How to Capture the Elusive Manaphy and Phione in Pokémon Legends: Arceus

So, you’re ready to undertake Request 66, “The Sea’s Legend,” and add the Mythical Manaphy and its adorable counterpart, Phione, to your Pokémon Legends: Arceus team? Excellent! This guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you don’t miss a single detail. Be warned, trainers, this quest requires patience and a specific Pokémon party composition! Let’s dive in.

Unlocking the Sea’s Legend: Your First Step

Before you even think about Manaphy and Phione, you need to progress far enough in the game to complete the main story. This means facing off against the final boss and witnessing the end credits. Only then will you be able to access Request 66. Once you’ve wrapped up the main narrative, head to the Professor’s lab in Jubilife Village. Check the blackboard. Request 66, “The Sea’s Legend,” will be waiting for you. Accept the quest to begin your journey.

The Key to the Hollow: Assembling Your Aquatic Team

Now comes the crucial part: building the right team. The legend speaks of specific Pokémon that will unlock the path to Manaphy and Phione. You must have the following Pokémon in your party, and they must be physically present (not stored in a pasture):

• Buizel: Easily found in the Obsidian Fieldlands, particularly around the Horseshoe Plains.
• Hisuian Qwilfish: Obtainable by evolving Qwilfish in the Cobalt Coastlands. Teach your Qwilfish the move “Barb Barrage,” and then use it in Strong Style twenty times. This will trigger the evolution into the Hisuian form.
• Mantyke: Found in the Cobalt Coastlands. Check the waters around Ginkgo Landing or Veilstone Cape.

Once you have these three aquatic allies, it’s time to journey to the Cobalt Coastlands.

Ride the Waves: Triggering the Seaside Hollow

With your team assembled, head to the eastern part of the Cobalt Coastlands. You’re looking for a prominent stone arch sticking out of the water. This archway is your trigger point. You must be riding Basculegion to pass under it. Ride through the arch (either direction works) and listen carefully. A message should appear on screen indicating that “A faraway cave seems to be reacting to your presence…” This confirms that you’ve activated the Seaside Hollow.

Entering the Seaside Hollow: The Battle Begins

Fast travel to the nearby Coastlands Camp and then make your way to the Seaside Hollow. This cave is located in the north-western part of Veilstone Cape. Enter the cave, and you’ll immediately face a battle against Manaphy and two Phione.

Confronting Manaphy and Phione: Strategies for Success

This is more of a focused capture than a traditional “boss battle,” but that doesn’t mean it’s easy! Manaphy is the primary target, but the two Phione can be disruptive with their attacks. Here are a few tips to help you succeed:

• Focus Fire: Initially, try to single out Manaphy. Use Pokémon with strong, accurate moves that can quickly whittle down its health.
• Status Effects: Inflict status conditions like paralysis or sleep to make capturing easier. Just be mindful of their HP.
• Ultra Balls: Use Ultra Balls for the best chance of a successful capture.
• Stealth Approach: If possible, try sneaking up to get the first move advantage. This can make a huge difference.
• Beware of Knockout: If you accidentally knock out Manaphy before catching it, you will have to return to Jubilife Village to reset the area and try again.

Once you’ve successfully captured Manaphy, you’ll complete the primary objective of Request 66.

Catching Phione: The Post-Quest Grind

Even after catching Manaphy, you can still catch the Phione in the Seaside Hollow. However, they become much rarer, appearing with only a 1.94% spawn rate after Manaphy is caught. To get a Phione after capturing Manaphy, exit and re-enter the cave, or return to Jubilife Village and then back to the Cobalt Coastlands, to reset the spawns. Repeat this process until you find the Phione.

Reporting Back: Completing the Request

With Manaphy (and hopefully Phione) in your possession, return to Professor Laventon at the Galaxy Expedition Team HQ in Jubilife Village. Report your findings to complete Request 66. Congratulations! You’ve successfully captured Manaphy and potentially Phione!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are Manaphy and Phione shiny locked in Legends: Arceus?

Yes, unfortunately, Manaphy and Phione are shiny locked in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This means that no matter how many times you encounter them, they will never appear as shiny.

2. Can I catch Manaphy and Phione before completing the main story?

No. You must complete the main story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus before Request 66 becomes available, and therefore, before you can catch Manaphy and Phione.

3. What happens if I accidentally knock out Manaphy?

If you accidentally defeat Manaphy without catching it, don’t panic! Return to Jubilife Village, rest at your lodging, and then return to the Cobalt Coastlands. This should reset the area, allowing you to re-enter the Seaside Hollow and attempt the encounter again.

4. Do Manaphy and Phione respawn if I release them?

The first Manaphy and Phione are a one-time encounter related to Request 66. Once they’re caught, they’re caught. However, Phione can respawn in the Seaside Hollow after you catch Manaphy, albeit at a low rate.

5. Do I need to catch Darkrai and Shaymin to catch Arceus?

No, you do not need to catch Darkrai and Shaymin to catch Arceus, but you do need to catch Arceus to unlock the final story quests.

6. Where can I find Buizel for the quest?

Buizel is a relatively common Pokémon found in the Obsidian Fieldlands, particularly around the Horseshoe Plains and near the river.

7. How do I evolve Qwilfish into Hisuian Qwilfish?

To evolve Qwilfish into its Hisuian form, you need to use the move “Barb Barrage” in Strong Style twenty times. This can be achieved by fighting various Pokémon around the Cobalt Coastlands, and Qwilfish must be level 15 or higher to learn the move.

8. Where can I find Mantyke in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

Mantyke can be found in the Cobalt Coastlands, often swimming in the waters around Ginkgo Landing or Veilstone Cape.

9. Can Phione evolve into Manaphy?

No. Phione cannot evolve into Manaphy. Manaphy is the only Mythical Pokémon that can breed to produce a pre-evolution (Phione).

10. Can Phione breed in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

No. Breeding is not available in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This means you cannot breed Phione with Ditto or any other Pokémon to obtain more Phione.

11. Is Manaphy a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon?

Manaphy is classified as a Mythical Pokémon, not a Legendary Pokémon. There is a distinct difference between the two classifications, often based on how they are obtained in the games. Mythical Pokémon are typically only available through special events or promotions.

12. What level are Manaphy and Phione when you encounter them?

Manaphy and the Phione are encountered at around level 33.

13. What Pokémon is number 177 in the Hisui Pokédex?

Pokémon number 177 in the Hisui Pokédex is Magnemite, an Electric- and Steel-type Pokémon.

14. What is the best strategy for capturing Manaphy and Phione?

The best strategy is to focus your attacks on Manaphy first, using status conditions like sleep or paralysis to increase your chances of a successful capture. Use Ultra Balls for the highest catch rate. If possible, stealthily approach the Pokémon and throw your Pokéball to get a better start.

15. Are there any online communities where I can discuss Pokémon Legends: Arceus strategies?

Absolutely! There are numerous online communities dedicated to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, including subreddits like r/PokemonLegendsArceus, forums on sites like Serebii.net, and various Discord servers. You can find plenty of tips, tricks, and helpful players willing to share their experiences. You can also explore educational resources related to gaming at the Games Learning Society through their website at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Capturing Manaphy and Phione in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a rewarding experience that requires patience, the right team, and a bit of luck. Follow this guide, and you’ll be well on your way to adding these elusive Pokémon to your collection! Happy hunting, trainers!