Arceus Legends has 242 catchable Pokemon. However, only 224 of those are possible to get before you beat the main story. These are the 15 best Pokemon to have in your team before beating the main story.

The stats presented with each Pokemon are base stats. In Arceus you can collect grit to increase the effort level given to each statand, as in every Pokemon game, every individual Pokemon is different based on training and move sets.

15. Mismagius

Mismagius is a Ghost Type, which means I already like them because they are strong against Psychic Types. Mismagius’ stats are stable and that is another thing to love about them. They are reliable. You know what you are getting with a Mismagius. Someone to help balance out your team and come in when you encounter a wild card of a pokemon. So long as they aren’t Normal types, of course.

Mismagius Strengths:

• Ghost types are strong against Psychic types and Psychic types can be one of the hardest types to fight in the game.
• They are fast, so if you need to strike first, use a Special Attack and you are going to land a strong hit. 
• Mismagius can add balance and reliability to your team, so if you encounter an oddball type you won’t be caught without a good Pokemon.

Mismagius Stats:

• HP: 60
• Attack: 60
• Defense: 60
• Special Attack: 105
• Special Defense: 105
• Speed: 105 

14. Gengar

I couldn’t bring myself to not put Gengar on this list but I also couldn’t place the Ghost Pokemon higher. As powerful as Gengar seems in every other Pokemon game, something is lacking in this game. However, they are still extremely strong, if it’s a special attack, and extremely fast. Gengar is also super effective against Psychic Pokemon. Something that you will need on your team no matter which of the Pokemon games you are playing.

Gengar Strengths:

• Powerful attacks mean that it will take a lot to beat this ghost in battle. This will be helpful in certain trainer battles, especially those where the other trainer has different types of Pokemon.
• As mentioned, he is a Ghost type. Which is very helpful anytime you have to fight a Psychic type. Ghost types are also strong against other Ghost types
• You get to say you have Gengar on your team and that’s not something you can always say in a Pokemon game due to the method of how to evolve Haunter to Gengar

Gengar Stats:

• HP: 60
• Attack: 65
• Defense: 60
• Special Attack: 130
• Special Defense: 75
• Speed: 110

13. Overqwil

Poison types are those Pokemon that if they can land a move that will poison your Pokemon it can be extremely troublesome for the remainder of the battle. Especially if you don’t have any antidotes or full heals handy. And this Dark-Poison type is no exception to that rule.

Adding them to your team adds a high Attack Pokemon who can make sure the opposing Pokemon needs lots of antidotes. Overqwil is not weak against Electric, even though they look like Water types, giving you an advantage.

Overqwil Strengths:

• High Attack, paired with poison. You want a Pokemon who will leave continuous damage even if they get knocked out and this is your Pokemon. 
• Dark Type Pokemon are all over in this game but Dark Type like Overqwil that do as much damage as quickly are few and far between.
• A high base HP means they won’t get knocked out as quickly in a poor type match up.

Overqwil Stats:

• HP: 85
• Attack:115
• Defense: 95
• Special Attack: 65
• Special Defense: 65
• Speed: 85

12. Sneasler

Anything that evolves from Sneasel is an automatic must for me. Like the Pokemon they evolve from, Sneasler is fast and fierce with physical moves. It also has a solid starting base HP, meaning that once you start building on it, they are going to be one of your longest lasting Pokemon in a tough battle. It’s Pokedox entry even says that this is a Pokemon that is hard to beat. 

Sneasler Strengths:

• Fast. Seriously, this Pokemon is like lightning. Pair that with it’s incredible Poison type moves and this Pokemon becomes a ferocious team member.
• They are going to be able to last longer in battle if you get your match ups right, and even if you don’t Sneasler is very versatile and hard to beat in any battle The high HP is a huge plus. 
• You can evolve Sneasel into Sneasler at any level, so long as you have the right item. This means no waiting an obscene amount of time, like it does with some Pokemon.

Sneasler Stats:

• HP: 80
• Attack: 130
• Defense: 60 
• Special Attack: 40
• Special Defense: 80
• Speed: 120

11. Gallade

I have a bone to pick with the Alpha Gallade you encounter in the Alabaster Icelands. I was almost to the end of the Braviary quest when he caused most of my Pokemon to faint, with me revive-less. But I digress. Much like Arcanine has two conflicting types, so does Gallade. He is Fighting type and Psychic type. Not to mention his stats make things come out almost even. What he lacks in Defense he makes up for in Special Defense and the opposite is true for Attack and Special Attack. Honestly, either catching the Alpha or evolving your own Gallade should be high on your priority list.

