Suppose players struggle to catch a Fairy-type Pokemon in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl to counter against powerful Dragon-types. In that case, they can look for an Ice-type Pokemon instead. A few Ice-type Pokemon are available before players reach Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's postgame. A Pokemon that trainers might want to consider adding to their team is the Ice-type, Snorunt.
Snorunt and its evolved form, Glalie, are pure Ice-types that first appeared in Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire. However, it wasn't until the original Diamond/Pearl that it was given another evolution: Froslass. This Pokemon could only be evolved from a female Snorunt and had the unique Ice/Ghost-typing.
Finding Snorunt
Snorunt was originally unavailable in the wild in Pokemon Diamond/Pearl until after players received the National Dex. In Pokemon Platinum, it could be found in the wild on Route 217 or Acuity Lakefront, with a 20% chance of appearing at night. Since Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are remakes of Diamond/Pearl and not Platinum, players won't find Snorunt on Route 217 or Acuity Lakefront until they receive the National Dex.
Luckily, Snorunt can be caught before the postgame if trainers are willing to look for it in the Grand Underground. Snorunt is a rare Pokemon that will occasionally appear in the Whiteout Cave, Icy Cave, and Glacial Cavern Hideaways. If Snorunt isn't there upon entering, exit the hideaway, then go back in until it does appear.
The hideaways in which Snorunt appears are located in the northwestern part of the Grand Underground map. Meaning players will need to use the Explorer Kit on Route 217 or in Snowpoint City.
When catching Snorunt, notice its gender. A male and female Snorunt can evolve into Glalie, but a female Snorunt has the option to evolve into Froslass. So, if players want a Froslass but have encountered a male Snorunt, they'll need to catch another one.
Evolving Snorunt into Glalie
To get Glalie, Snorunt needs to reach level 42. Depending on the number of gym badges players have by the time they catch Snorunt, the Snorunt in the Grand Underground should be above level 42. Give it a Rare Candy or level it up via battling to evolve it.
Glalie has a base stat total of 480 and has an average stat spread:
Stat Name | Base No. |
|---|---|
HP | 80 |
Attack | 80 |
Defense | 80 |
Special Attack | 80 |
Special Defense | 80 |
Speed | 80 |
As an Ice-type, Glalie is strong against Dragon, Grass, Ground, and Flying-type Pokemon. It's weak against Fighting, Rock, Steel, and Fire-types.
Glalie's movepool is a mix of Physical and Special moves, but it's better to go for a Jolly Nature (+Spd, -Sp. Attk) to capitalize on its Speed and Attack stats.
Although Glalie could Mega Evolve in generation 6-7 and Pokemon GO, it is currently unable to Mega Evolve in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Unfortunately, this means Glalie loses out on a potential base Attack and Special Attack of 120 and a Speed base of 100 it would normally get as Mega Glalie.
However, players can still use Glalie offensively or defensively depending on how they want to construct its moveset. A good TM to use on Glalie is Earthquake since this will give Glalie coverage from two of its weaknesses: Fire and Rock-type Pokemon.
Evolving Snorunt into Froslass
Those who caught a female Snorunt can evolve it into a Froslass by using a Dawn Stone. This also means Snorunt does not need to be level 42 to evolve into Froslass. It can evolve any time, so long as trainers have a Dawn Stone in their Bag.
Once players have HM Surf, they can go into Mt. Coronet from Route 207 and surf along the body of water near the Rock Smash rocks. At the end is a Poke Ball Item that contains a Dawn Stone.
For those who may have already used this Dawn Stone on a male Kirlia, another stone is located in the bottom right Whiteout Cave hideaway in Snowpoint City. A third Dawn Stone is on Route 225, but this area won't be accessible until after the Elite Four. Any other Dawn Stones can only be found through mining in the Grand Underground.
Froslass has a base stat total of 480. Where it lacks in Defense and Special Defense, it makes up for in high Speed.
Stat Name | Base No. |
|---|---|
HP | 70 |
Attack | 80 |
Defense | 70 |
Special Attack | 80 |
Special Defense | 70 |
Speed | 110 |
Being Ice/Ghost-type means Froslass has moves that are strong against Grass, Dragon, Ground, Flying, Ghost, and Psychic-type Pokemon. In addition, Froslass also gains immunity to Fighting and Normal-type moves. On the downside, Froslass' dual Ice/Ghost-typing makes it weak to Ghost, Dark, Fire, Rock, and Steel-type moves.
While Glalie-trainers can get away with using Glalie as a defensive Pokemon, Froslass works better as a fast attacker. The best Nature for a Froslass is Timid (+Spd, -Attk), but players can also get away with a Modest (+Sp. Attk, -Attk) if they care more for damage output. Froslass has a mix of Physical and Special moves, but it's better to use it as a Special Attacker. Players can use TMs such as TM13 Ice Beam, or they can make use of what Froslass learns upon leveling up.
Deciding on whether to evolve Snorunt into Glalie or Froslass depends on the player's tastes. Since Mega Evolution isn't in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, some trainers may lean towards Froslass instead. Froslass being much faster than Glalie also gives it an advantage in offense, but Glalie is a little sturdier.
Furthermore, Glalie can learn Earthquake while Froslass cannot. Froslass' dual-typing also gives it more weaknesses, which is something players should keep in mind when constructing their team.
No matter which Pokemon they decide to evolve Snorunt into, Glalie and Froslass can be useful Pokemon when taking on Champion Cynthia and her Dragon/Ground-type Garchomp.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.
