When it comes to Pokémon with multiple evolutions, choosing what route to go can be difficult. After all, how can one choose when Espeon is just as strong and adorable as Glaceon? The decision regarding evolution routes really depends on how you operate as a trainer. Picking a route is about what you're looking for and what personally interests you. Kubfu, featured as the mascot of the Isle of Armor expansion of Pokémon Sword and Shield, is the newest Pokémon whose evolution, Urshifu, comes with alternate forms. Much like with Rockruff and Lycanroc, where you train it depends on the form it permanently takes. Urshifu will either be what is called Single Strike Style or Rapid Strike Style. Both are strong and useful, but what's the right one for you? Let's look closer at this little bear so you can make the choice that best suits your Trainer needs.

When You Get Kubfu

There was once a time when legendaries did not have evolutions but slowly the writers began to branch out starting around the time of Generation Three when they released Deoxys, who had the ability to change into different forms. Nobody playing the Sun and Moon games ever suspected the funny little Nebby who Lillie couldn't seem to keep in her bag was actually the legendary all along. Like Cosmog, Kubfu may not look like much at first, but there's a lot more to him than meets the eye. However, before evolving him you'll have to earn him by completing the three Isle of Armor challenges. These quests are:

• Round up three loose Slowpoke

• Collect Max Mushrooms

• Beat your rival in a Dojo battle.

Related: Pokémon Sword & Shield: Every Update In The Isle Of Armor You Didn't Know Was There

Once you complete these, Mustard will finally grant you Kubfu. Your work isn't done yet though, now you have to bond with the little bear. Fortunately, this is simple; all you need to do is go to any exclamation marked spot on your map and enjoy a picturesque view with your new friend. When you get there, speak to the Dojo assistant to commence the sequence. Afterward, you'll get a message saying you and Kubfu are now buddies. Now begins the real difficulty though.

Comparing The Two Urshifu Forms

Returning back to the dojo will unlock the last step into evolving Kubfu. You'll need to now head to either the Tower of Darkness or the Tower of Water for a challenge involving battling five trainers. Do note that once inside, you cannot leave unless you faint or win and are only allowed to use Kubfu as your battling partner. Which tower you go to will be the deciding factor of what kind of form your Pokémon evolves into. If you pick Darkness, you'll get a Fighting/Dark-type Single Strike Style Urshifu. Should you choose Water, Kubfu will become a Fighting/Water-Type Rapid Strike Style Urshifu.

The two forms have the same exact base stats so while one isn't necessarily stronger than the other, they have their advantages and disadvantages. Single Strike Urshifu will take damage from Fighting, Fairy, and Bug type Pokémon but it will have some partial protection (due to being part Dark type) against Psychic types, which Fighting Pokémon are normally vulnerable to.  His signature move, Wicked Blow, (learns upon evolving) hits pretty hard at level eighty power, and with a hundred percent accuracy you can't go wrong at all. This Urshifu form can learn other strong moves such as Darkest Lariat, Throat Chop, and Iron Head.

Now while some of Rapid Strike Urshifu's moves don't hit as hard, it has a wider range of type advantages as a Water Pokémon than its Dark type counterpart. Attacks like Scald and Liquidation will wash enemies right out of the battlefield. Water types are strong against fire, ground, and rock Pokémon while Dark types are only strong against Ghost and Psychic Pokemon. Unfortunately, Single Strike Urshifu as a dual fighting/dark type will take double damage from Fairy Pokémon whereas Rapid Strike Urshifu's dual Fighting/Water typing does not leave him to the vulnerability of any one specific type. This makes Single Strike Urshifu more niche to use in battling while leaving Rapid Strike Urshifu to be universally fit into many teams. The way that you play should really be the deciding factor.

Making The Choice

First, look over the Pokémon roster you've accumulated up to this point and see if there's anything specific you're looking for comes to mind. Should you lack a Unga Bunga hard hitter who is the anti-psychic battler, consider going for Single Strike Urshifu. Psychic Pokémon are some of the strongest opponents you'll typically face, so its good to have a couple of leveled up dark Pokémon to use when you come upon a trainer who favors them. Rapid Strike Urshifu is the perfect choice for newer players who may not have a lot of Pokémon just yet since water types are very easy to use. Neither choice will be a bad decision in the end if you have an idea of how you want to battle with them.

If you're trying to decide and happen to be a sucker for designs, take a look at Urshifus Gigantamax forms. Both mimic the poses they have in normal form but become a neat white and blue (Rapid Strike) or white and red (Single Strike). This is because Rapid Strike Urshifu is supposed to represent the motions of a river and Single Strike Urshifu represents the motions of a master who became hardy from training in the mountains. Do keep in mind that you'll have to give it Max Soup to get one of these special forms. Max Soup can be made using three Max Mushrooms and can be used to grant Gigantamax powers to other Pokémon who a special form as well.

Hopefully, this helps you in making the decision between Rapid Strike or Single Strike Urshifu. The only truly wrong choice would be picking the one you don't want.

Source: Serebii , Eurogamer

Next: Pokémon Isle Of Armor: Where To Find Apricorns & What To Use Them For