How Many Pokémon Can You Get with Only Pokémon Shining Pearl?
Assuming you do not use any glitches, the answer is 433. Three Mythical Pokémon (Mew, Jirachi, and Arceus) can also be obtained if the player has access to Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee, Sword/Shield, and Legends: Arceus save data, respectively. The Professor Oak challenge guide for Brilliant Diamond can be found here, although I've made a shorter list of encounters below in case anything happens to the external guide.
The list of Pokémon you cannot get without trading, which equals 433 species, is as follows:
- Trade Evolutions (16) - 16 total
- Alakazam, Golem, Machamp, Gengar, Politoed, Slowking, Rhyperior, Kingdra, Scizor, Electivire, Magmortar, Porygon2, Porygon-Z, Dusknoir, Huntail, and Gorebyss evolve by trade. Without the ability to trade, they are unobtainable.
- Version Exclusives (35) - 51 total
- The following Pokémon cannot be obtained without the use of glitches or trading: Cranidos, Bastiodon, Murkrow, Honchkrow, Stunky, Skuntank, Dialga, Caterpie, Weedle, Beedrill, Ekans, Arbok, Growlithe, Arcanine, Seel, Dewgong, Elekid, Electabuzz,
Scyther, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Gligar, Gliscor, Kecleon, Ho-Oh, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Walrein, Mawile, Zangoose, Solrock, Larvitar, Shelgon, and Tyranitar.
- Mythical/Event (9) - 60 total
- Outside of glitches, Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Deoxys, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, and Arceus are only obtainable via events. Mew, Jirachi, and Arceus can be obtained with additional save data on the same system, though.
Professor Oak Challenge Notes
Pre-Badge 1 (Roark) - 29 Total Pokémon
- Gift at Lake Verity: One starter & its evolutions (3 total)
- Walking on Route 201: Bidoof, Bibarel (5 total)
- Walking on Route 201: Starly, Staravia, Staraptor (8 total)
- Walking on Route 202: Shinx, Luxio, Luxray (11 total)
- Walking on Route 202: Kricketot, Kricketune (13 total)
- Fishing (Old Rod) on Route 218: Magikarp, Gyarados (15 total)
- Walking on Route 204 (southern half): Budew, Roselia (17 total)
- Walking in Ravaged Path: Psyduck, Golduck (19 total)
- Walking in Ravaged Path: Geodude, Graveler (21 total)
- Walking in Ravaged Path: Zubat, Golbat, Crobat (24 total)
- Walking on Route 203: Abra, Kadabra (26 total)
- Walking in Oreburgh Mine: Onix (27 total)
- Walking on Route 207: Machop, Machoke (29 total)
Badge 1 through Badge 2 (Gardenia) - 108 Total Pokémon
- Walking at the Valley Windworks: Shellos, Gastrodon (31 total)
- Walking at the Valley Windworks: Buizel, Floatzel (33 total)
- Walking at the Valley Windworks: Pachirisu (34 total)
- Static encounter at the Valley Windworks: Drifloon, Drifblim (36 total)
- Honey Tree (Floaroma Meadow, Valley Windworks, two on Route 205): Wurmple, Silcoon, Beautifly, Cascoon, Dustox (41 total)
- Honey Tree (Floaroma Meadow, Valley Windworks, two on Route 205): Aipom, Ambipom (43 total)
- Honey Tree (Floaroma Meadow, Valley Windworks, two on Route 205): Burmy, Wormadam, Mothim (46 total)
- Honey Tree (Floaroma Meadow, Valley Windworks, two on Route 205): Cherubi, Cherrim (48 total)
- Honey Tree (Floaroma Meadow, Valley Windworks, two on Route 205): Combee, Vespiquen (50 total)
- Honey Tree (Floaroma Meadow, Valley Windworks, two on Route 205): Heracross (51 total)
- Honey Tree (Floaroma Meadow, Valley Windworks, two on Route 205): Munchlax, Snorlax (53 total) - note that a Munchlax tree may not be available as one of the four trees you can encounter before fighting Gardenia; either ensure your Trainer ID allows you an early Munchlax tree (check it here) or wait until later.
