Unovia's Pokemon Diamond "Nostalgia Run"

[Unovia]

Before I take a few days to train up my HM team, I decided to take on Route 206 & Wayward Cave. Route 206 is Cycling Road, and there are quite a few trainers here, and it was nice to actually use my bike. Besides, I wanted to do a few captures and get a new team member. Speaking of the new team member, I want to have a short discussion about the comparison between Stunky (which I named Josephine) and Skorupi (which, once I capture it, will be named Skorpios). I also captured a Bronzor.

Pros: -You get Stunky pretty early in the game. -Comes already set with the Poison/Dark typing. -Faster speed (74) than Skorupi (65) -Skunktank is a good placeholder for Drapion. Cons: -Stunky has to be babied for a while before it can be useful.

Pros: -Skorupi gives an active moveset from the get go. -Drapion has a faster speed (95) than Skunktank (84) -Drapion can be very tanky, taking a lot more hits. -I prefer Drapion over Skunktank. Cons: -Skorupi can come in mid-game. -It's home is the Great Marsh, and it is a tough capture.

I couldn't really explore Wayward Cave too much, since you need Flash. I did find the secret entrance, where Gible is available, but I can't get to the exact location without the use of Strength. Once I got done with checking out Route 206, I ran into Dawn, who complemented me on my seen Pokemon. I also got the VS Seeker. I have to train Josephine up (she came in at Level 14) to Level 22-23. I will also get the HM Team set up to Level 22. Should not take too long.

In the next Log, we will explore Route 207, Southern Mount Coronet, & Route 208. It will take a bit to do. Please be patient with me! Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

It took a while to train up Josephine (Level 24), but once I was ready, I went from Route 207 to Mt. Coronet.

In Mt. Coronet, I ran into a blue haired dude who was talking about a "new world". Just as quickly as he came, he left, allowing me to continue on. Just what was he talking about?

Completing my momentum through Mt. Coronet, I came into a crossroads of a few bridges (Route 208). The experience never hurts, so I decided to take my time to clear out the trainers. I saw a house that was the Berry Master's House. The Berry Master gave me a few berries and I continued on my way to the next City, Hearthome City. In the next Log, we will explore Hearthome City. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

In Hearthome City, I explored every location, meeting and talking to Bebe, who runs the PC System, the Pokemon Fan Club, the Poffin House, the Foreign Building, & the Pokemon Hotel. A fisherman met me, leading me to the Contest Hall, where a woman in purple met with me. Fantina.

She talked to me about how she was a contest star, then discussed her role as a Gym Leader, saying "I am not ready for her yet". In Platinum, she is the 3rd Gym Leader, while in Diamond & Pearl, she is the 5th. One day, we will be battling her (Log #38). After Fantina left, I went into the Contest Hall, where Mom surprised me. She gave me a tuxedo, hoped I would participate in the Contests, then left.

As I was running through town, Barry met up with me, and we battled. This was the first time since Route 203 where we met up.

Barry opened with Starly (Level 19). Bubblegum (Level 23) OHKOed it. Bubblegum also beat Ponyta (Level 20) with an OHKO. Roselia (Level 20) battled Valkyrie (Level 23), using Stun Spore, though Valkyrie fought through it and beat it down. Finally Valkyrie battled Prinplup (Level 21). A few hits and Prinplup went down.

As I finished there and considered going to Route 209 & Lost Tower, I got an egg from a hiker. What will come from it? Hopefully soon, we will find out. In the next Log, we will go to Route 209 & Lost Tower, also collecting an Odd Keystone. We may be able to check out the tower there. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Before I left Hearthome City for Route 209, I left Hearthome City back for the Cycling Road, hoping to use it to hatch the mystery egg. After about 20 Minutes of riding up and down the Cycling Road, the egg hatched into a Happiny, which I quickly boxed. Just as quickly, I rode back to Hearthome City, then traveled east, onto Route 209. I trained by beating the trainers, eventually coming to the Hallowed Tower.

The Hallowed Tower is interesting, for if you bring the Odd Keystone here and have 32 friends in the Underground, you can find a Spiritomb, which would be a fantastic member for any team, especially since in this Generation Spiritomb is weak to nothing (It would not get a type it is weak to until Fairy in Generation VI). Too bad I can't get it. Rest well, you demon.

Moving on, I climbed the Lost Tower, where there were a lot of battles, which at the end, rewarded me with HM04 Strength (which I can't use until after I beat Byron). To close out this Log, I settled into Solaceon Town to rest after the long journey. In the next Log, we will explore Solaceon Town & the Solaceon Ruins. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Solaceon Town is a place where a Pokemon Daycare is next to a ruin cave. It is an ancient town that is somehow connected to the Unown. After I explored the town (there isn't much here), I went to the Ruins.

In Solaceon Ruins, there are the Unown, making this area similar to the Ruins of Alph in Johto. There are several items at the lowest point of the ruins. In order to get there, however, there are a number of directions that you have to take. Top Right, Lower Left, Top Right, Top Left, Top Left, Lower Left Once I grabbed the items (I missed a chance to catch an Unown), I left there for Route 210.

On Route 210, there were a group of Psyduck.

These Psyduck pose a roadblock, stopping much progress beyond them onto Route 210. There has to be a way to counter that. While I was in the area, I bought a few Moomoo Milks and had a few battles at the nearby restaurant, then made moves for Route 215.

In the next Log, we will go to Route 215 and Veilstone City. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Route 215 is a very rainy Route, with near constant rain. There are quite a few trainers here, including a double battle with a pair of Ace Trainers! I was worried I would have more battles, but it was quicker than I expected to go through there, arriving in Veilstone City. There are a lot of things to do here, including shopping at the Veilstone Department Store, playing at the Veilstone Game Corner, and of course, a Pokemon Gym, the 3rd in the quest.

As I prepared to go to the Gym after checking out the town (there are a few Galactic Grunts here that I can't battle yet), I met with Dawn, who wanted to see my progress, then departed. I don't quite feel ready, so I am going to train on Route 215 using the VS Seeker. My Team is Level 27 and Maylene has her highest at Level 30, so I want to at least match her team before I take her on. In the next Log, we will have a training session using the VS Seeker on Route 215, since I don't want to go to Route 214 yet.

Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

I spent some time training up for the battle against Maylene. I didn't know what her levels were (I looked them up. In Diamond, her highest is Level 30) and I figured I would get some levels at the Gym, so my use of the VS Seeker wasn't too much. My Team was Level 27 at this point, so adding at least one level or so would benefit. I trained the entire team to Level 28 before I went into the Gym. Luckily, it didn't take me too long.

In the next Log, we will take on the Gym. Until next time, we will see you.

 

[Unovia]

Walking into the Gym, I looked around before I took it on.

My Team:
Caesar (Monferno)-Level 28
Sphinx (Luxio)-Level 28
Josephine (Stunky)-Level 28
Roosevelt (Roselia)-Level 28
Bubblegum (Shellos)-Level 28
Valkyrie (Staravia)-Level 28

Gym Puzzle: The Puzzle was a bit of a challenge, much more challenging than the other puzzles, mainly because it took a while to figure out due to the sliding elements.

Gym Trainers: I liked the "Karate Quads", and they helped prepare you against Maylene.

Gym Leader: For this fight, I reduced to Caesar (Level 29), Bubblegum (Level 28), & Valkyrie (Level 28). She opened with Meditite (Level 27) and I opened with Valkyrie. Meditite used Detect, which blocked the first Aerial Ace, but the second one OHKOed. She then brought out Machoke (Level 27), who was OHKOed by Valkyrie. Most of my team were set for Lucario (Level 30). I changed to Bubblegum, who focused on using Mud Bomb. Lucario used Metal Claw and Bone Rush, which eventually took down Bubblegum. I switched to Caesar, who ended the fight with one Flame Wheel. 3rd Badge down! Maylene was the hardest Gym Leader so far.

Upon leaving the Gym, Dawn met up with me, saying that she dropped her Pokedex and Team Galactic took it. Time to get it back. In the next Log, we will be the hero and rescue the Pokedex from some Grunts. Until then, we will see you.

