Gen VIII · Sinnoh
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Nuzlocke guide
Level caps, boss teams and trainer levels for your next run — 13 main-story battles from Roark (Lv 14) to Cynthia (Lv 66).
- Nuzlocke
- SoulLink
- Randomizer
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl faithfully remake Diamond and Pearl for Nintendo Switch — same gym order, a new Grand Underground and a Champion Cynthia who is widely considered one of the hardest in the series.
- Region
- Sinnoh
- Generation
- VIII
- First cap
- Lv14
- Final cap
- Lv66
- Main battles
- 13
- Areas tracked
- 129
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl level caps
A level cap is the level of the opponent’s strongest Pokémon. In a Hardcore Nuzlocke, no Pokémon in your party may be above the cap when the battle starts.
The biggest jump in the main story is +8 levels, from Roark (Lv 14) to Gardenia (Lv 22). Plan your training before it.
| # | Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Roark | Gym |  Cranidos | Lv14 |
| 02 | Gardenia | Gym |  Roserade | Lv22 |
| 03 | Maylene | Gym |  Lucario | Lv30 |
| 04 | Crasher Wake | Gym |  Floatzel | Lv30 |
| 05 | Fantina | Gym |  Mismagius | Lv36 |
| 06 | Byron | Gym |  Bastiodon | Lv39 |
| 07 | Candice | Gym |  Abomasnow | Lv42 |
| 08 | Volkner | Gym |  Luxray | Lv49 |
| 09 | Aaron | League |  Drapion | Lv57 |
| 10 | Bertha | League |  Hippowdon | Lv59 |
| 11 | Flint | League |  Infernape | Lv61 |
| 12 | Lucian | League |  Bronzong | Lv63 |
| 13 | Cynthia | League |  Garchomp | Lv66 |
Rivals, villains and other story battles
| Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mars | Boss |  Purugly | Lv16 |
| Jupiter | Boss |  Skuntank | Lv20 |
| Saturn | Boss |  Toxicroak | Lv37 |
| Mars | Boss | Purugly | Lv39 |
| Saturn | Boss | Toxicroak | Lv40 |
| Cyrus | Boss |  Sneasel | Lv43 |
| Mars | Boss | Purugly | Lv45 |
| Jupiter | Boss | Skuntank | Lv46 |
| Cyrus | Boss |  Weavile | Lv48 |
Post-game battles (21)
| Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barry | Post-game | Infernape | Lv64 |
| Game Freak's Morimoto | Post-game |  Flareon | Lv65 |
| Aaron - rematch | Post-game | Drapion | Lv69 |
| Bertha - rematch | Post-game |  Rhyperior | Lv71 |
| Roark - rematch | Post-game |  Rampardos | Lv72 |
| Gardenia - rematch | Post-game | Roserade | Lv72 |
| Crasher Wake - rematch | Post-game | Floatzel | Lv72 |
| Fantina - rematch | Post-game |  Gengar | Lv72 |
| Byron - rematch | Post-game | Bastiodon | Lv72 |
| Candice - rematch | Post-game | Weavile | Lv72 |
| Flint - rematch | Post-game |  Magmortar | Lv73 |
| Maylene - rematch | Post-game | Lucario | Lv74 |
| Barry - rematch | Post-game | Infernape | Lv74 |
| Volkner - rematch | Post-game |  Electivire | Lv75 |
| Lucian - rematch | Post-game |  Gallade | Lv75 |
| Cynthia - rematch | Post-game | Garchomp | Lv78 |
| Aaron - rematch 2 | Post-game | Drapion | Lv79 |
| Bertha - rematch 2 | Post-game | Rhyperior | Lv81 |
| Flint - rematch 2 | Post-game | Magmortar | Lv83 |
| Lucian - rematch 2 | Post-game | Gallade | Lv85 |
| Cynthia - rematch 2 | Post-game | Garchomp | Lv88 |
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl boss teams
Every gym leader, trial and League battle of the main story with levels and known movesets. Tap a battle to open its team.
