Pokémon Legends: Arceus Space Time Distortion guide — Rare items and spawns

Space Time Distortion Rift Pokemon Legends Arceus
Space Time Distortion Rift Pokemon Legends Arceus (Image credit: iMore)

A strange phenomenon appears regularly throughout Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Hisui region that increases your chances of seeing rare Pokémon. You'll be notified whenever a Space-Time Distortion appears and should quickly make your way to the bubble for the chance to pick up rare items and catch rare Pokémon. Just make sure that you make room in your inventory and have plenty of Poké Balls before running in.

How to unlock Space-Time Distortions

Pokemon Legends Arceus Unlock Space Time Distortion (Image credit: iMore)

Space-Time Distortions are new events that have never been seen in previous Pokémon games. These events will not occur in Pokémon Legends: Arceus until you have reached a Star Rank of 2 and have unlocked entry into the Crimson Mirelands.

What to do in a Space-Time Distortion

Pokemon Legends Arceus Fly To Space Time Distortion (Image credit: iMore)

Space-Time Distortions randomly appear while you are in a specific section of the map other than Jubilife Village. You'll be notified whenever one of these bubbles begins to form, giving you time to get ready.

A.) A space-time distortion seems to be forming!

This means that a Space-Time Distortion icon has appeared on the map and that the rift will start in a few minutes.

  1. You'll want to quickly head to a campsite.
  2. Drop off any unnecessary items to make space in your inventory.
  3. Make sure your Pokémon are healed up.
  4. Have plenty of Poké Balls on you, whether by crafting or by purchasing them from the man in the campsite.
  5. Have plenty of Revives and Potions in case you need to heal your Pokémon.
  6. Now quickly make your way to the Space-Time Distortion and wait for it to start.

B.) A space-time distortion appeared!

Alpha Pokemon Space Time Distortion (Image credit: iMore)

The minute it appears, rare items populate the ground and rare Pokémon begin to spawn, including Alpha Pokémon.

  1. Run around collecting the items scattered all over the ground.
  2. Now work on capturing or fighting any of the Pokémon that you see.
  3. If you faint, you'll be rescued and some items will be lost, but you'll eventually get them back.

C.) The distortion has ended.

The Space-Time Distortion has closed and things are back to normal.

  1. Return to camp or to Jubilife Village to report your Pokémon captures.
  2. The items you picked up are worth a decent amount so you should sell them at the shop or use them to evolve your Pokémon.

Warning: If you close your game or let your Switch go to sleep, any current Space-Time Distortions will go away. So even if you do a manual save right before a Space-Time Distortion, it won't be there when you return to the game. You'll want to catch the Pokémon in these rifts before exiting the game or letting your Switch go to sleep.

All Pokémon that spawn in Space-Time Distortions

Sylveon Pokemon Legends Arceus Space Time Distortion (Image credit: iMore)

Some Pokémon only appear in Space-Time Distortions, so you'll need to capture them there if you want to complete your Pokédex.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
LocationPokémon
Obsidian FieldlandsFrom the start: Gengar, Leafeon, Sneasel, Sylveon, Weavile
After beating story: No additional
Crimson MirelandsFrom the start: Porygon, Porygon2, Porygon-Z, Flareon, Umbreon
After beating story: Cyndaquil, Quilava, Hisuian Typhlosion
Cobalt CoastlandsFrom the start: Magnemite, Magneton, Flareon, Vaporeon
After beating story: No additional
Coronet HighlandsFrom the start: Jolteon, Magmortar, Sylveon, Shieldon, Bastiodon, Cranidos, Rampardos
After beating story: Rowlet, Dartrix, Hisuian Decidueye
Alabaster IcelandsFrom the start: Espeon, Glaceon, Scizor
After beating story: Oshawott, Dewott, Hisuian Samurott
Pokémon that can spawn anywhereAmbipom, Eevee, Electabuzz, Carnivine, Drapion, Drifblim, Dusclops, Floatzel, Heracross, Kadabra, Lopunny, Luxio, Luxray, Magmar, Octillery, Pikachu, Rapidash, Rhydon, Sealeo, Scyther, Tangrowth, Ursaring, Walrein

All items that appear in Space-Time Distortions

Pokemon Legends Arceus Linking Cord (Image credit: iMore)

It's worth your time to run around and pick up the items that appear in Space-Time Distortions. They can either be sold for a fair amount or can help your Pokémon evolve. Evolution items can also be exchanged for MP at the Trading Post in Jubilife City.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ItemWhat it does
Black AuguriteEvolves Scyther into Kleavor.
Blue ShardCan be sold for ₽150 or used to craft a Star Piece.
Comet ShardSells for ₽15,000.
Dawn StoneEvolves Kirlia (M) into Gallade or Snorunt (F) into Froslass.
Dubious DiscEvolves Porygon2 into Porygon-Z.
Dusk StoneEvolves Murkrow into Honchrkow or Misdreavus into Mismagius.
ElectirizerEvolves Electabuzz into Electivire.
Fire StoneEvolves Hisuian Growlithe into Hisuian Arcanine, Eevee into Flareon, or Vulpix into Ninetales.
Green ShardCan be sold for ₽150 or used to craft a Star Piece.
Ice StoneEvolves Eevee into Glaceon or Alolan Vulpix into Alolan Ninetales.
Leaf StoneEvolves Eevee into Leafeon or Hisuian Voltorb into Hisuian Electrode.
Linking CordEvolves Kadabra into Alakazam, Machoke into Machamp, Graveler into Golem, and Haunter into Gengar.
MagmarizerEvolves Magmar into Magmortar.
Metal CoatEvolves Onix into Steelix or Scyther into Scizor.
Moon StoneEvolves Clefairy into Clefable.
NuggetSells for ₽10,000.
Razor FangEvolves Gligar into Gliscor.
Reaper ClothEvolves Dusclops into Dusknoir.
Red ShardCan be sold for ₽150 or used to craft a Star Piece.
Shiny StoneEvolves Roselia into Roserade or Togetic into Togekiss.
Star PieceSells for ₽5,000.
StardustSells for ₽1,000.
Sun StoneEvolves Petilil into Hisuian Lilligant.
Thunder StoneEvolve Eevee into Jolteon or Pikachu into Raichu.
UpgradeEvolves Porygon into Porygon2.
Water StoneEvolves Eevee into Vaporeon.

Inspector Space Time

Whenever you see one of those strange bubbles forming in the distance, quickly run to a campsite, make room in your inventory, and make sure you have enough Poké Balls on you before running straight in. With any luck, you'll catch the rarest Pokémon that can spawn in these areas.

Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.