When we love a game at LadiesGamers, we write a guide for it. After reviewing Pokémon Legends: Arceus and giving it a score of Two thumbs up, we decided a beginners guide was in order. So here is our Beginners Guide to Pokémon Legends: Arceus to help you get started as the game doesn’t tell you everything you need to know.
Hisui Region
Arceus takes place in the Hisui region. The Hisui region has Mt Coronet at the centre and multiple environments surrounding it, such as the Obsidian Fields. Each of these different environments has different Pokémon inhabiting the area, Crafting materials to be gathered, and quests to be completed.
Of course, along with this brand new game comes an all-new selection of Pokémon to choose from, and this also includes the starters you get to pick from at the beginning of the game.
Pick your Starter Pokémon
Although Pokémon Legends: Arceus is different in a lot of ways, the way the Pokémon types influence battles stays the same. Which is why, like always, there are three different types of starters to choose from. A Starter Pokémon is the first Pokémon you can call your own. In previous Pokémon games, the starter you pick is native to the region you begin your journey. However, in Arceus, the three choices you are presented with were brought in from around the world to Hisui by the Galaxy Expedition Team.
Rowlet
Rowlet is a Grass/Flying Pokémon that eventually evolves into a Grass/Fighting Pokémon and is the only starter PK with two types at the beginning of the game.
Cyndaquil
Cyndaquil is a Fire-type Pokémon, and eventually, it evokes into Fire/Ghost-type Pokémon. Handy to have in your team at the start of the game as there are not many Fire-type Pokémon in the starting areas.
Oshawatt
Oshawatt is a Water-type Pokémon that eventually evolves into a Water/Dark-type Pokémon. Having picked Oshawott myself, I can say he is pretty strong against the Noble Pokémon that you will come across at the game’s early stages.
Missions, Requests and Research
Pokémon Legends: Arceus follows a different system of progression through the game. The main point of Pokméon Legends: Arceus is in exploring the world and completing your Pokédex. You do this not just by catching a Pokémon but by completing certain tasks that help you gather more information.
There are three types of tasks to complete, Missions drive the storyline forward, Requests from villagers and such help you fill in your Pokédex. But, most important is the Research Tasks. They are the main way to complete the Pokédex Research Level and fill in the Pokédex, which in turn will increase your Star rank, of which there are ten levels, in the Galaxy Expedition Team. Moving up the ranks in the Galaxy Expedition Team will make Pokémon with a certain level obey you without question.
You can find a list of both Missions and Requests that you have taken on in the very handy in-game map. In addition, the Research tasks are listed in the Pokédex beside each Pokémon’s information. Check it often, and once you have completed some tasks, talk to Professor Laventon at a camp in the area you are in for a Pokédex progress report, and he will update your Pokédex. Of course, you also have to visit Cyllene and the Commander back in Jubilife to receive your Star Rank points each time Professor Laventon says you have increased your Star Rank.
Catching Pokémon and Battles
Unlike in traditional Pokémon games, wild Pokémon can be seen roaming about the environment in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Some Pokémon will flee when they see you, so you must sneak using the grass as cover.
You can use the ZL and ZR buttons to lock on to the wild Pokémon. Pokémon and throw a ball or one of your Pokémon at it to start a battle. Don’t forget to press X to switch between your items and Pokémon before you throw, to make sure you are throwing the correct thing. Once in battle, you can press Down and on the D-pad to change out your Pokémon from battle. Pressing Up on the D-pad gives you access to your items. When in a battle with more than one Pokémon, you can use the ZR button to change which opponents you want to target.
Battle Strategies
During a battle, you have the chance to change the attack your Pokémon is about to carry out on the opponent. Using the L or R shoulder button, you can switch between Agile Style or Strong Style versions of your Pokémon attacks.
Agile Style sacrifices some of your Pokémon power but will allow your Pokémon to move again more quickly. In comparison, Strong Style attacks take longer for your Pokémon to unleash. However, a strong Style attack is a more powerful attack and excellent for finishing off a weakened opponent. Don’t forget that even though you can now move around during a battle, don’t get caught between two fighting Pokémon as you will take damage and pass out.
Agile Style:
– Reduces the power of the move
– Raises the user’s action speed
– Uses more PP than usual
Strong Style:
– Boosts the power of the move
– Lowers the user’s action speed
– Uses more PP than usual.
Noble Pokémon
Noble Pokémon are special Pokémon within the region that have received a special blessing, many of which are somewhat powerful. You’ll know them once you come upon them as the storyline leads you to them.
During the story, Noble Pokémon get frenzied by various things. As part of the Survey Corps, you have to calm them down; this is the fun part.
However, these aren’t simply calmed by a Pokémon battle, but rather they require you to hit them with Balm made from their favourite food in addition to weakening them in a battle. So, at the start of a battle with a Nobel Pokémon, you use ZL to focus on the Noble and use ZR to throw Balm at the Noble to stun it.
If you manage to stun it, you create an opening in Noble’s defences by weakening it; you throw in your strongest Pokémon to battle it. Then the battle switches the enraged Noble Pokémon launching itself at you; you can dodge out of the way by pressing Y and the joystick in the direction you wish to go. A tip is to aim the advancing Pokémon into a wall or similar as you dodge out of the way, which helps stun it. The battle continues to alter between the sequences until there is a winner.