01 Roark Gym Cap14
Gym Leader Roark
-
Geodude Lv12 Rock Head Stealth Rock · Defense Curl · Rollout -
Onix Lv12 Sturdy Stealth Rock · Rock Throw · Bind -
Cranidos Lv14 Mold Breaker Headbutt · Bulldoze · Leer
02 Gardenia Gym Cap22
Gym Leader Gardenia
-
Cherubi Lv19 Chlorophyll Grass Knot · Growth · Dazzling Gleam · Safeguard -
Turtwig Lv19 Shell Armor · @ Miracle Seed Grass Knot · Razor Leaf · Reflect · Work Up -
Roserade Lv22 Technician · @ Sitrus Berry Grass Knot · Petal Blizzard · Poison Sting · Stun Spore
03 Maylene Gym Cap30
Gym Leader Maylene
-
Meditite Lv27 Pure Power · @ Light Clay Drain Punch · Light Screen · Flash · Bulk Up -
Machoke Lv27 Guts · @ Expert Belt Low Sweep · Knock Off · Rock Tomb · Bulldoze -
Lucario Lv30 Steadfast · @ Big Root Drain Punch · Screech · Metal Claw · Bulk Up
04 Crasher Wake Gym Cap30
-
Gyarados Lv27 -
Quagsire Lv27 -
Floatzel Lv30
05 Fantina Gym Cap36
Gym Leader Fantina
-
Drifblim Lv32 Aftermath · @ Zoom Lens Strength Sap · Hex · Fly · Will-O-Wisp -
Gengar Lv34 Cursed Body · @ Colbur Berry Shadow Claw · Confuse Ray · Sludge Bomb · Dazzling Gleam
-
Mismagius Lv36 Levitate · @ Expert Belt Confuse Ray · Phantom Force · Magical Leaf · Dazzling Gleam
06 Byron Gym Cap39
Gym Leader Byron
-
Bronzor Lv36 Levitate Confuse Ray · Sandstorm · Trick Room · Flash Cannon -
Steelix Lv36 Sturdy · @ Soft Sand Thunder Fang · Earthquake · Sandstorm · Gyro Ball -
Bastiodon Lv39 Sturdy · @ Sitrus Berry Iron Defense · Thunderbolt · Stone Edge · Flash Cannon
07 Candice Gym Cap42
Gym Leader Candice
-
Snover Lv38 Snow Warning · @ Icy Rock Mist · Razor Leaf · Water Pulse · Avalanche -
Sneasel Lv38 Pickpocket · @ Chople Berry Metal Claw · Hone Claws · Dig · Avalanche
-
Medicham Lv40 Pure Power · @ Expert Belt Ice Punch · Bulk Up · Brick Break · Rock Slide -
Abomasnow Lv42 Snow Warning · @ Sitrus Berry Aurora Veil · Giga Drain · Earthquake · Blizzard
08 Volkner Gym Cap49
Gym Leader Volkner
-
Raichu Lv46 Static · @ Shuca Berry Nuzzle · Volt Switch · Surf · Charge Beam -
Ambipom Lv47 Technician · @ Chople Berry Fake Out · Thunderbolt · Double Hit · Last Resort -
Octillery Lv47 Sniper · @ Expert Belt Octazooka · Focus Energy · Aurora Beam · Charge Beam -
Luxray Lv49 Intimidate · @ Sitrus Berry Thunder Fang · Ice Fang · Crunch · Iron Tail
09 Aaron League Cap57
Elite Four Aaron
-
Dustox Lv53 Shield Dust · @ Black Sludge Toxic · Bug Buzz · Moonlight · Light Screen -
Beautifly Lv53 Swarm · @ Wise Glasses Bug Buzz · Shadow Ball · Psychic · Quiver Dance -
