Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which launches today, takes place in a past version of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl’s Sinnoh region, called Hisui. So naturally, it’s packed with tons of little easter eggs and nods to Diamond and Pearl locations and characters. But one reference specifically, tied to a legendary Pokémon encounter, is a puzzle solvable only if you know about an easter egg in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl.
Warning: Spoilers for Pokemon Legends: Arceus‘ new Pokemon, legendary Pokemon, and sidequests follow. Read at your own risk!
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ second act, you’ll receive a sidequest from Professor Laventon entitled “The Sea’s Legend”. He mentions a mysterious Pokémon he saw on the ocean, and suggests you might find it in the Cobalt Coastlands. But beyond that, there are absolutely no details on how to encounter it or what Pokémon it even is, and just wandering around the Cobalt Coastlands will get you nowhere. But if you played Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl and remember a specific text in the Canalave Library, you might be able to solve this puzzle.
You see, “The Sea’s Legend” is also the name of a book you can read in said library, which goes a little something like this:
Once upon a time in the East Sea, there was a Pokémon known as the prince. A brave human asked Pokémon living in the sea to let them see the prince. Mantyke, Buizel, and a Quilfish with huge spikes acknowledged the human’s bravery and joined them. Together, they set off in a boat over the sunset-streaked sea, sailing through the ocean gate stretched over the waves. News of this reached the ears of the prince, who went to meet the brave little party at the Seaside Hollow.
If you follow these instructions, then, you can find the princely Pokémon. You’ll need a party with Mantyke and Buizel, as well as Quilfish’s brand new evolution, Overquill. With them on your team, wait until evening and then set sail on Basculegion from the camp on the coast through the huge pillars sticking up out of the water in the ocean. You should get a message saying that a rock moved. If you do, you can then sail to Seaside Hollow, a cave located in the ocean on the other side of the cape, to find Manaphy accompanied by two Phiones. If it’s not working out, check out our full guide to this sidequest including how to acquire Overquill.
Though small, this whole quest chain is an interesting tie-in between the two games, especially as the information Laventon gives you doesn’t tell the full story of what you need to do to find Manaphy. There are other benefits to having played Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, too, as having the save data on your system will trigger a quest for one other legendary. Pokémon Sword and Shield save data will trigger a similar, yet different legendary quest too.
We reviewed Pokémon Legends: Arceus and found its revamped systems to be utterly revolutionary to the Pokémon franchise, but were disappointed in the empty semi-open world it was set in. With its launch, we’ve got tons of guides to help you on your Pokémon journey, and you can find them all here.
Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.
