Pokemon Legends Arceus Space-Time Distortions explained - Spawns, exclusive Pokemon, and item drops
Space-Time Distortions are one of the most unique new features for Pokemon Legends Arceus. Given that this game is set in the past, it's unsurprising that the developers chose to insert some light time travel shenanigans - and the Space Time Distortion is just that.
These events cause random spots on a map to be enveloped by turbulent energy, summoning forth Pokemon from both different dimensions and times, as well as littering the field with rare items. It's a major mechanic you'll want to make use of during your Hisui adventures.
Space-Time Distortions first appear after you beat Kleavor, the noble Pokemon, advancing the story to the point where it really starts to pick up a head of steam. These distortions appear randomly - and once it appears you'll want to make your way over to it for a chance to catch rare and exclusive Pokemon, find rare items, and fight some challenging battles. Come prepared, however - the Pokemon spawns in these things are always high-level. On this page:
How to tell when a Space-Time Distortion has appeared
First things first - the game will alert you whenever a Distortion is forming on the map you're currently exploring. First of all, text will appear on-screen warning you that "A space-time distortion has appeared!" In addition to this, however, there'll be two other tell-tale signs. Firstly, the space-time distortion will be marked on your map, as shown in the image above - so if you're not sure if you missed the notification, just pull up your map to check for sure.
Second, you'll actually be able to see the distortion off in the distance of the world. It manifests as a large circle on an area of the overworld with a rainbow over it, forming a sort of pretty multi-color dome over the area that'll house the distortion.
At first you'll only see the outline, and none of the effects, but a few minutes after a Distortion has started to form, it'll fully spring into action. If you reach the distortion too early, you might be inside it and wondering where the items and powerful Pokemon spawns are - if that's the case, just wait around. Five minutes after first appearing the distortion will properly kick into action, taking on a more aggressive look. You also won't be able to miss the Pokemon spawning at you.
Basically, if you're currently busy with something else and a distortion appears, don't panic to rush to the distortion right away. You've got a few minutes to finish what you're doing, get your bearings, and mosey on over before the Space-time Distortion spawns begin.
There's no way to 'force' a distortion to happen; it just occurs entirely at random. So, in a way, random encounters do still exist in this Pokemon game... at a stretch.
What can you find in a Space-Time Distortion?
Space-Time Distortions are basically the ultimate way to catch rare Pokemon in Pokemon Legends Arceus. In fact, these timeline-bending anomalies are the only way to catch several Pokemon that otherwise shouldn't exist in this game's time period, such as extinct fossil Pokemon or those that don't yet exist, like Porygon..
In addition to the exclusives, the distortions are a common place to find the 'rare' spawns that aren't very common out in the world, such as Eevee, or regional & non-regional variants of Pokemon that are in the main game in other forms.
Beyond Pokemon, Distortions are also filled with rare items including Pokemon evolution items and valuable items that can be sold for a tidy profit. You can also get colored shards, which are used in a late-game crafting recipe for making serious cash, which in turn can be pumped into expensive endeavors like satchel inventory space upgrades.
As you can see, Distortions are well worth your time whenever they appear - though do proceed with caution. As aggressive Pokemon will spawn out of thin air, be aware that when entering a battle with a Pokemon, you're liable to bring others along for the ride.
Exclusive Pokemon Spawns inside Space-Time Distortions
Here's the Pokemon that exclusive spawn in Space-time Distortions that aren't found anywhere else in the game. Some of these are truly exclusive, while others can of course be evolved from other Pokemon but otherwise aren't found in the wild in Legends Arceus:
- Obsidian Fieldlands Distortion-Exclusive Pokemon:
- Gengar
- Johtonian Sneasel
- Weavile
- Leafeon
- Sylveon
- Crimson Mirelands Distortion-Exclusive Pokemon
- Flareon
- Porygon
- Umbreon
- Cyndaquil
- Quilava
- Typhlosion
- Porygon2
- Porygon-Z
- Cobaly Coastlands Distortion-Exclusive Pokemon
- Magnemite
- Magneton
- Vaporeon
- Flareon
- Coronet Highlands
- Jolteon
- Cranidos
- Rampardos
- Shieldon
- Bastiodon
- Magmortar
- Sylveon
- Rowlet
- Dartrix
- Decidueye
- Alabaster Icelands Distortion-Exclusive Pokemon
- Espeon
- Scizor
- Glaceon
- Oshawott
- Dewott
- Samurott
Space-Time Distortion Item Spawns
The following items can spawn inside Space-Time Distortions. How this works is pretty simple - items simply drop onto the ground at regular intervals throughout the distortion. It seems picking up items encourages more to appear, too.
- Valuables to Sell or Craft:
- Stardust
- Star Piece
- Nugget
- Red Shard
- Blue Shard
- Green Shard
- Evolution Items:
- Fire Stone
- Water Stone
- Thunder Stone
- Leaf Stone
- Dusk Stone
- Dawn Stone
- Shiny Stone
- Protector
- Metal Coat
- Upgrade
- Dubious Disc
- Razor Claw
- Razor Fang
- Reaper Cloth
- Electirizer
- Magmarizer
- Linking Cord
- Black Augurite