Pokémon Legends Arceus: Best Team with Cyndaquil

One of the main aspects of any Pokémon game is rounding out your team for type coverage, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus is no different, even without the presence of gyms. Unless you ditch your starter, that choice will usually determine the path of your team creation.

Below, you will find the best Pokémon in Arceus to fill out your team if you chose Cyndaquil as your starter (the best choice for starter). To set the stage for the list, first will be an overview of Cyndaquil and its evolutions, particularly its new (old?) Hisuian Typhlosion.

What is Hisuian Typhlosion?

Hisuian Typhlosion is the Hisuian exclusive form of Cyndaquil’s final evolution. Unlike its future Johto version that is pure Fire-type, Hisuian Typhlosion is Fire- and Ghost-type with slightly different Base Stats Totals. Hisuian Typhlosion holds the same total of 534, but trades a bit of Speed and HP for a bigger boost in Special Attack (119). This helps make use of the many special attacks of both of its types, such as Flamethrower and Shadow Ball.

Hisuian Typhlosion holds five weaknesses: Water, Ground, Rock, Dark, and Ghost. Luckily, it does not hold any double weaknesses to any types, and it is immune to Normal and Fighting attacks unless a move such as Foresight is used. The same does apply to Typhlosion should it use Ghost-type attacks against both types without a Foresight-like move.

Offensively, Hisuian Typhlosion is super effective against Grass, Bug, Ice, Steel, Psychic, and Ghost. While Typhlosion can counter its Ghost weakness with its own Ghost-type moves, it’s a tricky proposition, especially with the Hisuian version trading some Speed.

Cyndaquil will evolve into Quilava at level 17 – three levels higher than the usual level 14 – and into Hisuian Typhlosion at level 36, which is the same as Johtonian Typhlosion.

The best Pokémon for a Cyndaquil-led team

There are a few important notes to keep in mind when putting a team together. One, there are many Water-type Pokémon in Arceus. Two, while a Fire-type team sounds cool in theory, too many of them do not have any counters to its main weakness in Water, so type diversity is key. Three, it’s best to try and cover as many weaknesses as possible, if not negating some along the way. Four, as such, try and have no more than one type on your team, so avoid having two Fire-type or two Ground-type Pokémon. Lastly, these lists will seek to avoid as many overlaps as possible.

Legendary and Mythical Pokémon will not be included in this list as most aren’t available until the post-game. Oshawott, Rowlet, and their evolutions will also not be considered. Rather, this will focus on numbers ten (Bidoof) through 224 (Lucario) in the Hisui Pokédex.

1. Hisuian Goodra (Base Stats Total: 600)

Hisuian Goodra may be the best non-Legendary or non-Mythical in all of Hisui – and not just because it’s a pseudo-Legendary (Base Stats Total of 600, three-stage evolutionary line, and 1.25 million experience at level 100). Hisuian Goodra takes the spot over Garchomp because of the latter holding more weaknesses and crucially, a double weakness to Ice.

Hisuian Goodra, with its high Base Stats Total, is well-rounded yet powerful. A tank, Hisuian Goodra has a 150 in Special Defense and 100 in Defense. Its offense is no slouch either as it has a 110 in Special Attack and 100 in Attack. It has an 80 in HP and 60 in Speed, so it does lack a little in the latter departments.

Hisuian Goodra only has two weaknesses thanks to its dual Dragon- and Steel-typing in Ground and Fighting. It has resistances to Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Steel, Water, Electric, and Psychic with a double resistance to Grass. As with all Steel-types, Goodra is immune to Poison. Goodra’s typing is super effective against Dragon, Rock, Ice, and Fairy.

Goodra learns Acid Spray, Water Pulse, Dragon Pulse, and Hydro Pump while also learning Iron Head. It can learn through move tutors Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, Iron Tail, Water Pulse, and Ice Beam. Its high stats and wide array of moves makes Hisuian Goodra the ideal choice to add to your team, regardless of starter.

