As any seasoned Pokemon trainer will tell you, grinding for experience points to level up your team can be one of the most time-consuming activities in any Pokemon game. However, in Pokemon Platinum for the Nintendo DS, there's a handy tool at your disposal that can streamline this process significantly: the Exp Share. Here's how you can use the Exp Share to maximize your gaming experience, making your journey through Sinnoh not just faster, but also more enjoyable.
What is Exp Share?
The Exp Share is an item in Pokemon Platinum that allows for the redistribution of experience points (EXP) among your Pokemon party even if they don't participate in battle. It was introduced to provide a more efficient way to level up your entire team without having to rotate each Pokemon in and out of battle.
How to Obtain the Exp Share
You can obtain the Exp Share in Pokemon Platinum by talking to Professor Rowan's assistant in Eterna City after obtaining the National Dex. Here’s how:
- Visit Eterna City.
- Go to Professor Rowan’s lab and speak to his assistant outside the lab.
The assistant will reward you with the Exp Share for having seen 35 different Pokemon species in Sinnoh.
<p class="pro-note">🧠 Pro Tip: It's beneficial to catch as many Pokemon as possible early on, not only to fill out your Pokedex but also to unlock valuable items like the Exp Share.</p>
Using Exp Share Effectively
Once you have the Exp Share, there are several ways to make the most out of it:
Equipping Exp Share
To equip the Exp Share:
- Open your bag.
- Navigate to the Key Items Pocket.
- Select Exp Share.
- Choose which Pokemon will hold it.
When equipped, the Pokemon holding the Exp Share will receive a portion of the EXP gained from battles, even if it remains outside of combat.
Sharing with Multiple Pokemon
For trainers looking to level up multiple Pokemon quickly:
- You can only equip one Exp Share at a time.
- However, you can swap it between Pokemon to distribute the EXP more evenly.
Here's a practical scenario:
- Suppose you have six Pokemon at different levels: Lucario (Lv. 30), Luxray (Lv. 27), Gastrodon (Lv. 25), Roselia (Lv. 23), Chingling (Lv. 18), and Machoke (Lv. 15).
- You could battle with Lucario and Luxray, giving the Exp Share to one of the others in rotation.
Example Distribution
<table> <tr> <th>Battle</th> <th>Active Pokemon</th> <th>Exp Share Holder</th> <th>Benefiting Pokemon</th> </tr> <tr> <td>1</td> <td>Lucario, Luxray</td> <td>Gastrodon</td> <td>Gastrodon</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>Lucario, Luxray</td> <td>Roselia</td> <td>Roselia</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>Lucario, Luxray</td> <td>Chingling</td> <td>Chingling</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4</td> <td>Lucario, Luxray</td> <td>Machoke</td> <td>Machoke</td> </tr> </table>
This approach helps to level up all your Pokemon at roughly the same pace, keeping your team strong and balanced.
<p class="pro-note">🚫 Pro Tip: Avoid giving the Exp Share to already high-level Pokemon to prevent over-leveling, which might make the game less challenging and potentially disrupt your overall strategy.</p>
Strategies and Tips for Using Exp Share
- Even Leveling: Rotate the Exp Share among your lower-level Pokemon to keep the team even.
- For Difficult Battles: Equip a strong Pokemon with the Exp Share to ensure they gain a bit of extra EXP from battles they dominate.
- Post-Game: Use the Exp Share to level up underused Pokemon or train a fresh team for Elite Four rematches or competitive battles.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overexposure: Don't rely solely on Exp Share; all your Pokemon should have some battle experience to develop their stats properly.
- Neglecting Team Diversity: Using Exp Share might tempt you to avoid training weaker Pokemon, which can limit your team's versatility.
- Ignoring EVs: While Exp Share distributes EXP, it doesn't consider Effort Values (EVs) which can significantly impact your Pokemon's growth if not managed properly.
<p class="pro-note">💡 Pro Tip: Use Exp Share to level up HM slaves or underutilized Pokemon without sacrificing their growth in other areas.</p>
Maximizing Exp Share for Training
The Exp Share also has a role in training:
- Post-Victory Lap: After defeating the Elite Four, go back to catch and train new Pokemon with the Exp Share equipped on them.
- Breeding and Hatching: Newly hatched Pokemon or newly caught Pokemon can benefit from the Exp Share, giving them a head start in leveling.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Uneven Levels: If your Pokemon levels are becoming too uneven, remember to rotate the Exp Share or adjust your battle strategy to include lower-level members.
- Stat Distortion: If your Pokemon seem to have lower stats than expected, check their EVs to ensure they're getting the right boosts.
<p class="pro-note">🛠️ Pro Tip: Use items like Vitamins and Wings to address stat growth issues outside of EXP distribution.</p>
Conclusion
By employing the Exp Share wisely in Pokemon Platinum, you can level up your team evenly, prepare for tough battles, and develop Pokemon that might otherwise be overlooked.
Remember, while the Exp Share can speed up the process, the heart of Pokemon training lies in the adventure, the bonds formed with your Pokemon, and the strategies you develop.
Key Takeaways:
- The Exp Share can be obtained after filling your Pokedex to 35 species in Sinnoh.
- Use it to distribute EXP evenly among your Pokemon, helping to keep your team balanced.
- Avoid over-reliance on Exp Share and ensure each Pokemon gets its share of battle experience for stat growth.
Feel free to explore more strategies and tips on how to make the most out of Pokemon Platinum. Whether you're training for the Elite Four or just enjoying the journey through Sinnoh, there are countless ways to enhance your experience.
<p class="pro-note">💪 Pro Tip: Engage with community forums or watch strategy videos to learn unique ways of using the Exp Share and other game mechanics to your advantage.</p>
<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How can I rotate the Exp Share effectively?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Rotate the Exp Share after every few battles or when you notice a level difference. For instance, after battling wild Pokemon for a while, switch the Exp Share holder to distribute EXP evenly.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I use Exp Share with traded Pokemon?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Absolutely, the Exp Share works on all Pokemon, including traded ones. It's a great way to bring new Pokemon up to the level of your team quickly.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Does using Exp Share reduce the EXP for the active battling Pokemon?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>No, the battling Pokemon still receives the full amount of EXP. The Exp Share gives an additional share of EXP to the holder, not taking away from anyone else.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What happens if I give the Exp Share to my strongest Pokemon?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Your strongest Pokemon will get even stronger, which can lead to an unbalanced team. Use this strategy only if you want to accelerate the growth of an already strong Pokemon for a specific challenge.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>