Pokémon Legends Arceus: Best Team with Rowlet

While in many core series Pokémon games, choosing the Grass-type starter makes early gym battles easier, the Grass-type starter holds more weaknesses than the Fire- and Water-type starters. This applies even more in Pokémon Legends: Arceus as Rowlet is the only one with a secondary type that adds more weaknesses.

Below, you will find the best Pokémon in Arceus to fill out your team if you chose Rowlet as your starter. To begin, it’s good to get an overview of Oshawott’s final evolution, Hisuian Decidueye.

What is Hisuian Decidueye?

Hisuian Decidueye, unlike its future Alolan descendant, evolves into a dual Grass- and Fighting-type whereas its Alolan counterpart is Grass- and Ghost-type.

Hisuian Decidueye has a Base Stats Total of 530 and is well-rounded. It has an Attack of 112 and Special Attack and Special Defense of 95. Its HP is 88, Defense 80, and Speed of 60.

Hisuian Decidueye holds weaknesses to Fire, Ice, Poison, Psychic, Fairy, and a double weakness to Flying. Offensively, its typing is super effective against Water, Ground, Rock, Normal, Ice, Dark, and Steel.

Rowlet evolves into Dartrix at level 17, and then into Hisuian Decidueye at level 36, two levels later than its Alolan counterpart.

The best Pokémon for a Rowlet-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 so while the strongest will be listed, there are plenty of Water-types to choose. Two, while a Grass-type team sounds cool in theory, Grass-types hold many weaknesses and even more with a secondary type, 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 Grass-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. Cyndaquil, Oshawott, 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)

The pseudo-Legendary topped each of these lists as arguably the best non-Legendary Pokémon in the game.

Hisuian Goodra and Garchomp have the same Base Stats Total as both are pseudo-Legendary, but the latter holds more weaknesses and crucially, a double weakness to Ice.

Hisuian Goodra has a 150 in Special Defense and 100 in Defense. It has a 110 in Special Attack and 100 in Attack. It has an 80 in HP and 60 in Speed.

Hisuian Goodra is weak to Ground and Fighting only as its paired typing (particularly being Steel-type) gives a lot of resistances. It is immune to Poison. Offensively, it’s super effective against Dragon, Ice, Rock, and Fairy.

Goodra learns Acid Spray, Water Pulse, Dragon Pulse, and Hydro Pump. Through move tutors, it can learn Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, Iron Tail, Water Pulse, and Ice Beam.

Hisuian Goodra can be found at Ancient Quarry. 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.

2. Snorlax (Base Stats Total: 540)

One of a few Normal-types with similar Base Stats Totals, Snorlax might not have as much HP as Blissey, but it packs more of an offensive punch.

Snorlax holds a HP of 160, Attack of 110, and Special Defense of 110. Its Defense and Special Attack are 65, but its Speed is a paltry 30.

Snorlax holds a singular weakness to Fighting-type attacks. However, it cannot attack Ghost-types without using a move like Foresight the turn prior, but the same holds for Ghost attacking Normal. Normal-types do not have any offensive advantages against any type.

However, Normal-types shine in their ability to learn a wide array of moves, and Snorlax is no different. Snorlax learns Bulldoze, Crunch, Zen Headbutt, High Horsepower, and Giga Impact. It can also learn Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Iron Head, and Outrage, among others. With only one weakness that is covered by its Psychic attacks and its learnable moves, Snorlax can cover many weaknesses across your team.

Snorlax is located at Sandgem Flats and Snowfall Hot Spring. Munchlax is located at the latter and Deertrack Heights. To evolve, Munchlax must have high friendship.

3. Gyarados (Base Stats Total: 540)

A long-time fan favorite, Gyarados is a formidable addition, particularly to cover Rowlet’s weakness to Fire.

The Water- and Flying-type Gyarados holds a 125 in Attack, 100 in Special Defense, and 95 in HP. It has an 81 in Speed, 79 in Defense, and 60 in Special Attack. It has decent speed and should be able to land its strong physical attacks before being fainted.

Gyarados holds a weakness to Rock and a double weakness to Electric. It is immune to Ground. Offensively, its typing is super effective against Fire, Rock, Ground, Grass, Bug, and Fighting.

It learns Twister, Bite, Crunch, Aqua Tail, and Hurricane. Gyarados can also learn Ice Fang, Iron Head, Outrage, Stone Edge, and Bulldoze, the last attack covering its double weakness to Electric.

