How to redeem mystery gift codes and get 'Sword and Shield's latest freebie
Christmas came early for Pokémon trainers.
Becoming the very best (like no one ever was) at Pokémon Sword and Shield requires a lot of grinding and careful strategy. The games contain a staggering 400 unique pocket monsters players can combine into powerful teams to take on other trainers in the online ranked battle mode. But Sword and Shield doles out the occasional freebie to help gamers in their quest.
The Pokémon Company released two Mystery Gift codes players can redeem before January 15, 2020. Both will unlock three free Pokéballs with unique abilities. Each can only be redeemed once per save file.
Pokémon Sword and Shield mystery gift codes and rewards
- K0UN1NMASC0T: Fast Ball, Moon Ball, Level Ball
- 1YAHAYA: Heavy Ball, Lure Ball, Beast Ball
Mystery Gifts have been a part of the franchise since Generation 2, but Sword and Shield added a menu players can use to redeem free Pokémon, items, and cosmetics. Players can access the menu by pressing the X button and navigating to the bottom-left option.
Sword and Shield has three ways to collect Mystery Gifts. Gamers will want to select the “Get with Code/Password” option for this event. Other Mystery Gifts, like Gigantamax Meowth, can still be redeemed with the “Get via Internet” option until January 15 as well.
These new Mystery Gift codes might not be as exciting as a free Meowth, but these special items can help players catch a pesky Pokémon that keeps escaping their grasp.
What is a Fast Ball?
This extremely useful Pokéball has a higher catch rate against Pokémon that have a high base Speed or are quick to flee. Throw it out when you’re sure the wild Pokémon you encounter will try to escape before you have a chance to get a hit in.
What is a Moon Ball?
Moon Balls are a little more niche. They make it easier to catch Pokémon that evolve using Moon Stones. These include [Munna](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Munna(Pok%C3%A9mon) and [Clefairy](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Clefairy(Pok%C3%A9mon).
What is a Level Ball?
This Pokéball has another unique use-case. Level Balls have a higher success rate depending on how many levels higher a trainer’s Pokémon is compared to the wild Pokémon they’re trying to catch.
This is best used for quickly catching a low-level Pokémon that you want to trade or evolve without spending time trying not to one-shot it or wasting more valuable items, like Ultra Balls.
What is a Heavy Ball?
A Heavy Ball makes it easier to catch larger Pokémon. Snorlax better watch its back.
What is a Lure Ball?
These aquatic Pokéballs are more likely to succeed when used in a fishing encounter.
What is a Beast Ball?
Beast Balls are essentially useless in Sword and Shield at the moment. They make it easier to catch Ultra Beasts but harder to catch regular Pokémon. However, there aren’t any Ultra Beasts in the Generation 8 games. Not yet, anyway.
Ultra Beasts were introduced in Gen 7. They’re extradimensional Pokémon with mysterious powers that are notoriously difficult to catch. This could be a hint that the Pokémon Company will eventually add Ultra Beasts to the games as part of a DLC pack. But there haven’t been any announcements about that just yet.
The two Sword and Shield Pokéball codes will be redeemable until January 15, 2020.
