Pokémon Sword and Shield have offered a whole new region for Pokémon fans to explore. If you've gotten the games, you'll want to make sure to take advantage of the free items and Pokémon you can receive. Here are all of the free goodies we know of so far, how to get them, and when they will no longer be available. You'll want to act fast. These free gifts don't last forever. In fact, some of the best ones only last about a week.
Check out our in-depth, filterable Pokédex for Pokémon Sword and Shield
Ash's Pikachu
Available until: November 30, 2020
Pikachu lovers can rejoice, as eight, yes eight hat-wearing variants of Pikachu are on the way. Codes to receive the different Pikachu will appear in various locations, and the first one was shared during a video about the Crown Tundra. We'll continue to add to this list as more release.
- P1KACHUGET (Original Cap) — This code unlocks a Pikachu as original cap from the first season of the Pokémon anime.
- 1CH00SEY0U (Partner Cap) — This unlocks a Pikachu wearing the same hat as the one Ash wears in Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
- P1KAADVANCE (Hoenn Cap) — Unlock a Pikachu wearing the red, black, and green hat Ash wore in the Hoenn region.
- V0LTTACKLEP1KA (Sinnoh Cap) — You'll get a Pikachu wearing the same hat Ash wore in the Sinnoh region.
Gigantamax Pikachu and Gigantamax Eevee
Available until: No end date
Players who have save data for Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu, on their Switch can get a Gigantamax Pikachu, while those with save data for Let's Go, Eevee can get a Gigantamax Eevee. The catch is that these Pokémon cannot evolve.
All you have to do is talk to the man and woman in the upper left corner of the Wild Area Station. Notice that the woman with blond hair gives out Pikachu while the man with brown hair gives out Eevee.
Shiny Zeraora and Armorite Ore
Available until: July 6, 2020
As a reward for one million players defeating the Mythical Pokémon Zeraora in Max Raid Battles, The Pokémon Company is giving everyone a free Shiny Zeraora and eight Armorite Ore. To claim these Mystery Gifts, players need to transfer a Pokémon from Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield into their Pokémon HOME account before July 6, 2020. Zeraora can be claimed in Pokémon HOME, while a code will be provided to use in Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield for the Armorite Ore.
Dynamax Crystals
Dynamax Crystals are a special item that can be used to summon a one-time Max Raid Battle for a specific Pokémon. Dynamax Crystals can only be used once and will summon the specified Max Raid Battle at the Den in the Watchtower Ruins. Currently, the following Dynamax Crystals are available:
| Dynamax Crystal | Featured Pokémon | How to obtain | Available Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| And458 | Jangmo-o | Purchase Pokémon Sword and Shield double pack | N/A |
| And15 | Larvitar | Purchase Pokémon Sword and Shield double pack | N/A |
| Sgr6789 | Copperajah | Select game stores in Europe* | July 5, 2020 |
- GameMania in Belgium and The Netherlands, Gamestop in Germany, and Cultura in France
Once you have a Dynamax Crystal, it can be used from your bag at any time. Once used, the Max Raid Battle will be available in the Den hidden inside the Watchtower Ruins in the Wild Area until the end of the day. This Den will not feature Max Raid Battles otherwise, and you cannot use Wishing Pieces there either. Its sole purpose is to use Dynamax Crystals.
How to claim a Mystery Gift via internet
- Press X to open the game's main menu.
- Select Mystery Gift.Source: iMore
- Select Get a Mystery Gift.
- Select Get via internet.Source: iMore
- The game will search for any gifts. Once it's done loading, click on any Mystery Gift that shows up to download.
How to reedeem a code
- Press X to open the main menu.
- Select Mystery Gift.Source: iMore
- Select Get a Mystery Gift.
- Now select Get with Code/Password.Source: iMore
- This message will pop up. Press A to move past it.
- Enter the code you wish to redeem.Source: iMore
- Select + or OK once the code has been entered.
- The game will look for a corresponding code. When the game finishes searching, select Item Set Gift.Source: iMore
- An animation of a glittering present will play through and then a screen will come up telling you what gift(s) you received. Press A to move on from this screen.
- If you have more codes to redeem select Get with Code/Password. Otherwise, just press B multiple times to get out of the Mystery Gift menu.Source: iMore
Now that you know how to redeem codes in Pokémon Sword and Shield, continue on to see what free codes you can use.
Codes for Rare Poké Balls
Having a wide range of Poké Balls makes it more likely for you to be able to catch and train various Pokémon in the Galar region as each ball tends to have different perks. For example, a Heavy Ball is more likely to work when used upon heavier Pokémon, whereas a Pokémon captured with a Friend Ball will bond faster with its trainer than it would if caught with any other ball. Here are all of the free codes you can currently use to obtain rare Poké Balls.
| Code | Freebie | Available Until |
|---|---|---|
| NA | NA | NA |
Codes for Battle Points
Once you've beaten the main story in Pokémon Sword and Shield, you'll have the opportunity to fight against NPCs in the Battle Tower. Whenever you're successful, you'll earn Battle Points (BP), which you can use to purchase rare items. Here are the codes that will give you free BP in Sword and Shield.