 

[Unovia]

Dawn lost her Pokedex to these grunts. The battles aren't too bad, and it would have been easier if I had not been switching around my team. Having Beautifly & Dustox were interesting. Once I beat the grunts, I got the Pokedex back. The grunts talked about not needing the Pokedex "because Cyrus planned to create a new world". Running into the warehouse after one of the grunts, I got the Fly HM.

Glad I got to rescue Dawn. In the next Log, we will explore Route 214 & Valor Lakefront. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Going onto Route 214, there are several trainers here, but not much you can do at this point. The only major capture you can make here is Girafirig. In the post game, there is access the Spring Path & Sendoff Spring, where Giratina awaits if you can find it. For right now, the only thing I did here was battle and move onto Route 213.

I would have loved to go to Lake Valor. Unfortunately, I could not visit it, due to two scientists blocking the entrance. One of them mentioned Cyrus. I will be going here soon enough.

In the next Log, we will cover Route 213 & Hotel Grand Lake. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Hotel Grand Lake is a nice place. There can be quite a bit to do here, though the majority of the fun is in the Seven Stars Restaurant. This is a great place to build up your team. In the reception area, you can get healed up, so it allows you to train up as needed. I certainly think I am going to stay here for a bit, because the Restaurant allows for daily battles. I am going to get my team to Level 34 before I move on, though I did move to Pastoria City (See Log #32) before I decided to be here for training. This area also sits before Sunyshore City, which you cannot access yet.

On Route 213, I found a East Sea Shellos, which is exciting. I had originally intended to switch out West Sea for East Sea, however, my West Sea Shellos is now a Gastrodon, so I don't think I will change it out, since the changes between the two are purely appearance. I did capture an East Sea Shellos (named Emerald), but I don't think I will change out after all. A Gastrodon is a Gastrodon after all.

In the next Log, we will explore Pastoria City & the Great Marsh. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Here we go. The Great Marsh, Sinnoh's answer to the Safari Zone. You get 30 Pokeballs and 500 steps. I really wanted to get a Skorupi here, but the rules are a bit complex, considering how random the encounters are (most of the best stuff can only be found if you know where to look, there are 6 areas, and you can only know for sure that a Pokemon you want is available by looking through binoculars on the upper floor). Way too painful for me (sorry Drapion!), so I am sticking with my Skuntank.

Other than the Great Marsh, there isn't much here. In the next Log, we will face Crasher Wake. Until then, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

It took me a few days, and I am glad for your patience, but now it is time. I used the Restaurant area and the beach area to train up to Level 34. That allowed my Stunky to be Skunktank and Staravia to be Staraptor. With my team ready to go after Wake, I took on the Gym.

My Team:
Caesar (Monferno)-Level 34
Sphinx (Luxray)-Level 34
Josephine (Skuntank)-Level 34
Roosevelt (Roselia)-Level 34
Bubblegum (Gastrodon)-Level 34
Valkyrie (Staraptor)-Level 34

Gym Puzzle: The puzzle in this Gym is a water level puzzle, meaning you have to play with the levels a bit to get to the end. This is the most difficult of the puzzles so far.

Gym Trainers: The trainers are pretty easy to clear. The most difficult element is that they are included as part of the puzzle.

	Gym Leader: Crasher Wake is INTENSE! I kept my entire team with me, mainly because of the complexity of the Puzzle. My major battlers here were Sphinx and Roosevelt. Wake started with Gyrados (Level 27) and I started with Sphinx. Spark lead to an OHKO. Wake changed out to Quagsire (Level 27), who was the real challenge of this fight if you didn't come in with a Grass type (like I did). One Giga Drain lead to another OHKO. Down to his last Pokemon, he brought out Floatzel (Level 30) and I switched back to Sphinx. Floatzel attacked first (surprisingly faster!), striking with Brine. If Sphinx had taken any damage, Brine would have done more damage. Luckily, one Spark and Floatzel was OHKOed. I beat Crasher Wake, getting my 4th Badge. Halfway to go!
	With my 4th Gym Badge obtained, I was not sure what to do. I saw this Team Galactic grunt who talked about a bomb. After he was cornered, he ran away. I cornered him again, and he continued to run. The chase to Lake Valor begins.
	Barry met up with me and started to battle. He opened with Starly (Level 26). Why does he have a Starly still? That makes no sense. Sphinx OHKOed Starly. Sphinx also OHKOed Ponyta (Level 25), taking Sphinx to Level 35. Expecting Roselia (Level 25) I sent out Josephine. Instead Prinplup (Level 28) came out. Deciding to stick with Josephine, who used two Night Slashes to one Peck from Prinplup. Finally, he sent out Roselia, and I used my Roselia to battle, leading to a Roselia fight. I eventually emerged victorious, sending Barry packing.

