Back in the early days of the Pokemon series, fans commonly expected to see evolved and pre-evolved forms of new Pokemon whenever a new generation came out. Indeed, during the first decade of the franchise’s lifespan, the generations following Red and Blue contributed to the expansion of preexisting evolutionary lines. Gen 3 only added two pre-evolutions, while Gen 4 followed in Gen 2’s footsteps and added countless new forms. This trend would mostly end by the fifth generation, although Pokemon still found a way to include new evolutions. The series reintroduced the old practice through regional forms, and continues to do so through its most recent game.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a fresh take on the now recognizable Pokemon formula, but the game also takes advantage of the fact that it takes place in a brand-new region. It treats the Hisui region as if it were the next generation’s main setting. Preexisting Pokemon that players are already familiar with inhabit this new region, similar to Orre in the GameCube Shadow Pokemon duology. However, unlike Orre, Hisui does introduce new concepts for some of the preexisting Pokemon. These Hisuian forms include standard regional variants and brand-new Pokemon altogether.
The Hisuian Pokemon: Regional Variants
In the Hisuian region, the Pokemon’s evolutionary trends are the same as the ones introduced in Sun and Moon. Due to the environment being different, some Pokemon adapt to their new surroundings. As a result, not only does the appearance of these Pokemon change, but so do the battle capabilities, from the types to the abilities. The design changes can vary. Sometimes, they are relatively simplistic and based on a fun fact regarding the inspiration behind that Pokemon’s design. Other times, the Pokemon’s changes are really dependent on the individual scenario.
The first notable regional variants are the Starter Pokemon, specifically their final forms. Decidueye, Typhlosion, and Samurott all get secondary types in Hisui. Decidueye appears to have changed the most, with its color scheme prioritizing warm colors instead of the typical green. Typhlosion changed the least, with a more relaxed expression, slightly different chest fur pattern, and the teal fur becoming indigo due to the newfound Ghost typing. Samurott’s regular body looks almost the same, but its whiskers have a different shape, and its helmet is now appropriately darker.
There are a few evolutionary lines that were affected by the Hisuian environment without necessarily getting a new evolution. Growlithe and Arcanine, for example, are now Fire/Rock types due to the lack of fondness toward the human population that their Kanto counterparts have. Their fur is darker and curlier, with Growlithe’s eyes and being covered, and Arcanine’s white fur now resembling rocks. Voltorb and Electrode are now wooden Poke Balls when they were formerly much more like actual Poke Balls. Their expressions are also notably angrier. Due to being made out of wood, Voltorb and Electrode are Electric/Grass types, the first of their kind aside from Rotom Mow.
Other lines gained new forms without getting a new member. Zorua and Zoroark are now the first Normal/Ghost types, and their design is much more uncanny. Replacing the stereotypically “edgy” red and black pattern is a fiery white with orange tips. Both Pokemon have more expressive fur due to their specter-like traits. Sliggoo and Goodra are both Dragon/Steel types in Legends: Arceus, and develop the implied snail motif in their initial designs. Sliggoo’s metallic shell comes is the product of mucus reacting to the iron in Hisuian waters. Goodra is much more in control of its shell, whose hardness is entirely dependent on Goodra’s own decisions.
Some Pokemon are the only ones in their evolutionary lines to have changed in Hisui, and they do not just consist of the Starters. Lilligant is now a Grass/Fighting type, with shorter leafy “hair”, longer arms, and legs freed from any petal-like restrictions for the sake of flexibility. Braviary is now a Psychic/Flying type with a more muted color palette and bright, pink eyebrows representing its psychic powers. Avalugg is now an Ice/Rock type with its limbs made out of granite instead of solid ice.
The Hisuian Pokemon: New Evolutions
Just like Sword and Shield, Pokemon Legends: Arceus uses the new regional variants as an opportunity to give some older Pokemon new evolutions. Similar to Gen 4, there is an emphasis on Gen 2 Pokemon. Qwilfish and Sneasel both have new Hisuian forms alongside new evolutions to accompany them. Overqwil is a black and white Dark/Poison type with a bigger body, pointier spikes, and an angrier expression than Qwilfish. Sneasler is a Poison/Fighting type and looks like a taller, more humanoid Sneasel with a darker palette and a longer feather ear.
Ursaring and Stantler also received new evolutions despite remaining unaffected by Hisuian environment. They respectively evolve into Ursaluna, a quadrupedal Norma/Ground type whose design focuses more on the Teddiursa line’s moon motif, and Wydeer, a Normal/Psychic type with a wintery look. Basculin and Scyther also get a new form and evolution. Basculegion is a juggernaut of a Water/Ghost type whose pattern is green and red, or green and blue depending on its gender. Kleavor is the appropriately named Bug/Rock type that the Scyther in Hisui evolve into, with cleaver-like arms.
Finally, the last Hisuian Pokemon are Legendary Pokemon. Palkia and Dialga, fittingly so considering the references to Sinnoh, are the only preexisting Legendary Pokemon to get a new form in Legends: Arceus. While their types remain the same, their new “Lord” forms turned them into equine-like creatures. This is especially the case with Palkia, who is now a quadruped like Dialga and has hoofs like a horse. Enamorus is another Legendary and the only new Pokemon in Legends: Arceus that does not evolve from a preexisting monster, although it remains part of a group. A Fairy/Flying type, it joins the Forces of Nature. Like its counterparts, Enamorus has a genie-like appearance, with its actual body being pink to represent its type. It is also more feminine overall, with a suggestive facial expression and a heart on the top of its head.
The Hisuian forms are a main selling point of Pokemon: Legends Arceus, especially with them providing long overdue evolutions for Pokemon like Qwilfish, Stantler, and Basculin. They take old concepts and expand upon these original ideas, making the Pokemon more creative and interesting in the process. While some, like Kleavor and Sneasler, might feel redundant since they essentially replace well-liked Pokemon, the forms overall offer different perspectives on previously ignored Pokemon and popular monsters that are taken for granted.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available now for the Nintendo Switch.