Hisuian Goodra can be found at Ancient Quarry. If you want to evolve one from a Goomy, Goomy can be found at Ancient Quarry and Holm of Trials. To evolve Sliggoo (Goomy’s evolved form) into Goodra, it has to be at least level 50 and raining in the overworld to trigger.

2. Togekiss (Base Stats Total: 545)

Togekiss takes the second spot on this list as the Fairy- and Flying-type Pokémon with the highest Base Stats Total in Arceus (non-Legendary department). Aside from one Base Stat, Togekiss is a formidable addition to your team, particularly because of its Fairy-type.

The Fairy- and Flying-type Togekiss has three Base Stats within 25 points of each other. Togekiss’ Special Attack (120), Special Defense (115), and Defense (95) make it another good tank that, like Hisuian Goodra, can also pack a punch – at least with Special Attack. Its HP is 85, Speed 80, and Attack a meager 50.

Togekiss holds five weaknesses: Poison, Steel, Rock, Ice, and Electric. It holds two immunities: Ground and Dragon due to being Flying- and Fairy-type. Offensively, Togekiss is super effective against Grass, Bug, Fighting, Dragon, and Dark.

Togekiss learns Draining Kiss, Air Slash, Extrasensory, and Moonblast. It can also learn Aerial Ace, Shadow Ball, Magical Leaf, Water Pulse, and Flamethrower. Togekiss’ moves can cover all of its weaknesses except Electric, and its Magical Leaf attack can help to counter the many Water-types in the game.

Togekiss is located at Lake Verity. Togepi can be found at Bathers’ Lagoon, Cottonsedge Prairie, and Tranquility Cove. Togetic can be found at the last two locations and Bolderoll Slope. To evolve Togepi into Togetic, it needs high friendship. To evolve Togetic, use a Shiny Stone.

3. Blissey (Base Stats Total: 540)

The only Normal-type Pokémon on this list, Blissey has the highest Base Stats Total of any of its type and is another tank, though in one big different way than the first two on this list.

Blissey’s highest stat is a whopping 255 in HP with a 135 in Special Defense. It holds a 75 in Special Attack and 55 in Speed, but a miniscule 10 in both Attack and Defense. So, while it has high HP, it’s best used against special attackers than physical attackers, which is a good strategy to counter Blissey’s only weakness.

As a Normal-type, Blissey is only weak to Fighting. It is immune to Ghost, though it also cannot hit Ghost-type Pokémon without using a move like Foresight. Normal-type attacks are not very effective against Rock and Steel, and are not super effective against any types.

However, where Blissey shines is in its ability to learn many moves. Blissey learns Draining Kiss and Soft-Boiled. That’s not very impressive, but it can learn a plethora of moves from move tutors. It can learn Charge Beam, Flamethrower, Ice Beam, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, Water Pulse, and Tri Attack. Not only can it cover its weakness, but it can cover many weaknesses across the team.

Blissey is located at Obsidian Falls and Avalanch Slopes. Happiny can be found at the same locations and Hideaway Bay and Oreburrow Tunnel. Chansey can be found at the first three locations and Tombolo Walk. To evolve Happiny, use an Oval Stone during the daytime. To evolve Chansey, it must have high friendship.

4. Electivire (Base Stats Total: 540)

Electivire is the strongest non-Legendary or non-Mythical Electric-type Pokémon in Arceus according to Base Stats.

Electivire is fairly well-rounded, but excels in Attack at 123 with Special Attack and Speed at 95. Its Special Defense is 85, HP 75, and Defense at 67.

The best thing about adding Electivire to your team is that as an Electric-type, it has only one weakness: Ground-type attacks while holding an immunity to Electric-type attacks if it has the Motor Drive Ability. While it shares this weakness with Hisuian Typhlosion, Electivire can handle the many Water-types in the game and learn moves that can cover a few more weaknesses.

