Pokémon Legends: Arceus shook up the usual Nintendo formula by creating an open world, where you can meet Pokémon more organically, stumbling upon them in the wild. The game also put a greater emphasis on characters, introducing you to a village of friendly–if not wary–faces, as well as main staples in the guides and hindrances that you meet along the way. Today, we’ll be focusing on the best ten female characters Legends: Arceus introduced and why they made such an impact.

10. Akari

Akari is our resident female player character. If you pick the male counterpart–Rei–Akari will act as your prototypical “rival,” as rivals have acted all the way since Pokémon Red and Blue. She will be one of your first opponents in a Pokémon battle, as well as guide you along certain missions and generally encourage the player throughout the story. While suspicious of you at first, she melts to your charms over time and becomes a valuable asset–especially later in the game when a large portion of the cast accuses you of doing something despicable, to which she stands up for you.

9. The Miss Fortune Sisters: Charm, Clover, and Coin

This group of bandits in a package deal, which is why they take up only one spot on this list. The Miss Fortune Sisters, as they are known and tend to self-proclaim, are a three-person group of thugs who steal and generally cause mischief in the world of Legends: Arceus. Charm, the leader, is a cool, fairly confident trainer with two strong Pokémon; Clover is an ex-Pearl Clan member running away from her previous life; and Coin is the youngest and quietest of the group, taking cues from the others. They hinder the other characters of the game by stealing precious artifacts, trying to ambush the player out in the wild, and generally causing trouble. Still, by the end of the game, they’ve adjusted their tone slightly, willing to help the player and their friends when it comes to saving the world.

8. Sabi

Sabi is a warden of the Diamond Clan. A small, scruffy-looking child, she’s easy to underestimate–but do so at your own peril! She sports three incredibly strong Pokémon during your fight with her, as well as guards the arguably most useful ride Pokémon of the game, Hisuian Braviary. To earn her favor, you must conquer a fairly challenging puzzle in the form of Snowpoint Temple, which harbors rare and ancient knowledge about the Regis. Tiny but packing a punch, Sabi is one of the more interesting trainers you meet out on the frigid Alabaster Icelands.

7. Zisu

Zisu is a large, imposing figure of the Galaxy Team and its resident strongest trainer (besides you!) She acts as a point of training–in the most traditional sense–as you can battle her for extra experience, as well as take advantage of her secret techniques which can give your Pokémon a major boost in the forms of “Agile Style” and “Strong Style” moves. These are limited to the Legends: Arceus game and allow your Pokémon to either move a little bit quicker or hit a little bit harder. A valuable member of the village, visiting Zisu throughout the game is a must for any player.

6. Mai

Mai is the first warden you meet in Legends: Arceus. She introduces you to the world, as well as to what Alpha Pokémon are and how to gain your very first ride Pokémon’s trust. Cool, calm, and collected, she takes to her warden duties with aplomb. She and her partner Pokémon Munchlax are here for your convenience, always ready with a nice word or a steady hand.

5. Arezu

As a warden, Arezu is tasked with watching over a Noble Pokémon–but she has some trouble with it. Shortly after you meet her, the player ends up having to save her from the unforgiving wilds after a nasty fall that twists her ankle. Eternally grateful, she moves into Jubilife Village, becoming its very own hair stylist, which seems to be her true calling. Plucky and full of vigor, Arezu is always a friendly face when you return to base camp.

4. Palina

Of all the Diamond and Pear Clan wardens, Palina is generally the most beloved. She gives off a cool older sister-vibe, but at the same time, harbors a great, passionate love for the Noble Pokémon she protects. She doesn’t care too much for nonsense–especially from her clan leader, Irida–but has many soft spots to poke and prod at, in the form of her friends and her partner, Iscan. Reliable to a fault, Palina is someone to look up to and admire, for both her many strengths and adorable quirks.

3. Irida

Irida acts as the leader of the Pearl Clan, one of the two main groups that occupy the land of Hisui. She protects and worships the god of space–referred to in Legends: Arceus as “Sinnoh”–and often squabbles with the Diamond Clan’s leader, Adaman, about the specific aspects of their beloved Sinnoh. A little young to be leader, the player character often witnesses her struggling with the burden, but she carries on, despite whatever difficulties may cross her and her clan’s path. Should the player put the event into motion, Irida will act as a companion to you throughout the ending portion of the game, guiding you through the collecting of the Red Chain and assisting you in facing Hisui’s greatest threat.

2. Cyllene

Cyllene is the tough, no-nonsense captain of the Galaxy Team. Cutting an imposing figure, she often acts a barrier to the player, keeping them on their toes with near-impossible challenges–some of which no one else in the Galaxy Team has been able to accomplish, until you came along. Initially, she treats the player coldly, even implying she’d leave you to die in the wilds, if it benefited Team Galaxy; but by the end, she orders you, specifically, not to die, demonstrating the level of affection she’s garnered for the player character throughout the events of the game. Even more evident, when the residents of the village eventually turn their back on you, Cyllene is one of the only people to argue in your favor. In fact, she even sends you in the direction of help, which leads us to…

1. Cogita

Cogita is the elderly mistress of the wilds, a mysterious woman who lives out in isolation and guards the sacred knowledge of Sinnoh and all its many facets. She seems to bear some resemblance to Volo, Legends: Arceus’s main antagonist, as well as Cynthia, the Sinnoh League Champion from the Diamond/Pearl/Platinum games, but her relation to them, if any, is unknown. Whatever the case, she harbors great wisdom regarding the Lake Guardians of the Hisui region and takes the player character in when they have nowhere else to go. Strong, elegant, and mysterious, Cogita brings an air of sophistication to the end of the world, acting as its stalwart defender and the only thing lying between Hisui and total annihilation.