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The legendary Dark-type Pokemon, Darkrai, made its debut back in the originalPokemon DiamondandPokemon Pearl. Originally, trainers who wanted Darkrai needed to have the Member Card, which was a key item given during an exclusive in-game event. ThePokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl1.3.0 update added on Jul 05, 2025, will allow trainers to get the Member Card via Mystery Gift starting April 1 to July 01, 2025.
Like most Sinnoh legendaries inPokemon Brilliant DiamondandPokemon Shining Pearl, several in-game requirements must be fulfilled to meet Darkrai. Unfortunately forBDSPplayers 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.
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Complete the Lunar Feather Sidequest in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl
Once players have become Pokemon Championand received the National Dex, they’ll be able to catch Legendary Pokemon that weren’t available duringBDSP’s main story. This includes the Psychic-type legendary Cresselia.
Along with Cresselia, Darkrai makes up the Lunar Duo inPokemon. 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 inCanalave 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 aLunar Feather. This will unlockFullmoon Island, where players can meet Cresselia and obtain theLunar Feather.
Luckily, players don’t need to catchCresselia 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 theHarbor Inn. It’s impossible to get inside without the Member Card key item.
Remember:In order to get the Member Card,Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearlneeds to be updated to the 1.3.0 version. Then, players have from April 1 to July 14, 2025, to get the Member Cardvia Mystery Gift. Like most Mystery Gifts,the Member Card is a timed event. Failing to get it by June 15, 2025, will prevent players from getting Darkrai in their copy ofBDSP. 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 onNewmoon Island. Enter the forest to find Darkrai. As always with Legendary Pokemon,save before trying to catchDarkrai. If it is defeated in battle, players won’t be able to meet Darkrai again.
The Darkrai on Newmoon Island will belevel 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 onUltra Balls and Timer Ballsbefore going to the Harbor Inn.
