Will Pokémon Legends: Arceus Have Gyms?


Pokémon Legends: Arceus has gotten fans of the franchise more excited than they usually are, as it gives us an open-world set in ancient Sinnoh with Pokémon from various generations, it feels like uncharted territory for this franchise.

While there is a lot of excitement, there are also those who are wondering about how it will incorporate mechanics from other games in the franchise like the old-school turn-based battles and Pokémon Gyms.

Will Pokémon Legends: Arceus Have Gyms?

Since this is set in the past, seemingly in a time with no advanced technology, we aren’t sure if Pokémon Legends: Arceus will follow the traditional Pokémon troupe of collecting badges and winning the Pokémon League.

Judging from the trailer and brief gameplay synopsis, no Pokémon Gyms for Pokémon Legends: Arceus have been confirmed. By the looks of things so far, it seems as though Legends: Arceus is not going to have Gyms, and will instead have Wardens. Instead of the Pokémon League, players will likely encounter human Wardens who protect Pokémon , which is rather similar to the trials of Pokémon Sun and Moon.

A Pokémon Trainer in an open area of the Legends: Arceus world.
click to enlarge

Aside from the spin-off games, we haven’t really seen any Pokémon titles that have abandoned the eight badge structure that first appeared in Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue/Green. Pokémon Sun and Moon for the 3DS briefly explored what a Pokémon installment without a Pokémon League would be like, but that ends with the Alola region’s first ever Pokémon League still. So, it will certainly be interesting to see how Pokémon Legends: Arceus and its Wardens play out.

For more on Pokémon Legends: Arceus, check out our release guide for everything you need to know. To have the best start to your adventure, too, check out our tips for catching Noble Pokémon, Alpha Pokémon, and which starter Pokémon will be best for you!

Updated January 26, 2022 by Kelsey Raynor.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Pokémon Legends Arceus, Pokémon, and Guides pages.