Pokémon GO: What Hisuian Variants Could Come Next

Pokémon GO recently incorporated Hisuian Voltorb into the wilds for players to catch, but there are many other Hisuian variants from Pokémon Legends: Arceus that could make excellent additions to the mobile game. It’s not unusual for the mobile game to take inspiration from recent game, movie, or series releases in the franchise, but Hisuian Voltorb holds a promising future for players unable to get their hands on Game Freak’s latest title. Many new Pokémon from several regions received design overhauls and type combinations, potentially changing the game’s competitive battles and increasing the Pokédex’s capacity.

[Warning – Spoilers head for Pokémon Legends: Arceus.]

Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes place in ancient Sinnoh when the territory was still called the Hisui region and remained largely unsettled. Players can explore the untamed region’s dangers and enjoy the first free-roaming experience. Legends: Arceus‘ Hisuian Variants are (likely) extinct during the mainline games, but Pokémon GO has the chance to revive them through its research tasks and in-game story. In addition, several popular Pokémon received new forms alongside several underrated monsters that haven’t gotten their chance in the spotlight yet.

Pokémon GO frequently uses content from new Pokémon game releases to bolster player numbers and increase profits during limited events. Some notable examples include Pokémon Sword and Shield‘s Zacian and Zamazenta appearing in five-star raids during the games’ release or Armored Mewtwo appearing during the remastered release of Pokémon: The First Movie. Given Pokémon Legends: Arceus‘ popularity and positive reception (and the recent data mine that suggests future Hisuian forms are on their way), it’s likely that Niantic could benefit from incorporating more Hisuian Pokémon in the future.

Pokémon GO Should Feature Hisuian Zorua & Zoroark

Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced Zorua and Zoroark through a horror-themed trailer before the game launched, with the monsters making a strong impression throughout the community and social media. Like other creatures listed, Zorua and Zoroark had popular original designs and powerful typings, but they are one of the few legendaries that received regional variants in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark are the first Normal-Ghost type Pokémon in the franchise, making their addition to Pokémon GO a necessity. It’s unknown what effect these creatures may have on competitive battles, but their unique typing opens many opportunities for Pokémon GO and mainline Pokémon games.

Pokémon GO Needs Legends: Arceus’ Hisuian Starters

The most obvious addition to Pokémon GO‘s Pokédex is the Hisuian Starter trio with new forms and typings. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the starter Pokémon available are Cyndaquil, Oshawott, and Rowlett in their standard primary and secondary forms. However, once the creatures fully evolve, they’ll receive a unique appearance with a new typing and appearance. While the starters’ Hisuian Typhlosion, Samurott, and Decidueye evolutions still have the same name, their new forms are far more appropriate for the untamed Hisui region’s many dangers. Darker color palettes and unique plumage match the region’s color palettes, extinct plants, and uncolonized biomes.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ Hisuian Typhlosion, despite its sullen appearance, evolves into a powerful Ghost-Fire type that can deal serious damage throughout the Hisui region. Its dark purple color palette complements its new typing alongside its purple flames, though its body shape remains identical to its original form. Samurott becomes a Dark-Water dual-type Pokémon with its Hisui regional variant, making it one of the most valuable creatures against Pokémon Legends: Arceus‘ Noble Pokémon bosses. Its color palette becomes much darker, and it gains additional fins and facial hair to make its design seem older. Hisuian Decidueye features the most drastic change, resembling a burrowing owl with its long legs and upright posture. Its feathers are much brighter than its previous form, and its Grass-Fighting typing brings the monster increased viability in battle.

Pokémon GO Needs Pokémon Legends’ Growlithe & Arcanine

Growlithe and Arcanine are some of Kanto’s most popular Fire-type Pokémon, with the latter once considered legendary according to early art in the anime and first-generation games. However, even after the Pokémon became common, their design and power gained significant popularity in the community. Unsurprisingly, both creatures received a Hisuian form, which made both animals much fluffier and gave them a dual typing of Fire and Rock. This typing, combined with their unique new designs, makes Growlithe and Arcanine an attractive addition to Pokémon GO‘s wide range of regional variant Pokémon.

Pokémon GO Could Benefit From Hisuian Sneasel

Sneasel played an essential role in Pokémon’s Johto region as the rival’s partner Pokémon and is a staple of Ice-type Pokémon throughout the franchise. While its original design is quite appealing and features some satisfying palettes, Hisuian Sneasel utilizes a color scheme opposite its Johto form. White and purple fur with a violet feather and gold markings could easily be mistaken for a Shiny Sneasel, making its overall design extremely satisfying. Additionally, Hisuian Sneasel enjoys a unique evolution into Sneaseler by holding a Razor Claw during the day, making it extremely simple for Pokémon GO to implement its evolutionary mechanics.

Pokémon GO Can Soar With Legends: Arceus’ Hisuian Braviary

Given the free-roaming aspect of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, rideable mounts are necessary to cross vast expanses of land and dangerous obstacles efficiently. Wyrdeer and Basculegion are two notable creatures that assist the player in exploring Hisui, but Hisuian Braviary opens new frontiers. Players can use the brightly colored bird to explore the skies and see the world from a new perspective. Its brilliant plumage and impressive size make it the perfect choice to ferry the player character from place to place and could port to Pokémon GO with an equally brilliant visage. While Flying-type Pokémon aren’t usually viable in battles (due to their many weaknesses), Hisuian Braviary’s Flying-Psychic dual-typing introduces new possibilities, especially if Niantic decides to include Braivary in its potential Pokémon Legends: Arceus event.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus has many Hisuian variants for players to catch and evolve throughout its many hours of gameplay. While many variants begin as standard forms from Kanto, Johto, Kalos, and more, their evolution into Hisuian forms presents an opportunity for Pokémon GO to introduce new items and evolutionary mechanics. Many monsters – like the Eeveelutions – require different conditions to evolve into various monsters, and Pokémon GO does its best to replicate these in a mobile setting. Introducing Hisuian variants and evolutions allows players to expand their teams and Pokédexes. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is available now exclusively for the Switch, and Hisuian Voltorb is currently obtainable in Pokémon GO.

About The Author

Natalie Lindner
(501 Articles Published)

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Natalie Lindner is a Game Features Writer for Screen Rant, creating content on the past, present, and future of games in the industry. Prior to this, she worked out of a writing consultancy in Rhode Island from 2018 to 2021, where she helped college students improve their writing abilities. Natalie has contributed her video game writing to several smaller websites and projects since 2018 and is eager to continue that journey with Screen Rant.

Working out of New Hampshire, Natalie spends the time she isn’t writing about games outside; hiking or biking. On those rainy days, she can be found striving for action on the latest FPS or perusing the latest comic books.

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