| Code | Freebie | Available Until |
|---|---|---|
| NA | NA | NA |
Codes for Bottle Caps
After you've completed the main story in Pokémon Sword and Shield, you can enter the Battle Tower and Hyper Train your Pokémon to increase their Individual Values (IVs) and make them more powerful. To improve a Pokémon's IVs, however, players must pay in Bottle Caps, rare currency that is hard to come across. Here are any free codes for Bottle Caps in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
| Code | Freebie | Available Until |
|---|---|---|
| NA | NA | NA |
Codes for Technical Records (TRs)
Sometimes, you have a really strong Pokémon but its moves aren't great. Fortunately, there are Technical Machines (TMs) and Technical Records (TRs) which can be used to teach a Pokémon a new move. TMs are permanent items that always work, while TRs are one-time use items that break after you use them. Fortunately, TRs are abundant. Here are any free codes for TRs in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
| Code | Freebie | Available Until |
|---|---|---|
| NA | NA | NA |
Gifts that are no longer available
As time goes on, more and more free gifts will no longer be available. Here are the free gifts that you can no longer redeem in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Hidden Ability Pokémon
To celebrate the impending release of the Isle of Armor expansion pass DLC, four new Mystery Gifts were released. For four weeks only, from May 21, 2020 at 5 PM PST, all players could claim free Mystery Gifts featuring Galarian Variant Pokémon with Hidden Abilities, and bonus item packs. These did not require codes, nor did you need a Nintendo Switch Online Membership.
Galarian Mr. Mime
Week one began on May 21, and featured Galarian Mr. Mime with the Hidden Ability Ice Body. Ice Body allows Mr. Mime to heal when it's hailing instead of taking damage! This Mystery Gift also included a Lure Ball, a Moon Ball, a Heavy Ball, and a Dream Ball.
Galarian Ponyta
Wee two began on May 28, and featured Galarian Ponyta with the Hidden Ability Anticipation. Anticipation lets you know immediately if an opponent has a super effective move. This Mystery Gift also included a Level Ball, a Fast Ball, a Love Ball, a Friend Ball, and a Beast Ball.
Galarian Corsola
Week three began on June 4, and featured Galarian Corsola with the Hidden Ability Cursed Body. This Hidden Ability has a 30% chance of disabling any attack used on it for four turns. Galarian Corsola also came with several evolution items, including a Sweet Apple, a Tart Apple, a Chipped Pot, a Cracked Pot, a Sachet, and a Whipped Dream.
Galarian Meowth
The final week began on June 11, and featured Galarian Meowth with the Hidden Ability Unnerve. Unnerve prevents your opponents from eating berries during battle. You also got 50 Big Nuggets, and 100 Exp. Candies L.
Ball Guy T-Shirt
Available until: February 27, 2020 at 3:59 PM PST
Are you a fan of the Ball Guy? You know, that memorable mascot of the Galar Region's Pokémon League? Well, now's your chance to get him on a t-shirt for your Trainer! All you have to do is compete in the February International Challenge. Registration ends soon so don't delay!
Tracksuit Trainer Outfit
Back around the time that Sword and Shield first launched, between November 16-25, players using the Pokémon Pass app could visit any participating Walmart stores in the U.S. and obtain a free tracksuit trainer outfit. This offer has since expired and is no longer available.
Gigantamax Meowth
Available until: January 15, 2020
This Kanto Meowth has the ability to Gigantamax, and was free to all players via internet Mystery Gift.
Expired Codes
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Code | Freebie | Expired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | G1GANTAMAX | 20 Battle Points | January 30 |
| Row 1 - Cell 0 | K0UN1NMASC0T | 1 Fast Ball, 1 Moon Ball, 1 Level Ball | January 15 |
| Row 2 - Cell 0 | 1YAHAYA | 1 Heavy Ball, 1 Lure Ball, 1 Beast Ball | January 15 |
| Row 3 - Cell 0 | 0KUGAFUKA1B0RU | 1 Love Ball, 1 Dream Ball, 1 Friend Ball | January 15 |
| Row 4 - Cell 0 | PRESENT | 10 Luxury Balls | January 30 |
| Row 5 - Cell 0 | 0T0SH1DAMA | 10 Dive Balls | January 30 |
| Row 6 - Cell 0 | PUNKR0CK | 3 TR94 (High Horsepower | March 8 |
| Row 7 - Cell 0 | GALAR | 1 Bottle Cap | February 28 |
| Row 8 - Cell 0 | C0MPET1T10N | 1 Silver Bottle Cap | March 8 |
| Row 9 - Cell 0 | KAMPFTEAM | 20 Battle Points | February 28 |
| Row 10 - Cell 0 | SUPEREFF1CACE | 20 Battle Points | March 8 |
| Row 11 - Cell 0 | AREAS1LVESTRE | 10 Premier Balls | February 27 |
| Row 12 - Cell 0 | G1GAGRANF1NALE | 10 Heal Balls | March 8 |
Free Stuff
That's all of the free stuff that you can currently get in Pokémon Sword and Shield. We'll keep on top of this information and will update if any new codes surface. In the meantime, enjoy all of those freebies! Don't forget that many of these gifts can only be obtained within a certain window, so you'll want to redeem them as soon as you can!
October 2020: Added Pikachu codes.
