Who Has Caught Eternatus? Unraveling the Mystery of the Gigantic Pokémon
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of who has caught Eternatus, the colossal and enigmatic Pokémon from the Galar region, often leads to confusion. While it is a central figure in the Pokémon Sword and Shield storyline, its capture isn’t quite as straightforward as catching most Pokémon. The definitive answer to the question “Who has caught Eternatus?” is that in the anime, Goh is the one who ultimately catches Eternatus, with help from Ash. This pivotal moment occurs after a fierce battle where the combined power of Ash, Goh, Zacian, and Zamazenta is needed to subdue it. However, the circumstances surrounding the capture, and its subsequent handling, are quite unique.
The Capture of Eternatus: A Collaborative Effort
In the Pokémon Journeys: The Series anime, the climax of the Galar storyline sees Ash and Goh confronting the rampaging Eternatus. This event mirrors the storyline of the Pokémon Sword and Shield video games, where players face the gigantic Pokémon at the Energy Plant.
How Goh and Ash Captured Eternatus
The battle against Eternatus is a desperate and difficult struggle, where the immense power of Dynamax is used. After a grueling fight, aided by the legendary Zacian and Zamazenta, Ash and Goh manage to defeat Eternatus. However, unlike most Pokémon battles, where the trainer weakens the opponent, Eternatus is defeated by Ash, Goh, Zacian and Zamazenta. It is at this point, after being defeated, that a Poké Ball thrown by Goh, with assistance from Ash, is able to successfully capture the behemoth. This shared capture highlights the unique circumstances surrounding Eternatus.
Post-Capture: Safekeeping by Professor Magnolia
After capture, Eternatus’ immense power and the sheer danger of its presence make it impractical for Goh to keep it personally. As a result, the Poké Ball containing Eternatus is sealed away in a safe by Professor Magnolia for safekeeping. This ensures that the powerful Pokémon’s energy is kept in check, and it does not become a threat to the Galar region once more. It’s important to note that Goh does not actively use Eternatus after its capture, and it is not stored in his general roster of Pokémon. Instead it is placed in safe keeping due to its power.
Eternatus Capture in the Video Games
The game mechanics of Pokémon Sword and Shield present a different, yet related, narrative regarding Eternatus. Unlike the anime’s emphasis on a collaborative capture after defeating it, the games present a mandatory capture with a 100% catch rate.
The Battle
Players encounter Eternamax Eternatus, which is the transformed state of Eternatus due to the machinations of Chairman Rose. This form is incredibly powerful. Players need to use specific plot driven Pokémon to win this fight.
100% Catch Rate
Unlike most battles, after players successfully defeat Eternatus in its Eternamax form, the game progresses to the next phase. There is a mandatory, immediate encounter where players throw a Poké Ball with a 100% catch rate. This ensures players can add this legendary Pokémon to their team. The lack of challenge in the capture is intentional, emphasizing its importance to the game’s storyline.
Post-Capture in the Games
In the game, unlike the anime, after it has been captured Eternatus becomes a usable member of the player’s party. Players do not need to hand the pokemon over to anyone for safekeeping and can even train it up and use it to battle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Eternatus
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Eternatus to deepen your understanding of this unique and powerful Pokémon:
1. Was I supposed to catch Eternatus?
Yes, in Pokémon Sword and Shield, the game mechanics are designed for you to catch Eternatus. It’s part of the core storyline after the boss battle, and you can’t progress without catching it. Unlike other legendary captures it happens after it has been defeated in battle, not before.
2. Is Eternatus a 100% catch?
Yes, Eternatus has a 100% catch rate in the game once you have defeated it in its Eternamax form, meaning that any Poké Ball will guarantee the capture and there is no need to waste any rare or powerful Poké Balls.
3. Did Zacian and Zamazenta defeat Eternatus?
In both the anime and game scenarios, Zacian and Zamazenta play crucial roles. In the anime, they were part of the battle that allowed Ash and Goh to defeat it first. In the game, they are also very key to the player’s final victory over Eternamax Eternatus.
4. Why is Zacian missing an ear?
Zacian and Zamazenta both lost a piece of their ear and parts of their armor during the fierce battle against Eternatus. This is a visual cue of the intense struggle they went through.
5. Is Eternatus faster than Zacian?
No, generally Zacian is faster than Eternatus. In its base form, Zacian is significantly faster. This emphasizes how powerful Zacian can be in battle.
6. How do I get Eternatus to Dynamax?
The Eternamax form of Eternatus is encountered exclusively during the final battle and cannot be accessed by the player. Even though it’s from the Dynamax phenomenon it can’t be used in that way.
7. Is Eternatus VMAX rare?
The Eternatus VMAX Pokémon card is indeed a highly sought-after ultra rare card, which means that while not completely unobtainable, it is still difficult to find.
8. Is Eternatus the most powerful Pokémon ever?
Eternamax Eternatus, in its transformed state, holds a base stat total of 1,125, making it one of the most powerful Pokémon ever encountered in terms of raw stats. However, this state is not accessible to players.
9. Why does Eternatus look so weird?
Eternatus’s skeletal appearance is believed to result from its exposure to Dynamax energy over the eons, causing its physical body to erode. It is also implied that Dynamax energy is a form of alien toxin, that has transformed it.
10. Is Eternatus even good?
Eternatus is a formidable Pokémon due to its incredibly high base stats, its signature move, and its massive form, making it a valuable asset to your team, or a dangerous opponent in the game.
11. Is Eternatus weak to Ice?
As a Poison/Dragon-type Pokémon, Eternatus is weak to Ice, Ground, and Psychic attacks. Understanding this typing is essential for battling against it.
12. Did Ash have Eternatus?
No, Ash did not keep Eternatus after it was captured by Goh. While they both threw the pokeball, it was a combined effort and Goh is considered the capture. Goh placed the Poké Ball with Professor Magnolia, for safekeeping.
13. Can Arceus beat Eternatus?
Arceus’s performance against Eternatus would depend on the specific form of Eternatus, and the type of Arceus being used. While Eternatus has a higher special attack, Arceus has a stat advantage and is faster, making a type advantage the biggest factor.
14. Is Eternatus the third legendary?
Yes, Eternatus is the third legendary Pokémon that can be caught in Pokémon Sword and Shield and is a required part of the game story.
15. Why can Zacian not Dynamax?
Zacian and Zamazenta are designed to counter Dynamax. Their signature moves do bonus damage against Dynamaxed opponents and they are unable to dynamax themselves, as it goes against their role in the game and story.