Why Do Certain Pokemon Shake and Are Scared in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl? Answered

While fighting other Pokemon in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, you may notice one of your creatures shaking and looking very afraid, and the game provides no information on why this happens and how it impacts the combat performance of your Pokemon.

So, what is it that causes Pokemon to shake and look afraid? Let’s find out!

Why Do Certain Pokemon Shake and Are Scared in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl?

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl feature a friendship mechanic that keeps track of your relationship with your Pokemon, and if you treat them nicely, they will come to like you more. So much, that they will become afraid of disappointing you in combat.

Pokemon start shaking and look scared in combat when their friendship level is high, as they essentially become afraid of disappointing you. This translates into more EXP gained at the end of the fight, a higher critical hit chance, the ability to survive fatal attacks with 1 HP left, and the chance of healing status ailments like poison, burn, and paralysis, and increased dodge chance.

It is baffling how the Pokemon’s behavior and the wording used to describe it doesn’t really make you understand how much it actually benefits you in the end. Thankfully, this bad design choice doesn’t make Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl terrible games. Just a little confusing.