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 core series games

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

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

The existence of smaller space-time distortions is first mentioned by Akari or Rei at the Wallflower after Mission 7: "The Frenzy of the Lord of the Woods". The player is reminded again of the distortions by Akari or Rei right before they set out to explore the Crimson Mirelands for the first time. At this point, space-time distortions will become available to spawn. 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 can only appear within the distortions.

The space-time rift over Mount Coronet 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.

Mechanics

Space-time distortions begin to form in an area after the player spends a certain amount of time there without resting at a base camp, as any time the player rests or leaves the map (by entering a cave, building, or leaving to Jubilife Village), the timer will reset. The development of a space-time distortion will be broadcasted with the following message: "A space-time distortion seems to be forming!"

If the player is in a menu, pop-up dialogue, or a wild Pokémon battle the timer for space-time distortions to spawn will pause until they return to waiting in the overworld. If the game is saved after a space-time distortion forms, it will not reappear when the game is closed and reopened, and any Pokemon that spawned within the distortion will also vanish. Space-time distortions will not spawn if the weather is intense sun, snowstorm, or thunderstorm.

The spawning of a space-time distortion is unaffected by the player being targeted by aggressive Pokémon, riding on Ride Pokémon, being in the area that the distortion would spawn in at, or active mass outbreaks in the same zone.

The percentages of distortions spawning based on time spent in an area are as follows:

Time (Cumulative)	Distortion chance (Standard)	Distortion chance (During Missions 13 - 18)
5 minutes	10%	20%
10 minutes	30%	30%
15 minutes	50%	50%
25 minutes	75%	75%
40 minutes	100%	100%

There is a period of time between a space-time distortion appearing on the map and the actual activation of the event. The waiting period is proportional to the distance between the distortion and the player, essentially giving the player more time to reach the distortion if it manifested further away from them. The timer until the event activates is set at the moment the distortion appears on the map, and uses the players current position at that moment, the timer does not readjust to account for if the player moves after that point. The amount of time between a distortion first appearing, and the event activating, can be approximated as distance/2 + 60 seconds if the map is treated as a 1024 x 1024 grid. This means if the player is standing at the exact location of a distortion when it first appears, where "distance" is essentially zero, the wait-time for the event to begin is exactly 60 seconds. Once the timer runs out, the transition is marked by the following message: "A space-time distortion appeared!"

When a space-time distortion manifests, all wild Pokémon within the area of effect (except Unown) are despawned, and items that normally cannot be found in the overworld will appear, including shards, evolution items, and various valuable items. Within the bounds of a distortion, groups of up to three wild Pokémon will periodically spawn in front of the player. All Pokémon that spawn will be aggressive toward the player. If these Pokémon are not caught or engaged in battle within 20 seconds, they will despawn at that time, and new Pokémon will subsequently spawn. If a Pokémon is hit with a Poké Ball right before it is set to despawn, the Poké Ball will still attempt to capture it. If a battle with a Pokémon is initiated right as the space-time distortion disappears, the battle will still continue; running from the battle will cause the Pokémon to despawn. All Pokémon and items that spawned in the space-time distortion will disappear once the distortion fades.

There are three designated spots per distortion which contain a single rare Pokémon spawn each. These spawns will only appear when the player gets close, but once they have appeared, they will not despawn until they are captured, defeated, or the distortion ends. The Pokémon that can appear as rare spawns vary depending on the area.

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 the spin-off games

Pokémon Masters EX

In the Travelers from a Distant Past story event, Adaman and Irida end up on modern-day Pasio through a space-time rift. A huge space-time distortion appears during the event and threatens the safety of the people of Pasio with wild Pokémon attacks, but is closed thanks to the powers of Lucas's Dialga, Cyrus's Palkia, and Cynthia's Giratina. Later, Professor Bellis mentions that the space-time rift itself is still open, and more space-time distortions keep appearing on Pasio, though smaller and less dangerous in scale than the earlier one.

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