Epic Starter Lineups in Pokémon Legends: Arceus – A Complete Guide to Strong Starting Setups

Hi Pokémon Legends: Arceus fans!
If you’re new to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, choosing the right starter Pokémon can make all the difference in your journey. With an entirely new regional design and dynamic Pokémon evolution, the initial selection is both exciting and strategic. Whether you're hunting for power, typing variety, or regional strengths, this guide breaks down the best starter lineups to kick off your adventure with confidence.


Understanding the Context

Why Starter Selection Matters in Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Unlike traditional Pokémon games, Legends: Arceus introduces regional evolution, unique mecha-style Pokémon, and starting pokémon from different regions—all tied to your geographical territory. Your starting set defines your playstyle, team balance, and how you interact with the game’s dynamic ecosystem. Crafting a strong starter team means securing strong typing coverage, strategic regional advantages, and powerful evolutionary trades.


The Official Starter Pokémon and Their Best Starter Lineups

Key Insights

Pokémon Legends: Arceus features five primary starting Pokémon, grouped into four regions:
Kyogre’s Region (Water), Shion’s Region (Grass), Heliolisk’s Region (Fire), and Koraidon’s Region (Electric) — plus a wild card from the original Pokémon Union.

1. Water Region – Kyogres Lineup Strategy

Starter: Kyogres – Core Water Type
Kyogres fills the Water-type role and provides strong swam-only coverage and Steel-type moves for post-game utility. While not the most aggressive starter for early battles, its evolution and regional role unlock powerful forms.

Best Starter Lineup (Challenger Mode / Early Game):

  • Kyogres (Primary Water Stack)
  • Lickletters – Air/Electric Multi type; strong for proactive attacks and status control.
  • Tangeltrelis – Ground/Psychic; hits a wide variety of vulnerabilities with strong airfire and plant types.
  • Crypalisk – Electric Type; excellent special attacker with Steel resistance and strengths in electric coverage.

Why? This group covers Ground, Air, Electric support, beats Steel, and harnesses Kyogres’ regional King status effectively.
Pro Tip: Use Kyogres’ evolution evolutionary potential (Kyogres X Kyogres Evolution) for a more potent Water/Bit accessory.

Final Thoughts


2. Grass Region – Shion’s Starter Trio

Shion’s Region leans into natural balance with Grass, Fire, Water, and D Rough foliage power. The starter lineup often explores Fire/Grass combos for swift, aggressive setups.

Top Lineup Suggestions:

  • Growingline – Grass/Ghost (Unique Grass/Fairy typing) ideal for hybrid offense.
  • Emolga – Electric/Fighting for speed and stagger potential (offensive rollout).
  • Nidoking – Grass/Fire with strong physical bulk and fire-blizzard typing.
  • Optional: Flametic for fair-weather flying support with Ice-type weakness.

Why? This mix targets common foes with fire-, flying-, and grass-type weaknesses while leveraging Grass regional dominance.


3. Fire Region – Heliolisk’s Primary Starter

Heliolisk introduces Electric and Fire types in the Fire region anomaly, combining innovative mecha design with strong turn-based utility.

Top Fire Starters:

  • Heliolisk – Electric/Fire core, evolving into a powerful electric-type pivot.
  • Flaaffy – Grass/Fairy; strong physical attacker with Fairy typing immunity to common Grass moves.
  • Compostle – Ground/Fairy for no-nonsense physical bulk and grass/ground immunity.
  • Optional: Torterra for water/ocean pocket support or as an evolutionary swarm backup.

Why? Heliolisk’s Electric/Fire typing offers flexibility, and Flaaffy’s Grass/Fairy typing provides excellent recovery immunity.