Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
These four encounters are part of the postgame plate investigations in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Complete Mission 21 to catch Mesprit, Azelf, and Uxie; then follow Missions 22, 23, and 24 to reach Heatran, Cresselia, and Regigigas. Each has a distinct obstacle before battle, from Heatran’s flame shield to Regigigas’s plate-locked door.
Before you start: follow the postgame mission sequence
After the main story, the relevant investigations begin with Mission 20, “The Researcher of Myths.” The catches covered here are assigned in the next four missions:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Pokémon Legends: Arceus - US Version | $54.25 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Pokemon Legends: Arceus (Nintendo Switch) | $50.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Nintendo Pokémon Legends: Arceus - Standard - Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51obvZjDksL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Nintendo Pokémon Legends: Arceus - Standard - Switch [Digital Code] | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pokémon Legends Arceus - Nintendo Switch | $58.20 | Buy on Amazon |
- Mission 21, “The Plate of the Lakes”: catch Mesprit, Azelf, and Uxie.
- Mission 22, “The Plate of Firespit Island”: catch Heatran.
- Mission 23, “The Plate of Moonview Arena”: catch Cresselia.
- Mission 24, “The Plate of Snowpoint Temple”: catch Regigigas.
These are mission encounters, not random spawns. The mission objectives and locations are listed in the Pokémon Database mission guide.
How to catch the Lake Guardians
Mission 21 sends you back to the lake caverns where the story trials took place. The actual objective now is to catch all three Pokémon. Each is listed at level 70 in the Serebii encounter reference.
#1 Best Overall
- Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
- Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them
- Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
- Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old—and build the region’s first Pokédex
- Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale
| Pokémon | Location |
|---|---|
| Mesprit | Lake Verity, Obsidian Fieldlands |
| Azelf | Lake Valor, Crimson Mirelands |
| Uxie | Lake Acuity, Alabaster Icelands |
Visit each cavern and start the encounter to battle and catch its guardian. Do not mistake these catches for the earlier Red Chain trials: those story sequences tested you, but Mission 21 requires you to capture the trio.
A Lake trio walkthrough reports that damage to a guardian remains if your party is knocked out, provided you do not leave the cave. It also says that if the target is knocked out, it returns at full health. Treat this as a secondary guide’s encounter advice, not an official guarantee; the GameFAQs walkthrough describes the behavior.
Rank #2
- This game comes in UK packaging, but it is region-free and compatible with all Nintendo Switch consoles worldwide.
How to catch Heatran
For Mission 22, travel to Firespit Island in the Cobalt Coastlands and enter Lava Dome Sanctum. Heatran is protected by a flame barrier, so you must clear it before you can begin the battle.
- Pick up Balls of Mud scattered around the arena.
- Throw Balls of Mud at Heatran until its shield disappears.
- Throw one of your Pokémon at Heatran to initiate battle.
- Weaken it in battle, then throw Poké Balls to catch it.
The mud-ball shield step and battle setup are described in the Nintendo Wire Heatran guide.
Rank #3
- Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
- Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them
- Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
- Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old—and build the region’s first Pokédex
- Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale
How to catch Cresselia
Mission 23 takes you to Moonview Arena in the Coronet Highlands. Follow the mission’s NPC and cutscene sequence, and speak to Melli before starting the encounter.
Cresselia’s confusion reverses your movement controls while you approach and handle the overworld encounter. To move in the direction you intend, press the opposite direction. Its barrier can be broken by throwing an item at it; once the barrier is gone, send out a Pokémon to enter battle, weaken Cresselia, and catch it.
- Complete the mission setup and speak to Melli.
- Approach Cresselia carefully, compensating for the reversed controls.
- Throw an item at Cresselia to remove its barrier.
- Throw a Pokémon to start the battle, then weaken and catch it.
The reversed controls and barrier interaction are covered by Game8’s Cresselia guide. A guide notes a sequencing issue in version 1.0.2 when Cresselia was caught before speaking to Melli; its status in later versions is not established here. Following the mission sequence avoids that reported order of events.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to catch Regigigas
Mission 24 leads to Snowpoint Temple in the Alabaster Icelands. Descend to the sealed lower door. It opens only if you have the Icicle Plate, Iron Plate, and Stone Plate; then investigate the bottom of the temple to reach Regigigas.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Make sure you have the Icicle, Iron, and Stone Plates.
- Go to Snowpoint Temple and descend to the sealed lower door.
- Pass through once the door opens, then investigate the temple’s bottom area.
- Battle Regigigas, weaken it, and catch it.
Regigigas can hit hard with Giga Impact, according to the Nintendo Wire Regigigas guide, so bring healing items and enough Poké Balls for a sustained battle.
Capture preparation for all four encounters
The official Pokémon Legends: Arceus gameplay guide explains that weakening some wild Pokémon in battle can make them easier to catch, and that catching involves aiming and throwing a Poké Ball. Prepare for high-level battles with healing items and multiple balls. The available encounter information gives a level of 70 for the Lake trio; it does not establish a fixed catch rate or guarantee that a particular ball will work.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
