The Underground of the original Diamond and Pearl has been completely reworked for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, allowing trainers to dig for treasures, explore Pokémon Hideaways, and even build their own Secret Base.
Here's all you need to know about accessing the Grand Underground, completing the tutorial missions given by the Underground Man, and enjoying all the content.
How to unlock the Grand Underground in Pokémon BDSP
You can unlock the Grand Underground as soon as you reach Eterna City. The Underground Man is found in the house next to the Pokémon Center.
On first meeting, he'll give you an item called the Explorer Kit, and take you outside to show you how to use it.
This is the first tutorial mission. Use the Explorer Kit to head underground, then press the Y Button to bring up a menu. Select Go up to return to the surface.
Speak to the Underground Man again to complete the mission. You'll receive a Red Sphere S, a Blue Sphere S, and a Green Sphere S for your efforts.
How to dig for treasure in the Grand Underground in Pokémon BDSP
For the second tutorial mission, he asks you to dig up treasures or spheres.
Head underground and look at the minimap in the top left. You can press the Right Stick to change the zoom, and if you do you'll see yellow dots along the pathways.
These are areas where you can dig for treasure. When you get close, you can press the R Button to send out a Radar pulse, which will reveal a yellow spot on the wall where you can dig.
Interact with it, select Yes, and enter the dig screen. You'll get a message telling you how many items have been detected in the grid.
You have two tools at your disposal. Press the R Button to switch between the two.
- The Sledgehammer removes more rock (a 3x3 square), but advances the collapse of the wall quicker.
- The Pickax removes one tile at a time, but advances the collapse of the wall more slowly.
To claim an item at the end of the dig, it must be fully uncovered.
A good tactic is to use the Sledgehammer at the start to find an item, then the pickax to remove it.
Once you've successfully claimed an item, return to the surface and speak to the Underground Man. He'll give you the Digger Drill as a reward.
How to create a Secret Base in the Grand Underground in Pokémon BDSP
Speak to the Underground Man again for the third tutorial mission. He asks you to create a Secret Base.
Head underground. When you have a Digger Drill in your inventory, just interact with a wall of your choosing and select Yes.
This will create an entrance, which you can enter by interacting with it.
This is your Secret Base. For now, it's just an empty room with a crystal ball-looking thing on a pedestal.
Return to the Underground Man to complete the mission.
He'll give you five Quick Balls, five Dusk Balls, and five Dive Balls.
Speak to him again and you'll pick up the next tutorial mission.
How to place a Statue in your Grand Underground Secret Base in Pokémon BDSP
The Underground Man then asks you to place a statue in your Secret Base for the fourth tutorial mission.
In order to complete it, you'll need to dig for treasure. When doing so, you'll come across something called a Pretty Stone Box.
Fully excavate it, and inside you'll find a Statue of a Pokémon corresponding to the type of the box.
Players can now enter a new code using the Mystery Gift feature in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl to get some cool Shiny statues for their Secret Base!
To place the Statue in your Secret Base, interact with the crystal ball near the entrance.
You can have up to 18 Statues, but some are larger than others. For example, a Salamence Statue occupies a 4x4 space, while a Piplup Statue only takes up one tile.
You ultimately have 100 tiles that can be used.
When placed, return to the surface and speak to the Underground Man. Your reward will be a Square Pedestal XS and a Sturdy Pedestal S.
How to visit another player's Secret Base in the Grand Underground in Pokémon BDSP
For the fifth tutorial mission the Underground Man asks you to visit another player's Secret Base.
When you use the Explorer Kit, you have a choice of mode for accessing the Grand Underground:
- Local Communication
- via the Internet
- Play alone
Head into the Grand Underground using either of the first two options. All you have to do now is explore, until you come across another Secret Base entrance.
Interact with it to enter it, which is enough for the mission.
Return to the surface and claim your Round Pedestal M from the Underground Man.
How to find a light of a different color in the Grand Underground in Pokémon BDSP
When you head into the Grand Underground in a multiplayer mode, you can find and help other players dig for treasure.
When using the Radar to identify treasure locations, multiplayer locations will show up in blue instead of yellow.
Make sure you get there quickly, as there's a time limit to being able to help! Simply interact with the blue light to dig with the other player.
Return to the Underground Man to claim your final reward, a Clear Pedestal L.
You're now fully clued up on the Grand Underground, congratulations!
Why do I keep seeing Digletts in the Grand Underground in BDSP?
You now have the freedom of the Grand Underground and can explore at will.
While running about, you'll see Digletts and Dugtrios, which disappear when you get close.
Here's what they're all about.
Are you wondering why you keep seeing Diglett and Dugtrio in the Grand Underground? Here's what they do in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
What Pokémon can I catch in the Grand Underground in BDSP?
There are plenty of Pokémon you can catch in the Grand Underground, some of which can only be found here.
Our guide helps you hunt for those you need more efficiently.
