Editor’s Note
This guide outlines the time-sensitive steps required to encounter the Mythical Pokémon Darkrai in the Sinnoh remakes. Players must claim the Member Card via Mystery Gift by April 30, 2022, update their game, and become the Champion.
To obtain Darkrai in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, there are several prerequisites you must meet in your game:
First, you must obtain the Member Card, an item that can be received via Mystery Gift for a limited time only (between April 1 and April 30, 2022).
Ensure you update the game to its latest version via the internet (at least version 1.3.0 or higher).
You must complete the Pokémon League and become the new Champion of Sinnoh to join the Hall of Fame.
After this, you must have seen all the Pokémon in the Regional Pokédex.
Once you have seen all Pokémon in the Regional Pokédex, go to Professor Rowan’s lab in Sandgem Town to receive the National Pokédex.
You must also have captured Cresselia on Fullmoon Island by completing its event.
Once you meet all these requirements, you can proceed to capture Darkrai in your game by activating its special event.
The Darkrai event in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl can only be activated if you have the Member Card in your bag, and this item can only be received via the Mystery Gift function during the following dates:
From: Friday, April 1, 2022.
Until: Saturday, April 30, 2022.
Therefore, to be clear: you have between April 1 and April 30 (one month total) to obtain the Member Card. April 30 is the deadline, so make sure to redeem the card gift before that day if you don’t want to miss the opportunity to capture Darkrai.
If you have an internet connection, the game updated to version 1.3.0 or higher, and the current date is between April 1 and April 30, then you can go to the options menu and enter the Mystery Gift function in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl to receive a special item related to the event that triggers Darkrai’s appearance in your game.
These are the steps you must follow:
Enter the Mystery Gift menu.
Choose the “Receive via Internet” option (make sure your Nintendo Switch is connected to a Wi-Fi network).
Select the Member Card gift.
Remember that this card is only available to obtain from April 1, 2022, until April 30, 2022, as the deadline.
There are no additional requirements to claim the Member Card from Mystery Gifts apart from having an internet connection and being within the promotion’s validity period. This is the item you must have in your inventory to capture Darkrai.
After fulfilling everything we’ve told you so far, you can finally get to work to activate the Darkrai event in your Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl game; you will find the Mythical Pokémon on Newmoon Island, which is accessed from inside the Harbor Inn.
This is what you have to do to have a guaranteed encounter with Darkrai.
Head to Canalave City.
In the northeastern part of the city, behind the Pokémon Center, you will find a building known as the Harbor Inn.
If you have the Member Card in your bag, you will be able to enter the inn (note: it’s important to remember that you must also have completed the Cresselia event to access the inn, otherwise the door will be locked).
Inside the inn, your character will fall asleep in the bed and have a nightmare.
You will wake up directly on Newmoon Island.
Proceed along the only possible path on the island and you will soon encounter Darkrai. Interact with the Pokémon to begin the battle.
Keep in mind that if you knock out Darkrai, you will never be able to obtain it in your game again unless another player trades it to you via online functions. You have been warned. On the other hand, Darkrai can appear in its shiny version, so saving before the battle is also useful if you are trying to obtain its shiny variant.
It should be added that these are Darkrai’s characteristics:
Level: 50.
Type: Dark.