Appendix:Platinum walkthrough/Section 18: Difference between revisions

[[File:Sendoff Spring DPPt.png|thumb|200px|Sendoff Spring]]

After returning to the real world, Cynthia suggests that you head to Sandgem Town since [[Professor Rowan]] was worried about you. If you don’t have {{m|Fly}} with you follow that path that leads to the [[Spring Path]], then to {{rt|214|Sinnoh}}. Afterwards, head to [[Veilstone City]] to get the Pokémon you need before flying off to Sandgem Town.

Head back to Professor Rowan's lab and it turns out both he and {{ga|Lucas}}/{{ga|Dawn}} or happy that you are alive as they have been trying to gather information on your whereabouts. Anyway Professor Rowan will mention that the Lake Guardians have returned to their homes and seeing the number of Pokémon you have including seven badges, Professor Rowan suggests that you head to [[Sunyshore City]] where the final gym is and then challenge the Elite Four to broaden your horizons.  

You can now use Valor Lakefront to head to {{rt|222|Sinnoh}} where Sunyshore City is right next to but, we'll visit the Lake Guardians first as they need to be encountered to be counted as seen or caught which is necessary to fill up your Sinnoh Pokédex listing.

Your Pokémon should now be at a high enough level for you to catch the Lake Guardians. It would be recommended to bring a Steel-type as a member of your team, such as if you are able to evolve {{p|Scyther}} into {{p|Scizor}} then it can be pretty handy especially since both of them can use {{m|False Swipe}} to help keep these legendaries from fainting and Scizor has good defenses. Make sure TO SAVE before you work on catching one, or you'll have to wait to defeat the Elite Four until you get another chance.

Some good pointers for dealing with Mesprit are, first as long as your lead Pokémon is at or below level 50 then repel items can help make it easier to find in the grass. Second paralyze it by using a faster Pokémon, which for example Raichu can do this with {{m|Thunder Wave}}. Third use a move that has it's own preset damage amount like {{m|Dragon Rage}}, {{m|Seismic Toss}}, or {{m|Night Shade}} to carefully cut down risks, but CAREFULLY monitor Mesprit's HP loss to avoid accidentally making it faint, and if necessary use False Swipe. Lastly thanks to paralyzing it, use a Pokémon that has a move to prevent escape, for example Bastiondon or Probopass with {{m|Block}} or {{p|Dusclops}}, or {{p|Dusknoir}} with {{m|Mean Look}} are good choices due to their higher defenses.  

Jubilife City is a good place to use for moving between routes to draw Mesprit closer as it has four different exits and the guardpost house leading to {{rt|218|Sinnoh}} or the cave that leads to the upper area of {{rt|204|Sinnoh}} will be helpful if Mesprit makes it those places and you are in the right position since move through them does not count as change routes. This mission will take both time and patience to do, so be ready for it. Once you got it trapped, use Ultra Balls or once you allow enough time to pass Timer Balls to catch it. If it is during the night then Dusk Balls will work too. Out of the Lake Guardians, while Mesprit is the slowest, it has better HP and more balanced offensive and defensive stats compared to Azelf and Uxie.

[[File:Lake Valor Pt.png|thumb|left|150px|Lake Valor (restored)]]

Now that Team Galactic is long gone, the lake has been fully restored, which now allows you to encounter the wild Pokémon in the area. Surf to the lower right of this area to find {{TM|25|Thunder}}. Head into the cave and prepare to battle Azelf.

Azelf is the fastest and has a better offenses compared to the other Lake Guardians, but it has the weakest defenses. Also because it has {{m|Nasty Plot}}, it can make it's special moves even more dangerous by raising its Sp. Attack stat by 2 levels. Paralyze or put it to sleep, then carefully weaken its HP with using super-effective or moves that would be too powerful. The Dusk Ball would be the best choice to use here for catching Azelf, though in case you may not have enough, then use the Ultra Ball or Timer Ball. Don't waste too much time in trying to catch it as its growing Sp. Attack can become a real hazard to deal with.  

Once you arrive, Surf to the Upper right corner of the area to find {{TM|14|Blizzard}}. Now head to the cave and prepare to battle Uxie.

Uxie in terms of base stats is the opposite of Azelf, where it is the strongest in its defensive stats and weaker in its offensive stats, its speed is also average when compared to the other Lake Guardians. It can use {{m|Amnesia}} to raise its Sp. Defense stat by 2 levels. It would be a good idea to use non-super effective physical moves to weaken its HP and then use False Swipe if necessary. Uxie may also try to put your Pokémon to sleep with {{m|Yawn}} which can be an annoyance until Uxie's HP is in the red zone to where you can focus on catching it. Just like with Azelf, Dusk Balls are the best way to go, though Ultra Balls or Timer Balls may be needed to use as a back-up.

Now that you have dealt with the three lake guardians, fly back to [[Pastoria City]], then head to Hotel Grand Lake on the Valor Lakefront. It is time to head east to Route 222 to head to the final gym.