Game Freak’s journey of innovation often comes with its share of challenges. However, it is safe to say that Pokémon Legends: Arceus succeeded more than it met obstacles. This adventure offered players a stunning glimpse into Hisui, a vision of the ancient Sinnoh region, characterized by its breathtaking landscapes and rich Japanese design.
Even for those who favor traditional gameplay mechanics over the live-action-style Pokémon features, Legends introduced an impressive array of regional variants. Notably, the game presented familiar starter Pokémon with inventive new forms and completely original evolutionary lines. This list will showcase some of the most stable and versatile regional variants, while also considering their unique and engaging characteristics.
With that introduction, let’s journey through Hisui and explore the complete roster of regional variants until we arrive at our ultimate champion!
18 Avalugg
Jawful Turtle
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Ice / Rock |
| Cool Technical Record Move | Body Press |
| Final Move | Skull Bash |
| Weaknesses | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Rock, Steel |
The Hisuian Avalugg exudes intimidation with its formidable jaw, which grants it the Strong Jaw ability, amplifying biting attacks. However, this turtle Pokémon suffers from numerous vulnerabilities, particularly six weaknesses, two of which are quadruple weaknesses. Despite boasting a high Defense stat, its protection is limited.
For those committed to using Avalugg, several formidable moves are available, including Rapid Spin, Avalanche, and Rock Tomb.
17 Growlithe
Rocky Puppy
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Fire / Rock |
| Cool Technical Record Move | Play Rough |
| Final Move | Flare Blitz |
| Weaknesses | Water, Fighting, Ground, Rock |
Similar to Avalugg, Growlithe captivates at first sight with its appealing Fire/Rock type combination, combining cuteness with fierceness while retaining its usual abilities. However, the new typing highlights significant vulnerabilities, particularly to Water and Ground-type attacks, which were already challenging for its predecessor.
Nevertheless, Growlithe features balanced Attack and Special Attack stats which allow for diverse moves such as Fire Fang, Reversal, Swift, and Snarl.
16 Arcanine
Hard-Headed Hound
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Fire / Rock |
| Cool Level Up Move | Extreme Speed |
| Final Move | Bite |
| Weaknesses | Water, Fighting, Ground, Rock |
Arcanine inherits Growlithe’s vulnerabilities but compensates with improved stats, particularly moving from balanced Attack and Special Attack to a greater focus on Attack. This change encourages a strategy centered around physical attacks like Dig, Giga Impact, Iron Tail, and Wild Charge, making it a solid choice among trainers.
15 Lilligant
Prickly Pear
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Grass / Fighting |
| Cool Egg Move | Worry Seed |
| Final Move | Stun Spore |
| Weaknesses | Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
While Grass-types typically don’t capture my interest due to their focus on status effects, I found Lilligant’s athletic variant in Hisui to be a refreshing change. This version excels with impressive Special Attack, good Speed, and formidable defenses.
However, a vulnerability to six types, including a quadruple weakness, makes it a risky choice in battle. Still, moves like Energy Ball, Pollen Puff, and Ingrain can make the most of its potential.
14 Decidueye
Angry Bird
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Grass / Fighting |
| Cool TM Move | Low Sweep |
| Final Move | Brave Bird |
| Weaknesses | Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
Although the introduction of regional variants for starter Pokémon excited me, I was surprised to see that their new typing led to vulnerability in some of my favorites.
Nonetheless, Decidueye maintains solid overall stats and can leverage its Attack and Special Attack effectively. Moves like Spirit Shackle and Leaf Blade showcase its capabilities, but survival remains a priority to unleash its full potential.
13 Sneasel
Brand New Weasel
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighting / Poison |
| Cool TM Move | Psycho Cut |
| Final Move | Slash |
| Weaknesses | Ground, Flying, Psychic |
The original Sneasel was renowned for its speed and strength, utilizing its Dark/Ice typing effectively upon evolution. The Hisui variant introduces an unexpected dual Fighting/Poison typing, bringing along just three weaknesses, including one quadruple vulnerability.
Utilizing attacks like Hone Claws and Psycho Cut, Sneasel thrives in Hisui, although the presence of a hidden ability, Poison Touch, adds an additional layer of strategy.
12 Snow donkeys
Daytime Slasher
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighting / Poison |
| Cool Move Shop Move | Poison Jab |
| Final Move | Close Combat |
| Weaknesses | Ground, Flying, Psychic |
Whereas Weavile struck shadows like a dark avenger, Sneasler emerges as a daytime champion. With impressive Attack, Speed, and respectable Special Defense, it fills the role of a capable combatant.
Powerful moves such as Dire Claw, Close Combat, and Aerial Ace make Sneasler a worthy contender, though it must navigate its significant 4x weakness to Psychic attacks.
11 Braviary
No More ‘Murica Bird
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Psychic / Flying |
| Cool TM Move | Assurance |
| Final Move | Brave Bird |
| Weaknesses | Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, Dark |
While the original Braviary had fewer weaknesses overall, the Hisuian variant showcases a design that changed my opinion of it. Emerging with no quadruple weaknesses, this bird is adept at staying airborne, taking advantage of speed and attack-focused strategies.
It can bewilder enemies with attacks like Tailwind, Crush Claw, and U-Turn, preparing to make its next move in style.
10 Typholosion
Marowak Taught It Well
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Fire / Ghost |
| Cool TM Move | Gyro Ball |
| Final Move | Eruption |
| Weaknesses | Water, Ground, Rock, Ghost, Dark |
In contrast to the struggles faced by Decidueye with its new typing, Typhlosion showcases impressive performance as a Fire/Ghost hybrid. Although it retains several weaknesses, none are quadruple, allowing for greater resilience in battle.
This Pokémon not only looks great but also exhibits high Special Attack, decent defenses, and commendable Speed, enabling it to unleash devastating moves like Burn Up, Solar Beam, and Extrasensory.
9 Samurott
Samurai Otter
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Water / Dark |
| Cool Move Shop Move | X-Scissor |
| Final Move | Hydro Pump |
| Weaknesses | Electric, Grass, Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
Samurott ranks higher than Typhlosion because of my personal preference for Water types over Fire types, primarily due to their durability and versatility in battle. With impressive Attack, Special Attack, and overall solid stats, Samurott lends itself to a variety of strategies.
Trainers can equip it with moves such as Ceaseless Edge, Water Pulse, and Megahorn to maximize its effectiveness.
8 Voltorb
Camouflage Expert
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric / Grass |
| Cool TM Move | Substitute |
| Final Move | Mirror Coat |
| Weaknesses | Fire, Ice, Poison, Bug |
Hisuian Voltorb has taken the quirkiness of its predecessor to new heights by adopting a unique Electric/Grass typing, resembling a wooden ball. Despite its oddity, it only suffers from four types of weaknesses and possesses a good selection of moves to choose from.
Top moves include Charge Beam, Swagger, and Light Screen, adding strategic depth to battles involving this variant.
7 Electrode
Cranky Ball
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Electric / Grass |
| Cool TM Move | Swagger |
| Final Move | Mirror Coat |
| Weaknesses | Fire, Ice, Poison, Bug |
Electrode, similar to Voltorb, retains the quirks but distinguishes itself with remarkable Speed. Its ability to act first allows the Pokémon to set up disruptive attacks including Eerie Impulse and Electro Ball, making it an intriguing choice on the battlefield.
6 Sligo
Heavy Metal
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Steel / Dragon |
| Cool Egg Move | Life Dew |
| Final Move | Muddy Water |
| Weaknesses | Fighting, Ground |
As we approach the concluding section, Sliggoo stands out as one of the remarkable regional variants in Hisui. This Pokémon boasts the rare Steel/Dragon typing, placing it in esteemed company with only a few others like Dialga.
With its impressive Defense, strong Special Attack, and overall durability, Sliggoo can effectively retaliate using moves such as Muddy Water and Dragon Pulse.
5 Floor
Ghostly Trickster
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Normal / Ghost |
| Cool Level Up Move | Imprison |
| Final Move | Foul Play |
| Weaknesses | Dark |
The number one spot is held by his Special variant of Zorua, now accessible as the first hybrid Normal/Ghost type. The transformation presents players with just one weakness to Dark attacks, allowing it to evade most types of damage.
This variant retains the Illusion ability, enabling cunning players to outsmart opponents. Zorua gains access to powerful moves including Night Daze and Hex, making it a character to watch.
4 Qwilfish
Fish No Longer
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Dark / Poison |
| Cool Egg Move | Aqua Jet |
| Final Move | Destiny Bond |
| Weaknesses | Ground |
Interestingly, Hisuian Qwilfish has undergone a significant transformation, shedding its aquatic roots to become a formidable Dark/Poison type. This new typing allows it to withstand attacks, as it only has a single vulnerability to Ground attacks.
With remarkable HP, Speed, and Attack stats, Qwilfish can retaliate with powerful moves like Waterfall and Explosion, making it a fearsome opponent.
3 Goodra
Tyrant Dragon
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Steel / Dragon |
| Cool Technical Record Move | Iron Tail |
| Final Move | Power Whip |
| Weaknesses | Fighting, Ground |
Goodra may seem out of place among Pokémon with more prominent weaknesses, but its stats speak volumes. With an impressive Defense exceeding 400 and nearly 400 in Special Attack, it poses a formidable challenge for any opponent.
When ready to counterattack, Goodra can employ high-power moves like Water Pulse, Mud Shot, and Ice Beam for effective damage output.
2 Overqwil
Ferocious Fugu
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Dark / Poison |
| Cool Move Shop Move | Ice Beam |
| Final Move | Self-Destruct |
| Weaknesses | Ground |
While Qwilfish’s transformation is noteworthy, Overqwil emerges as a captivating entity likened to a pufferfish. With remarkable HP, Attack, and Speed, this Pokémon is not only visually striking but practically formidable.
Utilizing stats effectively allows Overqwil to master moves such as Pin Missile and Double-Edge, establishing it as an impressive fighter.
1 Zoroark
One of a Kind
| First Appears In | Generation VIII |
|---|---|
| Type | Normal / Ghost |
| Cool TM Move | Shadow Claw |
| Final Move | Foul Play |
| Weaknesses | Dark |
It’s no surprise that Zoroark claims the top spot among the Hisuian variants. With just a single vulnerability, alongside exceptional stats, it can learn a vast array of potent moves.
Trainers can exploit both physical and special attacks effectively, with preferred moves like Hyper Beam, Snarl, and Sludge Bomb granting it a fearsome presence in battles.
Leave a Reply