Why Isn’t Arceus Readily Available in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl?

Arceus, the mythical Pokémon said to have shaped the universe, wasn’t simply waiting to be caught in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) upon their initial release. Its presence was tied to specific conditions and post-game content, making it a reward for dedicated players rather than a readily available encounter. The primary reason Arceus wasn’t immediately accessible is to preserve its status as a legendary and mythical Pokémon. It acts as an ultimate challenge and a reward for completing extensive game requirements, rather than being readily available to every player. Players had to beat the Elite Four, obtain the National Pokédex in BDSP, and have a save file from Pokémon Legends: Arceus on their Nintendo Switch system with all the main missions completed to unlock it.

Unlocking the God Pokémon: A Multi-Game Requirement

The steps to finally encounter and catch Arceus in BDSP were intentionally intricate:

• Hall of Fame Entry: You first needed to conquer the Pokémon League and etch your name in the Hall of Fame. This signifies you’ve completed the main story of BDSP.

• National Pokédex Acquisition: After becoming champion, you had to see all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Pokédex. This unlocked the National Pokédex, expanding your search to include Pokémon from other regions.

• Legends: Arceus Completion: Crucially, you also required a save file on your Nintendo Switch where you had completed all the main story missions in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This meant facing the various challenges in the Hisui region, quelling frenzied Noble Pokémon, and unraveling the mysteries of space-time distortions.

Once these conditions were met, a special event would trigger in your BDSP game, allowing you to access the Azure Flute and ascend Spear Pillar to finally confront Arceus. This multi-game requirement ensures only dedicated Pokémon trainers can attempt to catch the God Pokémon.

The Rationale Behind the Difficulty

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company implemented these measures for several reasons:

• Preservation of Lore: Arceus is not just any Pokémon; it’s a figure of immense power and significance within the Pokémon universe. Making it easily accessible would diminish its mystique and legendary status.

• Extended Playtime: The requirements encourage players to invest significant time in both BDSP and Legends: Arceus, increasing the overall engagement with the Pokémon franchise.

• Cross-Game Promotion: Tying Arceus to a separate game (Legends: Arceus) acts as a strong incentive for players to purchase and experience other entries in the Pokémon series. This is a common strategy in modern gaming to build a connected ecosystem.

• Reward for Dedication: Catching Arceus becomes a true accomplishment, a badge of honor that signifies a player’s deep commitment to the Pokémon games.

The 1.3.0 Update and Event Availability

It’s important to note that Arceus and Darkrai became accessible in the game on March 15th via update 1.3.0. This update was essential for triggering the event. The Darkrai event, requiring the Member Card, has since closed along with the Shaymin event, so Oak’s Letter is no longer distributed through Mystery Gift.

The Games Learning Society and the Educational Value of Games

The intricacies of unlocking Arceus, and similar challenges in other video games, highlight the learning potential within the gaming world. Games often require problem-solving, strategic thinking, and dedication to achieve goals. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores these educational aspects of games, researching how they can be used to promote learning and skill development in various contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I still get Arceus in BDSP if I didn’t complete Legends: Arceus?

No. Completing all the main story missions in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a strict requirement for triggering the Arceus event in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

2. Can Arceus be transferred to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Yes. Arceus can be transferred to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet via Pokémon HOME. You need to move Arceus from your Pokémon Legends: Arceus or Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl save data into Pokémon HOME, and then transfer it to your Scarlet and Violet game.

3. What Pokémon cannot be transferred to BDSP?

Pokémon from regions beyond Generation IV (Sinnoh) cannot be transferred to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. This includes Pokémon from Unova, Kalos, Alola, and Galar. Essentially, any Pokémon introduced after Diamond and Pearl is not natively compatible.

4. Do I need Darkrai or Shaymin to get Arceus in Legends: Arceus?

No, you don’t need Darkrai or Shaymin to unlock Arceus in Legends: Arceus. You need to capture all 237 of Hisui’s main Pokémon.

5. Can I transfer Hisuian Pokémon to BDSP?

No. While some Pokémon that appear in Legends: Arceus are compatible with Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, Hisuian forms of pre-Gen 4 Pokémon (like Hisuian Typhlosion) are not. BDSP is primarily focused on the original Sinnoh Pokédex.

6. What happens if I use an “illegal” Pokémon in online battles?

Using an “illegal” or hacked Pokémon in online battles or trades can result in temporary bans from online play. In official tournaments, it could lead to a permanent ban from participating in future events.

7. Can Pikachu wearing a special hat be transferred to Pokémon HOME?

Generally, Pokémon wearing event hats or special costumes cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME. This is often done to prevent the duplication or misuse of event-exclusive Pokémon.

8. Where is Mewtwo in Pokémon Violet?

You can catch Mewtwo in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet by defeating it in a seven-star Tera Raid Battle when the event is active.

9. Can Darkrai be transferred to Scarlet and Violet?

Yes, Darkrai can be transferred to Scarlet and Violet via Pokemon Home as part of the compatibility update.

10. Why don’t traded Pokémon obey me in BDSP?

Traded Pokémon won’t obey your orders until you have earned enough Gym Badges. Each Gym Badge allows you to control Pokémon of a higher level.

11. Why can’t I put Spinda in BDSP?

Spinda caught in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond or Pokemon Shining Pearl cannot be deposited in Pokemon HOME. It is also not possible to transfer a Spinda from Pokemon HOME into Pokemon Brilliant Diamond or Pokemon Shining Pearl if it was originally moved from Pokemon Bank.

12. Why can’t you transfer Nincada to BDSP?

Whether a Nincada can be deposited into different games depends on the game it originates from. Nincada caught in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Pokémon Shining Pearl can only be deposited into Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Pokémon Shining Pearl.

13. What happens if you knock out Darkrai in Legends: Arceus?

If you knock out Darkrai in Legends: Arceus, it will respawn after you return to Jubilife Village.

14. How do you know if a Pokémon is “illegal”?

One way to tell is to check the ribbons. If a Pokemon with the Beauty Ribbon was caught in, say, the Johto region, it’s illegal, as said ribbon could only be obtained in RSE.

15. Is it illegal to have hacked Pokémon?

The game only checks if your Pokémon is illegal or not, and if it is not legit, the only ‘punishment’ you get is that and only that specific Pokémon not getting to reach online content.