Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are set in the vast Sinnoh region. For some players, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will be their first experience in the region, while other players are returning long after their departure from the original Pokemon Diamond and Pearl.
Whether players are visiting Generation 4's Sinnoh for the first time or returning for a second adventure, they will surely be on the lookout for powerful Pokemon to add to their team. Ghost-types are among the strongest Pokemon in the franchise, with their immunity to Normal- and Fighting-type moves. The Sinnoh region is full of Pokemon, and players can travel to the Grand Underground where they can find even more variety. Here are some of the best Ghost-types players can catch in these titles.
Updated March 31st, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Players that are just now starting their journey through Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl would likely be surprised at the amount of Pokemon that are available to catch within the release, thanks to the addition of the National Pokedex and the Grand Underground. Among these Pokemon are some pretty interesting and strong Ghost-type Pokemon. Players that want to get their hands on the best Ghost Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will want to check out this guide that outlines some of the best options. To give gamers an even larger selection, the following list has been updated to include even more entries.
11 Shedinja
Shedinja is a Bug/Ghost type that requires some clever thinking to use. Shedinja has a unique ability, Wonder Guard, which only allows it to take damage from super-effective moves: Flying, Rock, Fire, Ghost, or Dark-type attacks. However, with only 1 HP, Shedinja will faint to any super effective move thrown its way. Players will need a strategy if they want to utilize Shedinja.
Shedinja is a strange Pokemon to obtain. Players will first need to catch a Nincada. This Bug/Ground type can be found in the Eterna Forest once players have the ability to use the Poke Radar, or in the Grand Underground once players have obtained the National Dex. Players will then need to level up Nincada to level 20 to evolve it into Ninjask. If players have an open space and an unused Pokeball in their inventory when this evolution takes place, it will also result in the player obtaining Shedinja.
Shedinja's Stats:
- HP: 1
- Attack: 90
- Special Attack: 30
- Defense: 45
- Special Defense: 30
- Speed: 40
- Total: 236
10 Sableye (Shining Pearl Exclusive)
Sableye is a Dark/Ghost-type Pokemon, a great dual-typing that gives it three immunities: Fighting, Psychic, and Normal-type damage. Its only weakness is to Fairy-type moves. Having so few weaknesses sets it apart from many other Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Sableye does not evolve or have any prior evolutions. It can be caught in the Grand Underground once players have obtained the National Dex, and is exclusive to Pokemon Shining Pearl.
Sableye's Stats:
- HP: 50
- Attack: 75
- Special Attack: 65
- Defense: 75
- Special Defense: 65
- Speed: 50
- Total: 380
9 Rotom
Rotom is an Electric/Ghost-type Pokemon, whose dual-typing gives it a good set of resistances and only three weaknesses: Ghost, Dark, and Ground. Rotom's highest stat is its Special Attack, and its second is its speed. Rotom can outpace many of its opponents in battle, but with mediocre Attack, it can be overshadowed by other Ghost-type options.
Players can obtain Rotom by going to the Old Chateau in Eterna Forest and interacting with the TV inside. Rotom has no evolutions or pre-evolutions and is a stand-alone Pokemon.
Rotom's Stats:
- HP: 50
- Attack: 50
- Special Attack: 95
- Defense: 77
- Special Defense: 77
- Speed: 91
- Total: 440
8 Banette
Banette is a pure Ghost-type Pokemon. Its stats are decent, with its standout stat being its high Attack. As a Ghost-type, Banette's, Normal and Fighting-type immunities can come in handy when fighting gym leader Maylene in Veilstone City.
Banette evolves from Shuppet at level 37, but can also be caught already evolved in the wild. Banette can be found on Route 225, Route 226, Route 227, and Stark Mountain.
Banette's Stats:
- HP: 64
- Attack: 115
- Special Attack: 83
- Defense: 65
- Special Defense: 63
- Speed: 65
- Total: 455
7 Froslass
Froslass is an Ice/Ghost-type Pokemon that has several weaknesses: Rock, Steel, Fire, Ghost, and Dark-type moves. Thankfully, though, none of these weaknesses are 4x. Froslass has a great Speed stat, and decent Attack and Special Attack.
Froslass evolves from Snorunt. This pre-evolution can be found in the Grand Underground or can be caught in the wild on Route 216, Route 217, or Acuity Lakefront once players have the ability to use the Poke Radar. Snorunt will evolve into Froslass if players use a Dawn Stone on a female Snorunt.
Froslass' Stats:
- HP: 70
- Attack: 80
- Special Attack: 80
- Defense: 70
- Special Defense: 70
- Speed: 110
- Total: 480
6 Spiritomb
Spiritomb is the Ghost/Dark-type "Forbidden Pokemon." Like Sableye, who shares its typing, Spiritomb has a whopping three immunities and is only weak to Fairy-type moves. Spiritomb has a great move pool, filled with strong Psychic, Dark, and Ghost-type moves like Dream Eater, Dark Pulse, and Shadow Ball.