Gallade Strengths:

• He’s just a little bit Overpowered but that’s okay. As long as he’s on your team.
• He is a dual type that deals with opposites, so you have to be careful against other fighting types, but he’s going to take down most other Pokemon with no problem.
• He will be a big help against the later game Pokemon. Psychic type and Fighting type are needed against the final two main boss Pokemon.

Gallade Stats:

• HP: 68
• Attack: 125
• Defense: 65
• Special Attack: 65
• Special Defense: 115
• Speed: 80

10. Sylveon

This evolution of Eevee might seem a bit out of place but here’s the thing, Sylveon is wonderful against the final bosses. And wonderful in general during the regular game. This fairy type evolves, in the lore, because of the love it has for its trainer and that rings true in this game. Given the moves Fairy Wind and Play Rough, Slyveon is a force to be reckoned with and is one of the strongest fairy types in the game

Sylveon Strengths:

• This Fairy Type takes Play Rough to a new level and does major damage when using the move. Add in Fairy Wind and Pokemon who are weak to Fairy type moves don’t stand a chance
• Can also learn Mimic, you can consider them a “jack of all trades.”
• It’s base stats are already high, and they will only get stronger as you level them up. Use this to your advantage and add them to your team early.

Sylveon Stats:

• HP: 95
• Attack:65
• Defense: 65
• Special Attack: 110
•  Special Defense: 130 
• Speed: 60

9. Gliscor

Gliscor is a hard to beat Pokemon because it’s defense is so high and on this list that makes him stand out even more. This Flying-Ground type is also immune to Ground type moves because, well…they’re constantly flying above the ground. It’s not like an Earthquake can touch them. This is another that you catch later in the game so that means its higher level will be easy to fit into your party.

Gliscor Strengths:

• High Defense means that this Pokemon is hard to defeat. And you get them later in the game, so they will have a higher level and therefore higher defensive stats anyway.
• They are immune to ground type moves, which is handy in late game battles.
• They are a Flying-Rock type that can use the extremely powerful X Scissor move. Add that to his move set to make them one of your top tier Pokemon.

Gliscor Stats:

• HP: 75
• Attack: 95
• Defense: 125
• Special Attack: 45
• Special Defense: 75
• Speed: 95

8. Infernape

Fighting and Fire type are a good pair. And that’s what makes Infernape shine! You need to meltsome Glalie? This is your dude. You need to punch an Ursaring? Infernape has you covered. He might have lower defensive stats  but his speed and attacks more than make up for it. The versatility of Fire type and fighting type moves is also something you will need on your team of six. It helps to not leave any vulnerabilities. . Create a good moveset for them and you will go far with this tough guy on your team.

Infernape Strengths:

• Infernape having both Fire and Fighting type is a huge point in his favor. It covers two types you will need on your team as you face the end of the main story.
• Again, he is fast and powerful. He almost always goes first and given the way turns are set up is more likely to go twice in a row.
• Effort levels are usually high for this Pokemon. He is motivated and has a high attack stat, so you’re getting a reliable ally with Infernape

Infernape Stats:

• HP: 76
• Attack: 104
• Defense: 71
• Special Attack: 104
• Special Defense: 71
• Speed: 108

7. Tangrowth

If you get a chance to catch that Alpha in the Crimson Mirelands he can be a great addition to your team (just maybe don’t take him to Firepit Island). His type and moveset also make him strong for the end game of the main story. He’s a bit goofy looking but that isn’t a reason to write him off. He has high stats in all areas except speed, making him the tortoise in a Tortoise and the Hare style match up.

Tangrowth Strengths:

• High base HP pairs perfectly with high Defensive stats. Making him hard to beat. 
• Extremely high Attack, Defense, and Special Attack which is never a bad thing.
• Can use the moves Absorb and Poison Powder and that is a winning combination. Remove health from your opponent for yourself and watch as the poison slowly lowers the opponents HP.

Tangrowth Stats:

• HP: 100
• Attack:100
• Defense: 125
• Special Attack: 110    
• Special Defense: 50
• Speed: 50

6. Staraptor

Staraptor might seem a bit cliche but this Flying type Pokemon is one who you can catch as your second ever catch and you can rely on them through the entire game. Staraptor is extremely strong, can learn Fighting moves, such as Close Combat, and has a high starting HP. Play your Pokemon right and this one will be with you as you battle the final bosses. 

Staraptor Strengths:

• You can train Staraptor up from a Starly, this means it will be gaining effort levels and growing with you as a trainer.
• Has a high Attack stat. This will be good to have, should you find yourself in a space time distortion with them as your only remaining Pokemon.
• The Fighting Type move makes a big difference, adding an extra layer as opposed to just Flying type.

