Are You Supposed to Defeat Eternatus? A Deep Dive into the Legendary Battle
The question of whether you’re supposed to defeat Eternatus in Pokémon Sword and Shield is a common one, and the answer is a resounding yes, absolutely! While the initial encounter might feel overwhelming, with your Pokémon unable to attack for the first few turns, it’s designed to be a pivotal moment in the game’s narrative. You are not meant to win the first phase of the battle, but you are absolutely meant to defeat Eternatus in its second, catchable form. This encounter is less about a straight-up power struggle and more about setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow. Let’s delve into the details of this epic battle and what happens before, during, and after it.
The Initial Encounter and Its Purpose
Understanding the Intentional Weakness
When you first face Eternatus, your Pokémon will be mysteriously unable to attack for the initial turns. This is not a bug or a glitch; it’s a deliberate design choice by the game developers. They wanted to convey the sheer power of Eternatus, making it feel like an insurmountable obstacle at first. This creates a sense of dread and emphasizes the gravity of the situation. The game even uses a level 16 Electrike to highlight the difficulty of this first phase. You’re meant to lose this initial clash.
Transitioning to the Real Fight
After this initial humbling experience, the game transitions into the actual battle where you’re meant to succeed. Once the story progresses, and after a sequence of events, you’ll finally have the ability to fight and defeat Eternatus. This is when the real challenge begins, not as a test of your Pokemon’s immediate strength, but rather a strategic battle, requiring tactical moves and a bit of patience.
Catching Eternatus: A Guaranteed Success
The 100% Catch Rate
After defeating Eternatus in this second phase, the game grants you an unparalleled advantage: Eternatus has a 100 percent catch rate. This is a significant departure from the usual difficulty in catching legendary Pokémon. You can throw any Poké Ball you have, and it will be successful. This means you don’t have to worry about conserving your Master Ball or using specialized Poké Balls. This is designed to be a reward for successfully navigating the challenging battle and allows you to seamlessly continue with the story.
What Happens After You Catch Eternatus
Following your successful capture, the game progresses to the next phase. You will wake up in a hotel in Wyndon. This serves as a transitional moment for the story, preparing you for the final challenge with Leon. You will find Hop there, as he is also a part of this storyline.
Post-Battle Significance of Eternatus
Importance in Post-Game Battles
Eternatus becomes a valuable addition to your team, especially for the post-game content. You will most likely need Eternatus during a few tough battles. You will need them for completing any Gigantamax Raid Battles too, so training it is essential.
Understanding Eternatus’s Two Forms
Eternatus has two primary forms: its regular form and Eternamax form. The Eternamax form is encountered in the initial battle. However, you cannot transform your Eternatus into its Eternamax form during battle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Eternatus
1. What happens if you lose to Eternatus?
If you lose during the initial encounter where your Pokémon can’t attack, you will simply lose some Poke Dollars and be returned to the closest Pokémon Center. You can then retry the battle.
2. Is Eternatus stronger than Zacian or Zamazenta?
While the combined stats of Zacian and Zamazenta are slightly higher than Eternatus, Eternatus’s move-set is considered superior, making it a formidable opponent and ally.
3. Is Eternatus more powerful than Arceus?
In terms of in-game stats, Gigantamax Eternatus is more powerful than Arceus, with a base stat total of 1125 compared to Arceus’ 720. However, Eternamax Eternatus is not obtainable.
4. Is Eternatus the most powerful Pokémon ever?
The Eternamax form of Eternatus is considered the most powerful in the series due to its high base stats. However, it is not a form you can use in battle.
5. Do you get Eternatus before Leon?
Yes, you encounter and catch Eternatus right before your battle with Leon.
6. Can Eternatus Dynamax after you catch it?
No, the Eternamax form is only encountered during the story battle. You cannot Dynamax or Gigantamax it into that form after you catch it.
7. What did Goh do with Eternatus?
In the anime, Goh catches Eternatus and then leaves it with Professor Magnolia for safekeeping, further emphasizing its dangerous power.
8. Can you breed two Eternatus?
No, legendary Pokémon, including Eternatus, cannot breed.
9. Do you get Eternatus before Zacian?
Yes, you get Eternatus before you encounter and obtain Zacian.
10. Is Eternatus a legendary or mythical Pokémon?
Eternatus is a legendary Pokémon, obtainable in both versions of Sword and Shield.
11. Can Zacian and Zamazenta defeat Eternatus?
Yes, in the lore of the game, Zacian and Zamazenta work together to defeat Eternatus, preventing it from destroying the Galar region.
12. How do I soft reset for Eternatus?
To soft reset for a preferred nature on Eternatus, faint in the Dynamax battle. Return from the Pokémon Center and save before the next battle, allowing you to re-fight the second phase of the battle more easily.
13. Does Ash catch Eternatus?
No, in the anime, Goh catches Eternatus. Ash helps Goh to defeat it.
14. Why can’t Zacian Dynamax?
Zacian and Zamazenta are designed to play an anti-Dynamax role in the story. Their signature moves deal bonus damage to Dynamaxed Pokémon.
15. How rare is Eternatus VMAX?
Eternatus VMAX is an Ultra Rare card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, you are absolutely supposed to defeat Eternatus. The initial, seemingly unwinnable encounter is a narrative device that sets the stage for an epic battle and the subsequent capture of this powerful legendary Pokémon. By understanding the game mechanics, appreciating the story significance, and knowing how to use Eternatus to your advantage, you can enhance your gameplay experience in Pokémon Sword and Shield. From its easy catch rate to its pivotal role in the post-game, Eternatus is a unique and unforgettable legendary Pokémon that is meant to be added to your team.