The Pokémon HOME cloud service offers a unique opportunity for players to acquire special Pokémon that are otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain. Among these are several shiny legendary and mythical Pokémon, which are permanently available as rewards for completing specific in-app challenges. This article details the available free Pokémon, the methods to obtain them, and the eligibility requirements based on information from official Pokémon sources and verified community resources.
Overview of Pokémon HOME and Free Rewards
Pokémon HOME is a cloud-based application that allows users to store, manage, and trade Pokémon collected from various games. A key feature of the service is the Mystery Gift function, which enables players to receive special rewards by completing certain tasks. While many of these rewards are available for a limited time, a selection of shiny legendary and mythical Pokémon can be earned permanently.
These permanent rewards are typically granted for completing the Pokédex for specific games or for participating in the app's trading features. The availability of these Pokémon provides a significant incentive for both casual and competitive players to engage with the service, as many of these Pokémon are either unobtainable in shiny form elsewhere or were only available through long-expired events.
Permanently Available Shiny and Special Mythical Pokémon
The following Pokémon are permanently available through the Pokémon HOME app. Each requires a specific set of actions to be completed.
Shiny Meloetta
- Availability: Permanent.
- How to Obtain: Complete the full Paldea, Kitakami, and Blueberry Academy Pokédex using Pokémon imported specifically from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
- Eligibility Requirements: All Pokémon in the required Pokédexes must be originally caught in Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. Pokémon transferred from other games, even if they are the same species, do not count toward this completion. This includes Pokémon like the Galar starters (Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble), which must be caught in the Blueberry Academy area of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC and then transferred to Pokémon HOME.
Shiny Enamorus
- Availability: Permanent.
- How to Obtain: Complete the Hisui Pokédex within the Pokémon HOME app.
- Eligibility Requirements: Players must import every Pokémon native to the Hisui region (from Pokémon Legends: Arceus) into Pokémon HOME. This is the only method to obtain this shiny version of the Hisuian legendary Pokémon.
Original Color Magearna
- Availability: Permanent.
- How to Obtain: Complete the National Pokédex from Bulbasaur up to Eternatus (Generation VIII) within the Pokémon HOME mobile app.
- Eligibility Requirements: This mythical Pokémon is not a shiny variant but is a special form unobtainable through any other means. It requires the player to have deposited or imported a complete set of Pokémon covering the first eight generations. The challenge involves capturing or obtaining 890 different species, including rare mythical Pokémon like Volcanion and Genesect. The Pokémon can be sourced from any compatible game.
Other Permanent Rewards from Pokémon HOME
Beyond the shiny legendary and mythical Pokémon, Pokémon HOME offers several other permanent rewards for completing various tasks within the app. These are primarily available through the mobile version.
Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble (Hidden Abilities)
- Availability: Permanent.
- How to Obtain: Deposit a Pokémon from Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield into Pokémon HOME using the Nintendo Switch version of the app.
- Eligibility Requirements: This action must be performed on the Nintendo Switch. Upon completion, the three Galar starter Pokémon will be available to receive in the mobile version of Pokémon HOME. These Pokémon are natively shiny and possess their Hidden Abilities.
Melmetal
- Availability: Permanent.
- How to Obtain: Connect Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME and send a Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME.
- Eligibility Requirements: Requires a linked Pokémon GO and Nintendo account. This reward was made available starting November 10, 2020.
Eevee (Wonder Box)
- Availability: Permanent, but time-limited after activation.
- How to Obtain: In the mobile app, deposit a Pokémon into the Wonder Box and have it taken by another user.
- Eligibility Requirements: The reward Eevee becomes available for one month from the time the first Wonder Box trade is completed.
Rotom (GTS)
- Availability: Permanent.
- How to Obtain: In the mobile app, deposit a Pokémon into the Global Trade Station (GTS) and have it taken by another user.
- Eligibility Requirements: This reward is granted upon the completion of the first GTS trade.
Pichu
- Availability: Permanent.
- How to Obtain: Complete a specific challenge within the app and receive a sticker placed on your profile.
- Eligibility Requirements: Details of the specific challenge are not specified in the provided sources.
Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle (Hidden Abilities)
- Availability: Permanent.
- How to Obtain: Load the mobile app.
- Eligibility Requirements: These starter Pokémon with Hidden Abilities are granted simply for opening the mobile application.
Pikachu
- Availability: Permanent.
- How to Obtain: Load the mobile app and open the free box.
- Eligibility Requirements: This reward is available upon accessing the free box feature within the mobile app.
Important Considerations for U.S. Players
While the listed rewards are permanent, players should be aware of a few key points:
- Game-Specific Requirements: For rewards like Shiny Meloetta, the requirement to use Pokémon specifically caught in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet is strict. Players cannot substitute Pokémon from other games, even if they are the same species.
- Pokémon HOME Membership: While many basic functions are free, Pokémon HOME offers a paid Premium Plan with increased storage capacity. However, the permanent rewards listed above are available to users of the free tier.
- Expired Rewards: The provided sources indicate that several past Mystery Gift codes and events have expired. This article focuses only on the permanently available rewards as of the latest information. Players should always check official Pokémon channels for the most current active codes.
Conclusion
Pokémon HOME provides a structured pathway for dedicated players to acquire exclusive shiny legendary and mythical Pokémon, along with other special rewards, without additional cost beyond the base game. The primary methods involve completing comprehensive Pokédexes for specific games or engaging with the app's trading features like the GTS and Wonder Box. For U.S. players, the most significant rewards—Shiny Meloetta and Original Color Magearna—require a substantial time investment in catching and importing hundreds of Pokémon, but offer unique collectibles unavailable through any other means. By following the outlined steps, players can permanently add these special Pokémon to their collection.