PokéRuns Choose your tool

Gen IV · Sinnoh

Pokémon Diamond and 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

Diamond and Pearl brought Pokémon to the Nintendo DS and introduced the physical/special split for every move — the biggest change to battling since Generation I. Sinnoh is built around Mt. Coronet and the myths of time and space.

Region
Sinnoh
Generation
IV
First cap
Lv14
Final cap
Lv66
Main battles
13
Areas tracked
113

Diamond & 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.

Main story of Diamond & Pearl in story order
#BattleTypeAceLevel cap
01RoarkGymCranidosCranidosLv14
02GardeniaGymRoseradeRoseradeLv22
03MayleneGymLucarioLucarioLv30
04Crasher WakeGymFloatzelFloatzelLv30
05FantinaGymMismagiusMismagiusLv36
06ByronGymBastiodonBastiodonLv39
07CandiceGymAbomasnowAbomasnowLv42
08VolknerGymLuxrayLuxrayLv49
09AaronLeagueDrapionDrapionLv57
10BerthaLeagueHippowdonHippowdonLv59
11FlintLeagueInfernapeInfernapeLv61
12LucianLeagueBronzongBronzongLv63
13CynthiaLeagueGarchompGarchompLv66

Rivals, villains and other story battles

Optional and recurring story battles, sorted by level
BattleTypeAceLevel cap
MarsBossPuruglyPuruglyLv16
JupiterBossSkuntankSkuntankLv20
SaturnBossToxicroakToxicroakLv37
MarsBossPuruglyPuruglyLv39
SaturnBossToxicroakToxicroakLv40
CyrusBossSneaselSneaselLv43
MarsBossPuruglyPuruglyLv45
JupiterBossSkuntankSkuntankLv46
CyrusBossWeavileWeavileLv48

Diamond & Pearl boss teams

Every gym leader, trial and League battle of the main story with levels. Tap a battle to open its team.

01 Roark Gym Cap14
  • Geodude
    Geodude Lv12
  • Onix
    Onix Lv12
  • Cranidos
    Cranidos Lv14
02 Gardenia Gym Cap22
  • Cherubi
    Cherubi Lv19
  • Turtwig
    Turtwig Lv19
  • Roserade
    Roserade Lv22
03 Maylene Gym Cap30
  • Meditite
    Meditite Lv27
  • Machoke
    Machoke Lv27
  • Lucario
    Lucario Lv30
04 Crasher Wake Gym Cap30
  • Gyarados
    Gyarados Lv27
  • Quagsire
    Quagsire Lv27
  • Floatzel
    Floatzel Lv30
05 Fantina Gym Cap36
  • Drifblim
    Drifblim Lv32
  • Gengar
    Gengar Lv34
  • Mismagius
    Mismagius Lv36
06 Byron Gym Cap39
  • Bronzor
    Bronzor Lv36
  • Steelix
    Steelix Lv36
  • Bastiodon
    Bastiodon Lv39
07 Candice Gym Cap42
  • Snover
    Snover Lv38
  • Sneasel
    Sneasel Lv38
  • Medicham
    Medicham Lv40
  • Abomasnow
    Abomasnow Lv42
08 Volkner Gym Cap49
  • Raichu
    Raichu Lv46
  • Ambipom
    Ambipom Lv47
  • Octillery
    Octillery Lv48
  • Luxray
    Luxray Lv49
09 Aaron League Cap57
  • Dustox
    Dustox Lv53
  • Beautifly
    Beautifly Lv53
  • Heracross
    Heracross Lv54
  • Vespiquen
    Vespiquen Lv54
  • Drapion
    Drapion Lv57
10 Bertha League Cap59
  • Quagsire
    Quagsire Lv55
  • Whiscash
    Whiscash Lv55
  • Golem
    Golem Lv56
  • Sudowoodo
    Sudowoodo Lv57
  • Hippowdon
    Hippowdon Lv59
11 Flint League Cap61
  • Rapidash
    Rapidash Lv58
  • Steelix
    Steelix Lv57
  • Lopunny
    Lopunny Lv57
  • Drifblim
    Drifblim Lv58
  • Infernape
    Infernape Lv61
12 Lucian League Cap63
  • Mr. Mime
    Mr. Mime Lv59
  • Girafarig
    Girafarig Lv59
  • Medicham
    Medicham Lv60
  • Alakazam
    Alakazam Lv60
  • Bronzong
    Bronzong Lv63
13 Cynthia League Cap66
  • Spiritomb
    Spiritomb Lv61
  • Gastrodon
    Gastrodon Lv60
  • Roserade
    Roserade Lv60
  • Milotic
    Milotic Lv63
  • Lucario
    Lucario Lv63
  • Garchomp
    Garchomp Lv66

