Plates of Arceus Changes

Here is an overview of all of the changes Plates of Arceus makes to Pokémon Reborn as of PoA Ep0.

## New Mechanics

### Terrain Dynamics

Moves and Abilities which create Field Effects may have reduced durations when used on top of other Field Effects.

This includes Surge Abilities, Terrain Moves and moves with additional Terrain altering effects.

Generally,

* Grassy Terrain will not work very well or at all in environments that grass cannot grow on or are not changed by the addition of grass.
* Electric Terrain will not work very well or at all in environments with poor conductivity, that dissipate electricity rapidly or are not changed by the addition of electricity.
* Misty Terrain will not work very well or at all in environments in which the mist dissipates rapidly or are not changed by the addition of mist.
* Psychic Terrain will not work very well or at all in environments with competing mystical forces or that are highly sensory, e.g. bright or noisy.

See Terrain Dynamics for more information.

### Plate Transformation

Pokémon may change into different regional forms by use of the Plates of Arceus. When holding a Plate, a Pokémon may evolve into a form related to that Plate's Type or their offspring may hatch transformed.

#### Plate Evolution

Pokémon holding a Plate of Arceus may change form when evolving.

When meeting typical evolution conditions for the species, the Pokémon form will change at the start of evolution and the Plate will be consumed. Some Pokémon forms require both parents to hold Plates, and some cannot be acquired by Plate Evolution.

Plate Evolution can be used to have Pokémon know moves they typically cannot learn in that form.

#### Plate Breeding

Pokémon holding a Plate of Arceus may produce offspring of a different form.

The mother or non-Ditto must hold the relevant Plate, and sometimes both parents must hold relevant Plates. The Plate is consumed when an egg is created.

Some Pokémon forms cannot be acquired by Plate Breeding.

### Plate Interactions

Some Pokémon Abilities have additional effects when a Plate of Arceus is held.

See List of Plate Interactions for more information.

## Alternate Forms

Plates of Arceus adds hundreds of regional forms to Pokémon Reborn, contributed by many in the community surrounding the game.

Some forms come from all over the world, from regions not seen in Pokémon games before.

Some come from the Reborn region itself.

Some are extinct variants of contemporary species.

Some are unique creations of the characters within Pokémon Reborn.

Most can be acquired by Plate Transformation, and some can only be acquired by Plate Transformation.

See List of Alternate Forms for more information.

## Gen 8 in Reborn

Plates of Arceus updates Pokémon Reborn to Gen 8 (SwSh) in the following ways:

Added Gen 8:

* Pokémon
* Moves
* Abilities
* Held Items
* Regional Forms
* New TMs and TRs added as TMs

Updated:

* Level-up moves and TM compatibility up to Sword and Shield, Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra.
* Terrain damage increases reduced (from 1.5x to 1.3x, 1.3x to 1.2x, and 1.2x to 1.1x where appropriate. Starlight Arena and New World unchanged.)
* Pokémon Storage can be accessed remotely from the menu once unlocked.

## New Content

### New Side Content

Plates of Arceus adds new sidequests and a new sidestory that will develop over future episodes:

Leaving the train station in the opening scene, the ticket vendor whispers a cryptic message to meet someone under a bridge and a pass phrase to use. Someone who will teach you about the Plates of Arceus as your journey unfolds.

A new rival awaits the player in Sweet Kiss Candy Shop in Obsidia Ward.

Wild Pokémon are forming teams underground and causing problems for those living nearby.

And a group of elite Pokémon Trainers are excavating in secret a buried shrine.

### New Areas

Many new areas were added to accommodate Gen 8 Pokémon, wild Altforms and the new side content. They may be discovered early in the game, and you may come across them later in the game without much exploration.

See New Areas for more information.

## Other Changes

* Fennekin now available by trade in Calcenon City, previous location now Toxel.
* Cranidos and Rampardos now have Rock Head available as an Ability.
* Shieldon and Bastiodon now have Heatproof available as an Ability.
* Galarian Farfetch'd now has Defiant available as an Ability.
* Julia's last Pokémon sometimes goes boom.