Pokemon has a tradition of providing three starting choices for a trainer’s first Pokemon and this becomes of the biggest decisions every new Pokemon player makes. This guide will help you select your starter in Pokemon Legend Arceus by outlining each of their stats and letting you know which is the best starting Pokemon.
Pokemon Legends Arceus Starter Pokemon
So, let’s start with the choices that you have for starters in Pokemon Legends Arceus. There are three Starter Pokemon and as always, they are of Fire, Water and Grass-type. The three choices you are presented with are as follows:
With the choices clear, we can now look at them separately and discuss their abilities, strengths, weaknesses and what advantages or disadvantages do you get from picking them.
Rowlet – Grass/Flying-type Starter Pokemon
Rowlet is basically the Grass-type Pokemon but has the dual nature of both Grass and Flying. This duality results in Rowlet having great offense and is very useful in this aspect. Rowlet is a powerhouse and can learn a high variety of moves.
Rowlet can learn both Grass-type and Flying-type moves allowing you to switch between multiple attacks and have a bigger library of moves for your Pokemon.
However, keep in mind that Rowlet is weak in defense and its first two forms are weak to a total of 5 types. Rowlet takes 4x damage from Ice-type, 2x damage from Fiore, Poison, Flying and Rock types.
For its evolutions, Rowlet evolves into Dartrix at level 17 and Hisuian Decidueye at level 34. It’s worth noting that Hisuian Decidueye changes it’s typing to Grass/fighting instead of Grass/Flying, opening it up for strong fighting type moves like its signature Triple Arrows.
Rowlet is also good for taking on Noble Pokemon and is at an advantage against most of them.
Rowlet Base Stats
- HP: 68
- Attack: 55
- Special Attack: 50
- Defense: 55
- Special Defense: 50
- Speed: 42
Best Nature for Rowlet – Adamant
It is better to focus on one type of attack rather than both that’s why Adamant is the best nature for Rowlet. This will increase the stat of Attack and decreased the stat of special attack. You don’t need much of its special attacks so it is best to go with Adamant Nature.
Best Moveset for Rowlet
- Leaf Storm: This will lower the user’s special attack.
- Leaf Blade: This move’s critical hit ratio is high.
- Air Slash: This move can cause flinching.
- Aerial Ace: With this move, you can ignore Evasiveness and Accuracy
Cyndaquil – Fire-type Starter Pokemon
Cyndaquil is pure Fire-type starter Pokemon. Cyndaquil has the best Defense of all starter Pokemon. If you’re looking for a solid battler with clear cut strengths and weaknesses, Cyndaquil is a pretty good choice.
Cyndaquil takes 2x damage from Water, ground and rock type Pokemon, and is resistant to Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel and Fairy type Pokemon.
Cyndaquil evolves into Quilava at level 14 and Hisuian Typhlosion at level 36. What’s cool About Hisuian Typhlosion is its Fire/Ghost dual typing which gives it access to ghost-type moves and the amazing Infernal Parade Signature move.
The thing holding Cyndaquil back is that Cyndaquil really struggles against Noble Pokemon and is at a disadvantage against a majority of them. This, and that Cyndaquil has a limited moveset making it feel very restricted.
Cyndaquil Base Stats
- HP: 39
- Attack: 52
- Special Attack: 60
- Defense: 43
- Special Defense: 50
- Speed: 65
Best Nature for Cyndaquil – Modest
The best nature for Cyndaquil is Modest. This nature will lower its attack stat and increase its Special Attack stat. As most of the Cyndaquil attacks are special so this nature will benefit Cyndaquil the most.
Best Moveset for Cyndaquil
- Overheat: This will lower the Special Attack of the user.
- Flamethrower: This move can burn down opponents.
- Flame Wheel: This move also has the ability to burn opponents.
- Swift: With this move, you can ignore Evasiveness and Accuracy
Oshawott – Water-type Starter Pokemon
Oshawott is a water type and is the most balanced of all the three starting Pokemon in Pokemon Legends.
Oshawott has good offense and defense and is resistant to 4 types. Oshawoot takes 2x damage from Grass and Electric types and is resistant to fire, Steel, Water and Ice-type Pokemon.
It is the most versatile of the three as Oshawotts rarely have the same moveset. It has the best advantages against Noble Pokemon making Oshawott very useful.
Oshawott evolves into Dewoot at level 17 and Hisuian Samurott at level 36. Hisuian Samurott is a super cool Water/Dark dual type Pokemon with a really edgy move called Ceaseless Edge.
Oshawott Base Stats
- HP: 55
- Attack: 55
- Special Attack: 63
- Defense: 45
- Special Defense: 45
- Speed: 45
Best Nature for Oshawott – Adamant
Well, you might think some other nature suits it more but we will recommend Adamant Nature for Oshawott since it will boost the attack. With attacks like Night Slash, Hydro Pump, Aqua Tail, and Water Pulse, Adamant Nature is best to have.
Best Moveset for Oshawatt
- Hydro Pump: This move throws high-pressure water on the target.
- Aqua Tail: It is like a vicious wave in a raging storm in which Pokemon attacks by swinging its tail.
- Slash: This will increase the critical hit ratio.
- Water Pulse: This move can be used to confuse opponents
Best Starter Pokemon in PLA
Looking at them all, we claim Oshawott to be the best starter Pokemon in PLA. Oshawott has balanced stats and is a great matchup for many of the Noble Pokemon. It is a balanced type Pokemon with all the starting perks a player needs. Plus, It has a really cool Final Hisuian Evolution.
Though not the fastest, Oshawott can still out speed many of your opponents. With almost even base attack and special attack, you can make your Oshawott highly versatile, since it learned set lends well to both physical and special attackers.
Second place goes to Cyndaquil, as it has very high attacking capability and also has the highest base stats of the three. Cyndaquil is also the fastest starting Pokemon and is perfect for filling up your Pokedex.
Rowlett, even though a dual type Pokemon, comes last due to the fact that it has too many weaknesses and the least speed.
How to get the Best Starter Pokemon Nature
To get the best nature for a starter, start off with playing the story mode and continue till you’re advised to choose a starter. Once done, disable the Autosave feature within the game and save the game manually before even selecting a starter Pokemon.
Verify your Pokemon’s stats and nature after fighting wild Pokemon. If it is not what you desired, simply reload your save file to reselect your Pokemon.
When selecting natures for your Starter Pokemon, it is best to increase their primary attacking stat, either Attack or Special Attack, while decreasing the other attacking stack. Remember to take into account the stats of their final evolutions as well.
How Starter Pokemon Match Up Against Noble Pokemon?
| Rowlet Line | Cyndaquil Line | Oshawott Line | |
| Kleavor | Disadvantage | Disadvantage | Advantage |
| Hisuian Lilligant | Advantage | Advantage | Disadvantage |
| Hisuian Arcanine | Disadvantage | Disadvantage | Advantage |
| Hisuian Electrode | Neutral | Advantage | Disadvantage |
| Hisuian Avalugg | Neutral | Disadvantage | Advantage |
| Dialga | Advantage | Neutral | Neutral |
| Palkia | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
