entertainment / Monday, 18-Aug-2025

Losing These Pokémon Forever Doesn’t Actually Matter (Much)

A useful quirk of Pokémon’s game design means that losing access to a certain pair of Pokémon in their native core games is not nearly as harmful to gameplay as it may first seem. Although collecting as many of Pokémon’s titular creatures as possible is at the core of the franchise, there are still ways to lose some forever. Of course, removing a Pokémon from a game carries some obvious consequences, such as depriving people of a potential asset in battle, but it is worth noting that some Pokémon also have a unique part to play in other gameplay features.

There are not many ways to permanently lose access to a Pokémon in a game. The most straightforward way is to simply release the Pokémon; this could be done to free up storage space in Boxes, or for other reasons, such as when following the rules of a Nuzlocke Challenge. Similarly, a Pokémon may also be traded away to another player, which depending on the circumstances may mean it will never be returned. Similarly, Pokémon can also be transferred via Pokémon Home to other games, which is a more semi-permanent way to remove them from their original game.

Pokémon ORAS’ Eon Flute Doesn't Need Its Legendary

Latios And Latias Do Not Need To Be In Omega Ruby And Alpha Sapphire

May riding Mega Latios over Hoenn in artwork for Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
May riding Mega Latios over Hoenn in artwork for Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

The Eon Flute is a Key Item found in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, which allows the player to summon Latios or Latias respectively and ride them through the skies after Mega Evolving the Pokémon. This is a post-game feature which provides both quick travel across Hoenn and unique battle opportunities, and follows on from a mid-game encounter with the same Pokemon, where it can be caught on Southern Island. However, the Legendary can still be called by the Eon Flute even if it has been removed from the game.

The other member of the Eon Duo can only be encountered in an ORAS playthrough with the Eon Ticket. Although originally released via a now-discontinued distribution event, the Eon Ticket can still be received via StreetPass from somebody who already has the special item.

In addition to being a novel way to explore Hoenn, complete with the ability to perform various mid-air tricks, Soaring with Latios or Latias allows the player to find Mirage Spots. These special locations can take a variety of forms, from islands to storm clouds, and often provide special encounters with Legendary Pokémon. As such, losing access to Soaring would be a notable disappointment, which is likely why the feature remains usable regardless of its seemingly prerequisite Eon Pokémon’s status.

ORAS’ Latios And Latias Can Be Moved Freely

The Legendaries Leaving the Game Won’t Stop The Eon Flute From Working

The fact that Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have separated the presence of Latios and Latias from this feature means that once unlocked, Soaring in the sky is effectively impossible to disable. Because of this, the player is free to trade, transfer, or even release the Legendary Pokémon without fear of locking themselves out of any content. This may not be one of the most impressive quality of life features in Pokémon, but it is still undoubtedly appreciated by anybody who finds themselves needing it.

Soaring is arguably Latios and Latias’ main purpose in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire which makes it somewhat ironic that a person does not need to own the Pokémon themselves after the Eon Flute is unlocked. They can be permanently removed with no ill effect, aside from of course then not being able to call on them elsewhere. No matter what reason a player may have for moving their Eon Pokémon from its native Pokémon game, this is a valuable contingency, and clearly demonstrates the level of care that has been put into these games.

Pokemon Franchise Image
Created by
Satoshi Taijiri, Ken Sugimori, Junichi Masuda

Latest Film
Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
First TV Show
Pokémon
First Episode Air Date
April 1, 1997
Current Series
Pokémon
TV Show(s)
Pokémon

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