Pokémon Legends: Arceus finally gives players a type chart within the game

Written by. Nick Mosier based on the original Japanese article (original article’s publication date: 2022-01-29 19:13 JST)

Pokémon Legends: Arceus includes a “Type Matchups” chart within the game and players have taken notice (Togetter).

The Type Matchups chart in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a convenient way to see how effective different types of moves are on different types of Pokémon. Pokémon and the moves they use each have a type. And depending on the combination of types between the attack and the opposing Pokémon, the power of that attack will differ. There are 18 different types in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. A simple calculation might make us think there are 324 different combinations, but when you consider that some Pokémon have multiple types, the possible number of combinations becomes even greater. And with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, there’s now a handy reference in-game to help players grasp all the possibilities.

But that doesn’t mean some older titles haven’t had similar features. One example is Pokémon Stadium 2 which also had a type chart. However, mainline titles in the series have never featured one within the game itself. Players had to either learn as they went or consult a strategy guide or website to grasp all the type matchups.

The first generation of Pokémon only had 15 types. In the second generation, Gold and Silver added both “dark” and “steel” types, along with new type relationships such as ice-type attacks being not very effective against fire-type Pokémon.

Pokémon X and Y, the sixth generation in the series, added yet another type with “fairy.” As the type matchup system grew more complicated, some moves also saw their types change, such as “Sweet Kiss” switching from a normal-type move to fairy-type. For players that haven’t kept up since the beginning, type matchups have become fairly difficult to get the hang of.

There have of course been official reference materials released to help players with type combinations, with the official website having type charts for Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Sword and Shield. While the information within the games has been more fragmented, they also have numerous examples and demonstrations of type matchups.

With that being said, the mainline games have never had a chart within the game that’s always accessible to explain everything. Many gamers had to go to sources outside of the game to check type matchups.

But in a rare move for a Pokémon title, Pokémon Legends: Arceus gives us the chart right there in the game, and fans have taken notice. Unlike recent releases such as Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Pokémon Legends: Arceus has a Survey Tips menu which is an easy to access in-game manual. Perhaps Game Freak decided to do so since the game introduces a number of new mechanics and systems to the series. Having this manual may have also led them to adding the Type Matchups chart.

Whatever the reason is, for new players or those that haven’t touched the series in a while, it looks to be a convenient feature. And like other recent titles in the series, the game also helps players know which types of moves are most effective when selecting them during battle.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is now available for the Nintendo Switch.