How Many Koridon Do You Catch? The Ultimate Guide To Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Mythical Beast
Have you ever found yourself staring at your screen, controller in hand, wondering how many Koridon do you catch in Pokémon Legends: Arceus? You’re not alone. This question plagues both new Survey Corps recruits and seasoned Hisuian explorers alike. The majestic, ancient-looking Koridon isn’t just another Pokémon to add to your Pokédex; it’s a cornerstone of the game’s story, a powerful ally, and a shiny hunting dream. But the rules around obtaining this Paradox Pokémon are more nuanced than a simple “catch one and be done.” Let’s break down everything you need to know, from your first encounter to building a full collection.
Understanding Koridon: More Than Just a Catch
Before we dive into the "how many," we need to understand what we're catching. Koridon is a Rock/Ground-type Paradox Pokémon from the ancient past, appearing in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It’s the ancient counterpart to the modern Cyclizar. Its design is heavily inspired by ancient reptiles and early depictions of dragons, making it a fascinating link to Hisui’s primordial era. In the game’s lore, it’s a creature of immense strength and endurance, perfectly adapted to the harsh, open plains of ancient Sinnoh.
Its significance cannot be overstated. Koridon is integral to the main story progression. You don’t just find it; you are tasked with calming it. This initial encounter sets the stage for your entire journey and your relationship with the noble Pokémon of the region. Furthermore, its unique ability, Protosynthesis, boosts its highest stat in harsh sunlight, making it a formidable battler in the right conditions. Understanding its role is key to understanding the limitations and opportunities surrounding its capture.
The Core Rule: The Story-Bound Koridon
The single most important answer to how many Koridon do you catch is this: you are guaranteed to encounter and befriend exactly one Koridon during the mandatory main story quest. This isn’t a maybe or a recommendation; it’s a fixed point in the game’s narrative.
This story-critical Koridon is obtained during the mission "The Counterpart" (Mission 11: "The Mission"). After a series of events involving the Noble Ursaluna, you will be directed to the Obsidian Fieldlands, specifically the area around the Worn Bridge. Here, you will find a frenzied, enraged Koridon. Your task is not to weaken it in a traditional battle first. Instead, you must use the "Calm It Down" objective, which involves throwing Razz Berries and Jubilife Muffins at it from a distance to lower its frenzy gauge. Once its agitation is reduced enough, you will have the opportunity to throw a Poké Ball and finally add this majestic creature to your team.
This first Koridon is non-negotiable and non-repeatable in this specific context. You cannot skip this mission, and you cannot catch a second one here. This is your "story Koridon." It will be at a set level (around 20-22) and will have standard, non-shiny rarity for this encounter.
Post-Game Freedom: Catching Additional Koridon
This is where the answer to how many Koridon do you catch gets interesting. Once you have completed the main story and the credits roll, the world of Pokémon Legends: Arceus truly opens up. The restrictions of the narrative lift, and the rules of engagement change dramatically. After the main story, you can catch as many additional Koridon as you can find.
So, how do you find more? There are two primary methods:
- Mass Outbreaks: This is your most reliable method. After becoming the Galaxy Team’s leader, Mass Outbreaks of Koridon will begin to appear randomly in the Obsidian Fieldlands. These events spawn multiple Koridon of varying levels in a concentrated area. You can systematically work through the outbreak, catching or battling each one. This is the best way to hunt for a shiny Koridon, as the odds are boosted during an outbreak (the standard shiny odds apply, but you have more encounters per minute).
- Normal Wild Encounters: Koridon continues to spawn as a rare, static overworld encounter in specific patches of the Obsidian Fieldlands, particularly in the northern and western grassy plains areas near the Temple of Sinnoh and Worn Bridge. These are less frequent than outbreak spawns but are always available.
Key Post-Game Point: You can catch, battle, and release as many Koridon as these methods provide. There is no hard cap. You could theoretically fill your entire PC box with Koridon if you had the patience and the outbreak spawns cooperated. This freedom is a core part of the post-game gameplay loop in Legends: Arceus.
The Shiny Koridon Hunt: A Special Case
For many players, the real question isn't just "how many" but "how many until I get a shiny?" Shiny Koridon is a stunning variant with a deep blue and gold color scheme instead of the standard tan and brown. The hunt is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Base Shiny Rate: The standard Pokémon Legends: Arceus shiny rate is approximately 1 in 4,096 for any wild Pokémon.
- Outbreak Boost: During a Mass Outbreak, your shiny odds are significantly improved. The game uses a modified algorithm where the more Pokémon of the same species you catch in a row from the outbreak, the higher your chain and the better your odds. Reaching a chain of 15+ Koridon caught from the same outbreak dramatically increases your chances, potentially approaching 1 in 1,000 or better.
- The "Method": The most effective strategy is to find a Koridon Mass Outbreak. Save your game before interacting with the first Koridon. Then, catch every single Koridon in that outbreak without leaving the area or resetting. If you finish the outbreak without finding a shiny, reload your save and wait for a new outbreak to spawn (this can take real-world hours of in-game time passing). Patience is the ultimate tool.
