As part of its 25th-anniversary celebration, Game Freak and Nintendo Switch have recently released Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the newest iteration of the mega-popular gaming franchise. Set before the events of Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, one of the things that fans are most excited about is the addition of several newly minted and redesigned Pokémon, including 17 various forms of Hisuian.

Of the 17 types of Hisuian Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, several differentiate themselves through a combination of cool aesthetic designs, stellar stats, overall fighting prowess, rare character evolution, and a whole lot more.

Updated on November 25th, 2022 by Guillermo Kurten: Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduces a solid variety of Hisuian Forms, along with certain new evolutions altogether. For being a single-player focused game, one could arguably make use of just about any one of these variants. There are a few more Hisuian Forms to cover, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Hisuian Electrode

A Hisuian Voltborb and Electrode together in in the grass.

Electrode was a simple, yet fun gimmick Pokémon in the Kanto region, and Legends: Arceus gives it another clever twist. Evolving from a Hisuian Voltborn by way of a Leaf Stone, these regional variants of these creatures are dual Electric/Grass-Type from adapting to their woodland surroundings.

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In terms of stats, nothing has changed since they share the same base stats as their Kantonian counterparts. Hisuian Electrode has access to some impressively hard-hitting moves like Thunder and Chloroblast, but is still unfortunately fragile defensively and doesn't make as good use of its Special Attack as one might hope.

Hisuian Basculin

The white-striped Hisuian Basculin and its original evolution Basculegion.

Back in the Unova region games, Basculin was a clever creative blend of a bass and a piranha. But as slick of a design, as it was, it didn't put up much of a fight in battle. And in terms of design, not much has changed, as it simply gets a white stripe along its body.

But when it comes to battling prowess, it has a leg up on its Unovan cousin simply by getting an original evolution in the form of Basculegion. It's a bit of a technicality, but even though Basculin isn't a powerhouse on its own, this new form having access to a full-blown evolution is worth mentioning.

Hisuian Lilligant

Noble Lilligant posing in an open field in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Given an extravagant lily and princess-like makeover in the Hisuian region, Lilligant is something of a surprise pick to get a regional form in Legends: Arceus. It's a nice alternate design, and it's a respectable combatant for what it sets out to do.

Taking on the dual Grass/Fighting-Type as opposed to its mono Grass-Type cousin, Hisuian Lilligant becomes a sort of Physical glass cannon. Gaining a hefty Physical Attack and Speed boost, this Pokémon is good for hit-and-run tactics, as well as stalling opponents with Substitute and Leech Seed.

Hisuian Qwilfish

Evolved Qwilfish in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Trading its standard Water form for an upgraded Dark-type, Qwilfish is one of the most formidable new forms of Hisuian. By swapping its type, Qwilfish has become just the sixth Dark/Poison combination in the entire series thus far.

Only in its Hisuian form can Qwilfish evolve into Overqwil, an even more skilled attacker. The biggest boon for the character's makeover is its powerful Poison Point move, a deadly pufferfish-like barb that dispenses toxins into its enemies.

Hisuian Sneasel

Hisuian Sneasel in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Sneasel is another awesome Hisuian who enjoys a completely overhauled character design and concomitant stat line. The beneficiary of a new regional and evolved form, Sneasel fuses both Fighting and Poison types to become a really strong contender.

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In its evolved form, Sneasel sprouts a Razor Claw during the day, which he uses to defeat opponents with relative ease. Between its new design, upgraded speed, and physical attack rankings, Sneasel boasts one of the most impressive makeovers in the game.

Hisuian Zoroark

Hisuian Zoroark in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Evolved from Zorua at level 30, Hisuian Zoroark is a Normal/Ghost-type that can use supernatural abilities to defeat its foes. They can emit illusions from their fur, which can trick opponents while dealing tremendous physical and psychological harm to them.

What Zoroark may lack in speed (60) and defense (60), it more than makes up for through its attack (100) and special attack (125) scores. Moreover, it's practically impervious to all Normal and Fighting types and is far better suited to take on Poison-types, reducing their effectiveness against them by half.

