While there are many gameplay changes from the main games of the series, Pokémon Legends: Arceus provides players with the same goal as all of the previous main entries into the Pokémon series, “gotta catch ’em all.” For many players, this will mean collecting rare Pokémon to fill out their team. In many Pokémon games, one of the rarest and most prized types of companions is the Shiny. A Shiny Pokémon is a very rare instance where the Pokémon uses an alternative color scheme from the rest of the species. The encounter rate of these unique companions is extremely low, further increasing the value of these Pokémon by the community.
Players wishing to increase their odds of encountering a shiny Pokémon can acquire the Shiny Charm in Pokémon Arceus. The Shiny Charm is a returning item from the Pokémon franchise, generally obtained by completing every Pokédex entry on a single save file. This feat takes players a long time to accomplish but is typically a feat worth completing for prospective Shiny Pokémon hunters.
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players can obtain the Shiny Charm by completing the Pokédex and then talking to Professor Laventon, but this means something very different than what it meant in other games of the franchise. In previous titles, players needed to catch every single Pokémon. Pokémon Legends: Arceus departs from this trend, requiring players to reach research rank 10 on a Pokémon for its Pokédex entry to be considered complete. This means unlocking the Shiny Charm will take a lot more time than completing the story.
How to Complete the Pokédex in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Players wishing to complete the Pokédex in Pokémon Legends: Arceus will need to spend considerable time researching the various species found throughout Hisui. Each entry will have multiple tasks players can complete increasing the research rank. Luckily, there are more than ten points available on many species, so players have flexibility in gathering the research levels.
One of the most straightforward tasks for players to accomplish is any task that requires seeing a Pokémon use a specific move. Importantly, this task can gain progress from the player’s Pokémon using the specified move. Therefore, players can equip the moves listed in the Pokédex and use them in battles as they explore the open world, gaining research points from their own Pokémon. While the process of completing the Pokédex is time-consuming, players now have more flexibility with how they wish to tackle that task in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is available now on Nintendo Switch.
