So, you’ve beaten the Elite Four. You’re the Champion. You’re sitting there in your room in Twinleaf Town, or maybe Postwick, or Pallet, thinking you’ve basically seen everything the region has to offer. You haven't. Honestly, the real game usually doesn't even start until you figure out how to get the National Pokedex. It’s the difference between playing a local tournament and opening up the entire history of the franchise. It’s also where a lot of people just... give up.
Most players assume it’s just about catching everything. It isn't. Not usually.
Depending on which specific game you’re clutching in your hands right now, the requirements shift like a Sandshrew in a desert. In some generations, it’s a gift. In others, it’s a grueling checklist that requires you to be a literal completionist. But if you want those high-tier legendaries or the ability to transfer your old favorites from previous years, you need that upgrade. Let's break down how this actually works across the series because the "official" guides often leave out the nuances that save you ten hours of mindless grinding.
The Sinnoh Grind: Seeing vs. Catching
If you’re playing Pokemon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl (or the original DS versions), the National Pokedex is tied to a very specific mechanic: Seeing.
You don't need to catch all 150 (or 151) Pokemon in the Sinnoh Dex. You just need to have seen them. This is a huge distinction that people miss. I’ve seen players spend days trying to find a Munchlax on a honey tree when they could have just fought a specific trainer to get the "Seen" credit. Basically, if you battle every single trainer on every route, you’ll naturally hit almost the entire requirement.
The one that trips everyone up? Drifloon. You can only see it on Fridays at the Valley Windworks. If you miss that window, you’re stuck waiting or messing with your system clock, which—fair warning—can sometimes lock out time-based events for 24 hours anyway. Also, don't forget the legendary opposite your version. In the remakes, you can talk to Cynthia’s grandmother in Celestic Town after the Dialga/Palkia event to get the Pokedex entry for the legendary you didn't catch. She shows you a book. It counts. Once that counter hits 150, you head to Professor Rowan’s lab in Sandgem Town. Oak will barge in, do his thing, and suddenly your Dex expands to nearly 500 slots.
Why the National Pokedex is Different in Modern Games
Here is where it gets weird. If you’re playing Pokemon Sword and Shield or Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, you might be looking for a "National Pokedex" button that doesn't exist.
Nintendo and Game Freak changed the philosophy.
Starting with Sun and Moon, the National Dex was stripped out of the core games and moved to Pokemon HOME. In Scarlet and Violet, you have the Paldea Dex, the Kitakami Dex, and the Blueberry Dex. There is no in-game National Dex that tracks all 1,000+ creatures. If you want that "Official" feeling of a global collection, you have to sync your save to the Pokemon HOME app on your Switch or mobile device.
It’s controversial. Fans hate it. But it’s the reality of the current hardware.
To "complete" a National Dex in the modern era, you aren't just playing one game. You're managing a cloud-based database. You move a Bulbasaur from Brilliant Diamond into HOME, and then maybe move it into Shield. The HOME app tracks your progress across every game you’ve ever linked.
The Kanto and Hoenn Classics
If you’ve gone retro and you’re playing FireRed, LeafGreen, or Emerald, the rules are much more "old school."
In FireRed and LeafGreen, you need to have at least 60 Pokemon caught in your Kanto Dex. Then you have to beat the Elite Four. After that, you talk to Oak. But there's a catch: you also have to complete the "Network Machine" quest on the Sevii Islands. This involves getting the Ruby and Sapphire items to allow trading with the Hoenn games. Without those gems, your Pokedex is stuck in the 150s forever.
In Emerald, it’s simpler but requires more patience. Beat the Champion, walk out of your house, and Birch will give it to you. The catch here isn't getting the Dex; it's what happens after. Completing the Hoenn Dex in Emerald is one of the only ways to get a Johto starter (Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile) without trading from another generation.
Shortcuts and Common Pitfalls
Let's talk about the stuff that actually saves you time.
- Trade Evolutions: You can't get a National Dex in many games without things like Alakazam or Machamp. If you're playing on original hardware, you need a link cable or a wireless adapter. If you're on Switch, you need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. There are "Trade Codes" established by the community (like using 0067-0067 for Machoke trades) that still function today.
- Version Exclusives: You literally cannot finish these lists alone. You just can't. You'll need a buddy with the opposite version or, again, Pokemon HOME.
- Mythicals Don't Count: This is the biggest relief for most people. To "complete" a Pokedex and get the Shiny Charm or the National upgrade, you almost never need Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, or Deoxys. They are considered "bonus" entries. If you're missing #151 in Kanto, don't worry about it. Professor Oak will still give you the trophy.
The Actionable Roadmap
If you are staring at a half-full Pokedex right now, here is exactly how you finish this.
First, stop trying to catch everything on Route 1. It's a waste of time. Beat the game first. The most efficient way to see and catch Pokemon is usually found in the post-game areas where levels are higher and evolution stones are more abundant.
Second, check your "Seen" count. If you're playing a game like Diamond/Pearl, pull up a list of trainer locations. You've likely skipped a Swimmer on a random route who has the one Finneon entry you're missing.
Third, use the "GTS" (Global Trade System) inside Pokemon HOME. You can put up a version-exclusive like Larvitar and ask for a Bagon. Usually, that trade will go through in less than an hour. It’s the fastest way to plug the holes in your collection without begging friends to help.
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Fourth, keep an eye on your "fateful encounters." In older games, some National Dex entries only trigger after you've dealt with the Box Legendary. If you've fainted your legendary and didn't save, you might be locked out until you beat the Elite Four again to make it respawn.
Getting the National Pokedex is basically a rite of passage. It turns the game from a linear story into a massive, world-spanning collection hobby. It takes work, but seeing that "National" header in your menu for the first time is one of the best feelings in the entire series. Go check your "Seen" count right now. You're probably closer than you think.
Once you have the National Dex unlocked, your next move should be heading to the game's specific "Battle Zone" or "Post-Game Island." These areas almost always contain "swarm" Pokemon or "Pokeradar" encounters that weren't available ten minutes ago. Use those new tools to hunt for the rare species that were locked behind the upgrade, as many of them have significantly lower encounter rates than the standard regional fare. Use a lead Pokemon with the "Illuminate" ability or a "Fluffy Tail" item to speed up these encounters if you're looking to fill the remaining slots quickly.