HT Games
Instructions
Wild Pokemon
Catch as many Pokemon as you can by looking for wild Pokemon in tall grass, caves and water. When battling a wild Pokemon, wear down its health bar until it turns red, then try catching it with a PokeBall. Do this for every new wild Pokemon you encounter. This gives you a wide variety to choose from and lets you experiment with different creatures and team combinations.
Check the stats of the Pokemon you've caught. Nearly every town and city in "Pokemon Diamond" has a Poke Center. The PC inside the Poke Center houses the Pokemon you've caught. Select a Pokemon and choose "Summary" to view a list of their moves, types and stats. Choose Pokemon for your party based on a mixture of high stats, powerful moves and type variation.
Level up your Pokemon as much as you can; any level 50 Pokemon is better than a level 20 Pokemon, since every level increase raises your Pokemon's stats. Get into as many trainer battles and wild encounters as you can to gain experience points used towards leveling up. Many Pokemon evolve and receive an additional stat boost, making them much stronger than their previous forms.
Balance your team with different types of Pokemon. A successful party isn't about one good Pokemon, but six with varying strengths and weaknesses. For example, choose a Fire-type, Water-type, Grass-type, Electric-type, Psychic-type and Flying-type. Some Pokemon have two types, perfect for gaining strategic diversity. The more variation in your team, the better your chances of having a strong counterpart to your opponent's Pokemon.
Determine your play style early in the game. One of the best things about "Pokemon Diamond" is the diversity in the Pokemon you encounter. While some Pokemon prove ideal for players who prefer defensive strategies and lowering their opponent's stats before striking, others are better suited for strong offensive assaults; "good" to you may not work as well for the next player.
Legendary Pokemon
Play through the main story and you'll come to a point where you encounter Dialgia, a legendary Pokemon. Legendary Pokemon typically prove stronger than the Pokemon you encounter in the wild. The story forces you into a battle with Dialgia. Though he's tough to catch, use the same strategy you use on wild Pokemon. Consider using a strong PokeBall like a Great Ball or Ultra Ball. Equip Dialgia as soon as you catch him.
Head to Lake Acuity, outside Snowpoint City. Use the move Surf to access the cave in the middle of the lake and head to the back. Walk up to Uxie and press "A" to battle him. Lower Uxie's HP as much as you can before trying to catch him. In his "Pokemon Diamond" guide for IGN, Colin Moriarty warns that it took him seven attempts with Ultra Balls before successfully catching Uxie.
Go to Sunnyshore City and head west, entering Route 222. Travel to Lake Valor's Lakefront region, where Route 213 meets Route 214. Head west and use the move Surf, entering the cave in the middle of the lake. Walk to the back of the cavern and press "A" in front of Azelf to battle him, using an Ultra Ball to capture him.
Travel to Twinleaf Town and head northwest to Lake Verity. Use Surf to access the cave in the middle of the lake. Walk up to Mesprit in the back of the cave and press "A." Unlike Uxie and Azelf, Mesprit will fly away, not battle you.
Use the Marking Map Poketech app and find Mesprit's face on your map. Head towards that spot without Flying; if you use Fly, Mesprit moves. He also moves frequently, so check your Marking Map each time you enter a new location. When you eventually reach the same map area as Mesprit, go into the closest grass, trying to encounter a wild Pokemon. As soon as you encounter Mesprit, put him to sleep, freeze him or paralyze him to keep him from running away. Catch him with a strategy similar to the other legendary Pokemon.