Steven Rondina • February 20, 2022 5:08 am
Players can catch Darkrai in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, but that’s easier said than done.
Darkrai has been one of the most sought-after mythical Pokemon of all. Its spooky looks stand apart from prior mythical Pokemon like the cutesy Celebi, Shaymin, and Jirachi. This is reinforced further by its pure dark typing. The cherry on top is its strong base stat distribution, standing as a proper special attack sweeper rather than an underwhelming jack of all trades.
The trouble with Darkrai is that the Pokemon has been very rarely distributed outside of Asia. In the 16 years since the release of the original Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Darkrai has only been made available four times in North America, per Serebii. Worse yet, some of those required a jaunt over to Gamestop rather than a quick mystery gift.
That makes Darkrai’s inclusion in Pokemon Legends: Arceus a special treat, but catching it isn’t easy. Here’s how to get the Pitch-Black Pokemon.
Yes, Darkrai can be caught in Pokemon Legends: Arceus after completing the main story. However, the player must have save data for Pokemon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl on their profile in order to get it.
Recent Pokemon games have been rewarding players for playing multiple games in the series. This includes Mew and Jirachi being available in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and Shaymin being catchable in Pokemon Legends: Arceus alongside Darkrai.
How to catch Darkrai and finish request 93, The Darksome Nightmare
Players can unlock The Darksome Nightmare request and catch Darkrai after completing the main story.
After dealing with the space-time rift above Mount Coronet, the player can find the request on the board in Professor Laventon’s laboratory. This kicks off a mission in the Clamberclaw Cliffs of the Coronet Highlands. After taking the request, a Pearl Clan NPC named Cael will approach the player and discuss Darkrai.
From there, the player needs to simply track down the right location during the nighttime. Darkrai can be found to the southeast of the Celestica Ruins in a wide, circular valley. When the player approaches, a cutscene will play and the encounter will begin.
Darkrai will start out hostile and players won’t be able to simply hit it with a Pokeball. Trainers will need to use other items to either initiate a battle or move out of its aggro range and hit it with a Poke Ball after it emerges out of the ground.
Though Darkrai can be caught outside of battle, players will likely find it easier to just pelt it with items and then start a battle instead.
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Image via The Pokémon Company
Fans are excited to see what new and returning Pokémon will be featured in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The Pokémon Company has hinted at some of the new regional Pokémon variants and legendary Pokémon that will be catchable in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and this includes the fan-favorite mythical Pokémon Shaymin and Darkrai.
Similar to acquiring the mythical Pokémon Mew and Jirachi in the recently released Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Darkrai will be available to players who have save data on their Nintendo Switch from Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
If the save data is present from either of these games, a research request will be available to players in Pokémon Legends: Arceus's Jubilife Village. This research request will only be available after viewing the game's end credits, so players will have to wait until the post-game to get their hands on Darkrai.
Related: All Hisuian Regional Forms In Pokémon Legends: Arceus
With similar requirements to Darkrai, to acquire Shaymin, players will need to have save data from a different Pokémon game on their Nintendo Switch. While Darkrai will require players to have played Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl, Shaymin will require save data from Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield to become available. Once players view the end credits of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, they can find a research request in Jubilife Village that will allow them to acquire Shaymin.
For more on Pokémon Legends: Arceus, be sure to check out other helpful guides like Will Pokémon Legends: Arceus Support Pokémon Home on Pro Game Guides!
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