Rowlet.
Wait, sorry, I have to write more words than that? Fine.
The 2022 release of Pokémon Legends: Arceus was shown off earlier this week, during the latest Pokémon Presents, but we already knew that the game would feature three returning starters: Oshawott for the Water type, Rowlet for the Grass type, and Cyndaquil for the Fire type.
We strongly suspect that the three choices were based on "who does everyone love that isn't the original three starters", but we're still a little sad to see Chikorita snubbed like this. Then again, the choice of these three in particular could also perhaps be a reference to the historical setting — Oshawott is a samurai, Rowlet is an archer, and Cyndaquil evolves into Typhlosion, whose name comes from "typhoon" in English and the word for "shogunate" in Japanese.
Still, we're almost definitely going to be picking up multiple copies of Legends across the Nintendo Life team, and with months to wait until we actually get our Pokémitts on it, we're left only to prepare. So, which of the three new/old starters should we pick?
Cyndaquil
Cyndaquil seems like an easy choice. After all, in real life, fire is WAY more dangerous than water and grass, and Cyndaquil has the badass final evo of Typhlosion, who has the highest total base stats of the three final evolutions. Typhlosion has pretty good Speed and Special Attack stats, too — although as a pure Fire type, all of Cyndaquil's line is weak to Ground, Rock, and Water attacks.
Still, the Cyndaquil line is very cute all the way through, and it's based on honey badgers and porcupines. It's hard not to love these fiery lil guys!
Rowlet
Rowlet is objectively the cutest of the three, because he is both an owl and an orb. As a Grass/Flying type, he's also the only dual-type starter of the three, evolving eventually into the powerful combination of Grass/Ghost with Decidueye — that dual typing may well give you a headstart in the early game, and also, you'll always have a companion with HM02 Fly.
Rowlet's final form is a fairly good option for trainers who want a bit more of an all-rounder, with high numbers in Attack, Special Attack, and Special Defense, but that dual typing also gives him the most weaknesses of the three, with double damage from Flying, Ghost, Dark, Ice, and Fire types.
Also, Decidueye is whatever the opposite of a glow-up is. What happened to my sweet spherical boy??
Oshawott
Oshawott is an otter, and that's pretty great. He's also even better than Rowlet as an all-rounder choice, with pretty balanced stats and few type weaknesses. However, Oshawott's total base stats are the lowest of all Water-type Pokémon in the series, so you may struggle to gain momentum in the first few hours of the game.
Eventually, you'll end up with Samurott, a samurai sea lion, who looks like a majestic old man. His leg armour is made of swords, his helmet is also made of swords, and sea lions are terrifying, cool, and very loud. He's basically a big, noisy wet dog with swords.
Of course, there's no right or wrong answer. I personally choose all my starters based on cuteness, so I'll be going with an unevolved Rowlet for the entire game — but what's your pick?
Vote in the poll below, and let us know your reasons in the comments!
Comments 124
Grass all the way! ^_^
Not a big fan of any of them, picking Cyndaquil because of Typhlosion.
Never understood why people like Rowlet so much.
Rowletts evolution is a beast!
Wish it had chimchar as an option!
What do you mean "the first gym" do you know something we don't? Do gyms even exist in this game?
Cyndaquil cause johto nostalgia
I'm assuming when you say "lowest stats of ALL water types" you actually mean of all water starters? Surely Oshawott can take Magikarp in a head to head match up?
Rowlet is not just the best legends starter, but the best starter ever.
Osha, Osha, Oshawott...!
I usually go with fire type…but never cared for cyndaquil. Rowlet!
Cyndaquil of course
Love these all 3. Oshawott would be my go to, most of the time I choose water starters. But have chosen it so much through the years so going for something else. Cyndaquill seems to have an updated model compared to XY, SunMoon and SwordShield with his fire actually out so they finally looks as cool as their sprites in gen 2 through 5.
That way I can also catch an wild Piplup for my water-type needs.
I also think the writer might think you can choose these in the DiamondPearl remakes, because we have heard nothing about gyms or hms being included. They do call them Hisuin starters though so I don't know anymore.
Out of the tree, I love Rowlet more, but I've used him in the past two generations already and I think I need to count for variety in my play style. I like the idea of playing with a samurai in this setting but I've never like Oshawott's line design much, and Cyndaquil was one of the starters I used back in Pokémon Crystal so yeah, I think I'll be revisiting this porcupine boy for Legends.
Cyndaquil is cute. Lets hope they do something new with the final evolutions.
I was always a water starter type, but this time I think I'm going with Rowlet. That little guy is super adorable. (Also the cooler looking final Evo)
Cyndaquil because Typhlosion is my favourite Pokemon
Picking Rowlet because he was my starter in sun&moon which are also my favourite pokemon games
I've always had a soft spot for Oshawott, used to adore Tepig although as the years have gone by I've become more and more fond of the Oshawott line, particularly Dewott.
I usually prefer Water starters, but I always prefer starters that have two types, which leaves Rowlett as the only option here.
I'm going with Rowlet, it's the only one of these I've never used before and he's lovely (no idea why I didn't pick him in either of the Alola games I played).
I've seen a little speculation that these three starters might not evolve in the final forms we're familiar with.
Consider how Decidyueye is an archer, Samurott is a Samurai, and Typhlosion is explosive, and how that could factor into a game set in a faux-feudal Japan period.
Oshawott for me.
I like Cyndaquil but I feel like I've had ample opportunity to use it in my many Johto playthroughs.
I've never liked Rowlet for some reason, just seems kinda ugly to me.
Cyndaquil, I'm always going to pick the Johto starter since Gen 2 has always been my favourite Pokémon games.
I usually go with grass types but I love Cyndaquil. Sorry again, Rowlett.
Not to be basic, but cyndaquil is best.
Can’t we wait til Diamond and Pearl are out at least?
It’s like they’re dead before they had a chance 😉
(Plus, I need help knowing which once to choose, I played Diamond back in the day).
i had to settle this on a coin toss since i adore both oshawott and rowlet but i guess i’m comitted to rowlet now
my face when people don't pick #1 roumd boi:
Cyndaquil. No competition here. Best starter ever.
Are we sure there will be HMs or gyms?
Anyway, likely fire for me.
I don't like any of these. I'll pick Cyndaquil I guess but I'll punt it away into my feudal japanese PC the first moment I can, though I do that for 99% of the starters anyway, even the ones I like.
Though the game still has some convincing left to do for me to get it in the first place.
Oshawott. Cause Samurott.
It's either Rowlet or Cyndaquil. Sorry Oshawott, you're design never did it for me. I'd probably immediately jump on Rowlet as that little guy is an all time favorite starter for me. But that's just it, he was my starter in Moon. I didn't start with Cyndaquil when I played gen 2, but I almost did, it was a tough choice between him and Totodile, but I ultimately chose Totodile, as such it is a little attractive to go a different route and choose Cyndaquil. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I've ever gone with the fire starter, so that really has me leaning more towards Cyndaquil.
Playing through Crystal on the 3DS and picked Cyndaquil in advance of Arceus dropping
@Hinade definitely not talking about the remakes these are the starters for Legend diamond and peral have there own original starters not randoms from various generations
If this was a regular Pokémon game I'd pick Cyndaquil because I haven't played with anything Gen2 in two decades. (I skipped the remakes) Plus Typhlosion is quite fast even though its movepool sucks and I like that for campaign.
But we know too little about this game and they seem to change up the battle system a bit so I'll wait for more info.
Everyone: they gave cindaquil his fire back!!
Me: they gave oshawott his emotions back!!!!!
Still gonna pick rowlet b/c he evolves better tho.
I love all three but I played my run of BW with Oshawatt, I’m planning to have a fire starter in BDSP, and I’ve never chosen Rowlet before - therefore I’ll be going with the little round owl!
Always go with water starters on my first playthrough of any pokemans game. Though I am extremely upset that my fav FERALIGATR is once again left out. Stoopid gamefreak doing the fire one for Gen II representation
Unova best region. But only with fire pig.
So I GUESS that of these choices available, I have to go with the BEST. BORT
@Williamfuchs420 I know, that's the whole point I'm making. Ofcourse the article is about Legends, the title says so.
