While a lot of the appeal of Pokémon games comes from the chance encounters with wild ‘mons, trainers can also get unique and rare finds through simply receiving Gift Pokémon. Just like how you can receive items like potions and nuggets from speaking to various NPCs throughout the game, the Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl titles also have their fair share of Gift Pokémon that you can obtain if you know where to find them. Whether to use them for your roster or simply to complete your Dex, here's a guide to all the Gift Pokémon and their locations in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.

In fact, the very first Pokémon that you add to your party—your starter—is something you receive as a gift. Choose wisely when you pick between Piplup, Chimchar, and Turtwig as you begin your Sinnoh adventure. In case you want to have all three starters, check out our guide on where to find them in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.

Besides the starter trio, you can get 11 other Gift Pokémon in the fourth gen remakes, including two Mythical Pokémon. Take note that some of these only require speaking to a particular character, while others need you to trade specific Pokémon with NPCs. Meanwhile, Mew and Jirachi require certain conditions to be met first, particularly having save copies of other Pokémon Switch titles.

All Gift Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Abra

  • Catch a Machop. (Route 207 to the north of Oreburgh City, Route 210 to the north of Solaceon Town, or Mt. Coronet)
  • Visit Oreburgh City and enter the building to the left of the store.
  • Talk to the first person inside the building and trade Machop for Abra.

Chatot

  • Catch a Buizel. (Route 205, Route 213, Route 224, Valley Windworks, or Grand Underground)
  • Head over to Eterna City and enter the house beside the store.
  • Go to the top left area of the house, where you will see a character sitting there.
  • Speak to the character and trade Buizel for Chatot.

Eevee

  • You will first have to finish the main game's storyline by beating the Elite Four and Cynthia.
  • Then, complete your Sinnoh Pokédex and upgrade it to the National Dex by going to Sandgem Town and talking to Professor Rowan in the post-game.
  • After obtaining the National Dex, travel to Hearthome City. In the house next to the PokéCenter, talk to Bebe and she will give you a level 10 Eevee.
  • There are more ways for you to get Eevee in the game (though this will rely on a bit of luck in encountering it), check out the full guide here.

Happiny

  • Travel to Hearthome City and head towards Route 209.
  • At the entrance or transition from the city to Route 209, a hiker will be waiting there.
  • Speak to the hiker and receive a Happiny egg as a gift.
  • Hatch the egg by accumulating enough steps while having the egg equipped. A fast way to do this is to ride your bike back and forth until the egg starts to crack.

Haunter

  • Get Medicham (Route 217, Acuity Lakefront). Alternatively, catch Meditite in Acuity Lakefront (in the grass or by fishing) and evolve it into Medicham.
  • Visit Snowpoint City and go inside the building that is to the left of the Snowpoint Gym (North West area of the City).
  • Inside, you will find a blond-haired girl called Mindy. Speak to her and trade Medicham for Haunter.
  • Do note that Haunter will be holding an Everstone when you receive it, so you won't be able to evolve it into Gengar until you remove/de-equip the Everstone.

Fossils

  • Head over to the Oreburgh City Museum. Luckily, you don't have to pay anything to enter the museum.
  • Talk to the character sitting behind the desk on the right.
  • The character will send you back outside, but you just have to enter the room again to get your Fossil Pokemon and revive it.

Magikarp

  • Catch a Finneon by fishing using a Super Rod in Canalave City.
  • Go to Route 226 (this is a water route) and use Surf to make your way to the Meister's house on an island.
  • Once on the island, go inside the house and speak to the Meister to trade Finneon for Magikarp.

Manaphy

  • Unlock the Mystery Gift feature in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. You just need to defeat the third Gym Leader, Maylene, the Fighting-type Leader in Veilstone City and the feature will be accessible automatically.
  • When you use the Mystery Gift feature for the first time, you will receive a Manaphy egg as a reward.
  • Hatch the egg by accumulating enough steps while having the egg equipped. A fast way to do this is to ride your bike back and forth until the egg starts to crack.

Riolu

  • Go to Canalave City and take a boat ride to Iron Island from a sailor there.
  • On Iron Island, in the caverns you'll team up with Riley in a double battle.
  • Defeat Team Galactic and Riley will reward you for your efforts with a Riolu egg.
  • Hatch the egg by accumulating enough steps while having the egg equipped. A fast way to do this is to ride your bike back and forth until the egg starts to crack.
  • For a full guide including how to evolve Riolu into Lucario, click here.

Mew and Jirachi

  • To get these Mythical Pokémon, travel to Floaroma Town and head over to the area's southwest end.
  • You'll see two NPCs, a madame and a gentleman, back to back among the flower fields.
  • To receive Mew, speak to the madame and make sure you have save files of either Let's Go Eevee! or Let's Go Pikachu! on your Switch.
  • To receive Jirachi, speak to the madame and make sure you have save files of either Pokémon Sword or Shield on your Switch.