Game Freak has incorporated a special Max Raid Battle event in Pokémon Sword and Shield to commemorate the holiday season. Starting Friday, December 20, the Gen II Delivery bird Pokémon, Delibird, will spawn much more frequently in Max Raid Battles. In past Pokémon media, Delibird has been depicted as a helper to Santa Claus, making it a holiday-themed Pokémon.
Delibird can already be found in the Wild Area when the weather permits—usually in hail and snow, since it’s an Ice-Type—but for this event, defeating them will yield rewards that are “better than usual,” including more Ice-Type TRs and Exp. Candies. The event will run until December 26.
Other Pokémon are currently appearing in Max Raid Battles as well, according to the Gigantamax schedule on the Pokémon website. Until January 9, players are more likely to encounter Gigantamax Snorlax, who was first unveiled last month. Gigantamax Butterfree is also more likely to appear until sometime in “early January 2020.” Gigantamax Drednaw is appearing more frequently in Sword and Gigantamax Corviknight is appearing more frequently in Shield. This schedule “will change over time,” according to Game Freak, so other Gigantamax Pokémon will get a chance to appear more frequently in the future.
Outside of battling, another holiday bonus is currently available to Sword and Shield players. By using the code “PRESENT,” players will receive 10 Luxury Balls through the Mystery Gift feature. The code expires January 30.
Other Poké Balls can be redeemed through the Mystery Gift feature outside of the holiday event until January 15: the code “K0UN1NMASC0T” unlocks a Fast Ball, Moon Ball, and Level Ball; the code “1YAHAYA” unlocks a Heavy Ball, Lure Ball, and Beast Ball; and the code “0KUGAFUKA1B0RU” unlocks a Love Ball, Dream Ball, and Friend Ball.
Pokémon Sword and Shield have done extremely well since release, taking up three spots on the list of top ten best-selling games of November 2019, according to the last NPD report. Combined, the two games have become the fastest selling Switch games to date.