Table of Contents
| Release Date | January 28, 2022 |
| Developer | Game Freak |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| IGN Rating | 7/10 |
Hey guys, it’s me again, Arihead from Electronic First and I’m really excited for this one! In our last Legends Arceus video, I talked about the 10 things I wish I knew when starting the game. There’s a ton of useful information there, so I suggest you check it out! It’s not a particularly hard game, but it sure is a breath of fresh air for the Pokémon franchise. As many of you already know, Arceus didn’t create each Pokémon equally. Some Pokémon are clearly stronger than others, often in ways you would never expect, so I’ve been racking my brains on who the top 10 best Pokémon in Pokémon Legends Arceus are! Now, defining what makes a Pokémon good is the tricky part. It’s easy to rank Pokémon based on popularity, or just their stats alone, but I’m not gonna do that in this video. In Electronic First, we go in-depth, so I first need to explain my methodology before I dive in.
In this list, every Pokémon’s rankings are based on their overall performance with their right moveset, stat distribution and general matchups across the regions of Hisui. I won’t be ranking the legendary Pokémon though. This isn’t because legendaries are broken or anything though. Yeah, a few are really, REALLY strong, like Lord Arceus for example, but actually, some of them wouldn’t even make it into this list. The only reason Legendaries aren’t ranked is because you can only catch them very late into the game. Do keep in mind that this is only my opinion and the last thing I want is to spark a huge Poké debate in the comment section. Before I start, remember to check out our website! At Electronic First, we give you the best games at the best prices! So, without further ado, here are the top 10 best Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus!
10. Hisuian Typhlosion
Though there are many alternatives to Hisuian Typhlsion, there are several reasons why you’d want to opt for this Pokémon. It sports a pretty good statline and its Fire and Ghost typing is a real game changer, as Typhlosion is a great switch-in against the many Grass, Bug, Normal and Fighting-type Pokémon found all around the Hisuian region. It can melt away its opposition, as Typhlosion boasts a solid special attack stat. However, Typhlosion’s special attack movepool is quite limited outside of its STAB moves, short for Same Type Attack Bonus. If you don’t know what STAB means, basically, when a Pokémon uses a move of the same type, it’ll get a 1.5x increase to its base power. Ghost and Fire actually provides excellent neutral coverage. The only Pokémon in Legends Arceus who can resist these 2 typings are Bibarel and Samurott, and Samurott can only be found in Space-Time Distortions. So while Typhlosion may not have the greatest type coverage, it can still make short work of most Pokémon. Ideally, maximizing its Special Attack and Speed stats to one hit ko many of the threats he’ll be switching in against would be the way to go. I also recommend using a moveset of Flamethrower or Mystical Fire, Shadow Ball and Infernal Parade, Typhlosion’s signature move, which has a chance of burning the opponent and doubles its base power when the enemy has a status effect. If you didn’t know, the burn status also greatly lowers the enemy’s attack. This does give Typhlosion some much needed utility, especially since he is a great switch-in against Fighting-type Pokémon, who usually rely on their attack stat. As for the last move, there aren’t any great options available, so it would be best to change the last move according to the Pokémon you are up against in your area.
9. Hisuian Zoroark
Zoroark makes it into the list at number 9! When I heard its Hisuian form was Normal and Ghost, I honestly couldn’t believe it! This has been one of the most hyped up typings in Pokémon history, as it is only weak to Dark and is immune to Normal, Fighting and Ghost-type moves. While its claim to fame, Illusion, may not have returned, I would say this form is actually a lot better than the original one. Like its original form though, it possesses amazing speed and special attack. Furthermore, Zoroark still has a great offensive movepool that really sets it apart from other Pokémon. Optimizing its stats for Special Attack and Speed in mind, I recommend using Nasty Plot / Shadow Ball / Flamethrower / and Hyper Beam. This lets Zoroark function as a potent setup-sweeper—someone who is designed to be your win condition against the many trainers in Hisui. However, the fun ends when an opposing Pokémon lands a solid hit against Zoroark, as it has very poor defensive stats, despite its excellent typing. It’s a little unfortunate to be honest. I mean, a Normal and Ghost-type Pokémon with a little more defensive stats and access to a recovery move like Softboiled would have been fantastic Like it or not though, Zoroark is the only Pokémon in the game with this much sought after and illusory typing, one that fits the Illusion Pokémon quite well. During one of the key story missions, you’ll come across an Alpha Zoroark. However, you can get it earlier on by evolving Zorua, who can be found at the Alabaster Icelands.
