You Can Still Catch This Mythical Pokemon
Finding Mew in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond can feel like chasing a legend. This iconic Psychic-type Pokemon, known for its adorable appearance and immense power, wasn’t available through normal gameplay when the original Diamond and Pearl games launched. Many trainers spent years wondering if it was even possible to obtain.
The good news is that with the release of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond, there are now clear, official methods to add Mew to your team. Unlike glitches or complex trading chains from the past, the current methods are straightforward and guaranteed to work, provided you meet the simple prerequisites.
This guide will walk you through every legitimate way to get Mew in your copy of Brilliant Diamond. We will cover the special gift available early in the game, the requirements you need to meet, and what to do if you missed the initial distribution window. By the end, you will have a Mew ready to battle in the Sinnoh region.
Understanding Mew’s Availability in Sinnoh
Mew is classified as a Mythical Pokemon, a category that typically includes rare creatures only distributed through special real-world events. In the original Sinnoh games, Mew was never officially available without attending a specific Nintendo event, which made it incredibly elusive.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond, however, includes a permanent in-game gift that references a key item from the franchise’s history. This is not a limited-time event that expires. It is a built-in feature designed to give every player a chance to obtain this beloved Pokemon without relying on external distributions.
The method revolves around having save data from another Pokemon game on your Nintendo Switch console. This is a common reward system used in the Pokemon series to incentivize players who own multiple titles. It is a legal, intended feature, not an exploit.
The Primary Method: Using Pokemon Let’s Go Save Data
This is the most reliable and accessible way to get Mew in Brilliant Diamond. It requires you to have played either Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu or Pokemon Let’s Go, Eevee on the same Nintendo Switch profile you are using for Brilliant Diamond.
Step-by-Step Guide to Claim Your Mew
First, ensure you have save data from Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu or Eevee on your system. You do not need to have completed the game. Simply starting a save file and saving your progress at least once is sufficient. The Switch console detects this data automatically.
Next, start your Pokemon Brilliant Diamond game. You need to reach a point where you can freely receive gifts. This occurs shortly after you begin your adventure and gain the ability to save your game outside of your journey.
Travel to the first major city you encounter after leaving your hometown. This city has a Pokemon Center. Inside the Pokemon Center, walk to the counter on the left side. You will see two NPCs standing behind it: a nurse and a man in a green uniform.
Speak to the man in the green uniform. He is the Mystery Gift deliveryman. He will greet you and check the system for any gifts you are eligible to receive. If you have the Let’s Go save data on your console, he will announce that he has a special gift for you.
Confirm that you want to receive the gift. He will then present you with a Pokeball containing Mew. The Mew will be automatically added to your party if you have space, or sent to your PC storage box. It will be at level 1, ready for you to train and evolve its moveset.
What If the Deliveryman Isn’t There?
If you go to the Pokemon Center and do not see the deliveryman, it means you have not yet unlocked the Mystery Gift function. This feature becomes available after you obtain the Pokedex and complete the initial tutorial segment with your rival. Progress the story for about an hour, and he will appear.
If the deliveryman is there but does not offer you Mew, double-check your save data. Ensure the Let’s Go game was played on the same Nintendo Switch user profile you are using for Brilliant Diamond. Save data is tied to the user profile, not the console as a whole.
You can verify this by going to your Switch’s System Settings, then Data Management, and finally Save Data Cloud. Look for the Let’s Go title in the list. If it’s there for your profile, the game should detect it.
Alternative Method: Trading with Other Players
If you do not own Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu or Eevee, trading is your only in-game option. This requires a connection to another player who is willing to trade their Mew to you.
Setting Up a Local or Online Trade
First, you need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to trade over the internet. For local trading, both players need to be physically near each other with their Switches.
Access the Global Wonder Station on the lower floor of any Pokemon Center. Speak to the attendant and choose whether you want to link locally or via internet code. For a specific trade, you and your partner should agree on a unique link code.
Both players enter the same code to be paired together. Once connected, you can select the Pokemon you wish to trade. The other player would select their Mew. Be prepared to offer something valuable in return, as Mew is a highly sought-after Pokemon.
Risks and Considerations with Trading
Be cautious when trading for Mythical Pokemon. Some traded Mews might be cloned or generated using third-party tools, though they often pass the game’s legality checks. There is always a small risk, however negligible, that such a Pokemon could cause issues in future online competitions or if you transfer it to Pokemon Home.
For a guaranteed legitimate Mew, the Let’s Go save data method is superior. Trading is best used if you have a trusted friend with an extra Mew or if you are participating in a verified community event.
Training and Using Your New Mew
Once you have Mew, you will want to integrate it into your team effectively. As a Psychic-type, Mew has a fantastic base stat total of 100 across all six stats, making it incredibly versatile.
At level 1, it starts with the move Pound. It can learn a staggering variety of TMs, TRs, and move tutor moves. You can teach it powerful attacks like Psychic, Aura Sphere, Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, and Ice Beam, allowing you to tailor it to counter your team’s weaknesses.
Consider using Mew as a special attacker or a bulky support Pokemon. It can learn moves like Swords Dance to boost its physical attack, Calm Mind to boost special stats, and recovery moves like Recover. Its ability, Synchronize, can be useful for passing on status conditions like paralysis or burn to the opponent that inflicted it.
Maximizing Mew’s Potential
To truly unlock Mew’s power, focus on Effort Value training. Since its stats are balanced, you can choose to maximize its Special Attack and Speed to make it a fast sweeper, or invest in HP and Defense to make it a durable tank.
You can find EV-training items like the Power Lens or Power Band at the Battle Park using Battle Points. Give Mew the corresponding Power item, then battle Pokemon that yield the desired EV points. For example, battling Gastly yields Special Attack EVs.
Also, remember to use vitamins like Calcium and Zinc to quickly boost its EVs to the maximum of 252 in two stats. With proper training, your Mew can become a cornerstone of your team for the Pokemon League and post-game battle facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mew
Can I get more than one Mew using this method? No, the gift is a one-time claim per save file. The deliveryman will only give you a single Mew, even if you have multiple Let’s Go save files.
What if I accidentally release my Mew? Unfortunately, if you release Mew, it is gone permanently from that save file. The gift cannot be claimed again. Be very careful when managing your boxes.
Can I transfer Mew to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? Yes, but indirectly. You must first transfer Mew from Brilliant Diamond into Pokemon Home on your Nintendo Switch. From Pokemon Home, if Mew is compatible with the game’s data, you can then move it into your copy of Pokemon Scarlet or Violet.
Is there a way to get a Shiny Mew? The Mew from the gift deliveryman is not guaranteed to be Shiny. It has standard Shiny odds, which are extremely low. The only guaranteed way to obtain a Shiny Mew was through a special past event. Your gifted Mew will almost certainly be its normal pink and blue color.
Your Next Steps as a Trainer
Now that you have Mew, a world of strategic possibilities opens up. This mythical Pokemon is not just a trophy; it is a powerful and flexible team member that can adapt to nearly any challenge the Sinnoh region throws at you.
Start by leveling it up through battles or using Rare Candies. Experiment with different move sets from the vast pool of TMs available throughout the game. Consider how it complements the rest of your team, filling gaps in your type coverage or providing crucial support.
With Mew by your side, you are well-equipped to take on the Elite Four, conquer the Battle Tower, and complete your Sinnoh Pokedex. Enjoy exploring with one of the most iconic and powerful Pokemon ever created.
