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Since the third generation, Pokemon come with an Ability, which is a mechanic that gives Pokemon a passive effect in or outside of battle. Most Pokemon usually have three different sets of Abilities: A Hidden Ability and two non-Hidden Abilities. InPokemon Brilliant DiamondandPokemon Shining Pearl, there are three methods of obtaining a Pokemon with their Hidden Ability.
However, players need to remember that not all Hidden Abilities are better than a Pokemon’s regular Abilities.For example,Primarina (not available inBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearl) has the Hidden Ability “Liquid Voice,” which changes the typing of any sound-based moves into Water-type. This means Primarina’s Fairy-type move, Disarming Voice, is no longer super effective against Dragon, Dark, or Fighting-type because “Liquid Voice” has now changed that move’s typing into a Water-type move. Keeping a Primarina with its regular Ability, “Torrent” (ups the power of Water-type moves when HP is low) may be more advantageous than having Primarina with its Hidden Ability. Before hunting Pokemon with Hidden Abilities, decide whether or not they’re worth the effort.
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Ways of Not Getting Hidden Abilities
There are some Pokemon that will never have a Hidden Ability when caught. To get their Hidden Ability, players will need to use an Ability Patch (more on this later). Some Pokemon that can’t be obtained with their Hidden Abilities areStarter PokemonandPokemon caught in theGrand Underground.
This means it’s pointless to soft reset before pickingBrilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl’s starter Pokemon if players want a Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup with their Hidden Ability. On the plus side,starters can be Shiny Hunted.
As for the Grand Underground, Pokemon caught here will have anEgg Move, but will never have their Hidden Ability.
Other Pokemon that can’t obtain their Hidden Ability are the box art Legendaries (Dialga and Palkia), but theycanget their Hidden Ability if they’re given an Ability Patch.
Use the PokeRadar
The PokeRadar is a Key Item given to the player upon completing the Sinnoh Pokedexand defeating the Elite Four. Once they’ve spoken to Professor Rowan and achieved the National Dex, they will be able to use the PokeRadar. To use it, walk into the tall grass and select it from the inventory. Then, walk towards any shaking grass to trigger a Random Encounter. Pokemon with Hidden Abilities will be hiding inpatchesthat shed larger blades of grass.
Since players need to step onto tiles with shaking grass, they should buyMax or Super Repelsto lower the chances of triggering a random encounter. Furthermore, Pokemon with Hidden Abilities need tobe chained. Meaningif players want a Buizel with its Hidden Ability, they will need to chain Buizels with the PokeRadar until they find one in the right type of grass.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
RELATED:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: Where To Catch All The Starters
Ability Patch
Pokemon that are locked out of their Hidden Ability (starters, legendaries) can instead get them through an Ability Patch. This can be purchased at the Battle Tower for200 BP(battle points) and is only available in the postgame.
Players will be rewarded3 BPforclearing each room in the Battle Tower. Defeating theTower Tycoonwill reward20 BPinstead. Battles at the Battle Tower are very similar to competitive battles in that there are set Levels, and most of the opponents' teams will be carrying Items or have a variety of moves.
Be sure not to purchase the Ability Capsule instead.An Ability Capsule will only swap between a Pokemon’s two Abilities(such as an Eevee’s Run Away to Adaptability), or will not be usable on the Pokemon at all (Pokemon without three Abilities). Furthermore, if a Pokemonwitha Hidden Ability is given an Ability Capsule, it will lose its Hidden Ability in favor of one of its non-Hidden Abilities.
Tip:It may be better to avoid using an Ability Patch on Dialga or Palkia. This is because Dialga and Palkia’s default Ability, Pressure, is useful inall battles. For their Hidden Ability, they have Telepathy. This allows them to avoid any move from allies (such as Earthquake, which hits all Pokemon on the field except the user). However, Telepathy will not allow Pokemon to dodgestatus-inflicting moves such as Teeter Dance. The only way a Pokemon gets use out of Telepathy is if they’re in Double Battles. So unless Dialga or Palkia are being used competitively, it may be better to stick with their Pressure Ability instead.
Breeding the Hidden Ability
The final method of getting a Hidden Ability is by breeding Pokemon at the Pokemon Daycare. Simply have one of the Parent Pokemon with the Hidden Ability. Since generation 6, female Pokemon with a Hidden Ability had a 60% chance of passing down their Hidden Ability to their offspring. Despite this, male Pokemon or unknown gender Pokemon (ex: Magnemite) still have a chance of transferring their Hidden Ability whenbred with a female Pokemon or a Ditto.
