DP Save Structure

General Save File Structure

A Pokémon Diamond and Pearl save file is divided into two pairs of blocks. Each pair consists of one general block, one storage box block, and one hall of fame block. The storage box block contains current information regarding Bebe's storage system, including stored Pokémon, box names, box wallpapers, and the current open box. The general block contains current information on every other aspect of the game's progress, such as the trainer's name, ID number, acquired badges, party Pokémon, items, and much more. The hall of fame block contains information about the Pokémon used to defeat the Elite 4. The other pair is a backup from the previous save.

The first general block in the file begins at 0x00000. The first storage block begins at 0x0C100. The first hall of fame block starts at 0x20000. The second general, storage, and hall of fame blocks are at the same address + 0x40000. The current blocks are not always stored in linear order in the save file (i.e. if the second general block is the more current, the first or second storage box block can possibly be the current as well).

Block Footers

The last 20 bytes of each general and storage box block is a footer. The last 24 bytes of each hall of fame block is a footer. The footer is used to determine:

The size of the block
Whether the block is current or a backup.
Which big & small blocks link together.

General/Storage Box Footer

Offset	Purpose
0x00 - 0x03	Storage Block Save Count
0x04 - 0x07	General Block Save Count
0x08 - 0x0B	Size of block
0x0C - 0x0F	Run-time usage
0x10 - 0x11	Run-time usage
0x12 - 0x13	Checksum

Hall of Fame Footer

Offset	Purpose
0x00 - 0x03	Save ID number
0x04 - 0x07	Save index number
0x08 - 0x0B	Run-time usage
0x0C - 0x0F	Run-time usage
0x10 - 0x13	Size of block
0x14 - 0x15	Run-time usage
0x16 - 0x17	Checksum

Loading/Saving A Save File

When one starts a new game for the very first time, every byte of the save file is set to 0xFF. The first time the game is saved, the "current" info is written to the second half of the save file. This is important to note when loading a save.

When the game loads a save file, it first compares the small block save count of both general blocks. If the general block with the highest save count has a correct checksum, then the game moves on to check the storage blocks. The storage block with the highest storage block save count is chosen first, and if its general block save count matches the currently chosen general block (and has a correct checksum), the file is successfully loaded. If both storage blocks have the same storage block save count, then the storage block with a higher general block save count is chosen instead, and the if the checksum is correct, the file is successfully loaded. If the checksum was incorrect for either block, the game falls on the other pair of general and storage blocks; if the checksums are correct in both, the game reports a save file corruption error, and that is the data loaded. If the checksum in either block is incorrect, the game reports a save file corruption error, and the save file is not loaded. A new game must be started at that point.

When the game saves data, the general block save count is incremented + 1. If nothing in the storage block has changed, then no changes are made to the storage block and no further changes are made to the general block. However, if changes have been made to the storage block, then the storage block save count is incremented by 1 in both the storage block and general block footers. At this point, the backup general block is overwritten with the new general block data, and (if changes were made to the storage block), the backup storage block is also overwritten. This is the reason why the game varies on how long it takes to save.

Thus, either general block can be linked with either storage block, and the current pair is identified using the footer information.

Small block offsets

Adventure Started - 0x34

Unsigned 32bit integer.
Number of seconds since 1/1/2000 00:00:00

Pokémon League Champ Date - 0x3C

Unsigned 32bit integer.
Number of seconds since 1/1/2000 00:00:00

Trainer Name - 0x64

8 unsigned 16bit integers.
Each word represents a character in the game's character table.

Trainer ID - 0x74

Random unsigned 16bit integer
The visible identification number of a trainer
Determines ownership of Pokémon.

Secret ID - 0x76

Random unsigned 16bit integer
The hidden identification number of a trainer
Determines ownership of Pokémon.
Determines variation in the game.

Money - 0x78

Unsigned 32bit integer.
Limited to 0xF423F (999,999)

Trainer Gender - 0x7C

0 if male, 1 if female.
Determines ownership of Pokémon.

Country of Origin - 0x7D

Unsigned 8bit integer.
Determines whether or not Pokémon get an outsider EXP bonus.

0x1 = 日本語 (Japan)

0x2 = English (US/UK/AU)

0x3 = Français (France/Québec)

0x4 = Italiano (Italy)

0x5 = Deutsch (Germany)

0x7 = Español (Spain/Latin Americas)

0x8 = 한국어 (South Korea)

Badges - 0x7E

Unsigned 8bit bitfield
Determines what PokéMart items are for sale, what level outsider Pokémon will obey until, and flags certain in-game events.

