Darmanitan in his Zen Mode form
Galarian Darmanitan is first introduced in the Southern Ruins where he is seen roaming around one of the rooms in furor. Tim and Pikachu befriend Darmanitan by giving him a Slowpoke Tail to eat. It is revealed that Darmanitan had become distrustful of humans as he and his Ice-type friends had been taken from their homes by a mysterious group (later revealed to be Unitas). Darmanitan and his friends had been able to escape these humans to the Southern Ruins which they had made their home by encasing the place in ice. Their presence also caused the surrounding area to snow unnaturally.
At the Southern Ruins, Darmanitan uses his strength to smash objects to help Tim to navigate the ruins. He also fights against a Unitas member and his Mamoswine, who had been trying to capture Pikachu from Tim and his group.
Darmanitan is later recruited by Pikachu in the final case investigating Unitas at the Pokémon Unity Lab. Darmanitan's strength is again used to gain access to the building, as well as navigate through areas blocked by large objects. Darmanitan also helps Tim and the rest of the group escape from Unitas members by buying them time by battling against Unitas members. Darmanitan is later brought in by Merloch alongside Luxray, Pangoro, and Growlithe at the climax of the game under the effects of a Control Cube, although he is freed from its effects when Merloch (fused with Deoxys) accidentally breaks the cube controller.
Personality and characteristics
Although Darmanitan appears initially intimidating at first, he is shown to be a good friend who cares for the other Ice-type Pokémon at the Southern Ruins. Darmanitan is shown to both harness the ability to use Ice-type moves to freeze water, as well as change to his Zen Mode form to use Fire-type moves. He is also shown to be resourceful in battle when fighting against a Unitas's Mamoswine, as well as being brave when buying Tim's group time to escape against Unitas members.
Ride action
Darmanitan can be ridden on by Pikachu at various points in the game. Pressing down the R button allows Darmanitan to destroy brittle items (such as rocks and ice) in front of Darmanitan with his punches.