Every paired game release in Pokémon history has had version-exclusive Pokémon. Version-exclusive Pokémon cannot be found in every game in a 'set' of games, requiring the player to trade with players with other games in the set to complete their Pokédex. This page lists the version-exclusive Pokémon in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and makes note of some other version-specific Pokémon attributes.
Several species of Pokémon are altogether unavailable without trading with other games. This list shows which Pokémon are only available in some (but not all) of Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. This does not include Pokémon that evolve via trade, even though they are technically "unavailable without trading".
With the initial paired versions of a set of Pokémon games, it is usually the case that there are 'paired Pokémon' that are available in the same areas between the two games, but one Pokémon in the pair is exclusive to one game and the other is exclusive to the other game. The table below shows the paired Pokémon in Diamond and Pearl, and indicates also if they are available in Platinum.
| Paired Species (Diamond) | Paired Species (Pearl) | Platinum | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Cranidos |
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Shieldon | Cranidos or Shieldon |
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Rampardos |
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Bastiodon | Rampardos or Bastiodon |
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Murkrow |
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Misdreavus | N/A |
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Honchkrow |
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Mismagius | N/A |
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Stunky |
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Glameow | N/A |
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Skuntank |
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Purugly | N/A |
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Dialga |
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Palkia | Dialga, Palkia |
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Seel |
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Slowpoke | Seel, Slowpoke |
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Dewgong |
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Slowbro | Dewgong, Slowbro |
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Scyther |
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Pinsir | Scyther, Pinsir |
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Poochyena |
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Houndour | Poochyena, Houndour |
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Mightyena |
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Houndoom | Mightyena, Houndoom |
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Kecleon |
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Stantler | Kecleon, Stantler |
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Larvitar |
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Bagon | Larvitar, Bagon |
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Pupitar |
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Shelgon | Pupitar, Shelgon |
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Tyranitar |
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Salamence | Tyranitar, Salamence |
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Aron |
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Spheal | Aron, Spheal |
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Lairon |
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Sealeo | Lairon, Sealeo |
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Aggron |
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Walrein | Aggron, Walrein |
In addition to the above-listed version exclusives, several Pokémon are missing from Platinum altogether without trading. These Pokémon are:
Platinum uses a larger version of the Sinnoh Pokédex that contains more Pokémon. Although most of these Pokémon could be obtained in Diamond and Pearl after obtaining the National Pokédex, in Platinum, they are available before obtaining the National Pokédex. Those Pokémon are:
Tangela, Tangrowth, and Tropius are altogether exclusive to Platinum. In Diamond and Pearl, Gligar and Gliscor can only be obtained with access to the dual-slot functionality, described below.
The following National Pokédex Pokémon can be obtained in Platinum but not in Diamond or Pearl.
With access to the event-exclusive Oak's Letter and Member Card items, Platinum players can also access Shaymin and Darkrai, which cannot be caught in the wild in Diamond and Pearl.
With access to a Regigigas distributed via an event, Platinum players can also catch wild Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, which cannot be caught in the wild in Diamond and Pearl.
These three Pokémon can only be in their alternate Formes in Platinum.
Several Pokémon are available only if the player has an original model DS and a cartridge copy of Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, or LeafGreen, and are only accessible if that game is placed in the Game Boy Advance slot of the DS. Different Pokémon are unlocked with different games, meaning the games themselves contain 'version-exclusive Pokémon' when interacting with Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum. The tables below indicate which Pokémon are accessible and in which games.
| Ruby | Sapphire | Emerald | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Seedot |
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Lotad |
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Teddiursa | |
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Nuzleaf |
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Lombre |
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Ursaring | |
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Mawile |
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Sableye |
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Pineco | |
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Zangoose |
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Seviper |
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Gligar | Gligar is not available via dual-slot in Platinum. Instead, it is a normal encounter that does not require any GBA game. |
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Solrock |
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Lunatone |
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Shuckle | |
| FireRed | LeafGreen | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Caterpie |
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Weedle | |
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Metapod |
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Kakuna | |
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Ekans |
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Sandshrew | |
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Arbok |
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Sandslash | |
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Growlithe |
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Vulpix | |
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Elekid |
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Magby | Elekid and Magby are not available via dual-slot in Platinum. Instead, Electabuzz and Magmar are available as normal encounters that do not require any GBA game. |
| Pokémon | Games | Encounter Methods | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Poliwag | D | P | Pt | Surfing, Fishing |
| D | P | Pt | Surfing | ||
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Poliwhirl | D | P | Pt | Surfing, Fishing |
| D | P | Pt | Surfing | ||
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Dewgong | D | P | Pt | Surfing |
| D | P | Pt | Walking, Surfing | ||
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Porygon | D | P | Pt | Walking |
| D | P | Pt | Gift | ||
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Togepi | D | P | Pt | Walking |
| D | P | Pt | Walking, Gift (Egg) | ||
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Marill | D | P | Pt | Walking, Surfing |
| D | P | Pt | Walking | ||
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Silcoon | D | P | Pt | Walking, Honey Tree |
| D | P | Pt | Walking | ||
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Cascoon | D | P | Pt | Walking, Honey Tree |
| D | P | Pt | Walking | ||
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Pelipper | D | P | Pt | Surfing |
| D | P | Pt | Walking, Surfing | ||
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Surskit | D | P | Pt | Walking |
| D | P | Pt | Surfing | ||
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Shellos (both forms) | D | P | Pt | Walking |
| D | P | Pt | Walking, Surfing | ||
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Gastrodon (both forms) | D | P | Pt | Walking |
| D | P | Pt | Walking, Surfing | ||
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Happiny | D | P | Pt | Walking, Gift (Egg) |
| D | P | Pt | Walking | ||
Several Pokémon may be available in multiple games, but have different encounter rates or locations that cause them to become more common in one game than another. Those Pokémon are listed here, though only with the wild locations that are subject to this preferential treatment. Their locations in Platinum are not included because Platinum overhauls most encounter tables entirely.
