(Edit 07/Mar/11: Finally fixed the BBCode, yay!)

(The sizes look different in FF than IE)

This isn't perfect, so please ask questions for the FAQ and tell me if I've made any typos.
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:arrow: There are two types of patches, normal and flashing. Normal patches last longer than flashing ones. There are more Pokémon to be found in flashing patches than normal ones, namely Pokémon that are Pokéradar-exclusive.

:arrow: A patch of grass which contains a Shiny Pokemon will flash brightly twice. These are hard to miss. There is a distinct difference between the previously mentioned patches and these ones, but in case you are still unsure, this video shows what a shiny patch will look like. These patches will always continue your chain.

:arrow: Once your chain reaches 40, there is absolutely no need to go any further. The chances of a shiny appearing is at its peak now. Bringing the chain higher will not decrease the odds of a shiny patch appearing, however, it is undesirable to do so as it may break your chain.

:arrow: When looking for a shiny patch, it will often take a lot of repels. Super repels will save money in the long run, but if you can afford to use both super repels and max repels, it would be beneficial to the length of your chain. Standard repels are not recommended, as they will only permit two resets of the radar before another is required.

:arrow: Never turn off your Nintendo DS during a chain, as this will cause your chain to break. Closing your DS' lid and saving the game will do no harm to your chain (although you MUST leave your DS on), and this is what you should do if you wish to run your chain for a long period of time.

:arrow: Saving your game after each caught shiny is a good idea.

:arrow: Start small! Easy Pokémon to chain for beginners include shinx, starly and bidoof.

:arrow: If you don't like the patches you have, run 50 steps and re-use the Pokéradar.
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General Tips

:idea: Bring lots of Pokéballs! The last thing you want is to run out when you're still trying to catch shinies.

:idea: If you're getting frustrated, take a break.

:idea: Don't look away from the screen while patches are shaking!. It only takes one second to miss a patch, and end your chain. If you suspect that you may have missed a patch, reset the radar (but try not to walk into any patches!).

:idea: All chains break for a reason. If you're not sure what caused your chain to break, go through these tips and see if you can find where you went wrong. Usually it's caused by going into a patch that is not a 4-away (covered later in this guide).

:idea: Before chaining your desired shiny, take a look at its Psydex information. Find where it has the highest encounter rate, its catch rate, its level. This guide has a lot of useful information for almost every chainable Pokémon in Diamond and Pearl, including moves that could break your chain; such as Whirlwind or Roar.

:idea: A chaining team is very helpful. This means Pokémon that know moves such as False Swipe, Sleep Powder, Thunder Wave etc. Having these Pokémon at high levels is preferred, so that they won't faint during the chain. Bring something with lots of PP too, so you can be that little bit faster reaching 40. If you want a specific nature, bring a Pokémon with the desired nature and the ability Synchronize. This gives a 50% chance of the Pokémon having the same nature as your Synchronizer. Your Synchronizer must be at the front of your party, but it can be fainted. Just make sure it has a high enough level to keep your repels working!

:idea: If you're chaining an Electric type Pokémon, keep a Pokémon with the ability Static at the front of your party until you reach 40. This helps to attract Electric Pokémon. The same also applies with Steel types, except that the ability must be Magnet Pull.

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How to Chain

Quote:

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 Y 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

( Y = You, number = x-away patch)

To chain, use the Pokéradar and go to either type of grass. It could take some time to find the Pokémon you would like to chain, so if it is not the one you're looking for, simply run from the battle and try again. More Pokémon can be found in flashing grass. Once you have found the Pokémon you wish to chain, defeat it. You have now started a chain of this Pokémon, and the chain is at 1, as the Pokétch app #20 will tell you.

Obviously, 1 is not a high chain. When the grass shakes after the battle, go to the patch that is farthest away. However, there may not always be a safe patch.

Quote:

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 Y 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

( Y = You, number = x-away patch)
A 4-away patch is a safe patch. 1, 2 and 3-away patches are not safe. They can continue your chain, but they have a much lesser chance than a 4-away. However, not all 4-aways are good. For example, patches which are 4-aways but are in the same row of grass as you are aren't safe. See the diagram below for an example.

