Check out the Starter Pokemon: Evolutions & Shiny Variants for Pokemon Legend: Arceus. Guide includes Pokemon types, final evolutions, IVs, effort levels (EL), nature, forms and more.
This article includes spoilers.
Please be careful about spoilers when browsing.
Table of Contents
Best Starter Pokemon
Cyndaquil Is The Most Recommended
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In Pokemon Legends Arceus, Cyndaquil is our recommended Pokemon because it is well-suited to fight the enemies that you encounter from the early game - enabling you to proceed quickly. It is also a big reason that you get Buizel and Luxio in the early stages of the game to complement the types of the other three starter Pokemon.
Feel Free To Choose Your Favorite Pokemon
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Regardless of efficiency, one of the greatest pleasures in the Pokemon series is to be able to choose your favorite Pokemon, so feel free choose based on your own preferences!
All Three Are Available As Post Game Content
After you clear the game, you may be able to get the other Pokemon you didn't choose from Laventon. Choose carefully as you unfortunately won't be able to bring all three in your adventure through the main story.
Three Species & Traits
Pokemon | Description |
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![]() ![]() | Best Nature: Modest, Timid ・2nd generation Pokemon ・It has high special attack and speed stats ・Its final evolution is Hisuian Typhlosion |
![]() ![]() | Best Nature: Hasty, Naive ・5th generation Pokemon ・It has high special attack and attack damage stats ・Its final evolution is Hisuian Samurott |
![]() ![]() ![]() | Best Nature: Jolly, Adamant ・7th generation Pokemon ・It has high Special attack, attack and special defense stats ・Its final evolution is Hisuian Decidueye |
Which Pokemon Will You Choose?
How To Choose Pokemon Traits
Traits You Can Choose
Characteristic | Details |
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Gender | ・You may choose your gender preference of ♂ or ♀ |
Nature | ・You may choose your Pokemon's nature. Doing so may benefit you if you're looking to improve specific stats quickly |
Effort Level (EL) | ・Refers to the numbers next to the stats ・The stats may vary greatly at the start of the game *Similar to Individual Strengths (IVs) |
Starting Stats Vary With Effort Level (Previously Known As IVs)
Stats Difference | |
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In this game, the concept of Individual Strengths (IVs) are replaced with Effort Levels (ELs) which will affect your stats as you progress through the game. Note that the starting number doesn't affect the final number because you can raise it using items, but if you're particular about your stats early in the game prior to getting these items, it may be good to choose your ELs from the onset.
How To Raise Effort Level And Get Grit ItemsHow To Reroll Stats
1 | Start the game and proceed to the point right before choosing your Pokemon |
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2 | Turn off the Autosave function |
3 | Select your preferred species of Pokemon |
4 | Check the stats/ELs, gender, and nature |
5 | If unsatisfied with the traits, end the game and restart |
6 | Repeat steps 3 to 5 until your desired traits appear |
Turn Off Autosave
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If the Autosave is enabled, you won't be able to return to the point where you can choose from the 3 species again. With that said, make sure to disable Autosave so you may repeat the process we've detailed in the above table.
Return To Home Screen To End Game
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If you're not satisfied with the 3 species and their traits at that moment of time, you may choose to restart the process by ending the game through the home screen of your Switch. Remember to manually save your game after you finish this whole process!
Shiny Starter Pokemon Not Available Before Post Game
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Although you may choose the gender, stats, and nature variations of the 3 Starter Pokemon, unfortunately, there are no Shiny varieties at the start of the game. If you want Shiny Starter Pokemon, you will have to finish the main story first.
Shiny Hunting GuideFinal Evolutions & Types
Cyndaquil
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Type | ![]() |
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Evolution And Level Requirements
![]() | ![]() ・ Cyndaquil Evolves at level 14 |
![]() | ![]() ![]() ・ Quilava Evolves at level 36 |
Rowlet
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Type | ![]() ![]() |
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Evolution And Level Requirements
![]() | ![]() ![]() ・ Rowlet Evolves at level 17 |
![]() | ![]() ![]() ・ Dartrix Evolves at level 34 |
Oshawott
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Type | ![]() |
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Evolution And Level Requirements
![]() | ![]() ・ Oshawott Evolves at level 17 |
![]() | ![]() ![]() ・ Dewott Evolves at level 36 |
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