Stats & Training
Cresselia's built to absorb hits, not race for knockouts. Balanced defenses with HP doing the heavy lifting. And the slow 1.25M XP grind means it won't take forever to bring up, worth 3 Sp. Def EVs.
When it flies, it releases shiny particles from its veil-like wings. It is said to represent the crescent moon.
When it flies, it releases shiny particles from its veil-like wings. It is said to represent the crescent moon.
Cresselia Weakness
Cresselia is weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark. Levitate grants an additional Ground immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Cresselia's overall bulk (120/120/120) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Psychic |
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Runerigus's Poltergeist hits Cresselia for 44-52%. Dragapult's Shadow Ball hits Cresselia for 47-55%. Incineroar deals 42-49% with Knock Off.
 Runerigus GroundGhost | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityWanderingspirit ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Cresselia View Runerigus builds →Poltergeist 2x44-52% | ||
 Dragapult DragonGhost | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityInfiltrator ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cresselia View Dragapult builds →Draco Meteor38-45% U Turn 2x20-24% Shadow Ball 2x47-55% Flamethrower18-21% | ||
 Incineroar FireDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemSitrus Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cresselia View Incineroar builds →Knock Off 2x42-49% Flare Blitz38-45% | ||
 Orbeetle BugPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFrisk ItemWeakness Policy NatureBold Moves View Orbeetle builds →
| ||
 Genesect BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDownload ItemChoice Scarf NatureHasty Moves
Damage vs Cresselia View Genesect builds →U Turn 2x39-47% Flamethrower13-15% Ice Beam13-15% | ||
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Evolution
Cresselia is strong overall with 590 total stats as a Psychic legendary. Can't breed it, so you're locked to whatever you catch or receive. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Cresselia Best Moveset
Levitate gives Cresselia passive value while it walls. Sassy nature boosts Sp. Def, max HP and Sp. Def EVs maximize the slow wall profile, and Figyberry keeps it in the game.
Best Build
Cresselia best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Psychic
- Moonlight
- Trick Room
- Calm Mind
Recommended Teammates
Utility Moveset
- Moonlight
- Lunar Dance
- Trick Room
- Moonblast
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Lunar Dance
- Trick Room
- Moonlight
- Ice Beam
Moves
Most of Cresselia's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Future Sight and Dream Eater, but Ice and Normal and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Cresselia in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Cresselia doesn't appear in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Transfer it from Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Cresselia is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Special encounter in:
Then trade to Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.
Also found in:
Cresselia Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Cresselia is a Legendary Pokemon rated B-Tier. At 590 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a wall. Psychic with Figyberry is the standard set.
Cresselia gets Levitate. But Levitate is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. On wall sets, Levitate pairs with Cresselia's base 120 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.
Cresselia is a special attacker with base 75 Sp. Atk. Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 85 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the wall role.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, the best way to handle Cresselia: Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Physical attackers can break through.
Game Availability
Since Diamond & Pearl, Cresselia has appeared in 13 games. Legendary Pokemon like Cresselia are usually found through story events or special post-game areas rather than random encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves