Catching Pokémon in the water in Pokémon Legends: Arceus involves a mix of stealth, item usage, and precise throwing, often leveraging your ride Pokémon to navigate the aquatic environments.
Successfully capturing water-dwelling Pokémon requires you to approach them strategically, either by stunning them directly or by luring them into a vulnerable position for a backstrike.
Navigating Water and Spotting Pokémon
Before you can catch them, you need to reach them. The primary method for traversing water in Hisui is by riding Basculegion. Once you unlock this ride Pokémon, you can swim across lakes, rivers, and oceans, bringing you face-to-face with aquatic Pokémon.
- Ride Basculegion: Use your Arc Phone to summon Basculegion when you're near or in the water.
- Observe Behavior: Watch the Pokémon's patterns. Some might swim idly, while others patrol or react to your presence.
- Use Binoculars: For distant targets, use your binoculars to identify Pokémon and plan your approach without getting too close too soon.
Catching Techniques for Water Pokémon
There are two main strategies for catching Pokémon in the water: a direct stunning approach and a stealthier distraction method.
1. Stunning and Backstriking
This method is effective for both aggressive and docile Pokémon, allowing you to create an opening for an easy capture.
- Approach Closely: While riding Basculegion, or by carefully swimming if the water is shallow enough, get as close to the target Pokémon as possible without being detected or provoking it.
- Throw Stun Items: Throw a Mud Ball, Spoiled Apricorn, or Sticky Glob directly at the Pokémon. Aim carefully to ensure it hits.
- Mud Balls are often the most accessible early-game stun item.
- Sticky Globs provide a more potent stun effect, especially useful for tougher or more elusive Pokémon.
- Dazed State: Once hit, the Pokémon will enter a dazed state, often with stars circling its head. This is your window of opportunity.
- Circle for a Backstrike: Quickly move behind the stunned Pokémon. A backstrike significantly increases your chances of a successful catch and grants bonus research points.
- Throw a Poké Ball: Aim and throw your desired Poké Ball (e.g., Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, or Gigaton Ball for heavier Pokémon) at its back.
2. Stealth and Distraction
For more cautious Pokémon, or if you prefer to avoid direct confrontation, distracting them with food can be highly effective.
- Prepare Food Items: Gather various food items that Pokémon enjoy, such as Jubilife Muffins, Bean Cakes, or Plump Beans.
- Throw Food Ahead: While keeping your distance, throw a food item into the water in front of the Pokémon's path. Ensure it lands close enough to catch its attention.
- Lure and Distract: The Pokémon will typically swim towards the food item to investigate or eat it, momentarily lowering its guard and focusing its attention away from you.
- Maneuver for Position: While it's distracted, use Basculegion to swiftly move behind the Pokémon. If you're on land and the Pokémon is close to shore, you might even consider using a flying mount like Braviary to get directly above and then drop into the water behind it for the optimal backstrike position.
- Perform a Backstrike: Once you are directly behind it, throw a Poké Ball to attempt a backstrike capture.
Engaging in Battle
Sometimes, a direct capture isn't feasible, or you might want to weaken a Pokémon before attempting to catch it.
- Initiate Battle: To start a battle, throw one of your own Pokémon's Poké Balls at the wild Pokémon.
- Weaken the Pokémon: During the battle, reduce its HP (health points) without knocking it out. Status conditions like sleep or paralysis can also make it easier to catch.
- Throw Poké Ball: Once weakened, select a Poké Ball from your inventory and throw it at the Pokémon to attempt a capture.
Essential Items for Water Captures
| Item Type | Purpose | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|
| Poké Balls | Capture Pokémon | Varies by Pokémon difficulty; use Great Balls or Ultra Balls for stronger ones. |
| Stun Items | Daze Pokémon for an easy backstrike | Mud Balls, Spoiled Apricorns, Sticky Globs (especially effective). |
| Food Items | Distract and lure Pokémon | Berries, Bean Cakes, Plump Beans (match to Pokémon preferences if known). |
| Stealth Spray | Briefly increases stealth | Useful for approaching wary Pokémon without being noticed. |
| Mount: Basculegion | Water traversal | Essential for reaching most water Pokémon. |
By mastering these techniques and utilizing the unique mechanics of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, you'll be well-equipped to fill your Pokédex with all the aquatic creatures Hisui has to offer.
