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Berries were first introduced, in their current incarnation, in ruby and sapphire. While GSC did have berries to a small extent, they didn't have the wide variety that we have now, and were generally just kind of a subset of potions. Ruby and Sapphire though introduced us to the world of growing berries and during the 3rd generation berries were often significant hold items for pokemon; such as salac berry. While diamond and pearl's metagame seems to hold berries as less important then they were previously, berries now have a new focus in controlling the EVs of pokemon and effectively allowing trainers the ability to wipe a pokemon clean of any gained EVs, a trick which was unachievable in the previous games. During the course of this guide we will make reference to the 3rd generation and how berries were used in there, but for sanity's sake we'll mainly be addressing Berries as they are used and grown in the context of the 4th generation (diamond and pearl). We will also briefly cover poffins. Just some forewarning though; berries are kinda like breeding, some of em' take a lot of time and focus to grow. Berries are typically found growing in dark patches of soil but are also given to you as a gift by certain characters in the game, such as the berry master on Route 208, who hands out a berry numbered between 1 and 26 on a daily basis. He is also the one who will give you the Berry Searcher, a Poketch application that will allow you to track berries in areas you have already visited. Reaching Floaroma Town, for the first time, though will pretty much result in your first encounter with berries.
While many berries will be found scattered around Sinnoh in various patches of dark soil, there are various places throughout the game where you can find berries, in addition to the berry master on Route 208. Berries numbered 1-5, for instance, can be purchased in Floaroma's Flower Shop. In Pastoria City, the southwestern corner, berries numbered 36-52 will be randomly given out by the lady there. If you're in Amity square with a cute pokemon (Pikachu, Psyduck, Clefairy, Happiny, Pachirisu, Jigglypuff, Skitty, Torchic, Shroomish, Drifloon, or Buneary) they may be able to pick up a berry numbered between 27 and 35; but this will happen only once every 200 steps. So, the best way to think about berries is to quickly subdivide them into categories. We should primarily think about Berries in terms of use. Berries have three main uses. - Item either to be held during battle by a pokemon or to produce an effect outside of battle on a pokemon.
- Ingredient in making poffins.
- Planting to grow more berries.
In diamond and pearl there exist a total of 64 different berries, each tagged and identified by a number, between 1 and 64. Berries of lower numbers generally will grow faster when planted. Similarly, berries can also generally be divided by rarity. A berry's rarity directly corresponds to it's number; common berries are low numbered berries and rare berries are high numbered berries, with uncommon falling somewhere inbetween. Berry growth is measured in real time with some berries taking up to 96 hours to reach maturity; a.k.a the point where the plant has produced the maximum number of berries, and you'll be able to pick them from the tree. The maximum number of berries that any particular berry, when planted, can produce, varies from berry to berry. Also please note that if you wait too long to pick berries from a plant, they will "fall off" of the plant, and thus you will be harvesting less then you might have otherwise done had you picked them earlier. Also please note that berries are a 'single use item', ergo, each berry can only be used once before it goes away (unlike a macho brace which can be used indefintley), however berries can be recovered with the move Recycle. Also, berries used in a battle over wifi, or in a battle in the Battle Tower, remain equipped to your pokemon when you leave the wifi battle or the Battle Tower. Essentially, there are several different divisions of berries being used as items. - item used to recover from a status condition or recover health.
- item used to lower a particular base stat.
- item used to weaken a foe's supereffective attack (type dependant).
- item used to increase a stat during battle.
- item used to produce some in-battle effect.
