You can receive free Gift Pokemon in Pokemon Legends Arceus, including Legendaries such as Darkrai. Here’s everything you need to know, including how to get them and locations.
The Hisui region tells the story of Sinnoh’s origins, tasking players with putting together the very first Pokedex that becomes the one we all know and love today.
To help fill it out, there are certain Gift Pokemon that can be obtained for free in Pokemon Legends Arceus, making your journey to becoming the top researcher that little bit easier.
How many Gift Pokemon are in Pokemon Legends Arceus?
There are eight Gift Pokemon in Legends Arceus.
Two of them require you to have save data from another specific Pokemon title on your Nintendo Switch and you can’t obtain one of them depending on which starter you picked.
Gift Pokemon list in Pokemon Legends Arceus
All Gift Pokemon locations in Pokemon Legends Arceus
How to get Chimchar Gift Pokemon
The Fire-type is tied to Request 20: The Mysterious Will-o’-the-Wisp. You can accept it from Paira in Jubilife Village after progressing the main story.
She tells you she’s noticed a strange spirit in a tree at night in the Obsidian Fieldlands and asks you to go and check it out.
Finish her quest and you will be rewarded with Chimchar.
How to get Shiny Ponyta Gift Pokemon
No, it is not a mistake – you are actually given a Shiny Pokemon for free in Legends Arceus. Speak to Yota in Jubilife Village and take on Request 20: A Peculiar Ponyta.
They have spotted a mysterious-colored ‘mon in the Obsidian Fieldlands and they want you to go see what it is.
Once you finish the quest, you get to add Shiny Ponyta to your team.
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How to get Alolan Vulpix Gift Pokemon
You can’t get this Gen VII regional form until the post-game. After the credits have rolled, Request 83: Snow-White Vulpix in the Snow will be available at the Request Board in the Galaxy Building if you’ve caught a Vulpix before.
If you don’t have one in your Pokedex, they can be found on Veilstone Cape in the Cobalt Coastlands. To start the quest, go to the Alabaster Islands and find Keaka who will ask you to find five missing Alolan Vulpix.
Upon completion, he will gift you with one of his beloved Pokemon.
How to get Rowlet, Cyndaquil & Oshawott Gift Pokemon
You can’t access these Gift Pokemon until you’ve beaten the story. You also cannot get all three starters – only the two you didn’t choose at the beginning of the game.
Once back in Jubilife Village after the credits, head to Professor Laventon’s lab in the Galaxy Building.
He will gift you the two starter ‘mon you didn’t pick at the start of Legends Arceus.
How to get Darkrai Gift Pokemon
To get Darkrai, you need to have a save file from either Pokemon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl on the Nintendo Switch you’re playing Legends Arceus on. Once you have this, follow the below steps:
- For the Dark-type to spawn, you need to have beaten the main storyline and had the credits roll. You can’t get it beforehand.
- Once you’re back in the game, head to Jubilife Village.
- Go to the Mission Board in the Galaxy Building to get Request 93: The Darksome Nightmare.
- Accept the mission and travel to the marked location in Coronet Highlands at night.
- You will need to battle and catch Darkrai to obtain it.
How to get Shaymin Gift Pokemon
To get Shaymin (in its Land Forme), a Pokemon Sword or Shield save file is required. Again, it needs to be on the same console you’re playing Legends Arceus on. If you have one, here’s what you need to do:
- Like Darkrai, you need to finish the main story first and have watched the end credits.
- After the credits are finished and you return to the game, go to Jubilife Village.
- Go to the Mission Board in the Galaxy Building and accept Request 92: A Token of Gratitude.
- Shaymin will appear once you’ve done it.
Now that you have all the Gift Pokemon in Legends Arceus, check out our other guides:
Best starter Pokemon | All Hisuian forms | Hisuian Pokedex | How to catch Darkrai | How to catch Shaymin | All Noble Pokemon | How to beat Frenzied Noble Pokemon | All Gift Pokemon | Mystery Gift codes | Agile & Strong Styles | Alpha Pokemon | How to get Garchomp | How to catch Lucario | All Unown locations | How to catch Eevee | Where to find Pikachu | Hisuian Growlithe & Arcanine location | How to evolve Kleavor | Sylveon evolution guide | Hisuian Voltorb location | How to get Hisuian Sliggoo & Goodra | Where to find Hisuian Zorua & Zoroark | Hisuian Braviary location | How to evolve Overqwil | How to get Hisuian Sneasel & Sneasler | Shiny hunting guide | How to get all three starters without trading