All the Hisuian Pokemon coming in Legends: Arceus

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set to introduce players to the Hisui region, which is rife with a number of new Pokemon and Hisuian variants of familiar ones.

The Pokemon Company whetted fans’ appetites by revealing Hisuian Growlithe alongside what will likely serve as the Legends: Arceus equivalent to Ride Pokemon. Since then, a number of brand new Pokemon have been revealed that will help to make the game feel like an all-new experience.

Here are all the Hisuian Pokemon revealed so far. It’s likely that more will be shown off heading into the game’s release.

New starter evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Pokemon Legends: Arceus will include new final evolutions for its three starter Pokemon, Rowlett, Cyndaquil, and Samurott. The three Pokemon will receive Hisuian variants with different typings and new signature moves.

This trio was the centerpiece of a massive leak for Pokemon Legends: Arceus a week ahead of the game’s official release. Fan backlash against them was intense. Some of this is standard fare for Pokemon, but it’s likely that this was exacerbated by leakers revealing the shiny versions before standard colorations and due to the release only included a static rip of the Pokemon’s model.

Hisuian Growlithe

The first new Pokemon that was highlighted for Pokemon Legends: Arceus was Hisuian Growlithe. Growlithe has long been a fan favorite as the series’ original friendly dog Pokemon and it’s getting a new variant in Hisui.

As is tradition, Hisuian regional variants in Pokemon: Legends Arceus are getting new types, with Hisuian Growlithe being a rock-fire Pokemon rather than the pure fire type of the original Kantonian Growlithe. This is the third line of Pokemon with rock-fire typing following the Coalossal and Magcargo lines.

It is likely that Hisuian Growlithe will evolve into Hisuian Arcanine, but so far this has not been shown. The curled-in hair on Growlithe has led many to compare it with Chinese fu dog statues, leading to speculation that it will evolve into something like those traditional symbols.

Hisuian Arcanine

Players can get a Hisuian Arcanine by using a Fire Stone on a Hisuian Growlithe.

Though some regional variants have brand new evolutions, Hisuian Growlithe evolves into Hisuian Arcanine. The regional variant keeps the fire-rock typing and has a clunky armored look with a darker coloration than its basic form.

Tragically, Hisuian Arcanine is not a rideable Pokemon. Though the Kantonian version was rideable in Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee and was once ridden on by Ash in the anime, Stoutland remains the only dog Pokemon players can ride on at this point.

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Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark

Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark are set to arrive in Pokemon: Legends Arceus as normal-ghost Pokemon.

Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark were revealed in an interesting way. Rather than being revealed in a normal trailer, The Pokemon Company released a strange found footage-style trailer akin to the Blair Witch Project films. It originally featured a trailer full of static that sounded like a person being attacked in a snowy wilderness, but was later clarified to show a person being frightened by a Hisuian Zoroark.

Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark have an interesting normal-ghost typing. This neutralizes most of the weaknesses of either type, leaving them immune to fighting, normal, and ghost attacks. Zoroark was one of the most popular Pokemon of Black and White but has largely been forgotten about, and its inclusion here will likely breathe some new life into its popularity.

Hisuian Qwilfish and Overqwil

One of the more surprising regional variants in Pokemon Legends: Arceus is Hisuian Qwilfish. The blowfish Pokemon got a punk rock makeover and a dark-poison typing. It’s an interesting shift as it drops the fish’s water typing completely, though it is still regularly seen swimming.

Hisuian Qwilfish is also getting an evolution, Overqwil. The Pokemon has a silly look, but actually blends in with various other spiny Pokemon such as Pinchurchin and Pyukumuku.

Hisuian Braviary

Another gen-five Pokemon that is getting a regional variant, Hisuian Braviary is set to play a big role in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. The Pokemon has been prominently featured in promotional materials flying the player around in a sort of hang glider contraption.

While the other regional variants have relatively rare typings, that isn’t the case here. Hisuian Braviary is a flying-psychic type, joining legendaries like Lugia and Galaraian Articuno, as well as some more forgettable legendaries such as Xatu, Swoobat, Oricorio, and Sigilyph.

