Pokémon Legends: Arceus - Which Hisui Starter Pokemon Should You Choose?

A guide on which Hisui starter pokemon to choose in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Included are each pokemon's unique features, moves, abilities, and points to remember when choosing.

Choosing your Hisui starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus

At the beginning of the main story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, you will need to choose one of three starter Pokémon.

Deciding which one suits you can be hard so it is important to know each Pokémon’s unique features and abilities.

NOTE: There is a breakdown content of the starters when it comes to their third and final evolution forms. If you don’t want to get spoiled, you can read the next heading only and not the last one.

Main Mission Walkthroughs

As Starter Pokémon

Here is a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each starter in the game:

Cyndaquil

Type	Fire
Base Stats	HP 39 Attack 52 Defense 43 Special Attack 60 Special Defense 50 Speed 65
Ability	Blaze: Increases the power of Fire-type moves by 50% (1.5×) when the ability-bearer’s HP falls below a third of its maximum (known in-game as in a pinch). Flash Fire (Hidden): When a Pokémon with Flash Fire is hit by a Fire-type move, it does not deal damage but instead raises the power of the bearer’s Fire-type moves by 50%. Subsequent hits do not raise the power even more, but the effect remains while the ability-bearer is in battle.
Advantage	High Speed base stat High Special Attack base stat Moderate Attack and Special Defense base stats
Disadvantage	Low HP base stat Low Defense base stat

Cyndaquil Starter Pokémon Guide

Best Qualities of Cyndaquil

Among the starters, Cyndaquil has the highest base Speed stat and Special Attack. However, it has the lowest base HP and Defense stat values. This means Cyndaquil must deal the damage first to gain an advantage.

Cyndaquil will be advantageous during the early game since it will execute attacks first. As Typhlosion, it will be better to assign the Pokémon as a finisher to weakened enemies. This is due to some enemies having more Defense and Special Defense during the late game.

Recommended Nature for Cyndaquil

Pokémon	Recommended Nature
Cyndaquil	Modest (↑ Special Attack, ↓ Attack) Timid (↑ Speed, ↓ Attack)

Cyndaquil’s final evolution, Typhlosion will rely on its high Special Attack and Speed stats. So a Modest and Timid nature is recommended.

Oshawott

Type	Water
Base Stats	HP 55 Attack 55 Defense 45 Special Attack 63 Special Defense 45 Speed 45
Ability	Torrent: Increases the power of Water-type moves by 50% (1.5×) when the ability-bearer’s HP falls below a third of its maximum (known in-game as in a pinch). Shell Armor (Hidden): Prevents the Pokémon from receiving a critical hit.
Advantage	High Special Attack base stat Moderate HP and Attack base stat
Disadvantage	Low Speed base stat Low Special Defense base stat Low Defense base stat

Oshawott Starter Pokémon Guide

Best Qualities of Oshawott

Oshawott has the highest base Special Attack stat compared to the other starters. However, it has the lowest base Defense, Special Defense, and Speed stat values. This means that the Pokémon must clear out enemy Pokémon first before losing HP.

Oshawott will grow strong from middle to late game since its maximum Attack and Special Attack stat values will catch up as it levels. In addition, this Pokémon will gain an advantage against the first Alpha Pokémon, Kleavor, due to its weakness to water-type moves. Oshawott will acquire a strong water-type move called Razor Shell that has the highest power compared to other starters under level 20.

Recommended Nature for Oshawott

Pokémon	Recommended Nature
Oshawott	Quiet (↑ Special Attack, ↓ Speed) Brave (↑ Attack, ↓ Speed)

Oshawott’s final evolution, Samurott will rely on its high Attack and Special Attack stats in battle. So a Quiet and Brave nature is recommended.

Rowlet

Type	Grass/Flying
Base Stats	HP 68 Attack 55 Defense 55 Special Attack 50 Special Defense 50 Speed 42
Ability	Overgrow: Flies noiselessly on delicate wings. It has mastered the art of deftly launching dagger-sharp feathers from those same wings. Long Reach (Hidden): The Pokémon uses its moves without making contact with the target.
Advantage	High HP base stat Moderate Attack, Defense, Special Attack, and Special Defense base stats
Disadvantage	Low Speed base stat

Rowlet Starter Pokémon Guide

Best Qualities of Rowlet

Rowlet has the highest base HP stat among the starters. In addition, the Pokémon has moderate values of base Attack, Defense, Special Attack, and Special Defense stat values. Unfortunately, Rowlet has the lowest base Speed stat.

Rowlett is your all-around stater due to its balanced spread of base stats with the exception of Speed. Since the Pokémon is a dual-type, it will be susceptible to more enemy moves that can exploit the weakness of Grass and Flying. As Decidueye, the Pokémon’s Attack stat value will grow exponentially. This makes the Pokémon not only tanky but also competent in battle.

