☆ Game8's Pokemon TCG Pocket Wiki is live!
☆ Check out all Arceus Pokemon Transferrable to BDSP!
★ Finish the story → Story Walkthrough
┣ Complete the Dex → Pokemon Locations / Trading Board
┗ Research Tasks → Best Tasks / Farm Research Points
The best Starter Pokemon for Pokemon: Legends Arceus is Oshawott. Find out why it is currently the best starter, the starters' type matchups, stat comparisons, and best natures, as well as how they match up against Noble Pokemon.
List of Contents
Oshawott |
After playing through the game, we have found that Oshawott is the best among the three starters mainly due to its type advantage against most of the Noble Pokemon in the region, specifically Kleavor. Though it may struggle against Noble Hisuian Lilligant, at that point, you will likely have caught another Pokemon that can easily counter it.
Though it is not the fastest among the starters, it is still enough to outspeed many of your opponents. Its mostly even base Attack and Special Attack also makes it a versatile member of the team, especially since its learnset lends well to either a Physical or Special Attacker.
Pokemon | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|
Rowlet | ・Decent matchup against many Noble Pokemon | ・Has the overall worst typing defensively and offensively ・Has the lowest speed stat among the starters |
Cyndaquil | ・Highest base stat total at their final evolutions ・Highest speed stat among the starters |
・Has the worst matchup against most Noble Pokemon |
Oshawott | ・Has the most balanced typing and stats ・Great matchup against most Noble Pokemon |
・Overall lowest base stat total. |
All Pokemon found through static encounters are shiny-locked, meaning they are unable to be shiny. This applies to the starter you choose from Professor Laventon at the start of the game.
Starters found through other means will have a chance to be shiny, but you won't be able to have a shiny starter join you on your adventure.
How to Get All Starters
While the basic forms of the starters may be familiar to most trainers, Pokemon Legends: Arceus introduces new regional variants for their final evolutions!
Evolution Line | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rowlet | Lv. 17
→ |
Dartrix | Lv. 36
→ |
Hisuian Decidueye |
Hisuian Decidueye
Arrow Quill Pokemon |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Type | |||
Height | 5' 03" | Weight | 81.6 lbs |
Pokedex Entry | The air stored inside the rachises of Decidueye’s feathers insulates the Pokémon against Hisui’s extreme cold. This is firm proof that evolution can be influenced by environment. |
Hisuian Decidueye takes advantage of its high attack stat with a good set of physical Grass and Fighting-type moves. As strong as it is, its high number of weaknesses also hold it back.
Hisuian Decidueye - Evolution, How to Get, and Research Tasks
Move | Type | Cat.|Pwr.|Acc. Effect |
---|---|---|
Triple Arrows | Physical|50|100 The user delivers an axe kick, then fires three arrows. This raises the chance of its future attacks landing critical hits and also lowers the target’s defensive stats. |
Evolution Line | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Oshawott | Lv. 17
→ |
Dewott | Lv. 36
→ |
Hisuian Samurott |
Hisuian Samurott
Formidable Pokemon |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Type | |||
Height | 4' 11" | Weight | 128.3 lbs |
Pokedex Entry | Hard of heart and deft of blade, this rare form of Samurott is a product of the Pokémon’s evolution in the region of Hisui. Its turbulent blows crash into foes like ceaseless pounding waves. |
Hisuian Samurott is the most well-rounded out of all three with excellent offensive and defensive stats. Gaining the Dark-type also gives it an immunity against Psychic-types!
Hisuian Samurott - Evolution, How to Get, and Research Tasks
Move | Type | Cat.|Pwr.|Acc. Effect |
---|---|---|
Ceaseless Edge | Physical|65|90 The user slashes its shell blade at the target, aiming to land a critical hit. Shell splinters left behind by this attack will continue to damage the target for several turns. |
Evolution Line | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Cyndaquil | Lv. 17
→ |
Quilava | Lv. 36
→ |
Hisuian Typhlosion |
Hisuian Typhlosion
Ghost Flame Pokemon |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Type | |||
Height | 5' 3" | Weight | 153.9 lbs |
Pokedex Entry | Said to purify lost, forsaken souls with its flames and guide them to the afterlife. I believe its form has been influenced by the energy of the sacred mountain towering at Hisui’s center. |
Hisuian Typhlosion is a Special Attacker with great coverage moves too. Its Ghost-typing allows it to hit most types for neutral damage with its Fire-type coverage handling the rest.
Hisuian Typhlosion - Evolution, How to Get, and Research Tasks
Move | Type | Cat.|Pwr.|Acc. Effect |
---|---|---|
Infernal Parade | Special|60|100 The user attacks with myriad fireballs. This may also leave the target with a burn. This move’s power is doubled if the target has a status condition. |
Noble Pokemon fights are some of the most difficult battles you will face in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Among the three starters, Oshawott has the greatest number of advantages against most of the Noble Pokemon, likely because three of the six Nobles are part Rock-type.
This list also takes into consideration the approximate level of your starter at that point in the game and if they have evolved.