Hisuian Avalugg

Alongside Goodra, Braviary, and the Pokemon Legends: Arceus starters, Avalugg is getting a new regional variant that evolves from an established Pokemon. The standard-issue Bergmite returns, and turns into a different version of the same evolution.

Hisuian Avalugg is an ice-rock Pokemon, which is an intriguing combo. It’s only the second Pokemon line to have this typing, joining Amaura and Aurorus. It’s also one of the most low-key regional variants in Pokemon to date, and looks more like an affordable Pokemon Unite Holowear than an actually different Pokemon.

Hisuian Voltorb

Poke Balls are getting a new look in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, so it makes sense that Voltorb would get a new look for the Hisui region.

The new Voltorb is more reflective of the prototype Poke Balls used in the game. It now has a blocky upper half with a bottom half sporting a distinctive wood grain pattern. Fans have already latched onto the new Pokemon, and it’s getting a unique mechanic where it comes in multiple sizes.

Once again, a Hisuian Electrode is likely to be included in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. It has yet to be officially revealed, however.

Hisuian Electrode

While Hisuian Voltorb became a fan favorite for its goofy demeanor, Hisuian Electrode didn’t receive the same reaction. The evolved Pokemon was met with a negative response when it was revealed in the massive Pokemon Legends: Arceus leak.

In a bit of role reversal, Hisuian Electrode drops Voltorb’s silliness for white-hot rage. As with the original versions of the Pokemon, they are effectively turned upside down. Hisuian Voltorb’s eyebrows are indented, giving the Pokemon deep-set, angry eyes with the hole on top being moved down and doubled to imitate pupils.

Hisuian Basculin

Some of the new rideable Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Arceus are new evolutions to old Pokemon but that isn’t the case with Basculegion. A Hisuian variant of Basculin is being introduced to differentiate it from the original Unovan pokemon.

Hisuian Basculin is much less intimidating than the original. Unovan Basculin has an enormous bottom jaw, while Hisuian Basculin is much rounder and has fewer points on its fins. The Pokemon will have two different colorations, with a red-striped and blue-striped version. The different colorations will yield different versions of Basculegion as well.

Basculegion

Alongside Wyrdeer, Basculegion was among the first completely new Pokemon to be revealed for Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Rather than a Hisuian variant, Basculegion is a new evolution to gen-five Pokemon Basculin. Basculegion has a grim backstory explaining its evolution.

“This evolution occurs when a Basculin is possessed by the souls of other Basculin from its school that could not withstand the harsh journey upstream. Basculegion fights together with these souls, which attack opponents as if with a will of their own,” its entry reads.

As its backstory suggests, Basculegion is a water-ghost Pokemon. It’s also seemingly going to serve as the “Surf” equivalent for the game, with the player character seen riding it across water in multiple trailers.

Wyrdeer

Wyrdeer is a new evolution to Stantler that will be introduced in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Alongside Basculegion, Wyrdeer was one of the first original Pokemon revealed for the game.

Wyrdeer is another Pokemon that players are shown using to traverse the Hisui region, with players riding on its back as it leaps across flat terrain. It’s a normal-psychic type Pokemon, continuing a steady stream of the type into the game following the additions of Indeedee, Oranguru, and Meloetta after a dearth of new Pokemon with that typing after Girafarig.

Kleavor

Kleavor is a new evolution to Scyther that is being introduced in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

Kleavor is an interesting addition to the game, serving as a more primitive version of previous Scyther evolution Scizor. This is reflected with its more jagged appearance and its enormous axe-like appendages. It also trades in its bug-steel typing in favor of bug-rock, similar to Armaldo, Shuckle, and Crustle.

Kleavor also served as the reveal of a new boss-like character in the Noble Pokemon.

Noble Pokemon are somewhat similar to the Totem Pokemon from Sun and Moon, as they serve as “bosses” in the game rather than trainers. Players will need to both outmaneuver them in the overworld and hit them with items and also defeat them in a straightforward battle.

