Strongest Pokemon In Diamond & Pearl (Based On Stats)

Key Takeaways

• Gen 4 brought an innovative 3D style to Pokemon with the well-received Diamond & Pearl games.
• Stronger creatures like Garchomp, Lucario, and Gallade stood out among fan favorites.
• Some Pokemon in Diamond & Pearl have superior stats, making them more powerful choices.

The fourth generation of the Pokemon franchise was revealed to the world in 2007 with the release of Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, and the games were mostly received well. Diamond & Pearl were praised for their innovativeness in the franchise’s shift to a more 3D style.

Some great creatures are available in Diamond & Pearl, and some have become fan favorites over the years; Garchomp, Lucario, and Gallade to name a few. Gen 4 is home to some truly great Pokemon, which include a lot of Mythicals and Legendaries. In terms of stats, however, some Pokemon in Diamond & Pearl are simply stronger than others.

Updated October 24, 2024 by Ben Painter: Generation 4 Pokemon hold a special place in the hearts of many fans. It was kicked off with Pokemon Diamond & Pearl in 2007 and followed up with Pokemon Platinum in 2008. However, this list does not include any new Pokemon (or returning ones from previous games) in the game’s follow-up entry, so Rotom’s alternate forms with their boosted stats miss out.

Some great Pokemon are available to be caught in these games, including those found in Sinnoh after the National Dex is accessed, which strangely includes some brand-new ‘mons for Gen 4. As such, this article has been updated to feature even more of the strongest Pokemon found in Pokemon Diamond & Pearl.

22

Lickilicky

Base Stat Total: 515

• Type: Normal
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Lickitung

Generation 4 was great for connecting the previous generation’s Pokemon back into the franchise, and a great way that they did this was with new evolutions and pre-evolutions. One Pokemon that benefited was Lickitung with its new evolution, Lickilicky, which came with some big buffs to its stats, mainly in HP and Defenses, but this Pokemon is handy in all areas apart from Speed.

To add a Lickilicky to the roster of Diamond & Pearl, gamers must first obtain the National Dex and have access to Swarms. Lickitung will spawn at Lake Valor in certain encounters. It will then evolve into Lickilicky once leveled up while knowing the move Rollout, which it learns at level 33.

Lickilicky’s Base Stats:

21

Luxray

Base Stat Total: 523

• Type: Electric
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Luxio

Luxray has 523 points in its base stat total and is a pure Electric-type, a great typing to have. It has a single weakness to Ground, resistances to Electric, Flying, and Steel, and its STAB attacks hit Water and Flying super effectively. Dragon, Grass, and Ground all resist its own type, which is really the only major flaw.

In terms of stats, Luxray suffers a bit. While it has great Attack and serviceable Special Attack, it is somewhat slow and has middling defenses, making it easy to KO. Players who want to take advantage of Luxray’s fantastic typing and stats are in luck, as this is one of the easiest Pokemon to get in Sinnoh. Shinx, Luxray’s pre-evolution, is available immediately on Routes 202, 203, and 204.

Luxray’s Base Stats:

20

Eeveelutions

Base Stat Total: 525

• Type:
  • Water (Vaporeon)
  • Electric (Jolteon)
  • Fire (Flareon)
  • Psychic (Espeon)
  • Dark (Umbreon)
  • Grass (Leafeon)
  • Ice (Glaceon)
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Eevee

Eevee has been ever present in the Pokemon franchise ever since the original titles, Pokemon Red & Blue. In Generation 4, two new Eeveelutions were introduced, Leafeon and Glaceon. However, Eevee is tricky to acquire. The first way is getting the gift Pokemon from Bebe in Hearthome City after getting the National Dex. The other is to catch it in the Trophy Garden, but that is a rare spawn, and it only appears at certain times.

Once Eevee is in the party, it can evolve into seven different types, so it is up to the player which direction they take. The two new ones evolved while being leveled up near the Moss Rock (Eterna Forest, Leafeon) or the Ice Rock (Route 217, Glaceon). All Eeveelutions share the same base stat total of 525, but they are spread out in different ways – some are better on offense, some on defense.

