Pokemon Legend Arceus launches for Nintendo Switch next Friday, and it's a markedly different kind of experience than previous Pokemon games. Set long before Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, when the Sinnoh region was known as Hisui and the concept of Pokemon trainers hadn't yet been established, the upcoming adventure tasks players with traveling around the land to catalog its first Pokedex.
New Pokemon
Wyrdeer
Basculegion
Basculegion is a Hisui-exclusive evolution of Basculin. According to Pokemon lore, Basculin evolves when it's "possessed by the souls of other Basculin from its school that could not withstand the harsh journey upstream." Similar to Wyrdeer, players can summon Basculegion with the Celestica Flute and ride it across bodies of water.
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Kleavor
Scyther in the Hisui region are able to evolve into a brand-new Pokemon called Kleavor. This monster is part-rock and attacks using its axe-like arms. As part of their expedition, players will need to battle and quell a frenzied Kleavor.
New regional forms
Hisuian Growlithe
Growlithe native to Hisui have different characteristics from those in other regions of the Pokemon world. Hisuian Growlithe are fire/rock types, and they have longer fur to insulate them from the frigid climes of the region. Hisuian Growlithe are typically found in pairs.
Hisuian Braviary
Rufflet in the Hisui region evolve into a different form of Braviary. This variant is part-psychic, and it can unleash psychic shock wave attacks and even send itself into a trance, sharpening its senses and abilities. By playing the Celestica Flute, players can summon a Hisuian Braviary and soar through the air.
Hisuian Zorua
We got our first glimpse of Hisuian Zorua in a "found footage"-style video for Pokemon Legends: Arceus. According to Pokemon lore, Zorua migrated to the Hisui region after humans drove it out of other lands, but it was unable to survive the harsh climate and became a ghost Pokemon. It's said Zorua is able to create illusions from the "spiteful power" that emanates from its long fur.
Hisuian Zoroark
Hisuian Zoroark are described as "ferociously hostile and aggressive toward people and other Pokemon," but are protective of those they hold close. The illusions it creates are said to be so terrifying that those who behold them are "driven mad with terror."
Hisuian Voltorb
Unlike standard Voltorb, Hisuian Voltorb are grass/electric types, resembling the primitive wooden Poke Balls used in the Hisui region. It is said they store seeds inside their bodies and have a friendly personality, although they are known to accidentally discharge electricity when excited.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus launches for Nintendo Switch on Jan. 28. Everyone who picks up a copy before May 9 is entitled to an early purchase bonus: a special Hisuian Growlithe kimono set for their player character. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl players will also get an extra bonus in the game: a modern Team Galactic clothing set and a special research quest to catch the mythical Pokemon Darkrai.