As far as berries being used as items go, the only real thing of consequence we'll be concerned about is with the berries which lower a particular base stat, the others are pretty self explanatory. Given the fact that explaining the intracacies of berries which lower a base stat, or to do it proper justice, requires explaining berry growing first; we'll just go into berry growing before we get to the base stat berries. When growing berries we will need several things. - Sprayduck (watering pail)
- Dark Patches
- Mulch (optional)
- Time and Patience
Everybody always hates the last one. :P In any event, these "dark patches" (soft loamy soil) that you use to grow berries actually are really better described as patches of "moist soil." Interestingly enough there are in fact "grades" of darkness. These grades are in fact dependent on their location in Sinnoh, a.k.a. the climate. Berry patches are also dependent on the time of day, with the soil drying out faster during the day then at night. Thus some patches will need to be watered more than other patches. - Dark Brown - moist soil, ready for planting.
- Medium Brown - decent soil, less moist.
- Light Brown - dry soil, needs to be watered.
One of the most important things about growing berries is thus keeping all your patches a nice dark brown. Doing so, will ensure you grow and harvest the maximum number of berries possible. The second order of business is discussing the different growth periods of berries. Generally speaking it is best to water your berries, with the Sprayduck, at the beginning/end of each of these growth periods, and to ensure that you check up on them at the beginning of each growth phase, ensuring that the berry patches remain that dark brown. The 3 growth periods can generally be referred to as "Bud," "Sprout," and "Bloom." Furthermore, as mentioned above in the list, we also have "mulch" to consider. Mulch, or fertilizer, can be put on the soil before planting your berries and will enhance growth. There are 4 different types of mulch, each with a different effect. - Growth Mulch - Allows berries to grow in 3/4th of the time that would normally be required. Will greatly decrease the growth time required of "rare" berries. Also will result in soil drying up faster.
- Damp Mulch - Berries will grow 2 times slower than normal, but soil stays damp for twice as long after watering. Enables you to obtain a maximum harvest from an otherwise difficult to control, fast growing berry.
- Stable Mulch - Will extend the time that ripened berries remain on their plant, before falling.
- Gooey Mulch - When berries fall off the plant, it increases the chances of those berries remaining in the soil to grow into a new plant.
Now then, with that said, back to our friends; the base stat lowering berries! These berries are as follows: Pomeg Berry - Lowers Base HP. Kelpsey Berry - Lowers Base Attack. Qualot Berry - Lowers Base Defense. Hondew Berry - Lowers Base Special Attack. Grepa Berry - Lowers Base Special Defense. Tamato Berry - Lowers Base Speed.
As we established in the Stat Manipulation article any one pokemon can have a maximum of 510 Evs. One way of obtaining Evs is by giving items such as carbox, protein, and other vitamins to your pokemon. These vitamins increase provide your pokemon with 10 Evs in the specific vitamin's corresponding stat. (Carbos = speed, etc.) These berries on the other hand are more complicated then vitamins. While they do "lower" your Evs, just as vitamins "raise" Evs, these specific berries handle their lowering in a different way. Thus between vitamins and these berries you are able to much more effectively manage and control your pokemon's Ev training. In any event, each one of the above berries will, if your pokemon has 252 berries in the corresponding stat, drop those Evs to 100. Thus removing 152 Evs from your pokemon in the corresponding stat (pomeg = hp, etc.). Basically, if your pokemon's Evs, in that corresponding stat, are anything over 100, the berry will drop the Evs to 100, always. If your pokemon's Evs, in that stat, are below 100, each berry will drop Evs by a value of 10; same as a vitamin (except in the opposite direction). Furthermore, each of these berries has a smoothness of 20 and all of their plants should mature in roughly 8 hours, when growing them. Now to quickly discuss poffins, given that they're really just a bit of a side event. Basically poffins are berries which have been mashed (or something, not really sure, lol) so that they can be fed to a pokemon to enhance their stats in a contest. You can obtain a poffin case in Hearthome city, and that will then allow you to make up to 100 poffins. There's a poffin house, below the pokemon center, where you can make poffins with a lady inside; you can do it by yourself, but you'll get higher quality poffins by making them with other people.
