The Alabaster Icelands is the last area trainers reach on their expeditions through Hisui in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and the Alpha Pokémon that inhabit this icy tundra are as fierce as the cold itself. Plenty of Ice-Type Alphas live in these northern snowfields, but the Alabaster Icelands is also home to some fan favorites like Lucario, Gardevoir, and Garchomp. Alpha Pokémon tend to be a much higher level than the other Pokémon in the area, and the Alpha Pokémon of the Alabaster Icelands are some of the highest-level Pokémon that players can encounter in the wild.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ Alpha Pokémon are much larger than other Pokémon of the same species, and their glowing red eyes make them easy to distinguish. They’re also very aggressive and will attack and chase the player the moment they spot them approaching. Each area of Hisui has a variety of specific Alpha Pokémon that spawn at fixed locations on the map, but Alphas can also spawn randomly during Mass Outbreaks and Space-Time Distortions that appear throughout Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
While the base stats of Alpha Pokémon are the same as their normal counterparts in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, their Effort Levels tend to be higher when caught, which significantly increases their strength. Additionally, Alphas can learn moves through leveling that other Pokémon of their species can only learn from the Move Tutor in Jubilife Village. Though Alpha Pokémon present a challenge for trainers who face them, catching and battling these mighty ‘mon is a great way to level up and earn experience, and Alphas even drop additional Grit Items and EXP Candies when defeated. Fortunately, Alpha Pokémon respawn when players return to Jubilife Village, so there will be plenty of chances for players to catch them even if they faint in battle.
How To Catch Alpha Pokémon In Legends: Arceus
Despite their size and strength, Alpha Pokémon can be caught without battling like every Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. If players manage to sneak up and hit them in the back with an Ultra Ball or Gigaton Ball, they may successfully capture the Alpha without needing to lower its HP. However, the Alabaster Icelands doesn’t offer much tall grass for players to hide in thanks to the sheets of snow and ice covering the ground, so players will need plenty of Smoke Bombs and Stealth Spray to help them go unnoticed if they want to avoid a fight. Cake Lures can also keep the Alpha Pokémon distracted as players sneak in close, making them much easier to catch.
Pokémon can always be caught by lowering their HP in battle, but Alpha Pokémon can wipe a team if players challenge them unprepared. Alphas have the same Type strengths and weaknesses as the other Pokémon of their species, so trainers can strategize with a good team composition. Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ Strong Style and Agile Style moves can also be used to effectively lower the Alpha’s HP without knocking it out.
Additionally, Pokémon with status conditions are easier to catch, and moves like Hypnosis or Thunder that inflict sleep and paralysis can give players a huge advantage when trying to capture an Alpha Pokémon. As trainers journey through the Alabaster Icelands, they'll be able to encounter and catch these Alpha Pokémon at the following locations:
- Hisuian Sneasel (Avalugg’s Legacy, Lv. 61)
- Glalie (Bonechill Wastes, Lv. 62)
- Swinub (Bonechill Wastes, Lv. 62)
- Chimecho (Lake Acuity, Lv. 65)
- Piloswine (Arena’s Approach, Lv. 65)
- Electabuzz (Icebound Falls, Lv. 65)
- Abomasnow (Avalugg’s Legacy, Lv. 68)
- Mamoswine (Avalugg’s Legacy, Lv. 68)
- Lucario (Icebound Falls, Lv. 70)
- Machamp (Arena’s Approach, Lv. 70)
- Gardevoir (Heart’s Crag during the day, Lv. 70)
- Gallade (Snowpoint Temple, Lv. 70)
- Froslass (Avalanche Slopes, Lv. 72)
- Garchomp (Avalanche Slopes, Lv. 85)
Alpha Garchomp Is Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Strongest Alpha
At level 85, Alpha Garchomp is the most powerful Alpha Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and its blinding speed and blistering attack strength can knock out the trainer’s team with ease if they face it without a good strategy. Even after players calm the Frenzied Noble Avalugg in this area, their Pokémon likely won’t be strong enough to challenge Alpha Garchomp, which makes this a good postgame fight that players can return to after catching some Legendary Pokémon and leveling up their team. Alpha Garchomp is a Dragon/Ground-Type, which makes it resistant to Poison, Rock, and Fire-Type moves and immune to Electric, but it’s weak to Fairy, Ice, and Dragon-Type moves.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Alpha Lucario Packs A Punch
Alpha Lucario is another of the strongest Alpha Pokémon in the Alabaster Icelands of Pokémon Legends: Arceus and players can find this long-time fan favorite at level 70. Its Fighting/Steel Type gives it resistance to nine different Types, including Poison, Rock, Bug, Dark, Normal, Steel, Grass, Ice, and Dragon, but it’s weak to Fighting, Fire, and Ground-Type moves. Alpha Lucario’s high offensive stats allow it to literally pack a punch, and it’s one of the only Fighting-type Pokémon that can learn Psychic moves. If trainers manage to catch Alpha Lucario, it can be a powerful ally against many of the Pokémon players will encounter later in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Alpha Zoroark Is Featured In Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Story
In addition to the Alpha Pokémon that can be found roaming freely in the Alabaster Icelands, trainers will have a chance to catch Alpha Hisuian Zoroark at Lake Acuity as part of the game’s Story Missions. Alpha Zoroark is at a lower level than the other Alpha Pokémon in the area at level 58, but its unique Normal/Ghost Typing makes it immune to Normal, Ghost, and Fighting-Type moves and resistant to Poison and Bug-Type. It’s weak to Dark-type moves, but players should save their game before battling Alpha Zoroark since they won’t be guaranteed another chance to catch it if they cause it to faint.
While it is possible for an Alpha Zorua or Alpha Zoroark to spawn in the underground caverns of the Bonechill Wastes, it isn’t guaranteed to spawn like the other Alpha Pokémon in the Alabaster Icelands. However, Alpha Zorua and Zoroark also have a chance to spawn during Mass Outbreaks, so players should be on the lookout for any Zorua or Zorua outbreaks in the area. Alpha Pokémon make powerful allies, and trainers can catch them all on their quest to seek out all Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.