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Patching Guide

This guide will walk you through patching a clean Pokémon Platinum ROM to create Renegade Platinum.

Prerequisites

Important File Requirements

  • You need a clean Platinum ROM (American version)
  • ROM must be in .nds format (may be in .zip or .7z archive)
  • ROM should be 128 MB (131,072 KB) in size when extracted
  • Never use .exe files - these are not legitimate ROM files

Obtaining the Patch

Download the Renegade Platinum patch from Drayano's Google Drive.

Step 1: Obtain the Base ROM

  1. Obtain a clean Pokémon Platinum ROM
  2. Ideally from a dump of your personal cartridge
  3. Ensure the file is .nds format or contained in a .zip/.7z archive
  4. Extract the ROM if it's in an archive

ROM Version Numbers

You may see some Platinum ROMs listed with the number 3541 and some with 4997 or 4998. Any of these should work fine with the appropriate patch.

Step 2: Choose a Patching Tool

Select the appropriate patching tool for your platform:

Delta Patcher Lite (Recommended)

  • Included in the Renegade Platinum download ZIP file
  • Simple graphical interface
  • Continue to Step 3 below

MultiPatch

  • Search online for MultiPatch tool
  • Similar functionality to Delta Patcher Lite
  • Follow similar steps to Windows instructions

ROM Patcher JS

Step 3: Apply the Base Patch

Step-by-Step Instructions (Windows - Delta Patcher Lite)

3.1 - Select the Original File

  1. Open DeltaPatcherLite.exe
  2. Click the folder button next to "original file"
  3. Select your clean .nds Platinum ROM
    • Must be extracted .nds file (131,072 KB)

3.2 - Select the Patch File

  1. Click the folder button next to "XDelta patch"
  2. Choose the correct patch for your ROM version:
    • RenegadePlatinum3541.xdelta - For 3541 ROMs or early cart dumps
    • RenegadePlatinum4997.xdelta - For 4997/4998 ROMs or later cart dumps

Choosing the Correct Patch

If you don't know which version your ROM is, try one patch. If it fails with an XD3_INVALID_INPUT error, try the other patch.

3.3 - Patch the ROM

  1. (Optional) Click the cog icon and select "Backup original file" if you don't want your ROM replaced
  2. Click "Apply Patch" to begin patching
  3. Wait for completion
  4. You now have a Renegade Platinum ROM!

Important - Checksum Validation

Do NOT uncheck "Checksum validation" for the base patch. If you disable this to force the patch through, it will likely cause crashes when playing.

Patch Result

Both the 3541 ROM + patch and the 4997 ROM + patch produce the same Renegade Platinum ROM, which can then have additional patches applied to it.

Step 4: Apply Additional Patches (Optional)

Optional Patch Types

  • Classic Version (ClassicVersion.xdelta) - Removes custom Pokémon type/stat/ability changes
  • Speed Up Patch (SpeedUpPatch.xdelta) - Instant text, no HP/EXP animations, 60 FPS
  • Shiny Rate Patches - Change shiny rate to 1/4096 or 1/8192 (default is 1/512)

Applying Additional Patches

Must Disable Checksum Validation

Unlike the base patch, additional patches require you to uncheck "Checksum validation" to apply multiple patches. This is safe for additional patches.

Steps:

  1. In Delta Patcher Lite, select your Renegade Platinum ROM as the "original file"
  2. Select an additional patch as the "XDelta patch"
  3. Click the cog icon next to "Apply patch"
  4. Click "Checksum validation" to UNCHECK it
  5. Click "Apply patch"
  6. To apply another patch, change the "XDelta patch" selection and click "Apply patch" again

Single Additional Patch

If you only want to apply one additional patch, you should be able to do so without disabling checksum validation.

Available Additional Patches

Classic Version (ClassicVersion.xdelta)

What This Does

Removes any changes to Pokémon that modify their types, stats, or abilities to something that isn't in the main series as of Gen 7.

Use this if you want:

  • Pokémon stats to match Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon exactly
  • No custom buffs (e.g., no buffed Butterfree or Ledian)
  • No custom types (e.g., no Bug/Dragon Flygon)
  • No custom abilities (e.g., no Technician Weavile)

Speed Up Patch (SpeedUpPatch.xdelta)

What This Does

Changes a few things to speed up the normally sluggish pace of Gen 4 games:

  • Instant text - Mash A to get through dialogue instantly
  • Gauge animation cut - HP and EXP bars jump to positions instantly (may not be noticeable early with small HP bars)
  • FPS cap removed - Game runs up to 60 FPS (normally locked to 30), most noticeable in battles

See example video

Shiny Rate Patches

File: Shiny_Rate_1_4096.xdelta

What This Does

Changes the shiny rate to 1/4096, equal to Gen 6 and onwards games.

  • Default Renegade Platinum rate is 1/512
  • Does not affect Poké Radar shiny patches

File: Shiny_Rate_1_8192.xdelta

What This Does

Changes the shiny rate to 1/8192, equal to Gen 5 and before (vanilla Platinum rate).

  • Default Renegade Platinum rate is 1/512
  • Does not affect Poké Radar shiny patches

Step 5: Play the Game

Now you can play Renegade Platinum using a DS emulator!

DeSmuME

  • Popular and stable
  • Performance Tips:
    • Turn OFF: Advanced Bus-Level Timing (Config → Emulation Settings)
    • Turn ON: Use Dynamic Recompiler
    • Found in: Config → Emulation Settings → Advanced

Underground Note

The underground will not work unless Bus-Level Timing is turned on.

MelonDS

  • Modern alternative
  • Generally faster than DeSmuME

DraStic (Paid)

  • Best performance and compatibility
  • Small one-time fee
  • Very good DS emulator

Free Alternatives:

  • Free DS - Free alternative to DraStic
  • Other DS emulators available on Play Store

iNDS

  • Free DS emulator for iOS devices

Hardware Options:

  • Flashcards
  • 3DS with custom firmware
  • Any DS emulator that supports normal Platinum should work!

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

XD3_INVALID_INPUT error when patching

  • The Platinum ROM base and XDelta patch do not match
  • Check your ROM is .nds format (128 MB / 131,072 KB)
  • Try the other base patch (3541 vs 4997)
  • If no number was listed with the ROM and it fails with both patches, the ROM base won't work (possibly European or modified)

Game crashes or freezes at first rival battle

  • Wrong ROM base detected
  • Try the other base patch (3541 vs 4997)
  • Ensure you did not disable checksum validation for the base patch

Can't apply multiple additional patches (XD3_INVALID_INPUT)

  • You must uncheck "Checksum validation" when applying additional patches
  • See Step 4 above for detailed instructions

Read the README Files

The download includes README files in each patch folder. If you have problems, make sure you've read these first!

Ready to Play!

Once patching is complete, you're ready to start your Renegade Platinum adventure! Check out the FAQ if you have any questions.