Rowlet Line | Cyndaquil Line | Oshawott Line | |
---|---|---|---|
Kleavor | Disadvantage | Disadvantage | Advantage |
Hisuian Lilligant | Advantage | Advantage | Disadvantage |
Hisuian Arcanine | Disadvantage | Disadvantage | Advantage |
Hisuian Electrode | Neutral | Advantage | Disadvantage |
Hisuian Avalugg | Neutral | Disadvantage | Advantage |
Dialga | Advantage | Neutral | Neutral |
Palkia | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
All Boss Battles: How to Beat Frenzied Noble Pokemon
The Rowlett line has the worst typing among the starters when it comes to defenses as its first two forms are weak to a total of 5 types, while its final form is weak to 6, and it will always have one 4x weakness.
Though it is significantly more useful offensively, this offensive potential is severly decreased once it reaches its final form since a total of 3 types resist both of its typings.
Type | |
---|---|
Takes 4x damage (Weakness) | |
Takes 2x damage (Weakness) | |
Takes 0.5x damage (Resistance) | |
Takes 1/4x damage (Resistance) | |
Takes 0x damage (Immunity) |
Unlisted types deal neutral damage to Rowlet
The Cyndaquil line has great overall defenses, since it resists 6 types during its first 2 forms and 7 types at its final form. When it reaches its final evolution, it is also offensively the best type since it can inflict super effective damage on 6 types, with no types resisting both its typings.
Type | |
---|---|
Takes 4x damage (Weakness) | |
Takes 2x damage (Weakness) | |
Takes 0.5x damage (Resistance) | |
Takes 1/4x damage (Resistance) | |
Takes 0x damage (Immunity) | |
Unlisted types deal neutral damage to Cyndaquil
The Oshawott line has the most balanced typing overall with great defensive and offensive potential. It also has the best defensive typing once it reaches its final form due to its 6 resistances and immunity to Psychic.
Type | |
---|---|
Takes 4x damage (Weakness) | |
Takes 2x damage (Weakness) | |
Takes 0.5x damage (Resistance) | |
Takes 1/4x damage (Resistance) | |
Takes 0x damage (Immunity) | |
Unlisted types deal neutral damage to Oshawott
When it comes to stats, Rowlet has the highest base stat total at the first and second stages of their evolutions, which makes it useful at the start of the game. However, once they reach their final evolutions, all three starters will have mostly even base stats, with Hisuian Typhlosion having a slight edge.
Hisuian Samurott has roughly the same Attack and Special Attack stats, which makes it incredibly versatile while playing through the main story since your Pokemon will not always have their ideal movesets.
Hisuian Typhlosion has the highest base speed among the starter final evolutions with Hisuian Samurott coming in a close second. However, Hisuian Decidueye with its base 60 speed will rarely outspeed other Pokemon in battle.
HP | 88 | |
Atk | 112 | |
Def | 80 | |
Sp. Atk | 95 | |
Sp. Def | 95 | |
Speed | 60 | |
Total Base Stats | 530 |
HP | 73 | |
Atk | 84 | |
Def | 78 | |
Sp. Atk | 119 | |
Sp. Def | 85 | |
Speed | 95 | |
Total Base Stats | 534 |
HP | 90 | |
Atk | 108 | |
Def | 80 | |
Sp. Atk | 100 | |
Sp. Def | 65 | |
Speed | 85 | |
Total Base Stats | 528 |
When selecting natures for your Starter Pokemon, it is best to increase their primary attacking stat, either Attack or Special Attack, while decreasing the other attacking stack. Remember to take into account the stats of their final evolutions as well.
Recommended Natures | ||
---|---|---|
Rowlet
Adamant ↑ Attack ↓ Special Attack |
Cyndaquil
Modest ↑ Special Attack ↓ Attack |
Oshawott
Adamant ↑ Attack ↓ Special Attack |
Since Hisuian Decidueye and Samurott perform best as Physcial Attackers, we recommend to increasing their Attack while lowering their Special Attack. However, we recommend the opposite for Hisuian Typhlosion since its high Special Attack makes it a great Special Attacker.
Nature Chart and How to Check Natures
Right before you are asked to pick the starter, you'll have the opportunity to move your character freely. You can use this chance to save in case you want to reset for a good nature.
Beginner's Tips & Guides ## Pokemon Legends: Arceus Tips and Guides
I don't know which starter to choose because this guide says samurott but later it says typhlosion can withstand the most. I'm so confused about who to choose
Best Starter Pokemon: Which Starter Should You Choose?
Genshin Impact Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP) Strategies & Guides Wiki
Call of Duty Black Ops 6 (BO6) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Honkai: Star Rail Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake (DQ3) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Metaphor: ReFantazio Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Wuthering Waves Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Zenless Zone Zero Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon Legends: Arceus Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
New Pokemon Snap Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
FF7 Remake Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
©2021 Pokémon. TM, ®Nintendo.
The copyrights of videos of games used in our content and other intellectual property rights belong to the provider of the game.
The contents we provide on this site were created personally by members of the Game8 editorial department.
We refuse the right to reuse or repost content taken without our permission such as data or images to other sites.
Honestly, they're all pretty good. I don't look deep into stats, but Samurott seems balanced and Typhlosion has a great moveset. I used to hate the Rowlett line but, wow, Hisuian Decidueye is great. It's movepool and signature moves are great, and it's very strong offensively. Plus, it seems faster after it evolved. Generally, they're all great. But I'm definitely choosing Rowlett in my next playthrough.