This module automates some tasks in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
You will need an Arduino UNO R3, an external Arduino programmer, and a pushbutton inserted in the Arduino board, between pins 13 and GND (on the top row).
You can additionally install a buzzer between pins 2 and GND.
See the main README for details.
Use make to build the usb-iface.hex and bdsp.hex files. Flash
usb-iface.hex to the USB interface microcontroller (ATmega16U2), and
bdsp.hex to the main microcontroller (ATmega328P).
See the main README for the required software, the build procedure, and the programming procedure.
The legendary shiny hunting features count the number of time a reset is performed. The reset count is stored in the Arduino’s non-volatile memory (EEPROM) so it is kept even when the device is disconnected.
The reset count can be displayed on the Switch screen, or set to zero, using the features described below.
You can also read the refresh count from a computer using the programmer and the
tools/read_reset_count.py script. (Requires Python 3)
Note: Re-flashing the main microcontroller will erase the EEPROM and lose
the reset count. I have not yet found a way to preserve the EEPROM contents or
to restore it after it is lost (avrdude can read the EEPROM, but writing to it
seems to do nothing)
Plug the Arduino to the Switch; the L LED on the Arduino board should start blinking rapidly, and the TX/RX LEDs should be off.
To start the automation process, start Pokémon BD/SP (if it is not already), and put the game in the required state (which depends on the task to be automated; see below for details).
Press Home to get to the Switch main menu (the selection should be on the game icon) and press the pushbutton on the Arduino board. The emulated controller will get auto-registered as controller 2, and then will access the controller settings to register as controller 1. It will then get back to the game, ready to control it.
Once it’s done, the Arduino L LED will blink once per second, and both the RX and TX LEDs will be lit up. You are in the “main menu”, which allows you to select which automation feature to perform. Press the pushbutton on the board once to activate feature 1; twice to activate feature 2; etc.
The different automation features are described below.
Pre-requisites: None
Pokémon BD/SP only allows one controller to be enabled while the game is running; this features allows you to regain control of the game with your controller.
When the feature is activated, the virtual controller will get back to the main menu and open the controller management menu, allowing you to press A on your controller to reconnect it. Once that’s done, you can close the menu and get back to the game. The Arduino L LED will blink rapidly.
Once you’re ready to give back control to the virtual controller, press Home to get back to the main menu Switch main menu (the selection should be on the game icon) and press the pushbutton again. You will be back to the game, ready to activate another feature.
While this feature is running, both TX and RX LEDs are off.
Pre-requisites: No menus open
This feature displays the reset count on the screen.
When it is activated, it will open the Mystery Gift by code function, then type the number of resets on the keyboard so it is displayed. It will then wait for a button press, then cancel out of the menus.
While this feature is running, the TX LED is on, the RX LED is off.
Pre-requisites: None
This feature sets the reset count to zero.
When it is activated, the TX LED will light up and the L LED will blink. Press the button once to perform the reset, or press it rapidly twice to cancel. In both case, automation will return to the main menu.
While this feature is running, the RX LED is on, the TX LED is off.
Pre-requisites:
You will need the Azure Flute (available in your room after obtaining the National Pokédex and completing Pokémon Legends: Arceus on the same console).
Go to the Spear Pillar room, go forward a bit and the staircase leading to Arceus will appear.
Go to the top of the stairs, right before the platform, facing forward. Save.
When activated, this feature will repetitively reset the game, and go forward to trigger the encounter with Arceus. If it is not shiny, you can press the button once to reset the game and try again.
You can press the button twice to get into temporary control, then go back to the main menu. (This is not recommended to use when a shiny is found — it is safer to unplug the Arduino in that case; the reset count is preserved anyway)
While this feature is running, both TX and RX LEDs are on.