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Are there Abilities in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

Prankster come back, please!

Abilities in the Pokémon series have been a staple since the Third Generation of games. Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire introduced these mechanics in 2002 and Pokémon Legends: Arceus does away with them altogether. There are numerous mechanics from previous titles that aren't in the game, but Pokémon Legends: Arceus adds in a few new mechanics of its own.

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Removed Mechanics

  • Abilities - There are no Abilities in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, making each Pokémon have to rely on their stats, movesets, and learnsets. The absence of Abilities such as Prankster and Sturdy will be very noticeable to veterans of the series.
  • EVs - EVs, or Effort Values, have been replaced with Effort Levels, and the only way to gain them is through Grit items. Defeated Pokémon will not reward EVs, so there are

Related: What are Effort Levels (EL) in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

  • Breeding - There is no way to breed in Pokémon Legends: Arceus but the need to do so isn't really needed. With the removal of Abilities and how easy it is to catch numerous of the same Pokémon, there's hardly a reason to breed at all.
  • Held Items - Introduced in Generation II, Items that can be held by Pokémon such as Berries have saved Trainer's Pokémon in the heat of battle. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, however, it is not possible for a Pokémon to hold any Items.
  • Frozen and Sleep - These Status Conditions have been removed from the game and replaced with newer versions to better reflect the combat changes. They are Frosty and Drowsy.

Added Mechanics

Aside from the open-world change and the ability to run around during battles, there are quite a few other mechanics that have been added.

  • Style Moves - Mastering moves will enabled Pokémon to use one of two Style Moves in the game, adding a bit of complexity to the more simplified combat system.
  • Effort Levels - Effort Levels and Grit Items now increase a Pokémon's stats rather than using Effort Values or EVs.
  • Statuses - Several new Status Conditions are in the game as well as some changes to moves like Hypnosis to reflect them. These are Frostbite, Obscured, Drowsy, Primed, and Fixated for regular Pokémon.
  • Weather Changes - Added weather includes Snow, Fog, Strong Sunlight, and Jagged Splinters.
  • Stat Raising Moves - Moves that raise stats have either been removed or had their mechanics changed. For example, the move Silver Wind now says it raises Offensive and Defensive stats rather than all stats individually and does not increase Speed.

For more Pokémon Legends: Arceus guides, check out Agile and Strong Style explained in Pokémon Legends: Arceus on Pro Game Guides.


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