A familiar group of non-Sinnoh starter Pokémon is available for new trainers in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and picking the right one can greatly change early gameplay. Thanks to the new open-world-inspired exploration available in Legends: Arceus' Hisui region, players can get ahold of a wider variety of Pokémon species early in the game compared to past titles. However, there are still types that are limited, and certain starter Pokémon can help ease the battle difficulty and give a big boost to early-game strategy.
The goals set in Pokémon Legends: Arceus take a big turn from previous Pokémon games. Sent to the past to assist Arceus, players will find themselves in the historic Sinnoh region known as Hisui. Unlike the modern era, where people and Pokémon work together in day-to-day existence, the people of Hisui fear and avoid Pokémon. To help boost this relationship, players team up with Professor Laventon and the Galaxy Team to build the first Pokédex. Unlike past games that required players to see or catch Pokémon to complete an entry, Pokémon Legends: Arceus requires players to complete objectives to raise the research levels of each species. This requires players to battle, catch, and raise each Pokémon with more care and attention than before.
However, like previous Pokémon games, picking the right starter Pokémon to journey the vast Hisui region with is an important decision. Starter Pokémon offer players a strong Water, Fire, or Grass-type Pokémon, all of which can be difficult to obtain in early gameplay. This is especially true of Fire and Water-types, which offer a strong advantage in battles. While the diversity of Pokémon species in the first few areas of Hisui are impressive, they can be difficult to catch when the trainer's Pokémon are at a low level, or they might spawn in areas that aren't accessible before obtaining certain Ride Pokémon. Wild Pokémon also tend to have less powerful move sets than starters, limiting player strategies in battle. Additionally, picking the right starter often comes down to preference and play style, making choices difficult.
Why Pokémon Legends: Arceus Players Should Pick Cyndaquil
Cyndaquil, the Fire-starter of the Johto region, is an exciting addition to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Cyndaquil has been a fan-favorite of many players since its debut in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal for its powerful fire attacks and adorable base evolution appearance. Additionally, its final evolution, Typholsion, is a Fire-type powerhouse, dealing devastating damage and acting as an excellent offensive option in battle. However, players will want to think carefully before choosing it as a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, thanks to a new type combo for the Hisuian final evolution.
Hisuian Typhlosian is awkward in appearance and in battle strategy. Gaining the dual-type Fire/Ghost, it can use moves like Hex as well as Overheat. However, players may find Ponyta and Ghastly serve the same purpose with better move sets and both possess better attacks from a much lower level. They are also available almost immediately after starting the game, and with a fairly high catch rate. Because of this, players may want to wait and catch Cyndaquil in the wild later down the road, rather than pick it as a starter companion.
Why Pokémon Legends: Arceus Players Should Pick Rowlet
Pokémon Sun and Moon introduced a great selection of starter Pokémon for the Alola region, including the Grass/Flying-type Rowlet. The spunky, bow-tie-wearing Owl omits the need for another bird Pokémon early in the game, saving a slot in the player's team for a different option. Additionally, it evolves into the Grass/Ghost-type final evolution Decidueye, giving Grass-type fans a fantastic design and powerful type combo. Dedcidueye is part of a very small number of Grass-Ghost combination Pokémon, offering a solid mixture of resistances for strategy, as well as strong moves to attack with.
However, the Rowlet found in Pokémon Legends: Arceus has a few setbacks fans may want to consider before adding it to their teams. Like Cyndaquil, strong Grass and Flying-types are fairly easy to access in the Hisui region. Players can obtain a Budew early in-game as well as Starly. However, the real struggle with Rowlet as a starter comes from its final evolution, Hisuian Decidueye. Typed as Flying/Fighting, much of the previous benefits of Decidueye have been removed. Fighting-type options like Machoke are not only available before Rowlet hits its final evolution, but also make many of Hisuian Decidueye's moves unneeded by the time players can access them. It also struggles with an odd design that lacks the appeal of the Alola's Decidueye, with the bird's iconic cape and mysterious flare replaced by long, gawky legs and awkward feather patterns.
Why Pokémon Legends: Arceus Players Should Pick Oshawott
For those wanting power and balance when starting out in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, an unsuspecting otter Pokémon might actually be the best pick. Oshawott, the Water-type starter from Pokémon Black and White's Unova region, has several big benefits for those starting out in Hisui - the first being access to a strong water Pokémon that isn't Buizel. Oshawott has a solid mixture of offensive and defensive moves, as well as being one of the few Water-types available before players can use surf. Pokémon Legends: Arceus has a surprisingly slim selection of solid Water-type Pokémon, making each one an important addition to player teams.
Oshawott, like Rowlet and Cyndaquil, has a new typing for its final evolution. Hisuian Samurott gains the Water/Dark-type, mixing two powerful move sets. Many of the Pokémon players come up against, including the frenzied Nobles, have a weakness to Dark-type attacks. Because of this, Hisuian Samurott is a big asset in many of the narrative-defining encounters. From an aesthetic perspective, Hisuian Samurott also seems to have the best overall design, with its armor recolored to reflect its Dark-typing and a flowing, white beard accenting its face. It has also received fewer design modifications than Decidueye and Tyhplosian, helping it keep the appeal many may have found during previous Pokémon titles.
For those who aren't particularly interesting in the three returning starters from previous regions, there is good news. All three Sinnoh starters, Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, can be found around the Hisui region in very limited spawns. Players can always remove their original starter from their team at any time, opting for a classic Sinnoh companion instead of Pokémon Legends: Arceus beginning trio. Hopefully, the wide variety of options will give each player the right balance when setting out to build their team.