In a series first, Pokémon Legends: Arceus makes cowardice into a legitimate strategy. That may sound like a paradox in a series that has long featured battles as its main mechanic, but it is more valid than it sounds. With Legends: Arceus changing several aspects of the series, avoiding and ducking out of battles has become much more useful as a strategy.
Legends: Arceus takes a note from Sword and Shield by having wild Pokémon visible on the map, and goes a step further by removing random encounters altogether. With this change, players can now take more tactical approaches to the game than other titles in the series, and that includes the strategy of cowardice. Since catching Pokémon is more complicated in Legends: Arceus, the ability to pick and choose battles is a powerful tool in the player's arsenal, and one that shouldn't be ignored.
Running from encounters has always been an option in the Pokémon games, but there was always a risk involved. Running could fail if the wild Pokémon was faster than their active Pokémon, and the wild Pokémon would get a free turn if the player's escape failed. In Legends: Arceus, running from battle will always succeed, removing that fear of a failed escape leading to more damage. With this knowledge in mind, players have complete control over when they end a battle. If they accidentally encounter an Alpha Pokémon that's too strong, they can immediately cut and run. Considering Hisui's dangers include rampaging Pokémon, playing it safe is a very wise option. However, Trainer battles still cannot be run from, as per series tradition.
Running From Pokémon Is Smarter Than Ever In Legends: Arceus
Running and dodging Pokémon is also a significant part of exploration in Hisui. Some Pokémon in the overworld are aggressive and will try to attack the player if they see them. The player can throw a Poké Ball to start a fight, or they can run away and dodge attacks until they get out of sight. If the player isn't confident about a fight or doesn't feel like using any Poké Balls, they can just flee the scene until the Pokémon pursuing them loses their trail. These tactics are incredibly useful, especially for a player who is low on items or has several injured Pokémon in their party. Taking Legends: Arceus' similarities to Monster Hunter into account, a similar mindset to that series can be useful. Sometimes avoiding combat is the right call, and an observant trainer can make that call and act accordingly.
The usefulness of a strategy involving running, dodging, and hiding makes sense considering the differences between Legends: Arceus and the rest of the series. The protagonist is not trying to become a Pokémon master - they're doing research and trying to figure out how they came to Hisui. Pokemon in Hisui are more wild and aggressive than in modern times, so charging into battle after battle is ill-advised. Playing cautiously is in line with the game's lore as well as being an effective and efficient method of adventuring in Legends: Arceus. Completing the Pokédex is key to Legends: Arceus, but making the right decisions along the way is just as vital.
While it can be dismissed as mere cowardice, running from battles and staying out of trouble are valuable abilities in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Knowing when to cut one's losses may not sound like an impressive plan, but it's better than getting knocked out and losing items. In the land of Hisui, quickly learning how to survive is the key to success.