There are things in the article pointing to Legends, like the title and the starters. But at same time there is talks about a first gym and a fly HM which both are most likely not in Legends.
Pokemon Home + 2 quick restarts = All 3 starters. WIN WIN.
@Pikman all three are sound options.
Infernape is a go to simply b/c type distribution in the originals but all three are solid options. (Empoleon is the worst choice for rival battles b/c it only gains more disadvatages against torterra upon both reaching their final evo)
Most of the time I pick the water starter (last two gens notwithstanding.) However, they picked what are probably my favorite fire and grass starters in the entire series, so this is going to be really tough. I honestly don’t know who I’m picking!
@Hinade think its just a case of a writer who don’t really know what the hell he is talking about or has any real experience with pokemon past early games. Hm Fly hasn’t been apart of the game for awhile even the mainline games. Think he was just told to write a article about the starters for this new game and just wrote what he knew about pokemon without doing any research on the actual game he is talking about
@Dilly-Mick the choices don't include infernape this is the Legends starter group not d/p
Cyndaquil all the way!
It's been far too long since Cyndaquil has been an available starter for a mainline game (that is to say, a mainline's turn-based JRPG structure; yes, I know it's technically a spinoff).
Fire type baby!
Man, hard choice, but mostly because I don't particularly like any of them. Rowlet I guess? Typhlosion is kind of boring and Samurott is downright terrible looks wise, as is Oshawott.
I wish they introduced a water monkey starter at some point so that they could have given us three monkeys to choose from.
How… how did the author mess up so badly? Gyms? HMs? What is this?
@ShadJV I thought the same. It reeked of a copy and paste job but then the Cyndaquil line makes no sense as the first gym in Johto is Flying, not Rock, Ground or Water.
Has Kate given away information here that she shouldn't have?
Rowlett is the best looking starter.
Oshawott has the best second stage evolution.
Cyndaquill has the best final evolution.
Rowley is my favorite of the three. But my boy Cyndaquil hasn't gotten love in a main Pokemon game since Gold and Silver. Going to have to choose him.
Oshawott
It's my least favourite of the 3 (and of gen 5) which is why I've never picked it before. I have picked Rowlett and Cyndaquil before. Multiple times even. So for that reason, for the variety, it'll be Oshawott for me. Perhaps it will surprise me once I actually play around with it.
Oshawott because Houndour is a catchable pokemon which will fill the fire spot of my team.
Gotta go with Rowlett. Never played a Gen 7 game but he would have been my pick.
I think I'm going for Cyndaquil.
I'll do what I've been doing for years now to make the game actually challenging. I'll put my starter in a box and instead use one of the wild pokemon in the games opening as my starter.
🔥REGARDLESS of which Game I play.
Cyndaquil all the way.
I like the fire guy but I have two accounts on my Switch so I will make one for each and try they all and see how they fare.
Probably Cyndaquil. Unless they have new evolutionary forms??
@HenHiro same here.
@HenHiro but I would love to have chikorita as grass starter, I just love bayleef and meganium isn't that bad.
I'll go with Rowlet. I plan on having the new Basuclin and Growlithe in my party and I'll pick Piplup as my starter in Shining Pearl. I also picked Cyndaquil when I played Silver on the 3DS.
I will HAVE TO go with my starter from my favorite Pokemon game so far.. Ultra Sun... Rowlet indeed!
Out of these, Rowlet is my favorite.
@RupeeClock I didn’t even consider that!! That definitely makes it harder to choose.
@Williamfuchs420 They were responding to my question
I like to pick fire types to start with and grab a Magikarp later on.
@HenHiro spherical bird
I’m a total Pokémon scrub and I’ve only played 3 or 4 of them but I’ve never understood why they don’t always offer a Pikachu as a starter considering they’re basically like the mascot of the series. It would always be my first choice, even if a Pikachu isn’t the best if you’re a competitive player.
@ThijsL202 I love Bayleef, never liked Meganium, always stoped the evolutions.
I almost always pick grass starters but since the starters are all from other games I'll pick Cyndaquil. Great choice of starters for this game though.