Vespiquen Lv54 Unnerve · @ Sitrus Berry Acrobatics · Attack Order · Aerial Ace · Defend Order -
Heracross Lv54 Guts · @ Flame Orb Earthquake · Rock Slide · Facade · Brick Break -
Drapion Lv57 Sniper · @ Scope Lens Cross Poison · Night Slash · Earthquake · X-Scissor
10 Bertha League Cap59
Elite Four Bertha
-
Quagsire Lv55 Water Absorb · @ Leftovers Recover · Toxic · Earthquake · Surf
-
Sudowoodo Lv56 Rock Head · @ Sitrus Berry Double-Edge · Head Smash · Sucker Punch · Low Kick -
Golem Lv56 Sturdy · @ Soft Sand Rock Polish · Heavy Slam · Earthquake · Stone Edge -
Whiscash Lv55 Hydration · @ Rindo Berry Bulldoze · Ice Beam · Belch · Hydro Pump -
Hippowdon Lv59 Sand Stream · @ Chesto Berry Ice Fang · Earthquake · Crunch · Rest
11 Flint League Cap61
Elite Four Flint
-
Rapidash Lv58 Flame Body · @ Wide Lens Flame Charge · Iron Tail · Poison Jab · Hypnosis -
Steelix Lv57 Sheer Force · @ Life Orb Thunder Fang · Fire Fang · Iron Tail · Crunch
-
Drifblim Lv58 Unburden · @ Sitrus Berry Strength Sap · Minimize · Baton Pass · Will-O-Wisp
-
Lopunny Lv57 Cute Charm · @ Leftovers Mirror Coat · High Jump Kick · Quick Attack · Fire Punch -
Infernape Lv61 Iron Fist · @ Focus Sash Fire Punch · Thunder Punch · Close Combat · Mach Punch
12 Lucian League Cap63
Elite Four Lucian
-
Mr. Mime Lv59 Filter · @ Light Clay Light Screen · Reflect · Psychic · Dazzling Gleam -
Girafarig Lv59 Sap Sipper · @ Mental Herb Light Screen · Psychic · Thunderbolt · Trick Room -
Medicham Lv60 Pure Power · @ Muscle Band Zen Headbutt · High Jump Kick · Thunder Punch · Ice Punch
-
Alakazam Lv60 Magic Guard · @ Life Orb Nasty Plot · Psychic · Future Sight · Shock Wave -
Bronzong Lv63 Levitate · @ Sitrus Berry Gyro Ball · Earthquake · Payback · Trick Room
13 Cynthia League Cap66
Champion Cynthia
-
Spiritomb Lv61 Pressure · @ Sitrus Berry Shadow Ball · Dark Pulse · Psychic · Sucker Punch -
Roserade Lv60 Poison Point · @ Expert Belt Dazzling Gleam · Shadow Ball · Sludge Bomb · Energy Ball
-
Gastrodon Lv60 Storm Drain · @ Leftovers Scald · Earthquake · Sludge Bomb · Rock Tomb -
Lucario Lv63 Inner Focus · @ Wise Glasses Aura Sphere · Dragon Pulse · Flash Cannon · Nasty Plot
-
Milotic Lv63 Marvel Scale · @ Flame Orb Recover · Mirror Coat · Ice Beam · Scald -
Garchomp Lv66 Rough Skin · @ Yache Berry Dragon Claw · Earthquake · Swords Dance · Poison Jab
Story battles
01 Mars Boss Cap16
Team Galactic Leader Mars
-
Zubat Lv14 Inner Focus Absorb · Supersonic · Astonish · U-turn -