In the next Log, we will go back to Valor Lakefront. Until next time, we will see you!

IMPORTANT NOTE
My area (Southeast Texas) has a hurricane that is poised to strike. Until it passes, this playthrough will be on hold. Please be patient!

 

[Unovia]

IMPORTANT NOTE
My area (Southeast Texas) is still dealing with Tropical Storm/Hurricane Nicholas. Even so, we are resuming the Playthrough.

	Continuing to hunt down a rogue Team Galactic Grunt who was talking about a bomb at the lake, I eventually corner him into battle. He uses a Glameow (Level 25) and I easily beat him down. He slowly escaped after I beat him.
	Upon arriving at the Lake (which I still can't visit), I ran into Cynthia, who wanted to visit it as well, hearing of a Mythical Pokemon at the bottom of the Lake. She asked me about the Psyduck obstacle on Route 210, gave me the Secret Potion, then departed. Apparently, she explored Sinnoh when she was younger.

I continued onward, pausing on Route 212. In the next Log, we will explore the Route. Until then, we will see you.

 

[Unovia]

IMPORTANT NOTE
My area (Southeast Texas) is still dealing with Tropical Storm/Hurricane Nicholas. Even so, we are resuming the Playthrough.

Route 212 is a very rainy route, and as a result, can be challenging for any Fire Types (like Monferno) and is fantastic for Water and Electric Types. There are many trainers here, and it is also home to the Pokemon Mansion & Trophy Garden (which we will explore in the next Log). There is a bog here, similar to the Great Marsh. I am honestly surprised Pastoria did not absorb the marshy part of the route.

We also explored the outside of Mr. Backlot's Mansion, battling the trainers there. We will not go into the house and the Garden until the next Log. I am going to train my team until Level 40 (Main Team) and my second team in the Garden to about 35. Until the next Log, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

I decided to take a few days to work on my HM Team to the low 20's, then check through the Pokemon Mansion & Trophy Garden.

There are many battles around the mansion, all of which I decided to use to train my regular team for a few levels, then I went into Mr. Backlot's mansion. There wasn't much to report here except that his Garden is the only place to get Pikachu in the wild in these games and the grass is full of Baby Pokemon. After I checked out the grass a bit, I decided to move on. It isn't a good place to train, and there is no way to heal up if needed. Still a curious place. They say he also owns Amity Square.

There is something that bothers me more. The stupid Psyduck on Route 210. I want to get them gone soon enough. In the next Log, we will clear them, then do a bit of exploration, clearing Routes 210 fully, then getting to Celestic Town. Until next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Route 210 is an interesting route. in the first area you can explore, there is the Psyduck obstacle. Once I cleared it, Cynthia showed up, then gave me the Old Charm, which I am to give to her Grandmother. She then departed again. In the next part of Route 210, there is a deep fog which makes battles really difficult unless you teach a Pokemon Defog. I made sure to bring my Driftloon, which I taught Defog to. There are two areas to use Defog on, Route 210 and a Post Game area, so it didn't make sense to give it to a maor Pokemon. Defogging the route, I took on the trainers, which weren't too bad, considering I was between Levels 35 & 37. These battles are good to do to prepare for Fantina.

Arriving in Celestic Town, I explored a bit, then took on a Team Galactic Grunt who was guarding a cave entrance. Going into the cave, I saw an interesting cave drawing which depicted Mespirit, Azelf, & Uxie. After I checked the drawing out, I talked to Cynthia's grandmother, who, exchange for her Charm, gave me Surf! I didn't know where to get it, but I can't use it until I beat Fantina. Leaving the cave, I run into the blue haired man again, who introduces himself as Cyrus, then pledges to make a new world.