8. Infernape
Infernape has always been a pretty good choice in competitive play and likewise does well in this game’s sole PVE content. It has the highly potent Fire and Fighting typing and possesses a pretty good Speed stat. Its STAB moves are excellent in dealing with extremely common threats you’ll be encountering out in the wild. Moreover, it’s got an impressive offensive movepool and balanced Attack and Special Attack, which gives Infernape an expansive list of options to destroy a very large amount of threats. While Infernape may be an offensive powerhouse, it is quite frail and will struggle to take more than 2 to 3 hits. You’ll normally be using Infernape to dispose of Pokémon who are weak to his STAB moves anyway though. Infernape has a lot of options, but I think optimizing for physical attack and speed with a moveset of Close Combat / Stone Edge / Flare Blitz or Raging Fury and the option of Thunderpunch, Mach Punch or Drain Punch would be best. I can also see a possible Bulk Up set being used with Drain Punch to serve as your win condition against other trainers. An Alpha Infernape and its pre-evolutions can be caught at the Obsidian Fields, but you will need to mount Basculegion in order to reach the island they’re situated in.
7. Hisuian Braviary
Hisuian Braviary is surprisingly good, boasting high special attack, solid bulk and a stellar movepool, including the highly coveted instant recovery move, Roost. Psychic and Flying is also a pretty okay typing and has its uses, but is riddled with a total of 5 weaknesses. You’ll have to be quite careful when using Braviary as a result. That being said, it more than makes up for it with its fantastic movepool. I recommend optimizing for its HP and Special Attack with a moveset of Roost / Hurricane / Mystical Fire and its signature move, Esper Wing. This move has a higher chance of landing a critical hit and raises the user’s action speed, which makes up for Braviary’s rather low base Speed stat. Try to use Braviary as a check to certain Pokémon, such as Psychic-types and Ground-types. Braviary will often be able to use Roost and simply recover all of its lost HP. There isn’t a lot that can deal with its good movepool and statline, which makes Braviary worthy of its title as the 7th best Pokémon in Legends Arceus. One Hisuian Braviary can be found flying above the Snowpoint Temple late into the game at the Alabaster Icelands. You can also catch its pre-evolution, Rufflet, around the temple area.
6. Hisuian Decidueye
As it is a starter, Decidueye is quite the popular Pokémon. However, it isn’t exactly known for having the best stats. Most notably, Decidueye’s got a pretty low Speed stat. So, what exactly separates Decidueye from other Pokémon? To put it simply, Decidueye’s combination of a Grass and Fighting typing, as well as its access to Roost, makes it a fantastic check to a great number of Pokémon found all across the region. I recommend maximizing its HP. I’m not sure what other stats would be best to optimize for, but it’s definitely got many viable moves to choose from, like its signature move, Triple Arrows, which delivers an axe kick, then fires three arrows. This raises the chance of its next attacks to land a critical hit and also lowers the target’s defensive stats.Personally, I use a more defensive build with Roost / Triple Arrows / Leaf Blade / and Bulk Up. Try to send Decidueye out against Grass, Ground, Water, Rock and Electric-type Pokémon. It can shrug off a lot of hits and recover its lost hp with Roost If you ever struggle in Legends Arceus, just remember they give us an extremely useful counter to many common early game threats for free at the start of the game and gets even better later on; that is, when he finally evolves into Decidueye at level 36. And if you’ve chosen a different starter, have no fear! All starters can be caught in Space-Time Distortions!
5. Hisuian Basculegion
There are many Pokémon floating around the waters of Hisui, but Basculegion really sets it apart from its peers with a good stat distribution, secondary typing and movepool. Interestingly, its male form has more attack, while its female form has less attack, but more special attack. They both possess a high HP stat and middling defenses, which results in an above average total bulk. They’re also kind of slow, but not so slow where losing a huge number of speed checks is a concern. I personally recommend using a mixed set of Shadow Ball / Aqua Tail or Wave Crash / Crunch / and Ice Beam or Ice Fang. This is because Basculegion’s only good Ghost-type STAB move is Shadow Ball, which really incentivises you to use a mixed set. And besides! Whether you evolve the male or female version, you’ll still be using both its attack and special attack stats. Their ideal stat spread is not yet 100% clear due to speed being a possible option for them, but I recommend optimizing for their HP and offensive stats. Basculegion is a little hard to obtain though; you’ll need to accumulate recoil damage using its signature move, Wave Crash, with either the Strong style or the Agile Style depending on your Basculegion’s gender. Talk about an awful way to treat your Pokémon, but no pain, no gain, as they say.
4. Blissey
If you’ve ever played competitive Pokémon, you’re either a huge fan of Blissey or her most avid hater. Blissey is notorious for possessing the highest HP and base special bulk in the entire game, way above the likes of even Legendary Pokémon such as Cresselia. In contrast, she has an extremely low Defense stat and will faint against even the weakest of attacks. This issue can be fixed somewhat if you can manage to optimize her HP and Defense, which would be ideal, given her already astronomically high special bulk. A move-set of Flamethrower / Ice Beam / Tri Attack or Thunderbolt and Softboiled is recommended for general use. Just remember, Blissey has a rather low base special attack stat. Due to her massive special bulk and low special attack, it also just so happens that Blissey is perfect for catching Pokémon who only rely on special attacks, which is just another reason Blissey deserves the number 4 spot in this list. Blissey’s pre-evolutions, Chansey and Happiny can be found and her pre-evolutions in the Obsidian Fieldlands, Cobalt Coastlands and the Alabaster Icelands. Blissey herself can only be found in the Alabaster Icelands, while an Alpha version of her can be found in the Obsidian Fieldlands.
