With Pokémon Scarlet and Violet releasing later this year, Trainers are hypothesizing what connections they may have to the most recent series installment, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Legends: Arceus introduced many Pokémon in Hisui, including regional variants and new evolutions for long-established monsters. The Hisuian Pokémon are exciting additions to the franchise, but it is unlikely that they will be seen again in future games like Scarlet and Violet.
Over 20 Pokémon forms premiered in Legends: Arceus. With the exception of a few Pokémon like the Legendary Enamorus and new evolution Sneasler, most Hisuian monsters are based on known species. Some, such as all three Pokémon Legends: Arceus starters’ final evolutions, have regional forms with typings unique to the Hisui region. Others are new evolutions of old lines, such as Gen 2’s Ursaring evolving into the new Ride Pokémon Ursaluna.
Not many details about Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have been confirmed as of yet. Theories that the upcoming Gen 9 games will take place in a modern region based on the Iberian Peninsula have erupted from information included in the announcement trailer. If speculation is accurate, there is little connecting Legends: Arceus’ Hisuian Pokémon to Scarlet and Violet.
Hisuian Pokémon Forms Are Unlikely In Gen 9’s Scarlet & Violet
The events of Legends: Arceus take place hundreds of years before Gen 4’s Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (and their recent remakes Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl) when the Sinnoh region was called Hisui. However, aside from a few hints in Pokémon BDSP about Legends: Arceus, there are no regional variants like Hisuian Sneasel or Zorua in modern Sinnoh. They are possibly extinct or have otherwise evolved into new forms. If Hisuian variants are barely mentioned in remade games based on the same region, it is unlikely that they will be in Gen 9’s brand new region. This is particularly true if Scarlet and Violet actually take place in southwestern Europe, as Hisui/Sinnoh is based on Japan.
Pokémon that only received Hisuian evolutions in Legends: Arceus are also unlikely to make an appearance in Scarlet and Violet. For example, it is possible that Scyther will be in the upcoming Gen 9 games. Even so, it cannot evolve into Kleavor unless exposed to Black Augurite, which has only been found in Hisui so far. Some Pokémon like Stantler can only evolve into their Hisuian forms when using certain moves in Legends: Arceus’ Agile or Strong Style. At this time it is unknown if this battle mechanic will make a return in Scarlet and Violet or beyond.
Taken altogether, it does not seem that Hisuian Pokémon introduced in Legends: Arceus will be obtainable in Scarlet and Violet. The upcoming games are confirmed to be Pokémon HOME compatible, though, so some foreign Pokémon may be transferred in. Regional variants do not often make appearances in other games, and a new Gen 9 probably means unseen monsters as well. If Pokémon Legends: Arceus Hisuian forms are anything to go by, Gen 9’s Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will be welcome some amazing new monsters to the roster.