If you want to know what it feels like to be a Pokémon Scarlet and Violet International Champion, you don’t have long to wait. The Pokémon Company is giving out a Pokémon Scarlet and Violet shiny Arcanine based on the one that won the European International Championship – the best of the best dog Pokémon out there.
The North American International Championship is the largest Western tournament of the Play Pokémon season, featuring high-level competitive gameplay in Scarlet and Violet, Pokémon Go, Pokémon Unite, and the Pokémon TCG. The winners of these tournaments go on to shape the game’s meta, as seen with Paul Chua’s shiny Arcanine.
The Pokémon Company has given out Pokémon Scarlet and Violet mystery gift codes linked to these tournaments in the past, including the most recent addition of the Korean Championship-winning Gastrodon, but as of EUIC earlier this year, it’s started to give out codes for exclusive rewards in its other games as well. Whether this is an attempt to increase viewership of the tournaments outside of East Asia or The Pokémon Company is just feeling generous, we won’t say no to a freebie!
This special shiny Arcanine is a near-perfect replica of Paul Chua’s winning team member, from its ball down to its held item. This free gif gives you the chance to try out a champion’s winning strategy in your own battles and improve your game, while showing off with that shiny clout. There’s also a treat for Pokémon TCG Live players as well in the form of a full-art Iono supporter card. Iono is considered the strongest card to enter the TCG in the newest expansion, Paldea Evolved, and is one of the most expensive as well.
How do I get the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet shiny Arcanine?
You can get the mystery gift code for Paul Chua’s shiny Arcanine by tuning in to the North American International Championships from June 30 to July 2 on Twitch and YouTube. The code for the Iono card is scheduled to appear shortly after. You must redeem the shiny Arcanine by 17:00 PDT on July 3, 2023, and the Iono card by 23:00 PDT on July 10, 2023.
While fans are excited about the prospect of freebies, Pokémon Go and Pokémon Unite players are feeling left out. Twitter user @/BuckeyeFitzy said, “How about a code for something in GO and Unite also? Like one of @/TontonBatteuse‘s winning Pokémon from GO in EUIC. That would be a neat way to encourage players to try those other participating games too.” Scarlet and Violet VGC competition and the Pokémon TCG are the two largest games at these tournaments, but the competitive scenes for both Go and Unite are growing year after year.
That’s everything you need to know about the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet shiny Arcanine. For more of our favorite Poké-pals, check out our lists of the best flower Pokémon, cat Pokémon, and fish Pokémon.