3. Ursaluna
Hailing from Generation 2, Ursaring is a Pokémon who I thought would never get an evolution. I mean, Ursaring has never been amazing or anything, as it’s got a super high attack stat, but average bulk and low speed. Fast forward to Legends Arceus, we have Ursaluna, who has more attack and bulk than most of the legendary Pokémon in this game. Not to mention, it also has that crucial Ground-typing to separate itself from the other Normal-types out there, such as Snorlax. What sealed it for me is its great movepool, which combined with its devastatingly high attack, allows Ursaluna to easily destroy almost the entire game. Unfortunately for Ursaluna though, it’s cursed with the same Speed stat as Ursaring, so you’ll have to be careful when enemies get two turns against Ursaluna. Ursaluna is so viciously strong and bulky however, that you are more likely to one shot with a super effective attack while taking minimal damage. I recommend maximizing its attack and HP with a moveset of Stone Edge or Ice Punch / Thunder Punch / High Horse Power and Giga Impact or Slash. To get Ursaluna, you’ll need to evolve an Ursaring using a Peat Block, which can be found at the Crimson Mirelands. Ironically, you’ll also need Ursaluna to dig up a Peat Block for you. Use the block during a full moon to evolve your Ursaring into Ursaluna.
2. Hisuian Goodra
In Legends Arceus, Hisuian Goodra is an extremely good Pokémon with a ridiculous amount of favorable matchups. Unlike its original form, this one also has the Steel typing. This gives it a lot more utility than you’d expect. Outside of its low Speed stat, it’s actually above average overall, save for its outstanding Special Defense. In fact, its Dragon and Steel typing is perfectly suited for countering most wild Pokémon in general, including the many special attackers out there. I recommend using a Special attacking moveset of Flamethrower / Thunderbolt / Steel Beam and the choice between making use of its Dragon STAB with Draco Meteor or Dragon Pulse, or expanding its type coverage with Hydro Pump or Ice Beam. As such, building up its HP and Special Attack is definitely the way to go for Goodra. Regardless of its ridiculous appearance, Hisuian Goodra will have a favorable matchup against most Pokémon. Like it or not, Goodra is one of the best Pokémon in this game. You can obtain Hisuian Goodra by evolving Sliggoo at level 50 while a storm is brewing. Moreover, you can catch an Alpha Goodra during a story mission and also at the Coronet Highlands.
1. Garchomp
Is anyone actually surprised? Garchomp has always been an extremely good Pokémon in competitive play and might just be overkill here in Legends Arceus. Its combination of high attack, great bulk, as well as its good speed, which can be fully exploited through the game’s turn system is amazing. Garchomp’s typing is also quite useful, despite its 4x weakness to Ice. You can switch it in against a great number of Pokémon, and Garchomp can take a hit, outspeed and one shot them with relative ease. Furthermore, it also has a pretty good movepool. You could say Garchomp truly has it all! I recommend maximizing its attack and speed with a moveset of Dragon Claw or Outrage / Stone Edge / Aqua Tail or Iron Head and Bulldoze. Bulldoze may have a low base power, but it also raises the user’s action speed. This synergizes quite well with Garchomp’s solid Speed-stat and allows it to more easily act in consecutive turns. An Alpha Garchomp can be caught late into the game at the Alabaster Icelands, but be forewarned, as this is the hardest Alpha to catch in the game. It’s level 85, the highest of any Alpha and can spot you even when you’re flying! Instead, I recommend catching one of its pre-evolutions, Gible and Gabite. They can also be caught at the Alabaster Icelands, as well as the Coronet Highlands.
That’s it for today’s video! Now remember, this is only the opinion I’ve formed after playing the game for many hours. Other Pokémon could have made it into this list, such as Gyarados, Samurott and Sylveon, but they all have more apparent issues of which I won’t get into here, as this is already a pretty long video. And that sums up our top 10 best Pokémon in Pokémon Legends Arceus! What do you guys think of our list? Let us know in the comment section below, we really wanna hear from you. And before you go, be sure to check out our Youtube channel, where we give you info on the latest and upcoming games. This is Arihead from Electronic First signing out!
Also if you’re interested in earning with Electronic First as soon as today, check out our affiliate program. You can share your link with friends, family or anyone. Sign up today to reap the rewards!