The Pokemon games are no stranger to having multiple side quests scattered throughout the story and postgame. Pokemon Legends: Arceus has Missions and Requests, and both can be tracked via the “Missions & Requests” page on the Map. There are 27 Missions/story quests and 94 Requests in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, giving trainers plenty of things to do. Missions are mandatory while Requests are entirely optional.
While it’s possible to beat Pokemon Legends: Arceus without doing any of the side quests, some are worth doing and have beneficial rewards. A handful of Requests can stretch the length of the main story while others won’t be available until the postgame. However, some need completing to finish the 27th Mission: The Deified Pokemon.
10 Eerie Apparitions In The Night
After defeating the Pearl Clan’s Noble Kleavor, players will eventually unlock the Request: Eerie Apparitions in the Night. This is a Request in which players need to collect 107 purple wisps around Hisui. For those unfamiliar, these “wisps” are part of the Ghost/Dark-type Spiritomb.
In Pokemon lore, Spiritomb is made up of 108 wisps that are contained in an Odd Keystone. The first wisp is collected at the start of Eerie Apparitions in the Night, but the remaining 107 wisps are scattered in Hisui’s five regions. The wisps are easier to see at night, but they can be collected during the day too. Once all the wisps are collected, players will have a chance of catching Spiritomb. Whether players choose to use Spiritomb or keep it stored in the Pastures, catching him is a requirement to completing the last story Mission.
9 A Peculiar Ponyta
Shiny Pokemon have never been easy to catch in the Pokemon world due to their rarity. While some trainers take to Shiny Hunting their favorite Pokemon, the appearance rate of a Shiny Pokemon is abysmally low. Thus, Shiny Hunting requires a lot of patience. Pokemon Legends: Arceus hands players a Shiny Ponyta in the Request A Peculiar Ponyta. This is a guaranteed Shiny that is required to finish the Request. However, if players are worried Ponyta will flee, they can always save before going to the objective marker in Obisidian Fieldlands.
If players only care about registering Ponyta’s entry in the Pokedex, then they can catch a regular Ponyta in Horseshoe Plains. For those that want a Shiny Pokemon, it’s best not to pass this Request up.
8 The Mysterious Will-O’-The-Wisp
Anyone who chose Cyndaquil as their starter may not be in a rush to add another Fire-type to their team. However, there’s a Request in Jubilife Village in which players can get a free Chimchar. Along with Turtwig and Piplup, Chimchar is one of the starter Pokemon for Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum and their remakes: Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
When Chimchar fully evolves, it becomes the Fire/Fighting-type Infernape. Stat-wise, Infernape is a Physical attacker with high Attack, Special Attack, and Speed. It’s best to do this Request as soon as it becomes available. This way, players can have a powerful Fire-type to help them on their journey.
7 The Diamond & Pearl Clan’s Treasure
In the postgame, two additional Requests are unlocked that involve Adaman and Irida of the Diamond Clan and Pearl Clan, respectively. It doesn’t matter which Clan Leader players visit first, but it’s important to speak to both of them. Confronting Adaman in the Diamond Settlement and Irida in the Pearl Settlement triggers a Pokemon Battle. Defeat them, and they’ll give 3 Comet Shards each as well as the Adamant Crystal (Adaman) and Lustrous Globe (Irida).
These are Key Items that can turn Dialga and Palkia into their Origin Forms. For those that prefer Dialga and Palkia’s original looks, don’t worry: Use the Adamant Crystal/Lustrous Globe on Dialga/Palkia to return them to “normal.”
6 The Sea’s Legend
The Sea’s Legend is a Request that unlocks once players have been to the Cobalt Coastlands. This Request has a lot of steps and requires players to catch Buizel, Overqwil, and Mantyke. Players can catch Buizel fairly early, but Mantyke can only be caught in the Cobalt Coastlands, and evolving Qwilfish into Overqwil may take some time. The point of doing this Request is that it allows players to have a chance at catching Manaphy and Phione.
Manaphy is a Mythical Pokemon that was unavailable without the use of special event items. Luckily, with Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Manaphy can be caught in-game. In addition, Manaphy is accompanied by three Phione. It’s best to catch these little guys one at a time to avoid having a four-on-one battle.
5 Snow-White Vulpix In The Snow
Hisui isn’t old Alola, but it does a good job of blending Pokemon from most of the previous generations/regions. Some players weren’t expecting the Alola Vulpix to become available in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Start Request 86 at the Alabaster Icelands and players will be sent on a fetch quest to find five Alolan Vulpix at the Avalanche Slopes. While players won’t be able to catch these five Vulpix, they’re given a free Alolan Vulpix upon completing the Request.
It turns out the Vulpix waiting with Keaka, the quest-giver, has taken a liking to the player’s character. From there, it will join the team. If players want to evolve it into Alolan Ninetales, they’ll need an Ice Stone. Unlike Alolan Vulpix, Alolan Ninetales is an Ice/Fairy-type Pokemon.
4 “More New Wares…” Requests
There’s a series of Requests that will expand the merchandise at the local store in Jubilife Village. As more regions are unlocked, speak to Choy at the store, and he’ll have some fetch quests ready. Gather the items he asks for and then deliver them to the man on the bottom floor of the Galaxy Hall. It’s important to help out Choy because this means stronger items such as Ultra Balls and Full Restores will become available for purchase.
This will save players from farming materials in the wild and crafting Poke Balls, Potions, and more. Remember that money isn’t too easy to come by in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, so watch those price tags.
3 “Help Wanted…” Requests
This is another series of Requests that can be accepted at the Farms near the Training Grounds in Jubilife Village. Unlike the “More Supplies” Requests, these require players to lend specific Pokemon to help out at the farm. One of the benefits of helping the farmers is that it will eventually unlock Mint harvest.
Mints are items introduced in Generation 8 that allow players to change the Nature of their Pokemon. Additionally, players can harvest berries, apricorns, and medicinal herbs. With the exception of the berries and mints, most of the harvest items can be used in crafting.
2 A Token Of Gratitude
After completing the game, players will have a chance at catching many of the Sinnoh Legendary and Mythical Pokemon. Go to the Obsidian Fieldlands to unlock the A Token of Gratitude Request. The quest-giver, Medi, will mention a Pokemon that helped her, and present to the player a Gracidea flower. Fans may instantly recognize this as the Key Item that allows Shaymin to turn into its Sky Form. So, naturally, the Request requires players to track down Shaymin.
Once players find the patch of wilted Gracidea flowers at the Floaroma Meadow, Shaymin will appear. Once Medi leaves, it’s possible to catch Shaymin. It’s a timid Pokemon that will try to run away, so catching it may take some time. If players are worried that it will flee, they can always save before going after it. If Shaymin isn’t caught and manages to flee, it will eventually reappear in the Floaroma Meadow after some time.
1 The Darksome Nightmare
In the postgame, the Request The Darksome Nightmare will appear on Laventon’s Request Board. Someone from the Pearl Clan will approach the player and talk about a mysterious Pokemon that plunges its victims into nightmares. Considering players can also catch Cresselia in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, it’d be odd for the game not to have Darkrai. Finding Darkrai is fairly easy, but players need to make sure it’s nighttime when they go looking for it.
Darkrai won’t appear in Coronet Highland’s Clamberclaw Cliffs if it’s morning, day, or evening. Send out Pokemon that aren’t weak to Dark-type or Ghost-type moves to battle against Darkrai. Once it’s weakened enough, throw an Ultra Ball to catch it and complete the Request.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available now on Nintendo Switch.
