Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a brand-new take on the traditional Pokémon formula, taking players back to the ancient region of Hisui and having them carry out lots of research on Pokémon.
Across the region, there are five areas on top of Jubilife Village where players will have to forage for materials to craft the all-important Potions and Poké Balls, as well as take on Noble Pokémon and Alpha Pokémon. While the pace of the game is rather relaxing, these battles are far from easy.
So, you need a good party of Pokémon by your side. However, what if your dream Pokémon requires a trade to be evolved, but you can't trade online? Pokémon have countered this by introducing the Linking Cord. We tell you all about the Linking Cord and how to get it in Pokémon Legends: Arceus in this guide.
What Is The Linking Cord
The Linking Cord's description in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is "A string exuding a mysterious energy that makes you feel a strange sense of connection. It's loved by certain Pokémon."
Essentially, all Pokémon that would usually need trading with another player in order to evolve can instead be evolved using the Linking Cord. For example, to turn your Kadabra into an Alakazam or your Haunter into a Gengar without actually trading, you're going to need this mysterious piece of string.
How to Get The Linking Cord
Fortunately, the Linking Cord isn't too difficult to acquire, and some people may find it easier than actually committing to a trade at the Trade Post.
Trade Post
The Linking Cord can be purchased from Simona at the Trade Post in Jubilife Village for 1000 Merit Points. We talk more about how can get Merit Points in our guide to what Simona has for sale, here.
Random Ores
You'll be used to seeing red ores around areas that drop Tumblestone, but there are grey-silver ores scattered about Hisui too. These ores, if you're lucky, will sometimes drop a Linking Cord or other evolution items. However, they do usually come with a Geodude or Graveler, so be prepared to face a Rock-type when breaking ores.
Request 22: Eerie Apparitions in the Night
As you delve more into the story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, you will eventually be apporoached by Nessa. Nessa will ask you take on Request 22: Eerie Apparitions in the Night, which requires you to find 107 Wisps around Hisui as you continue your adventure.
This seems daunting, but luckily enough, it's a nice task to complete alongisde your main missions, and Nessa will reward you for your efforts along the way. After acquiring 50 Wisps, Nessa will give you a Linking Cord!
Request 64: Getting to Know the Ghosts
After completing Mission 11: Scaling Perilous Heights, you can speak to Ward in Jubilifie Village to be assigned Request 64: Getting to Know the Ghosts. For this, you must complete Gastly's page in the Pokédex and show it to Ward. Once completed, Ward will give you a Linking Cord for your help!
Those are all the different ways you can go about getting a Linking Cord in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and how to use it. For more on the title, check out our guides to increasing satchel space, how to evolve your Pokémon, and how to customise your character. More importantly, have fun traversing Hisui and filling out your Pokédex!