TL;DR
- Complete National Dex and defeat Champion Cynthia before attempting either capture
- Arceus requires completed Pokemon Legends: Arceus save data with all main missions finished
- Darkrai available via Mystery Gift between April 1-30 with no additional game requirements
- Both Pokemon have standard shiny odds for legitimate shiny hunting opportunities
- Prepare level 70+ Pokemon with diverse move types for successful legendary battles

The long-awaited arrival of generation four’s final mythical Pokemon has finally come to Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. This comprehensive guide provides detailed strategies for capturing both Arceus and Darkrai, two of the most sought-after creatures in the franchise.
These legendary Pokemon additions to the Sinnoh remakes represent significant milestones for collectors. While both featured in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, their inclusion in BDSP marks their first appearance in conventional main series games in over a decade, creating unprecedented collection opportunities.
Similar to the recent Shaymin addition, both Darkrai and Arceus remain locked behind post-game content barriers. Trainers must first conquer the Pokemon League and acquire the National Pokedex before pursuing these elusive targets. Understanding the specific prerequisites for each mythical Pokemon dramatically increases your success chances.
How to get Arceus in Pokemon BDSP
Capturing Arceus demands meeting multiple specific conditions that create a challenging but rewarding pursuit. You must complete the National Pokedex and achieve champion status while having a Pokemon Legends: Arceus save file on your Nintendo Switch profile that has progressed to the game’s conclusion.
When these requirements are satisfied, the legendary Azure Flute artifact will materialize in your bedroom within your Twinleaf Town residence. This mystical item serves as the key to summoning the creator Pokemon.
While possessing the Azure Flute, journey to Spear Pillar at Mount Coronet’s summit where Arceus awaits confrontation. Approach the mythical being to initiate a standard legendary Pokemon battle sequence where capture becomes possible.
The official Pokemon Company website explicitly states that save files must have “all the main missions completed.” Though not explicitly detailed, this terminology confirms that trainers must have successfully captured Arceus within their Pokemon Legends: Arceus game to trigger the Azure Flute’s appearance in BDSP.
For international Pokemon enthusiasts outside Japan, this represents the inaugural legitimate Arceus capture opportunity since the distant 2020 distributions. This encounter also provides potential for obtaining authentic shiny Arceus specimens, as other legendary and mythical encounters within Pokemon BDSP maintain standard 1 in 4096 shiny odds without manipulation.
This implementation pattern suggests that fulfilling specific save data conditions to acquire promotional Pokemon will likely become standard practice moving forward. Historically, any save data could facilitate Pokemon acquisition, but this new approach indicates that game completion will become mandatory for future reward distributions.

How to get Darkrai mystery gift in Pokemon BDSP
Pokemon BDSP enthusiasts can secure Darkrai by utilizing the exclusive Member Card item that unlocks previously inaccessible territory. This distribution method creates time-sensitive opportunities that require strategic planning.
Darkrai and its corresponding Member Card functionality closely mirror the Shaymin and Oak’s Letter mechanics recently implemented. The Member Card gets distributed during limited windows through mystery gift functionality via internet connectivity, subsequently granting access to Newmoon Island’s mysterious realm.
Darkrai becomes available for capture once you reach Newmoon Island’s designated encounter location. Players simply need to access the mystery gift feature through their game menu to obtain the essential Member Card during its availability period.
Consistent with previous patterns, Pokemon BDSP almost certainly provides chances to encounter shiny Darkrai variants. The advantageous aspect for trainers is that Darkrai acquisition doesn’t necessitate Pokemon Legends: Arceus save data or files from any other games.
Official sources indicate the Member Card remains accessible specifically “between the new moons,” translating to availability from April 1 through April 30 exclusively. This celestial timing reference creates a precise window for obtaining the item required to catch this nightmare Pokemon.
Strategic team preparation significantly enhances your success probability when confronting these powerful mythical Pokemon. We recommend assembling a balanced team of level 70+ Pokemon with diverse move types to handle various battle scenarios effectively. Consider including Pokemon with False Swipe and status-inflicting moves to simplify the capture process.
Common mistakes include attempting these encounters before completing the National Pokedex or underestimating the battle difficulty. Always stock up on Ultra Balls, Timer Balls, and Dusk Balls to maximize capture rates during extended encounters.
The shift toward save-data-gated content distribution represents a fundamental change in Pokemon availability philosophy. This new paradigm likely indicates that future mythical distributions will require similar game completion milestones rather than simple mystery gift distributions.
For optimal time management, prioritize completing the main BDSP storyline and National Pokedex before the April distribution period. This ensures you’re fully prepared when the Member Card becomes available for Darkrai capture while simultaneously working on your Pokemon Legends: Arceus completion for Arceus access.
Advanced trainers should note that both encounters permit standard soft-resetting techniques for shiny hunting. Prepare for potentially lengthy sessions by having healing items and Pokemon with recovery moves to maintain battle readiness throughout multiple attempts.
Action Checklist
- Complete main storyline and defeat Champion Cynthia
- Obtain National Pokedex by seeing all 150 Sinnoh Pokemon
- Finish all main missions in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
- Check bedroom for Azure Flute after meeting all Arceus requirements
- Access Mystery Gift between April 1-30 to receive Member Card
- Capture Darkrai on Newmoon Island and Arceus at Spear Pillar
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Here’s how to catch Arceus and Darkrai in Pokemon BDSP Complete guide to catching Arceus and Darkrai in Pokemon BDSP with save data requirements and timing strategies
