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The legendary Dark-type Pokemon, Darkrai, made its debut back in the original Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl. Originally, trainers who wanted Darkrai needed to have the Member Card, which was a key item given during an exclusive in-game event. The Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl 1.3.0 update added on March 15, 2022, will allow trainers to get the Member Card via Mystery Gift starting April 1 to April 30, 2022.
Like most Sinnoh legendaries in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl, several in-game requirements must be fulfilled in order to meet Darkrai. Unfortunately for BDSP players who have yet to beat the game, Darkrai is locked in the postgame, so it's best to grab the Member Card from the Mystery Gift while it's still available.
Complete the Lunar Feather Sidequest in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl
Once players have become Pokemon Champion and received the National Dex, they'll be able to catch Legendary Pokemon that weren't available during BDSP's main story. This includes the Psychic-type legendary Cresselia.
Along with Cresselia, Darkrai makes up the Lunar Duo in Pokemon. It should be no surprise that in order to get Darkrai, players will need to meet Cresselia too. Adding to this, Cresselia is a roaming Pokemon, meaning she'll fly off once players interact with her for the first time.
Meeting her requires speaking to the sailor's son in Canalave City (located in the house by the boat), who's currently trapped in a nightmare. The only way to wake him up is by using a Lunar Feather. This will unlock Fullmoon Island, where players can meet Cresselia and obtain the Lunar Feather.
Luckily, players don't need to catch Cresselia to get Darkrai, so tracking her down in Sinnoh can come later. As long as the sailor's son wakes from his nightmare, Darkrai's event can be initiated once players have the Member Card.
Getting Darkrai in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl
Directly behind the Pokemon Center in Canalave City is a house called the Harbor Inn. It's impossible to get inside without the Member Card key item.
Remember: In order to get the Member Card, Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl needs to be updated to the 1.3.0 version. Then, players have from April 1 to April 30, 2022, to get the Member Card via Mystery Gift . Like most Mystery Gifts, the Member Card is a timed event . Failing to get it by April 30, 2022, will prevent players from getting Darkrai in their copy of BDSP . Mystery Gifts can be obtained after players have received the Oreburgh City gym badge.
With the Member Card, go to the Harbor Inn and speak to the innkeeper. The player's character will then fall asleep and wake up on Newmoon Island. Enter the forest to find Darkrai. As always with Legendary Pokemon, save before trying to catch Darkrai. If it is defeated in battle, players won't be able to meet Darkrai again.
The Darkrai on Newmoon Island will be level 50. Darkrai's Dark-typing makes it weak to Fighting, Fairy, and Bug-type Pokemon. It's advised to inflict a status ailment like Paralysis before throwing a Poke Ball. Get its health down to the orange or red. Players should stock up on Ultra Balls and Timer Balls before going to the Harbor Inn.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.