Recommended Nature

Pokémon	Recommended Nature
Rowlet	Quiet (↑ Special Attack, ↓ Speed) Brave (↑ Attack, ↓ Speed)

Rowlet’s final evolution, Decidueye will rely on its high Attack and Defense stats in battle. Instead of boosting its Defense stat, it is recommended to boost the Pokémon’s Special Attack instead for additional damage. So a Quiet and Brave nature is also recommended.

As Final Evolution Pokémon

Here is a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each starter in their third or final evolution forms in the game (again, spoiler content):

Typhlosion (Hisuian)

Type	Fire/Ghost
Base Stats	HP 73 Attack 84 Defense 78 Special Attack 119 Special Defense 85 Speed 95
Ability	Blaze: Increases the power of Fire-type moves by 50% (1.5×) when the ability-bearer’s HP falls below a third of its maximum (known in-game as in a pinch). Flash Fire (Hidden): When a Pokémon with Flash Fire is hit by a Fire-type move, it does not deal damage but instead raises the power of the bearer’s Fire-type moves by 50%. Subsequent hits do not raise the power even more, but the effect remains while the ability-bearer is in battle.
Advantage	High Special Attack base stat High Speed base stat
Disadvantage	Low HP base stat Low Defense base stat

Best Qualities of Typhlosion (Hisuian)

In Pokémon Legend: Arceus, Hisuian Typhlosion will become a dual-type Pokémon. In Hisui, its typing changes to Fire/Ghost. Compared to the Johtonian Typhlosion, this regional variant has a higher Special Attack max value.

In comparison to other Fire/Ghost or Ghost/Fire-type Pokémon, it ranks after Blacephon and Chandelure when it comes to Special Attack base values. In terms of Speed base value, it ranks after Blacephon.

Samurott (Hisuian)

Type	Water/Dark
Base Stats	HP 90 Attack 108 Defense 80 Special Attack 100 Special Defense 65 Speed 85
Ability	Torrent: Increases the power of Water-type moves by 50% (1.5×) when the ability-bearer’s HP falls below a third of its maximum (known in-game as in a pinch). Shell Armor (Hidden): Prevents the Pokémon from receiving a critical hit.
Advantage	High Attack base stat High Special Attack base stat Moderate HP, Speed, and Defense base stats
Disadvantage	Low Special Defense base stat

Best Qualities of Samurott (Hisuian)

In Pokémon Legend: Arceus, Hisuian Samurott will also become a dual-type Pokémon. In Hisui, its typing changes to Water/Dark. Compared to the Unovan Samurott, this regional variant has a higher Speed base stat.

In comparison to other Water/Dark Pokémon, it ranks after Sharpedo and Crawdaunt when it comes to Attack base values. In terms of Special Attack base value, it ranks after Greninja.

Decidueye (Hisuian)

Type	Water/Dark
Base Stats	HP 88 Attack 112 Defense 80 Special Attack 95 Special Defense 95 Speed 60
Ability	Overgrow: Flies noiselessly on delicate wings. It has mastered the art of deftly launching dagger-sharp feathers from those same wings. Long Reach (Hidden): The Pokémon uses its moves without making contact with the target.
Advantage	High Attack base stat High Special Attack base stat Moderate HP, Speed, and Defense base stats
Disadvantage	Low Speed base stat

Best Qualities of Decidueye (Hisuian)

In Pokémon Legend: Arceus, Hisuian Decidueye is still a dual-type Pokémon. In Hisui, its typing changes to Grass/Fighting. Compared to the Alolan Decidueye, this regional variant has a higher Attack base stat.

In comparison to other Grass/Fighting-type Pokémon, it ranks after Sharpedo and Crawdaunt when it comes to base Attack value. In terms of Special Attack base value, it ranks after Virizion.

Other Strategy Guides

Getting Started

▼All Beginner Guides

New Features	New Pokemon
Game Controls	Permanent Events
Pre-Order Bonuses	Save Data Bonuses
Starter Pokemon	Post-Game Unlockables

Useful Guides

▼All Useful Guides

Best Pokemon Teams	Mythical Pokemon
Hisuian Pokemon	Type Matchup Chart and Guide
Gender Guide	Nature Guide
Food Guide	Arc Phone Guide
Base Camp Guide	Galaxy Expedition Team Rank Guide
Day and Night Cycle Guide	Pastures Guide
Riding Pokemon	Crafting Guide
Photography Guide	Ginkgo Guild Guide
Trainer Battle Guides	Action Order Guide
Agile and Strong Style Guide	Frenzied Pokemon Guide
Alpha Pokemon Guide	Alpha List and Locations
Favorite Food List and Guide	Crafting Recipe List and Locations
Tips for Catching Pokemon	How to Trade Pokemon
How to Increase Pokedex Research Level	How to Catch All Legendary Pokemon
How to Change Outfits	How to Change Hairstyles

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Pokemon Legends: Arceus - Which Hisui Starter Pokemon Should You Choose?

WARNING: THIS CONTENT CONTAINS IN-GAME SPOILERS