Can You Have Multiple Koridon on Your Team?
Yes, absolutely! Once you have caught additional Koridon post-game, you can have more than one in your active party. This is useful for:
- Different Natures & IVs: Hunting for a competitive-ready Koridon with a specific nature (e.g., Adamant for physical attack, Jolly for speed) and high Individual Values (IVs).
- Different Movesets: You might want one Koridon for physical attacks like Stone Edge and Earthquake, and another for special moves like Sandstorm and Earth Power, though its movepool is more physical-oriented.
- Simply for Fun: There’s no rule against having a party full of ancient reptiles. It’s your world!
Addressing Common Questions & Misconceptions
Let’s clear up some frequent points of confusion that directly relate to how many koridon do yo catch.
- "Can I catch the story Koridon again if I release it?" No. The story mission’s Koridon is a one-time scripted event. If you release it from your party or box it, you cannot re-fight or re-catch that specific instance. You must rely on post-game spawns for replacements.
- "Does the game let me catch Koridon before the main story?" No. Koridon does not spawn in the overworld until you progress far enough in the story to unlock the Obsidian Fieldlands fully, and even then, the frenzied story encounter is the first you will see. You cannot pre-emptively catch one.
- "What about the space-time distortion Koridon?" This is a critical distinction. Koridon from Space-Time Distortions is a different, separate encounter. These are the "Future" Paradox Pokémon. The Koridon you catch from a distortion in the Coronet Highlands or Alabaster Icelands is a different species entry (it’s still Koridon, but it’s considered a "future" variant in the Pokédex). You can catch both the ancient (Fieldlands) and future (Distortion) versions. They have identical stats and moves, but the distortion one is a post-game, high-level (level 70+) challenge.
- "Is there a limit to how many I can own?" The only limit is your PC box space (which is vast) and your own time. The game does not impose a "one Koridon per save file" rule after the story.
Practical Tips for Maximizing Your Koridon Collection
If your goal is to catch multiple Koridon, especially for a shiny, here is your actionable plan:
- Finish the Story First: Complete "The Counterpart" mission. This unlocks the full map and post-game features.
- Become the Leader: Achieve the rank required to trigger Mass Outbreaks. This is automatic after the final main story mission.
- Farm the Obsidian Fieldlands: Set your base camp at the Temple of Sinnoh or Worn Bridge. These are central to Koridon spawn areas.
- Use the "Wait" Function: To spawn a Mass Outbreak, you often need to wait. Use the "Wait until morning/evening" option at a camp to speed up the in-game clock and trigger new outbreak spawns.
- Save Before an Outbreak: As mentioned, this is crucial for shiny hunting. A soft reset (closing the game and reloading) can also force new outbreak spawns if you’re unlucky.
- Use the Right Gear: Equip Poké Balls with high catch rates (Ultra Balls, Heavy Balls for a grounded Koridon). Have Razz Berries ready to make the throw easier. Use a Pokémon with the ability "Compound Eyes" (like a Toxicroak or Froslass) in your first party slot to boost your accuracy, making throwing at moving targets simpler.
- Check the Pokédex: The "Research Tasks" for Koridon will list its habitats. Use this to confirm you’re looking in the right areas (Obsidian Fieldlands only for ancient Koridon).
Koridon Bio-Data at a Glance
To solidify your knowledge, here are the key specifications for the ancient Koridon from the Obsidian Fieldlands:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Koridon |
| Category | Paradox Pokémon |
| Type | Rock / Ground |
| Ability | Protosynthesis (Boosts highest stat in Harsh Sunlight) |
| Hidden Ability | Sand Force (Boosts Rock/Ground/Steel moves in a Sandstorm) |
| Base HP | 100 |
| Base Attack | 135 |
| Base Defense | 95 |
| Base Sp. Atk | 45 |
| Base Sp. Def | 65 |
| Base Speed | 55 |
| Total BST | 495 |
| Primary Habitat | Obsidian Fieldlands (Ancient) |
| Notable Moves | Stone Edge, Earthquake, Crunch, Stealth Rock, Sandstorm |
Note: The "Future" Koridon from Space-Time Distortions shares this exact base stat spread and moveset.
Conclusion: Your Koridon Journey, Your Rules
So, to directly answer the burning question: how many Koridon do you catch? The definitive answer is a minimum of one, during the unskippable story mission. The maximum is unlimited, dictated only by your willingness to explore the post-game Obsidian Fieldlands, chase Mass Outbreaks, and engage with the excellent shiny hunting mechanics Pokémon Legends: Arceus offers.
Think of it this way: the story gives you a foundation—a powerful partner forged in the fires of a crisis. The post-game gives you a playground—a chance to build a legacy, hunt for perfection, and amass a herd of these ancient titans. Whether you want just one loyal companion or a full stable of differently-natured, potentially shiny beasts, the path is clear. Grab your satchel, stock up on Razz Berries, and head to the Obsidian Fieldlands. The plains are vast, the outbreaks are calling, and your personal answer to "how many?" is waiting to be written in your Pokédex.