How to Use the Poke Radar

Last Updated: June 4, 2022

Hoping to fill out your Pokedex in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl? A lot of Pokémon in these games are only available if you use the Poke Radar, a very useful device you pick up at the end of the adventure. We've outlined exactly how to use this handy device, so you can catch all of the Pokémon you desire.

1

Complete the Sinnoh Pokedex.

You don't have to catch them all, just see them all. Once you've done this, go talk to Professor Oak in front of Pal Park and he'll give you the Poke Radar.

2

Go into a grassy field.

The Radar only works in short grass, so you'll have to find some. Use a repel, which will make it so you only encounter the Pokémon found in the shaking grass (granted your first party Pokémon is a higher level than the wild Pokémon in the area). Also, make sure you're not on your bike. Once you have the spot you want, use the radar.

3

Walk over to the shaking grass.

You'll need to keep track of which patches were shaking. Aim for grass farther away, for more chance at finding the same Pokémon again. Be careful not to go to grass right on the edge however, as this heightens the chance that the radar will not find any more shaking spots. If this happens, just recharge the radar.

4

Recharge the radar if needed.

This can be helpful if the shaking grass patches are all different to the ones you've seen previous, you're searching for a shiny patch or the radar finds no shaking grass patches ("The grassy patch remained silent..."). Do this by walking 50 steps, being careful not to run into a shaking patch or let your repel run out.

5

Defeat the Pokémon you meet.

If you defeat the Pokémon you meet, the grass around you will keep rustling. This saves time, meaning you don't have to bother recharging the radar.

6

Persist, persist, persist!

Often, you'll meet dirt common Pokémon repeatedly. Don't fret. The Pokémon you can only catch with the Poke Radar are fairly rare. If you meet it once, there's a high likelihood you'll meet the Pokémon more regularly.

7

Head for sparkling grass.

If the grass is sparkling, there is probably an ultra-rare shiny Pokémon there. You don't want to miss that opportunity!

Community Q&A

Question

Why won't this work on grass?

Community Answer

Is the grass area too small? Maybe you should find a larger patch of grass, and then try again. If the Poke Radar still doesn't work, maybe it is out of battery. Walk around to charge the battery.