Hisuian Braviary

Hisuian Braviary soars in the air in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Beyond its majestic aesthetic design, Hisuian Braviary is one of the most impressive Flying-type Pokémon in Legends: Arceus. In a rare combo of a Flying/Psych-type, Hisuian Braviary can channel psychic powers into shockwaves to stun its enemies before tearing them apart with its vicious talons. Its total stat line of 510 is also quite impressive.

Hisuian Braviary can also use psychic powers to heighten its sixth sense and power up, making it very hard for Ground-types to defeat. Moreover, Hisuian Braviary can also be used as transportation, given it a versatile leg-up.

Hisuian Samurott

Hisuian Samurott seen from Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Despite being the least impressive of the three evolved regional starters in the game, Hisuian Samurott still boasts a stellar total stat line of 538. With superior attack (108) and special attack scores (100), the rare Water/Dark-type can turn water currents into massive waves and crush opponents with them.

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Evolved from Dewott at level 36, Hisuian Samurott's biggest weakness is its defensive prowess, making it quite easy to defeat with special attacks. Far more aggressive than their normal forms, Hisuian Samurott is ideal for taking on isolated Normal, Dark, and Water-type Pokémon.

Hisuian Typhlosion

Hisuian Typhlosion in flames in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Fire/Ghost-types are an incredibly potent combo, and Hisuian Typhlosion's upgrade from Quilava at level 36 does not disappoint. The evolved regional starter boasts an overall stat line of 534, including an awesome 119 special attack score that involves morphing flames into supernatural clouds that can be used to torch enemies. As such, it slightly bests Samurott.

While Hisuian Arcanine is a slightly superior Fire-type, Typhlosion is nothing to sneeze at in the game. While it slightly decreases its speed and HP from its normal form, it remains a well-balanced attacker and defender at once.

Hisuian Decidueye

Hisuian Decidueye seen in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Evolved from Dartrix at level 34, Hisuian Decidueye is the third regional starter in the game. With a combined stat line of 530, the evolved Grass/Fighting-type Pokémon can insulate itself from the cold weather, giving it a seasonal advantage over many others.

Boasting far greater speed and physical attacks than the other two evolved regional starters (Typhlosion and Samurott), Decidueye may be susceptible to Flying attacks but more than atones for the vulnerability through its upgraded Ghost/Fighting swap. Its vast array of powerful Grass moves will counter most ground attacks.

Hisuian Arcanine

Hisuian Arcanine in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Without question, Hisuian Arcanine is one of the most powerful Pokémon of its ilk, outranking the Hisuian Growlithe from which it evolved due to its superior speed and defensive skills. With a venerable 555 stat total, the upgraded Rock/Fire-type of Pokémon boasts some of the highest physical attack stats in the game, making it hard to defeat in a tussle.

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Bigger, stronger, and faster, Arcanine is best used in battles against Flying-type and Normal-type Pokémon, using its fire fang, flamethrower, and flame wheel to deal considerable damage.

Hisuian Avalugg

Hisuian Avalugg attacks in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Despite its lack of speed, Hisuian Avalugg boasts one of the most impressive physical attack (127) and defensive stat (194) combinations of any Pokémon in the game. As such, the gargantuan Ice/Rock-type will ground and pound opponents to dust with its powerful Ice moves.

Evolved from Bergmite on level 37, Hisuian Avalugg is a punishing bruiser best suited for close-range combat against inferior Rock types, Normal types, and even some of the most formidable Flying types.

Hisuian Goodra

Hisuian Goodra appears in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Thanks to its whopping 150 special defensive stat paired with its 110 special attack score, Hisuian Goodra is arguably the most impervious Pokémon to defeat in the game. With an overall stat score of 600, the Steel/Dragon-type evolves from Sliggoo at level 50 and gains a huge advantage by being able to freely manipulate the hardness of its shell.

As such, Goodra is ideally used as a massive tank that can sustain unparalleled attacks with minimal damage, allowing players to plow through enemy territory with relative ease compared to most Hisuian forms.

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