When it comes to the endgame of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, you’ll want an impressive team. The game focuses more on exploration than battling when compared to your average Pokémon adventure, but if you skirt by on your favorites and gimmicky ‘mons, you’re going to get a rude awakening right at the end. So here are ten teams that’ll all but guarantee you a clean sweep for the penultimate battle.

1. Hisuian Typhlosion + Staraptor + Luxray + Floatzel + Garchomp + Lucario

For all intents and purposes, this is your standard Diamond/Pearl/Platinum team–only Infernape has been swapped out for Legends: Arceus’s fire starter, Typhlosion. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more well-rounded team than this.

What makes the team great:

-incredible type coverage

-status inflictors, in Typhlosion and Luxray

-powerhouses, in Garchomp and Lucario

-speed is great with most of the team

2. Hisuian Decidueye + Hisuian Zoroark + Crobat + Garchomp + Gallade + Gliscor

If you want a Pokémon team that strikes fear into the heart of your enemies, look no further. This team is as intimidating as it is tough.

-What makes the team great:

-quick Pokémon

-Hisuian Zoroark’s unique typing gives it incredibly helpful immunities

-dark-types will quiver in fear before you

3. Hisuian Samurott + Hisuian Braviary + Sneasler + Overqwil + Kleavor + Ursaluna

Supposing you want to use your Legends: Arceus team to show off some of the coolest new forms and evolutions, might I suggest this configuration?

What makes the team great:

-defensive

-tons of HP

-brag-worthy, in how difficult it is to obtain some of these Pokémon

4. Gyarados + Gengar + Tangrowth + Electivire + Magmortar + Rhyperior

Did somebody order some hard-hitters? Because this team hits like a truck.

What makes the team great:

-great type variety

-four status inflictors

-physically bulky

-can trap your opponents in a series of flinches

-very easy to get an Alpha Gyarados in the form of Alpha Magikarp

5. Sylveon + Espeon + Umbreon + Vaporeon + Flareon + Jolteon

How about an all-Eevee team? Clan leaders Adaman and Irida have a Leafeon and Glaceon, respectively, so why not complete the set?

What makes the team great:

-type variety, of course

-easy to obtain, through space-time distortions

-great distribution of strengths and weaknesses

-can be taught a variety of unique moves, through Zisu at Jubilife Village

-Sylveon offers a rare chance to use a fairy-type Pokémon in the Hisui/Sinnoh region

6. Infernape + Empoleon + Torterra + Gardevoir + Lucario + Garchomp

The original Sinnoh starters are all available in the wild, so if you’re looking for a nostalgic run full of all your old favorites–plus a few additional hard-hitters–consider aligning yourself with this squad.

What makes the team great:

-high base stats from the three starters

-both bulky and powerful

-speed demons, in Lucario and Garchomp

-steel- and ground-types are, generally, hard to take down

7. Garchomp + Staraptor + Togekiss + Crobat + Rapidash + Hisuian Lilligant

I call this one “Team Speed.” If you want a group of Pokémon that can take down nearly any threat before the opponent has even considered their first move, this is that very group. 

What makes the team great:

-some of the quickest Pokémon in the game

-pretty good type variety as well

-a shiny Ponyta is guaranteed to the player, should you complete an optional side quest in the early part of the game

8. Clefable + Sylveon + Togekiss + Blissey + Gardevoir + Alolan Ninetails

A “kill them with kindness” team. Looks cute, is actually deadly.

What makes the team great:

-opponent will no doubt underestimate you

-rare opportunity to use multiple fairy-types

-dragon slayers

-very bulky, in Clefable and Blissey

-will be able to regularly recover HP with “Draining Kiss” and “Softboiled”

9. Basculegion + Walrein + Magnezone + Hisuian Goodra + Mamoswine + Rhyperior

One of the most physically bulky teams you can get. This squad could get hit with a freight train and hardly get a scratch.

What makes the team great:

-can out-last your opponents, with massive defense and HP

-good types for immunities, in steel and ground

-Magnezone is a flex, considering the level of Pokéball-throwing dexterity required to catch it

10. Hisuian Zoroark + Hisuian Braviary + Mamoswine + Froslass + Machamp + Lucario

An Alabaster Icelands team! This is the last part of the map that’s unlocked, and therefore, home to some of the toughest Pokémon available.

What makes the team great:

-Hisuian Zoroark has great immunities

-ice-types can handle any dragons you encounter

-Pokémon will need very little training to reach their full potential

-fighting-types hit hard

-fun to find, in the varied environments of the Alabaster Icelands