TL;DR
- Oak’s Letter available via Internet Mystery Gift until March 27, 2022 only
- Requires National Pokedex completion and Elite Four victory
- Shaymin appears on Route 224 after speaking with Professor Oak
- Not shiny-locked – reset method available for shiny hunters
- Gracidea flower transforms Shaymin into powerful Sky Forme

The mythical Shaymin has officially arrived in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl through legitimate distribution channels. This marks the first time players can obtain this Gratitude Pokemon without resorting to exploits or glitches.
While technical players discovered methods to access Shaymin earlier through menu manipulation glitches that enabled unrestricted movement, the current event provides a sanctioned approach for all trainers. These glitch methods allowed early access but came with potential stability risks that the official distribution avoids entirely.
For those who prefer playing without exploiting game mechanics, the Oak’s Letter item now offers a proper pathway to encounter and capture Shaymin. This guide covers everything from obtaining the necessary item to mastering Shaymin’s transformation mechanics.
Oak’s Letter Distribution Details
The special Mystery Gift that initiates the Shaymin quest requires no redemption code. Trainers simply need to access the Mystery Gift function from the main menu and select the “Get via Internet” option. This distribution method simplifies access but comes with critical timing constraints.
This limited-time opportunity represents what may be the sole legitimate chance to obtain Shaymin in Pokemon BDSP. Historical patterns from previous Pokemon generations suggest time-limited mythical distributions rarely receive second chances, making immediate action essential for completionists.
Current Availability Window
Trainers can only acquire Shaymin in Pokemon BDSP by obtaining the necessary Mystery Gift between February 27 and March 27, 2022. Once this expiration date passes, Shaymin becomes permanently unavailable through normal gameplay means, similar to how event distributions functioned in original Diamond and Pearl versions.
To successfully capture Shaymin once you have Oak’s Letter, you must meet two critical prerequisites. First, you need the National Pokedex, which requires completing the Sinnoh Pokedex by seeing all 150 Pokemon. Second, you must achieve Champion status by defeating the Elite Four and Cynthia in the Pokemon League.
Many players make the mistake of obtaining Oak’s Letter early but then struggling to locate Shaymin because they haven’t met these progression requirements. Planning your gameplay to coordinate these milestones within the event window is crucial for success.

Route 224 becomes accessible through the eastern exit of Victory Road, positioned near the northern pathway toward the Pokemon League. The blocking NPC only moves aside after you’ve become Champion and obtained the National Pokedex, creating a natural progression gate for the Shaymin encounter.
Complete Capture Walkthrough
After fulfilling all prerequisites and gaining entry to Route 224, follow the winding path northward until you encounter Professor Oak standing near a floral arrangement. He will pose a philosophical question about gratitude, asking who in your journey you feel most thankful for.
Your response to Oak’s inquiry doesn’t affect the outcome mechanically, but it does influence the dialogue and can provide a nice roleplaying moment. Any answer triggers the creation of the Flower Paradise area where Shaymin awaits.
When preparing to battle Shaymin, come equipped with a robust supply of Ultra Balls, Timer Balls, and Dusk Balls for optimal capture rates. Shaymin appears at level 30, making False Swipe and status-inflicting moves valuable for reducing its health without causing it to faint.
Advanced trainers recommend bringing a Pokemon with the Synchronize ability at the front of your party to influence Shaymin’s nature. Since this represents a one-time encounter per save file, nature optimization can significantly impact Shaymin’s competitive viability.
The eastern Victory Road exit becomes accessible only after you’ve achieved Champion status. This area features higher-level wild Pokemon, so ensure your team is adequately leveled before attempting this segment of the quest.
Shiny Hunting Mechanics
Shaymin lacks shiny locking in Pokemon BDSP, providing determined hunters with a rare opportunity to obtain a legitimate shiny mythical Pokemon. This contrasts with some previous generations where certain mythicals were permanently shiny-locked.
The standard full-odds shiny rate of 1 in 4096 applies to Shaymin, meaning successful hunting requires substantial patience and time investment. The soft reset method involves saving directly before the encounter and resetting until the desired shiny appears.
For efficiency-focused hunters, allocate approximately 8-12 hours of dedicated resetting for reasonable probability of success. Using a Pokemon with the Sparkling Power sandwich effect from the advanced gameplay mechanics can improve odds significantly.
This represents one of the few opportunities in the franchise to obtain a shiny mythical Pokemon through legitimate means, making it particularly valuable for collectors and competitive players alike.
Gracidea Acquisition and Usage
After successfully capturing Shaymin, return to Floaroma Town to locate the NPC who distributes the Gracidea flower. This character positions themselves in the town center, specifically northeast of the NPCs who provide Mew and Jirachi to players with save data from other Pokemon games.

The Gracidea enables Shaymin’s transformation into its Sky Forme, which features dramatically altered stat distribution. Sky Forme emphasizes speed and offensive capabilities while reducing defensive bulk, creating a glass cannon-style Pokemon perfect for offensive strategies.
Transformation occurs only during daytime hours (10 AM to 8 PM in-game), and reverts automatically at night. Placing Sky Forme Shaymin in PC storage also triggers reversion to Land Forme, requiring careful management of your team composition.
This mechanic parallels the strategic transformations found in other games, requiring players to consider timing and team placement decisions strategically.
Action Checklist
- Access Mystery Gift via Internet before March 27, 2022
- Complete Sinnoh Pokedex and defeat Elite Four
- Navigate to Route 224 via eastern Victory Road exit
- Speak with Professor Oak and answer gratitude question
- Capture Shaymin using status conditions and appropriate Poke Balls
- Return to Floaroma Town for Gracidea flower
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Shaymin now available in Pokemon BDSP with mystery gift item Complete guide to obtaining Shaymin in Pokemon BDSP with time-sensitive event details and transformation tips
