One key to succeeding early in any Pokémon core series game is finding a party of Pokémon to guide you through the challenges of building your starter up and rounding out the team later with stronger evolutions. Pokémon Legends: Arceus has a similar challenge, though it also presents a vast array of Pokémon to choose in the Obsidian Fieldlands.
The below list will take a focus on the best Pokémon you can catch early in the Obsidian Fieldlands. There will be no Alpha Pokémon listed as they are a class of their own. Further, while some evolutions are in the overworld early, this list will focus on first forms to maximize the growth potential of each Pokémon.
1. Eevee
Along with Abra, Eevee is probably the most difficult Pokémon to catch early in the game (unless it’s sleeping). It has a skittish disposition, meaning it will run away as soon as it notices you. Make sure to get a back strike on Eevee to maximize the catch chances and minimize its chances of fleeing.
Eevee can be found in Horseshoe Plains, which is to the left of the opening Fieldlands Camp. This is the same area that has Alpha Rapidash prowling an area.
The true value of Eevee is in its various evolutions. Luckily, all eight Eeveelutions are available in Arceus. Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon can now have their evolutions more controlled with the new evolution mechanic. Vaporeon, Flareon, and Jolteon will still evolve through using an evolution stone.
It’s recommended to evolve Eevee into one of the original evolutions to cover your starter’s main weakness. For example, if you chose Oshawott, a Flareon would cover its Grass-type weakness.
2. Geodude
Normally found in caves in previous core games, Geodude roams certain parts of the Obsidian Fieldlands. Beware: it will attack you when it notices you thanks to its aggressive disposition!
Geodude is a dual Rock and Ground-type, making it strong against Fire, Flying, Ice, Bug, Poison, Steel, and Electric-type Pokémon. However, its dual typing also makes it weak to Ground, Ice, and Steel, along with Grass (doubly), Water (doubly), and Fighting-type Pokémon. It is resistant to Normal-type attacks and immune to Electric-type attacks.
Still, Geodude has good Attack and Defense (though low Speed). Further, its final evolution in Golem is a strong final evolution. With the ability to control evolutions, you don’t have to rely on trading to evolve your Graveler.
You can find Geodude in Deertrack Heights, Worn Bridge, and Nature’s Pantry. The ones in Nature’s Pantry are a bit higher leveled (in the teens).
Geodude and its evolutions make a good addition to the party for anyone who chose Rowlet to help counter its Fire-type weakness. It will also come in handy against the many Flying-type Pokémon you will encounter in Arceus.
3. Ponyta
One of the few Fire-type Pokémon in the game, Ponyta makes a great addition to any team whose starter isn’t Cyndaquil.
As a pure Fire-type, its weaknesses are to Water, Rock, and Ground-type Pokémon. It is effective against Grass, Bug, Ice, and Steel-type Pokémon. It has enough Speed that you should attack first against most opponents.
Ponyta can be found in Horseshoe Plains near the Alpha Rapidash. They should be far enough away from the Alpha that you aren’t close enough to be noticed by Rapidash.
Speaking of Rapidash, Ponyta’s evolution into Rapidash is another reason it’s on this list. Rapidash is only one of four pure Fire-type final evolutions in Arceus, keeping its weaknesses to three. It also is speedy and can pack a punch with attacks.
Obtaining a Ponyta is a good idea for any team that chose Oshawott to counter its Grass-type weakness. It will also be good for when you face Ice and Steel-type Pokémon, two of the rarer yet stronger types in the Pokémon world.
4. Psyduck
The duck with a constant headache, Psyduck doesn’t become available until you’re tasked with meeting with Warden Liam to discuss the frenzied Kleavor after you’ve gained a rank. Psyduck is also aggressive, attacking you once it notices you.
The Water-type Pokémon maintains its pure typing as it evolves into Golduck. The signature of both is that while they maintain a Water typing, they both learn Psychic-type moves, making them good counters against Fighting and Poison-type Pokémon.
Psyduck can be found in The Heartwood. This is the area behind Tidewater Dam after facing the Alpha Bibarel. Follow the meandering stream to find (usually) pairs of Psyduck at each bend – along with some Bunnelby.
Golduck is a rather strong evolution to have early in the game (it evolves at level 33). It has powerful Water-type attacks. Psyduck and Golduck are great additions to a Rowlet-led team to counter its weaknesses to Fire and Poison-type Pokémon.
