In Pokémon Sword & Shield, players get the chance to explore the Galar region to find and train rare and legendary Pokémon. One of these Pokémon, the Galarian Darmanitan, is exclusive to the Galar region. In its typical form, Darmanitan is a fire-type Pokémon. In the Galar region, however, it is an ice-type. The Galarian form was newly introduced specifically for Pokémon Sword & Shield for the Switch.
Despite the many Pokémon available in different regions of the game, there is no known location to catch a wild Galarian Darmanitan. Instead, players can add the Galarian Darmanitan to their collection and Pokédex either by finding and evolving a Galarian Darumaka or in four 5-Star Raids. This is exclusive to Pokémon Sword. Players who opted to pick up the Shield version of the game will need to trade for a Galarian Darmanitan online. Here's how to find and catch the Galarian Darmanitan or evolve it from a Galarian Darumaka in Pokémon Sword.
Find Galarian Darmanitan in Pokémon Sword
The only way to find an already-evolved Galarian Darmanitan is to take part in a 5-Star Max Raid against one. Players will find Galarian Darmanitan at Giant's Cap in the center den. When fighting it, players should know it may have a hidden ability; if it goes into Zen Mode, it changes type from ice to ice and fire and gets a stat boost.
Players can find its pre-evolution, Galarian Darumaka, in a few other places in the wild areas of Pokémon Sword. Galarian Darumaka is rare, with a 5% spawn chance in any of its three locations. Players will find Galarian Darumaka outside the overworld in the following places and under the following conditions.
- Route 8, Steamdrift Way: At Level 38-41 in all weather conditions
- Route 9: At Level 43-46 in all weather conditions
- Route 10: At Level 44-46 in all weather conditions
Players will also find Galarian Darumaka during a 5-Star Max Raid Battle in the same den as the Galarian Darmanitan.
Catch Galarian Darmanitan in Pokémon Sword
To catch the Galarian Darmanitan, players will want to use their weakness against it. It is weak to Fighting, Rock, Steel, and Fire-type moves. Because it is not possible to know if any individual Galarian Darmanitan might have the Zen Mode hidden ability, it is not a good idea to have a fire type Pokémon fight it. Instead, players will likely want to opt for a rock type or steel type.
Some of the most effective Pokémon against Galarian Darmanitan are Tyranitar, Rhyperior, Mimikyu, and Toxapex.
If players would prefer to catch Galarian Darumaka first, they will need to battle it with a fire, fighting, rock, or steel type Pokémon. Once they catch it, they will want to use an Ice Stone to evolve it into a Galarian Darmanitan.
Pokémon Sword & Shield are available for the Nintendo Switch.