- Walking in Eterna Forest: Buneary, Lopunny (55 total)
- Walking in Eterna Forest: Misdreavus (56 total)
- In-game Trade in Eterna City: Chatot: Trade your Buizel (57 total)
- Revive the Skull Fossil (obtained through the Grand Underground) in Oreburgh Museum: Shieldon, Bastiodon (59 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Gastly, Haunter (61 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Skorupi, Drapion (63 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Croagunk, Toxicroak (65 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Magnemite, Magneton, Magnezone (68 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Lickitung, Lickilicky (70 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Rhyhorn, Rhydon (72 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Houndoom (73 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Swablu, Altaria (75 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Absol (76 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Pinsir (77 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Togepi, Togetic (79 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir (82 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Teddiursa, Ursaring (84 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Magby, Magmar (86 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine (89 total; need to find a Swinub with Ancient Power as its egg move, or wait until Pastoria to re-learn it)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Smoochum, Jynx (91 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Duskull, Dusclops (93 total)
- Walking on Route 211 (western half): Meditite, Medicham (95 total)
- Walking on Route 211 (western half): Chingling, Chimecho (97 total)
- Walking on Route 211 (western half): Ponyta, Rapidash (99 total)
- Walking on Route 211 (western half): Hoothoot, Noctowl (101 total)
- Walking in Mt. Coronet 1F north (toward Route 211): Cleffa, Clefairy (103 total)
- Get a Moon Stone via mining in the Grand Underground: Evolve Clefairy (104 total)
- Get a Shiny Stone via Pickup (level 11+ Pickup user): Evolve Roselia (105 total)
- Get a Dusk Stone via Pickup (level 11+ Pickup user): Evolve Misdreavus (106 total)
- Get a Dawn Stone via Pickup (level 11+ Pickup user): Evolve Kirlia (107 total)
- Get a Shiny Stone via Pickup (level 11+ Pickup user): Evolve Togetic (108 total)
Badge 2 through Badge 3 (Maylene) - 142 Total Pokémon
- Walking on Route 206: Bronzor, Bronzong (110 total)
- Gift (Egg) in Hearthome City: Happiny, Chansey, Blissey (113 total)
- Walking on Route 209: Bonsly, Sudowoodo (115 total)
- Fishing (Good Rod) on Route 209: Goldeen, Seaking (117 total)
- Static encounter at the Hallowed Tower: Spiritomb (118 total)
- Fishing (Good Rod) in Mt. Coronet: Barboach, Whiscash (120 total)
- Fishing (Good Rod) on Route 205 (southern half): Finneon, Lumineon (122 total)
- Solaceon Town: Breed Houndoom to get Houndour (123 total)
- Walking in the Solaceon Ruins: Unown (124 total)
- Walking on Route 214: Girafarig (125 total)
- Walking in the Maniac Tunnel: Hippopotas, Hippowdon (127 total)
- Walking on Route 213: Wingull, Pelipper (129 total)
- Fishing (Good Rod) on Route 213: Remoraid, Octillery (131 total)
- Walking in the Great Marsh: Wooper, Quagsire (133 total)
- Walking in the Great Marsh: Azurill, Marill, Azumarill (136 total)
- Walking (special encounter) in the Great Marsh: Carnivine (137 total)
- Walking in the Trophy Garden: Pichu, Pikachu (139 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground (after obtaining TM97 Defog): Purugly (140 total)
- Get a Thunder Stone via mining in the Grand Underground: Evolve Pikachu (141 total)
- Solaceon Town: Breed Purugly to get Glameow (142 total)
Badges 3 through 5 (Fantina) - 145 Total Pokémon
Badge 5 through 6 (Byron) - 150 Total Pokémon
- Surfing on Route 218: Tentacool, Tentacruel (147 total)
- Walking in Iron Island B2F west and B3F: Steelix (148 total)
- Gift (Egg) in Iron Island B2F west: Riolu, Lucario (150 total)
Badge 6 through 7 (Candice) - 158 Total Pokémon
- Walking in Wayward Cave B1F: Gible, Gabite, Garchomp (153 total)
- Fishing (any Rod) in Mt. Coronet B1F: Feebas, Milotic (155 total)
- Walking on Route 216: Snover, Abomasnow (157 total)
- Walking on Route 216: Sneasel (158 total)
Badge 7 through 8 (Volkner) - 175 Total Pokémon
- Static encounter at Spear Pillar: Palkia (159 total)
- Surfing in Sunyshore City: Mantyke, Mantine (161 total)
- Revive the Dome Fossil (obtained through the Underground) in Oreburgh Museum: Kabuto, Kabutops (163 total)
- Revive the Helix Fossil (obtained through the Underground) in Oreburgh Museum: Omanye, Omastar (165 total)
- Revive the Old Amber (obtained through the Underground) in Oreburgh Museum: Aerodactyl (166 total)
- Revive the Root Fossil (obtained through the Underground) in Oreburgh Museum: Lileep, Cradily (168 total)
- Revive the Claw Fossil (obtained through the Underground) in Oreburgh Museum: Anorith, Armaldo (170 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Mr. Mime (171 total)
- Solaceon Town: Breed Mr. Mime to get Mime Jr. (172 total)
- Static encounter at Lake Acuity: Uxie (173 total)
