Master the Merit Point system in Pokemon Legends: Arceus to unlock rare evolution items and optimize your collection strategy.
Understanding Merit Points: Hisui’s Special Currency
In the ancient Sinnoh region of Hisui, a unique economic system exists alongside traditional Pokedollars. Merit Points serve as a special, non-monetary currency that unlocks access to some of the game’s most valuable resources. Unlike funds earned from battles or quests, these points are a reward for community service and exploration.
Game Freak introduced this system to tie progression to the game’s new social and exploration mechanics. At Jubilife Village’s Trading Post, trainers can exchange Merit Points for evolutionary stones, special held items, and the revolutionary Linking Cable.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus fundamentally changed evolution mechanics after decades of established formulas. Previously elusive evolution items like Fire Stones, Razor Fangs, and Metal Coats are now purchasable, removing the element of random chance from building your ideal team. The most groundbreaking item is the Linking Cable, which allows trade-evolution Pokemon like Kadabra or Haunter to evolve without needing another player—a first for the main series.
This exclusive storefront does not accept traditional currency. Its proprietor, an NPC with a distinct cart, will only conduct business using Merit Points. The prices are steep, making efficient point-earning a valuable skill for any dedicated Survey Corps member looking to complete their Pokedex or optimize their battle team.
The Lost & Found System: Your Gateway to Points
The sole source of Merit Points is the Lost & Found feature, accessible from the Communications tab in your menu. This mechanic becomes available shortly after you formally join the Galaxy Team and begin your survey work. It simulates a community effort where members recover satchels dropped by fellow explorers during their dangerous fieldwork across Hisui.
As you traverse the five major regions—the Obsidian Fieldlands, Crimson Mirelands, Cobalt Coastlands, Coronet Highlands, and Alabaster Icelands—you’ll find Lost Satchels belonging to other players (if online) or generated by the game (if offline). Each recovered satchel represents a good deed, for which the game rewards you with Merit Points. This creates a compelling gameplay loop that encourages thorough exploration of every map segment.
A critical choice faces every player: to play online or offline. While the feature functions without an internet connection, relying on AI-generated satchels, connecting online significantly enhances the experience. Online play provides a more frequent and reliable spawn of Lost Satchels from the global player community. Furthermore, returning a real player’s items often feels more rewarding, knowing you’ve helped another trainer in their journey.
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Step-by-Step: How to Earn Merit Points Efficiently
Earning Merit Points is a straightforward process centered on exploration and recovery. Follow this optimized method to maximize your point income per hour of gameplay.
- While in any region of Hisui, open your map by pressing the designated button. Scan the terrain carefully.
- Identify the distinct bag icon with a pulsating white ring. Hovering over it will confirm it as a Lost Satchel. They can appear in any area, including near Alpha Pokemon territories, so be prepared.
- Plan your route efficiently. Use fast travel to the nearest Base Camp or landmark to minimize travel time. Mounts like Wyrdeer or Sneasler are invaluable for reaching tricky locations.
- Upon arrival, search the immediate area for a physical satchel model on the ground. It’s usually a small, brightly colored bag. Walk directly onto it and press the A button to collect it.
- Open the menu with the Up button on the D-Pad. Navigate to the Communications tab (you may need to click LR to cycle through tabs).
- Select Lost & Found from the list. Any recently collected satchels will have a yellow exclamation mark next to them.
- Open the satchel’s entry and press A to claim your reward. The Merit Points are deposited automatically into your balance. The amount varies slightly but is consistent for single satchels.
Pro Strategy: Don’t return to the menu after every single satchel. It’s more efficient to collect 3-5 satchels in one region, then claim all the rewards at once to reduce menu navigation time. Each region typically has 2-4 satchels active at any given moment, so systematically clearing one area before moving to the next is key.
Spending Your Points: The Trading Post Guide
Your hard-earned Merit Points find their purpose at the Trading Post, located in the northern section of Jubilife Village. This unique stall, operated by a single merchant, offers a rotating stock of rare goods that cannot be purchased anywhere else in Hisui.
The inventory is divided into key categories:
• Evolution Items: Fire Stone, Water Stone, Thunder Stone, Leaf Stone, Ice Stone, Moon Stone, Sun Stone, Razor Claw, Razor Fang, Metal Coat, Protector, Electirizer, Magmarizer, Dubious Disc, Reaper Cloth, and the Linking Cable.
• Evolution Trigger Items: Peat Block (for Ursaluna), Black Augurite (for Kleavor).
• Other Valuables: Rare Poké Balls (like Gigaton Balls) and expensive crafting materials.
Spending Priority Advice: New players should prioritize the Linking Cable and the evolution stones specific to their main team members. These provide immediate power spikes and Pokedex progress. Avoid spending points on common crafting materials you can gather in the field. Check the Post regularly, as certain rare items may only appear after you’ve reached specific story milestones or Star Rank levels.
Remember, the Trading Post is your exclusive Merit Point sink. No other vendor will accept this currency, making strategic spending essential for efficient progression through the game’s challenges.
Pro Tips and Common Pitfalls
To master the Merit Point economy, go beyond the basics with these advanced strategies and awareness of common errors.
Optimization Tips:
1. Satchel Farming Routes: After a major story event or a long period away from the game, log in and check all regions. The game tends to spawn a fresh set of satchels, providing a large point influx.
2. Multi-Tasking: Never go satchel hunting alone. Combine it with Massive Mass Outbreak investigations, Alpha Pokemon hunts, or resource gathering to maximize the value of your expedition time.
3. Connection Management: If playing online, ensure a stable connection. Periodically disconnecting and reconnecting can sometimes refresh the pool of available satchels.
4. Point Hoarding: Don’t spend points as soon as you get them. Save for big-ticket items like the Linking Cable (1000 MP) or a full set of stones. Small purchases can delay your major goals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
• Ignoring the Map: Failing to open the map regularly causes you to miss satchel icons. Make it a habit when you enter a new area.
• Leaving Satchels Unclaimed: You can collect multiple satchels, but you only get the points after claiming them in the Lost & Found menu. Don’t forget the final step.
• Wasting Points Early: Purchasing a Leaf Stone when you have no Grass-type Pokemon is a poor investment. Always buy for immediate or confirmed future use.
• Neglecting Online Play: Sticking purely to offline mode severely limits your point-earning potential, especially in the post-game.
And that’s your comprehensive guide to mastering Merit Points. For more help on your Hisui adventures, make sure to check out our other Pokemon Legends Arceus guides below:
Best starter Pokemon | All Hisuian forms | Hisuian Pokedex | How to catch Darkrai | How to catch Shaymin | All Noble Pokemon | How to beat Frenzied Noble Pokemon | All Gift Pokemon | Mystery Gift codes | Agile & Strong Styles | Alpha Pokemon | How to get Garchomp | How to catch Lucario | All Unown locations | How to catch Eevee | Where to find Pikachu | Hisuian Growlithe & Arcanine location | How to evolve Kleavor | Sylveon evolution guide | Hisuian Voltorb location | How to get Hisuian Sliggoo & Goodra | Where to find Hisuian Zorua & Zoroark | Hisuian Braviary location | How to evolve Overqwil | How to get Hisuian Sneasel & Sneasler | Shiny hunting guide | How to get all three starters without trading
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