Here’s how to use Linking Cords in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Evolution items work very differently in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and a great example of that is the Linking Cord.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is the first Pokemon game in a long while that’s designed to be a primarily single-player experience. While it does have some multiplayer features including the ability to trade, the Pokedex can be completed without any outside help.

That might sound strange to new players, as getting help has been necessary for catching ‘em all since Pokemon Red and Blue on the original Game Boy. Even putting aside version-exclusive Pokemon, trading has been required for the evolution of certain Pokemon species from the series’ very beginning. 

The Linking Cord item ties into that. Here’s how it works, how to use it, and how to get it.

How to use a Linking Cord

The Linking Cord is a new evolution item in Pokemon Legends: Arceus that evolves some Pokemon species that required trading to evolve. The item itself references this, bearing a resemblance to the Nintendo Game Link Cable accessory for the original Game Boy. 

To use a Linking Cord, just access the inventory, select “Use,” and select the Pokemon you want to use it on. The blue “Usable” icon will appear near any Pokemon that can be evolved with the item.

Players can use the Linking Cord to evolve Graveler, Kadabra, Haunter, and Machoke. As of this writing, these are the only Pokemon that evolve in this way. That could change if the Pokemon Legends: Arceus lineup expands with such Pokemon as Gigalith, Conkeldurr, Gourgeist, or Trevenant.

Notably, this list doesn’t include Pokemon such as Electabuzz and Magmar who previously needed to be traded with a specific Held Item. Instead, these evolution-related Held Items have been turned into a consumable evolution item similar to a stone. For example, Onyx can be evolved into a Steelix by using a Metal Coat on it rather than equipping it and trading it.

Where to get Linking Cords in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

You can effectively farm Linking Cords early in Pokemon Legends: Arceus from space-time distortions in the Obsidian Fieldlands.

Space-time distortions are timed events that spawn a number of Pokemon that are non-native to the region in which they’re spawning. They also drop various evolution items including stones, Magmarizer, Electirizers, and more. Notably, they do not include Peat Blocks.

Alongside space-time distortions, Linking Cords can be purchased using Merit Points from the trading post in Jubilife Village. This can be found between the Galaxy Team headquarters and the training grounds. Linking Cords cost 1,000 Merit Points. Merit Points are obtained by finding lost satchels in the field.