The upcoming Pokemon Legends: Arceus is going to be a major departure for the Game Freak-developed Pokemon games. The big change is that the game seems to be abandoning the structure that fans have come to expect from main series Pokemon games in favor of being an open world, Breath of the Wild-style game. Whether or not this approach pays off remains to be seen, but while Pokemon Legends: Arceus is making may changes to the established formula, some things are still saying the same.
Namely, Pokemon Legends: Arceus will feature three starters for players to choose from - one grass-type, one fire-type, and one water-type, as usual. The twist when it comes to the Pokemon Legends: Arceus starters is that instead of introducing brand new starters, each one will be pulled from other regions. This includes the Johto region's Cyndaquil, the Unova region's Oshawott, and the Alola region's Rowlet.
Otherwise, the way starter Pokemon work in Pokemon Legends: Arceus should be exactly the same as other Pokemon games. Barring any surprises, Pokemon Legends: Arceus players will likely select their starter Pokemon early in the game, as one of the first major decisions that they make. But even though Pokemon fans may already be familiar with these particular creatures, it's still going to be a tough decision.
Here is everything that Pokemon Legends: Arceus players need to know about the game's starter Pokemon.
Cyndaquil
First introduced in Gen 2's Johto region, Cyndaquil is a fire-type Pokemon that evolves into Quilava at level 14 and then eventually Typhlosion at level 36. Cyndaquil has been featured prominently in Pokemon media since its introduction, having had a role in the Pokemon anime series along with numerous video game appearances. Cyndaquil hasn't been featured in the more recent main series Pokemon games, with players unable to add it to their collection at all in Pokemon Sword and Shield, but the critter is looking to come back in a big way as one of the Pokemon Legends: Arceus starters.
Oshawott
The water-type Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Arceus is Oshawott, which evolves into Dewott at level 17 and Samurott at level 36. Oshawott made its debut in the Pokemon franchise with the Pokemon Black and White games, set in the Unova region. Like Cyndaquil, Oshawott has made a number of appearances in other Pokemon media, including the anime and television series, as well as other video games, like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Oshawott remains a pure water-type through its entire evolutionary line, whereas Cyndaquil is a pure fire-type through its evolutionary line.
Rowlet
Rowlet is the grass-type starter in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and unlike Cyndaquil and Oshawott, it is a dual-type Pokemon. Rowlet first appeared in Pokemon Sun and Moon, the Generation 7 games, where it is a dual grass- and flying-type Pokemon. At level 17, Rowlet evolves into Dartrix, and at level 34, it evovles into Decidueye. What's interesting about Decidueye is that its dual-typing changes. Instead of being a grass/flying-type Pokemon like Rowlet and Dartrix, Decidueye is a grass/ghost-type Pokemon, which makes Rowlet's evolutions particularly interesting.
When it comes to the three Pokemon Legends: Arceus starters, a case can be made for Rowlet being the most popular among fans of the franchise. Rowlet was hugely popular among Pokemon Sun and Moon fans, basically becoming the mascots of those games. Its evolved form Decidueye has also left a significant impact on the Pokemon franchise, and was even chosen to be one of the Pokemon in the Pokken Tournament DX fighting game (the Nintendo Switch re-release of the Wii U's Pokken Tournament).
Why These Pokemon for Pokemon Legends: Arceus Starters
While some may think that the starter Pokemon chosen for Pokemon Legends: Arceus were completely random, there is a clear theme that connects them all. All of the Pokemon Legends: Arceus starters are themed after Japanese samurai and history. Decidueye looks like an archer, whereas Samurott is literally named after "samurai." Typhlosion's original Japanese name is a reference to "shogun," which unites the three Pokemon under that theme.
Which Pokemon Legends: Arceus Starter Pokemon Should You Choose
Pokemon Legends: Arceus has a release date and some gameplay footage, but as it stands, there is so little that's known about the game that it's impossible to provide a well-informed recommendation as to which starter players should choose. Sometimes choosing the grass-type starter is the easiest path for players to get through any given Pokemon game, but Pokemon Legends: Arceus seems to be shaking up the established formula in such a way that it's hard to say if that will hold true for the newest release as well.
A Nintendo Direct is happening at E3 2021, and it's possible that Pokemon Legends: Arceus will be making an appearance at the show. If so, it's possible that fans will get some more information about the game that will allow them to make a more-informed decision when it comes to which starter Pokemon to pick in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus launches January 28, 2022, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.