[Last Chance] Pokemon Sword / Shield Event Gives Everyone A Chance To Catch Fat Pikachu

A new Max Raid event is now underway in Pokemon Sword and Shield. Unlike most previous Max Raid events, this one features only a single Pokemon, but it's a rare one: Gigantamax Pikachu. [Update: Gigantamax Pikachu will only be around in Max Raids until 4:59 PM PT / 7:59 PM ET today, May 18, making this your last chance to catch one before the games' next Wild Area event begins.]

Until May 18, Gigantamax Pikachu will appear as a Raid boss in dens across the Wild Area. This marks the first chance most players will have to catch the Pokemon. Previously, the only way to obtain Gigantamax Pikachu was if you had save data for Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu on your Switch. If you fell into that category, you would receive the special Pokemon as a free gift from a character in the Wild Area station.

Even if you already have a Gigantamax Pikachu, there are a few good incentives to participate in this event. Not only do you have a chance of finding a Shiny Gigantamax Pikachu, but each Pikachu you catch from five-star Raids will know the move Surf. You may also earn some helpful items from the Raids like Nuggets, Exp. and Dynamax Candy, and more.

After the Gigantamax Pikachu event ends, two more previously exclusive Pokemon will be featured in Max Raids. First, Gigantamax Eevee--which was similarly only available as a bonus for playing Let's Go, Eevee--will appear from May 19-25. After that, Gigantamax Meowth--which was available as an early purchase bonus--will appear from May 25 to June 1.

Two DLC expansions are on the way for Pokemon Sword and Shield this year: Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra. The former is slated to launch next month, while the latter is set to follow sometime this fall, and each will introduce a new area to explore, new and returning Pokemon to catch, and more. You can catch up on all the details in our roundup of everything we know about Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra.