Pokémon availability (Legends: Arceus)

This is the Pokémon availability in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

This game is compatible with 242 Pokémon, including all the Pokémon that debuted in Generation IV.

Availability

All 242 Pokémon are obtainable in-game. Most are repeatedly catchable in one or more of the 5 main areas: Obsidian Fieldlands, Crimson Mirelands, Cobalt Coastlands, Coronet Highlands, and Alabaster Icelands.

However, the 5 Mythical Pokemon present (all of which are from Generation IV) have restricted accessibility. Arceus can only be obtained after obtaining 237 Pokemon; Manaphy and Phione almost surely requires external hints that are found in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl; and Darkrai and Shaymin are only unlockable via save data bonuses from other Generation VIII games.
- In order to obtain Arceus, the player must have caught all 237 non-Mythical Pokemon in the Hisui Pokedex. This unlocks the mission "The Deified Pokemon", in which Arceus can be obtained.
- In order to obtain Manaphy and Phione, the player must have Quelled Lord Arcanine and have a star rank of 5, making the request "The Sea's Legend" available. Echoing the Sea's Legend book found in Canalave Library in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, they then must have Mantyke, Buizel and Overqwil in their party whilst they surf between the gate at Sand's Reach in the evening. If successful, Manaphy and three Phione can be caught in Seaside Hollow, with Phione being a rare spawn thereafter.
- In order to obtain Darkrai, the player must have save data from Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl on their Nintendo Switch system. If this requirement is met and the main story of Legends: Arceus has been completed, the request "The Darksome Nightmare" will become available, in which a Darkrai can be caught.
- In order to obtain Shaymin, the player must have save data from Pokémon Sword or Shield on their Nintendo Switch system. If this requirement is met and the main story of Legends: Arceus has been completed, the request "A Token of Gratitude" will become available, in which a Shaymin can be caught.

Additionally, Alolan Vulpix and the 13 Legendary Pokemon can only be obtained through in-game events.
- In order to obtain Alolan Vulpix, the player must catch the original form of Vulpix and obtain Hisuian Braviary as a ride Pokemon. If these requirements are met, the request "Snow-White Vulpix in the Snow" will become available, in which an Alolan Vulpix is gifted.
- Dialga and Palkia can be caught towards to the end of the main story.
- Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Heatran, Cresselia and Regigigas can be caught in the post-game story.
- Giratina, Thundurus, Tornadus and Landorus can be caught after defeating Volo in the Temple of Sinnoh.
- Enamorus is only obtainable after catching Thundurus, Tornadus and Landorus first.

Furthermore, obtaining Spiritomb requires collecting all wisps first (20 in each main area and 7 in Jubilife Village); and obtaining more Unown requires catching a single specimen of each form first (5 in each main area and 3 in Jubilife Village). The player can also only obtain one Hisuian first partner Pokémon in-game until completion of the main story.

Variant availability

In total, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is compatible with 369 forms, including all 17 new Hisuian forms. All Hisuian forms replace their original forms, except in the case of Sneasel, where both forms are included. 242 forms make up unique species, with an additional 59 forms being the result of gender differences. In addition to this, there are a further 27 Unown, 5 Rotom, 2 Burmy and 2 Wormadam forms; and a further 6 forms accounted by West/East Sea Shellos and Gastrodon, Alolan/Original Vulpix and Ninetales, Hisuian/Original Sneasel, and Overcast/Sunshine Cherrim. The remaining 26 forms, not yet counted, consist of 18 separate Arceus forms, as well as alternate forms for Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Enamorus, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina and Shaymin. Cherrim cannot appear in its Sunshine form when stored and Legend Plate Arceus appears as Blank Plate Arceus when stored. Legend Plate Arceus also does not count as a separate form entry in the Pokédex. Heights and weights for gender differences, except Basculegion, are not recorded separately in the Pokédex. Not included in the 369 total, are 2 additional Mothim forms, only separated internally, which are a result of evolution from either Plant, Sandy or Trash Cloak Burmy.

All forms can be obtained as alpha Pokémon except Alolan Vulpix, Alolan Ninetales, and those of the 18 in-game Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, totaling 46 forms excluded. All alpha Pokémon are the largest possible specimens for their species except Gyarados, Onix, Steelix, Rhyperior and Hisuian Avalugg. Only one Alolan Vulpix (or Alolan Ninetales), and only one of each of the in-game Legendary and Mythical Pokémon (except Phione) can be obtained (and only in their average size) without transferring.

All forms and their alpha equivalents can be Shiny; however, Alolan Vulpix, Alolan Ninetales, and the in-game Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are Shiny-locked and thus cannot be obtained Shiny without transferring them into the game. Shiny Enamorus is not currently legally obtainable as a result. Additionally, several in-game event Pokémon are Shiny-locked, but can be captured in the wild Shiny.

A selection of Pokémon can only be obtained in-game via rare spawns in space-time distortions, making their alpha, in-game Shiny, and Shiny alpha forms generally considered the rarest to collect in the game. These rare Pokémon are the original forms of Sneasel and Weavile (in Obsidian Fieldlands); Porygon, Porygon2 and Porygon-Z (in Crimson Mirelands); Magnemite and Magneton (in Cobalt Coastlands); and Shieldon, Bastiodon, Cranidos, and Rampardos (in Coronet Highlands). In addition, alpha and Shiny alpha Magnezone can only be obtained by catching (or evolving from) a rare space-time distortion spawn. Two similiarly rare categories are Pokémon obtained exclusively from shaking trees, namely Burmy and Wormadam; and female specimens of a species with a 7-male-to-1-female ratio, including the visibly gender different Eevee and Combee.

A total of 519 gender-form combinations (including Sunshine Cherrim and Legend Plate Arceus) are possible. 201 species, and 209 out of 310 forms (excluding gender differences), can be both female and male, amounting to 418 combinations after doubling. The remaining combinations are from 101 single gender forms across 41 species, further divided into 24 gender unknown species (Unown, the Porygon line, the Magnemite line, the Hisuian Voltorb line, the Bronzor line, Rotom, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Regigigas, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Arceus, Phione, Manaphy, Shaymin and Darkrai) with a total of 78 forms; 7 male-only species (Mothim, Gallade, Rufflet, Hisuian Braviary, Tornadus, Thundurus and Landorus) with a total of 10 forms; and 10 female-only species (Wormadam, Vespiquen, Happiny, Chansey, Blissey, Petilil, Lilligant, Froslass, Cresselia and Enamorus) with a total of 13 forms. For alphas, there are a total of 470 combinations, 49 less combinations, which consists of 46 less alpha forms for one gender and 3 less alpha forms (Alolan Vulpix, Alolan Ninetales, and Heatran) for the opposite gender.

Availability by Area

In the Obsidian Fieldlands section of the Hisui Pokédex, 85 species are listed, including the Legendary Pokémon Mesprit and Landorus. Notably, 2 of these listed (Togepi and Togetic) are not obtainable from the area, however Togekiss is. A further 22 unlisted species for the area are actually obtainable from it: 1 of these (Hisuian Qwilfish) can be found near Ramanas Island, 10 (Toxicroak, Ursaring, Onix, Steelix, Lickitung, Lickilicky, Haunter, Gengar, original Sneasel and Weavile) inside space-time distortions, 5 (Spheal, Sealeo, Chatot, Zorua and Zoroark) during massive mass outbreaks, 3 (Overqwil, Ursaluna and Walrein) only via evolution, and the final 3 (Unown, alpha Goodra and Shaymin) only via in-game events. For the 105 obtainable species in Obsidian Fieldlands, there are 41 additional forms in total—34 of these are the result of gender differences, 4 of these are other Unown forms and 3 species (Cherrim, Shaymin and Landorus) each have one extra form. The West Sea Shellos and Gastrodon forms, as well as the Plant Cloak Burmy and Wormadam forms, are exclusive to this area.

In the Crimson Mirelands section of the Hisui Pokédex, 75 species are listed, including the Legendary Pokémon Azelf and Enamorus. A total of 35 unlisted species for the area are also obtainable: 13 (Luxio, Luxray, Eevee, Flareon, Umbreon, Drifblim, Floatzel, Snorlax, Lopunny, Heracross and the Porygon line) inside space-time distortions, 2 (Happiny and Chansey) in mass outbreaks in Cottonsedge Prairie, 6 (Skorupi, Drapion, Bronzor, Bronzong, Swinub and Piloswine) during massive mass outbreaks only, 3 (Cyndaquil, Quilava, Hisuian Typhlosion) unlockable in space-time distortions in addition to during massive mass outbreaks, 8 (Vaporeon, Jolteon, Espeon, Leafeon, Glaceon, Sylveon, Blissey and Mamoswine) only via evolution, 2 (Spiritomb and Unown) in-game-event-unlockable, and 1 (alpha Overqwil) only via an in-game event. For the 110 obtainable species in Crimson Mirelands, there are a total of 60 additional forms—31 of these are due to gender differences, 27 are Unown forms, and 2 are forms of Cherrim and Enamorus. The Sandy Cloak forms of Burmy and Wormadam are obtainable in this area.

In the Cobalt Coastlands section of the Hisui Pokédex, 96 species are listed, including the Legendary Pokémon Heatran and Thundurus. 6 (Bidoof, Wurmple, Silcoon, Cascoon, Pichu and Croagunk) are not obtainable from the area. 21 unlisted species for the area are actually obtainable: 10 (Kadabra, Alakazam, Mr. Mime, Carnivine, Skuntank, Rhydon, Rhyperior, Magnemite, Magneton and Magnezone) inside space-time distortions, 6 (Onix, Steelix, Cleffa, Clefairy, Riolu and Lucario) during massive mass outbreaks, 1 (Clefable) only via evolution, 1 (Phione) only in-game-event-unlockable, and 3 (Unown, Giratina and Manaphy) which are in-game event only. For the 111 obtainable species in Cobalt Coastlands, a total of 34 additional forms are present—28 are due to gender differences, 4 are other Unown forms and the remaining 2 are alternate formes for Giratina and Thundurus. The East Sea forms of Shellos and Gastrodon are exclusive to this area, and the Trash Cloak Burmy and Wormadam forms are also obtainable here.

In the Coronet Highlands section of the Hisui Pokédex, 90 species are listed, including the Legendary Pokémon Cresselia. 3 (Magnemite, Magneton and Weavile) are not obtainable from the area. 38 unlisted Pokémon for the area are actually obtainable: 12 (Eevee, Jolteon, Sylveon, Ambipom, Octillery, Drapion, Magmar, Magmortar, the Cranidos line and the Shieldon line) inside space-time distortions, 9 (Ponyta, Rapidash, Happiny, Chansey, Mime Jr., Mr. Mime, Duskull, Snover and Abomasnow) during massive mass outbreaks only, 2 (Dusclops and Dusknoir) in space-time distortions and during massive mass outbreaks, 3 (Rowlet, Dartrix, Hisuian Decidueye) unlockable in space-time distortions and during massive mass outbreaks, 7 (Vaporeon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon and Blissey) only via evolution, and 5 (Unown, Dialga, Palkia, Arceus and Darkrai) only via in-game events. For the 125 obtainable species in Coronet Highlands, there are a total of 63 additional forms—33 are due to gender differences, 18 are other Arceus formes, 5 are other Rotom forms, 4 are other Unown forms, and 3 species (Cherrim, Dialga and Palkia) each have one extra form. The Sandy Cloak forms of Burmy and Wormadam are obtainable in this area.

