While Pokemon Legends: Arceus gives more room for trainers to roam about, its storyline and even sidequests are very linear and don't offer much "player's choice" when it comes to dialogue branches. By the end of the game, players are made to choose between two characters to help them at the end of the main story. However, the consequences of a player's choice don't matter since they end up getting one Pokemon earlier than the other.
It's very easy to miss speaking to Pokemon Legends: Arceus' NPCs out in the wild. Some offer tips, while others may give items or a crafting recipe. There's one NPC in the Obisidian Fieldlands that will give players an item if they speak to him, but they'll have to choose the "right" answer first.
Finding the ??? NPC
While the ??? NPC is in the Obisidian Fieldlands, players won't be able to reach him until they get the Basculegion from the Cobalt Coastlands. Once they have it, they can return to the Obisidian Fieldlands and travel along the river to the right of the Worn Bridge. Just before the Obsidian Falls, players can find an unnamed NPC standing on one of the islands. Speak to him, and he'll have players choose between his right hand or left hand.
The decision isn't linked to any Requests or influences the Main Story in any way, but depending on what players need, they'll want to know what he's carrying.
- If they choose his right hand, they'll get a Red Shard.
- Choosing his left hand gives a Blue Shard.
After he gives one of the Shards, he'll disappear from the Obsidian Fieldlands. His name is only presented as ???. While his gift may not be as useful as the hidden NPC in the Coronet Highlands, Legends: Arceus has a few things players can do with the Red or Blue Shard.
Where to Use the Shard?
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There are three different shards in Legends: Arceus - Blue, Red, and Green. They won't sell much at the general store, but they can be used to craft Star Pieces as long as players buy the recipe at the Crafting Store.
Star Pieces sell for 5,000 a pop, and crafting them requires the following materials:
- 3x Blue Shards
- 3x Red Shards
- 3x Green Shards
- 1x Stardust
Since Shards are more common in space-time distortions, it would be wise if players held onto the red or blue shard they receive from the mysterious NPC.
In addition, there's a sidequest at the clothier that will require one shard of each color. Keep the red or blue shard for Request 70: Colorful New Looks, which becomes available after quelling Noble Electrode.
Pokemon Legends: Arecus is available now on Nintendo Switch.