The Best Pokemon Of Each Type, Ranked (2024)

The latest DLC for Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, The Indigo Disk, has just been released, and fans are shocked at the introduction of a new type: Stellar. This typing is unique among the rest, as no Pokemon can be Stellar-type without the help of Terastallization. The typing gives STAB bonus to a move of each type once per battle, giving every type a fighting chance.

Given that Stellar-type seems to encompass all the other 18 types in the Pokemon franchise, it'd be worthwhile to examine all of them and select which one Pokemon is the greatest of each. Whether it's how iconic they are, how strong they are, how unique they are, or how memorable they are, these are what we consider the best Pokemon of every type.

Updated July 18, 2024 by Blaise Santi: Now that fans of the Pokemon franchise have been given some time to see how the metagame has changed with the addition of the new Stellar-typing, it's fair to see where it ranks against all the other best Pokemon of each time from the series.

Additionally, let's take a look at the Pokedex data for each of the Pokemon on this list to find out exactly why they're the best of their type, whether it's because of their ability, strength, notoriety, or originality.

19 Stellar - Terapagos

Terastallization Gives This Pokemon A Unique Niche

Terapagos is a brand-new addition to the Pokemon universe as of The Indigo Disk, the second DLC expansion for Scarlet & Violet. Technically, it's a Normal-type Pokemon, but it also introduces a new type that's unfortunately limited to Terastallization: Stellar. This unique typing is super-effective against any kind of Terastallized Pokemon, with no weaknesses.

While this sounds pretty overpowered for the current Scarlet & Violet metagame, this type will likely become obsolete by the time the next generation of games comes around. However, Terapagos gets a special benefit from this exclusive typing with a completely new form that it only inhabits after Terastallizing.

18 Normal – