Quick Links

  • How To Start The Fossil Collector Quest
  • Where To Find The Armour Fossil
  • Where To Find The Skull Fossil

When you arrive at the Southern Temple as part of The Fabled Aurora case in Detective Pikachu Returns, several characters - human and Pokemon - are scattered around the outside of the temple in need of assistance. One gentleman is the Fossil Collector, and as his name suggests, he's collecting fossils. Unfortunately, he's currently struggling to collect any, mostly due to the fact his Zigzagoon is too cold to burrow through boulders. The solution is not to warm Zigzagoon up, but to smash the rocks yourself.

Related

Detective Pikachu Returns Review - Elementary School, My Dear Watson

Detective Pikachu Returns plays out much like the first game, offering a cosy wander through the world of Pokemon but without much challenge

Posts

While he's there right from the start, you won't be able to help him (or even unlock the quest) until right at the end of the case. After speaking to him, you should continue into the cave, checking out our guide on how to solve the door puzzle and what berries to use. Once all that is done, you'll eventually be led out some steps which take you back to the original entrance.

How To Start The Fossil Collector Quest

Here, you can talk to Rachel and head back to Ryme City wrapping up the quest, but before you do that, it's time to help out the Fossil Collector. He needs a Pokemon who can break rocks, so talk to Darmanitan and get a ride.

Whether you ignored him originally or not, you'll need to talk to him again near the level's opening path and meet his partner Zigzagoon to unlock the quest - the quest will only unlock once you're riding Darmanitan, so be careful not to break any rocks before speaking to him as this can lock you out of completing it.

Where To Find The Armour Fossil

Finding the Armor Fossil in Detective Pikachu Returns

The rocks he's near don't actually have a fossil in them - they have a Cleffa from the hide and seek quest - but there are still some fossils around the map. The rock just to the left of the ring of boulders he's standing near has the Armor Fossil, which eventually becomes a Shieldon.

Take it back to the Collector, and he'll give you some information on it, but no reward - Detective Pikachu isn't in it for the money, only the coffee.

Where To Find The Skull Fossil

Just up the path from the Fossil Collector, there's a boulder behind Ursaring. This contains Old Amber, which can become Aerodactyl. This is not needed for the quest, but he will still thank you and tell you some information on it.

For the final fossil, head to the immediate right of the temple's entrance, where you can smash the rock wall. Behind this wall is another boulder, and in it is the Skull Fossil. Return it to the Collector, who will tell you it will become a Cranidos.

While not part of the quest, there are two further Pokemon you can meet through smashing rocks, not just the hiding Cleffa. In the same hidden areas as the Skull Fossil rock, you will meet Solrock, who will agree to stay now that the weather is fixed.

Meanwhile, off to the right of the level where you found the Yache Berry is another rock you can bust open to find a Shuckle, who will thank you for waking it up.

Neither of these Pokemon have quests, but if you want to see every Pokemon Detective Pikachu Returns has to offer, you'll want to spot these two before you leave. With the fossils found, you can then talk to Rachel and leave, wrapping the Fabled Aurora up.

Next: The Best Nintendo Switch Games For Kids