Since its release at the end of January 2022, Pokémon Legends: Arceus has been impressing both casual and die-hard fans of the Pokémon franchise with its deviation away from the formula of the main games. While it is technically considered to be its own entity and not in any particular generation, Legends Arceus has followed on from Sun & Moon and Sword & Shield in introducing new variants of already existing Pokémon that have defining features and differences relative to the new region.

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These Hisuian forms have had mixed reviews from fans, whether it's about questionable or risky design changes or new type combinations that seem unnecessary or illogical. However, there are still some that are improvements on their original forms and will be valuable assets to any player's team.

10 Hisuian Qwilfish Represents Its Dark & Poison Typing With Sensible Coloring Adjustments

Pokemon Legends Arceus Hisuian Qwilfish

Hisuian Qwilfish is one of the newly introduced variants that has caused the most confusion since players began encountering it in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Despite being a fish, the Hisuian form has ditched the Water typing and instead taken up the combination of Poison and Dark.

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The design for Qwilfish is still good enough though, with the color scheme changing accordingly to represent its new typings. But it is the new evolved form, called Overqwil, that has confused fans further with its bizarre design.

9 Hisuian Samurott Shows More Likeness To Its Original Form Than The Other Starters Do To Theirs

Pokemon Legends Arceus Hisuian Samurott

Compared to its other Hisuian starter Pokémon counterparts, Hisuian Samurott from the Oshawott line appears to be the safest in terms of changes made to the original form. With a design that encapsulates its new Dark typing without drastically changing too much else, it suggests that efforts were made to make the Pokémon more likable than its original, as opposed to risking the wrath of critics.

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However, adding the Dark type to its Water typing gives it five type weaknesses compared to its previous two, and only grants it two extra resistances. Hisuian Samurott's base stats have all been moved around to some degree, but apart from improved Speed, the new Hisuian regional variant doesn't necessarily seem better off than before.

8 Voltorb & Electrode Look Like They Belong With Their New Typing & Design Alterations

Pokemon Legends Arceus Hisuian Voltorb

Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode are prime examples of new designs that work with the aesthetics of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, but are not helped by the consequences that the new type combination brings. A combination of Grass and Electric negates the only type that Electric-type Pokémon are weak to in Ground, but brings with it four new weaknesses.

However, from an offensive point of view, it allows for a more diverse move-pool compared to the original form, even if the base stats have not been altered, for better or for worse.

7 Hisuian Lilligant Adds More Fight To Its Grace & Elegance

Pokémon Legends Arceus frenzied Noble Lilligant.

Hisuian Lilligant is introduced as the second Noble Pokémon in Legends Arceus, with it being known as the Lady of the Ridge. Lilligant is now part Fighting type, which naturally means it has received a significant boost in its base Attack stat, as well as allowing it to learn several new moves.

The new design appears more simplified than its original, but perfectly represents a Pokémon that may use its elegance to lull opponents into a false sense of security, while also being combat-ready at the same time. Hisuian Lilligant can be obtained by using a Sun Stone on a Petilil, the same process required as with the original form.

6 Decidueye's New Design Has Divided Opinion But Fits In Aesthetically

Hisuian Decidueye

Decidueye's new Hisuian form is another to divide opinion in terms of its design change and the choice for its new second typing. However, when considering the old Japanese aesthetics within Pokémon Legends: Arceus, from the buildings in Jubilife Village to the art surrounding the battle styles and evolution animation, the new design's autumnal plumage turns the old hood into more of a traditional hat.

Hisuian Decidueye is now dual Grass and Fighting instead of Grass-Ghost, and its improved physical Attack and Defense base stats support this change. Unfortunately, as with the other starters and their new types, this combination brings even more type weaknesses while negating none.

5 Typhlosion Now Has Purple Spectral Flames

Hisuian Typhlosion

Similarly to Hisuian Samurott, the Hisuian regional variant of Typhlosion also suffers from exposure to many more type weaknesses due to its newly introduced second typing. Typhlosion is now part Ghost type, with the fire around its neck appearing as purple spectral flames instead of the classic fire texture.

The design may be impressive, with the Cyndaquil-line being most players' choices for their starter Pokémon in Legends Arceus, but being susceptible to so many types in a game that has a whole host of difficult battles and encounters, will only result in the player making and buying a lot of Revives.

4 Goodra's New Design May Look Jarring But Its Many Resistances & Two Weaknesses Are Terrific

Goodra with its trainer in Pokemon Legends Arceus

Pokémon fans got to know the lovable but formidable Dragon-type Pokémon Goodra from its time in Ash's party in the X & Y anime, but Pokémon Legends: Arceus has introduced a new Hisuian variant with a striking new design. Despite the first stage Goomy being the same Dragon-type as before, both Sliggoo and Goodra have a dual Dragon-Steel typing in the Hisui region.

They both have a large shell on their backs, which they retreat into when under attack, and with decreased Speed and increased Defense, the Steel typing is completely justified and logical. Hisuian Goodra benefits from only two type weaknesses in Fighting and Ground, and now has nine type resistances.

3 Sneasel's Change In Typing Makes It More Usable Than It Has Ever Been

Pokemon Legends Arceus Hisuian Sneasel

The Hisuian variants have divided opinions amongst fans regarding design suitability. But the one aspect of them that cannot be disputed is that most of the new type combinations have left the Pokémon with more weaknesses than their original forms.

However, this is not the case with the Hisuian Sneasel, thanks to its Fighting-Poison typing halving its weaknesses and doubling its resistances compared to its original Dark-Ice form. This new Sneasel represents what more of the Hisuian variants perhaps should have been, with it even introducing a new evolved form in Sneasler, as opposed to simply evolving into a Hisuian Weavile.

2 Zoroark's New Form Is Horrifyingly Brilliant

Hisuian Zoroark and Zorua from Pokemon Legends Arceus

Zoroark has been considered a mysterious Pokémon since its introduction to the franchise in Gen V. It is known as the Illusion Fox Pokémon and specializes in the manipulation of reality. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, however, its Hisuian form deviates away from its Dark typing and is now a dual Normal and Ghost type Pokémon. This combination is known to be a favorite among fans, with it only having the weakness to Dark types.

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Hisuian Zoroark is known as the Baneful Fox Pokémon and is considered to be the embodiment of death, justifying its Ghost typing. Both Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark have terrific new designs and will be a great addition to any Hisuian team.

1 Growlithe & Arcanine Are The Most Convincing Hisuian Variants

Hisuian Growlithe in Pokemon Legends Arceus

When considering what species of Pokémon could benefit from a design upheaval and some reinvention, Growlithe and Arcanine don't necessarily jump out as obvious suggestions. However, fans have fallen in love with the design for the new Hisuian variant of Growlithe, with its long fur that has rock components in it.

Exposure to the volcanic activity of the Cobalt Coastlands has given it this visage and the Rock-Fire typing, which gives it one extra super effective weakness and one extra type resistance. While Hisuian Growlithe is adorable, its evolved form Arcanine looks as majestic as ever with its new design. The new typing lends itself to increased physical Attack and HP base stats for both Pokémon, at the expense of Speed and Special Attack.

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