How Many Times Can You Catch a Legendary in Crown Tundra? A Comprehensive Guide
The Crown Tundra DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced a treasure trove of Legendary Pokémon, sparking questions about their availability and catch mechanics. The straightforward answer to the core question is: you can catch each Legendary Pokémon in the Crown Tundra only once per save file. While you may encounter them multiple times, you are only able to capture each individual Legendary species a single time in your game. This fundamental rule applies to almost every Legendary and Mythical Pokémon you encounter, making each catch significant. However, the details, exceptions, and mechanics of this catch system are far more nuanced, as we’ll explore further.
Dynamax Adventures and Legendary Encounters
The primary way to encounter Legendary Pokémon in the Crown Tundra is through Dynamax Adventures within the Max Lair. This game mode is designed to offer a fun and rewarding experience, allowing players to battle and potentially catch various Legendary Pokémon. During these adventures, you will work your way through a series of Dynamax battles, choosing different paths that could lead to a variety of Legendaries.
The One-Time Catch Rule
Regardless of how many times you encounter a specific Legendary in Dynamax Adventures, you will only be able to catch it once. This means if you capture a Raikou at the end of a run, you won’t be able to catch another Raikou on subsequent adventures, even if you encounter it again. This system ensures that Legendaries remain rare and valuable, promoting careful consideration before initiating the capture.
Shiny Hunting and Respawning
A unique aspect of Dynamax Adventures is the ability to shiny hunt these rare Pokémon, as their shiny odds are significantly increased compared to regular encounters. The odds for a shiny Legendary in Dynamax Adventures is approximately 1 in 300. Here’s how this works:
- Legendaries will respawn: If you don’t catch a Legendary in the Max Lair and instead knock it out, it will reappear the next time you encounter it in a Dynamax Adventure, allowing you to attempt the catch again.
- Shiny hunting: This respawn feature makes hunting for a shiny Legendary possible. You can repeatedly encounter and knock out a Legendary until you encounter a shiny, then catch it.
- No catch equals respawn: Remember that the “one-time catch” rule only applies after you successfully catch the Legendary. If you KO the Legendary, it doesn’t count.
The 100% Catch Rate
Importantly, Legendary Pokémon in Dynamax Adventures have a 100% catch rate. Once you defeat them in the final encounter of the adventure, you are guaranteed to catch them. This mechanic is designed to remove the frustrations of failed capture attempts with difficult-to-catch legendary Pokémon. This ensures that the difficulty is in reaching them and not in catching them.
Legendary Encounters Outside Dynamax Adventures
While Dynamax Adventures are the main source of Legendary Pokémon in the Crown Tundra, some Legendaries are encountered in overworld encounters. These include the legendary birds and some of the new Pokémon introduced in the DLC.
Overworld Legendary Encounters
- The Galarian Legendary Birds: Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres can be found in the overworld of the Crown Tundra. These Pokémon are mobile and will flee when approached, requiring the player to track them down. They can be respawned if knocked out, so you can hunt for them as well.
- Other Legendaries: Some other Legendary encounters, such as Virizion, Terrakion and Cobalion, follow a similar process. These Pokémon will respawn if accidentally knocked out, provided they have not been caught.
Shiny Hunting in Overworld Encounters
The overworld encounters do not have boosted shiny odds like Dynamax Adventures. They still use the normal shiny odds (about 1 in 4096, unless you have a shiny charm). Despite this lower rate, these Legendaries can be shiny, and will respawn if KO’d. So, you can still attempt to shiny hunt these encounters.
Exceptions and Other Considerations
While the “one-catch per save file” rule is primarily consistent, there are a few considerations:
- Phione: An exception to this rule is the mythical Pokémon Phione, which can be caught three times. However, this exception does not apply to other Legendaries found in the Crown Tundra.
- Ultra Beasts: Some Ultra Beasts from previous games return to the Crown Tundra. While you can encounter some of these multiple times in Dynamax Adventures, like Legendaries, you can only catch each once per save file.
- Urshifu and Kubfu: Urshifu and its pre-evolution Kubfu are considered Legendary, despite having genders and a form change evolution. They can only be obtained once per game file.
- Master Balls: Peony gives you an additional Master Ball to help you catch the legendary pokemon you are looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To provide even more clarity, here are 15 frequently asked questions about catching Legendaries in the Crown Tundra:
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Can I catch multiple of the same Legendary Pokemon in the Crown Tundra?
No, you can only catch each Legendary species once per save file. This applies even if you encounter them multiple times in Dynamax Adventures. -
Do Legendaries respawn in Crown Tundra Dynamax Adventures if I knock them out?
Yes, Legendaries will respawn in Dynamax Adventures if you defeat them without catching them, allowing you to attempt the capture again. -
Is it possible to catch Shiny Legendaries in Crown Tundra?
Yes, Shiny Legendaries are possible in Dynamax Adventures, with a significantly higher encounter rate of roughly 1 in 300. -
Are the catch rates for Legendaries 100% in Dynamax Adventures?
Yes, once you defeat a Legendary in a Dynamax Adventure, you have a 100% chance to catch it. -
Can I catch the Galarian Birds more than once?
No, like other Legendaries, you can only catch each Galarian Bird (Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres) once per save file. -
What is the hardest Legendary to catch in the Crown Tundra?
The Galarian Articuno is often considered the most difficult due to its roaming behavior and need for tracking. -
Can I get multiple Master Balls to help catch Legendaries?
Yes, Peony will give you an additional Master Ball after completing an initial Dynamax Adventure. -
Do Ultra Beasts follow the same one-time catch rule as Legendaries?
Yes, Ultra Beasts can also only be caught once per save file, even if you encounter them multiple times in Dynamax Adventures. -
Is Urshifu a Legendary Pokemon and can I breed it?
Yes, Urshifu and Kubfu are Legendary, and as such, cannot be bred. They can only be obtained once. -
Can I catch a shiny Kubfu in the Crown Tundra?
The Kubfu received as part of the Isle of Armor DLC is shiny locked; however, Urshifu can be shiny via Dynamax Adventures. -
What is the final legendary quest in Crown Tundra?
The final quest involves capturing Necrozma, the Ultra Beast that opened up the wormhole above the Crown Tundra. -
How do I unlock Ultra Beasts in Crown Tundra?
You must complete all three of Peony’s legendary clues, which involves capturing the Galarian Birds, completing the Calyrex storyline, and catching the Regi’s. -
Are there any exceptions to the one Legendary per file rule?
The only exception is the Mythical Pokémon Phione, which you can catch three times per save file. -
Will Virizion respawn if I accidentally knock it out?
Yes, Virizion, like other overworld Legendaries, will respawn if you defeat it before catching it. -
Which is the best of the Galarian Legendary Birds?
Zapdos is generally considered to be the best of the three in terms of stats and battle viability.
Conclusion
The Crown Tundra offers an exciting opportunity to encounter and capture a plethora of Legendary Pokémon. While you are limited to catching each Legendary species only once per save file, the Dynamax Adventures offer a great way to encounter them, including a chance for shiny versions. Understanding the mechanics of respawns, catch rates, and the overall system will significantly enhance your experience in this thrilling part of the Pokémon world. Happy hunting!