0x01 = Coal Badge

0x02 = Forest Badge

0x04 = Cobble Badge

0x08 = Fen Badge

0x10 = Relic Badge

0x20 = Mine Badge

0x40 = Icicle Badge

0x80 = Beacon Badge

Multiplayer Avatar - 0x7F

Unsigned 8bit integer.
Determines the sprite seen by other players in a multiplayer environment such as the Union Room.

0x00 = None

0x03 = School Kid

0x05 = Bug Catcher

0x06 = Lass

0x07 = Battle Girl

0x0B = Ace Trainer Male

0x0D = Beauty

0x0E = Ace Trainer Female

0x0F = Roughneck

0x1F = Pop Idol

0x23 = Social

0x25 = Cowgirl

0x2A = Ruin Maniac

0x32 = Black Belt

0x3E = Rich Boy

0x3F = Lady

0x46 = Psychic

Total Playtime - 0x86

Hours = unsigned 16bit integer.
Minutes = unsigned 8bit integer.
Seconds = unsigned 8bit integer.

Number of Current Party Pokémon - 0x94

Unsigned 8bit integer.

Party Pokémon - 0x98

The Pokémon in the trainer's party.

6 blocks of 236byte structures

Main article: Pokemon NDS Structure

General Items - 0x624

Main article: Other items

The items in the Trainer's general Items bag pocket.

165 blocks of 4 byte structures (two bytes for item index, two bytes for quantity)

Key Items - 0x8B8

Main article: Key items

The items in the Trainer's Key Items bag pocket.

50 blocks of 4 byte structures (two bytes for item index, two bytes for quantity).

TMs & HMs - 0x980

Main article: TMs and HMs

The items in the Trainer's TMs & HMs bag pocket.

100 blocks of 4 byte structures (two bytes for item index, two bytes for quantity).
TMs & HMs are auto-sorted by item index in ascending order.

Mail - 0xB10

Main article: Mail

The items in the Trainer's Mail bag pocket.

12 blocks of 4 byte structures (two bytes for item index, two bytes for quantity).

Medicine - 0xB40

Main article: Medicine

The items in the Trainer's Medicine bag pocket.

40 blocks of 4 byte structures (two bytes for item index, two bytes for quantity).

Berries - 0xBE0

Main article: Berries

The items in the Trainer's Berries bag pocket.

64 blocks of 4 byte structures (two bytes for item index, two bytes for quantity).
Berries are auto-sorted by item index in ascending order.

Balls - 0xCE0

Main article: Pokéballs

The items in the Trainer's Balls bag pocket.

15 blocks of 4 byte structures (two bytes for item index, two bytes for quantity).

Battle Items - 0xD1C

Main article: Battle items

The items in the Trainer's Battle Items bag pocket.

56 (?) blocks of 4 byte structures (two bytes for item index, two bytes for quantity).

Starter Pokémon - 0xDFC

The Pokédex number of the starter chosen.

Unsigned 16bit integer.

Lotto number - 0xE14

Unsigned 16bit integer.

Fly Locations - 0x1112

9byte bit field

Has obtained lotto prize - 0x1131

1 if obtained, 0 if not yet obtained

Pokétch Enabled (?) - 0x114C

0x00 if disabled, can be 0x03 or 0x07 if enabled

Number of Pokétch Apps Enabled - 0x114D

Max number = 25 (0x19)

Currently Selected Pokétch App - 0x114E

Pokétch app currently viewed in DS bottom screen.

Pokétch apps are ordered like so:

0x00 = Digital Watch

0x01 = Calculator

0x02 = Memo Pad

0x03 = Pedometer

0x04 = Pokémon List

0x05 = Friendship Checker

0x06 = Dowsing Machine

0x07 = Berry Searcher

0x08 = Day-Care Checker

0x09 = Pokémon History

0x0A = Counter

0x0B = Analog Watch

0x0C = Marking Map

0x0D = Link Searcher

0x0E = Coin Toss

0x0F = Move Tester

0x10 = Calendar

0x11 = Dot Artist

0x12 = Roulette

0x13 = Trainer Counter

0x14 = Kitchen Timer

0x15 = Color Changer

0x16 = Matchup Checker

0x17 = Stopwatch

0x18 = Alarm Clock

Pokétch Apps Enabled - 0x114F

25 one byte flags, each corresponding to one Pokétch app (in the same order as above)
1 = enabled, 0 = disabled

Map ID Number - 0x1238

Main article: List of Maps

Unsigned 16bit integer.