In the Alabaster Icelands section of the Hisui Pokédex, 91 species are listed, including the Legendary Pokémon Uxie, Regigigas and Tornadus. 2 (Geodude, Weavile) are not obtainable from the area. 18 unlisted Pokémon for the area are actually obtainable: 8 (Rapidash, Pikachu, Raichu, Scyther, Scizor, Tangrowth, Sealeo and Walrein) inside space-time distortions, 3 (Oshawott, Dewott and Hisuian Samurott) unlockable in space-time distortions and during massive mass outbreaks, 4 (Vulpix, Ninetales, Magby and Magmar) during massive mass outbreaks only, 2 (Magmortar, and Kleavor) via evolution only, and 1 (Unown) only via in-game events. The species total counts the original (Kantonian) Vulpix and Ninetales; Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales are obtained by an in-game event and evolution respectively. For the 107 obtainable species in Alabaster Icelands, a total of 31 additional forms are present—24 are due to gender differences, 4 are other Unown forms, and 3 are one extra form each of Vulpix, Ninetales and Tornadus. The Trash Cloak forms of Burmy and Wormadam are obtainable in this area.

Level availability

All but 17 Pokémon can be obtained in-game at Level 50 or below. These exceptions consist of Spiritomb and all Legendary and Mythical Pokémon apart from Manaphy and Phione. Spiritomb is obtainable at Level 60 or above, Dialga and Palkia at Level 65, Arceus at Level 75, and the rest of the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon (apart from Manaphy and Phione) at level 70. On the other hand, Manaphy is obtained at Level 50 and Phione between Levels 33 and 36. Although Hisuian Braviary only evolves from Rufflet at Level 54 and above, the flying spawn at Lake Acuity can be caught at Level 49.

The highest level a Pokémon can be obtained at (without leveling up) is Level 91—this is an alpha Hisuian Typhlosion found inside a Crimson Mirelands space-time distortion. Alpha Pokémon are encountered at higher levels (+15 or +20) than their non-alpha counterparts within the same area.

Level 1 Pokémon cannot be obtained except via transferring from Pokémon HOME. This is because no breeding is present in the game, and the fact the lowest level wild Pokémon, such as Bidoof and Starly, are only encountered at Level 2 or above.

Pokémon HOME interaction

Following the introduction of Pokémon HOME compatibility, the ability to transfer alpha Pokémon to other Generation VIII games became available. A consequence of this is an alpha Pokémon can be evolved into a different regional form (or species) not compatible with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, giving rise to 9 HOME-exclusive alpha forms: the original forms of Typhlosion, Lilligant, Braviary, Sliggoo, Goodra, Avalugg, Decidueye; the Galarian form of Mr. Mime; and Mr. Rime. A 10th HOME-exclusive alpha form became available following the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet-HOME compatibility update: the original form of Samurott; however, the alpha icon no longer displays for the HOME-exclusive alphas. Instead, an alpha mark is obtained if any alpha is transferred to Scarlet and Violet. All HOME-exclusive alpha forms except the Galarian form of Mr. Mime and Mr. Rime can be transferred and therefore obtain the alpha mark.

Before Pokémon Scarlet and Violet received integration with Pokémon HOME in HOME v3.0.0, Pokémon originating from Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon or earlier that were then transferred into Legends: Arceus (via Pokémon Bank and HOME) received minimum heights and weights (scalar values of 0, as prior to Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! distinct values for height and weight were not generated); following the update, randomized heights and weights will be assigned to them instead, provided they haven't been assigned a size already by being transferred to another Generation VIII or IX game.

In Pokémon GO, as part of its size variation mechanic, XXS and XXL Pokémon each have a 1 in 250 chance to be generated. When one of these extreme-sized Pokémon is obtained and transferred to Pokémon HOME and then into Pokémon Legends: Arceus, both its height and weight scalar values are set to either 0 or 255, depending on whether it was initially XXS or XXL, respectively. This results in the specimen having the minimum or maximum possible in-game height and weight for its species (or form). In contrast, generation of both of these values for a native Pokémon in Legends: Arceus has less than a 1 in 250 million chance to occur—albeit due to a lack of display precision, additional values may also give the minimum and maximum possible measurements depending on the Pokémon species/form.