Hisuian Lilligant

Lilligant is a frequently forgotten grass-type Pokemon but Pokemon Legends: Arceus might change that. The flowery Pokemon is getting an interesting new look. Hisuian Lilligant drops the bulb-like appearance for something sleeker, with a new grass-fighting typing to boot.

Hisuian Lilligant is one of several grass-fighting Pokemon, previously a combo only known to Virizion, Breloom, and Chesnaught. It’s unclear what the Pokemon might bring that’s new, but odds are it will have a niche for

Ursaluna

Alongside Basculin and Stantler, Ursaring is getting a brand new evolution in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Ursaluna is another ridable Pokemon in the same vein as Wyrdeer and Braviary. It works the same as Stoutland from Pokemon Sun and Moon, which served as a replacement for the Item Finder key item.

Though Ursaring was presented as one of the most fearsome Pokemon in the series for a long while, Ursaluna doesn’t have the same intimidation factor. It’s significantly more huggable than its predecessor and much more domesticated given the fact that it can be saddled. It’s evolved from Ursaring using a new evolution item.

Hisuian Sneasel and Sneasler

Pokemon Legends: Arceus suffered one of the biggest leaks in recent video game history when several data miners got their hands on the game more than a week before its release. Nintendo actually leaked one of the new Pokemon itself, though.

In one of the early trailers for the game, an unfamiliar Pokemon with lanky limbs could be seen in the background of some of the early trailers. Nintendo never highlighted this or mentioned it again. It wasn’t until months later when the leaks occurred that fans discovered that this was actually Sneasler.

Sneasler was discovered alongside a Hisuian variant of Sneasel. The Pokemon share poison-fighting typing, a combination that was previously exclusive to Toxicroak and Croagunk.

In addition to that typing, Sneasler is one of the game’s many new rideable Pokemon. It scales mountains while carrying the trainer in a basket on its back.

Hisuian Sliggoo and Goodra

Gen-seven Pokemon Goomy is getting regional variant evolutions for Sliggoo and Goodra. Though Goomy is the same as ever, Hisuian Sliggoo gets a new look with its familiar head sticking out of a snail-like shell with no discernible body. Hisuian Goodra continues this, with its tail being replaced by a massive, spiraled shell.

Though Goodra is often forgotten among its fellow dragon Pokemon, Hisuian Goodra is technically the most powerful regional variant in the series to date. The original version had 600 base stats similar to those of Garchomp and Dragonite, and Hisuian Goodra should be no less powerful.

Enamorus

While new Pokemon are often received with either a lukewarm or negative response, none have been unanimously rejected in the way Enamorus was. Unfortunately, it’s easy to see why. Both thematically and aesthetically, this Pokemon makes no sense.

Enamorus joins the established “weather trio” of Landorus, Thundurus, and Tornadus despite not actually being themed around any sort of elemental force. Why The Pokemon Company opted to expand the trio with a Pokemon themed around love rather than fire or water is a question that will be left to history.

And of course, both the regular and Therian forms of Enamorus are ridiculous. Both would look more at home as a random enemy in a Shin Megami Tensei game than they do in Pokemon.

Either way, as the sole new legendary Pokemon in Legends: Arceus, Enamorus is set to be a significant addition to the series’ roster.

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Origin Forme Dialga and Palkia

Alongside Enamorus, new versions Dialga and Palkia were met with rampant derision. The cover legendaries of Diamond and Pearl got new, fusion-like alternate forms with Arceus in the same vein as Kyurem and Necrozma. Though many recent legendaries have a busy design that stands apart from the early simplicity of Mewtwo and Kyogre, these new forms of Palkia and Dialga are just ludicrous.

Palkia no longer has arms and instead has gigantic hoop earrings and tiny little pencil legs. Dialga seemingly tried to swallow a refrigerator whole, but had it get stuck halfway down its throat.

Given that these are new forms of legendaries that are thematically linked to Pokemon Legends: Arceus’ title Pokemon, they will likely be significant additions to the franchise. But boy, are they ugly.