Base Stats:

19

Hippowdon

Base Stat Total: 525

• Type: Ground
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Route 228, Evolve Hippopotas

Sharing its base stat total with the Eeveelutions is the Ground hippo, Hippowdon, who specializes in HP, Attack, and Defense but is less than desirable in other respects. However, it won’t be much of a problem as a high-powered Earthquake will leave opponents in ruins. It can also take a hit quite nicely as well.

Hippowdon can be found as a rare encounter on Route 228, but it will be easier to catch its pre-evolved form in Hippopotas at the Maniac Tunnel. It will then evolve at level 34, with its color being determined by the Pokemon’s gender. The male has a tan and black/gray color scheme, and the female is covered in a darker coloration.

Hippowdon’s Base Stats:

18

Probopass

Base Stat Total: 525

• Type: Rock/Steel
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Nosepass

This Pokemon may have a controversial design, but in Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, it is an awesome Pokemon with a respectable base stat total of 525. This is mainly stored in its Defenses, something that a lot of Steel-type Pokemon share.

Unlike in the game’s follow-up, Platinum, this Pokemon cannot be found before the National Dex as it must be evolved from Nosepass, which will only appear via swarms on Route 206. Nosepass evolves into Probopass when leveled up at Mt. Coronet. It may not win any races, but it can take hits and strike back with reasonable Special Attack. STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves such as Flash Cannon or Power Gem will do some damage.

Probopass’ Base Stats:

17

Torterra, Lucario, & Dusknoir

Base Stat Total: 525

• Type:
  • Grass/Ground (Torterra)
  • Fighting/Steel (Lucario)
  • Ghost (Dusknoir)
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl:
  • Evolve Grotle (Torterra
  • Evolve Riolu (Lucario)
  • Evolve Dusclops (Dusknoir)

Torterra

Torterra is a Grass/Ground-type Pokemon, the only one of its kind. Grass/Ground is a somewhat rough combination. While its STAB moves do hit seven different types for super effective damage, neither type can hit Grass, Bug, or Flying Pokemon neutrally. It also comes with a 4x weakness to Ice and additional weaknesses to Bug, Flying, and Fire, with only resistances to Rock, Ground, and an Electric immunity to make up for it.

Lucario

Lucario is a Fighting/Steel-type Pokemon. This combination is amazing, as it’s a more offensive take on the usually defensive Steel-type. It only has three weaknesses to Ground, Fire, and Fighting, with a hefty six resistances, two quadruple resistances, and an immunity to Poison in exchange for this.

Offensively, Lucario’s STAB moves can hit six types super effectively, and there is no individual type that can resist both Fighting and Steel. Lucario has very high Attack, Special Attack, and Speed but middling defenses. This makes its role very obvious: it’s a fast mixed attacker that uses this great type combination both to switch in safely and to do meaningful damage. Riolu (Lucario’s pre-evolution) is given out as an Egg at the end of Iron Island, provided that the current party space is less than 6. Riolu will then evolve when it has a high friendship level during the day.

Dusknoir

Dusknoir is a pure Ghost-type Pokemon, easily one of the best single types to have. It has only two weaknesses to itself and Dark, resistances to Bug and Poison, and immunities to Normal and Fighting. Ghost-type moves hit every type in the game at least neutrally, except for Normal and Dark, while also doing double damage to itself and Psychic.

Dusknoir has extremely high defenses and good Attack, but the rather poor HP stat does hurt its survivability quite a bit. Wild Duskull are located on Route 224 when using the Poke Radar in Diamond & Pearl and can be found regularly on Route 209, the Lost Tower, and Turnback Cave.

Base Stats:

16

Empoleon & Mamoswine

Base Stat Total: 530

• Type:
  • Water/Steel (Empoleon)
  • Ice/Ground (Mamoswine)
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl:
  • Evolve Prinplup (Empoleon)
  • Evolve Piloswine (Mamoswine)

Empoleon

Empoleon is the final form of Gen 4’s Water-type starter, Piplup. It is the only Water/Steel-type, which is a phenomenal typing. Water/Steel gives Empoleon nine resistances and an immunity to Poison. Combine that with high Special Attack and Special Defense stats, and the result is a great Pokemon.