Quote:

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 Y 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

( Y = You, number = x-away patch)

4-aways are denoted by the number "4". Underlined patches are bad patches and should not be entered.


4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 Y 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

:!: The patch in green is an example of a good patch. To ensure that your chain continues, it is good to go to a patch that is a 4-away, and then two or more down, but one down will work just as well. The 4-away shown in this diagram is to the right of the player, but left would obey the same rules.

:!: Edge Patches, patches which are not surrounded by more grass in every direction, are a hazard to your chain. Even shiny patches on edges could break your chain. It is estimated to be a 50% chance of breaking your chain, so be careful. These are not recommended if your chain is above 10.

:!: Never walk directly up unless you are 100% sure that you know where the four patches are. The trainer sprite will obscure your view of the patch directly in front of you, and this could cause your chain to break.

:!: The Step-counter Pokétch app is very helpful. It tells you how many steps you have taken, if you don't feel like counting them yourself. This can help to prevent wasteful use of your repels, since you will know when you have taken your 50 steps.

:!: When resetting your Pokéradar, it is recommended that you stay in two patches. Going any further may cause you to walk into a shaking patch, or even worse, it may cause all of the shaking patches to go off your screen, breaking your chain.

:!: When resetting, it is better to do so in the middle of the grass. This way, more patches will shake, and there will be more 4-aways.

:!: If you found the grid above confusing, make a note of your current location, and a note of a good patch. Reset the radar in your current location each time, and go to the good patch when it shakes. However, be sure to have more than one useful patch if you can! Also, take a look at the section of this guide on "What NOT to do while chaining" to see if your patch is safe or not!

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Getting to 40

It's always better to start off relaxed. It doesn't matter if a chain of two breaks, it won't take long to get back to that!
1-15: Relax.
15-30: Pay a little more attention to patches.
30-40: ONLY enter 4-aways, and pay very, very close attention to patches. There's nothing more discouraging than a chain breaking at 39!

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What to do when you reach 40

Don't go into any more patches. Slowly and carefully, reset the radar, and walk to the center of the grass. Reset the radar until you find a shiny. Once again, do not enter shiny patches if they are on the edge of the grass! Do not enter any more patches unless they are shiny patches. They can continue your chain, but there's always the chance that they'll cause your chain to break, which is the worst thing to happen at 40.

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What NOT to do while chaining

:arrow: Don't lose your concentration. You want to get to 40!

:arrow: Never go into any patches that are in the same row. Example:
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 Y 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
(Y = You, bold = shaking)
Example two:
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 Y 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

However, this 4-away is okay:
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 Y 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 4
4 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

:arrow: Make sure your repel has not worn off.

:arrow: Don't ever run from any Pokémon in the chain, as this will always end it.

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Chaining in the weather

Sandstorm:
Try tilting your DS slightly. This should cause the colours to invert, making it easier to see the grass.

Rain:
Make sure there's no lightning. Set your clock to the night time or the day time, and see which works better for you. The patches can be hard to make out. Tilting your DS may also increase the visibility of the grass.

Snow:
This does not apply to the blizzard on Route 217. Currently, there is no known way to chain there. However, for normal snow, you can tilt your DS or change the time.

Note:
:arrow: Don't let the level of the Pokémon you're chaining exceed that of your lead Pokémon. This causes the effect of repel to stop working.

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FAQ

Q: My chains keep breaking! Help!
A: Try reading the guide again. You'll probably see where you went wrong.

Q: I'm trying to chain X, but my chains keep breaking!
A: Perhaps it has a very low encounter rate. See if there's any way of increasing your odds, like a Pokémon's ability.

Q: Does it matter if my shiny patch is not a 4-away?
A: No, it does not.

Q: While chaining, can I leave the grass?
A: You can, but only a few steps out of the grass. Any more will break your chain.

Q: What exactly is the point of chaining?
A: Chaining helps you to find shiny Pokémon much easier.

