Catch Eternatus in Pokémon Sword: Step-by-Step Guide & Tips

If you’re playing Pokémon Sword and Shield, you’ve probably heard about Eternatus. This legendary creature is one of the most talked-about Pokémon in the Galar region, and for good reason. Its unique design, incredible power, and central role in the game’s storyline make it a must-have for any serious trainer. But the big question on everyone’s mind is: can you catch Eternatus in Pokémon Sword?

The answer is a resounding yes! In fact, catching Eternatus isn’t just an optional side quest—it’s an essential part of the main story that you can’t avoid. This makes Eternatus different from most other legendary Pokémon, which are often hidden away as secret encounters for dedicated players to discover.

What Exactly is Eternatus in Pokémon Sword and Shield?

Before we dive into how to catch this powerful Pokémon, let’s talk about what makes Eternatus so special. Eternatus is what’s known as a Legendary Pokémon, which means it’s incredibly rare and powerful compared to regular Pokémon. But is Eternatus legendary in the traditional sense? Absolutely—it’s one of the three main legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII, alongside Zacian and Zamazenta.

What’s interesting about Eternatus is that unlike Zacian and Zamazenta (where you get one depending on which version of the game you have), you can catch Eternatus in both Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. This makes it accessible to all players regardless of which game they purchased.

Eternatus has a really fascinating backstory that ties directly into the game’s plot. According to the Pokémon lore, Eternatus arrived on Earth thousands of years ago via a meteor crash. This extraterrestrial origin explains its otherworldly appearance and incredible powers. The energy that leaks from Eternatus while it’s dormant is actually what causes the Dynamax and Gigantamax phenomena throughout the Galar region—those giant Pokémon you encounter in stadium battles and Max Raid dens.

In terms of its Pokédex entry, Eternatus is number #890. Its base stats are absolutely massive, totaling 690 points. To put that in perspective, that’s higher than both Zacian and Zamazenta, who sit at 670 each. The most impressive stat is its Special Attack, which reaches a monstrous 145. This means Eternatus can deal absolutely devastating damage with its special moves.

Eternatus comes with two signature moves that you won’t find on any other Pokémon:

• Dynamax Cannon: Unlocked at level 56, this move has a base power of 100 and does double damage against Dynamaxed Pokémon. This makes it incredibly useful during Max Raid battles.
• Eternabeam: Unlocked at level 88, this is one of the most powerful moves in the game with 160 base power. The downside is that Eternatus needs to recharge after using it, leaving it vulnerable for a turn.

Type-wise, Eternatus is a Poison/Dragon combination. This gives it weaknesses to Ice, Ground, Psychic, and Dragon-type moves. On the flip side, it resists many common types including Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, and Fighting. This mixed typing makes it quite versatile in battles.

You might have heard about something called Eternamax Eternatus. This is a special form that Eternatus takes during the story climax, with absolutely insane base stats totaling 1125. Unfortunately, players can’t keep Eternatus in this form—it’s only available during the specific story battle.

Where to Find Eternatus in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Now let’s get to the practical part: where exactly can you find Eternatus? Unlike other legendary Pokémon that require extensive searching or completing complicated side quests, Eternatus is part of the main storyline. You’ll encounter it naturally as you progress through the game.

The encounter with Eternatus happens during what the game calls “The Darkest Day” storyline. This occurs after you’ve defeated all eight Gym Leaders in the Champion Cup at Wyndon. Just when you’re about to face Leon in the finals, Chairman Rose interrupts with his big plan, triggering the return of Eternatus.

Here’s the step-by-step process to reach Eternatus:

1. After defeating all Gym Leaders in the Champion Cup, head to the Slumbering Weald
2. Collect the Rusted Sword (if you have Pokémon Sword) or Rusted Shield (if you have Pokémon Shield)
3. Return to Hammerlocke and enter Hammerlocke Stadium
4. Go through the doors on your right to access the Energy Plant
5. Battle Chairman Rose
6. Climb the stairs to the summit

At the top, you’ll find Leon already there, and Eternatus will make its dramatic appearance. The game guides you through this entire sequence, so you don’t need to worry about missing it or getting lost.

How to Catch Eternatus in Pokémon Sword

This is probably the most important section for players wondering about the Eternatus catch rate and the actual process of adding this legendary to their team. The catching mechanics for Eternatus are quite different from regular Pokémon encounters.

First and most importantly: you cannot catch Eternatus when you first encounter it. The game makes you battle it in its Eternamax form first, and you need to defeat it in battle before the catching opportunity arises. This is actually great news for players because it means you can go all out with your strongest attacks without worrying about accidentally knocking it out—you’re supposed to defeat it!

The battle against Eternamax Eternatus can be challenging due to its incredible stats. Remember its weaknesses: Ice, Ground, Psychic, and Dragon-type moves. Bringing Pokémon that can exploit these weaknesses will make the battle much easier. Some good choices include:

• Dragon-type Pokémon like Dragapult or Hydreigon
• Ice-types like Mamoswine or Weavile
• Ground-types like Excadrill or Garchomp
• Psychic-types like Indeedee or Hatterene

Once you’ve whittled down Eternatus’s health and defeated it, the game will enter a special cutscene. Your rival Hop will excitedly tell you that it’s time to catch Eternatus. This is your cue to throw a Poké Ball.