Empoleon evolves from the Water-type starter for Diamond & Pearl, meaning that players are given the option to pick it right at the beginning of the game. If the player picked another starter and still wants Empoleon, they will need to trade members of the family in from other games.

Mamoswine

Mamoswine has an excellently offensive typing in Ice/Ground in addition to having a great Attack stat and decent Speed. Combine all of that with its fantastic design and wonderfully punny name, and the result is an all-time fan favorite. Wild Swinub can be found on Route 217 as a swarm encounter.

Base Stats:

15

Infernape

Base Stat Total: 534

• Type: Fire/Fighting
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Monferno

Infernape is the final evolution of Sinnoh’s Fire-type starter, Chimchar. With 534 as its base stat total, Infernape is an extremely offensively focused Pokemon. It has incredibly high Attack, Special Attack, and Speed stats, but unfortunately, it also has very frail defenses. Fire/Fighting is always a great offensive type, allowing its STAB moves to hit seven different types for super effective damage. Infernape can also learn moves that are unusual for its typing, such as Earthquake and Thunder Punch.

Infernape evolves from the Fire-type starter for Diamond & Pearl, meaning that players have the option to pick it right at the beginning of the game. If the player picks Turtwig or Piplup, they will need to trade members of the family in from other games.

Infernape’s Base Stats:

14

Crobat

Base Stat Total: 535

• Type: Poison/Flying
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Golbat

Crobat was first introduced in Generation 2 as an evolution of Golbat and the final form of Zubat, a ubiquitous Pokemon in Sinnoh. The Bat Pokemon can be found in Iron Island, Oreburgh Mine, Wayward Cave, Lost Tower (walking; all times), Routes 203, 204, 206, 207, 208, 209, 211, 216, and 217, Acuity Lakefront (tall grass) at night, Ravaged Path, Oreburgh Gate, Mt. Coronet (Surfing and walking; all times).

This Pokemon is one of the best Flying ‘mons to use in the game, with its 130 speed making it one of the fastest in the franchise, and its other stats aren’t bad either. It is also weak to just four types, resists four, and is immune to one. It does share this total with some Pokemon introduced in Generation 4, however.

Crobat’s Base Stats:

13

Magnezone, Rhyperior, Tangrowth, & Porygon-Z

Base Stat Total: 535

• Type:
  • Electric/Steel (Magnezone)
  • Rock/Ground (Rhyperior)
  • Grass (Tangrowth)
  • Normal (Porygon-Z)
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl:
  • Evolve Magneton (Magenzone)
  • Evolve Rhydon (Rhyperior)
  • Evolve Tangela (Tangrowth)
  • Evolve Porygon2 (Porygon-Z)

Magnezone

This quartet is made up of new evolutions of older Pokemon that all share the same base stat total of 535. Magnezone has an incredible typing in Electric/Steel, giving it a massive 10 resistances and an immunity. Wild Magnemite can be found at the Fuego Ironworks as a swarm encounter.

Rhyperior

Rhyperior is a physical beast, with its HP, Attack, and Defense all being ridiculously high. Wild Rhyhorn and Rhydon, Rhyperior’s pre-evolutions, can be found on Route 227, 228, or Stark Mountain, respectively.

Tangrowth

Tangrowth has beautiful stats in general, with only its Special Defense and Speed being subpar. Tangela can only be obtained by transferring it from a Gen 3 game.

Porygon-Z

Porygon-Z is the most interesting of the bunch, though. It’s not the expected evolution of Porygon2 with better stats; rather, it is essentially Porygon2 with rearranged stats. This allows the two evolutions to coexist, something very rarely seen. Wild Porygon are found in the Trophy Garden as a special encounter.

Base Stats:

12

Milotic

Base Stat Total: 540

• Type: Water
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Feebas

The Tender Pokemon made its bow in Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire and is notorious for being one of the hardest to capture in the franchise. In Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, this is no different. It must be evolved from Feebas, which can only be found in four fishing spots in Mt. Coronet, which are randomly determined.

