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Pokémon: Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

How to Use the Poké Radar

By
Vincent Lau

This is a guide for using the Poké Radar in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP).

(1 of 2) Professor Rowan will give you the Poké Radar alongside the National Dex.

Professor Rowan will give you the Poké Radar alongside the National Dex. (left), Look for the Poké Radar in the Key Items tab. (right)

The Poké Radar is a key item introduced in the original Diamond and Pearl games that allows you to consecutively encounter the same Pokémon over and over again. As you keep encountering that same Pokémon, you’ll start obtaining high IVs and your odds of finding a shiny Pokémon will increase.

How to Obtain the Poké Radar

The Poké Radar is given to you by Professor Rowan in his lab in Sandgem Town at the same you receive the National Pokédex (for more information on how to obtain the National Dex, please refer to that page). This is generally only possible during the postgame.

How to Use the Poké Radar

Once you have the Poké Radar, you can access it from the Key Items pocket in the Items menu. Like similar key items, you can register it to a shortcut, then press the + or - button and the chosen direction to quickly use it on the field.

(1 of 2) We assigned the Poké Radar to the right button.

We assigned the Poké Radar to the right button. (left), Each time you use the Poké Radar, 4 shaking grass tiles will appear. (right)

The Poké Radar can only be used when you’re standing in tall grass. When used, four shaking grass patches will appear in the nearby area. If you enter one of these grass patches, you’ll encounter a random Pokémon and begin (or continue) a chain.

The Pokémon that can appear are the Pokémon that would normally appear in that location, plus certain Pokémon exclusive to the Poké Radar. The exclusive Pokémon also depends on your current location.

How to Chain with the Poké Radar

When you trigger a Pokémon encounter with the Poké Radar, you can create or continue a chain by catching or KOing the current Pokémon.

Afterwards, there’s a fixed chance that another four shaking grass tiles will appear. This chance depends on how far away the shaking grass you entered was and whether you caught or KO’d the Pokémon.

The exclamation marks indicate the 4 shaking grass tiles.

The further away the shaking grass, the high the chance of the chain continuing.The distance of the shaking grass is measured by the diameter away from the position where you used the Poké Radar.

Likewise, if you catch the Pokémon versus KOing it, the chance is slightly increased.

Chance of the Chain Continuing

Number of diameter squares away If you KO the Pokémon If you catch the Pokémon
1 53% 63%
2 63% 73%
3 73% 83%
4 83% 93%

The chain will break if one of these three things happen:

  • You run from the current Pokémon.
  • You encounter a Pokémon outside the shaking grass tiles (bring Repels!).
  • You leave the current location.

Even if you don’t do any of those things, the chain can break simply because you’re unlucky (7% chance if you catch a Pokémon 4 squares away).

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Pokemon Company International
  • Platforms,
    Switch
  • Genre
    RPG
  • Guide Release
    29 October 2021
  • Last Updated
    23 April 2022
    Version History
  • Guide Author

Share this free guide:

This strategy guide for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl contains all the information Pokémon trainers will need to complete the game and catch every single Pokémon!

In this remake of the classic Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, you’ll journey through the mystical Sinnoh region to become a Pokémon master. Along the way, you’ll confront the scheming Team Galactic and witness the awesome power of the Legendary Dialga or Palkia.

Currently included in our guide:

The following will be available via free updates to our guide:

  • A complete walkthrough of the main story and postgame.
  • A full guide for Super Contest Shows.
    • How to cook the best quality Poffins.
  • Explanation of advanced mechanics, such as IVs and EVs.
  • A detailed Sinnoh region Pokédex.

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