Do Repels Work on Legendary Pokémon? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: it depends. Repels interact with Legendary Pokémon in complex ways that are specific to each generation and even individual Legendary Pokémon. While repels don’t guarantee an encounter with a Legendary, they can certainly influence which Pokémon you encounter, or even prevent encounters entirely, in certain scenarios.
Understanding How Repels Function
Before diving into specific Legendary Pokémon, it’s vital to understand how repels function in the Pokémon world. A repel is an item that prevents encounters with weaker wild Pokémon. When active, a repel prevents Pokémon with a level lower than your lead Pokémon (the Pokémon in the first slot of your party) from appearing in the wild. The key phrase here is “lower level.”
This simple mechanic has interesting implications when hunting Legendary Pokémon, especially roaming legendaries, which are only available after completing the Elite Four. The presence of a Legendary Pokémon in an area doesn’t negate the effect of a repel. The repel still prevents encounters with weaker, non-Legendary Pokémon.
Repels and Roaming Legendaries: A Delicate Dance
Roaming Legendaries, like Entei, Raikou, and Suicune from Generation II or Cresselia from Generation IV, present a unique challenge. They move randomly across different routes, making them difficult to track down. Whether repels work on them can vary by generation and even by the specific Legendary. For example, Repels can be very useful when trying to encounter Cresselia, due to the static level of Cresselia after certain story events have taken place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Repels and Legendaries
Do repels guarantee an encounter with a roaming Legendary?
No, repels do not guarantee an encounter with a roaming Legendary. They only eliminate encounters with weaker wild Pokémon. The Legendary still needs to be present in the specific area you’re in.
Will a high-level Pokémon with a repel prevent all wild Pokémon from appearing?
Yes, if your lead Pokémon is a higher level than all the other wild Pokémon in the area, using a repel will effectively prevent all normal wild Pokémon encounters. This can be useful for focusing your efforts on finding a Legendary.
Does the repel trick work on all roaming Legendaries?
No, the effectiveness of the repel trick varies. Some Legendaries, like Suicune in some games, might not be affected by the repel trick. Others, like Mesprit, are affected by the repel trick. Be sure to research each particular Legendary and their spawn specifics to make sure repels work in your favor.
What happens if my lead Pokémon’s level is too high when hunting for a Legendary?
If your lead Pokémon’s level is higher than the Legendary Pokémon’s level, and the area is populated by Pokémon lower-leveled than your party leader, a repel will prevent any encounters with Legendary Pokémon. So, having a Pokémon lower than or equivalent to the Legendary you are hunting is essential.
Do abilities like Illuminate or Swarm affect Legendary encounters?
Abilities like Illuminate and Swarm, which increase the encounter rate of wild Pokémon, do not specifically target Legendary Pokémon. They increase the overall encounter rate, meaning there’s a higher chance you’ll stumble upon the Legendary, but they don’t force the Legendary to appear.
What’s the best strategy for finding roaming Legendaries using repels?
The best strategy involves finding an area where the Legendary is likely to appear, using a Pokémon in your lead slot that is the same level as the roaming Legendary, activating a repel, and then repeatedly entering and exiting buildings or changing areas until the Legendary appears. This maximizes your chances while minimizing encounters with weaker Pokémon.
Can status conditions like paralysis prevent Legendaries from fleeing?
Yes, status conditions like paralysis or sleep can prevent Legendary Pokémon from fleeing, or at least make it more difficult for them to escape. These conditions can give you more time to weaken and catch them. Moves like Thunder Wave are invaluable.
What are some moves that prevent Pokémon from fleeing?
Moves like Mean Look, Block, and abilities like Shadow Tag and Arena Trap prevent Pokémon from fleeing. Mega Gengar’s ability, Shadow Tag, is particularly useful.
Why are Legendary Pokémon so hard to catch?
Legendary Pokémon are intentionally difficult to catch due to their rarity and power. They often have low catch rates, high stats, and the tendency to flee from battle. The difficulty of catching them is what makes securing one so rewarding to players. This is also one of the things that can make these games great for learning! More information about the educational implications of video games can be found at the Games Learning Society, GamesLearningSociety.org.
What happens if I accidentally knock out a roaming Legendary?
In many games, if you accidentally knock out a roaming Legendary, it will reappear after you defeat the Elite Four again. However, it’s always best to avoid knocking them out if possible!
Does Wrap prevent Pokémon from fleeing?
Yes, Wrap is a trapping move that prevents the target from switching or escaping.
What’s the best type of Poké Ball to use for catching Legendaries?
Ultra Balls are generally considered the best for catching Legendary Pokémon due to their high catch rate. Timer Balls are also effective in longer battles. False Swipe or Hold Back are useful for dealing damage without knocking out a Legendary to help with lowering their HP to maximize capture chances.
Does the repel trick work on stationary Legendaries?
The repel trick is generally less useful for stationary Legendaries (those that appear in a fixed location) because you’re already guaranteed to find them. However, if you are hunting for a shiny in a game where the shiny is determined before the battle, you can use a Repel to prevent all encounters with weaker Pokémon.
Do repels affect the appearance of Shiny Pokémon?
No, repels do not affect the appearance of Shiny Pokémon. The encounter of a shiny Pokémon is independent of the repel’s effect. The ability of a Pokémon to be shiny is determined by its PID, hidden from view to the average player.
Can I leave Legendary Pokémon at gyms in Pokémon GO?
No, you cannot leave Legendary Pokémon at gyms in Pokémon GO. They are designed for attacking and raiding, not defending.
This detailed guide should help you understand how repels interact with Legendary Pokémon and how to best utilize them in your quest to catch ’em all! Happy hunting, trainers!