It may be the year of the Dog according to the Chinese calendar, but according to The Pokémon Company, 2018 will be the “Year of Legendary Pokémon.”
Avid Pokémon fans are already pretty spoiled if you ask us. The powers behind the biggest game franchise on the planet regularly give away tons of free stuff, either as online gifts or as part of promotions. Trainers that pre-ordered Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon received a free Rockruff, and players that go online with their newly acquired Ultra Sun & Moon can even get a free Master Ball for their trouble.
Now the same company that brought you those ridiculous troops of inflatable Pikachu suits are bringing what is perhaps the greatest giveaway in Pokémon history: an entire year of free legendaries.
Well, almost an entire year. This event will last from Feb. 2, 2018 to the end of November, and each month a new set of legendary Pokémon will be up for grabs. And it isn’t just for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon either, regular old Sun and Moon players can grab the free legendaries too.
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Here’s the list, along with what generation they’re from:
February: Dialga or Palkia (Gen IV)
March: Regigigas or Heatran (Gen VI)
April: Entei or Raikou (Gen II)
May: Xerneas or Yveltal (Gen VI)
June: Shiny Zygarde (Gen VI)
July: Tornadus or Thundurus (Gen V)
August: Kyogre or Groudon (Gen III)
September: Latios or Latias (Gen III)
October: Reshiram or Zekrom (Gen V)
November: Ho-Oh or Lugia (Gen II)
Details for the first pair of legendaries, Dialga and Palkia, were just released on the Pokémon website. Starting Feb. 2, 2018, Dialga and Palkia will be available to receive via Mystery Gift with the help of a code available at any GameStop location if you’re in the US, and any participating game store if you’re in the rest of the world.
Depending on which game you download them to, their level and movesets will be different. Check the website for full details on how.
On top of the free giveaways, there’s apparently going to be free Pokémon TCG cards given away too (if you’re into that sort of thing), and there’s also Kyogre available in Pokémon GO. It’s a Pokémon bonanza out there.