Electivire’s learned move set is Spark, Thunder Punch, and Thunderbolt. However, through move tutors, it can also learn Fire Punch, Rock Slide, Ice Punch, Iron Tail, Bulldoze, and Rock Smash. The last three attacks can cover its weakness to Ground, and Bulldoze and Rock Smash can help to cover Typhlosion’s weakness to Rock. Electivire can effectively cover three weaknesses in Water, Ground, and Rock though it’s still weak to Ground.

Electivire can be found at Cloudcap Pass. If you want to find to evolve one from an Elekid or Electabuzz, those can be found at Arena’s Approach, Icebound Falls, and Cloudcap Pass. To evolve, use an Electirizer on Electabuzz.

5. Vaporeon (Base Stats Total: 525)

The first of three consecutive Eeveelutions on this list, Vaporeon doesn’t have the highest Base Stats Total of Water-types in the game (Gyarados), but its singular typing means it holds fewer weaknesses than Gyarados.

Vaporeon’s best stats are HP at 130, Special Attack at 110, and Special Defense at 95. However, its other three stats are middling at 65 (Attack and Speed) and 60 (Defense).

The pure Water-type is weak to Grass and Electric. Offensively, Vaporeon’s typing is super effective against Fire, Rock, and Ground.

It learns Swift and Aqua Tail. It can also learn Shadow Ball, Water Pulse, and Ice Beam. Ice Beam counters its weakness to Grass, while it can counter other weaknesses across the team, though not as many as Blissey.

Vaporeon can be obtained by evolving Eevee with a Water Stone. Eevee can be found in the Horseshoe Plains. However, it is very skittish and will run away as soon as it notices you

6. Umbreon (Base Stats Total: 525)

The pure Dark-type is another good tank to add to the team. While the Base Stats Total isn’t as high as others, it’s the highest of any Dark-type besides Hisuian Samurott.

Umbreon’s best stats are its Special Defense (130) and Defense (110). It has high HP as well at 95. Its other stats are decent: Attack and Speed are both 65 with Special Attack lower at 60.

Umbreon is weak to Fairy, Fighting, and Bug. Offensively, Umbreon’s pure Dark-typing is super effective against Psychic and Ghost.

Umbreon learns moves such as Snarl, Swift, Dark Pulse, and Double-Edge. It can learn Hyper Beam, Shadow Ball, Rock Smash, and Iron Tail. It can counter its Fairy weakness with Iron Tail, but it only has 75 accuracy so be careful!

Umbreon can be found in Space-Time Distortions. If you want to evolve one from an Eevee, Eevee can be found in the Horseshoe Plains. However, it is very skittish and will run away as soon as it notices you! It will evolve into Umbreon with high friendship at nighttime.

7. Espeon (Base Stats Total: 525)

Espeon makes this list tied with Wyrdeer for the highest Base Stats Total of any Psychic-type. However, since there is already a Normal-type with a higher total than Wyrdeer, Espeon takes the spot to maintain type diversity – though Wyrdeer doesn’t hold a Fighting-type weakness.

Espeon’s Special Attack is 130, Speed 110, and Special Defense 95. However, the tradeoff is paltry stats in HP (65), Attack (65), and Defense (60). Its Speed and Special Attack, particularly with the array of special attack Psychic-type moves, should mean that you faint your enemies before being attacked.

As a Psychic-type, Espeon is weak to Ghost, Bug, and Dark. Offensively, Espeon’s typing is super effective against Fighting and Poison.

It learns special attacks Confusion, Swift, and Psychic, along with status attacks like Baby-Doll Eyes and Calm Mind. It can learn Dazzling Gleam, Shadow Ball, and Psychic.

To obtain Espeon, you need to evolve Eevee. Eevee can be found at Horseshoe Plains. However, it is very skittish and will flee at first sight, so be sneaky! Eevee will then evolve with high friendship during the day into Espeon.

There you go, your best choices to round out your Cyndaquil-led team. Which will you add in your Hisuian journey?