Shiny Rayquaza Hunting Guide: The Best Method in Brilliant Diamond
Shiny Rayquaza in Brilliant Diamond: A Comprehensive Guide
Shiny hunting a legendary Pokemon like Rayquaza is a badge of honor for any Pokemon trainer. While Rayquaza is not natively available in Brilliant Diamond, transferring it from a compatible game allows you to shiny hunt it using a specific, yet slightly complicated method. This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you have the best chance of capturing this elusive, black-scaled beast.
Prerequisites:
- Pokemon HOME Account: You'll need a Pokemon HOME account (free or premium) to transfer Rayquaza.
- Rayquaza in a Compatible Game: You must have a Rayquaza in a game compatible with Pokemon HOME. This could be from Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Pokemon GO, or other games where Rayquaza can be obtained and transferred to Pokemon HOME.
- Pokemon Brilliant Diamond: Obviously, you need Brilliant Diamond to receive Rayquaza.
- Access to Ramanas Park: You'll need to progress far enough in Brilliant Diamond to unlock Ramanas Park.
- Discovery Slates: This is where the trick comes in. You do not want to use the Discovery Slate for Rayquaza itself. This allows you to receive a Rayquaza, but it blocks the ability to shiny hunt.
The Key: Using a Second Game and Pokemon HOME!
This method hinges on exploiting how Brilliant Diamond handles legendary encounters and shiny generation through Pokemon HOME transfers.
- Transfer Rayquaza to Pokemon HOME: Transfer your Rayquaza from its origin game to Pokemon HOME.
- Prepare a Pokemon for Transfer: In your Brilliant Diamond game, prepare a random Pokemon (like a Bidoof or Starly) to trade.
- Trade with Yourself using HOME: Using Pokemon HOME on your Nintendo Switch, deposit the Rayquaza into HOME from the source game and move the Bidoof from Brilliant Diamond into HOME. Then, use HOME on your Brilliant Diamond save to withdraw the Rayquaza.
- Enter Ramanas Park and obtain Discovery Slate: Head to Ramanas Park and talk to the researcher. Trade shards for the Discovery Slate.
- Save BEFORE Entering: This is crucial! Save your game before interacting with the portal in the Discovery Room.
- Initiate the Battle: Interact with the portal to initiate the battle with Rayquaza.
- Check for Shiny: If Rayquaza is not shiny, reset your game (close the software entirely, then re-open Brilliant Diamond). Do NOT Save if it's not shiny! Because you saved BEFORE the encounter, it allows the shiny to be re-rolled upon each encounter.
- Repeat: Keep resetting and battling until you encounter a shiny Rayquaza. This can take a long time, so be patient!
Why this Method Works
Shiny encounters are determined when the battle starts, not when you receive the Slate. By saving before starting the battle, you can re-roll the shiny check as many times as needed. Since Rayquaza wasn't programmed in Brilliant Diamond to be inherently shiny locked (because you can't actually obtain the discovery slate and get it in BDSP), it allows the ability to shiny hunt it via transfer from HOME.
Tips for Success
- Patience is Key: Shiny hunting is a time-consuming process. Don't get discouraged if it takes a while.
- Synchronize with a Pokemon with the Ability Synchronize: Having a Pokemon with the ability Synchronize in your party (lead) with the desired nature will increase your chance of getting a Rayquaza with the nature you are looking for.
- False Swipe/Hold Back: Use a Pokemon with False Swipe or Hold Back to safely bring Rayquaza to 1 HP, making it easier to catch.
Conclusion
Shiny Rayquaza is a highly sought-after Pokemon, and this method, while involved, offers the best chance of obtaining one in Brilliant Diamond. Remember to be patient, persistent, and prepared, and eventually, you'll add this magnificent shiny to your collection.
What other legendary Pokemon are you shiny hunting in Brilliant Diamond?