higher than the level the Pokémon is currently at, it is probably cheated. However, there are quite a few cases of Pokémon being obtainable in the wild below the level of evolution. Some examples of legitimate level combinations include...
- Kirlia, and by extension, Gallade, at level 4 can be found on Route 203. It is also possible to catch Kirlia at level 6 on Route 204, Jubilife side.
- Haunter and Gengar, level 16, can be found in the Old Chateau.
- Bibarel and Staravia, level 4. Found at Lake Verity with Fire Red, Leaf Green, or Emerald in the GBA slot.
- Almost all legitimate Jirachi are level 5. The vast majority of cheated Jirachi are level 7, due to a default code on ARs for Ruby and Sapphire creating a level 7 Jirachi in the box.
- All Arceus are hacked. No exceptions.
- Legitimate Celebi can be either American and level 70 or Japanese and level something. I don't know what level; I assume it’s low.
- Almost all Mew are legit-hacked. That is, someone input a code for the Old Sea Chart in their Emerald and caught one. The same goes for Shaymin. Darkrai is also frequently cheated for in this fashion, but quite a few people have event Darkrai caught in a Cherish Ball.
- Any given Manaphy or Phione is probably legitimate.
Do try to remember that most base-form Pokémon can be bred. Also, Pokémon that were base-form in Gold/Silver/Crystal can still be hatched at level one. For example, you could have either a level 1 Wynaut or a level 1 Wobbuffet without nothing being out of the ordinary.
It is also important to remember that Pokémon that evolve by trading or by the use of a stone can be obtained at level 1 if their pre-evolution is obtainable at level 1. Pokémon that evolve by happiness can be at level 2 or greater: as such, one could legitimately have a level 1 Togepi, a level 2 Togetic, or a level 2 Togekiss.
Identifying a Recieved Pokémon as Legit
Is it caught in a Masterball or Cherish Ball? Yes? It’s probably hacked.
Is it from Johto or Route 201? Yes? It's hacked, unless it's something you can usually catch on Route 201. Route 201 is a common choice for Where to Catch AR’d Pokémon
for whatever reason.
There are other telltale signs, of course, but those are the most obvious. Use your head.
Trading for Stuff
If you can't find a decent offer, then put up something intelligent and ask for what you're looking for. Do not go bitch on the nearest forum. No, seriously, we don't want to hear it.
Lucario, Lopunny, Phione, Spiritomb, Munchlax, male Ralts/Kirlia, female Snorunt, female starters + Eevee + Riolu, and Ditto are all highly desirable. Whatever you're asking for, someone might trade for it fairly quickly as long as it's not a Dialga or Palkia or something along those lines. If you're not asking for a legendary or a level 70+, you'll probably get it.
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