Pokemon Legends: Arceus just got a new gameplay trailer, and it revealed a lot more interesting details about what the game will be like. In addition to character customization options, a photography studio, and a combat system that's really shaking up the traditional Pokemon formula, Pokemon Legends: Arceus introduced players to a few new terms: Wardens and Noble Pokemon.

Because Arceus takes place long before Pokemon tournaments or gym leaders, the game world is going to look pretty different from what fans are used to. Pokeballs are made of wood, the land is relatively undeveloped, and the region isn't even known as the Sinnoh Region yet. Instead, it's called the Hisui Region, and the main town is Jubilife Village rather than Jubilife City. Because the world was very different before humans learned how to train Pokemon and compete with them, Pokemon Legends: Arceus has to go a completely different route from the usual gym tournament plot — and that's where the mysterious new Wardens come in.

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Wardens Are New to Pokemon Legends: Arceus

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Pokemon Legends: Arceus is different from any other Pokemon game primarily because of the era it takes place in. Arceus takes place in the distant past before humans truly understood Pokemon. The structure of the narrative will also look different because in a land where it isn't common to train Pokemon, there aren't any Pokemon tournaments or gyms to conquer. There are a lot of small differences that account for the difference in the time period, but the new Pokemon Legends: Arceus trailer revealed Wardens, a type of character that's completely new to the Pokemon world.

Wardens appear to have a much more natural relationship with Pokemon. Rather than "catching" them and keeping them trapped in Pokeballs, the Wardens live harmoniously with Pokemon and don't assume ownership of them. It's unclear if the Wardens train the Pokemon entrusted to their care, but battling doesn't seem to be a huge priority for them. It's kind of nice to see Pokemon free and living their lives in the wild, just like they do in New Pokemon Snap.

The Pokemon franchise is built on training and battling Pokemon, so this could hint at a huge change for Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Some fans might be disappointed if that isn't a major part of Arceus, but it looks like battles will still happen where the Wardens are concerned. The context appears to be different, however, and while the Wardens will probably look to test the player, the battles themselves might be more collaborative than competitive.

Wardens Protect Noble Pokemon

Kleavor as it's depicted before a Noble Pokemon encounter in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

In Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Wardens are responsible for protecting and caring for a new class of Pokemon. The Noble Pokemon they protect aren't quite legendary, but they are held in high esteem in the Hisui Region. All of the Noble Pokemon that have been revealed so far are either new or are special variants on pre-existing Pokemon, such as Basculegion, a water/ghost variant of Basculin. Once tamed, players will also be able to ride Noble Pokemon including Wrydeer and Basculegion.

The new gameplay trailer revealed the Pokemon as well as the Wardens that protect them: Mai, Iscan, Lian, and Arezu. Mai looks after Wrydeer, a new normal/psychic Pokemon, Iscan cares for Basculegion despite his fear of ghost-types, and Lian protects the fearsome Kleavor, a bug/rock type. The Noble Pokemon entrusted to Arezu remains a mystery; she works with "a certain lady Pokemon," which is likely another new Pokemon or a variant, but there aren't any clues about what that Pokemon might be. Wardens make sure that these special Pokemon are safe in their respective habitats and that all their needs are provided for.

Not a lot has been revealed about the Noble Pokemon lore other than they are especially strong Pokemon that have received a mysterious blessing. These blessings allow them to help the region they inhabit and possess unique, powerful abilities. The exact nature of the mysterious blessing is, well, a mystery, but it's probably safe to assume it has something to do with the game's headlining legendary Pokemon, Arceus. As the god of Pokemon, it's likely that Arceus has blessed the Noble Pokemon with abilities that benefit the humans and natural environments in Hisui.

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Wardens Could Replace Gym Leaders

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Because there are no tournaments and the focus of Pokemon Legends: Arceus isn't to become the champion of the gym tournament, there probably won't be any gyms in the game. It makes sense given the context of the game; there aren't any flashy stadiums with huge crowds in Hisui. Gym Leaders fill the role of boss fights in the Pokemon franchise, though, so there needs to be something else to commemorate player progression.

Even though they aren't the same as Pokemon Gym Leaders, Wardens may be the equivalent for Pokemon Legends: Arceus. There are four Wardens that have been revealed so far, but there could be more. Mai in particular highlights the more harmonious relationship humans have with Pokemon during this age; her Munchlax is the perfect companion without a Pokeball and grew up with her almost like a sibling.

As part of the Galaxy Expedition Team, the player will assist the Wardens with the Pokemon they care for and learn more about them. The Noble Pokemon themselves seem like they could be the "bosses" of Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Something is happening in the Hisui Region that's causing the Noble Pokemon to become frenzied. They're powerful and dangerous, so each Noble Pokemon's respective Warden will need to enlist help from the player to calm them down.

Wardens Are Similar to Pokemon Sun and Moon Trial Captains

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The Warden and Noble Pokemon system for Pokemon Legends: Arceus is similar to the trials in Pokemon Sun and Moon, the only other main Pokemon game without a traditional gym system. In Sun and Moon, players would face a Trial Captain who would challenge the player to complete a series of tasks before they're ready to take on the Totem Pokemon.

It wasn't the most popular system with fans, but with the Pokemon franchise, every time the formula is changed up is exciting for players. This type of battle system seems much more fitting for a game like Pokemon Legends: Arceus because of the way it's informed by the time period and the different way humans interact with Pokemon. In addition, Arceus is adding a lot of exciting gameplay mechanics to battles that haven't been seen in Pokemon games before.

Even though there aren't any gyms or Gym Leaders in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, players have a lot to look forward to with the Wardens and the new combat system. Fans have been asking for a fresh take on Pokemon for years, and Pokemon Legends: Arceus looks like it might be exactly what players have been waiting for.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus releases for Nintendo Switch on January 28, 2022.

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