With Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet just a few months away, the excitement for Pokémon has grown exponentially, but one of the most thrilling things about the new generation of Pokémon is how it adapts a lot from the refreshing Pokémon Legends Arceus that released earlier in 2022.
Just like most other Pokémon games, Pokémon Legends Arceus has a tendency to give each individual creature their own personality, even with many duplicates out in the wild, and these variations in nature, IVs, EVs, and beyond throughout the series give trainers plenty to work towards when finding, training, or breeding the perfect Pokémon for them. However, there's also no denying that some Pokémon inherently are stronger and more versatile than others, making some more preferred (and useful) than others.
Hisuian Typhlosion
Starters are always seen as one of two things: Disposable beginner Pokémon meant to help trainers work their way towards the beginning portion of the game, or they're viewed as lifelong companions that see adventures through to the end.
The Hisuian versions of Cyndaquil, Oshawott, and Rowlett not only evolved into incredible variations of themselves but provided immense versatility and adaptability in almost every environment in Hisui, making them easy picks to join any party thanks to new move sets and exclusive special attacks to each. Typhlosion becoming a Ghost/Fire type in Hisui gave it huge advantages across the board, and utilizing its new signature move, Infernal Parade, complemented by heavy-hitter moves both naturally learned and taught made Hisuian Typhlosion worth keeping throughout.
Hisuian Samurott
Samurott has always been a fan favorite since Generation 5 for its awesome design and being such a fantastic water Pokémon with great stats. In the Hisui region, its allure only grew tenfold, causing it to be arguably the most picked starter from the three in Pokémon Legends Arceus among players around the world.
With a balanced set of moves between water and dark as well as being able to be taught moves from just about every other type, Hisuian Samurott, alongside its new signature move Ceaseless Edge, proved its worth and capability of being able to handle almost anything thrown at it all throughout Pokémon Legends Arceus.
Hisuian Lilligant
Hisuian forms of existing Pokémon from other regions were, for the most part, a sight to behold, and in the case of Liligant, they got the "Noble" treatment by being a guardian-like figure and boss fight in Pokémon Legends Arceus, making it a nice addition to the Pokémon Legends Arceus line of new and reworked Pokémon.
While not historically a go-to Pokémon, Liligant in Hisui brought plenty to love with its new form, move set, and stats that made it a powerhouse - especially if one was able to acquire an Alpha version of it. Hisuian Liligant has a repertoire of Grass and Fighting moves that could combo with Agile and Strong Style to both clean out its opponents and heal itself simultaneously.
Gardevoir
Gardevoir's popularity has only grown since its debut in Pokémon Sapphire and Pokémon Ruby two decades ago thanks to its unique and appealing design throughout all of its forms (including its alternative final evolution, Gallade) that has since then further grown into being a versatile Psychic and Fairy type hybrid.
Though you won't find a Ralts until the Crimson Mirelands or an actual Gardevoir until the Alabaster Icelands, Gardevoir's adaptability to virtually any situation and Pokémon - alongside being only truly weak against three types - makes it one worth keeping alongside the adventure. The combination of Calming Mind, Draining Kiss, Psychic, and Moonblast ensures that Gardevoir can stay out as long as possible, perfect for an emergency backup or if a trainer wants to stall for strategy.
Staraptor
Starly is one of the first flying type Pokémon to be encountered in Pokémon Legends Arceus, but for trainers that aim for Pokedex completion and need a flying type in the party, Staraptor has consistently been a fantastic choice for a long-lasting adventure.
Sporting huge base stats in attack, accuracy, and obviously speed, Staraptor is always great for getting out of sticky situations for quick, easy damage, or ensuring that evasion is key. Hard-hitting moves like Brave Bird and Giga Impact also allow for Staraptor to be a disruptor and a finisher in battles.
Mismagius
Though plenty of Ghost-type Pokémon are preferred over Mismagius and Misdreavus before it, Pokémon Legends Arceus finally gave Mismagius a chance to show what it's really capable of outside of an appealing design.
Mismagius was not only intimidating size-wise (especially as an Alpha), but having moves immediately available like Shadow Ball, Power Gem, and Extrasensory make it so Mismagius can squeeze out health in the long-term. Also being able to be taught Mystical Fire, Icy Wind, and Magical Leaf on top of juggernauts like Hyper Beam and Giga Impact allows Mismagius to be a powerhouse when trained correctly.
Hisuian Goodra
It took no time at all for Goodra to be considered one of the most unique and powerful Pokémon once it was newly introduced into the Pokedex in Gen 6, and not much has changed since then. This Dragon/Steel type Pokémon has always had great stats that even gym leaders and champions use to claim victory, and it continues to be a force of nature in Pokémon Legends Arceus.
With the most vicious Thunder, Steel, Poison, Dragon, and Water-type moves at its disposal with a special defense stat that feels impenetrable, Goodra can sometimes give the occasional legendary a run for their money when properly built.
Luxray
What was easily the most surprising juggernaut of Pokémon Legends Arceus, Luxray, whose first form, Shinx, can be caught almost immediately upon starting the game and is able to be used and raised in a way that can not only dish out attacks but be able to absorb them as well.
It takes moves surprisingly well, and being able to constantly paralyze the opposing Pokémon while utilizing moves like Crunch to make it flinch on top of that can make Luxray an intimidating beast throughout the entirety of the game.
Overqwil
While not previously known to evolve into any other form, Pokémon Legends Arceus gave Qwilfish a Hisuian makeover that introduced a new form and arguably one of the greatest pun-inspired names in Pokémon history: Overqwil.
Overqwil, over just about any other Pokémon in Pokémon Legends Arceus, is a poisoning machine that brings opponents to a crawl after excessive uses of Sludge Bomb, Poison Jab, and Barb Barrage in both Agile and Strong Style. While it may be far from one of the strongest, it's certainly one of the most useful Pokémon when inflicting status ailments.
Garchomp
Unsurprisingly, Garchomp has always been considered one of the most powerful (and in some cases overpowered) Pokémon that always makes a statement when in battle and is unsettling to see and encounter out in the wild. Not just in Pokémon Legends Arceus, but with any game Garchomp makes an appearance in, it tends to be the star of the show.
Once trainers can acquire Garchomp later in the game in the Alabaster Icelands, the rest pretty much comes easy as Garchomp's superiority in speed and attack tends to give it the advantage on top of its powerful Dragon and Ground-type moves that bring enemies down on their knees in mere moments.