Pokémon Legends Arceus: How to Catch Every Legendary Pokémon

While it’s certainly possible to assemble a nearly unbeatable team of Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus without going out of your way to catch the game’s Legendary Pokémon, we understand if you don’t feel like your Arceus adventure is complete until you’ve added the rarest Pokémon in the game to your roster.

So far as that goes, you should first know that it’s not possible to catch any of the game’s Legendary Pokémon until the very end of the game’s main story (most of them can only be caught after completing the game’s main story). That being the case, you really should feel free to just play the game at your preferred pace and just enjoy yourself before you start fretting about whether or not you’ve missed your chance.

If you have beaten the main story and are ready to start hunting those elusive Legendary Pokémon, though, then here is everything you need to know about that long, arduous, and ultimately rewarding process.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus – How to Catch Dialga and Palkia

These Pokémon are grouped together since they’re acquired in roughly the same way.

After beating the fifth Royal Pokémon in Arceus, you’ll have the option of joining the Diamond Clan or the Pearl Clan. If you choose to join the Pearl Clan, you’ll fight Palkia at the end of the game followed by the Origin form of Dialga. If you choose the Diamond Clan, you’ll fight Dialga followed by the Origin form of Palkia.

You’ll be able to acquire the Origin forms of both Pokémon after beating Arceus’ main story, but you’ll only be able to keep the non-Origin form of the non-origin Pokémon you chose to fight. So, if you really want the non-Origin version of either, be sure to choose the Clan that will allow you to fight the non-Origin form of that creature.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus – How to Catch Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf

You’ll run into these three during Arceus’ main campaign, but you won’t be able to catch them until after you’ve beaten the main story.

Once you’ve beaten the main story, you’ll need to head to the Survey HQ and accept “The Researcher of Myths.” That will eventually lead you to Cogita who will offer the “The Plate of the Lakes” request. From there, you can find Uxie at Lake Acuity North, Mesprit, at Lake Verity West, and Azelf at Lake Valor North.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus – How to Catch Heatran, Regigigas, and Cresselia

These three Legendary Pokémon are grouped together simply because you have to follow a similar chain of events to catch them.

Like the Pokémon listed above, you’ll first need to accept the “The Researcher of the Myths” request and meet Cogita before you can catch these three. From there, Cogita will assign you three special requests that will eventually lead you to this trio.

“The Plate of Firespit Island” request will lead you to Firespit Island where you’ll find Heatran in an underground cave (just follow the quest markers). You’ll need to use Balls of Mud to take down his fire shield before you can catch him.

“The Plate of Moonview Arena” request will lead you to Mooview Arena where you’ll find Cresselia. You’ll need to wait for Cresselia to drop its shield before you engage it, or you’ll just end up getting confused.

“The Plate of Snowpelt Temple” request will lead you to Alabaster Icelands where you’ll eventually find Regigigas. This one is a bit tricky since you’ll need to unlock three doors that lead to the Legendary Pokémon before you’re able to battle it. You can unlock those doors by pressing the labeled stone plates near them in the following orders:

Door 1: Rock, Steel, Ice
Door 2: Ice, Rock, Steel, Rock, Ice
Door 3: Steel, Ice, Rock, Ice, Steel, Rock

Pokémon Legends: Arceus – How to Catch Giratina

You’ll need to complete the “Plate Quests” listed above before you’re able to capture Giratina. In other words, you’ll need to catch Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Heatran, Regigigas, and Cresselia before you go after Giratina.

Once that is taken care of, you’ll finally unlock the “Seeking The Remaining Plates” request. That quest will lead you to a battle with Volo. Win that battle, return to Jubilife Village, and accept the “On the Trail of Giratina” request from the Professor.

From there, you’ll finally be able to head to Turnback Cave where you’ll be able to find a catchable Giratina.

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Pokémon Legends: Arceus – How to Catch Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Enamorus

After you defeat Volo at the Temple of Sinnoh as part of the Giratina quest chain, go to the Galaxy HQ and talk to Cogita. Accept the “Incarnate Forces of Hisui” request, which will lead you to the locations of Landorus, Tornadus, and Thundurus.

Landorus can be found in Ramnas Park at any time, Tornadus can be found in Bonechill Wastes during a snowstorm, and Thundurus is found in the waters of Cobalt Coastlands near the Coastland Campsite during a thunderstorm. They are all caught in the usual ways once you find them.

After you’ve caught those three Pokémon, you will need to return to Cogita who will give you a clue that reveals Enamorus’ location. You can find it in the Scarlet Bog from there.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus – How to Catch Manaphy and Phione

Here are a couple of weird ones.

Before you’re able to catch these Pokémon, you’ll need a Buizel, a Mantyke, and an Overquil on your team. You can check out our evolution guide for more information about how to get an Overquil.

With those three on your roster, head to Cobalt Coastlands and rest until the evening. From there, ride Basculegion to the giant stone spires at the end of Sand’s Reach. If you ride between those spires, you should receive a message that indicates something is moving nearby.

From there, go to the recently discovered Seaside Hollow (a cave found near the center of the Cobalt Coastlands area). Inside is a Manaphy and several Phione. Catch the Manaphy and as many Phione as you desire.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus – How to Catch Darkrai

This Pokémon can only be caught if you have Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl save data on your Switch. If you do, then you’ll need to beat Areceus’ main story, head to the Survey HQ, accept the “A Token of Gratitude” request, and go to Coronet Highlands. Head to the quest marker in that area at night, and you should find Darkrai.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus – How to Catch Shaymin

Similar to Darkrai, you can only accept the quest to catch Shaymin if you have a Pokémon Sword or Shield save file on your Switch.

If that’s not a problem, then head to Survey HQ after beating the main story, accept the “A Token of Gratitude” request, and head to Obsidian Flatlands where a quest marker will lead you to Medi. She’ll send you to Floaro Gardens where you’ll be able to find and catch Shaymin.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus – How to Catch Arceus

In order to catch Arceus, you’ll need to complete the Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ Pokédex. Please note that you do not have to 100% the game in order to unlock Arceus. You just need to complete the Pokédex.

Once that is done, you’ll need to speak to Professor Laventon who will tell you to go to the Temple of Sinnoh. Once there, you’ll need to go to the platform near the top of the temple and play the Azure flute. Following an extended sequence, you’ll then need to fight Arceus in a lengthy and rather difficult battle. If you win, you’ll be able to add Arceus to your roster.