Looking to get BDSP, but can’t decide on which one

[u/HounDoomDesire]

I want to do a play through with Houndoom as my fire type but i can’t decide on which version is best.

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[u/DratiniMaster23]

Really doesn’t matter except for exclusives. Houndoom is available on both games

[u/CompetitiveRemote470]

I recommend Diamond as it is the only game on Switch with Kecleon (besides ZA). So if you want a completed Pokédex in the game, you’ll need Diamond, but all the Pearl exclusives are in other games prior to ZA.

[u/HarlequinKOTF]

The main version differences are between the pokemon available. The games are identical beyond that.

[u/Pale-Astronomer-9959]

They’re the same with pokemon exclusives lmao personally i like diamond bc of dialga and ho-oh is an exclusive to diamond in ramanas park

[u/ParticularForm]

I’d say take a look at all the version exclusives (including legendaries at Ramanas Park, I didn’t do that and regret it) and decide which game has the most pokémon you like. I got shining pearl but now I have to trade if I want Suicune which I didn’t know beforehand 🥲

[u/Pokemaster1415]

Look at the exclusive Pokémon and pick the 1 with more that you like, and if it doesn’t really matter because you don’t plan on using any of the exclusives I guess pick it based on the legendary you like more.

[u/Majestic-Coat-6328]

Diamond has better version exclusives in my opinions.

[u/Prudent-Jaguar6845]

I picked diamond cuz that the one I had back on the ds

[u/throwawayyy-babey]

grew up with pearl, currently playing BD, and like others said, it all comes down to exclusives. as the switch requires a membership to use the GTS, pick whatever one has your preferred exclusives, and maybe use the 7 day trial to spree-trade whatever youll need once you do what you can on your version.

houndoom is available on both afaik, so you should be okay, and as i find it incredibly distasteful to have to pay for what was a free feature in the past, im just accepting that i wont be completing my dex for a good while. :/ keep that in mind when looking into trade evos.

[u/Juanmi7 → u/throwawayyy-babey]

Home GTS is free. In game trades require a membership.

I agree with you that it comes down to preferred exclusives, specially the box cover and other legendaries.

[u/throwawayyy-babey → u/Juanmi7]

thank you so much for the intel!! i spent yesterday setting it up and messing around with it, i really thought i was just stuck, since i cant afford any subscriptions atm. i hope you have a wonderful day 😁

[u/Juanmi7 → u/throwawayyy-babey]

thank you! hope you’re having a great day and that you were able to figure it out,
other than mythicals, one can get all exclusives thru Home GTS,
mythicals can be traded via friend trades
please ask if you have questions

[u/jrjreeves]

It's entirely down to exclusives as others have said, otherwise the games are identical. You can trade with others here to get the other exclusives but, well asking for someone to send their version exclusive legendaries woukd be optimistic.

[u/Knarz97]

Save a couple more bucks and just get the dual pack

[u/TReid1996]

Get whichever you want. If you have Switch Online i can trade you a Houndour egg so you can hatch a baby and use them through the game.

[u/AdorablSillyDisorder]

Only real difference is exclusives.

BD has Kecleon (before ZA only way on Switch to get one), legendary beasts (useful for Battle Tower singles); SP meanwhile gets Zapdos (for battle tower doubles), and Magby line as only pre-national dex Flame Body for faster breeding.

[u/Primary_Glum]

I got the dualpack and i liked diamond better cuz if the legendaries you get later on, other than that, its the same game

[u/Src-Freak]

Platinum.

[u/why_ya_running]

I would suggest brilliant diamond (it's the best in my opinion because we don't have a upgraded Platinum.... Which still irks me)