As you're playing Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, you'll likely capture multiple Pokémon that are out in the wild or roaming around in Pokémon Hideaways. However, these are not the only ways you'll be able to collect new Pokémon; this is where fossils come in!
In this guide, we explain how to get fossils and then how to revive them and have them turned into new Pokémon.
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How To Get Fossils
To be able to get fossils, you first need to make sure you have got the Explorer Kit and can access the Grand Underground. If you're yet to do this, speak with the Underground Man in Eterna City to get your hands on it. The Kit will then allow you to roam corridors underground, battle Pokémon in Pokémon Hideaways, and dig for treasure.
As you dig for treasure, you'll gather spheres, stones, statues, fragments and sometimes, fossils. The areas where you can dig are marked by gold dots on your mini-map, or will appear as glowing spots by pressing 'R' to use the Dowsing Machine on your Pokétch while running.
How To Use and Extract Fossils
To use your fossils, you'll need to venture to Oreburgh City and enter the Oreburgh Mining Museum. You can speak with the Scientist at the front desk, who will ask you to hand over your fossil, and then request that you return later. You can then return to the museum later (maybe with more fossils!) to collect the revived Pokémon. Alternatively, you can also exit and immediately re-enter the building to collect your Pokémon. All extracted Pokémon will be Level 1.
Furthermore, you should note, however, that the Pokémon revive using fossils are part of the National Pokédex. The Pokémon will still be unlocked and usable in your party, but will not be a part of the Pokédex until the National Pokédex is available; which is only unlocked after becoming the Sinnoh Champion and completing your Sinnoh Pokédex.
Each fossil you may find will correspond with the following Pokémon:
- Armor Fossil: Shieldon (exclusive to Shining Pearl)
- Skull Fossil: Cranidos (exclusive to Brilliant Diamond)
- Claw Fossil: Anorith
- Helix Fossil: Omanyte
- Root Fossil: Lileep
- Dome Fossil: Kabuto
- Old Amber: Aerodactyl
That's fossils for you. Good luck searching for treasure in the Grand Underground. If trying to collect every Pokémon is your thing, we recommend checking out our evolution guide and our guide to finding all legendary Pokémon. Additionally, keep our type-chart to hand, so you know how best to approach each battle!