Zarude the mythical ‘Rogue Monkey’ Pokémon has long been a pesky ‘mon to get, and this was no different in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Originally only available for trainers in Japan, there were various methods to get Zarude elsewhere, though this is now a messy web.
Japanese Pokéfans got first access thanks to tickets for the anime movie, ‘Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle’, which let them snag the mythical monkey back in August 2020. The rest of the world had to wait patiently until wider distribution of the Dark/Grass-type.
As well as being able to get standard Zarude, you could also obtain Dada Zarude in Pokémon Sword and Shield. This version of the mythical Pokémon came draped in the pink cloak it wore in the Secrets of the Jungle movie.
How to get Zarude
Unfortunately, the only way to get Zarude in Pokémon Sword and Shield is to receive it via a trade with someone who already has Zarude, as the various promotions over the years have now concluded.
Originally, standard Zarude could be obtained in Pokémon Sword and Shield via a code received from participating retail stores. However, other methods then became available for certain regions, such as signing up for various newsletters or obtaining them in Pokémon GO, which was complicated in its own right.
How to get Dada Zarude
Like the standard Zarude, the only way to get Dada Zarude nowadays is to trade with another player that already has Dada Zarude as the promotional events are now over.
You used to have to do just one simple task – sign up for the Pokémon Trainer Club newsletter and opt-in to email marketing, though this needed to be done before September 25, 2021…
Once you had done that, you just had to wait for a code to be emailed to you which could be used to add Dada Zarud to your Pokédex. This method also granted you a code for a shiny Celebi.
Zarude Stats
- Received at: Level 60
- Type: Dark/Grass
- Ability: Leaf Guard – Prevents status conditions in harsh sunlight.
Base Stats
| HP: 105 | Attack: 120 | Defense: 105 |
| Sp. Atk: 70 | Sp. Def: 95 | Speed: 105 |
Base Moves
| Move | Type | Category | Power | Accuracy | Effect |
| Close Combat | Fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | This move lowers the user’s Defense and Sp. Def stats. |
| Power Whip | Grass | Physical | 120 | 85 | No additional effect. |
| Swagger | Normal | Effect | – | 85 | This move confuses the target, but also raises its Attack stat. |
| Snarl | Dark | Special | 55 | 95 | This attack lowers the target’s Sp. Atk. |
You can catch Zarude in action below if you missed out on getting them:
Zarude Signature Move: Jungle Healing
Jungle Healing is unique in that Zarude is the only Pokémon able to use it in the games. Its move animation involves Zarude getting down on all-fours before vines sprout outwards from its back, emitting a swirl of healing energy in the process. The move was actually first featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game on the Lost Thunder set’s Sceptile-GX.
| Move | Type | Category | Power | Accuracy | Effect |
| Jungle Healing | Grass | Status | – | 100 | This move restores the team’s HP and cures status conditions. |
While you’ll have a very tough time getting your hands on Zarude in Pokémon Sword and Shield today, there are plenty of legendary Pokémon for you to collect. Just make sure you’ve got a solid grasp of the Pokémon type chart first.