How to Change Your Team
There are two ways to change out your team members in Arceus as there aren’t any Pokéstops to visit or computer boxes to store your extra Pokémon. Instead, you can store extra Pokémon in the Pastures in Jubilife Village. Speak to the NPC at the gate of the Pasture to drop them off. The other way to store Pokémon is to speak to the NPC at the nearest Base Camp; he will also let you change your team of Pokémon.
Merit Points
As you play through Pokémon Legends: Arceus, you might come across a lost satchel in the field and pick it up. Unfortunately, the satchels are lost and will be reclaimed by their owner after you pick them up. The good thing is that every time a lost satchel is reclaimed by its owner, you earn Merit Points.
In Jubilife, just before the Training Grounds on the right-hand side is a stall; speak to Simona to exchange your Merit Points for Rare Candies, Poke Balls and other goodies like Evolution items.
Increase the Size of your Satchel.
While you are out roaming you will find you can pick up stuff. Medicinal Leek is one of the first things you find, and it comes in very handy to make a potion with for your Pokémon. Also, if you find a tree with berries on it, or a rock with ore in it, send out your Pokémon to harvest it. You can use them in recipes, and your pocket critters get exp as an added bonus. If your satchel gets too full, you can fast travel to each camp by using the map and from the camps, you can ask the Professor to fast travel you back to the town.
After you have completed mission six in the game, you can increase the size of your Satchel. Speak to Bagin in Jubilife village; he will add a few more slots to your Satchel for a price. Bagin can be found standing beside the left stairway inside the Galaxy Hall building in Jubilife.
Fast Travel, Healing and Crafting
You can fast travel to any camp on the map (the blue icon), and from each camp, you can fast travel back to Jubilife by talking to Professor Laventon at the camp. Use the tent in the camp to sleep in to heal your character, the team, and revive any Pokémon that have fainted.
Crafting items and Pokeballs can be done by visiting Anvin’s shop in the village and using the workbench or at any camp workbench dotted around the map. Also, in your bag in the Key Items section, a Crafting Kit allows you to craft potions and Pokeballs on the go. It should be noted that you can only craft if the items are in your bag. You receive recipes as rewards for completing requests and such.
Pokémon Moves
Pokémon Legends: Arceus adds a lot more freedom for preparing your Pokêmon team for battle by turning the choice of moves over to you. In traditional Pokémon games, you can either learn moves via TM or HM items, a move tutor or automatically when Pokémon level up.
In Arceus, all of these features are rolled into one and put in one place. Pay a visit to Zisu at the Training Grounds, and for a price, she can teach your Pokémon new moves and master moves.
Shops and Shopping
There are many shops in Jubilife village, and roaming Ginkgo Guild Merchants also sell wares. The General store in Jubilife is a great place to visit for all your Pokémon needs. Each Base Camp out in the field also acts as a Pokémon centre to buy a few items. Visit the Clothes shop to buy clothes (I’m no fashionista, but I couldn’t wait to get out of those boots!) and the Hairdresser to get a new haircut.
Space-time Distortion Fields
Later in the story, you are told about Space-time distortion Fields, huge swirling purple circle-shaped bubbles filled with powerful Pokémon that appear out in the field. Inside the Space-time distortion, you will find powerful Pokémom, as well as rare items.
When one opens up nearby, you’ll get an on-screen notice that a space-time distortion is occurring, and a swirling icon will note where the distortion is on your map. But enter with caution as you might find yourself surrounded by Powerful Pokémon.
Pokémon Mounts
After you receive the Celestica Flute, when you complete the Frenzy of the Lord of the Woods main storyline quest, you can call certain Pokémon from the wild and use them to travel across the area quicker. Each Pokémon you can ride upon has its special ability to help you in the game. The Celestica Flute will allow you to summon rideable Pokémon by selecting your desired mount with the D-Pad and hitting the + button.
All rideable Pokémon are given to you after a story event and a battle or two; you have to work for the privilege of using the Pokémon to travel.
Wyrdeer
Wyrdeer is the first rideable Pokémon you’ll acquire in Arceus in Obsidian Fieldlands. You can dash using the B button while on Wyrdeers back, and the Y button is used to jump.
Ursaluna
Ursaluna is a ground-based mount that you will obtain in Crimson Mirelands and can’t move as fast as Wyrdeer. When riding Ursaluna, you will see a flashing wave in front of the Pokémon. When the wave turns red, that means Ursaluna has sniffed out some treasure or a person. Ursaluna will pick up speed and rush to the spot where the treasure is buried; press the Y button to have Ursaluna dig for the treasure.
Swim, Climb and Fly
Basulegion
Basculegion is obtained in the next area you’ll visit on your journey across Hisui: the Cobalt Coastlands. After that, you can summon Basculegion near any body of water. Still, you’re also able to ride another mount into the water and automatically summon Basculegion once you hit the water, which is cool. Like Wyrdeer, Basculegion can dash with the B button and jump a little with Y.
Sneasler
Sneasler can be found in the Coronet Highlands, the fourth main location you’ll visit during the main story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Once you can call on Sneasler, you’ll be able to scale mountains all over Hisui. Press Y to jump up the side of a mountain or cliff quickly. If you are riding a different mount and come to the foot of a cliff, press A and your mount will automatically switch to Sneasler.
Braviary
When you reach Alabaster Icelands, and after a couple of storyline battles, Braviary becomes available to use. Unlocking Braviary means finally unlocking the ability to fly, which happens to be the most useful mount Pokémon in the game. If you press Y, Braviary will dive, and pressing B makes Braviary dash across the sky.