Pokémon Sword and Shield: How to Unlock Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle | Gen 1 Getting Started Guide

It all depends on where you log in and how you take on the “challenges”. I'll walk you through everything you need to know in the quick guide below. Now, if you're curious about Pokémon Home, there are a bunch of new changes the service has made - here's a list of the 35 new transfer-only species you can play with. There are also legendary hidden items that you can now collect to further customize some of the best Pokémon.

How To Evolve All New Pokemon In The Galar Region »Helpful Wiki Evolution Guide | What is exclusive to each version? | How To Catch a Shiny Pokemon | Pick This Starter Pokémon For An Early Advantage | How to easily upgrade Canarticho to Palarticho | Shiny Aura System | How To Catch Upgraded Pokemon | Combo and Ultimate Moves | Move tutors locations | How To Catch Pokemon Easier | Guide to False Sweeping and Hypnosis | Guide to Easter eggs, secrets and references

To claim a new Pokémon mystery gift, you will need to download and set up an account for on mobile devices. These Pokémon are fully playable in Pokémon Sword & Shield, although they are not available in the main game - only Charmander can be captured normally in the Galar region for now.

• You can download here: iOS | Android

When you to connect to for the first time on mobile devices - not on the Nintendo Switch - Professor Grand Oak will give you one of three Pokémon. You can choose one of three Gen 1 starters to transfer to your collection, and they're all playable in.

• How to get a free Gen 1 Starter Pokémon: Log in to the Pokémon Home app for the first time on mobile devices and Professor Grand Oak will give you a choice of three Pokémon:

You can only choose one, but all three can fully evolve into their 2nd and 3rd forms. If you have, the three entries of this game (Brindibou, Flamiaou, Otaquin) can also be transferred to and played there, but you will not earn them as a reward.

You can also earn a Pichu bonus via. Pichu can be captured in Pokémon Sword & Shield, so getting a free one isn't exactly a high priority for collectors, but if you're a Pokémonac you'll likely unlock one while using it.

• How to get a Pichu mystery gift: Complete any “Challenge” in Pokémon Home to earn a Pichu. One challenge is enough.

Gen 1 Starters are just another nostalgic reason you'll want to download - along with all the other Pokémon (and Forms) that are only available on Transfers. If you're missing out on some of your favorites, Pokémon Home might be what you need.