Sinnoh Pokédex Unlocked - 0x1414

1 if unlocked, 0 if not unlocked.

National Pokédex Unlocked - 0x1415

1 if unlocked, 0 if not unlocked.

Berry Trees - 0x1E84

128 blocks of 14byte structures
List of Berry Tree locations

Main article: Berry Trees

Rival's Name - 0x25A8

8 unsigned 16bit integers.
Each word represents a character in the game's character table.

Map X Coordinate - 0x25FA

Unsigned 16bit integer.

Map Y Coordinate - 0x25FE

Unsigned 16bit integer.

Map Z Coordinate - 0x2602

Unsigned 16bit integer.

Players Met Underground - 0x3A2C

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Spheres Obtained - 0x3A38

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Fossils Obtained - 0x3A3C

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Gifts Given - 0x3A40

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Traps Hit - 0x3A44

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Traps Triggered - 0x3A48

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Flags Captured - 0x3A60

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Poffins - 0x5050

98 (?) blocks of 8byte structures

0x00: Poffin Type (Overall flavor?)

0x01: Spicy/Cool Level

0x02: Dry/Beauty Level

0x03: Sweet/Cute Level

0x04: Bitter/Smart Level

0x05: Sour/Tough Level

0x06: Smooth Level

0x07: value is 0

Trainer Card Signature - 0x5904

The signature on the back of the Trainer Card.

192 blocks of 8 byte structures
The signature can be changed by speaking to the NPC behind the leftmost counter on the top floor of any Pokémon Center. It is created using the stylus.

Main article: Trainer Card Signature

Score - 0x5F08

A measure of the player's progress or performance in the game.

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Pokémon Caught - 0x5F2C

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Pokémon Met While Fishing - 0x5F30

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Pokémon Eggs - 0x5F34

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Pokémon Defeated - 0x5FAC

Unsigned 32bit integer
Max value = 999999 (0xF423F)

Single Battle Wins - 0x5FCA

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Consecutive Single Battle Wins - 0x5FCC

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Double Battle Wins - 0x5FCE

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Consecutive Double Battle Wins - 0x5FD0

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Multi Battle Wins - 0x5FD2

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Consecutive Multi Battle Wins - 0x5FD4

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Link Multi Battle Wins - 0x5FD6

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Consecutive Link Multi Battle Wins - 0x5FD8

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Wi-Fi Battle Wins - 0x5FDA

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Consecutive Wi-Fi Battle Wins - 0x5FDC

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Contests Won - 0x5FE2

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Ribbons - 0x5FE6

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Capsules in PC - 0x6050

12 blocks of 24 bytes structures.

Battle Points - 0x65F8

Unsigned 16bit integer
Max value = 9999 (0x270F)

Safari Zone Pokémon - 0x72D0

Unsigned 32bit integer result from the ARNG.
Four daily safari zone Pokémon
Indexn = ( ARNG >> ( n * 0x5 ) ) & 0x1F
List of Safari Zone Pokémon
Notes: Both Safari Zone Pokémon and Swarm Pokémon have the same ARNG value.

Swarm Pokémon - 0x72D4

Unsigned 32bit integer result from the ARNG.
One daily swarm Pokémon
Index = ARNG % 0x1C
List of Swarm Pokémon
Notes: Both Safari Zone Pokémon and Swarm Pokémon have the same ARNG value.

Daily Trophy Pokémon Today - 0x72DC

Unsigned 8bit integer
First daily trophy garden Pokémon
List of Daily Trophy Pokémon

Daily Trophy Pokémon Yesterday - 0x72DE

Unsigned 8bit integer
Second daily trophy garden Pokémon
List of Daily Trophy Pokémon
Notes: Yesterday's Pokémon can be caught after beating the Elite 4 and receiving the National Pokédex upgrade.

Honey Trees - 0x72E4

21 blocks of 8byte structures
List of Honey Tree locations

Main article: Honey Trees

GTS Pokémon - 0x73E8

One Pokémon

1 block of 236byte structures
The data for the Pokémon currently uploaded to the GTS (if any).