When making poffins, you'll need to stir them clockwise or counter clockwise (an arrow will appear to indicate the proper direction). Speed is also critical, as too fast will make the batter overflow, and too slow will burn it. the batter will get thicker and more difficult to stir as time progresses. The flavor of the berry will determine the kind of poffin that is created. Giving your pokemon a bad tasting poffin will decrease it's happiness. The sheen bar, which you can see when viewing your pokemon's contest stats, will determine when and how many more poffins your pokemon can be fed. Once the sheen is full, no more poffins can be fed to that pokemon, and there is currently no method to decrease your pokemon's sheen. As with pokeblocks before, the higher the level and smoothness of the poffin, the better and superior the quality of poffin you have. ;) And here's a shoddy attempt at creating a berry dex.
#1: Cheri Berry Flavor: Spicy Firm: Soft Ingame Descripton: This bright red berry is very spicy and has a provoactive flavor. It blooms with delicate, pretty flowers. Effect: Cures paralysis. Growing Time per stage: 3 hrs
#2: Chesto Berry Flavor: Dry Firm: Super hard Ingame Description: This berry's thick skin and fruit are very tough and dry tasting. However, every bit of it can be eaten. Effect: Cures sleep. Growing Time per stage: 3 hrs
#3: Pecha Berry Flavor: Sweet Firm: Very soft Ingame Description: Because of its hollow in side pocket, there isn't a lot to eat. What can be eaten is very sweet and delicious. Effect: Cures poison. Growing Time per stage: 3 hrs
#4: Rawst Berry Flavor: Bitter Firm: Hard Ingame Desciption: If the leaves grow longer and curlier that average, this berry will have a somewhat-bitter taste. Effect: Cures burns. Growing Time per stage: 3 hrs
#5: Aspear Berry Flavor: Sour Firm: Super Hard Ingame Description: This berry's peel is hard, but the flesh inside is very juicy. It is destinguished by its bracing sourness. Effect: Cures freezing. Growing Time per stage: 3 hrs
#6: Leppa Berry Flavor: Spicy, Sour, Bitter, Sweet Firm: Very Hard Ingame Description: It takes longer to grow than berries such as Cheri. The smaller berries taste better. Effect: Restores 10PP to selected move. Growing Time per stage: 4 hrs
#7: Oran Berry Flavor: All Firm: Super Hard Ingame Description: Nature's gifts came together as one in this berry. It has a wonderous mix of flavors that spread in the mouth. Effect: Restores 10HP. Growing Time per stage: 4 hrs
#8: Persim Berry Flavor: Spicy, Dry, Sweet, Sour Firm: Hard Ingame Description: The more this berry absorbs energy from sunlight, the more vividly it grows. Effect: Cures confusion. Growing Time per stage: 4 hrs
#9: Lum Berry Flavor: Spicy, Dry, Sweet, Bitter Firm: Super Hard Ingame Description: This Berry's gradual process of storing nutrients benefical to Pokemon health causes it to mature slowly. Effect: Cures all status problems. Growing Time per stage: 12 hrs
#10: Sitrus Berry Flavor: Dry, Sweet, Bitter, Sour Firm: Very Hard Ingame Description: Sitrus came from the same family as Oran. It is larger and smoother tasting than Oran. Effect: Heals a certain % of HP. Growing Time per stage: 8 hrs
#11: Figy Berry Flavor: Spicy Firm: Soft Ingame Description: This berry is oddly shaped, appearing as if someone took a bite out of it. It is packed full of spicy substances. Effect: Restores some HP but may cause confusion to pokemon that do not like spicy flavor. Growing Time per stage: 5 hrs
#12: Wiki Berry Flavor: Dry Firm: Hard Ingame Description: It is said that this berry grew lumps to help pokemon grip it, allowing propagation farther afield. Effect: Restores some HP but may cause confusion to pokemon that do not like dry flavor. Growing Time per stage: 5 hrs Special: Use this berry if you are planning to make a Feebas evolve into Milotic.