Purugly Lv16 Thick Fat · @ Oran Berry Fake Out · Scratch · Growl · Thief
02 Jupiter Boss Cap20
Team Galactic Leader Jupiter
-
Zubat Lv18 Inner Focus Absorb · Supersonic · Mean Look · Poison Fang
-
Skuntank Lv20 Aftermath · @ Sitrus Berry Flamethrower · Poison Gas · Acid Spray · Snarl
03 Saturn Boss Cap37
Team Galactic Leader Saturn
-
Kadabra Lv35 Inner Focus · @ Damp Rock Kinesis · Reflect · Psychic · Rain Dance -
Bronzor Lv35 Levitate Confuse Ray · Payback · Gyro Ball · Extrasensory
-
Toxicroak Lv37 Dry Skin Mud-Slap · Revenge · Toxic · Thief
04 Mars Boss Cap39
Team Galactic Leader Mars
-
Golbat Lv37 Inner Focus Astonish · Poison Fang · Bite · U-turn -
Bronzor Lv37 Levitate Confuse Ray · Payback · Gyro Ball · Iron Defense
-
Purugly Lv39 Thick Fat · @ Sitrus Berry Growl · Aerial Ace · Slash · U-turn
05 Saturn Boss Cap40
Team Galactic Leader Saturn
-
Kadabra Lv38 Inner Focus · @ Damp Rock Kinesis · Reflect · Psychic · Rain Dance
-
Bronzor Lv38 Levitate Confuse Ray · Payback · Gyro Ball · Extrasensory
-
Toxicroak Lv40 Dry Skin Mud-Slap · Toxic · Thief · Brick Break
06 Cyrus Boss Cap43
Team Galactic Boss Cyrus
-
Murkrow Lv40 Insomnia Wing Attack · Night Shade · Assurance · Taunt -
Golbat Lv40 Inner Focus Screech · Poison Fang · Air Cutter · Bite
-
Sneasel Lv43 Keen Eye · @ Sitrus Berry Metal Claw · Icy Wind · Hone Claws · Beat Up
07 Mars Boss Cap45
Team Galactic Leader Mars
-
Bronzor Lv41 Levitate Confuse Ray · Payback · Gyro Ball · Reflect
-
Golbat Lv42 Inner Focus Poison Fang · Bite · Haze · U-turn
-
Purugly Lv45 Thick Fat · @ Sitrus Berry Aerial Ace · Body Slam · Dig · U-turn
08 Jupiter Boss Cap46
Team Galactic Leader Jupiter
-
Bronzor Lv41 Levitate Confuse Ray · Payback · Extrasensory · Light Screen
-
Golbat Lv41 Inner Focus Air Cutter · Haze · Giga Drain · Sludge Bomb
-
Skuntank Lv46 Aftermath · @ Sitrus Berry Flamethrower · Poison Gas · Belch · Snarl
09 Cyrus Boss Cap48
Team Galactic Boss Cyrus
-
Honchkrow Lv45 Super Luck · @ Scope Lens Air Cutter · Night Slash · Steel Wing · Defog -
Crobat Lv46 Infiltrator · @ Quick Claw Cross Poison · Tailwind · Air Cutter · U-turn -
Gyarados Lv45 Intimidate · @ Wacan Berry Ice Fang · Waterfall · Crunch · Earthquake
-
Weavile Lv48 Pickpocket · @ Chople Berry Metal Claw · Fling · Dig · Aerial Ace
Trainer levels by location
First battles against route trainers in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, sorted by the typical level of their strongest Pokémon — a quick way to see where the level curve climbs. Rematches are not included.
