Table of Contents

Why Can’t I Catch Arceus in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

The burning question on every ambitious trainer’s mind in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is often this: “Why can’t I catch Arceus?” The short answer is that catching Arceus is the ultimate endgame goal, locked behind a significant amount of prerequisite work. You can’t simply stumble upon this mythical Pokémon early on. Think of it as the final exam after acing every course in your Hisui region curriculum. You need to complete the main story, defeat Volo, and then embark on a quest to capture almost every other Pokémon in the game before the opportunity to face and catch Arceus presents itself. It’s a test of dedication, patience, and comprehensive Pokédex completion. Now, let’s dive into the specifics of how you will gain the chance to catch this powerful Pokémon.

The Path to Meeting the Alpha Pokémon

Arceus isn’t just handed to you. It’s earned. The game cleverly gatekeeps this encounter to ensure you’ve truly explored the Hisui region and mastered the art of Pokémon catching and research. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:

Complete the Main Story: This is the fundamental first step. You need to experience the core narrative of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, resolving the space-time distortions plaguing the Hisui region. This involves battling key opponents and understanding the lore of the land.
Defeat Volo: Prepare for a challenging battle against Volo, a key character with ties to the history of Sinnoh (the region that Hisui eventually becomes). This is a significant hurdle that tests your team’s strength and strategic battling skills.
Initiate the Post-Game Quest: After defeating Volo, a cutscene will trigger, transforming your flute into the Azure Flute and tasking you with capturing all Pokémon. Your Arc Phone will guide you on this final mission.
Capture Almost Every Pokémon: This is the big one. You need to catch 237 Pokémon in the Hisui Pokédex. This means systematically exploring every area, battling and catching various species, and filling out your research notes. It is important to note that this does not mean achieving research level 10 on every Pokémon, just registering the capture of them.
Exceptions to the Rule: Fortunately, not every Pokémon is required. Shaymin, Darkrai, Manaphy, and Phione are exempt from this requirement. These are typically event-related or post-game Mythical Pokémon that aren’t essential for triggering the Arceus encounter.
Ascend to Mount Coronet: Once you’ve captured the required Pokémon, return to Mount Coronet and use the Azure Flute at the Spear Pillar. This will trigger a final encounter with Arceus, leading to the opportunity to battle and catch it.

Overcoming the Challenges

Catching almost every Pokémon in the game is no small feat. Here are some tips to make the process more manageable:

Utilize Ride Pokémon: Make full use of Wyrdeer, Braviary, and Basculegion to quickly traverse the Hisui region and access hard-to-reach areas.
Craft Poké Balls: Regularly replenish your Poké Ball supply by crafting them using Apricorns and Tumblestones. Experiment with different types of Poké Balls (Great Balls, Ultra Balls, etc.) for increased catch rates. Consider using the gigaton ball.
Complete Pokédex Tasks: While not required for the Arceus encounter, completing Pokédex tasks helps you understand Pokémon behavior, increasing your chances of successful catches. It is required to get the shiny charm!
Be Patient: Some Pokémon are rare and require patience to find. Use online resources and community guides to locate specific Pokémon spawn locations.
Take Advantage of Mass Outbreaks: Mass outbreaks are excellent opportunities to catch multiple Pokémon of the same species, speeding up your Pokédex completion progress.
Utilize Stealth: Stealth is key when approaching wild Pokémon. Crouch and use tall grass to your advantage to increase your chances of a successful back strike.
Prepare for Battles: Always have a well-rounded team of Pokémon with diverse type coverage to handle different wild encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Catching Arceus

Here are some frequently asked questions that will help you on your quest to catch Arceus:

1. Do I have to complete every Pokédex entry to get Arceus?

No. You only need to catch at least one of every Pokémon in the Hisui Pokédex (excluding Shaymin, Darkrai, Manaphy, and Phione) to unlock the Arceus encounter. Completing every Pokédex entry to Research Level 10 is required for receiving the Shiny Charm.

2. Do all Pokémon need Research Level 10 to catch Arceus?

Absolutely not. Only capturing one of each of the 237 required Pokémon in the Hisui Pokédex is sufficient for triggering the Arceus encounter. Getting everything to Research Level 10 earns you the Shiny Charm, which increases your chances of finding Shiny Pokémon.

3. Do I need Unown to get Arceus?

Yes, unfortunately, you need to catch all 28 Unown forms to complete the Hisui Pokédex and unlock the Arceus encounter. They are a necessary part of the “catch ’em all” requirement.

4. What Pokémon are not required to catch Arceus?

You do not need to catch Shaymin, Darkrai, Manaphy, or Phione to unlock the Arceus encounter. These are generally event-exclusive or post-game Mythical Pokémon.

5. What is the hardest Pokémon to catch to get Arceus?

This is subjective, but Cherubi is often cited as one of the more elusive Pokémon. Its spawn locations are limited, and it can take considerable time to find. You can often search in Obsidian Fieldlands, Crimson Mirelands, and Coronet Highlands.

6. Is Arceus hard to catch once I encounter it?

Arceus itself has a low catch rate of 3, indicating it can be difficult to catch. However, if you come well-prepared with Ultra Balls and status-inducing moves (like Sleep or Paralysis), you should eventually succeed with patience.

7. What are the requirements to catch Arceus, summarized?

Complete the main story
Defeat Volo
Capture 237 Pokémon in the Hisui Pokédex (excluding Shaymin, Darkrai, Manaphy, and Phione)
Obtain the Azure Flute
Use the Azure Flute at the Spear Pillar on Mount Coronet to trigger the Arceus encounter.

8. What happens if I catch all the Unown?

Catching all 28 forms of Unown unlocks their regular spawning within the Solaceon Ruins in the Crimson Mirelands. This includes the possibility of finding Alpha and Shiny Unown.

9. How many Pokémon do I have to catch before I can challenge Arceus?

You have to catch 237 Pokémon (the first 237 in the Pokédex) to trigger the final encounter.

10. Why is a specific request not showing up in my game (e.g., Request 67)?

Certain requests have specific triggers. For example, Request 67 requires speaking to Astair in Galaxy Hall before observing the Clefairy in the Coronet Highlands, and it must be during a full moon. Check online guides for specific request unlock requirements.

11. What is the catch rate of Arceus itself?

Arceus has a base catch rate of 3, which is quite low. This means you’ll likely need multiple attempts and strategic use of items and status conditions to catch it.

12. What are some good Pokémon to use when battling Arceus?

Pokémon with strong Fighting-type moves are generally effective against Arceus (Normal-type). Terrakion, Keldeo, Lucario, and Mega Blaziken are excellent choices.

13. How long does it take to complete the Pokédex in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

Completing the main game and catching the necessary Pokémon can take anywhere from 60 to 90 hours, depending on your playstyle and efficiency.

14. What is the easiest way to find a Cherubi?

Cherubi can be found in shaking trees in the Obsidian Fieldlands, Crimson Mirelands, and Coronet Highlands. Persistently check these locations and use save-scumming tactics if necessary.

15. Will completing every single task for a Pokémon increase the odds of finding one as a shiny?

Yes, completing every single research task for a Pokémon does increase the odds of finding that Pokémon as a shiny.

Final Thoughts

Catching Arceus in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a testament to your dedication as a trainer. It’s a challenging but rewarding experience that encourages exploration, strategic battling, and comprehensive Pokédex completion. The journey to catching Arceus is a testament to your growth as a trainer and your dedication to the Pokémon Legends: Arceus experience. Embrace the challenge, and remember that patience and perseverance are key! Learn more about the significance of games and how to enhance educational development at GamesLearningSociety.org