| Pokémon | Games | Encounter Methods | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Beautifly | D | P | Walking: Routes 224 (5%) and 230 (10%), Eterna Forest (2%) |
| D | P | Walking: Route 224 (5%) | ||
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Dustox | D | P | Walking: Route 230 (10%), Eterna Forest (2%) |
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Mime Jr. | D | P | Walking: Routes 209 and 210 (southern half), Trophy Garden |
| D | P | Walking: Trophy Garden | ||
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Bonsly | D | P | Walking: Trophy Garden |
| D | P | Walking: Routes 209 and 210 (southern half), Trophy Garden | ||
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Omanyte | D | P | Gift: Oreburgh Museum (Revive from Helix Fossil: 1.20% in the Underground in Diamond and 0.40% in Pearl) |
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Kabuto | D | P | Gift: Oreburgh Museum (Revive from Dome Fossil: 0.40% in the Underground in Diamond and 1.20% in Pearl) |
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Anorith | D | P | Gift: Oreburgh Museum (Revive from Claw Fossil: 1.20% in the Underground in Diamond and 0.40% in Pearl) |
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Lileep | D | P | Gift: Oreburgh Museum (Revive from Root Fossil: 0.40% in the Underground in Diamond and 1.20% in Pearl) |
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Nidoran♀ | D | P | Walking: Route 201 (20%) |
| D | P | Walking: Route 201 (2%) | ||
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Nidoran♂ | D | P | Walking: Route 201 (2%) |
| D | P | Walking: Route 201 (20%) | ||
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Nidorina | D | P | Walking: Route 221 (20%), Valor Lakefront (20%) |
| D | P | Walking: Route 221 (2%), Valor Lakefront (2%) | ||
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Nidorino | D | P | Walking: Route 221 (2%), Valor Lakefront (2%) |
| D | P | Walking: Route 221 (20%), Valor Lakefront (20%) | ||
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Tauros | D | P | Walking: Routes 209 (20%) and 210 (southern half) (20%) |
| D | P | Walking: Routes 209 (2%) and 210 (southern half) (2%) | ||
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Miltank | D | P | Walking: Routes 209 (2%) and 210 (southern half) (2%) |
| D | P | Walking: Routes 209 (20%) and 210 (southern half) (20%) | ||
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Illumise | D | P | Walking: Route 229 (10%) |
| D | P | Walking: Route 229 (5%) | ||
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Volbeat | D | P | Walking: Route 229 (5%) |
| D | P | Walking: Route 229 (10%) | ||
Some evolutions, or pre-evolutions, of Pokémon can only be obtained in the wild in some of Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum. This list shows which Pokémon are limited. The player can of course always evolve their pre-evolved form or breed their evolved form, so these Pokémon are not completely inaccessible.
| Pokémon | Games | Encounter Methods | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Magneton | D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 222, Victory Road 2F |
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Seel | D | P | Pt | Surfing: Routes 226 and 230 |
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Koffing | D | P | Pt | Walking: Stark Mountain main cavern |
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Mr. Mime | D | P | Pt | Walking: Routes 218 and 222 |
| D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 218 | ||
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Jynx | D | P | Pt | Walking: Snowpoint Temple B1F, B2F, B3F, B4F, and B5F |
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Electabuzz | D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 222 |
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Magmar | D | P | Pt | Walking: Fuego Ironworks |
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Lanturn | D | P | Pt | Fishing (Super Rod): Route 220 |
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Azumarill | D | P | Pt | Walking: Victory Road B1F and 1F Back 2 |
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Sudowoodo | D | P | Pt | Walking: Routes 214 and 221 |
| D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 221 | ||
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Skiploom | D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 205 (eastern half) |
| D | P | Pt | Walking: Fuego Ironworks | ||
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Piloswine | D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 217 |
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Houndour | D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 214, Valor Lakefront |
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Houndoom | D | P | Pt | Walking: Routes 214 and 215 |
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Elekid | D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 205 (southern half), Valley Windworks |
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Magby | D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 227, Stark Mountain |
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Poochyena | D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 214 |
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Mightyena | D | P | Pt | Walking: Routes 214 and 215 |
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Silcoon | D | P | Pt |
Walking: Eterna Forest Honey Tree: Routes 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 218, 221, and 222, Valley Windworks, Floaroma Meadow, Fuego Ironworks, Eterna Forest |
| D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 205 (eastern half), Eterna Forest | ||
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Cascoon | D | P | Pt |
Walking: Eterna Forest Honey Tree: Routes 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 218, 221, and 222, Valley Windworks, Floaroma Meadow, Fuego Ironworks, Eterna Forest |
| D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 205 (eastern half), Eterna Forest | ||
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Dustox | D | P | Pt | Walking: Route 230, Eterna Forest |
| D | P | Pt | Walking: Routes 205 (eastern half), 224, and 229, Eterna Forest | ||
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Masquerain | D | P | Pt | Surfing: Route 229 |
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Sharpedo | D | P | Pt | Fishing (Super Rod): Routes 213 and 222 |
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Spheal | D | P | Pt | Surfing: Routes 226 and 230 |
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Gabite | D | P | Pt | Walking: Victory Road |