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Pokémon Legends: Arceus will send players to the Hisui region of the Pokémon world, the Sinnoh of the ancient past, and with that new location comes all-new Pokémon. During Wednesday’s Pokémon Presents digital showcase, developer Game Freak and The Pokémon Company revealed four new Pokémon native to the region, including one truly terrifying new fish: Basculegion.
But first, the less horrific news: Stantler is getting a new Hisui region evolution called Wyrdeer.
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The antlered Pokémon evolves from Stantler that have managed to live in the harsh natural environment of the Hisui region, The Pokémon Company said. Wyrdeer has “strong ties with the local people” and is treated with great care and respect. But garments made from its the fur that sheds from its beard, tail, and legs are “highly prized as warm winter clothing.”
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Also well insulated is Hisuian Growlithe, which has an adorable new moptop and glorious chest hair. The horn on its head is made of rock. It’s cute! Another Hisuian variation, Braviary, can imbue its screeches with psychic power to generate shockwaves. Normal stuff.
But then there’s Basculegion. The new evolution of Basculin, the hostile Pokémon, has a truly disturbing description:
Basculin from the Hisui region can evolve into this Pokémon if they become possessed by the restless souls of other Basculin in their school that have perished during their journey upstream. This Pokémon gains power from the souls possessing it, letting it swim on and on without tiring.
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Basculegion “can swim with great power.” In a new trailer for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, we see a trainer riding it through the water and over embankments, likely blissfully unaware of the mass of tortured souls powering its movement.
Anyway! Pokémon Legends: Arceus is coming to Nintendo Switch, in part powered by the dead souls of schools of fish, on Jan. 28, 2022.
