Are there gyms in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?
Best answer: No, instead of organized gyms and a Pokémon League, players encounter human wardens who provide for and protect special Noble Pokémon. It's kind of similar to the Trials from Pokémon Sun and Moon, which also did not have traditional gyms.
What is Pokémon Legends: Arceus?
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Pokémon Legends: Arceus is not your typical Pokémon game. Instead of following the normal formula of traveling to gyms and collecting badges, players take on the role of a young person from Ancient Sinnoh who is out to create the first-ever Pokédex. There are special Noble Pokémon in various areas in this time period, and each one is protected and cared for by a human warden.
However, something has gone wrong and caused the Noble Pokémon to become frenzied. You'll have to battle each one and calm it using balms. You cannot catch Noble Pokémon after beating them. However, you can catch or evolve the same species elsewhere in the game.
Similar to Island Trials in Pokémon Sun and Moon
Pokémon Sun and Moon are often regarded as the least favorite core Pokémon RPGs, partially because they changed things up from the standard formula. One of these changes was the introduction of Island Trials instead of traditional gyms. In the Alola region, Trial Captains give you tasks to complete and eventually lead you to a battle with a special Totem Pokémon. Sounds pretty similar to wardens and Noble Pokémon, doesn't it?
While this concept wasn't generally received well in Sun and Moon, Pokémon Legends: Arceus has been received well including these new Noble Pokémon battles.
All wardens
These are all of the Wardens in the game as well as the Noble Pokémon they protect.
| Warden | Noble Pokémon |
|---|---|
| Mai She takes care of the Wyrdeer in Obsidian Fieldlands with her partner Pokémon, Munchlax. | Wyrdeer Normal/Psychic Type. A Hisuian region evolution from Stantler. |
| Lian Don't let his young looks deceive you, he is a talented warden known as lord of the Obsidian Fieldlands. | Kleavor Bug/Rock Type. Evolves from Scyther when given special minerals. |
| Calaba She follows the old ways and is distrustful of people. | Ursaluna Ground/Normal Type. The third evoluation following Teddiursa, only available in Hisuian region. |
| Arezu She takes her role very seriously and prefers to handle complications by herself. | Lilligant We can really only guess who this Pokémon will be. Given that the other noble Pokémon are Hisuian variants or new Hisuian evolutions, we expect the same for this one. |
| Iscan He resides near the ocean and is uncomfortable with Ghost-type Pokemon. | Basculegion A Water/Ghost Type Pokémon said to be "possessed by souls of other Basculin" that didn't survive the jouney upstream. |
| Palina She raises a young Growlithe after witnessing its noble father die at sea trying to protect it. | Arcanine Fire/Rock Type. A variation on the dog Pokémon that's look is similar to volcanic ash. Only available in Hisuian region. |
| Ingo An older gentleman who also somehow found himself traveling through time to this era. | Sneasler Fighting/Poison Type. A creature that has both cat and weasel elements and uses its sharp claws to climb cliffs. |
| Melli They are very protective of Noble Electrode and believe that the frenzy shouldn't be stopped. | Electrode Electric/Grass Type. A powerful sentient ball that can paralyze and cut. |
| Gaeric An athletic climber from the Pearl Clan. | Avalugg Ice/Rock Type. A massive animal with a large jaw and powerful attacks. |
| Sabi A playful young woman who lives in the cold Alabaster Icelands. | Braviary Psychic/Flying Type. A majestic bird that can carry you around in the air. |
Ancient practices of ancient Sinnoh
It's fun seeing different ideas like wardens and Noble Pokémon implemented in a Pokémon RPG. You'll need to strategize and play a little more like an action game rather than a turn-based RPG at certain points. However, it's a fun experience that everyone should check out.
