Master the post-game quest to capture Darkrai in Pokémon Legends: Arceus with this detailed location and battle guide
Unlocking the Darkrai Quest: Prerequisites
Capturing the nightmare-inducing Darkrai in Pokémon Legends: Arceus isn’t part of the main story. This special event is a rewarding post-game challenge with specific requirements you must meet first.
First and foremost, you need to have completed the main campaign. This means you must have finished Mission 19: A New Day Dawns and seen the credits roll. Only then will the game world open up the necessary quest.
However, there’s a crucial cross-game prerequisite. To even see the quest, your Nintendo Switch system must have a save data file from either Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Pokémon Shining Pearl. This is Game Freak’s way of rewarding players who explored the Sinnoh region in its modern remake. The game checks for this save data automatically; you don’t need to transfer anything.
Pro Tip: If you’re borrowing a copy of Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl, simply creating a save file by playing up to the first Pokémon Center is sufficient. You don’t need to complete the game.
Step-by-Step: Locating Darkrai in Coronet Highlands
Once the prerequisites are satisfied, follow this precise path to trigger the encounter with the Mythical Dark-type Pokémon.
Those eligible for the Legendary will then need to follow the steps below to find the ‘mon:
1. Accept the Request: After beating the main game, go to the Galaxy Team Building in Jubilife Village. Enter Professor Laventon’s office and examine the request board on the wall. This will give you Request 93: The Darksome Nightmare.
2. Travel to Coronet Highlands: With the quest active, fast travel to the Coronet Highlands region. This is a mid-to-late game area you’re familiar with.
3. Navigate to the Ravine: Upon arrival, head immediately north. Your destination is the ravine situated directly between two notable landmarks: Clamberclaw Cliffs to the west and Lonely Springs to the east. The area is rocky and distinct.
4. Trigger the Encounter: Simply walk into the center of this ravine. A cutscene will automatically start, featuring Darkrai emerging from the shadows. There’s no need to search or interact with anything specific.
Navigation Tip: If you get lost, open your map. The ravine is in the northern central part of the Coronet Highlands map sector. Setting a waypoint to the area between the two labeled locations can help.
Battle Strategy: How to Defeat and Capture Darkrai
Forget traditional wild encounters. Capturing Darkrai mirrors the frenzied Noble Pokémon battles. After the introductory cutscene, you’ll be immobilized, and the fight will begin in real-time.
Below we explain the phased strategy to defeat the Dark-type so that you can catch it:
Phase 1 – The Shield Break: Darkrai will launch paralyzing shockwaves. Constantly use the dodge roll to avoid them. When it pauses, throw Sticky Globs, Spoiled Apricorns, or even a regular Poke Ball directly at it to damage its protective shield. Repeat this 3-4 times until its stance changes.
Phase 2 – The Teleportation Game: Purple rings will appear on the ground. Darkrai will sink into one and reappear from another. Sprint to the next active ring you see. Have a Pokémon already aimed and ready.
Initiating the Pokémon Battle: The millisecond Darkrai fully materializes from the ring, hit it with a Poke Ball to transition into a turn-based battle. Timing is critical here; throwing too early or too late will fail.
The Capture Phase: Now you can use your Pokémon to fight. Darkrai is Level 50. Use moves that can inflict status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis to make catching easier. Once its HP is in the yellow or red, switch to Ultra Balls or better. Its catch rate is low, so expect breakouts.
Persistence is Key: If it breaks free, don’t panic. Keep your team healed with Potions and keep throwing Balls. The battle won’t end until you catch it or black out.
Advanced Tactic: Consider bringing a Pokémon with the move “False Swipe” to reliably get its HP to 1 without knocking it out, dramatically increasing your catch odds.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Successfully adding Darkrai to your team requires more than just following steps. Here’s how to optimize your attempt and sidestep frequent errors.
Optimization Tips:
Stock Up: Before heading to Coronet Highlands, ensure your bag is full of Sticky Globs (the most effective stun item), Ultra Balls, Max Potions, and Revives. You don’t want to run out mid-fight.
Pokémon Preparation: Have a Level 55+ Pokémon with high Defense/HP in your first slot to tank hits. A Ghost-type is ideal as it’s immune to Darkrai’s Normal-type moves like Quick Attack.
Stealth Approach: Use Smoke Bombs or crouch in tall grass to get closer to the ravine entrance without startling other wild Pokémon, allowing you to start the fight with full health.
Common Pitfalls:
Mistiming the Throw: The most common failure point is throwing your Poke Ball during Phase 2 a fraction of a second too early. Wait for Darkrai to be fully visible and stationary.
Poor Dodge Management: Getting hit by multiple shockwaves will keep you paralyzed for long periods. Master the dodge roll rhythm; it’s more forgiving than you think.
Using the Wrong Ball: Don’t waste your Master Ball here if you have one. While Ultra Balls work, save your Gigaton Balls or Feather Balls for this fight, as they have higher catch rates in certain conditions.
After catching the Dark-type, the quest giver Cael will appear and thank you for ending the Diamond Clan’s nightmare with the Legendary. Let the cutscene play out to officially complete Request 93 and add Darkrai to your party.
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