Chasing the Illusion: How to Catch Galarian Articuno After It Flies Away
So, you’ve encountered the majestic Galarian Articuno, a Psychic/Flying-type variant of the classic Ice-type Legendary, only to have it vanish into the Crown Tundra’s frosty expanse? Don’t despair, trainer! This isn’t a permanent goodbye. The key is persistence and understanding Galarian Articuno’s behavior patterns. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to track it down and finally add it to your team.
The Art of the Chase: Locating Galarian Articuno
The first step is understanding that Galarian Articuno doesn’t simply disappear from the game world. It relocates to another fixed spawn point within the Crown Tundra. The most crucial factor is to revisit different areas within the Crown Tundra. Fast travel is your best friend here!
Step-by-Step Tracking Guide
- Initial Encounter and Flight: After triggering the initial encounter and Galarian Articuno flies away (either after failing to catch it or misidentifying the real one among its illusions), remember the area you were in. This helps narrow your search.
- Fly to Freezington: If you don’t know where to start looking, fly back to Freezington. This acts as a central point for accessing different areas of the Crown Tundra.
- Systematic Search: Begin systematically checking known spawn locations. Some frequently reported locations include:
- Old Cemetery: A popular starting point.
- Snowslide Slope: Especially the areas off to the side or at the top.
- Crown Shrine: Check the area around the shrine itself.
- Giant’s Bed: Scan the open fields and rocky outcrops.
- Ballimere Lake: Fly around the lake and look for it hovering near the water.
- Visual Cues: Galarian Articuno will be hovering a few meters above the ground, making it relatively easy to spot if you’re in the right area. Rotate the camera frequently to maximize your chances of spotting its distinctive purple plumage.
- Persistence is Key: It might take several attempts and revisiting multiple locations before you find it again. Don’t get discouraged! Galarian Articuno’s spawn location is random, so keep searching.
Understanding the Mechanics: Date Skipping and Spawns
The article mentions date skipping, but this is primarily relevant for resetting the initial spawn of Galarian Articuno (and the other Galarian birds) after completing the Crown Tundra storyline in Pokémon Sword & Shield. It doesn’t influence the respawn location after it flies away during an encounter. Once it is in the world, it is there until caught or knocked out.
Maximizing Your Catch Rate
Once you’ve located Galarian Articuno again, you’ll want to improve your chances of capturing it.
Battle Strategies
- Status Conditions: Inflict status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis. These significantly increase your catch rate.
- Lower Its Health: Carefully reduce its health to the red zone without knocking it out. Use moves that do fixed damage or have low base power.
- Avoid Hail: As mentioned in the provided text, avoid encounters in areas with hailing weather, as the hail will deplete Articuno’s health and potentially cause you to accidentally knock it out.
Ball Choice and Techniques
- Ultra Balls: These are your primary weapon of choice. Stock up on them before beginning your hunt.
- Curveball Throws: Learn to throw curveballs consistently. They increase your catch probability.
- Razz Berries/Golden Razz Berries: Use these to make Galarian Articuno more susceptible to capture. Golden Razz Berries are even more effective, although they’re rarer.
- Excellent Throws: Aim for Excellent throws to further boost your catch rate. This requires precise timing and accuracy.
Prepare for the Grind
Be patient! Galarian Articuno has a notoriously low catch rate. It may take dozens of Ultra Balls and multiple attempts before you finally secure the capture. The article states that it took one trainer 30 Ultra Balls, so be prepared for a potentially lengthy encounter. You can also visit the Games Learning Society for insight into the probability and randomness inherent in games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I accidentally knock out Galarian Articuno?
Don’t worry! Galarian Articuno will respawn in a different location within the Crown Tundra. Simply leave the area and return, then search for it again in the various spawn locations.
2. Does Galarian Articuno always fly away after the first encounter?
No, it doesn’t always fly away, but it is very likely due to its high flee rate. If you fail to catch it (even with a good throw and berry), it will disappear and relocate.
3. Is there a specific time of day when Galarian Articuno is more likely to spawn?
No, there’s no evidence to suggest that the time of day affects the spawn rate or location of Galarian Articuno.
4. Can I use a Master Ball to guarantee a catch?
Yes! A Master Ball guarantees a successful catch, regardless of the Pokémon’s catch rate or remaining health. If you’re struggling to catch Galarian Articuno and have a Master Ball to spare, it’s a viable option.
5. Does the weather affect the encounter rate?
No, the weather does not affect the encounter rate, however you should try to avoid hail because this will damage the Galarian Articuno.
6. Is Galarian Articuno shiny locked?
No. Unlike some legendary Pokémon in other games, Galarian Articuno is not shiny locked in Pokémon Sword and Shield. This means you have a chance (albeit a small one) of encountering a shiny version.
7. What level is Galarian Articuno?
Galarian Articuno is level 70 when you encounter it in the Crown Tundra.
8. What are the best Pokémon to use against Galarian Articuno?
Given its Psychic/Flying typing, Galarian Articuno is weak to Electric, Rock, and Dark-type moves. Strong Pokémon with these move types include Tyranitar, Raikou, and powerful electric types.
9. How can I tell which Articuno is the real one if it uses illusions?
Pay close attention to the wings. As the article indicates, the real Articuno’s wings will still move for a moment before the illusions all spin around. Focus on that one.
10. Does increasing my Pokémon’s level increase my catch rate?
No, your Pokémon’s level doesn’t directly increase your catch rate. However, a higher-level Pokémon is better equipped to lower Galarian Articuno’s health without knocking it out.
11. Is it possible to track Galarian Articuno’s movements after it flies away?
Unfortunately, no. There’s no in-game tracking system for Galarian Articuno. You’ll need to rely on systematically checking the known spawn locations.
12. Are there any glitches or exploits that can make catching Galarian Articuno easier?
While glitches and exploits may exist, it’s generally recommended to catch Galarian Articuno using legitimate methods. Exploiting glitches can potentially corrupt your save data or lead to other unforeseen issues.
13. How often does Galarian Articuno reappear after I defeat it?
Galarian Articuno reappears almost immediately in another location. Simply fly to another location and search for it again.
14. Can I catch multiple Galarian Articunos?
No, you can only catch one Galarian Articuno per save file in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
15. Is the Daily Adventure Incense in Pokémon GO the same as the regular Incense?
No, the Daily Adventure Incense is different from the regular Incense in Pokémon GO. The Daily Adventure Incense is free to use once per day and attracts different Pokémon, including the Galarian Birds. It is also limited to 15 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Catching Galarian Articuno after it flies away is a test of patience, skill, and perseverance. By understanding its spawn patterns, employing effective battle strategies, and utilizing the right tools, you can significantly increase your chances of adding this elusive Legendary to your collection. Embrace the challenge, trainer, and happy hunting!
For more on the strategic elements of games and learning, be sure to check out GamesLearningSociety.org.