Spiritomb does not evolve or have any pre-evolutions. This Pokemon is obtained in an oddly specific way. Players must use the Odd Keystone on the Hallowed Tower onRoute 209. Players will then have to speak to at least 32 people in the Grand Underground, and then return to the Hallowed Tower to encounter Spiritomb.
Spiritomb's Stats:
- HP: 50
- Attack: 92
- Special Attack: 92
- Defense: 108
- Special Defense: 108
- Speed: 35
- Total: 485
5 Mismagius (Shining Pearl Exclusive)
Mismagius is a great Pokemon with hefty stats. High Special Attack stat and Speed stats make it a great asset in battle, and its pure Ghost-typing means that it only has two weaknesses in Ghost and Dark-type moves.
Mismagius evolves from Misdreavus, which is exclusive to Shining Pearl. Misdreavus can be caught in the Grand Underground and Eterna Forest, or at the Lost Tower at night. Misdreavus evolves into Mismagius when players use a Dusk Stone on it.
Mismagius' Stats:
- HP: 60
- Attack: 60
- Special Attack: 105
- Defense: 60
- Special Defense: 105
- Speed: 105
- Total: 495
4 Drifblim
Drifblim is a Ghost/Flying-type Pokemon. Its secondary typing gives it an immunity to Ground-type moves along with Ghost's usual immunities. Drifblim has great HP and Special Attack stats, meaning it can both take and deal out hefty hits.
Drifblim evolves from Drifloon. Drifloon can be found outside of Valley Windworks every Friday, and will evolve into Drifblim at level 28.
Drifblim's Stats:
- HP: 150
- Attack: 80
- Special Attack: 90
- Defense: 44
- Special Defense: 54
- Speed: 80
- Total: 498
3 Gengar
Gengar is a Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon, with weaknesses to Ghost, Dark, and Ground-type moves. It's a great offensive choice, with a decent Speed stat at and fantastic Special Attack. Gengar's Special Attack rivals even some of the legendaries in Brilliant Diamondand Shining Pearl.
Gengar is the final evolution of Gastly, which can be found in the Grand Underground, Old Chateau, Lost Tower, and on Route 209 at night. Haunter, the line's second evolution, can be found in Turnback Cave. Ghastly will evolve into Haunter at level 25, and will then need to be traded in order to evolve into Gengar.
Gengar's Stats:
- HP: 60
- Attack: 65
- Special Attack: 130
- Defense: 60
- Special Defense: 75
- Speed: 110
- Total: 500
2 Dusknoir
Dusknoir is a great Pokemon for players looking to fill a ghost-shaped hole in their team. Dusknoir has impressive stats that specialize in defense. Both its physical Defense and Special Defense stats allow it to take heavy blows in battle without much repercussion. It can hold its own offensively too, with its high Attack stat.
Dusknoir's base evolution is Duskull, which can be found in the Grand Underground in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Dusclops, the second evolution, can be found in the Grand Underground once players have obtained the National Dex, and both Duskulll and Dusclops can be found on Route 224 using the Poke Radar. Duskull evolves into Dusclops at Level 37, and into Dusknoir when traded holding the Reaper Cloth.
Dusknoir's Stats:
- HP: 45
- Attack: 100
- Special Attack: 65
- Defense: 135
- Special Defense: 135
- Speed: 45
- Total: 525
1 Giratina
Those that want to get their hands on the absolute strongest Ghost-type Pokemon in all of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will need to hunt down the Legendary Giratina. The Renegade Pokemon can only be snagged after obtaining the National Pokedex, meaning players won't be able to use this powerful Pokemon prior to the Elite Four, unless they trade for it. Giratina is exceptionally strong, has a wide array of powerful Ghost-type moves and can even swap its forms in order to change its base statlines. This will allow players to use it in different situations, making it an ideal battle partner.
Players that want Giratina need to head to the Turnback Cave once they have gotten their hands on the National Pokedex. In Route 214, players will now have access to the Spring Path, east of the forest (with National Pokedex in hand). Once players navigate this area and climb a rock wall, they'll find themselves in a foggy area of Turnback Cave. Dispelling the fog and making way through the cave will eventually lead to Giratina. The imposing Pokemon can be found all the way at the back of the area.
Giratina Altered Form Stats:
- HP: 150
- Attack: 100
- Special Attack: 100
- Defense: 120
- Special Defense: 120
- Speed: 90
- Total: 680
How To Get Giratina's Origin Form
The best part about Giratina is that it can actually swap its forms. Players that take on the rather difficult challenge of obtaining the Griseous Orb held item can allow their Giratina to transform itself when in battle. To get this orb is no small feat as players will need to head to Ramanas Park and do battle with a Level 100 Giratina in the Distortion Room area. Players should keep in mind they cannot capture this shadowed version of Giratina and must instead defeat it to receive the Griseous Orb.
- HP: 150
- Attack: 120
- Special Attack: 120
- Defense: 100
- Special Defense: 100
- Speed: 90
- Total: 680
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are available for the Nintendo Switch.