As a budding Team Galactic Corps member thrown into the vast and unknown region of Hisui, there’s lots you’ll need to learn in order to survive. A lot is thrown at you in the opening hours of the game, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the new changes. Here are some things we found during our time with Pokémon Legends: Arceus that helped us on our adventure, and might just do the same for you as well.
CRAFT AND PURCHASE LOTS OF POKÉBALLS
If there’s one thing you’ll be doing more than anything else in Legends: Arceus, it’ll definitely be catching Pokémon. In your first few expeditions, you’ll be prompted to complete as many research tasks as you can, some of which often include catching small/big sizes of Pokémon, and just catching them in general. You’ll be running into Pokémon you want to catch all the time, so make sure to keep your stock up between expeditions by purchasing them from the shop, or crafting them yourself.
EXPAND THE SHOP’S ITEMS
The one place we always visited between expeditions was Jubilife Village’s one and only shop. A one stop place to pick up any potions or Poké Balls you might need for your next outing. The shop’s wares can be expanded each time you quell the Noble Pokémon of any given area by completing a side quest for the shop keeper. This means that the shop can be upgraded a total of four times, with each quest requiring materials from the next unlocked zone. Simply launch into an expedition, collect the resources you need, and return to Jubilife Village to complete the request, expanding the amount of items you can pick and choose from each time you shop.
EXPAND THE FARM’S CAPACITY
Much like the shop, Jubilife Village’s very own farm can be expanded so that each crop yields more resources for you to use in crafting. Requests will pop up upon area completion, and they’re as simple as providing a Pokémon that fits the description Miller asks for. If you’re worried about wanting to use that Pokémon later on, fret not, as you can always switch them out with another Pokémon after the fact.
ALWAYS LOOK TO COMPLETE RESEARCH TASKS
Completing Research Tasks will net you points towards upgrading your standing with Team Galactic, each time increasing the level cap of Pokémon that will obey you and unlocking you new recipes in the process. Making a note of these tasks and completing them as you go will see you climbing through the ranks in no time, letting you craft new Ball types, and make use of stronger Pokémon.
EXPAND YOUR BAG SIZE
In your early expeditions, there’s almost always going to be a decent amount of inventory management you’ll have to engage with. As your bag has limited slots, you’ll often be picking and choosing what to take back with you to base camp and Jubilife Village. On the first floor of Team Galactic HQ, Bagin can expand your bag size for a hefty sum of cash. This price goes up every time you upgrade, but it’s well worth the price.
MAKE USE OF STEALTH TO LEVEL UP YOUR PARTY
If you run out of potions in your early expeditions, try to make ample use of stealth to flank and capture Pokémon. This way, you avoid battle, but still earn experience points for your party, and progress towards Research Tasks. Hiding in tall bushes to get behind Pokémon will mean you’ll almost always get the capture and avoid a potentially deadly confrontation.
BE PATIENT IN FIGHTS AGAINST NOBLE POKÉMON
The hardest encounters in Legends: Arceus, are no doubt the ones you’ll have against the Frenzied Noble Pokémon in each area. These fights see you avoiding attacks and throwing Balms at the Pokémon to quell them. Instead of rushing in headfirst, examine how the Pokémon moves, and how you can dodge their attacks to create openings for yourself. When the time is right, let loose a Pokémon that can hit it with Super Effective moves for even more opportunities to throw Balms.
MAKE USE OF SPACE-TIME DISTORTIONS
Space-Time Distortions are bubbles that randomly appear on the map, acting as instabilities in time and space, creating a sort of pocket dimension where rare Pokémon and items can appear. You can net some incredible Pokémon in the early game inside some of these, and most of the items you’ll find will sell for high prices at the shop or can be used for evolutionary purposes. Be careful not to get too greedy, though, Space-Time Distortions often don’t have much hiding space for stealth captures, so sometimes battling is the only way forward!
SETUP NEW CAMPS IN EACH AREA
When exploring a new area for the first time, you’ll often run into a village member looking to construct new Base Camps for Corps members to use. These requests are often as simple as battling a Pokémon, finding someone for them, or collecting materials. It’s all pretty self-explanatory but having the extra camp available for getting around the maps is a huge help, especially in the post-game.
GAIN THE ADVANTAGE OVER ALPHA POKÉMON WITH A SECRET BACK STRIKE
Introduced early on in the Obsidian Fieldlands, Alpha Pokémon are powerful variants of Pokémon that are more hostile but drop better rewards, and come with a stat bonus if you catch them. They’re almost always higher level than you, but if you’re feeling confident, try to sneak around the back of one, and initiate battle with a Secret Back Strike. This will let you act twice before the Alpha Pokémon does, and can even lead to three turns if you make ample use of Styles.