Now, here’s the best part about the Eternatus catch rate: it’s guaranteed! Once the game prompts you to catch Eternatus, any Poké Ball you use will successfully catch it. You could use a regular Poké Ball, a Great Ball, an Ultra Ball—it doesn’t matter. The game even provides you with a Poké Ball if you’ve somehow managed to run out completely.

This guaranteed catch mechanic is why many players consider Eternatus one of the easier legendary Pokémon to obtain. You don’t need to worry about status conditions, carefully reducing its health, or using specialized Poké Balls. Just defeat it in battle, and when Hop tells you to catch it, throw any ball you have.

Understanding Eternatus: Frequently Asked Questions

Many players have questions about Eternatus beyond just how to catch it. Let’s address some of the most common queries about this fascinating Pokémon.

Is Eternatus a Legendary Pokémon?

Yes, Eternatus is definitely classified as a legendary Pokémon. It shares this status with other iconic creatures like Mewtwo, Lugia, and Rayquaza. What makes Eternatus unique among legendaries is its central role in the game’s storyline—you can’t complete the main story without encountering and catching it.

What is Eternatus Based On?

The design and lore of Eternatus draw from several interesting sources. Its skeletal dragon appearance likely references Uther Pendragon, the father of King Arthur from Arthurian legends. Uther took his name from a dragon-shaped comet he witnessed, which connects to Eternatus’s extraterrestrial origin.

The Eternamax form, with its multiple segments and serpentine appearance, seems inspired by the seven-headed dragon from the Book of Revelation in the Bible. This adds a mythological depth to Eternatus that goes beyond typical Pokémon designs.

Can Eternatus Be Caught in Both Game Versions?

Yes, you can catch Eternatus in both Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. This makes it different from version-exclusive legendaries that only appear in one game or the other. No matter which version you own, Eternatus will be part of your gameplay experience.

Is Eternatus the Biggest Pokémon?

When it comes to size, Eternatus holds the title of the tallest Pokémon currently known. It stands at an impressive 65 feet (about 19.8 meters), surpassing the previous record holder, Wailord, which measures 47 feet 7 inches. Eternatus is also the fourth heaviest Pokémon at 2,094.4 pounds (950 kg).

Is Eternatus the Strongest Pokémon?

This question has two answers depending on how you look at it. In its normal form, Eternatus has base stats totaling 690, which places it 19th among all Pokémon in terms of raw stats. However, in its Eternamax form (which players can’t keep), it has an unbelievable 1125 base stats—the highest of any Pokémon ever.

In terms of lore and canon strength, Eternatus is certainly among the most powerful Pokémon, likely second only to Arceus itself. Its ability to cause the Dynamax phenomenon across an entire region demonstrates power on a scale few other Pokémon can match.

Maximizing Your Eternatus Experience

Now that you’ve caught Eternatus, you might be wondering how to make the most of this powerful addition to your team. Here are some tips for using Eternatus effectively in battles:

Eternatus’s incredible Special Attack stat makes it perfect for a special attacking role. Its signature move Eternabeam is one of the most powerful attacks in the game, though the recharge turn means you need to use it strategically. Dynamax Cannon is more reliable for regular use, especially against Dynamaxed opponents.

Despite its high Special Attack, Eternatus has decent physical attack stats too, so you could experiment with mixed attacking sets. Its diverse movepool includes options like Sludge Bomb, Dragon Pulse, Flamethrower, and Venoshock.

When it comes to abilities, Eternatus has Pressure, which causes opponents to use twice the PP for their moves. This can be useful for stalling out powerful but low-PP moves from enemy Pokémon.

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Beyond Eternatus: Enhancing Your Pokémon Gaming Experience

While catching Eternatus in Pokémon Sword and Shield is a fantastic achievement, many players enjoy multiple Pokémon games. Pokémon GO remains incredibly popular, but it has one significant limitation: you need to physically move around to play it effectively. This can be challenging for players with mobility issues, those living in rural areas with few PokéStops, or during bad weather.

Fortunately, there are ways to enhance your Pokémon GO experience without constantly traveling. Location-changing tools allow you to simulate movement in the game, giving you access to Pokémon, Gyms, and PokéStops from around the world without leaving your home.

These tools work by temporarily altering your device’s GPS location, making Pokémon GO think you’re somewhere you’re not. This can be particularly useful for accessing region-exclusive Pokémon that don’t spawn in your area, or for participating in events happening in other parts of the world.

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Conclusion: Your Eternatus Adventure Awaits

Catching Eternatus in Pokémon Sword is not just possible—it’s an unforgettable highlight of the game that every player will experience. The process is straightforward: progress through the main story until you reach the “Darkest Day” climax, defeat Eternatus in its powerful Eternamax form, and then catch it with any Poké Ball when prompted.

The guaranteed catch rate means you don’t need to stress about the capture itself. Instead, you can focus on enjoying the epic battle and the satisfaction of adding this magnificent legendary Pokémon to your collection. With its incredible stats, unique typing, and central role in the Galar region’s lore, Eternatus is more than worth the effort.

Whether you’re a competitive battler looking for your next powerhouse or a completionist aiming to fill your Pokédex, Eternatus is a Pokémon you won’t want to miss. So continue your journey through the Galar region, defeat those Gym Leaders, and get ready for one of the most memorable moments in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Some images in this article are sourced from iMyFone.