The Destiny Knot is one of many held items in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl that returns from the original generation four games. The original Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl introduced fans to as many new items as they did new Pokémon. The Destiny Knot was originally meant to be an item with a single purpose for battling. Thanks to the quality-of-life changes included in Pokémon BDSP, all trainers can take full advantage of the Destiny Knot featured in generation six of Pokémon and beyond.
The original purpose of the Destiny Knot in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl was simple and straightforward. If a Pokémon were to infatuate an opponent in battle, the opponent's Destiny Knot would cause the infatuator to fall under the same effect. The moves Attract and Cute Charm would cause this infatuation to take place. The Destiny Knot ensured that both Pokémon would fall under the infatuation effect, regardless of whether it came from Attract or Cute Charm.
In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, the Destiny Knot received an upgrade that allowed any Pokémon holding it to pass down five of their sixth IVs when breeding with another Pokémon. This change was a major upgrade to the breeding method available prior because there were items that could guarantee only one IV stat at a time that would pass down to the offspring. Additionally, each parent Pokémon by default passes down three of their IVs at random to their offspring, which made breeding the perfect Pokémon a long and tedious process. The changes to the Destiny Knot were one of the few upgrades to the series that managed to become part of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
How To Get The Destiny Knot In Pokémon BDSP
Players can get a Destiny Knot in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl in one of two ways. The guaranteed way is by getting the National Dex in Pokémon BDSP, then heading to Route 224 through Victory Road. This pathway was previously blocked by an NPC and can be accessed more easily from the Elite Four side of Victory Road. The Destiny Knot is in the Pokéball item next to the purple-haired trainer on Route 224.
The second way to get a Destiny Knot is a lot less secure, but it can be done long before players even beat Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. First, trainers will have to catch a Pokémon with the Pick Up ability, like Pachirisu or Teddiursa. Next, they'll have to make sure that the Pokémon is at least level 21. The Pick Up ability allows Pokémon to find random items outside of battle, and any Pokémon with this ability has a one percent chance of finding the Destiny Knot from level 21 to level 100. It's a longshot strategy for sure, but it's the only way to get the Destiny Knot before reaching Route 224 in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl are now available on the Nintendo Switch.