Back when Pokemon Legends Arceus had yet to be released, fans were wondering whether one of the most popular Legendary Pokemon, Giratina, would make an appearance in the new title. With Dialga and Palkia often referenced throughout the game's clever dialogue between Diamond and Pearl clan members and their reverence for time and space, it comes as no surprise that you can also encounter and catch Giratina in the Hisui region to complete the Creation Trio. Here's a guide on Giratina's location in Pokemon Legends Arceus, and how to change between Origin and Altered Formes after you catch the Legendary.

Players looking to tame the antimatter Legendary will have to unlock it first after completing a series of tasks. This guide will break down where to find the villainous Creation Trio ‘mon and how to catch it.

Giratina location in Pokemon Legends Arceus

In order to find Giratina, players would first have to finish the main game of Legends Arceus as the quest for this Legendary Pokemon can only be unlocked in the post-game. First, you would need to complete Mission 26: Seeking the Remaining Plates as part of the storyline. Then follow these steps to unlock the encounter with Giratina in Cobalt Coastlands.

  • Talk with Professor Laventon, who will give you Request: 91 On the Trail of Giratina.
  • This quest will direct you to head over to the Cobalt Coastlands.
  • The marker will direct you toward the north-west area of the zone. To get to the right place faster, ride your Braviary mount to fly to Spring Path (check the map's top left corner).
  • At Spring Path, follow the marker to make your way to Turnback Cave, which you can find in the middle of a spring.
  • You'll see a mountain that you can climb by using your Sneasler mount.
  • At the top of the mountain, drop down so you can enter Turnback Cave, where Giratina will be waiting.

Be warned that you'll immediately engage in battle with the Legendary Pokemon once you've dropped into the cave. If you want, you can save your game beforehand and do make sure you have the right Pokemon with you and selected in the Pokeball slot to start off the battle.

How to catch Giratina in Pokemon Legends Arceus

Unlike other Pokemon encounters in Legends Arceus, the battle with Giratina isn't too different from what we've seen in past games. You won't have to creep up on it and aim from behind. You also won't have to throw balms like with calming down Noble Pokemon, no matter how terrifying Giratina may look.

Instead, the key to battling Giratina and successful capture will just be about lowering the Legendary Pokemon's health and trying to inflict status conditions like sleep and paralysis — all those good tips about increasing catch rate in past games.

Ice, Fairy, Ghost, Dark, and Dragon-type moves will be your best bet to deal damage and drop its health quickly since Giratina is a Ghost/Dragon-type. This dual typing has a lot of weaknesses, but it also makes the Legendary resistant to several typings. Plus, if you're coming in with a Ghost-type ‘mon or a Dragon yourself, your ‘mons would similarly be doubly weak to Giratina's Ghost or Dragon moves, respectively.

For a safe move that deals a normal amount of damage, go for Flying, Rock, Steel, or Psychic-type attacks. Do note that since Giratina will be in its Origin Forme, it has the ability Levitate and will be immune to Normal, Fighting, and Ground-type moves.

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Once you've brought down Giratina's health bar to around the yellow or red level, throw an Ultra Ball to try and catch it. Continue chucking your preferred Pokeball at the Legenday antimatter ‘mon until you find success!

How to switch between Origin and Altered Forme Giratina

Giratina comes in two formes: Origin and Altered Forme. Back in the Gen IV games, for example, players would find Giratina in its Altered Forme, and therefore need to give the ‘mon a Griseous Orb to transform it into the Origin Forme. This time around, in Legends Arceus, you'll catch Giratina in the Origin Forme. As such, the item you need to make the switch from Origin to Altered Forme is the Griseous Core.

Thankfully, you don't need to do any hunting to get the item. You receive the Griseous Core automatically upon catching Giratina in Legends Arceus. The cutscene will unfold immediately after the click of the Pokeball. To have Giratina transform into Altered Forme, open up the item menu and equip Giratina with the Griseous Core. Alternatively, take it away from the Legendary to have it default back to the Origin Forme.