Q: How long does it usually take to reach 40?
A: When you're only starting to chain, it could take days. When you're able to chain, it could take forty minutes or an hour, depending on grass size, what you're chaining, etc.
Q: What's the chance of a shiny appearing at every link of a chain?
A:
1 | 0.000140256881714 | 7130
2 | 0.000146835728696 |6971
3 | 0.000143461961013 | 6810
4 | 0.000150391862199 | 6649
5 | 0.000154145558675 | 6487
6 | 0.000158113752093 | 6325
7 | 0.000162315368652 | 6161
8 | 0.000166771628640 | 5996
9 | 0.000171506404877 | 5831
10 | 0.000176546650548 | 5664
11 | 0.000181922912598 | 5497
12 | 0.000187669951340 | 5329
13 | 0.000193827492850 | 5159
14 | 0.000200441148546 | 4989
15 | 0.000207563546988 | 4818
16 | 0.000215255737305 | 4646
17 | 0.000223588943481 | 4473
18 | 0.000232646776282 | 4298
19 | 0.000242528048429 | 4123
20 | 0.000253350394113 | 3947
21 | 0.000265254974365 | 3770
22 | 0.000278412668329 | 3592
23 | 0.000293032328288 | 3413
24 | 0.000309371948242 | 3232
25 | 0.000327754020691 | 3051
26 | 0.000348587036133 | 2869
27 | 0.000372396196638 | 2685
28 | 0.000399868304913 | 2501
29 | 0.000431919097900 | 2315
30 | 0.000469797307795 | 2129
31 | 0.000515251159668 | 1941
32 | 0.000570805867513 | 1752
33 | 0.000640249252319 | 1562
34 | 0.000729533604213 | 1371
35 | 0.000848579406738 | 1178
36 | 0.001015243530273 | 985
37 | 0.001265239715576 | 790
38 | 0.001681900024414 | 595
39 | 0.002515220642090 | 398
40 | 0.005015182495117 | 199

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GLOSSARY:
Chaining: Using the Pokéradar to find the same Pokémon for as long as possible.
Chaining Team: A team of Pokémon with moves useful for chaining (False Swipe, Thunder Wave, Sleep Powder, etc), abilities useful for chaining (Static, Magnet Pull) or attacks with lots of PP.
Radar Reset: Walking 50 steps to recharge the Pokéradar.

Very nice Patchy, however, there is a typo.

In your guide near the beginning, it says you can only reset 3 times on a regular repel, but you can only reset twice.

Repel only works for 100 steps, and it takes 50 steps to reset. 50*3=150. 150>100.

Just thought I'd let you know. Great job.

Thank you for making a guide. =) I actually understand chaining now.

Looks awesome.

Thanks, guys. :p I expected replies like "I don't get this guide at all".

And thanks Beav, I'll double check after school. :)

Oh, and since I had to leave while I was posting it, I didn't get to correct all the broken BBCode. I think I fixed it all. If you see any that's not working, please also tell me that. :)

I don't get why the number of continued chains influences the chances of getting a shiny. (in other words, why does the higher the chain number increase the shiny chances?)

That's been progammed into the games coding.

uhh... Patch'y last FAq doesn't really cover the algorithim, but Bulbapedia has it. Go here for the probability equation.

I don't actually understand the formula, and I've been told the one in my FAQ doesn't make sense.

I'll edit that repel thing later, since ctrl+F can't find it right now.

Edit: lordtomato, that's just the way the game is programmed.

[quote="Patchy"]I'll edit that repel thing later, since ctrl+F can't find it right now.
quote]

Fourth under the basics

*moved*

Just a tip: Super Repels are actually more cost-efficient than max repels. Great guide, Patchy!

Good guide bro.:]

chaining is hard i can only get a chain of 3

wow i must be lucky then i got a shiny shinx with a chain of 6
also i thought that it was supposed to be 4 STEPS away not that ring of four
other than that great guide

Thanks!Your guide is very useful and now I have 8 shiny pokemon by chaining!