Pokémon Legends: Arceus is finally here, and players have certainly been enjoying their adventure so far. Set in Hisui, the ancient region set to become Sinnoh, your job as part of the Galaxy Expedition Team is to learn as much about the Pokémon across the land as possible. But did you know there are some free gift Pokémon to grab for your party too?
The title boasts a bunch of new features, including frenzied Noble Pokémon, enraged Alpha Pokémon, and rideable Pokémon who will help you traverse Hisui's mountainous terrain. Additionally, Poké Marts are a thing of the past, with players now needing to craft their Potions and Poké Balls before a battle.
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, another nice feature that not so many know about is the eight gift Pokémon that you're able to get your hands on for free. This includes Darkrai, Shaymin, a shiny Ponyta, and more! Here's how to get all eight gift Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
How to Get Chimchar in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
To get your hands on Chimchar, the fire-type starter from Generation 4, you'll need to complete Request 20: The Mysterious Will-o-the-Wisp. Once you have progressed far enough with the main story, this quest can be accepted from Paira in Jubilife Village.
Paira will send you off to Obsidian Fieldlands to check out something she's found strange, and once you finish her request successfully, she'll give you a Chimchar for your help.
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+ 2How to Get Darkrai in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
To get Darkrai, you will need save data from Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl on your Nintendo Switch. If you have this, you will need to also have completed the main story of the game and then returned to Jubilife Village after the credits have rolled.
Then, you will need to go to the Request Board in the Galaxy Hall and take on Request 93: The Darksome Nightmare. This requires you to make your way into the Coronet Highlands during the night, and then you will have to battle and catch Darkrai. If all goes well, you'll get to keep Darkrai!
How to Get Alolan Vulpix in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Alolan Vulpix is even cuter than our original Vulpix, but if you're eager to get your hands on one, you will need to complete the main game first. Once you're post-game and have access to the Request Board in the Galaxy Hall, you'll be able to take on Request 83: Snow White Vulpix in the Snow.
Starting the quest will require you to go and speak with Keaka on Alabaster Islands, who will then task you with finding five Alolan Vulpix. These can typically be found in the Cobalt Coastlands, around Veilstone Cape.
As you can imagine, successful completion of this quest means you'll be rewarded with one of the Alolan Vulpix Pokémon to keep.
click to enlarge + 2How to Get Shaymin in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
To get your hands on Shaymin, you will need save data for Pokemon Sword or Shield on your Nintendo Switch. Similarly to how you acquire Darkrai, you will also need to have finished the main story, seen the credits roll, and return back to Jubilife Village.
Then, go to the Request Board in the Galaxy Hall and accept Request 92: A Token of Gratitude. Once this request is completed, Shaymin will appear.
How to Get Shiny Ponyta in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
For those who find themselves out of luck when it comes to hunting for shiny Pokémon, myself included, Pokémon Legends: Arceus sees one being given to you. To get your hands on this super shiny 'mon, you'll need to advance in the main story until you can accept Request 20: A Peculiar Ponyta from Yota in Jubilife Village.
You'll then be sent to Obsidian Fieldlands to check out a strange-looking Pokémon, and after successfully completing the request, you'll get a shiny Ponyta of your own.
How to Get Cyndaquil, Oshawott, and Rowlet in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
First things first, you will not be able to get your hands on the starter that you already chose at the beginning of the game. Additionally, you can only acquire the other two Pokémon after completing the base game.
After the credits have rolled, you can speak with Professor Laventon at his lab in the Galaxy Hall of Jubilife Village. He'll then, without asking anything of you, kindly gift you the two Pokémon you didn't pick at the start of your adventure. Now you can do it all over again with someone new by your side.
That's all the free gift Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus for you to grab. For more on the title, we recommend keeping our type-chart to hand to aid you with battle primarily! Additionally, we talk about how to switch up your party here, and here's all the Mystery Gift Codes we know of, so that you can get even more freebies!
For more articles like this, take a look at our Pokémon Legends Arceus and Guides page.