- Static encounter at Lake Valor: Azelf (174 total)
- Roaming Legend: Mesprit (175 total)
Badge 8 through Elite Four - 389 Total Pokémon
If the player battles every Trainer in the region and makes sure to catch all Pokémon as outlined above, they will actually be able to obtain the National Pokédex before defeating the Elite Four. (Players that chose Piplup will need to lose to Flint after seeing his Infernape.) Many encounters are tied to obtaining the National Pokédex, and those encounters will all be listed in this section.
- Evolve Sneasel by leveling up with a Razor Claw from Victory Road: Weavile (176 total)
- Walking in the Trophy Garden: Igglybuff, Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff (179 total)
- Walking in the Trophy Garden: Meowth, Persian (181 total)
- Walking in the Trophy Garden: Eevee, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon (189 total)
- Walking in the Trophy Garden: Porygon (190 total)
- Walking in the Trophy Garden: Plusle (191 total)
- Walking in the Trophy Garden: Minun (192 total)
- Walking in the Trophy Garden: Castform (193 total)
- Walking on Route 207: Stantler (194 total)
- Walking on Route 212 (northern half) (Poké Radar): Smeargle (195 total)
- Walking on Route 213 (Poké Radar): Swellow (196 total)
- Walking on Mt. Coronet mountainside (Poké Radar): Loudred, Exploud (198 total)
- Walking (special encounter) in the Great Marsh: Exeggcute, Exeggutor (200 total)
- Walking (special encounter) in the Great Marsh: Kangaskhan (201 total)
- Walking (special encounter) in the Great Marsh: Yanma, Yanmega (203 total)
- Walking (special encounter) in the Great Marsh: Shroomish, Breloom (205 total)
- Walking (special encounter) in the Great Marsh: Gulpin, Swalot (207 total)
- Static encounter in Old Chateau (in the haunted TV on 2F): Rotom (208 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur (211 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard (214 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise (217 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill (220 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Rattata, Raticate (222 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Sandshrew, Sandslash (224 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Nidoran♀, Nidorina, Nidoqueen (227 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Nidoran♂, Nidorino, Nidoking (230 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Vulpix, Ninetales (232 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom (236 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Paras, Parasect (238 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Venonat, Venomoth (240 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Mankey, Primeape (242 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath (245 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel (248 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Slowpoke, Slowbro (250 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Farfetch'd (251 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Doduo, Dodrio (253 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Grimer, Muk (255 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Shellder, Cloyster (257 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Drowzee, Hypno (259 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Krabby, Kingler (261 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Voltorb, Electrode (263 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Cubone, Marowak (265 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Tyrogue, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Hitmontop (269 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Weezing (270 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Tangela, Tangrowth (272 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Horsea, Seadra (274 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Staryu, Starmie (276 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Tauros (277 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Ditto (278 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite (281 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium (284 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Cyndaquil, Quilava, Typhlosion (287 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr (290 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Sentret, Furret (292 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Ledian (293 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Ariados (294 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Chinchou, Lanturn (296 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Natu, Xatu (298 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Mareep, Flaaffy, Ampharos (301 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Hoppip, Skiploom, Jumpluff (304 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Sunkern, Sunflora (306 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Wobbuffet (307 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Pineco, Forretress (309 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Snubbull, Granbull (311 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Qwilfish (312 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Shuckle (313 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Slugma, Magcargo (315 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Corsola (316 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Delibird (317 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Phanpy, Donphan (319 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Miltank (320 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Treecko, Grovyle, Sceptile (323 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Torchic, Combusken, Blaziken (326 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert (329 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Poochyena, Mightyena (331 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Zigzagoon, Linoone (333 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Lotad, Lombre, Shiftry (336 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Surskit, Masquerain (338 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Nincada, Ninjask, Shedinja (341 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Skitty, Delcatty (343 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Sableye (344 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Aron, Lairon, Aggron (347 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Volbeat (348 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Illumise (349 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Carvanha, Sharpedo (351 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Numel, Camerupt (353 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Torkoal (354 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Trapinch, Vibrava, Flygon (357 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Cacnea, Cacturne (359 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Seviper (360 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Lunatone (361 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Corphish, Crawdaunt (363 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Baltoy, Claydol (365 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Banette (366 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Tropius (367 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein (370 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Clamperl (371 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence (374 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: Beldum, Metang, Metagross (377 total)
- Walking in the Grand Underground: The other two Sinnoh starters and their evolutions (383 total)
- Solaceon Town: Breed Swellow to get Taillow (384 total)
- Solaceon Town: Breed Loudred or Exploud to get Whismur (385 total)
- Solaceon Town: Breed Weezing to get Koffing (386 total)
- Solaceon Town: Breed Ledian to get Ledyba (387 total)
- Solaceon Town: Breed Ariados to get Spinarak (388 total)
- Solaceon Town: Breed Banette to get Shuppet (389 total)
Post-Elite Four - National Pokédex - 433 Total Pokémon
The Super Rod is at the Fight Area.
- Walking at the Valley Windworks (Swarm): Electrike, Manectric (391 total)
- Walking in Eterna Forest (Swarm): Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking (394 total)
- Walking on Route 206 (Swarm): Nosepass, Probopass (396 total)
- Walking on Route 208 (Swarm): Dunsparce (397 total)
- Walking on Route 214 (Swarm): Spoink, Grumpig (399 total)
- Static encounter in Turnback Cave: Giratina (400 total)
- Fishing (Super Rod) on Route 223: Wailmer, Wailord (402 total)
- Fishing (Super Rod) in Pokémon League: Luvdisc (403 total)
- Surfing in Victory Road 1F back 2: Lapras (404 total)
- Walking on Route 225: Spearow, Fearow (406 total)
- Walking on Route 225 (Swarm): Makuhita, Hariyama (408 total)
- Fishing (Super Rod) on Route 226: Relicanth (409 total)
- Walking on Route 227: Skarmory (410 total)
- Walking on Route 227 (Swarm): Spinda (411 total)
- Static encounter in Stark Mountain: Heatran (412 total)
- Walking on Route 228: Diglett, Dugtrio (414 total)
- Walking on Route 229 (Swarm): Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot (417 total)
- Solaceon Town: Breed Wobbuffet to get Wynaut (418 total)
- Roaming Legend: Cresselia (419 total)
- Static encounter at Ramanas Park: Regirock, Regice, Registeel (422 total)
- Static encounter at Ramanas Park: Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres (425 total)
- Static encounter at Ramanas Park: Latias, Latios (427 total)
- Static encounter at Ramanas Park: Lugia (428 total)
- Static encounter at Ramanas Park: Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza (431 total)
- Static encounter at Ramanas Park: Mewtwo (432 total)
- Static encounter at Snowpoint Temple: Regigigas (433 total)
If the player has access to Sword/Shield, Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee, or Legends: Arceus save data, the following Pokémon can also be obtained:
- Gift in Floaroma Town (Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee data): Mew (434 total)
- Gift in Floaroma Town (Sword/Shield data): Jirachi (435 total)
- Static encounter in the Hall of Origin (Legends: Arceus data & all Missions completed): Arceus (436 total)