How to Catch Cresselia

Last Updated: September 15, 2022

So, you're thinking of trying to catch the legendary lunar Pokémon Cresselia? To complete your Pokedex, use in competitive battling, or just plain showing-off purposes, here's your guide!

Steps

1
Go to Fullmoon Island to see Cresselia to get the Lunar wing and heal the sailor's son. Then you're going to go off and search for Cresselia! Run or walk to find Cresselia, do not fly.
2
Make sure you have the Marking map to make your search easier. Get it from the Poketech company president after obtaining your Third badge.

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3
Make sure you stock up on Repels and that your leading Pokémon is level 50 (exactly level 50).
4
Find a route that has no chance of having a Pokémon of a level 50 or higher.
5
With the marking map intact and seeing Cresselia's little icon, go from the route you're on to the next route and back and forth, Cresselia should be moving around by now. Keep going back and forth until Cresselia is on your specific route!
6
Once Cresselia is on your route, use a repel with your little level 50 lead and run through the grass.
7
After meeting Cresselia, do whatever you can to make sure it doesn't run away!
8
Start to weaken it like you would with any other Pokémon! However, like Uxie, Cresselia is loaded when it comes to her defense so don't be afraid to use a STAB attack especially if your lead is around Level 50 because Cresselia is most likely going to live. If it's low on health, just hit it with a weak, non-STAB attack like a Confusion or Cut.
9
When you feel comfortable with its health level, start chucking whatever Pokeball you want at it!
10
If you were able to succeed with all of the above, have fun with your Cresselia!

Community Q&A

Question

How do I catch Pokemon that always run away in Pokemon Pearl?

Community Answer

Use attacks like "Mean Look." Teach "Mean Look" to Pokemon that are fast. I suggest Sneasel.
Question

Does whirlpool and fire spin trap it?

Community Answer

Whirlpool or fire spin traps them in a continuous cycle of damage every round until the effect wears off, but it can't keep them from fleeing.

Warnings

Paralysis is a pretty good status to use on her, Sleep is better though but it doesn't last and Paralysis support can be good if you want to use Whirlpool Empoleon on her who would be able to outspeed a paralyzed Cresselia.

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Do not burn or poison (especially toxic) the poor thing.

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Don't jump into battle and throw a Draco meteor or something like that Cresselia's way because if it's a critical hit, it's goodbye Cresselia.

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Remember that if you're going to use Cresselia for competitive battling, her nature is preset from the moment you meet her in Fullmoon Island so if you caught Cresselia with a bold nature, don't think you can soft reset (unless if you saved before interacting with Cresselia).

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Trapinch won't work. Neither would Sand Tomb, because she's levitating.

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Do not K.O. her. Even though it's hard, don't do K.O. her.

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