How to Unlock the National Pokédex in Pokémon Platinum

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Find those pesky Pokémon missing from your Sinnoh Pokédex

Co-authored by Ishrak and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: November 7, 2023 Fact Checked

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How to Get the National Dex

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Where to Find Commonly Missing Pokémon

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

The National Pokédex is a special feature unlocked after you’ve completed the main storyline of Pokémon Platinum and filled out the Sinnoh regional Pokédex. Receiving from Professor Oak is simple—what can be tricky is finding the Pokémon that don’t naturally pop up in Pokémon battles, like Unown and Rotom. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, so you can easily continue your postgame journey.

Things You Should Know

Receive the National Dex from Professor Oak in Sandgem Town after showing Professor Rowan your completed Sinnoh Pokédex.
If you’re missing the Unown Pokédex entry, check the bottom floor of the Solaceon Ruins.
If you’re missing the Rotom Pokédex entry, visit the second floor of the Old Chateau in Eterna Forest at night.

Section 1 of 2:

How to Get the National Dex

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Unlocking the National Dex is a postgame feature—in other words, you have to defeat the Elite 4 as well as the Pokémon Champion before you can get it. Beat the Pokémon to progress to the postgame.^{[1]
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While you’re not required to physically catch all 210 Pokémon in the regional Sinnoh Pokédex, you are required to run into them all at one point or another. Most of these Dex entries can be gained by battling all the trainers you encounter, though it’s important to note that some Pokémon in the game aren’t actually owned by any trainers.^{[2]
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Visit Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town to receive the National Dex. Show your completed Sinnoh Pokédex to Rowan, who confirms if it’s filled out. At that point, Professor Oak visits and upgrades your device to the National Dex.^{[3]
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- Oak also hands over a Poké Radar, which makes it easier to find non-Sinnoh Pokémon in grassy patches of the wild.

Section 2 of 2:

Where to Find Commonly Missing Pokémon

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Rotom During the in-game night, head to the Old Chateau that sits close to the exit point of Eterna Forest. As you’re exploring the Old Chateau, walk around the second floor until you run into a wild Rotom.^{[4]
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- The Old Chateau requires Cut (HM01) to reach.
- Note: If you ran into this Pokémon before becoming Pokémon Champion, it should spawn again in the Old Chateau once you’ve entered the Hall of Fame.^{[5]
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  Research source} Beyond this, however, you will only get one chance to catch Rotom so make sure you do not knock it out. Save before battling it.
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UnownHead to the very bottom floor of the Solaceon Ruins and start walking around. Once you’ve successfully reached the lowest floor, wild Unown Pokémon will spawn.^{[6]
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- Even if you explored part of the Ruins before, you wouldn’t have encountered any Unowns without hitting the bottom floor first.
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Manaphy Head to Route 212 and enter Mr. Backlot’s mansion, heading directly to his office. On the desk, inspect the book that’s there—a picture of Manaphy is printed, which registers the Legendary as “seen” in your Pokédex.^{[7]
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- Pokémon Platinum held an event back in the late 2000s that allowed players to catch this Pokémon; however, this event is no longer available. Inspecting the book is your best bet in filling out your Sinnoh Pokédex.
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The Lake Trio (Mesprit, Azelf, and Uxie} During the game’s main storyline, you went up against Giratina in the Distortion World. After this point, the Legendary Lake Trio (Mesprit, Azelf, and Uxie) were all available to be found in their respective cave areas on specific lakes:^{[8]
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- Lake Verity: Mesprit
- Lake Valor: Azelf
- Lake Acuity: Uxie
- Warning: All of these Pokémon can be battled and caught, but Mesprit in particular will teleport around your game before you can catch it. Don’t worry, though—as long as you interact with it in the cave (before it leaves), it’ll still be registered in your Pokédex.

Community Q&A

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Question

I caught Rotom, but I didn't get the National Pokedex - why?

EditorKrijim

Community Answer

You need to complete the Sinnoh Pokedex to get the national in Diamond, Pearl and Platinum.

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Question

How do I see Rotom to complete the Sinnoh Pokedex if I need the National Pokedex to battle Rotom?

Ziyan Batada

Community Answer

Go to the old Chateu in the Eterna forest. Use cut to cut down the trees. Go inside and go to the second floor to the door in the middle. Go inside, and go to the door on your left. It has to be from eight p.m to four a.m. Talk to the TV, and it will ask if you want to thump it. If you say yes, a level 20 Rotom will appear.

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Question

How do I get all three starter Pokemon?

Community Answer

Start the game three times, choosing different starters each time. Then trade them to a different device and then back to your main game.

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Tips

Dialga and Palkia should be counted in your regional Pokédex after you’ve gone through the main storyline.^{[9]
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