Magikarp and Gyarados can be found at Obsidian Falls and Lake Verity, as well as Primeval Grotto of Coronet Highlands and Sand’s Reach in Cobalt Coastlands. Magikarp evolves into Gyarados at level 20.

4. Magmortar (Base Stats Total: 540)

The Blast Pokémon is among the strongest in the game and while Hisuian Arcanine has a higher Base Stats Total (555), it holds fewer weaknesses and has a well-rounded distribution.

The pure Fire-type Magmortar’s Special Attack is 125. It also has good Attack (95) and Special Defense (95). Its lowest stats are Speed at 83, HP at 75, and Defense at 67.

Magmortar holds weaknesses to Water, Ground, and Rock. Offensively, its typing is super effective against Grass, Bug, Ice, and Steel. There are only a handful of Fire-types in the game, so adding the pure Fire-type Magmortar can be the best Fire-type addition to your team.

Magmortar learns Fire Punch, Flamethrower, and Fire Blast in addition to Poison Gas. It can also learn Mystical Fire, Psychic, Rock Smash, Thunder Punch, Thunderbolt, and Bulldoze, the latter four covering its three weaknesses.

You can find both Magmar and Magby at Firespit Island. Then you need to buy a Magmarizer and give it to Magmar.

5. Rhyperior (Base Stats Total: 535)

The Rock- and Ground-type Rhyperior is another strong addition to your team, but it may carry the most weaknesses.

Rhyperior is a brute with an Attack of 140, Defense of 130, and HP of 115. However, its other stats are low with Special Attack and Special Defense at 55 and Speed at 40.

Rhyperior holds weaknesses to Ice, Fighting, Ground, and Steel attacks with a double weaknesses to both Grass and Water. Offensively, its typing is super effective against Fire, Ice, Flying, Bug, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel.

Rhyperior learns Bulldoze, Rock Slide, High Horsepower, and Giga Impact. It can also learn Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Megahorn, Iron Tail, and Shadow Claw. These attacks cover a few weaknesses.

You can find Rhyperior at Sacred Plaza. If you want to evolve one from a Rhyhorn, you can find Rhyhorn at Bolderoll Slope, Clestica Trail, Diamond Heath, Sacred Plaza, and Shrouded Ruins. Rhyhorn evolves into Rhydon at level 42, then into Rhyperior with a Protector.

6. Jolteon (Base Stats Total: 525)

Ab Eeveelution has made each list for good reason. Jolteon helps cover some of the weaknesses across the team to Water and Flying.

Jolteon is a speedster with a Speed of 130. It also has a Special Attack of 110 and Special Defense of 95. Its other three stats are decent with HP and Attack at 65 and Defense at 60.

Jolteon holds a singular weakness to Ground-type attacks. Offensively, Jolteon’s typing is super effective against Water and Flying.

Jolteon learns Thunderbolt and Swift in addition to status attacks like Calm Mind. It can also learn Hyper Beam, Shadow Ball, Thunder Fang, and Iron Tail, among others.

Jolteon can be found in Space-Time Distortions. Eevee can be found in the Horseshoe Plains. To evolve into Jolteon, use a Thunder Stone.

7. Sneasler (Base Stats Total: 510)

The Hisuian exclusive evolution to Hisuian Sneasel, Sneasler is a good addition because of its speed and physical attacks.

Sneasler holds an Attack of 130 and Speed of 120. Its HP and Special Defense are good at 80, but Defense is 60 and Special Attack 40.

Sneasler holds weaknesses to Ground and Flying with a double weakness to Psychic. Offensively, Sneasler’s typing is super effective against Grass, Fairy, Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, and Steel.

Sneasler learns Rock Smash, Dire Claw, Slash, Poison Jab, and Close Combat. It can learn Drain Punch, Iron Tail, Shadow Claw, and X-Scissor. Some of these attacks cover a few weaknesses.

You’ll need to evolve Hisuian Sneasel to obtain Sneasler. Hisuian Sneasel can be found at Celestica Trail, Primeval Grotto, and in Space-Time Distortions. To evolve Sneasel, you need to have it hold a Razor Claw and trigger the evolution during the daytime.

Now you know the best team to build around your Rowlet and eventually, Hisuian Decidueye. Which ones will you add to your team?

If you’re wondering how to beat Volo, check out our guide!