You’ve probably seen them. Those weird, purple-black hieroglyphics stuck to the side of a random tent or hanging off a cliff in the Mirelands. If you’re anything like me, your first instinct was to chuck a Feather Ball at it, only to realize that Pokemon Legends Arceus unown locations are basically the developer’s way of playing a massive, region-wide game of "I Spy." It’s a grind. Honestly, it’s one of the most tedious completionist tasks in the game, but you can’t actually finish that Research Task for the Pokedex or get the Shiny Charm without doing it.
The Unown Research Notes give you clues, sure. But they’re written in Unown script. It’s a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a Nintendo Switch game.
Most players assume these things spawn like regular Pokemon. They don’t. They are static. They don’t move, they don’t run away (usually), and they are always in the exact same spot for every single player. If you’re hunting for Pokemon Legends Arceus unown locations, you’re not looking for a "spawn," you’re looking for a hidden collectible.
The Obsidian Fieldlands: Where the Hunt Begins
This is where the game tries to be gentle with you. It fails.
Take Unown A, for example. It’s at the Settlement in the Diamond Settlement. You’d think it would be on a rock or something natural. Nope. It’s literally on the back of a tent. You have to walk behind the dwellings to see it. It’s staring at the wall. It’s weird. Then you have Unown E, which is hiding in a tree on a tiny island in the Grueling Grove. If you aren't looking up, you'll miss it 100% of the time.
The trick with the Fieldlands is verticality.
I spent twenty minutes looking for Unown G because the clue mentioned a "top of a waterfall." There are a lot of rocks near Obsidian Falls. It’s actually stuck to a rock right at the crest of the falls. If you fall off, you’re hiking back up. It’s annoying. You’ve got to be precise with your aim here because the water physics can sometimes mess with your ball trajectory.
Then there’s Unown I. Lake Verity. It’s behind the cave where you meet Enamorus later, or rather, it’s on the island in the middle. Specifically, it's on the back of the cave entrance. It’s like the developers wanted to reward you for being nosy.
Crimson Mirelands: Mud, Ruins, and Frustration
The Mirelands are a nightmare for visibility. The brown-on-brown color palette makes spotting a thin black letter almost impossible during a foggy morning.
Unown K is in the Shrouded Ruins. It’s on a pile of rocks. It sounds simple, but the ruins are cluttered with debris. You basically have to circle every stack of stones like a hawk. Meanwhile, Unown M is just sitting on a fallen tree trunk at Sludge Mound. This one is actually one of the easiest Pokemon Legends Arceus unown locations to find because it’s not height-dependent. You just walk up and boop it with a Poke Ball.
But then there’s Unown S.
Tidewater Dam. It’s on the logs. Shinnoh’s ancestors apparently had a very specific way of building dams that involved psychic alphabet monsters. Honestly, the Mirelands feel like a test of patience more than a test of skill. If you’re struggling, change the time of day to morning. The lighting is slightly better for spotting the silhouette of the Unown against the mud.
Cobalt Coastlands: Bring a Wing Ball
If you haven’t mastered the art of the long-distance sniper shot with a Wing Ball or Jet Ball, the Coastlands will teach you. Or they’ll make you rage-quit.
Unown B is out by Firespit Island. You have to look up. It’s on the volcano. It’s way up there. If you try to use a Heavy Ball, you’re just wasting resources. You need something with a straight flight path. This is a recurring theme in the Coastlands. Unown N is on the side of one of those giant "horns" (the sea-pillars) near Sand’s Reach. You’re on a boat (Basculegion), the water is moving, and you’re trying to aim at a tiny black dot.
- Unown Q: Located at Spring Path, right outside the entrance to Turnback Cave. It’s on a tree.
- Unown R: This one is at Veilstone Cape. It’s tucked into the rocky cliffs.
- Unown Z: On the mast of the ghost ship at Deadwood Haunt.
The ghost ship one is actually pretty cool. It feels thematic. The rest? They just feel like the devs were playing a prank on us.
Coronet Highlands: The Vertical Grind
The Highlands are miserable without Sneasler. Even with Sneasler, it’s a lot of climbing.
Unown C is at the Celestica Ruins. It’s on top of a pillar. You’d think "Oh, I’ll just fly over with Hisuian Braviary," but the angle is awkward. You’re better off climbing. Unown F is at the Ancient Quarry. Look at the highest point of the jagged rocks. It’s just sitting there, mocking you.
The one that gets everyone is Unown L. It’s inside the Wayward Cave. Now, Wayward Cave is already a maze if you don't know the right turns. The Unown is stuck to a wall in one of the dead-end corridors. You have to check every nook. It’s dark, it’s cramped, and there are Zubats everywhere. It’s a classic Pokemon experience in the worst way possible.
And don't forget Unown P. Fabled Spring. It’s in the bushes. Literally. It’s tucked into the flower patches. You basically have to mow the lawn with Poke Balls to find it if you don't know the exact pixel it’s sitting on.
Alabaster Icelands: The Final Stretch
By the time you get to the Icelands, you’re probably done with this side quest. Stick it out. You’re close.
Unown U is at Heart’s Crag. It’s behind the waterfall. Original? No. Effective? Yes. Unown V is in the Avalanche Slopes, hanging off a dead branch in the middle of a massive snowfield. The white snow actually makes the black Unown pop a bit more, which is a mercy.
The trickiest one here is Unown O. It’s in the Ice Column Chamber (the underground cave system). It’s on the back of one of the ice pillars. Since the lighting underground is blue and dim, the Unown blends into the shadows.
Finally, Unown T is at the Avalugg’s Legacy. It’s on top of one of the smaller ice pillars. You’ll need to fly or jump carefully. It’s a literal frozen wasteland, and you’re out here hunting the letter T.
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Why Bother? The Reward for the Grind
So, you’ve found all 26 letters plus the "!" and "?" symbols. What now?
First, go back to the Solaceon Ruins in the Crimson Mirelands. Once you’ve caught all the hidden Unown, they actually start spawning naturally inside the ruins. This is the only way to get Shiny Unown or Unown with different Effort Levels if you’re a total masochist.
More importantly, it’s a requirement for the "complete" Pokedex. If you want to face Arceus at the end of the game, you need to catch 'em all. "All" includes the alphabet.
Actionable Tips for the Hunt
- Craft 50+ Wing/Jet Balls: Many Unown are high up or out at sea. Standard Poke Balls won't reach.
- Change the Time to Mid-day: Shadows are your enemy. Clear sunlight makes the black shapes of the Unown stand out against the rocks and trees.
- Use Sneasler for Everything: Don't try to find "the path" the devs intended. Just climb the wall. It’s faster.
- Listen for the Sound: There isn't a loud chime like for the Wisps, but if you're close and looking through your lens, you can sometimes spot the sparkle of the "collectible" prompt.
- Check the Map Twice: If a guide says it's at a certain landmark, it's usually on the side of that landmark that faces away from the main trail.
Once you’ve cleared the Pokemon Legends Arceus unown locations, you can finally get back to the actual fun parts of the game, like getting chased by Alpha Garchomps or trying to survive a Space-Time Distortion. It’s a long road, but seeing that "Research Complete" stamp is worth the headache. Just barely.