Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a fresh take on the classic Pokémon formula, but does it have gyms? The short answer is no. Pokémon Legends: Arceus doesn’t have the traditional gym battles you might be used to. But don’t worry, there’s a new and exciting system in its place.

Instead of fighting your way through eight gyms to become the champion, you’ll be facing off against powerful Noble Pokémon. These are special Pokémon that have been driven into a frenzy and need to be calmed down. It's a really cool twist on the usual gym challenge. I remember the first time I faced Kleavor, the first Noble Pokémon. My heart was pounding as I dodged its attacks and threw balms to soothe it. It was so much more intense than any gym battle I'd ever fought before!

What Replaces Gyms in Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

So, if there are no gyms, what do you do? In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the focus is on exploration, research, and completing the Pokédex. You'll join the Galaxy Expedition Team and work to study the wild Pokémon of the Hisui region. This means a lot of catching, battling, and observing Pokémon in their natural habitats.

The main story revolves around quelling the five Noble Pokémon, each one a massive, glowing version of a familiar Pokémon. These battles are multi-stage events that test your skills in a completely new way. You'll need to dodge their attacks, throw balms to calm them, and then send out your own Pokémon to battle them. My personal favorite was the battle against Hisuian Electrode. The fight takes place on a treacherous mountainside, and I had to use all my wits to avoid its explosive attacks. It was a close call, but I finally managed to calm it down.

These Noble Pokémon battles are a fantastic replacement for gyms, and they really make you feel like you're a part of the world. And if you're wondering about gym leaders, we have a whole article on whether or not there are gym leaders in Pokemon Legends Arceus.

If you're looking to make some in-app purchases in Pokémon Legends Arceus, you can use Playstorm to earn Nintendo eShop gift cards. By playing free mobile games on the Playstorm app, you can earn gems that can be redeemed for gift cards, allowing you to get the most out of your Pokémon adventure without spending a dime.