The Pokémon series has a ton of different recurring elements that fans tend to either love or hate depending on the generation. For example, the frequently-present Safari Zone allows trainers to participate in a unique catching mini-game as they track down rare Pokémon. Generation IV's take on the Safari Zone, the Great Marsh, returns in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Pastoria City and remains fairly unchanged from its original incarnation.
With the inclusion of the Grand Undergound's unique biomes and the Pokémon that appear there, the Great Marsh's less-varied Pokémon options may initially make it seem like little more than a fun distraction. However, there's still plenty of reason to check out Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Safari Zone. With consistent Pokémon between both versions of the game and some notable rare creatures available, here are some things players should keep in mind to make the most out of their next Safari.
How the Great Marsh Works
In addition to limiting trainers to 500 steps and 30 Safari Balls for each visit, the Great Marsh features a unique catching system, as well as unique catch rates for the Pokémon who appear there. Typically, a Pokémon species has a set catch rate that determines how difficult they are to catch in the wild. In the Great Marsh, these numbers are either lowered or raised depending on the species. There's also a unique chance to flee statistic applied to Great Marsh Pokémon, who are not battled and cannot be weakened like other wild Pokémon.
While it is currently unclear if specific numbers have been adjusted for the remakes, in the original Diamond and Pearl, players had the best chance to catch Pokémon if they exclusively threw Safari Balls. While throwing bait or mud may seem useful on paper, players have found that just throwing Safari Balls gives the best chance at catching a Pokémon before they flee. While it may be a bit tedious to just spam a single option, players looking to get some of the rare finds in the Great Marsh should give this strategy a try.
Come with the Right Tools
While players can absolutely jump straight into the Great Marsh as soon as they step foot in Pastoria City, they won't be able to get the most out of the Safari Zone without the right tools. Certain Pokémon require the right field moves and key items to even encounter. Revisiting the Great Marsh with the ability to Surf and use the Super Rod will let trainers catch a far wider variety of Pokémon -- including some that make the Great Marsh worth visiting.
For example, Pokémon like Carvana and Whishcash can only be caught with a Super Rod. Whishcash is especially notable for being a fantastic defensive Pokémon with the always-powerful Water/Ground dual-typing. Having Surf and the Super Rod also opens the player up to the daily rotating Pokémon in water environments, provide even more opportunities and ways to encounter different kinds fo Pokémon.
Use the Binoculars Before Starting a Safari
Knowing which Pokémon are in the daily rotation and where certain ones are located can help players really make the most out of the time limit. To check the entire Great Marsh, players will have to spend 300 Poké Dollars to look through the binoculars on the second floor of the Great Marsh building. Some of these Pokémon really make the Safari worth the time and effort, particularly those who can only her caught here, and checking the binoculars can help players decide whether they should visit or wait for another day.
Keep an Eye Out for Useful Items
Long-time Pokémon fans will know that, wherever there's a Safari Zone, there are important items hidden inside. The Great Marsh in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is no different, as players can find some rare and unique items if they take the time to explore each zone. One of the Great Marsh's most important finds is the TM for Defog, a former HM move that greatly helps players traverse Route 210 and reach Celestic Town.
Outside of that, players can also find a Rare Candy, various Poké Balls, nuggets and different kinds of healing items scattered around the various areas. There's also a Toxic Plate located in Area 2 for players looking to collect every kind of plate in the game, plus various items that can be sold for Poké Dollars. It should be noted that Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl features Diamond and Pearl's item layout, not Platinum's.