Leaving Celestic Town, one of the oldest towns in Sinnoh, if not the oldest town, I traveled to Route 211, clearing out the trainers there. This would be my last training before my battle against Fantina. I traveled back through Route 210, eventually arriving back in Hearthome City.

In the next Log, we will take on Fantina. Until next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Here we go! Fantina promised we would eventually battle back at Log #23, and today, we are here to collect on that promise! Before we take on the Gym, here are the Party Levels.
My Party:
Caesar (Infernape)-Level 37
Sphinx (Luxray)-Level 37
Josephine (Skuntank)-Level 36
Roosevelt (Roselia)-Level 36
Bubblegum (Gastrodon)-Level 36
Valkyrie (Staraptor)-Level 36
By the time am done with the trainers, my entire team will be Level 37.

Gym Puzzle: This Puzzle is very weak, and in my opinion, not appropriate for the Ghost Type Gym. The Puzzle in Platinum was far better. A Math Puzzle that is solved using the Poketch? Really?! I intentionally got the answers wrong the first time through so I could battle all of the trainers.

Gym Trainers: Overall, this group of trainers can be difficult, and they give a lot of experience. One of the last trainers even has a Drifblim and Gengar. Good prep for Fantina.

Gym Leader: Fantina has some pretty bulky Pokemon. I took the opportunity to lower my team to just Josephine and Sphinx for this battle, leaving me a little bit of a disadvantage, but it really wouldn't matter. Fantina opened with Drifblim (Level 32) and I opened with Sphinx (Level 37). Sphinx started with Spark, which brought Drifblim down in a slow OHKO because of its bulk. Drifblim got a hit in through its ability, Aftermath. Aftermath activates when a move that makes contact (like Spark) hits, costing a quarter of health. Luckily, because Sphinx had not taken damage before this, it was still left with a largely green health bar. Tricky, tricky Drifblim! I was not sure which Pokemon she would go with, but she sent out Mismagius (Level 36), signalling to me that she wanted to quickly end this fight. I sent out Josephine (Level 37). Mismagius was faster, striking with Shadow Ball. Josephine used Night Slash, leading to another OHKO, taking out her main attacker. In her last gasp, she sent out Gengar (Level 34), and I kept in Josephine. Gengar attempted to Spite down Night Slash, but a resultant Night Slash was another OHKO. Completely beaten, she gave me the badge. 5th Badge down!

Upon leaving the Gym, badge in hand, Cynthia showed up. She thanked me for getting the charm to her grandma, talked about the Sinnoh myths, acknowledged that she underestimated Team Galactic, then encouraged me to go to Canalave Library. We will be there soon enough Cynthia (Log #46).

With the ability to Surf, we will be able to go back and check out some previously unexplorable areas. In the next Log, we will discuss some of those areas. This week, I will be working on building my HM Team up before we move on, since I will be IRL working all week. Until next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Now with Surfing possible, I gave Surf to Gastrodon, Fly to Starraptor, and Shadow Claw to Infernape. Then I traveled back to some old spots. These were Valley Windworks, Eterna City, Route 211, Route 208, 209, 214, 213, Pastoria City, and Route 212.

Appendix:Diamond and Pearl walkthrough/Section 13 - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia

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Valley Windworks
Here, I got TM 24, Thunderbolt.

Route 208
Battled the Fisherman I couldn't access before.

Route 209
Collected TM 19, Giga Drain.

Route 214
Collected the Rare Candy.

Route 213
Battled a few trainers here.

Pastoria City
Gathered the Mystic Water.

Route 212
Collected TM 84, Poison Jab.

We end this Log outside of Fuego Ironworks. In the next Log, we will explore it. Until the next time, we will see you!

 

[Unovia]

Off of Route 205, we found the Fuego Ironworks.

Inside of Fuego Ironworks, there is a string of warp panels! If you have been watching these playthroughs, you would know that I HATE WARP PANELS with a PASSION! Nonetheless, there are some good battles and some nice rewards, mostly TM 35, Flamethrower. After I cleared it out, I flew to Jubilife, collecting some Poketch Apps, ending this Log on the beach coast of Sandgem Town, looking out to Route 219. In the next Log, we will explore Routes 219, 220, & 221. Until next time, we will see you!