The first hours of Pokémon Legends: Arceus upend your habits: no Pokémon Center in every town, wild Pokémon that attack you, a satchel that fills up fast. Here are the tips for a good start, from choosing your first Pokémon to good exploration habits.
How the first missions unfold
Professor Laventon takes you to Jubilife Village, where you join the Galaxy Expedition Team. Your entrance test for the Survey Corps: catch a Bidoof, a Starly and a Shinx in the Obsidian Fieldlands. Next come learning to craft, the first Pokédex tasks and the meeting with the Diamond Clan. The step-by-step: chapter 01 of our walkthrough.
Choosing your starter Pokémon
| Pokémon | Type | Final evolution | Final type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowlet | Grass / Flying | Hisuian Decidueye | Grass / Fighting |
| Cyndaquil | Fire | Hisuian Typhlosion | Fire / Ghost |
| Oshawott | Water | Hisuian Samurott | Water / Dark |
All three choices are viable: the game offers plenty of Pokémon to cover your partner’s weaknesses. The two Pokémon you don’t pick can be obtained later; see getting all three starter Pokémon.
Good exploration habits
- Approach while crouching and throw your Poké Balls at the Pokémon’s back: catching succeeds far more often. Tall grass hides you.
- Dodge by rolling when facing aggressive Pokémon, especially red-eyed Alpha Pokémon, which you should avoid early on.
- Pick up everything: Apricorns, stones, Berries and plants are used to craft Poké Balls and Potions right in the field, which costs far less than buying them (see crafting).
- Catch the same species several times: the Pokédex asks for many tasks per Pokémon (catches, battles, observations). That is how your rank rises and how your Pokémon obey at higher levels (see Pokédex tasks).
- Use base camps to heal and teleport: they are your field Pokémon Centers.
Managing your satchel and your money
The satchel is small at the start. Upgrade it at Galaxy Hall as soon as possible: it is the best early-game expense. Sell items you don’t use and keep materials for crafting. All our advice: earning money.
Understanding battles
Battles follow a variable turn order: a fast Pokémon can act twice in a row. Once you have mastered your moves, try Agile Style to act sooner and Strong Style to hit harder, at the cost of 2 PP. Explanations in new features and mechanics.
Before the first Noble Pokémon
Kleavor, the Lord of the Woods, is your first real challenge. Prepare balms to calm it, train your team and learn to dodge: the method is in the Noble Pokémon.
