5. Deoxys
Deoxys has always been my favourite Legendary Pokémon, even though I never had the opportunity to try it out until Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire added the Delta Episode. The added ability to catch Deoxys without needing to get it through an event was much appreciated.
Its different formes lend a weird kind of versatility. Each has its own distinct purpose, meaning that it can have different functions through them, but at the same time it must be taken to a specific place in order to cycle through them. Its Normal Forme is a glass cannon to begin with – and the Attack Forme even more of one, being tied with Magikarp, Weedle, Caterpie and others for its base Special Defense stat with a monster of an Attack and Special Attack stat. Meanwhile, the Defense Forme is much more of a tank, with incredible Defense and Special Defense while losing its Attack, Special Attack and Speed bonuses. Weirdly enough its Speed Forme is its most generally balanced, with the highest Speed stat of all Pokémon, while its Attack and Defense stats are not outstanding, but somewhat solid all around. Deoxys’ greatest shortcoming is its HP, which is a mediocre 50 in all its Formes. However, in spite of the weirdness with its use, Deoxys still gets a place on this list because I like its design and idea so much, especially its Speed and Attack Formes, with it being a mutated virus from space.
4. Heracross
Heracross is a Pokémon that always flew under my radar, since I’d never had a chance to use it in-game due to it being so hard to find. However, in a recent run through Gold I put in the time and found myself one. Now it’s on this list.
The thing hits like a freight train. Its Attack stat is astronomical, and only gets more ridiculous when it Mega Evolves, becoming the highest base Attack stat of all non-legendary Pokémon. Moves like Megahorn are devastating, with a high base power, STAB (same-type attack bonus, a 1.5x multiplier for moves that share a type with the user) on top of its incredible stats. Its Speed is also nothing to sneeze at, and while its Defense and Special Defense aren’t outstanding they aren’t exactly bad either. Just don’t put it in against a Flying-type. Psychic-types can also be bad news, although with its Attack and Speed paired with Bug’s super effectiveness against Psychic it may be a gamble worth taking.
3. Sceptile
Up until we learned that Froakie eventually evolves into Greninja, Gen III’s Treecko was my favorite starter Pokémon. I like every stage of its growth, from the starter straight through the second stage Grovyle up to the final stage, Sceptile. The line is also most likely part of the reason why my favorite attack for a long time was Leaf Blade, and possibly again after Sceptile used it to destroy a steel blast door in Pokémon Generations. It also just looks awesome, both in base and Mega Evolved forms.
Each starter from Generation III received a Mega Evolved form in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, but Mega Sceptile gains the Dragon type and a total immunity to Electric-type moves through the ability Lightning Rod, boosting its already-high Special Attack when hit with Electric-type attacks. It was also included in Pokkén Tournament, although I have no idea how to use it effectively. I’m much better with Garchomp and Chandelure.
2. Greninja
I think this is a choice most people will agree on. Greninja is one of the most popular Pokémon from Generation VI, hence its inclusion in Super Smash Bros. and the addition of an extra boost for it from the anime series, the terribly-named Ash-Greninja. Plus, it learns Water Shuriken, which while it may not be the best attack it has one of the coolest-sounding names in the entire series.
One of the most interesting things about Greninja is that it has the hidden ability Protean, which changes its type to match every single move it uses, giving it STAB on every move and keeping the opponent guessing about what they should use to counter it. Especially considering Greninja’s high Speed stat (higher than any other Water-types) will have it almost always going first, Greninja’s type will be changing after the opponent chooses their move for the turn. Which helps, given that Greninja’s health and both Defense stats are on the low side, making it another glass cannon. Its base Water/Dark typing is pretty cool too, and made my Greninja in Pokémon X (which I named Krokus) able to take on Mewtwo almost completely on its own.
1. Volcarona
Something I found while compiling this list is that I tend to like Bug-types. I don’t even consider myself generally a huge fan of the type, since most of them are mostly just useful at lower levels, but drop off quickly later in the games. Galvantula and Heracross are exceptions, but Volcarona is the total opposite. Larvesta isn’t outstanding, even if it is better than most unevolved Bug-types, but the evolution to Volcarona is definitely worth the staggering 59-level wait. Especially when it learns Quiver Dance, which provides a boost to Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, on top of those already high stats on Volcarona.
Quiver Dance makes Volcarona a great sweeper with Bug Buzz and Heat Wave, although a low Defense makes it something of a glass cannon, especially when you consider its double weakness to Rock-type, meaning that Stealth Rock is particularly nasty on Volcarona.
Also, just a quick note to the Pokémon Company. If you want to make some Volcarona merchandise, I would absolutely buy it. Plushies, figures, paraphernalia, anything beyond the six TCG cards would be nice to see. Even fan-made stuff of Volcarona is hard to find, at least give something for those of us who are fans of the less popular Pokémon.
In any case, with Pokémon Sun and Moon releasing this week, I’m definitely interested to see how these Pokémon hold up, and how the new Pokémon match up to these ten. Whether they’re worse or still just as good, I know which ones I’ll be transferring over to the new generation when it finally releases.
