Ever since the days of the Gen II Pokémon games (Gold, Silver, and Crystal) Nintendo has made Mystery Gifts available via a promo code – and sometimes the need for a peripheral device like a wireless adapter. These promo codes were given away during special events and would indeed give the player something special.

Often these gifts are an item or two, but sometimes players are given a Pokémon that is quite rare - like a Shiny. This has many players wondering what Mystery Gifts have been offered for Pokémon: Sword & Shield so far, and which of them are the best.

10 AREAS1LVESTRE And G1GAGRANF1NALE

These two Mystery Gifts are tied for last. The AREAS1LVESTRE code expired on Feb. 28, 2020 and rewarded the player with ten Premier Pokéballs. The G1GAGRANF1NALE code expired on March 30, 2020 and rewarded the player with ten Heal Pokéballs. Premier Pokéballs are not that hard to get – players receive one for free if they buy 10 standard, Great, or Ultra Pokéballs. Heal Pokéballs are almost useless. They have the same chance of catching a Pokémon as a standard Pokéball, and healing a Pokémon can be easily done now that the player’s PC can be accessed anywhere. A Pokémon placed in storage on the PC is automatically healed.

9 1YAHAYA

This code expired on Jan. 15, 2020. After entering this code the player was given one Lure Pokéball, one Heavy Pokéball, and one Beast Pokéball. The Lure and Heavy Pokéballs can be handy when trying to catch one of the larger Pokémon, or when using the fishing rod. The Beast Pokéball is only useful when trying to catch an Ultra Beast – otherwise it is worse than a standard Pokéball. The Lure and Heavy Pokéballs can both be purchased for a reasonable price, and the Beast Pokéball is acquired for free in Stow-on-Side after becoming the Galar Champion.

8 K0UN1NMASC0T

This code expired on Jan. 15, 2020. This code is similar to the previous one in that it gives the player three different Pokéballs – these three are slightly more useful though. Players using this code receive one Fast Pokéball, one Moon Pokéball, and one Level Pokéball. These all make catching a specific type of Pokémon easier. The Fast Pokéball is for Pokémon with a high Speed rating, the Moon Pokéball is for Pokémon that evolve from using a Moon Stone, and the Level Pokéball is for catching Pokémon lower in level than the Pokémon opposing it in battle.

7 0KUGAFUKA1B0RU

This code expired on Jan. 15, 2020. This is the last of the code that gives players an assortment of three different Pokéballs. The three Pokéballs received from this code are generally considered more useful than the other two codes. One Friend Pokéball, one Love Pokéball, and one Dream Pokéball are received from using this code. The Friend and Love Pokéballs are great ways to raise a Pokémon’s friendship level with their trainer. This can be necessary for making sure a Pokémon obeys commands, and some Pokémon need a high friendship level in order to evolve. The Dream Pokéball is useful for catching Pokémon that are asleep when it is used.

6 0T0SH1DAMA

This code expired on Jan. 30, 2020. This code gives the player ten Dive Pokéballs when used. Dive Pokéballs aren’t exactly rare; they can be purchased in Hammerlocke for 1000…umm… Pokédollars, and for 50 Watts at a Watts Trader.

The best time to use these Pokéballs is, as the name suggests, is when trying to catch Pokémon that live on the seafloor. Many of the Pokémon that live in the murky depths of the sea can be a little difficult to catch unless a player feels like using one of their valuable Ultra Pokéballs, or tries to get it to as close to one hit point as possible.

5 PRESENT

This code expired on Jan. 30, 2020. Entering this code gives the player ten Luxury Pokéballs. Luxury Pokéballs are not only extremely useful, but also very expensive (the most expensive in fact) – ten Luxury Pokéballs would cost the player 30,000 Pokédollars. These cool looking Pokéballs increase the rate at which a Pokémon’s friendship level rises. It is important for trainers without a lot of badges to make sure high-level Pokémon are friendly. A low friendship level can cause higher-level Pokémon to ignore their trainer’s commands, and can also prevent some Pokémon from evolving.

4 G1GANTAMAX, KAMPFTEAM, And SUPEREFF1CACE

These codes expired on Jan. 30, 2020, Feb. 28, 2020, and March 30, 2020 – respectively. These three codes are all tied for fourth place since they all give players twenty Battle Points when redeemed. Battle Points are extremely valuable things in the Pokémon games. The only way to normally get Battle Points is to compete in matches at the Battle Tower; which is only accessible after beating the game. Using these Battle Points the player can purchase rare items, such as Ability Capsules, Life Orbs, Choice Gear (Specs, Cap, and Band), and Bottle Caps.

3 GALAR And C0MPET1T10N

The GALAR code expired on Feb. 28, 2020, and the C0MPET1T10N code expired on March 30, 2020. Here we have another tie due to both codes rewarding the player with the same item when redeemed. These two codes give the player one Bottle Cap.

To those gamers who haven’t played Pokémon (or are thinking of caps in the Fallout games) this may not seem like a very good Mystery Gift, but these two codes are beyond valuable. Bottle Caps are used for maxing out one of a Pokémon’s IV (Individual Value) stat. It takes 25 Battle Points to buy one Bottle Cap.

2 PUNKR0CK

This code expired on March 30, 2020. This code gives the player three TR94 items. Technical Records act like TMs (Technical Machines) and are one-use items that teach a Pokémon a move – if they are eligible to learn the move. TR94 teaches the move High Horsepower; which is a Ground-type physical attack that has a power rating of 95, an accuracy of 95, and PP count of 10. This move can be taught to a large selection of Pokémon; this selection includes Machamp, Mew, and Rhyperior. However, it might be better to use these on weaker Pokémon that are in need of a strong attack move.

1 TRA1NERSCUP

Unfortunately, this code just recently expired on Aug. 10, 2020. This code is by far the best issued so far because it doesn’t give players an item, it gives them a Pokémon. Redeeming this code rewards the player with a Shiny Amoongus. Amoongus isn’t the strongest of Pokémon; however, Shiny Pokémon are incredibly rare. Seriously, many players never encounter a Shiny during a play-through, and with this code a player can get one without effort and for free. Observant readers might have noticed from the expiration dates that these Mystery Gifts have been getting progressively better and better – so players need to make sure they don’t miss out on the next one.

NEXT: Pokemon Sword & Shield: Best New Pokemon Inspired By Classics