[Updated on August 14, 2024, to revise outdated formatting and improve readability.]
The launch of a new Pokemon game always brings gameplay talk like how to find Pokemon and what new features there are to enjoy. Pokemon Legends: Arceus begs the question of whether it still plays like the other games in the case of abilities and moves to use in battle. Some veteran players may be disappointed by the answer. The short answer: no. There are no Pokemon abilities in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
This may come as a surprise for anyone who’s played the previous games. Abilities were first introduced to the franchise in Generation III with Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Players use passive abilities for numerous reasons. They can impact weather, boosts stats like speed, and prevent Pokemon from fleeing. Even so, a lack of any ability doesn’t mean you can’t strategize in the battle with your Pokemon. In all honesty, you might have to focus even more now on what Pokemon you pick to fight.
Instead of abilities, Pokemon Legends: Arceus places a heavy focus on moves and style. To begin, there aren’t any transitions, so your battles happen in real-time. Moves are as crucial as ever, so you still have to be aware of the Pokémon you’re fighting to know which move is best.
As for style, you can go for a Strong Style or Agile Style. With a Strong Style, you might have to wait for a move or two before attacking, but you’ll have a good deal of power behind it. For Agile Style, you can move sooner for great speed, but the power is cut down.
It can take some adjustment to the battle style in Pokemon Legends: Arceus concerning no abilities. However, this is an easy undertaking, considering how seamless the battles are altogether. So, leave abilities in the past with the previous games and dive on into this newer style of transition-free battles.