| Location | Trainers | Levels | Typical ace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 202 | 3 | 3–5 | Lv5 |
| Route 203 | 8 | 4–9 | Lv7 |
| Oreburgh Gate | 3 | 5–35 | Lv7 |
| Route 204 | 6 | 5–9 | Lv7 |
| Oreburgh Mine | 2 | 7–9 | Lv9 |
| Floaroma Meadow | 2 | 9–11 | Lv11 |
| Valley Windworks | 4 | 10–16 | Lv11 |
| Jubilife City | 17 | 6–17 | Lv13 |
| Oreburgh City | 4 | 8–72 | Lv14 |
| Route 205 | 11 | 10–15 | Lv14 |
| Eterna Forest | 9 | 9–15 | Lv15 |
| Wayward Cave | 11 | 12–18 | Lv17 |
| Eterna City | 6 | 13–72 | Lv17 |
| Route 206 | 9 | 15–17 | Lv17 |
| Route 207 | 6 | 15–19 | Lv18 |
| Solaceon Ruins | 1 | 16–18 | Lv18 |
| Route 209 | 8 | 14–19 | Lv19 |
| Route 208 | 7 | 16–35 | Lv19 |
| Route 212 | 20 | 17–21 | Lv19 |
| Route 215 | 8 | 19–25 | Lv23 |
| Route 214 | 9 | 20–26 | Lv24 |
| Route 210 | 22 | 17–39 | Lv25 |
| Pastoria City | 11 | 22–72 | Lv26 |
| Route 211 | 7 | 13–31 | Lv27 |
| Celestic Town | 1 | 25–27 | Lv27 |
| Veilstone City | 14 | 25–74 | Lv28 |
| Hearthome City | 13 | 19–72 | Lv29 |
| Sea Route 220 | 7 | 26–31 | Lv29 |
| Route 219 | 2 | 29 | Lv29 |
| Route 213 | 9 | 19–32 | Lv31 |
| Route 218 | 4 | 26–31 | Lv31 |
| Iron Island | 15 | 27–35 | Lv33 |
| Canalave City | 12 | 28–72 | Lv33 |
| Route 221 | 6 | 28–34 | Lv33 |
| Fuego Ironworks | 3 | 31–33 | Lv33 |
| Lake Verity | 5 | 31–39 | Lv33 |
| Route 216 | 9 | 33–40 | Lv35 |
| Lake Valor | 4 | 31–37 | Lv36 |
| Route 217 | 9 | 33–38 | Lv37 |
| Mt. Coronet | 10 | 34–40 | Lv38 |
| Snowpoint City | 8 | 35–72 | Lv39 |
| Sea Route 223 | 13 | 37–44 | Lv42 |
| Route 222 | 12 | 37–43 | Lv43 |
| Sunyshore City | 10 | 41–75 | Lv44 |
| Spear Pillar | 8 | 38–48 | Lv45 |
| Sea Route 230 | 6 | 50–54 | Lv53 |
| Victory Road | 29 | 43–58 | Lv54 |
| Route 224 | 8 | 52–57 | Lv54 |
| Route 225 | 8 | 50–56 | Lv55 |
| Route 228 | 8 | 52–58 | Lv55 |
| Route 229 | 4 | 55–57 | Lv55 |
| Sea Route 226 | 5 | 51–57 | Lv56 |
| Route 227 | 4 | 55–57 | Lv57 |
| Stark Mountain | 18 | 53–60 | Lv58 |
| Pokémon League | 18 | 49–88 | Lv71 |
| Fight Area | 6 | 58–74 | Lv74 |
| Sandgem Town | 12 | 58–74 | Lv74 |
Nuzlocke tips for Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
- The Exp. Share is always on, so staying under the caps takes planning.
- The Grand Underground’s hideaways offer Pokémon from outside the regional Pokédex. Decide how its areas count as encounters.
- Cynthia’s team is stronger than in the original games. Plan several answers for her Garchomp.
New to the challenge? Start with the Nuzlocke rules, or bring friends with the Soul Link rules.
FAQ
What is the first level cap in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl?
The first cap is level 14: Roark’s strongest Pokémon is Cranidos at level 14. Keep every party member at or below level 14 for that battle.
What level is the Champion in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl?
Cynthia sets the final main-story cap at level 66, with Garchomp as the ace.
How many boss battles are there in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl?
This guide lists 13 main-story battles, 9 optional story battles against rivals and villains and 21 post-game battles.
Can I play a randomized Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Nuzlocke?
The PokéRuns Randomizer supports the official games of generations I–V, so Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl can’t be randomized with it. You can still track a regular Nuzlocke or Soul Link of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl with PokéRuns.
Sources
Caps and teams come from the PokéRuns tracker data (updated 2026-09-07), compiled from:
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