How to catch Darkrai in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Trainers can finally catch Darkrai in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, but how do you get this powerful Mythical creature to appear? Let’s find out.

How to get Darkrai in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Although Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl were released in November 2021, The Pokemon Company are still releasing occasional updates including Mystery Gifts and encounters with iconic Pokemon like Arceus.

It’s just been announced that players will finally be able to encounter Darkrai on Newmoon Island, thanks to a Member Card item that will soon be available to claim – but it will only be around for a limited time.

Below, you’ll find all the details you need to catch Darkrai in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, including how to claim the Member Card and how to get to Newmoon Island.

How to catch Darkrai in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Darkrai can be found on Newmoon Island, but getting here isn’t easy.
Before you can encounter Darkrai in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, you’ll need to enter the Hall of Fame by completing the main story, then obtain the National Pokedex from Professor Oak.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to claim the Member Card from the Mystery Gift menu. Access this by pressing X and selecting Mystery Gift, then choosing ‘Get via Internet’ to download your Member Card.

This item can only be claimed between April 1 and May 1, so set a reminder in your calendar if you need to. With the Member Card in hand, travel across to Newmoon Island, where Darkrai can be found.

Here’s a summary of what you need to do to catch Darkrai in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl:

Make sure you’ve entered the Hall of Fame and obtained the National Pokedex.
Claim a Member Card via Mystery Gift between April 1 and May 1.
Catch Cresselia on Fullmoon Island by saving the Sailor’s son in Canalave City.
Return to Canalave City and enter the house behind the Pokemon Center.
Speak to the man there who will tell you he’s got a reservation for you.
You will fall asleep in bed and wake up on Newmoon Island.
Proceed to the forest and Darkrai will be waiting for you.
It’s a good idea to save before battling Darkrai, as this is your only chance to encounter it and you don’t want to risk defeating it by accident.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl update 1.3 patch notes: Arceus & GWS

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl version 1.3.0 has arrived, and we’ve got the full patch notes for this latest update which includes the arrival of Arceus!

It’s been months since Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl were released for the Nintendo Switch, but there are still regular updates that add new content to enjoy such as Mystery Gifts and new encounters with Mythical Pokemon.

The latest update, version 1.3.0, was released on March 16, 2022, and it adds some great new features including the ability to catch Arceus (finally!) and trade with other players online at the Global Wonder Station.

Below, you’ll find the full 1.3.0 patch notes as well as details on the biggest new features and how to download the update.

Here are the full patch notes for the 1.3.0 update provided by Nintendo Support:

Added an event related to Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
If a user on a Nintendo Switch system has save data from Pokémon Legends: Arceus that meets set requirements, that player can take part in a special event to meet the Mythical Pokémon Arceus when playing the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Pokémon Shining Pearl games.
Further details can be found here.
Added a network-trading feature at GWS.
It is now possible to trade Pokémon online at the GWS in Jubilife City.
Note: A Nintendo Switch Online membership (paid service) is required to trade Pokémon online.
Some issues have been fixed for more pleasant gameplay.
We’ll go over the biggest new features included with this update in more detail below.

Arceus is now available to catch with the Azure Flute

The biggest new feature of the 1.3.0 update is the ability to catch the Mythical Pokemon, Arceus. To do this, you’ll need to complete Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl and obtain the National Pokedex.

You’ll also need a save file for Pokemon Legends Arceus with all the main story missions completed. Return to your room to get the Azure Flute, then visit the Spear Pillar to start your battle with Arceus.

Trainers can now use the Global Wonder Station (GWS) in Jubilife Village to trade Pokemon with other players online, no matter where they are in the world.

You’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to be able to use the GWS for online trading.

How to download Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl 1.3 update
Here’s how to download the latest update for Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl:

Make sure your Nintendo Switch is connected to the internet.
If Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl is currently open, make sure you save before closing it.
Exit to the home screen and relaunch the game
The update should automatically download.
Once the update has finished downloading, you’ll be able to enjoy these new features!

It’s also worth pointing out that the ability to catch Darkrai has been added with this update, but the Member Card required to encounter it won’t go live until April 1, 2022.We’ve got a guide to catching Darkrai in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl that has more information.

Can you catch Darkrai in brilliant diamond?

Players that have successfully defeated the Sinnoh Pokémon League in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl can obtain the Members Card item via Mystery Gift starting April 1, allowing them to battle and catch the Mythical Pokémon Darkrai

Is Giratina in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond?

Giratina is a Pokemon available in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP). Learn about how to get Giratina at the Turnback Cave, best Pokemon to use and recommended natures, its full learnset with all learnable moves, and whether Giratina evolves.

How do you get Darkrai in Pokemon Diamond glitch?

To access Darkrai, from where you should now be standing, and using the Poketch’s built-in Step Counter, walk 146 steps to the east. After that, walk 254 steps south, for a total of 400 steps. Now, use the Explorer Kit to go underground. This will cause you to save.

Can you get palkia in Brilliant Diamond?

To see Palkia in Brilliant Diamond, head to Celestic Town and speak to Cynthia’s Grandmother in the large house above the ruins in the town. When you do so, she’ll talk about a legendary Pokemon and say that there’s a photo of it she can show you. When she does, a photo of Palkia will appear on your screen.