Story battles

01 Mars Boss Cap16

Commander Mars

  • Zubat
    Zubat Lv14 Bite · Leech Life · Toxic · Bite
  • Purugly
    Purugly Lv16 @ Oran Berry Faint Attack · Scratch · Fake Out · Hypnosis
02 Jupiter Boss Cap20

Commander Jupiter

  • Zubat
    Zubat Lv18 Giga Drain · Wing Attack · Bite · Wing Attack
  • Skuntank
    Skuntank Lv20 @ Sitrus Berry Night Slash · Poison Gas · Screech · Smokescreen
03 Saturn Boss Cap37

Commander Saturn

  • Kadabra
    Kadabra Lv35 Psychic · Shock Wave · Recover · Embargo
  • Bronzor
    Bronzor Lv35 Gyro Ball · Shadow Ball · Rock Tomb · Iron Defense
  • Toxicroak
    Toxicroak Lv37 @ Sitrus Berry Poison Jab · Revenge · Mud Bomb · Faint Attack
04 Mars Boss Cap39

Commander Mars

  • Golbat
    Golbat Lv37 Air Cutter · Bite · Toxic · Supersonic
  • Bronzor
    Bronzor Lv37 Gyro Ball · Extrasensory · Iron Defense · Confuse Ray
  • Purugly
    Purugly Lv39 @ Sitrus Berry Slash · Faint Attack · Hypnosis · Fake Out
05 Saturn Boss Cap40

Commander Saturn

  • Kadabra
    Kadabra Lv38 Psychic · Shock Wave · Recover · Embargo
  • Bronzor
    Bronzor Lv38 Gyro Ball · Extrasensory · Shadow Ball · Confuse Ray
  • Toxicroak
    Toxicroak Lv40 @ Sitrus Berry Poison Jab · Brick Break · X-scissor · Swagger
06 Cyrus Boss Cap43

Galactic Boss Cyrus

  • Murkrow
    Murkrow Lv40 Drill Peck · Night Shade · Astonish · Embargo
  • Golbat
    Golbat Lv40 Poison Fang · Air Cutter · Bite · Supersonic
  • Sneasel
    Sneasel Lv43 @ Sitrus Berry Slash · Ice Punch · Quick Attack · Screech
07 Mars Boss Cap45

Commander Mars

  • Bronzor
    Bronzor Lv41 Gyro Ball · Extrasensory · Light Screen · Confuse Ray
  • Golbat
    Golbat Lv42 Air Cutter · Bite · Poison Fang · Confuse Ray
  • Purugly
    Purugly Lv45 @ Sitrus Berry Slash · Shadow Claw · Aerial Ace · Hypnosis
08 Jupiter Boss Cap46

Commander Jupiter

  • Bronzor
    Bronzor Lv41 Gyro Ball · Extrasensory · Rock Slide · Reflect
  • Golbat
    Golbat Lv41 Sludge Bomb · Air Cutter · Giga Drain · Mean Look
  • Skuntank
    Skuntank Lv46 @ Sitrus Berry Night Slash · Poison Jab · Flamethrower · Smokescreen
09 Cyrus Boss Cap48

Galactic Boss Cyrus

  • Honchkrow
    Honchkrow Lv45 Drill Peck · Dark Pulse · Steel Wing · Embargo
  • Crobat
    Crobat Lv46 Cross Poison · Air Slash · Bite · Confuse Ray
  • Gyarados
    Gyarados Lv45 Giga Impact · Aqua Tail · Ice Fang · Earthquake
  • Weavile
    Weavile Lv48 @ Sitrus Berry Night Slash · Ice Punch · Brick Break · X-scissor

Trainer levels by location

First battles against route trainers in Diamond & Pearl, sorted by the typical level of their strongest Pokémon — a quick way to see where the level curve climbs. Rematches are not included.