I kindve wish we weren’t given this option of choosing a starter in this game. I’d like to see a Pokémon where you have to start from nothing and start with whatever you manage to snag out in the wild. All these starter Pokémon just existed in the wilds like any other Pokémon. Still a good selection tho. I’m only not big on our water starter.
@BulkSlash Would be quite boring to always have Pikachu as a starter. options are nice.
Why would I not pick one of my favorite fire starters? Rowlet is a good choice too however. Oshawott...Eh, not a line I dislike, but there are better water starters.
hard choice between Rowlet and Oshawott. Don't care enough for Cyndaquil.
I'll always pick the water starter no matter what. And Oshawatt's one of the good ones. Im not that big on Samurott but better the water line then fire or grass.
Man... this might be the first time in a loooooong time where I might just find someone and trade them so I have them all haha.
I always pick the Water starter, so of course I'll pick Oshawott. But I'll do it happily because Samurott is my favorite evolved starter.
I never did circle back to trying out Rowlette. I guess prolly him. I usually prefer water starters, but Oshawatt and Princess Goofy are tied for their complete failure to interest me. Sigh.. not everyone can be Squirtle, or Froakie, or Sobble, or Totodile, or Mudkip, or Piplup... Ok seriously, those two really ARE the worst. Ugh.
@HenHiro
A ghost Robin hood owl? Friggin sweet dude
Cyndaquill or Rowlett. Never warmed to Oshawott... Maybe because they're an ice pokemon 🤣. But really, don't like them for some reason...
I've loved Cyndaquil since GS - I've even used Typhlosion in VGC tournaments with surprising success!
But I didn't expect it to get so much love! I'm happy for my sparky friend!
Cynda ofcourse
what fool would pick otherwise.
I'm rolling with Cyndaquil this time. I mainly do water starters so maybe I can do Oshawott on a second playthrough but then again I don't think even this game will support multiple saves unless I make a different Nintendo account.
I’ll most likely pick Cyndaquil (and reset until I get a female, like I do for most of my starters). I’ve already chosen Oshawott and Rowlett in my play-throughs of their respective generations, and I almost never pick Cyndaquil, so, I’ll show her some love this time around. Plus, Cyndaquil has more of an “old world” look (for wanting of a better term) that makes it seem like a better fit for the (ambiguous) time period of the game.
I’m frankly a little surprised that this isn’t being released as two separate versions either, not that I am complaining!
I have made a mistake in that I voted Rowlet, but that's okay. Besides Decidueye looks just like Robin Hood, right?
@Kiz3000 yeah, I figured it wasn’t copy paste, Cyndaquil is the best type-wise for the Johto gyms, including early gyms. I also doubt gyms exist in any form in Legends, given how rare Pokemon trainers appear to be in the time period. I really can’t fathom how the article ended up like this and am honestly curious…
@Silly_G why reset for female in this one? It seems unlikely there will be a daycare so breeding also seems unlikely.
@Daniel36 I think they said there’s no trading (or multiplayer interaction) in this game. You can interact with Pokemon Home but it’s very possible it’s a one way transfer.
Rowndaqwott...
Daah! I can't decide! Decide. Decide....Dicidueye? Yes, there it is! I will go with Rowlet then. I like archery 🏹
Also: I think the writer was joking when talking about HMs and gyms and such.
It'll probably be Rowlett for me! After watching both trailers, it just seems like the most logical choice.
Going for Rowlett! I never understood why people like Cyndaquil…
I may not get this game, but if I did, and a Pokemon hame gives me the option for Typhlosion then I’m getting it
Cyndaquil all the way! It's my favourite starter out of every generation After that the fire ones started to get fighting typing a lot which I don't care for, then really not great final designs - love Litten, HATE the muscular two legged monstrosity it turns into! (Opinion based on looks rather than stats etc hahaha)
Can't vote yet depends on variants, i like Rowlet but miss cyndy
Cuteness is the only deciding factor when picking a starter. Rowlet.
@ShadJV According to the eShop listing the game has 2 player multiplayer locally (2 Switches and games) and online.
@ShadJV Hmmm... that's kinda weird. I get it's set in older times but at least have an option to trade locally with people sitting next to you or something.
