Pokemon Sword & Shield realizes the most ambitious iteration of the series so far, The core of experience remains very similar to previous games, with players tasked with working toward completing an 800-strong Pokedex throughout the story. Not all Pokemon are caught and evolved in the same way, however, so here’s how to get zen mode Galarian Darmanitan in Pokemon Sword & Shield if you’re unsure.
Darmanitans are the evolved form of Darumakas. Both were first introduced back in Gen V and they return in Pokemon Sword & Shield. This time around, however, a new Galarian variety has been added, but they still have access to Zen Mode..
Galarian Darmanitan’ has two great abilities with Gorilla Tactics and Zen Mode. Zen Mode gives allows you to continue to choose your moves without being locked, and changes you to Ice/Fire after taking some damage alongside a boost in your offensive stats.
How to Get Zen Mode Galarian Darmanitan
Galarian Darmanitans with Zen Mode can only be caught in the wild in Pokemon Sword, and only by successfully undertaking a Max Raid Battle.
We’ve had luck with the dens just outside of Hammerlocke’s entrance, but the spawn rate is low and you’ll have to cross you fingers for a bit of RNG help when using Wishing Stones.
If you’re playing Pokemon Shield, you’ll need to trade with a friend in order to get either Galarian Darumaka or Galarian Darmanitan. Here’s a detailed guide on How to Trade With Friends if you need help with the process.
Catching & Evolving a Galarian Darumaka
It is possible to evolve a Galarian Darumaka into a Galarian Darmanitan, but it isn’t done simply by leveling the Pokemon to a certain level as it was in previous Gens.
In Sword & Shield you’ll need an Ice Stone to initiate evolution, which can be found in the Lake of Outrage area’s stone circle. Remember that you’ll need a bicycle with surf ability in order to cross the water.
That said, Zen Mode is a hidden ability, so you unless you’re evolving one with its hidden ability (Inner Focus in this case), it won’t learn Zen Mode later on when it evolves.
Importing With Pokemon Home
Your final option for getting a Galarian Darmanitan with zen mode is to wait until Sword & Shield adds Pokemon Home, a system that allows players to import Pokemon from previous generations into their game.
There’s currently no release date as of yet outside of its 2020 window.
That’s everything you should need to know about how to get zen mode Galarian Darmanitan in Pokemon Sword & Shield. We have plenty of other helpful guides on our guide wiki page, like the ones down below.
- Where the Move Reminder Is & How to Relearn Moves
- How to Change Uniform
- How to Evolve Milcery & Get Alcremie
- How to Get Sizzlipede & Evolve Into Centiskorch
