The Alpha Pokémon are one of the big new features of Pokémon Legends: Arceus: imposing, oversized specimens with red eyes that let out a deep roar the moment they spot you. Their level is almost always higher than that of the Pokémon around them, they know powerful moves, and they attack on sight whatever their species. Catching them earns you rare items, and it is also a step in several Pokédex research tasks. This page lists the fixed Alpha Pokémon of every area, with their level, their location and, when it matters, the time of day or weather that makes them appear.
What sets an Alpha Pokémon apart
Size and gaze: an Alpha Pokémon is noticeably larger than an ordinary specimen, with red eyes in the wild. Once caught, it loses its glowing eyes but keeps its large size.
Level and moves: its moves are powerful, including some that are normally only learned from the Move Tutor. It prefers the attack that will deal the most damage to your Pokémon, and it can use Strong Style when that is enough to knock you out.
Stats: an Alpha Pokémon always has at least three stats at effort level 3.
Wild toughness: in the wild, it takes less damage from poison, burns, freezing and debris, which makes attrition strategies ineffective.
Shiny: an Alpha Pokémon can also be shiny, which is of course rarer.
Exceptions: legendary and mythical Pokémon, as well as Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Ninetales, have no Alpha version.
Vespiquen.Ninetales.Vulpix.
Defeating or catching an Alpha Pokémon earns you Exp. Candies and Mastery Seeds, among other things. Some also drop a plate when the mission calls for it, like the Alpha Vespiquen of Grueling Grove during Mission 20 (see our plates and legendary Pokémon guide).
How long until an Alpha Pokémon respawns?
A fixed Alpha Pokémon that has been defeated or caught respawns after two full in-game days. You can shorten the wait by returning to Jubilife Village and then coming back to the area, which resets it. The “unique” Alpha Pokémon tied to a mission, listed further down, do not come back in the same way.
Six Alpha Pokémon can only be met as part of a specific mission. They are easier to track down than the others, since the game sends you straight to them.