Staraptor Stats:

• HP: 85
• Attack: 120
• Defense: 70
• Special Attack: 50
• Special Defense: 60
• Speed: 100

5 . Arcanine

Arcanine is one of those Pokemon who just keeps getting better. Hisuian Arcanine continues that trend. He’s tough. He’s fast. He has amazing defensive skill but possibly my favorite part about Hisuian Arcanine and Hisuian Growlithe too is when you encounter them first, on the Cobalt Coastlands. These Fire-Rock type Pokemon are surrounded by what they are weak against! And that just makes them stronger! It’s actually part of the story line that this Pokemon is strong due it’s overcoming adversity. 

Arcanine Strengths:

• Rock type makes them a great addition to the team, especially in contrast to their fire type. They can fight in multiple situations.
• They are strong against Steel type. Which (spoiler alert) you will need for one of the final main story bosses.
• Most Pokemon are strong in attack and weak in defense or vice versa, that is not so much the case here, making Arcanine a well rounded candidate for your team.

Arcanine Stats:

• HP: 95
• Attack: 115
• Defense: 80
• Special Attack: 95
• Special Defense: 80
• Speed: 90

4. Lucario

Lucario is a fan favorite for a reason. Not only is he one of Ash’s Pokemon, he’s just really reallygood. He’s fast, he’s got strong moves and he can execute multiple kinds of moves really well. Adding him to your party in the Alabaster Icelands means a huge boost to your party as you approach the end of the main story.There is also an Alpha Lucario in this region that you can attempt to catch, which will make your team formidable.

Lucario Strengths

• Lucario has access to Fighting, Ice and Steel Type moves. This is important in a game where you don’t get the option to change Pokemon when your opponent does.
• They have huge attack stats. Nothing says don’t mess with me like opening a match with a Pokemon who can seriously knock out another with one hit.
• If you don’t want to evolve your own Lucario from a Riolu, you can catch an Alpha. This will not only boost it’s stats but give your other Pokemon a lot of XP.

Lucario Stats:

• HP: 70
• Attack: 110
• Defense: 70
• Special Attack: 115 
• Special Defense: 70
• Speed: 90

3. Typhlosion

Not only does the evolved form of Cyndaquil have a high special attack stat, Typhlosion is also quick with a solid defense. A winning combination. Pair that with the new second type, Ghost, and Typhlosion is a force, with attitude. There is no overselling how much you need them on your team. Typhlosion hits fast and hits hard, at least with their Special Attack. Their defense is a bit on the lower end, but that’s okay because your enemies won’t be getting too many hits in anyway

Typhlosion Strengths:

• Wide range of attacks due being both Fire and Ghost type. Both of which are regularly hard to beat.
• High Speed and high Special Attack means Typhlosion attacks first and hits hard. The Attack Stat isn’t too shabby either.
• Typhlosion evolves from Cyndaquil, so if that’s who you pick as your starter you have the entire game to make him even more powerful. Otherwise you can catch them in one of the rifts that opens or wait until after you beat the main story and you will be given a Cyndaquil.

Typhlosion Stats:

• HP: 73
• Attack: 84
• Defense: 78
• Special Attack: 119
• Special Defense: 85
• Speed: 95

2. Samurott

Samurott has the added Dark Type in Arceus and it makes it extremely powerful. Ceaseless Edge, which it learns after level 31 leaves the target with jagged edges in it, causing more damage as it proceeds. At level 54 they learn Hydro Pump, which, when it can hit (it’s Accuracy is only 80), is an intense Water type move. 

Samurott Strengths:

• High base HP and Attack stats make this a great Pokemon. His Special Attack is also nothing to laugh at.
• The Dark type moves. They really pack a punch. Or leave an impression in the case of Ceaseless Edge.
• Samurott is great to have against either of the final bosses in the main story. And those bosses are difficult no matter which order you fight them in, so plan accordingly.

Samurott Stats:

• HP: 90
• Attack: 108
• Defense: 80
• Special Attack: 100
• Special Defense: 65
• Speed: 85

1. Luxray

In terms of base stats, Luxray seems to be about average. However, if you raise it from the time it is a level 2-5 Shinx and keep them on your team they become, easily, one of the toughest Pokemon you can add to your line up. Not only can they learn Electric and Normal Type moves, Luxray can also learn Crunch and Psychic Fang and several other moves that are Psychic or Fairy type, and even Iron Tail. Luxray is a go to in any battle that is not against Rock or Ground type.

Luxray Strengths

• Able to reach a high attack power and still maintain high speed and defense. 
• Electric Type is weak against rock and ground, but does well against almost anything else, including Flying, Water, and Steel type Pokemon.
• They are able to learn more than just Electric moves and it’s wise to have at least one different type move handy in case you are in a pinch.

Luxray Stats:

• HP: 80
• Attack: 120
• Defense: 79
• Special Attack: 95
• Special Defense: 79
• Speed: 70