Prior to completing Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl, trainers can find a mix of Pokemon from different regions in Sinnoh. Pokemon that aren't part of the Sinnoh Dex won't start appearing in the wild until after Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's story has been completed. After this, it's possible to find Pokemon from Kanto, Johto, or Hoenn by using the Poke Radar, looking for Swarms, or exploring the Grand Underground.
Mareep and its evolutions aren't the most powerful Pokemon, but longtime fans may recognize it as a common trump card used against Violet City's gym leader, Falkner. Both Mareep and its evolution, Flaaffy, can be found in several locations in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Fortunately, Mareep is not version-exclusive and doesn't require trading to reach its final evolution.
Finding Mareep
If BDSP players haven't done so already, get the National Dex from Professor Rowan. If they're missing the Pokedex entry for Palkia (Brilliant Diamond) or Dialga (Shining Pearl), then visit Cynthia's grandma in Celestic Town and speak to her to register Pokemon no.149/150.
With all 150 Pokemon registered in the Sinnoh Dex (151 if counting Manaphy), visit Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town to get the National Dex and the Poke Radar. With both of these in hand, Mareep and the other National Dex Pokemon will start appearing in Sinnoh and the Grand Underground.
Mareep can't be found as a random encounter in the wild. Instead, it requires trainers to use the Poke Radar outside the Valley Windworks. Mareep has a 12% chance of appearing and will be around level 8-9. If an Electric-type Pokemon has the Ability Static and is at the front of the party, this increases the chance of Electric-type encounters in the area by 50%, which might make it easier to catch Mareep.
Those looking to skip Mareep and jump straight to Flaaffy can go to Route 222 and use the Poke Radar there instead. Like Mareep, Flaaffy has a 12% chance of appearing with the Poke Radar. Its level will be around 41-42.
If trainers want a stronger Mareep (or Flaaffy), they can go to the Whiteout Cave, Grassland Cave, or Sunlit Cavern hideaways in the Grand Underground. Flaaffy is a rare spawn, so it may be easier to catch Mareep instead. If neither one is in the specified hideaway, exit the room and go back in.
More Information About the Mareep-line
As Electric-type, Mareep and its evolutions all share the same type-effectiveness. Most of their moves are Electric-type Special moves, but Ampharos is capable of learning Fire Punch and Power Gem, which gives it some more type coverage in battle. The best stats for the Mareep line are Special Attack and Special Defense, with their Speed and Attack as their weakest stats.
They have the following base stats and type-effectiveness:
Name | Base Stat | Stat Total |
|---|---|---|
Mareep | HP: 55 | 280 |
Attack: 40 | ||
Defense: 40 | ||
Special Attack: 65 | ||
Special Defense: 45 | ||
Speed: 35 |
Name | Base Stat | Stat Total |
|---|---|---|
Flaaffy | HP: 70 | 365 |
Attack: 55 | ||
Defense: 55 | ||
Special Attack: 80 | ||
Special Defense: 60 | ||
Speed: 45 |
Name | Base Stat | Stat Total |
|---|---|---|
Ampharos | HP: 90 | 510 |
Attack: 75 | ||
Defense: 85 | ||
Special Attack: 115 | ||
Special Defense: 90 | ||
Speed: 55 |
Strengths: | Flying, Water |
Weaknesses: | Ground |
Resistances: | Electric, Flying, Steel |
Immunities: | N/A |
Ampharos had the ability to Mega Evolve into Mega Ampharos with the Ampharosite, which would bring its base stat total from 510 to 610. It would gain a 165 Special Attack (base stat) compared to its 115 as regular Ampharos. In addition, Ampharos' type would change from Electric to Electric/Dragon-type, allowing it to gain STAB from moves like Dragon Pulse.
Without Mega Evolution, Ampharos is still a good Pokemon despite its slow Speed. A recommended Nature for Ampharos is Modest (+Sp.Attk, -Attk) because its higher Special Attack is higher than its Attack. Despite having moves that deal Physical damage (Fire Punch, Thunder Punch), Ampharos' better moves are all Special. At level 65, Ampharos learns Dragon Pulse. Although it doesn't get STAB from Dragon Pulse as a regular Ampharos, this Dragon-type move will give it coverage against Dragon-type Pokemon, which will resist Ampharos' Electric-type moves.
Even though it doesn't learn it by leveling up, it's recommended to teach Ampharos the move Thunderbolt via TM24. Thunderbolt has an accuracy of 100% and a power of 90 with 15PP, making it a good Electric-type move for a Special Attacker like Ampharos and its pre-evolved forms.
Although TM25 Thunder may have higher power, its accuracy is at 80%, making it harder to hit enemies. Given Ampharos' already-slow Speed, trainers will want it to deal as much damage as it can and make sure all its moves hit the opponent.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.