#13: Mago Berry Flavor: Sweet Firm: Hard Ingame Description: This berry progressively curves as it grows. The curvier the berry, the sweeter and tastier. Effect: Restores some HP but may cause confusion to pokemon that do not like the sweet flavor. Growing Time per stage: 5 hrs
#14: Aguav Berry Flavor: Bitter Firm: Super Hard Ingame Description: This berry turns bitter toward the stem. The dainty flower it grows from doesn't absorb much sunlight. Effect: Restores some HP but may cause confusion to pokemon that do not like the bitter flavor. Growing Time per stage: 5 hrs
#15: Iapapa Berry Flavor: Sour Firm: Soft Ingame Description: This berry is very big and sour. The juiciness of the pulp accentuates the sourness. Effect: Restores some HP but may cause confusion to pokemon that do not like the sour flavor. Growing Time per stage: 5 hrs
#16: Razz Berry Flavor: Spicy, Dry Firm: Very Hard Ingame Description: A small hint of spiciness lingers in the red granules surrounding this berry. Their centers have a dry taste. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 2 hrs
#17: Bluk Berry Flavor: Dry, Sweet Firm: Soft Ingame Descripion: Though this small, delicately skinned berry is blue in colour, it dyes the mouth black when eaten. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 2 hrs
#18: Nanab Berry Flavor: Sweet, Bitter Firm: Very Hard Ingame Description: Bitter, but with a trace of sweetness, the Nanab Berry was the seventh to be discovered in the world. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 2 hrs
#19: Wepear Berry Flavor: Bitter, Sour Firm: Super Hard Ingame Description: The potent mix of bitter and sour in this berry seems to promote digestion. The flower is white and beautiful. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 2 hrs
#20: Pinap Berry Flavor: Sour, Spicy Firm: Hard Ingame Description: It is said when the sour skin is peeled, this spicy berry can be crushed to make medicine. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 2 hrs
#21: Pomeg Berry Flavor: Spicy, Sweet, Bitter Firm: Very Hard Ingame Description: When this sweetly spicy Berry's thick skin is peeled, many pieces of the fruit spill out. Effect: - HP EV, + Happiness Growing time per stage: 8 hrs
#22: Kelpsy Berry Flavor: Dry, Sour, Bitter Firm: Hard Ingame Description: This berry can be eaten as it is or boiled to obtain an extract that adds a dash of flavor to food. Effect: -Attack EV, + Happiness Growing time per stage: 8 hrs
#23: Qualot Berry Flavor: Spicy, Sweet, Sour Firm: Hard Ingame Description: Even in places of constant rain and high humidity, this berry's plant grows healthy and strong. Effect: -Defense EV, + Happiness Growing time per stage: 8 hrs
#24: Hondew Berry Flavor: Spicy, Dry, Bitter Firm: Hard Ingame Description: This somewhat-rare berry projects as an image of luxury, so it is favored as a gift item. Effect: -Sp. Attack EV, + Happiness Growing time per stage: 8 hrs
#25: Grepa Berry Flavor: Sour, Dry, Sweet Firm: Soft Ingame Description: One bite of this very tender Berry fills the mouth with its sweet and tangy flavor. Effect: -Sp. Defense EV, + Happiness Growing Time per stage: 8 hrs
#26: Tamato Berry Flavor: Spicy, Dry Firm: Soft Ingame Description: This berry is large and spicy. When eaten during the cold season, it warms the body up from the inside. Effect: -Speed EV, + Happiness Growing time per stage: 8 hrs
#27: Cornn Berry Flavor: Dry, Sweet Firm: Hard Ingame Desciption: Its dryness is quite strong. As a result, its true deliciousness can't be appreciated by just eating one or two. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 6 hrs
#28: Magost Berry Flavor: Sweet, Bitter Firm: Hard Ingame Description: The grown up flavor and dreamy sweetness of this berry make it a favorite of pokemon everywhere. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 6 hrs
#29: Rabuta Berry Flavor: Bitter, Sour Firm: Soft Ingame Description: Even though it is bitter, it should be eaten peel and all. The hair on the peel cleans the stomach from the inside. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 6 hrs
#30: Nomel Berry Flavor: Sour, Spicy Firm: Super Hard Ingame Description: This berry is quite sour overall, with the sourness especially concentrated at the pointed end. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 6 hrs
#31: Spelon Berry Flavor: Spicy, Dry Firm: Soft Ingame Description: So spicy is the Spelon Berry that, Fire type or not, Pokemon will try to breathe fire after eating a single one. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 15 hrs