55 locations with documented trainers
LocationTrainersLevelsTypical ace
Route 20223–5Lv5
Oreburgh Gate35–35Lv7
Route 20364–9Lv9
Route 20485–55Lv9
Oreburgh City38–14Lv10
Floaroma Meadow29–11Lv11
Valley Windworks410–16Lv11
Jubilife City176–17Lv13
Route 2051010–55Lv14
Eterna Forest99–15Lv15
Wayward Cave1112–18Lv17
Eterna City513–22Lv17
Route 206615–17Lv17
Route 207515–19Lv18
Route 208716–35Lv19
Route 2121217–21Lv19
Route 209partly documented419Lv19
Route 215421–25Lv23
Route 214620–26Lv24
Route 2101717–29Lv25
Pastoria City1022–30Lv26
Route 211515–31Lv27
Celestic Town125–27Lv27
Veilstone City1325–30Lv28
Hearthome City1219–36Lv29
Sea Route 220726–31Lv29
Route 219229Lv29
Route 213619–32Lv31
Route 218226–31Lv31
Route 221328–33Lv32
Iron Island1527–35Lv33
Canalave City1128–39Lv33
Fuego Ironworks331–33Lv33
Lake Verity531–39Lv33
Route 216633–37Lv35
Route 217533–37Lv35
Lake Valor431–37Lv36
Mt. Coronet735–40Lv38
Snowpoint City735–42Lv39
Sea Route 223837–43Lv42
Route 222837–43Lv43
Spear Pillar838–48Lv43
Sunyshore City941–49Lv44
Battle Park250Lv50
Sea Route 230450–54Lv53
Victory Road1552–58Lv55
Route 225253–55Lv55
Route 229455–57Lv55
Sea Route 226551–57Lv56
Route 224452–56Lv56
Route 228454–58Lv56
Route 227356–57Lv57
Stark Mountain1853–60Lv58
Pokémon League848–66Lv59
Fight Area658–74Lv74

Nuzlocke tips for Diamond & Pearl

  • Fire types are rare: before the post-game, Chimchar and Ponyta are almost the only options.
  • The gym order here is Roark, Gardenia, Maylene, Crasher Wake, Fantina, Byron, Candice and Volkner — different from Platinum.
  • Cynthia’s Garchomp is one of the most feared Champion aces in the series. Plan for it long before the League.

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 Diamond and 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 Diamond and Pearl?

Cynthia sets the final main-story cap at level 66, with Garchomp as the ace.

How many boss battles are there in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl?

This guide lists 13 main-story battles, 9 optional story battles against rivals and villains.

Can I randomize Pokémon Diamond and Pearl?

Yes. The PokéRuns Randomizer supports Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and runs entirely in your browser. When you send the randomized world to your tracker, it uses your ROM’s real boss teams and level caps.

Sources

Caps and teams come from the PokéRuns tracker data (updated 2026-09-07), compiled from:

  • pokemondb.net 1
  • serebii.net 1234 +2 more
  • serebii.net Pokéarth route trainer data

Start your Diamond & Pearl run.

Track encounters, level caps and losses, or shuffle the game into something new. Free, no account needed.

Track a Nuzlocke Play a SoulLink Randomize

More from Generation IV

Gen IV

Sinnoh

Platinum

Lv14Lv6213 battles
Gen IV

Johto

HeartGold & SoulSilver

Lv13Lv5013 battles
Gen VIII

Sinnoh

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Lv14Lv6613 battles