When Pokemon Legends: Arceus come out, many Pokémon fans were excited about the many new Hisuian regional forms and evolutions, such as Hisuian Zoroark, Sneasler, Ursaluna, and the three starters. It was unclear at the time if and when these Pokémon would find their way into the main series, or even competitive games, as it seemed complicated to integrate animals from the old version of the Sinnoh region into Pokémon lore. It wasn't immediately clear Pokemon Legends: Arceus was a main line Pokémon games either for that matter. From Pokemon Scarlet and VioletHisuian Pokémon made their debut in Paldea and VGC, and it was immediately clear that they were broken.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus and later Pokemon Legends: ZA didn't have abilities for Pokemon, which meant that each pocket monster would have its kit changed and fully revealed only when it became available for use in Gen 9. Some of these Pokemon aren't great by VGC standards, but most of them become very strong in various competitive formats, from low power to the likes of Regulation I for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Now that Pokemon champion is here, and so are several Hisuian Pokémon, it's time to admit that they're a bit too strong overall.
These are the top 5 Pokemon not yet available in Champions
Missing from Pokemon Champion's limited roster of creatures are some competitive staples that have dominated the Gen 9 meta up to this point.
If you've only played a couple of games Pokemon champion' dual battle format, which is the preferred and official one for VGC, you will know that there is no avoiding Sneasler and Basculegion. These two Pokemon are everywhere, and they are very powerful. Not only that, but Hisuian Arcanine, Hisuian Typhlosion, and Hisuian Zoroark are all relatively common in many teams.
- Pokemon champion' Sneasler applies pressure with Fake Out, has incredibly optimized stats that make it both physically powerful and fast, and becomes the fastest non-Choice Scarf Pokemon on the field with White Herb and Unburden, and it has access to very strong moves like Dire Claw and Close Combat.
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Basculegion is currently one of the best Pokemon in Pokemon champion as it can do incredible damage with its water attacks on its own if it's a Choice Scarf Adaptability set, and just as good damage if it's a Swift Swim rain set as rain increases the water damage. On top of that, if used in the second half of a match, it can destroy most opposing Pokemon with Last Respects.
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Hisuian Arcanine can be a great Intimidate user with great offensive power and Speed, while pressuring opponents with spread damage from Rock Slide and twitch. It also learns Flare Blitz to take care of problematic Pokémon like Kingambit, Venusaur, and Whimsicott. Hisuian Arcanine can even serve as an Incineroar counter i Pokemon champion because of its type and scare.
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Hisuian Zoroark is very interesting to use because it forces the opponent to go through mental gymnastics to determine which Pokémon they are actually fighting. It can also act as speed control with Icy Wind, it's immune to Fake Out, and it can do good damage against the likes of Basculegion with Shadow Ball.
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Hisuian Typhlosion can be a very fast and powerful Choice Scarf Pokemon to use, often paired with Heat Wave, Eruption, and Shadow Ball to dish out good damage at the start of a turn. It also has utility with Frisk, which reveals the held items of opposing Pokémon.
How the remaining Hisuian Pokémon will reshape the Pokémon Champions Meta
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Hisuian Lilligant will most likely be a threat when added, as it can be paired with Mega Charizard Y to have powerful solar teams in Pokemon champion. This Pokemon has access to Chlorophyll, which makes it very fast in the sun, and while its type combo isn't great, it has access to very strong moves like Close Combat and Solar Blade to instantly put pressure on the opponent.
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Overqwil is a very powerful Pokemon that can be paired with rain teams i Pokemon champion due to its Swift Swim ability, or it can be used with Intimidate instead. Being a Dark/Poison animal, it is only weak to Ground, and it can deal massive damage with its signature move, Barb Barrage.
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Ursaluna is one of the best Ground-type Pokemon ever, and also one of the best Trick Room users ever. It has the guts to power itself up with Flame Orb and then take even more damage with STAB Facade, as well as its powerful signature move, Headlong Rush.
New questions added!
GameRant Quiz
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Light (15s)Medium (10s)Hard (5s)Permadeath (5s)
There are some Hisuian Pokemon that don't really shine above others, but that can also change as more items are added and depending on how the meta evolves. Wyrdeer, Kleavor, Hisuian Samurott, Hisuian Decidueye, Hisuian Goodra, and Hisuian Avalugg are all in the game at the moment, but they aren't seeing much play. Also missing are Hisuian Electrode and Enamorus, the former being mediocre at best and the latter very powerful.
What follows is that many Hisuian Pokémon are simply very strong and will inevitably see more and more play throughout the series. Some aren't as good, but still have their own niches, and it's rare for Hisuian Pokemon to be outright bad. The ones that do perform are incredible though, and it might be worth playing or replaying Pokemon Legends: Arceus thanks to Pokemon champion.