Edit: Seems like @sanderev mentions that that's in the game. We shall see.
My starters have always been a grass Pokémon. I’m on team Rowlet. They better be having a leafeon in this game.
Alway Cyndaquil. My first Pokemon game (Crystal), i choose Cyndaquil, so i have many memories with this pokemon ). Thankfully, GF make him become one of three starter in Legend Arceus.
I didn’t know people liked cyndaquil lol
Oshawott
i always go for the underdog, Bulbasaur, Popplio, ect.
None; Going to use Growlithe as my Fire type Pokémon so no need for Cyndaquil.
Oshawott and Rowlet are literally garbage, so they are an automatic no for me.
Cyndaquil is my partner pokemon. I am always picking him.
I usually don't re-use starters but I'm thinking I might go with a ghost type team in Legends so Rowlet is the obvious pick.
Rowlet is the only possible answer
@sanderev the online is obviously Home support, which has been confirmed. I have no idea with the local would be since they said it has no pvp.
@ShadJV event pokemon, trading, something like wild area news, ect
Cyndaquil is a good little Pokémon. I don't care for Oshawatt and Rowlet is only so-so.
It’s like they picked the best three starters. I love them all but probably Rowlet for me.
What do you mean gym...???
@ShadJV Home isn't 2 players. So no. Also it's not local wireless. And it also says that "Nintendo Switch online is required for online interactions" which isn't the case for Home.
I'm guessing it will either have a co-op mode and / or simple battle mode.
I'm going with Rowlet, mainly because Decidueye is one of my favorite starter evolution designs.
Out of these three I'd choose Cyndaquil because I love Typhlosion very much🧡
@RupeeClock Samurai were in feudal Japan, I thought. So were archers.
Gotta go grass, love the Rowlet line <3
They happened to choose my 3 favourite starters of each type, at least as far as first evos are concerned. I'll be going with Cyndaquil, because Typhlosion is my favourite final evo of the 3
The poll results...
I am pleased.
Based on the setting of the game, I'm a bit disappointed in their choice of Cyndaquil for the fire-type starter, seeing as the other two's final evolutions are clearly influenced by samurai and ninjas, which fit the setting perfectly, whereas Typhlosion doesn't have that same connection.
The way I see it, they had two viable options for each type...
Grass - Chespin (Samurai) or Rowlet (Ninja)
Fire - Tepig (Sumo) or Fennekin (Shrine Maiden)
Water - Oshawott (Samurai) or Froakie (Ninja)
Considering they wouldn't want two with the same inspiration, or two from the same generation, that would quite neatly work out to give Rowlet, Fennekin and Oshawott as the three choices.
I've got nothing against Cyndaquil... I just don't see why it was chosen over Fennekin in this situation.
Either way, I'll still go with Rowlet... even though my default choice is usually the water type, I think in the context of this game specifically Rowlet is just the more fitting choice... a ninja seems more fitting in a natural setting, whereas a samurai would be better in a more rural or battlefield setting.
@Williamfuchs420 ok:
1. The gym reference was a mistake, chill
2. I'm not a "he", please don't assume
3. The HM reference was a goof, chill
4. I have played almost every Pokémon game
5. We don't tell our writers what to write
6. Don't come into the comments to be rude and unpleasant to our staff, we're human beings
@KateGray one witch is exactly what i meant it was either a mistake or just the writer having high workload and writing up a quick article. Two sorry wasnt paying attention to the writers sex didn’t mean to misgender. Three ok it was a goof the second of the article just came off as you not really knowing what your talking about or maybe like above writing several articles and getting things mixed up. 4 ok good on you. 5 you don’t ? Thats kinda odd not even a suggestion or a request for like a general topic? 6 wasnt my intention to come off rude was actually defending and explaining away the confusion your mistakes had made in the comments. Most where confused on what exactly you where talking about and i just thought maybe you where just asked to write up a article on a topic you had only basic knowledge of or something.
Grass is dangerous, for some insects anyway.
Anyway I'm choosing Rowlet, because I'm certain there will be different evolutions here, and Rowlet's final evo will be majetisc!
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