Milotic is a very decent Pokemon. Being a pure Water-type means it only has two weaknesses in Grass and Electric, and offensively, it can deal massive Special damage with STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) Water moves like Surf or Hydro Pump. It can also soak up special hits with its staggering 125 Special Defense. It may be hard to acquire, but doing so is worth it for its impressive stats.

Milotic’s Base Stats:

11

Blissey

Base Stat Total: 540

• Type: Normal
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Chansey

This Pokemon is known for being a defensive wall, attributed to its massive HP stat. It is very easy for gamers to pick up in D&P. A hiker gives the trainer a Happiny egg, which will evolve into Chansey when it is holding an Oval Stone in the day and then will reach its final form when leveled up with high friendship.

Normal types are always handy to use in Pokemon, as they only have one weakness in Fighting and are immune to the Ghost-type, which will come in handy against Fantina in Hearthome City. It also shines in Special Defense and has a decent Special Attack stat, and it should be used as a support Pokemon.

Blissey’s Base Stats:

10

Snorlax

Base Stat Total: 540

• Type: Normal
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Munchlax

Snorlax, the lovable sleeping Pokemon, is insanely hard to acquire in Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, as gamers will need to evolve it from its baby Pokemon form, Munchlax, which was introduced in this game. To find Munchlax, gamers must slather honey on trees and then wait six hours. There is a 1% chance of finding Munchlax on certain trees.

That aside, if players ever get a chance to use Snorlax in this game, then they will have a beast of a Pokemon, using Rest strategies to stay healthy with Sleep Talk and Snore to go alongside it. Snorlax has high HP, Attack, and Special Defense, making it a beast to use in combat.

Snorlax’s Base Stats:

9

Gyarados

Base Stat Total: 540

• Type: Water/Flying
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Magikarp, Great Marsh (Good Rod or Super Rod) Routes 203, 204, 205, 208, 209, 210, 212, 213, 214, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, and 230, Twinleaf Town, Eterna City, Canalave City, Celestic Town, Pastoria City, Sunyshore City, Lake Verity, Lake Acuity, Lake Valor, Ravaged Path, Valley Windworks, Mt. Coronet, Iron Island, Sendoff Spring, Pokémon League, Victory Road, Fuego Ironworks, Oreburgh Gate, Resort Area (Super Rod)

A truly iconic Pokemon and also tied for 540 base stat total, Gyarados can be found in a lot of locations in the game once the player gets the Super Rod. If not, gamers can catch a Magikarp and evolve it at level 20. Its pathetic, pre-evolution can be found pretty much anywhere there is water in Sinnoh.

It has been present since the very conception of the franchise in Pokemon Red & Blue back in 1999. Even 25 years later, it remains one of the best Water-type Pokemon to use. This is credited to its immense Attack stat, allowing it to tear through opponents with ease.

Gyarados’ Base Stats:

8

Electivire & Magmortar

Base Stat Total: 540

• Type:
  • Electric (Electivire)
  • Fire (Magmortar)
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl:
  • Evolve Electabuzz (Electivire)
  • Evolve Magmar (Magmortar)

Electivire and Magmortar are new evolutions of Gen 1’s Electabuzz and Magmar, seemingly created to give them more individuality in battle, as they have extremely similar stats when not fully evolved. Both have a shared base stat total of 540, with Electivire being more physically focused and Magmortar being more Special stat-focused. Other than that, both boast good HP and Speed, as well as some interesting type coverage options.

Wild Elekid can be found on Route 205 or the Valley Windworks, with a copy of FireRed inserted into the bottom of the player’s DS. Meanwhile, Wild Magby can be found on Route 227 and Stark Mountain, with a copy of LeafGreen inserted into the bottom of the DS.

Base Stats:

7

Togekiss

Base Stat Total: 545

• Type: Normal/Flying (Fairy/Flying from Generation 6)
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Togetic

Togekiss is the final evolution of the Togepi line and has a base stat total of 545. There is not enough good to really say about Togekiss. Its stats are incredible, with only the Attack stat being underwhelming out of the whole set.

