With the next generation of Pokémon right on the horizon with the upcoming Pokémon Sun and Moon, it seems to me like as good a time as any to take a look back at the last 6 generations. Specifically, me making a list of my 10 favorite Pokémon. Not from any specific generation, but my personal top ten out of all 721 species that we can use so far, from least favorite to favorite.
10. Gyarados
Yes, I know Gyarados isn’t exactly the best out there. Its Water/Flying type makes it extremely vulnerable to Electric- and Rock-types, plus its low Special Attack doesn’t exactly do it any favours (at least until the physical-special divide happened in Gen IV). However, I think it deserves a place on the list at least for me personally, since I have had a Gyarados on my first run through every Pokémon game where I didn’t start with a water starter. Always painfully raised through its Magikarp phase, until it finally reaches level 20 and becomes useful. Even if it isn’t necessarily a great pick, Gyarados will always have a special spot in my heart, and a slot on my team. Unless, of course, I start with a water-type.
Mega Gyarados is more intelligently typed at Water/Dark, but I can’t speak for how useful it is since I’ve never had one in my party – I used Greninja instead of Gyarados in X, and still haven’t tried it out in Omega Ruby.
9. Dragonair
Dragonair, to me, is the picture of missed potential. I love its design – it looks like a mystical, regal sea dragon, and a very clear development upon the design of Dratini. It goes from a cute little sea snake to a more refined one, and then…cartoon dragon?
Don’t get me wrong, I completely recognize that Dragonite is a strong Pokémon, and its Outrage is really something to be feared. But I hate the design, which looks like something out of Dragon Tales. Pokémon Generations is really the only time I saw a Dragonite and thought it looked as awesome as it should.
8. Ampharos
I like a lot of Electric-types. If there were space on this list I would likely have included Galvantula and Luxray on this list, and Lanturn as well although I’ve never actually had one in my party. I have an Ampharos in my current playthrough of Pokémon Gold, and its Thunderpunch is way stronger than I ever thought it would be. The biggest question with Ampharos is how something like it comes from the adorable sheep Pokémon Mareep and Flaafy, when Ampharos is a bipedal, vaguely giraffe-like creature.
It received a Mega form in X and Y, which not only adds the Dragon-type but also gives it a glorious mane of flowing hair. Its Special Attack also spikes to a somewhat absurd level, becoming not only the highest Special Attack stat of all Electric-types but also the highest single stat of all Electric-types.
7. Rayquaza
I’ll admit, Rayquaza never really appealed to me, since I never owned Pokémon Emerald and preferred Groudon. However, Omega Ruby changed my mind, both with it being available in the Delta Episode and the addition of Mega Rayquaza, which is in my opinion one of the coolest-looking Mega Evolutions. Also, Dragon Ascent has one of the most awesome move animations in all of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, especially when used by Mega Rayquaza where it goes into space before smashing down onto the opponent like a meteorite.
It’s also worth noting that Mega Rayquaza is so powerful that it’s the only Pokémon currently banned in the Uber tournament tier, the highest restricted tier of Smogon organized play aside from the fully-unrestricted Anything Goes. Especially when boosted with Dragon Dance, Dragon Ascent and Extreme Speed are truly forces to be reckoned with, even for other Legendary Pokémon.
6. Raichu
Speaking of Electric-types, Raichu is a Pokémon that I’ve always liked but only recently learned just how good it can be. I had one in my party during my review run of Red, and I was taken aback at just how much of a punch it packs. It’s super fast, and although it can’t take hits too well, its high Special Attack and Attack make up for it. Thunderbolt does good work on a Raichu, as does the special Volt Tackle if you take the time to breed one that knows it.
In my opinion, the fact that Raichu is always so overshadowed by Pikachu is a grave injustice. It’s the main reason why it took me so long to finally try Raichu out myself, because I see Pikachu as so overdone that I usually don’t bother catching one.
Also, Alolan Raichu looks adorable, and the Electric/Psychic typing is really interesting. I’m looking forward to trying it out when Sun and Moon release.
More Cool Critters on Page 2 ->
