It starts with a bunch of Psyduck. You’re just trying to get to Celestic Town, minding your own business, and there they are. A literal headache-induced blockade. Route 210 in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is one of those locations that feels like a rite of passage. If you haven't struggled with the fog or gotten blindsided by a double battle here, have you even played a Sinnoh game? Honestly, Route 210 Brilliant Diamond gameplay is where the hand-holding of the early game officially ends.
You’re forced to deal with two distinct climates, a secret potion quest, and some of the most annoying environmental hazards in the franchise. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
The Psyduck Problem and the Secret Medicine
Before you can even see the "real" Route 210, you’re stuck. The southern portion is a straightforward trek from Solaceon Town. You’ve got some tall grass, a few trainers, and the Moomoo Milk shop. But North? North is off-limits. A group of Psyduck is standing there, clutching their heads in pain. You can't fight them. You can't catch them. They just exist as a biological wall.
To clear this, you need the Secret Medicine. Cynthia, the Champion herself, gives this to you after you deal with the Team Galactic grunt in Pastoria City. It’s a bit of a backtrack, which some players find tedious, but it’s essential for progression. Once you use the medicine, the Psyduck scatter, and the path to the northern, fog-heavy section opens up.
Dealing With the Fog (Defog is Not Optional)
North Route 210 is notorious. Why? The fog. It is arguably the most frustrating weather mechanic in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond. When the fog is active, your Pokémon’s accuracy drops significantly. You will miss. A lot. You’ll try to use a 100% accuracy move like Thunderbolt and watch in horror as it flies into the void while a random Ace Trainer’s Staraptor punishes you.
You need the Hidden Move (HM) Defog. In the original Diamond and Pearl, you got this in the Great Marsh. In Brilliant Diamond, it's the same deal—talk to the NPC right inside the entrance of the Great Marsh in Pastoria. Since HMs are now handled via the Pokétch, you don't have to waste a move slot on a Flying-type Pokémon anymore, which is a massive quality-of-life improvement. Just press a button and the screen clears.
Don't be that person who tries to stumble through the fog without clearing it. You'll lose your mind. The trainers here are high-level, and the grass is dense.
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The Dragon Tamer Hub
Route 210 is basically the headquarters for Dragon-type enthusiasts. This is where you find the house of Grandma Wilma. She’s tucked away behind some rock climb walls (you’ll need to come back later in the game for this bit). She is the move tutor for Draco Meteor.
Draco Meteor is basically the "nuke" of the Pokémon world. 130 base power. Special attack drop after use. It’s the ultimate trade-off. However, she won't just teach it to anyone. Your Dragon-type Pokémon needs to have a high friendship level with you. If you’ve been stuffing your Garchomp with bitter herbs or letting it faint constantly, Wilma isn't going to help you. Go buy some vitamins or use the Soothe Bell first.
Training and Rare Encounters
If you're looking to grind levels before the late-game gyms, the northern section of Route 210 is gold. The tall grass here is home to some heavy hitters.
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- Scyther/Pinsir: Depending on your version (Scyther for Diamond, Pinsir for Pearl), these are fantastic physical attackers.
- Bagon: A rare find, but worth the hunt if you want a Salamence.
- Swablu: Eventually evolves into Altaria, a solid defensive Dragon/Flying type.
The double battles here are particularly dangerous. You’ll run into two trainers, Zac and Jen, who use a Gyarados and Raichu combo. This isn't your typical "spam A to win" fight. If you aren't prepared for the Type coverage they have, your lead Pokémon will get wiped before you can even react.
Hidden Items You Probably Missed
Most people just rush to Celestic Town because they’re tired of the rain and the grass. Huge mistake. Route 210 is loaded with loot.
There’s a TM51 (Roost) located on a ledge that requires some maneuvering. There’s also the Smoke Ball, which is incredibly useful for guaranteed escapes from wild encounters if you’re just trying to get through the route without a million Zubats bothering you. Check the narrow bridges too. There are invisible items everywhere. Use the Dowsing Machine on your Pokétch. It’ll beep like crazy around the muddy slopes and the grassy patches near the waterfalls.
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Navigating the Narrow Bridges
One of the unique visual elements of Route 210 is the narrow, elevated wooden bridges. You have to use your bike to cross these, but be careful—the speed gear on the bike makes it very easy to overshoot your turn and fall back into the tall grass below. It’s a platforming element in a game that isn't really a platformer. It’s kind of clunky, honestly. But it adds a layer of verticality that makes the route feel massive compared to the flat paths of the early game.
The Lore of Celestic Town's Gateway
The route ends at Celestic Town, one of the oldest settlements in the Sinnoh region. The transition from the rainy, chaotic Route 210 to the quiet, mystical atmosphere of Celestic is one of the best tonal shifts in the game. You go from fighting for your life against Ace Trainers to standing in front of ancient ruins discussing the origins of Dialga and Palkia. It makes the struggle of the route feel worth it. You’ve earned the lore dump that comes next.
Actionable Next Steps for Mastering Route 210
To make your trip through Route 210 as painless as possible, follow this specific checklist:
- Get Defog Immediately: Head to the Great Marsh in Pastoria City. Talk to the first NPC on the right. If you don't have this, the northern half of Route 210 will be a nightmare of missed attacks.
- Clear the Psyduck: Take the Secret Medicine from Cynthia (found after the Galactic event in Pastoria) and interact with the Psyduck north of Solaceon.
- Check Friendship Levels: Before visiting Grandma Wilma for Draco Meteor, check your Pokémon's friendship via the Pokétch app. If they don't heart-bubble when you tap them, you're wasting your time.
- Buy Moomoo Milk: Stop at the Cafe Cabin on the southern end. It is the most cost-effective healing item in the game. Buy them in bulk. 100 HP for 500 Poké-yen is a steal compared to Super Potions.
- Lead with an Electric-type: Many trainers in the northern section use Flying or Water types (Gyarados is common). Having a fast Luxray or Magnezone in your first slot will save you a lot of Revives.
- Use the Dowsing Machine: There are at least half a dozen hidden Rare Candies and PP Ups in the muddy patches near the bridges.
Route 210 is a test of your patience and your team's versatility. Clear the fog, heal the ducks, and keep your bike in low gear on the bridges. You’ll be in Celestic Town before you know it.