> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.cobblemonislands.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.cobblemonislands.com/cobblemon-1.8.md).
# Cobblemon 1.8 Update: Alpha Pokemon, New Species and Every Change
The Cobblemon 1.8 update for Minecraft is here, and it is a big one: a brand new way to encounter tougher wild Pokemon, a wave of new species and rideable Pokemon, 49 new structures to explore, and a long list of quality-of-life improvements.
This page is the full Cobblemon 1.8 changelog, plus how to play it on a server today.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Playing Cobblemon 1.8 on a server:** Cobblemon Islands is running 1.8, so you can jump straight into Alpha Pokemon hunting and the new ruins without setting up a world yourself.
[Join Cobblemon Islands](https://connect.cobblemonislands.com)
{% endhint %}
### What is in the Cobblemon 1.8 update?
At a glance:
| Change | What you get |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Alpha Pokemon | Larger, stronger wild encounters that lead herds and spawn with TM moves |
| Structures | 49 new habitat structures, including 10 new ruins and a magma shipwreck cove |
| Pokemon | New species across Generations 3 to 9, new regional forms, 8 new rideable Pokemon |
| TMs | Type Gem blocks, the TM Machine, guaranteed TMs in every ruin's gilded chest |
| Advancements | New TM and Alpha tracking, and a one-time reset of previously earned advancements |
### Alpha Pokemon in Cobblemon 1.8
The headline feature of 1.8 is the arrival of **Alpha Pokemon**, supercharged wild encounters that hit noticeably harder than their normal counterparts and are built to be a real test for your team. They are brand new to the mod, not a change to an existing mechanic.
* **Bigger and stronger.** Alphas are visibly larger than a normal Pokemon of the same species, with stat boosts that scale based on their level.
* **They spawn and lead as part of a herd.** Alphas always spawn as part of a herd, and lead it when present.
* **Battle-ready movesets.** Every Alpha spawns already knowing two random TM moves from its learnset, so expect surprises.
* **They will not back down.** Alpha Pokemon always defend themselves if a player attacks them.
* **Unmistakable presence.** Alphas get their own pitch-down, reverb-heavy cries, a unique bait effect, distinct eye rendering (an eye overlay, bloom, eye trail, and particles), and new Wild Might particle effects when they get worked up in battle.
* **Level matching.** Alpha level and stat boosts scale together, so the challenge stays consistent whether you find one early or late into your save.
### New structures in Cobblemon 1.8
1.8 adds **49 new habitat structures**, 34 as classic structures and 15 placed directly as biome features for more natural-looking world generation (these will not show up with `/locate structure`, so keep exploring the old-fashioned way).
* **10 new ruin structures.** On top of that, every ruin structure's gilded chest, new ones and existing ones alike, now guarantees a TM not learnable naturally by any Pokemon, and each ruin has its own specific TM, so hunting ruins is now a real way to round out your move dex.
* A brand new **magma shipwreck cove**, plus slightly more frequent shipwreck cove spawns overall.
* Shipwreck coves are tougher now too: enemies spawn geared in enchanted iron or diamond equipment, including a unique automaton trim, and every cove's treasure chest guarantees one of the elemental Hyper Beam TMs. Magma coves get Blast Burn, lush coves get Frenzy Plant, and submerged coves get Hydro Cannon.
* Fossil structures, plus the rooted arch and crumbling arch ruins specifically, have moved over to biome features for more natural placement.
### New Pokemon in Cobblemon 1.8
A large batch of new species join the Pokedex, spanning Generations 3 through 9, plus new regional forms.
**New species:** Wurmple line, Cherubi and Cherrim, Skitty and Delcatty, Seviper, Zangoose, Audino, Pawniard and Bisharp, Pancham and Pangoro, Rockruff and Lycanroc, Rolycoly line, Runerigus, Snom and Frosmoth, Indeedee, Applin, Flapple and Appletun, Nymble and Lokix, Kingambit, Dipplin and Hydrapple, Duraludon, Archaludon, and more.
**New regional forms:** Alolan Sandshrew and Sandslash, Galarian Yamask, Hisuian Avalugg.
#### New rideable Pokemon in 1.8
Crobat, Skarmory, Milotic, Archeops, Goodra (plus its Hisuian form), Drampa, Duraludon, and Archaludon.
#### Model and animation updates
A long list of existing Pokemon received **model updates** (the Porygon line, Skarmory, the Popplio line, the Goodra line, the Garganacl line, Cofagrigus, and many more) and **animation updates** (Zubat, Vulpix, Talonflame, Lucario, the Goodra line, and dozens of others), so even familiar faces are getting a visual refresh.
### TMs and quality of life
* TMs are getting fully built out this update: Type Gem blocks, the TM Machine, and new configs a server can enable for infinite-use or fully available TMs.
* New advancements track TM progress, including per-TM, all-TMs, and TM-count milestones.
* A new advancement tracks capturing Alpha Pokemon, counted over time rather than a one-off.
* The Party Overlay now shows the actual amount of EXP gained.
* A new toast reminds you that you can hold R and scroll to move through your party instead of using the arrow keys.
* Pokemon cries now play when you click them in the summary screen.
### Bug fixes in 1.8
There is a big batch of bug fixes in this update too, including Full Heal now correctly curing status conditions in battle, traded Pokemon retaining their original friendship level, submarine handling and camera fixes, fossil and berry tree crash fixes, and general Pokedex "seen" tracking fixes for fished and surprised encounters.
### Does Cobblemon 1.8 reset your advancements?
Yes, and this catches people out. 1.8 refactors advancements to simplify a cluttered list, and as a result **previously earned advancements reset**, except for the root starter-selection advancement. This is a one-time cost of the update itself, not something specific to Cobblemon Islands or any other server.
### How to play Cobblemon 1.8
**Minecraft version:** TODO **Mod loaders:** TODO **Download:** TODO (Modrinth and CurseForge links)
#### Playing 1.8 on a Cobblemon server
If you would rather not set up a world yourself, Cobblemon Islands runs 1.8 with the new content enabled, so Alpha Pokemon, the new ruins and the TM system are all live and populated.
[Join Cobblemon Islands](https://connect.cobblemonislands.com)
### Cobblemon 1.8 FAQ
**What are Alpha Pokemon in Cobblemon?** Alpha Pokemon are new to 1.8. They are larger and stronger versions of wild Pokemon that lead herds, spawn already knowing two random TM moves, always fight back when attacked, and have their own cries and visual effects.
**How many new structures does Cobblemon 1.8 add?** 49 habitat structures. 34 are classic structures and 15 are placed as biome features, which means those 15 cannot be found with `/locate structure`.
**Which rideable Pokemon were added in 1.8?** Crobat, Skarmory, Milotic, Archeops, Goodra and Hisuian Goodra, Drampa, Duraludon, and Archaludon.
**Do I lose my advancements when updating to 1.8?** Yes, apart from the root starter-selection advancement. The update reorganises advancements and that reset is a one-time consequence.
**Where do I get the guaranteed TMs?** Every ruin's gilded chest guarantees a TM that no Pokemon learns naturally, and each ruin type has its own specific TM. Shipwreck cove treasure chests guarantee an elemental Hyper Beam TM: Blast Burn in magma coves, Frenzy Plant in lush coves, and Hydro Cannon in submerged coves.
***
*Have questions about how 1.8 works on Cobblemon Islands specifically? Ask in* [*Discord*](https://discord.gg/cobblemonislands)*.*
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