#32: Pamtre Berry: Flavor: Dry, Sweet Firm: Very Soft Ingame Description: This berry drifted from a faraway sea. It is now cultivated in the Sinnoh region Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 15 hrs
#33: Watmel Berry Flavor: Sweet, Bitter Firm: Soft Ingame Description: A bounty of nature that is exceedingly sweet. The berry is huge, with some discovered that exceed 20 inches. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 15 hrs
#34: Durin Berry Flavor: Bitter, Sour Firm: Hard Ingame Description: This berry is tremendously bitter. Just one bite is enough to instantly stop hiccups. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 15 hrs
#35: Belue Berry Flavor: Sour, Spicy Firm: Very Soft Ingame Description: This glossy and colourful berry has a mouthwateringly delicious appearance. However, it is awfully sour. Effect: Poffin Growing time per stage: 15 hrs
#36: Occa Berry Flavor: Spicy, Sweet Firm: Super Hard Ingame Description: This Berry is said to have grown plentiful in the tropics of the past. It boasts an intensely hot spicyness. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective fire type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#37: Passho Berry Flavor: Dry, Bitter Firm: Soft Ingame Description: This berry's flesh is dotted with countless tiny bubbles of air that keep it afloat in water. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective water type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#38: Wacan Berry Flavor: Sweet, Sour Firm: Very Soft Ingame Description: Energy from lighting strikes is drawn into the plant, making the berries grow big and rich. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective electric type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#39: Rindo Berry Flavor: Bitter, Spicy Firm: Soft Ingame Description: This berry has a disagreeable green flavor and scent typical of vegetables. It is rich in health promoting fiber. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective grass type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#40: Yache Berry Flavor: Dry, Sour Firm: Very hard Ingame Description: This berry has a refreshing flavor that strikes a good balance of dryness and sourness. It tastes better chilled. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective ice type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#41: Chople Berry Flavor: Spicy, Bitter Firm: Soft Ingame Description: This berry contains a substance that generates heat. It can even heat up a chilly heart. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective fighting type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#42: Kebia Berry Flavor: Dry, Sour Firm: Hard Ingame Description: This berry is a brilliant green on the outside. Inside, it is packed with a dry-flavored, black-colored flesh. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective poison type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#43: Shuca Berry Flavor: Sweet, Spicy Firm: Soft Ingame Description: The sweetness-laden pulp has just the hint of a hard- edged and fragrant bite to it. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective ground type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#44: Coba Berry Flavor: Bitter, Dry Firm: Very hard Ingame Description: This berry is said to be a new kind that is a cross of two berries brought together by winds from far away. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective flying type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#45: Payapa Berry Flavor: Sweet, Sour Firm: Soft Ingame Description: This Berry is said to sense human emotions for the way it swells roundly when a person approaches. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective psychic type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#46: Tanga Berry Flavor: Spicy, Sour Firm: Very soft Ingame Description: The flower grows at the tip of this Berry. It attracts bug pokemon by letting its stringy petals stream out. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective bug type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#47: Charti Berry Flavor: Dry, Spicy Firm: Very soft Ingame Description: It is often used for pickles because of its very dry flavor. It can also be eaten raw for its provocative taste. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective rock type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#48: Kasib Berry Flavor: Sweet, Dry Firm: Hard Ingame Description: Considered to have a special power from the olden days, this berry is sometimes dried and used as a good luck charm. