Players have been patiently waiting for Pokemon Legends: Arceus’ Hisuian Pokemon to make it into the newest mainline game, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, because of its great stats, skills, and design. At the top of their lists is Ursaluna, a Ground/Normal type with high attack stats and a passive ability that makes it hit even harder under specific conditions. Now that trainers can unleash this ferocious ancient bear into modern-day Paldea, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s competitive meta may end up seeing another shakeup.
Before Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Teddiursa’s evolution stopped at Ursaring. When the game was released, however, players found that Ursaring could actually evolve into a larger and more fearsome Pokemon under the right conditions. The myths state that Ursaring must be exposed to the Hisuian swamps under a full moon to turn into Ursaluna, which holds true in the game as well, but players must also give their Ursaring a Peat Block to make it evolve. One can also ride Ursaluna in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, but this doesn't apply to Gen 9.
Ursaluna is a Game-Changer in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
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Competitive Pokemon players are excited about Ursaluna’s entry into Scarlet and Violet because it has one of the best base Attack values in the game at 140. This is on par with the stats of strong Paldean natives like Paradox Salamence Roaring Moon. Therefore, Ursaluna can end up sweeping multiple opponents when given the chance. Some Ursaluna also come with the Guts Ability, which increases their Attack by 50% when they're hit with a status effect. As such, opponents will need to respect this Ability and leave Ursaluna alone, lest they suffer one-hit KOs when it gets the chance to make a Guts-powered Earthquake or Fire Punch.
Ursaluna’s heavy hits come with a catch, as the Pokemon only has a Speed of 50. Under normal conditions, it would likely be the last one to attack. Therefore, opponents could whittle Ursaluna's HP down before it even got to swipe its enormous bear claws. Players can turn this low Speed stat using the Trick Room strategy. This involves giving a support Pokemon like Hatterene Trick Room, a skill that flips the turn order. This way, the slowest Pokemon attack first. Once this condition is set up, slow sweepers like Ursaluna and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Iron Hands can demolish the opponent’s roster.
Adding Ursaluna to One’s Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Lineup is Easier Said Than Done
Acquiring this Ursaluna can be quite tedious, as it’s not available in Tera Raids or the fields of Paldea. While one can catch Teddiursa in Scarlet and Violet, they can’t make it evolve into Ursaluna. One will need to have a copy of Legends: Arceus to catch and evolve a Teddiursa with Guts and Adamant nature. They’ll need a Pokemon Home subscription, which they will use to transfer Ursaluna from Legends: Arceus to Scarlet and Violet.
Ursaluna is one of the best Pokemon to be added to the Scarlet and Violet roster because of its great Attack stat and access to strong moves like Earthquake, Play Rough, and more. Plus, its Guts Ability can strike fear into opponents during competitive games, especially if paired with a Flame Orb. Therefore, players who want to climb up the ranks should consider adding this Pokemon to their roster. They can also build a Trick Room-based team around it to turn its slow speed into an advantage.
This Pokemon is so strong that players are willing to patiently catch and evolve the right Teddiursa in another game, transfer it into Pokemon Home, and then add it to their Scarlet and Violet teams. Hopefully, the devs will add the Hisuian Peat Block to the game, so players can breed the perfect Ursaluna themselves instead of relying on luck to catch one with optimal stats and nature in Legends: Arceus. Scarlet and Violet could also make Ursaluna a Tera Raid boss to make it easier for newer trainers to get it without leaving the confines of Paldea.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.
