Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: How to Get Arceus and Darkrai

Players can now get two more mythical Pokemon in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. After downloading the games' 1.3.0 update, you'll be able to obtain items that lead to encounters with Arceus and Darkrai, making this your first opportunity to catch these elusive monsters. Here's what you need to do to get the special items and capture the mythical Pokemon.

How to catch Arceus

Before you can encounter Arceus in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl, you'll first need to have entered the Hall of Fame and obtained the National Pokedex in the remakes, as well as cleared all of the main story missions in the Pokemon Legends: Arceus game. 

Once you've met those requirements, return to your bedroom in Twinleaf Town and obtain the Azure Flute. Take the item to Spear Pillar atop Mount Coronet and you'll trigger an encounter with Arceus.

How to catch Darkrai

To encounter Darkrai, you'll need to have the Member Card, which will be distributed via Mystery Gift between April 1 and April 30. Once you've obtained the Member Card, you'll gain access to the locked inn at Canalave City. Upon entering the inn, you'll travel to Newmoon Island, where you'll encounter Darkrai.

As with Arceus, you'll first need to enter the Hall of Fame and obtain the National Pokedex in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl before you can encounter Darkrai. You'll also need to have traveled to Fullmoon Island and encountered Cresselia.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's 1.3.0 update went live at 6 p.m. PT on Mar. 15. In addition to Arceus and Darkrai, the update introduced the Global Wonder Station, a facility in Jubilife City where you can engage in Wonder Trades with players around the world.