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- Requirements for unlocking Arceus
- How to battle and catch Arceus
- All Plates and where to get them
In the beginning of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, our avatars were sent back in time to the Hisui region by some all-powerful creature named Arceus. In the Pokémon universe, this is the being who created Sinnoh and is considered a god. However, it is still a Pokémon, so you can catch it if you prove yourself worthy. That's no easy feat, but it is very doable.
Requirements for unlocking Arceus
As with most Pokémon games, you have to work really hard before unlocking the ultimate Mythical Pokémon. To capture the titular creature in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, you need to do three things:
- Beat the main game and have the credits roll.
- Gather all hidden plates and beat Giratina.
- Catch all 239 Pokémon in the game. This doesn't include Arceus, Darkrai, or Shaymin. Additionally, you don't have to get each Pokédex entry to level 10; just catch them all.
How to battle and catch Arceus Mission 27: The Deified Pokémon
- Talk to Professor Laventon to let him know you've completed your Pokédex.
- He'll give you a new Mission and tell you to head to the Temple of Sinnoh, located on Mount Coronet.
- You're about to head into battle, so prepare yourself accordingly with plenty of potions and revives.
- I highly recommend you switch to manual saves if you haven't done so yet and save before starting the battle. That way if something goes wrong you can restart the game and attempt to catch it again.
- Get to the platform where you fought Dialga and Palkia before and press the A button to play the Azure Flute.
- A scene will play, allowing you to see Arceus.
- Now you have to fight Arceus, which is at level 75. This battle is akin to the frenzied noble Pokemon battles where you will need to chuck balms while dodging its attacks. This is a very long four-phase battle.
- When you throw a Pokémon out to battle, Arceus will change to the same typing as the Pokémon you threw out. As such, I suggest throwing out one Pokémon with an intended typing and then swapping to a Pokémon that is strong against it so you can knock Arceus out fast.
- Every now and then you'll knock it out and can send in one of your Pokémon to battle it. This Arceus is Normal-type, so Rock, Ghost, and Steel moves will take it out faster.
- Once you've beaten Arceus in battle, it will join your team without you needing to throw any Poké Balls.
How to get all Plates
Plates allow Arceus to change its typing once it's been added to your party.
- Blank Plate: Catch Regigigas in Snowpoint Temple.
- Draco Plate: Catch Azelf at Lake Valor, Mesprit at Lake Verity, and Uxie at Lake Acuity.
- Dread Plate: Catch Cresselia in Moonview Arena.
- Earth Plate: Main story point, given after earning Ursaluna's respect in Crimson Mirelands' Sludge Mound.
- Fist Plate: Defeat Commander Kamado.
- Flame Plate: Defeat noble Pokémon Hisuian Arcanine at Cobalt Coastlands.
- Icicle Plate: Defeat noble Pokémon Hisuian Avalugg at Alabaster Icelands.
- Insect Plate: Defeat noble Pokémon Kleavor at Obsidian Fieldlands.
- Iron Plate: Catch Heatran in Lava Dome Sanctum, located in Cobalt Coastlands.
- Legend Plate: Defeat Arceus at Mt. Coronet.
- Meadow Plate: Defeat noble Pokémon Hisuian Lilligant in Crimson Mirelands.
- Mind Plate: Main story point, received after earning Wyrdeer's respect.
- Pixie Plate: Give Cogita three pieces of wood.
- Sky Plate: Main story plot, received after unlocking rideable Braviary.
- Splash Plate: Main story plot, received after unlocking rideable Basculegion.
- Spooky Plate: Defeat Volo and Giratina .
- Stone Plate: Defeat Alpha Vespiquen in Crimson Mirelands.
- Toxic Plate:Main story plot, received after unlocking rideable Pokémon Sneasler.
- Zap Plate: Defeat noble Pokémon Hisuian Electrode.
Almighty Arceus
Now that you've added Arceus to your team, you can use it to travel around the Hisui region and take on other Pokémon. If nothing else, it's fun to show it off by taking it out of its Poké Ball or taking pictures with it in Jubilife Village.
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Gaming Editor
Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.
