Look, we've all been there. You're wandering through the Kalos region, your Froakie is doing its best, but you feel like your team is missing that specific oomph. Pokemon X and Y were weirdly generous. Like, almost suspiciously generous. Game Freak basically hands you a small army if you just talk to the right people at the right time.
If you aren't paying attention, you'll miss half of them.
Some of these Pokemon X gift Pokemon are absolute powerhouses that can carry a casual playthrough. Others are... well, they’re Magikarp. But even that Magikarp has a story. This isn't just about filling a Pokedex; it's about knowing which NPCs are actually worth your time and which ones are just there for flavor text. Kalos is a big place. Don't leave the "freebies" behind just because you were in a rush to get to the next Gym.
The Big Ones: Starters and Legends
Most people remember the first big choice. You get your Kalos starter from Tierno in Aquacorde Town. Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie. Standard stuff. But the real curveball happens in Lumiose City.
When you meet Professor Sycamore, he doesn't just talk your ear off about Mega Evolution. He fights you. And then, he gives you a Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. This was a massive deal back in 2013, and it honestly still feels like a bit of a cheat code today. Getting a Kanto starter with a Mega Stone before you've even hit the third gym? It changes the math of the entire game. If you took Froakie, grabbing a Bulbasaur creates a really solid type core early on.
Later, the game forces a Lucario onto you at the Tower of Mastery. This isn't just any Lucario. It’s Korrina’s Lucario, and it comes with the Lucarionite. Honestly, it's one of the most "main character" moments in the franchise. The Pokemon chooses you. It’s got decent IVs and basically guarantees you have a Mega-ready fighter for the mid-game.
The Weird Guys: Lapras and the Fossil Choice
Let's talk about Route 12. There's a guy just standing there. He’s not a trainer looking for a fight; he’s a guy who just... has a Lapras he can't take care of. This is arguably one of the best Pokemon X gift Pokemon because Lapras is a tanky beast that solves your "who is going to learn Surf?" problem immediately. You don't even need to hunt for it in the water.
Then there's the Glittering Cave.
You have to choose between the Jaw Fossil and the Sail Fossil. This isn't a "gift" in the traditional sense, but since you get it for free via the story, it counts. Tyrunt (Jaw) is a physical monster. Amaura (Sail) has a unique type combo but a lot of weaknesses. Most competitive players lean toward Tyrunt because Strong Jaw is such a punishing ability, but Amaura’s Refrigerate can do some wacky things with Normal-type moves.
The In-Game Trades: Not Technically Gifts, But Close
Some people ignore the NPCs in hotels and houses. Big mistake.
In Santalune City, there’s a hiker named Quinton. He wants a Bunnelby. Give him one. He gives you Farfetch’d (nicknamed Quacklin’). Is Farfetch’d top-tier? No. But it comes with an XP boost because it’s a traded Pokemon, making it a great early-game filler.
The real prize, though, is after you beat the Elite Four.
Go back to Lumiose City and find Shauna. She’ll offer you the unevolved form of whatever starter she picked. Since she picks the one weak to yours, you end up getting a second Kalos starter. It’s a nice way to round out the collection without needing to hop onto the GTS (which, let's be real, is a nightmare of "Give me a Level 100 Arceus for this Pidgey" requests).
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Why These Gifts Changed the Game
Kalos was the first time we saw 3D models in a mainline handheld game. The developers wanted players to see the "hits." By giving away Charmander or Lapras, they were leaning into nostalgia while showing off the new engine.
It’s also worth mentioning the "Magikarp Salesman." He’s in the hotels sometimes. Honestly, just ignore him. He wants 500 PokeDollars for a Magikarp. While technically a "gift" purchase, you can catch one with an Old Rod five minutes later. Save your cash for the expensive boutiques in Lumiose.
The Forgotten Fossil: Old Amber
Don't forget to smash rocks in the Glittering Cave. You can find Old Amber there. Take it to the Ambrette Town Fossil Lab and you get Aerodactyl. In Pokemon X, Aerodactyl gets a Mega Evolution. Having a high-speed flyer that can Mega Evolve is a massive advantage for the late-game Sky Battles, which can be surprisingly tricky if you aren't prepared.
Key Takeaways for Your Kalos Journey
- Talk to everyone in Lumiose: The city is a maze, but the rewards (like the Kanto starters) are essential.
- Save a spot for Lucario: You get him around the halfway point. Don't fill your team with six permanent members too early, or he’ll just end up in the PC.
- The Lapras is Level 30: If you get to Route 12 and your team is Level 40, it might feel like a downgrade, but Lapras's move pool is worth the grind.
- Check the hotels: NPCs rotate. Some offer trades, others give items, and once in a while, you’ll find a unique interaction.
If you’re looking to optimize a run, prioritize the Kanto starter and the Gift Lucario. They have the highest ceiling because of Mega Evolution. If you’re just playing for fun, grab that Lapras and the Fossil Pokemon—they add a lot of personality to a team that can otherwise feel a bit "standard."
The best way to handle these gifts is to plan your team around them before you start. If you know you're getting a free Lapras, don't bother catching a generic Water-type early on. If you want the T-Rex (Tyrunt), you don't need another heavy physical hitter. Use these gifts to fill the gaps in your strategy so you can spend your PokeBalls on the rare stuff in the Friend Safari later.
Go back to Ambrette Town right now if you haven't revived your fossil yet. That's usually the one people forget while they're busy trying to navigate the Lumiose streets.