Space-time distortion

A space-time distortion (Japanese: 時空の歪み Space-time distortion) is a feature introduced in Generation VIII that allows the player to catch rare Pokémon that are otherwise unobtainable in the wild. Space-time distortions only appear in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

In the games

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

From the beginning of the game, until after Mission 18, a massive space-time rift is visible above the peak of Mount Coronet from anywhere in the region, and is said to be the cause of the periodic smaller distortions that appear around Hisui.

Akari or Rei first mentions the space-time distortions while the player is preparing to venture into the Crimson Mirelands for the first time. The player is required to venture into the distortions in order to complete the Hisui Pokédex, as tasked by Arceus, due to the fact that several Pokémon in the Hisui Pokédex are not native to the Hisui region naturally and are only found within the distortions.

The space-time rift was caused by Giratina, who wanted to draw Arceus out of hiding so it could get revenge for being sealed in the Distortion World, which it did with the help of Volo. The distortions and rift itself are capable of transporting objects, Pokémon, and humans through space and time, as happened to the player and Ingo.

Mechanics

Once the player has beaten the first Noble Pokémon, Kleavor, space-time distortions will start to appear and spawn after waiting in an area for a certain amount of time without resting at a base camp, as any time the player rests or leaves the map, (entering a cave, building, or leaving to Jubilife Village), the timer will reset. If the player is in a menu, pop-up dialogue, or wild Pokémon battle the timer for space-time distortions to spawn will pause until they return to waiting in the overworld.^[1] Space-time distortions will not spawn if the weather is intense sun, snowstorm, or thunderstorm.^[2]

Distortions are unaffected by aggressive Pokémon targeting you, riding on Ride Pokémon, being in the area that the distortion initially spawns at, or active Mass outbreaks in the same zone.^[3]

The percentages of distortions spawning based on time are as follows:

When a space-time distortion first manifests, all wild Pokémon within the area of effect (except Unown) are despawned, and several items that normally cannot be found in the overworld will appear, including shards, evolution items, and valuable items. Within the bounds of a distortion, wild Pokémon will only spawn at a close range to the player, and may spontaneously despawn as new Pokémon are spawned in their place.

There will also be 3 rare Pokémon spawns per distortion, which differ depending on the area. The 3 rare spawns will only appear when the player nears their spawn location, but unlike common spawns, (which rapidly spawn and despawn in close proximity to the player), rare spawns will not despawn naturally until the distortion ends, even if the player leaves the general area where they appeared.

Pokémon found in distortions

Obsidian Fieldlands distortions

Common Spawns

#	Pokémon		Levels
093		Haunter	25-60 40-75
094		Gengar	25-60 45-80
095		Onix	25-55 35-70
108		Lickitung	20-55 35-70
133		Eevee	20-55 35-70
208		Steelix	25-60 45-80
217		Ursaring	30-65 45-80
454		Toxicroak	37-72 52-87
463		Lickilicky	25-60 40-75
470		Leafeon	25-60 40-75
700		Sylveon	25-60 45-80

Rare Spawns

#	Pokémon		Levels
215		Sneasel (Johtonian)	20-55 35-70
461		Weavile	25-60 40-75

Crimson Mirelands distortions

Common spawns

#	Pokémon		Level(s)
133		Eevee	20-55 35-70
136		Flareon	25-60 40-75
143		Snorlax	30-65 50-85
197		Umbreon	25-60 45-80
214		Heracross	20-55 35-70
404		Luxio	20-55 35-70
405		Luxray	30-65 45-80
419		Floatzel	26-61 41-76
426		Drifblim	28-63 43-78
428		Lopunny	25-60 40-74

Rare spawns

#	Pokémon		Level(s)
137		Porygon	20-55 35-70
155		Cyndaquil*	52-55 67-70
156		Quilava*	52-55 67-70
157		Typhlosion (Hisuian)*	68-71 88-91
233		Porygon2	25-60 45-80
474		Porygon-Z	30-65 50-85

Cobalt Coastlands distortions

Common spawns

#	Pokémon		Levels
064		Kadabra	30-58 45-73
065		Alakazam	30-58 50-78
112		Rhydon	42-70 57-85
122		Mr. Mime	30-58 45-73
133		Eevee	30-58 45-73
134		Vaporeon	30-58 45-73
136		Flareon	30-58 45-73
435		Skuntank	34-62 49-77
455		Carnivine	30-58 45-73

Rare spawns

#	Pokémon		Levels
081		Magnemite	30-58 45-73
082		Magneton	30-58 45-73
462		Magnezone	35-63 50-78

Coronet Highlands distortions

Common spawns

#	Pokémon		Levels
126		Magmar	35-53 50-68
133		Eevee	35-53 50-68
135		Jolteon	40-58 55-73
224		Octillery	35-53 50-68
356		Dusclops	37-55 52-70
424		Ambipom	40-58 55-73
452		Drapion	40-58 55-73
477		Dusknoir	45-63 65-83
700		Sylveon	40-58 55-73

Rare spawns

#	Pokémon		Levels
408		Cranidos	35-53 50-68
409		Rampardos	40-58 55-73
410		Shieldon	35-53 50-68
411		Bastiodon	40-58 55-73
722		Rowlet*	50-53 65-68
723		Dartrix*	55-58 70-73
724		Decidueye (Hisuian)*	60-63 80-83

Alabaster Icelands distortions

Common spawns

#	Pokémon		Levels
025		Pikachu	45-58 60-73
026		Raichu	50-63 65-78
078		Rapidash	50-63 65-78
123		Scyther	45-58 60-73
125		Electabuzz	45-58 60-73
133		Eevee	45-58 60-73
196		Espeon	50-63 70-83
364		Sealeo	45-58 60-73
365		Walrein	50-63 65-78
465		Tangrowth	50-63 65-78
471		Glaceon	50-63 70-83

Rare spawns

#	Pokémon		Levels
212		Scizor	50-63 70-83
501		Oshawott*	55-58 70-73
502		Dewott*	60-63 75-78
503		Samurott (Hisuian)*	65-68 85-88

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 時空歪曲 Sìhhūng Wāaikūk Mandarin 時空歪曲 / 时空歪曲 Shíkōng Wāiqū French Distorsion Spatio-Temporelle German Raum-Zeit-Verzerrung Italian Distorsione spaziotemporale Korean 시공의 뒤틀림 Sigong-ui Dwiteullim Spanish Distorsión espaciotemporal

References