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective ghost type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#49: Haban Berry Flavor: Bitter, Sweet Firm: Soft Ingame Description: If a large enough volume of this berry is boiled down, its bitterness fades away. It makes a good jam. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective dragon type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#50: Colbur Berry Flavor: Sour, Biiter Firm: Super Hard Ingame Description: Tiny hooks grow on the surface of this berry. It latches on to pokemon so it can be carried to far away places. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective Dark type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#51: Babiri Berry Flavor: Spicy, Dry Firm: Super hard Ingame Description: This berry is very tough with a strong flavor. It was used to make medicine by people in the past. Effect: Weakens the foes super-effective steel type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#52: Chilan Berry Flavor: Dry, Sweet Firm: Very soft Ingame Description: This berry can be cored out and dried to make a whilstle. Blowing through its hole makes an indescribable sound. Effect: Weakens the foes normal type attack. Growing time per stage: 18 hrs
#53: Liechi Berry Flavor: Sweet, Spicy, Dry Firm: Very hard Ingame Description: This berry is surrounded by mystery. It is rumored to be imbued with the power of the sea. Effect: Raises the attack stat when your health is red. Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#54: Ganlon Berry Flavor: Dry, Sweet, Bitter Firm: Very Hard Ingame Description: This berry is surrounded by mystery. It is rumored to be imbued with the power of the land. Effect: Raises the defense stat when your health is red. Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#55: Salac Berry Flavor: Sweet, Bitter, Sour Firm: Very Hard Ingame Description: This berry is surrounded by mystery. It is rumored to be imbued with the power of the sky. Effect: Raises the speed stat when your health is red. Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#56: Petaya Berry Flavor: Sour, Spicy, Bitter Firm: Very Hard Ingame Description: This berry is surrounded by mystery. It is rumored to be imbued with the power of all living things. Effect: Raises the sp. attack stat when your health is red. Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#57: Apicot Berry Flavor: Bitter, Spicy, Dry Firm: Hard Ingame Description: This is a very mystifying berry. There is no telling how it can be used, or what may happen when it is used. Effect: Raises the sp. defense stat when your health is red. Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#58: Lansat Berry Flavor: All Firm: Soft Ingame Description: This is said to be a legendary berry. Holding it supposedly brings great joy. Effect: Raises your critical hit ratio when your health is red. Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#59: Starf Berry Flavor: All Firm: Super hard Ingame Description: This berry is considered a mirage. It was said to be so strong that it had to be abandoned at the world's edge. Effect: Raises a random stat when your health is red. Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#60: Enigma Berry Flavor: Spicy, Dry Firm: Hard Ingame Description: A completely enigmatic berry. It apparently has the power of the stars that fill the night sky. Effect: Restores HP if your pokemon gets hit by a super effective attack Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#61: Micle Berry Flavor: Dry, Sweet Firm: Soft Ingame Description: This berry has a very dry flavor. It has the effect of making other food eaten at the same time taste sweet. Effect: Raises accuracy when your health is red. Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#62: Cutsap Berry Flavor: Sweet, Bitter Firm: Super hard Ingame Description: The flesh underneath the Cutsap Berry's tough skin is sweet and creamy soft. Effect: A pokemon holding this berry always attacks first Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#63: Jaboca Berry Flavor: Bitter, Sour Firm: Soft Ingame Description: The cluster of drupelets that make up this berry pop rhythmically if the berry is handled roughly. Effect: The foe will also lose HP if you get hit with a Physical attack. Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
#64: Rowap Berry Flavor: Sour, Spicy Firm: Very soft Ingame Description: In the days of old, people worked the top-shaped pieces of this berry free and used them as toys. Effect: The foe will also lose HP if you get hit with a Special attack. Growing time per stage: 24 hrs
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