5. Scyther
The strongest Pokémon on this list, Scyther has long been a great addition to any team because of its high Speed and Attack. Scyther has also long been considered to have one of the best designs of any Pokémon.
Scyther is a dual Bug and Flying-type Pokemon, making it weak to Fire, Rock (doubly), Flying, Ice, and Electric-type Pokémon. It is effective against Grass, Psychic, Dark, Fighting, and Bug-type Pokémon. As a Flying-type, it is immune to Ground-type attacks.
It has two evolutions in Scizor and Kleavor, the latter exclusive to Hisui. Scizor is Bug and Steel while Kleavor is Bug and Rock. Both are formidable and will provide strong attacks to your team.
Like with every Pokemon, be sure to get a back strike to maximize your chances of catching a Scyther. If you’re more confident catching it during a battle – maybe after applying paralysis, for example – then ensure a back strike so that Scyther will be “caught unawares” and prevent it from attacking for up to a few turns. This should maximize your chances of catching Scyther.
While a great addition to any team, Scyther is particularly useful if you chose Oshawott. Scyther can tear apart Grass-type Pokemon with both of its typed attacks. Fighting-type Pokemon will also have big issues with Scyther as Fighting attacks are weak against both of Scyther’s types. The many Bug-types you will encounter will also suffer from Scyther’s Flying attacks.
Basically, if you come across a Scyther in the Grandtree Area of Obsidian Fieldlands, or the Primeval Grotto of Coronet Highlands later in the game, add one to your team!
6. Shinx
One of the three your tasked with catching during your trial, the aggressive Shinx is always a good addition to an early team for multiple reasons.
First, Electric-type Pokémon are generally rare, so being able to find one early is a boon. Second, Electric-type Pokémon only have one weakness: Ground-type Pokémon, which also nullify Electric-type attacks. Third, Electric-type attacks are some of the strongest in the game, with the added bonus that nearly every one can inflict paralysis on the opponent.
Shinx evolves into Luxio and then Luxray, the latter a powerful and intimidating foe. It maintains its pure typing throughout its evolutions, meaning it only retains that one weakness to Ground-type Pokémon. Another benefit is that the other Electric-type early in the game, Pichu, is far weaker and takes more patience to build than Shinx (Pichu is also harder to catch), making Shinx the better choice.
Shinx can be found immediately in Aspiration Hill. Just go down from the Fieldlands Camp and you’ll encounter some in no time.
Shinx makes a great addition to a team led by Cyndaquil to counter its Water-type weakness. There are many Water-type Pokémon in the game – including other types who know Water attacks – so having a counter is crucial. Shinx may serve as a better counter to Water than a Grass-type because Shinx has less weaknesses. Shinx’s Electric attacks will also serve well against Flying-type Pokémon, of which there are many.
7. Wurmple
Possibly an odd choice, Wurmple still serves as one of the best Bug-types that evolve quickly. It’s just a matter of getting the evolution you want.
These curious Bug-type Pokémon don’t present much of a threat at first. However, it’s their quick evolution that shows its true value to a party. It evolves into either Silcoon or Cascoon at level seven, then Beautifly or Dustox at level ten. Beautifly is a Bug and Flying-type while Dustox is a Bug and Poison-type. At level ten, you can have a fully evolved Pokémon that proves to be too strong for many of the pre-evolved Pokémon you’ll encounter early.
Wurmple can be found in many places, but look in Horseshoe Plains and The Heartwood. They like to roam on hills and sleep, and their surprisingly large bodies are visible from a good distance.
Wurmple makes a good addition to a team with Oshawott as a starter. It can counter Rowlet with its Bug-type attacks (though watch out for Rowlet’s Flying-type attacks!) and if evolved into Beautifly, add STAB to Flying-type attacks as well for further damage to Rowlet. Hisuian Decidueye is doubly weak to Flying-type attacks with its secondary Fighting-type, so Beaufily can wreak some havoc on Decidueye. Dustox will be extremely effective against Rowlet as well, though not so much once it becomes Decidueye.
Rowlet was chosen as an example, but Grass and Fighting-type Pokémon will have a challenge with Beautifly.
Dustox is a bit more tricky because its secondary Poison-type makes it weak to Psychic at the same time its Bug attacks are effective against Psychic-type Pokémon. It’s also effective against Dark.
There you go, the best Pokémon to catch early in the game. Which will you choose to round out your team?