Serene Grace is an excellent ability, the typing is solid, and the movepool is beyond diverse. Togekiss is an exceptional Pokemon to use, hence why the Champion, Cynthia, uses one in her stacked roster. Wild Togepi can be found on Route 230 as a swarm encounter.

Togekiss’ Base Stats:

6

Uxie, Azelf, & Mesprit

Base Stat Total: 580

• Type: Psychic
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl:
  • Acuity Cavern (Uxie)
  • Valor Cavern (Azelf)
  • Roaming Sinnoh (Mesprit)

The Lake Guardians play a very important role in the main storyline of Diamond & Pearl, so players should be familiar with them. All three of them have pure Psychic typing and share a base stat total of 580, with the points being distributed differently among them.

Uxie is the defensive one of the group, Mesprit is the balanced one, and Azelf is offensively focused. Uxie and Azelf can be found at their respective lakes after facing Dialga/Palkia. Mesprit is a roaming legendary.

Base Stats:

5

Garchomp, Heatran, Cresselia, Manaphy, Darkrai, & Shaymin

Base Stat Total: 600

• Type:
  • Dragon/Ground (Garchomp)
  • Fire/Steel (Heatran)
  • Psychic (Cresselia)
  • Water (Manaphy)
  • Dark (Darkrai)
  • Grass (Shaymin)
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl:
  • Evolve Gabite (Garchomp)
  • Stark Mountain (Heatran)
  • Roaming Sinnoh (Cresselia)
  • Received from Pokemon Ranger from Fiore, Almia, or Oblivia (Egg) (Manaphy)
  • Newmoon Island (requires Member Card) (Darkrai)
  • Flower Paradise (requires Oak’s Letter) (Shaymin)

This amazing 6-way tie consists of two actual Legendary Pokemon, three Mythicals, and a Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon, all having 600 points in their base stat totals.

Garchomp is Gen 4’s pseudo-legendary, a Ground/Dragon-type with good stats all around. Heatran has an amazing type combination and Special Attack, while Cresselia is a pure Psychic-type with phenomenal defenses and HP. As for the Mythical Pokemon, Darkrai is a special attacking beast in every sense, and Manaphy and Shaymin are jacks of all trades for the Water and Grass types respectively.

• Wild Gible (Garchomp’s first evolution) can be found at the Wayward Cave after obtaining the ability to use Strength outside of battle.
• Cresselia becomes a roaming Legendary after first meeting it on Fullmoon Island.
• Heatran can be found at the end of Stark Mountain after returning the Magma Stone.
• Manaphy can only be obtained by transferring its egg from Pokemon Ranger.

Base Stats:

4

Slaking

Base Stat Total: 670

• Type: Normal
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Evolve Vigoroth

This beast of a Pokemon has stats that rival a Legendary Pokemon, but there is a catch. Its ability, Truant. This means it can only attack every other turn as it is “loafing around.” When it does, it hits powerfully with a staggering 160 Attack stat. Thankfully, using moves like Dig, Protect, or Fly, gamers can get around this by attacking on the turns it is loafing around.

To add a Slaking to the roster, gamers must first catch a Slakoth, which is found in Eterna Forest through a swarm, so this ‘mon is another only available once the National Dex is acquired.

Slaking’s Base Stats:

3

Regigigas

Base Stat Total: 670

• Type: Normal
• Where To Find In Diamond & Pearl: Snowpoint Temple (requires Regirock, Regice, and Registeel in the player’s party)

Regigigas is the leader of the Legendary Titan Trio from Gen 3 and has a base stat total of 670. It has a great type of pure Normal, downright amazing stats, and a very diverse learnset. The issue with it comes from its ability Slow Start, halving its Attack and Speed stats for the first five turns of battle. If the player can unshackle it from its ability, then they have some gold in their hands, but it does have a huge handicap to surmount.

Regigigas can be obtained by interacting with it at the Snowpoint Temple. To do so, the player must have the other Legendary Titans (Regirock, Regice, and Registeel) in their party, which all need to be transferred from a Gen 3 game.

Regigigas’ Base Stats: