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August 9, 2024
Pokémons are cool. They look cool, act cool, have cool backstories, and even cooler movesets. This is the secret to Nintendo’s success with the Pokémon franchise. Being cool, however, doesn’t mean that all Pokémon are created equal. Some are much, much cooler than others. One such specimen is Eternatus in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Of course, just knowing about Eternatus isn't enough. The entire point is to catch it, to add it to our Pokédex, and make use of its overwhelming power in future battles. This formula is what makes Pokémon games so fun. But how do you catch the legendary Pokemon Platinum, like Eternatus?
Part 1: What is Eternatus in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
This section contains spoilers for Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield.
Pokémon Sword and Shield introduce three new Legendary Pokémon: Zacian, Zamazenta, and Eternatus. While the availability of either Zacian (Sword) or Zamazenta (Shield) depends on which version of the game you play, Eternatus can be captured in both.
A mysterious Alien Pokémon, Eternatus lies at the heart of Generation VIII’s storyline, its power leaking out into the world. This serves as the cause of numerous phenomena in Galar, particularly Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing.
Dormant for most of the game, its awakening is an essential part of the protagonist’s journey, triggering the Darkest Day in the story’s climax.
The Pokédex lists Eternatus as Pokémon number #890. As a legendary Pokémon, Eternatus boasts the highest base stats in Pokémon Sword and Shield, totaling 690 to best Zacian and Zamazenta's 670. What makes Eternatus special is its monstrous 145 Sp. Atk, giving it huge damage output.
This is complemented by its two signature moves: Dynamax Cannon and Eternabeam.
- Dynamax Cannon is unlocked at level 56. With a base Power of 100, the move packs a punch even before the damage is doubled against Dynamaxed targets. This makes it particularly effective during Max Raid battles.
- Eternabeam, unlocked at level 88, is more straightforward. Its base Power of 160 makes Eternatus an effective nuker, though it needs time to recharge in the next turn. If there is a next turn.
It looks just as cool in pixels. | The Pokémon Company
Eternatus is a Poison/Dragon-type, making it weak to Ice, Ground, Psychic, and Dragon-type moves while having resistance to most other types. While Eternatus does canonically have a higher evolution known as Eternamax Eternatus, the form is unavailable to players.
Part 2: Where Can I Find Eternatus in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Eternatus is different from any other legendary in that the game forces you to trap it in a Pokéball. It’s an essential part of the story, and there’s no other way to encounter it before or after the game’s climax.
The climax in question begins once you’ve defeated all 8 Gym Leaders in the Champion Cup in Wyndon. Just when your Final against Leon is about to begin, Rose (rather rudely) interrupts to announce the culmination of his plans: The Darkest Day.
With the final postponed, you then travel to the Slumbering Weald to seek help from the only beings capable of fighting Eternatus: Zacian and Zamazenta. After taking the Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield, you’ll be told to head back to Hammerlocke.
Inside Hammerlocke Stadium, proceed to the Energy Plant through a set of doors to your right. After a Pokémon Battle against Rose, ascend via the stairs.
At the summit, you’ll find Leon. And Eternatus.
Part 3: How to Catch Eternatus Pokémon?
An important thing to note is that you cannot catch Eternatus until the game prompts it.
It’s just impossible until you defeat it, giving you the leeway to go all out.
Eternamax Eternatus has a total base stats score of 1125. It’s a number hard to believe actually exists. While its Sp. Atk was always high, Eternamax Eternatus balances this out with massive boosts in Def, Sp. Def, and HP to make itself a pretty effective tank.
Its type remains the same, however. This means its weakness to Ice, Ground, Psychic, and Dragon-Type moves remains a very exploitable Achilles' Heel. A well-structured party can make light work of it.
Once defeated, the game will tell you it’s time to attain a Legendary Pokémon. “This is it,” Hop says, practically jumping with excitement, “Hurry, try to catch Eternatus NOW!”
Even if you have no Pokéballs in your bag, the game will sneak one in. The quality doesn’t matter, all that does is the aesthetic of the ball you choose.
And that’s it. You’ve added a Legendary Pokémon to your arsenal. What you do with it is all up to you.
Part 4: More FAQ About Eternatus Pokémon
Q1. Is Eternatus a legendary?
A. It is. Canonically, Eternatus arrived on Earth some 20,000 years ago via a meteor crash. A bit more recently (but still thousands of years ago), Eternatus was defeated by Zacian and Zamazenta to put an end to the Darkest Day. Today, even while dormant, its tremendous power continues to leak out into Galar. Until it wakes up.
Q2. What is Eternatus based on?
A. Eternatus is noted to be an extraterrestrial Pokémon, originally from a different land, while its appearance is that of a skeletal dragon. This likely alludes to Uther Pendragon, the father of the legendary Arthur Pendragon. Uther took the inspiration for his iconic Dragon epithet from a dragon-shaped comet.
Eternamax Eternatus’s hand-crossed Serpent form is likely based on the Seven-Headed Dragon in the Book of Revelation.
Q3. Can Eternatus be caught?
A. Eternatus can be caught. Or rather, it must be caught to progress to the game’s final battle. The game doesn’t give you a choice.
Q4. Is Eternatus 100% catch Rate?
A. Once the game prompts you, any Pokéball will catch Eternatus. Before this, however, it's impossible. It has to be defeated before you can catch it. Once you can, though, it only takes one try.
Q5. Is Eternatus the biggest Pokémon?
A. Yes. Before the Galar Region was introduced, Wailord ruled this ranking at 47 feet and 7 inches (14.5m). With Generation VIII, however, Eternatus is at the top (literally) at 65 feet (19.8m).
It’s also the fourth heaviest Pokémon at 2094.4 lbs (950 kg).
Q6. Is Eternatus the strongest Pokémon?
A. Speaking strictly in terms of base stats, Eternamax Eternatus tops the list with a massive 1125. Eternatus in its normal form, at 690 total base stats, is 19th on this list.
Canonically, it’s likely second only to Arceus, but any definitive answer needs more evidence.
Bonus Tip: How to Catch More Pokémon in “Pokémon GO” without Moving?
Pokémon GO, being an Augmented Reality game, has both ups and downs. The ups are that it’s fun, allowing you to find a mix of fantasy in our reality. On the other side of the Pokecoin, it can be a pain. Having to move around, being unable to play the game whenever you want, can make it a hassle. Especially in the ongoing pandemic.
Fortunately, there’s a way around that. You can, in fact, change location in Pokémon GO & play Pokemon Go at home.
The mechanics are simple. If Pokémon GO uses your GPS to check your location, all you need to do is trick it into believing you’re somewhere else. This is possible with an app named iMyFone AnyTo. With it, you can easily fly GPS for iPhone or Android device.
The following is a step-by-step tutorial:
Step 1: Connect iPhone to the PC/Mac
Launch iMyFone AnyTo on your Windows PC/Mac (you can click the Try It Free button above to download it free). Click the Get Start button.
Step 2: Select Teleport Mode
Choose the third icon on the upper-right corner - Teleport Mode. Then you can input an address or zoom and drag the map to choose a fake location.
Step 3: Location Changed on Map
Now just click the Move button to change your location on the map to this new location!
You should now be good to go. Using iMyFone AnyTo, you can virtually change your phone's location to wherever you want on the displayed map, be it a faraway Gym or a popular stop. You can also select two points and a speed at which to walk, making your phone "travel" to the destination.
You’re now good to go.
