Many fan theories about the next mainline Pokémon game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, are making the rounds on the internet, and one of them concerns the identity of a mysterious climbing Ride Pokémon. Many fans believe that a new Hisuian form of Weavile is the last unannounced Ride Pokémon, and the evidence for it is compelling. Though it's too soon to say exactly what the climbing Pokémon is, the Hisuian Weavile theory is plausible.
Recently, a screenshot of several of the Ride Pokémon - Pokémon that will help the player traverse the world of Legends: Arceus - leaked on the internet. Wyrdeer and Hisuian Braviary were both shown, and are confirmed, however, there is still one Pokémon from the screenshot that remains unknown. All of Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Hisuian Variants haven't been shown to players, which means that a Hisuian Weavile is a possibility. The fact that it's climbing up a mountain, as well as the shape of its silhouette, lead fans to believe that it is a new Hisuian form of either Weavile or an evolution of Nuzleaf, and although both are possible, the former seems more likely.
It's equally possible that the unannounced Ride Pokémon is and isn't Weavile, and it's far too early to definitively predict its identity. If the unconfirmed Ride Pokémon is indeed a Hisuian Weavile or an alternate Sneasel evolution, it would likely be very different from the standard Weavile. All that's known about the Pokémon so far is that it climbs up mountains, and that it appears to carry the player character on its back in a large basket or some other kind of container. There are many unconfirmed Pokémon that could receive Hisuian forms in Legends Arceus, including Qwilfish in addition to Weavile and Sneasel.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus' Leaked Screenshot
Pokémon Legends: Arceus' leaked photo of the Ride Pokémon's silhouette shows it climbing up a mountain with what is presumably some sort of container on its back. The mountain in question looks fairly steep, and composed of stone with some grass on the more level areas. In order to climb a mountain such as this, sharp claws such as the ones that Sneasel and Weavile are known for would be a great asset, if not a necessity. The silhouette appears to be taller and more muscular than Weavile, and if what's on its back is indeed a basket to carry the player in, then that would make it comparable to the player character's height. The increase in size doesn't rule out the possibility that the Ride Pokémon is Hisuian Weavile, however. There are even rumors that Legends Arceus' starters have new Hisuian forms, which will possibly have size differences.
Just as it's possible that the unannounced Ride Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is Hisuian Weavile, it's equally possible that it's a Hisuian form of a different Pokémon, or that it's a new third evolution of Weavile. The latter is a tantalizing prospect, arguably just as much so as Hisuian Weavile. From what can be seen of the body shape, it does bear some resemblance to Sneasel and Weavile, and it has some kind of crest on its head just like Sneasel and Weavile have feathers on theirs. Its head also seems similar to the two, especially to Sneasel's, which gives some credence to the theory that it's Hisuian Weavile. The idea of a third Weavile evolution in Pokémon is a nice one, but the fact that Sneasel only evolves with an item at a certain time of day makes it less likely than a regional variant. In the mainline series, and presumably with Hisuian Forms, evolving with items is typically a sign that an evolution line is done.
There's also the matter of Arezu's as-of-yet unconfirmed Noble Pokémon. Arezu is one of the wardens charged with protecting and caring for a certain Noble Pokémon, but hers is so far unconfirmed. Her description on the Pokémon Legends: Arceus website, however, says that it is a "lady" Pokémon, which may contain a possible link to the mystery Ride Pokémon. Since three out of four of the confirmed Noble Pokémon are also Ride Pokémon, it is entirely possible that Arezu's is as well, and since the silhouette in the screenshot does look like it could be feminine, the mystery Ride Pokémon and Arezu's Noble Pokémon could very well be one and the same.
Hisuian Weavile In Pokémon Legends: Arceus
If the mysterious Ride Pokémon is, in fact, a Hisuian Weavile, then it begs the question of what it would be like. Zoroark and others in Pokémon Legends: Arceus are very different in their new Hisuin forms than their standard ones. The new Weavile would very likely have new typing, new stats, new moves, and even an entirely new playstyle. Though it's too soon to say definitively what any of those are at the moment, there are some inferences that can be made from its silhouette and the environment that it's in. Until Hisuian Weavile is either confirmed or denied, or until the game comes out, anything is possible.
The standard Weavile is a Dark/Ice type Pokémon with high Attack, middling Defense, poor Special Attack, above-average Special Defense, and high Speed. Judging from the silhouette, it looks like Hisuian Weavile, if that is what it is, will be very different. Due to the fact that the other confirmed rideable Pokémon in Legends: Arceus are all Hisuian variants or new evolutions with different or additional typing than their counterparts, it is unlikely to keep its Dark/Ice typing. The fact that it's climbing a steep mountain in a verdant area, and looks bigger and bulkier than standard Weavile, also supports this. Fighting, Rock, and Grass are all possible replacements for either its primary or secondary typing, or both. Its Speed may suffer, but its already-high Attack, and perhaps its Defense or Special Defense, could receive a boost. It could also invert its Attack and Special Attack, to make it more of a long-distance fighter.
If the climbing Ride Pokémon is a Hisuian Weavile, it's possible that it also has a different evolution method than the standard Weavile. Sneasel evolve into Weavile by leveling up while holding the Razor Claw item at night. Since Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes place in a different era than most games, it's possible that Razor Claws will not be in the game. It's therefore possible that it could evolve by holding a different item, when it learns a certain move, through friendship, or by leveling up in a certain area. If there's a Hisuian Sneasel in addition to the possible Weavile, it could also just evolve by leveling up like the majority of Pokémon species do.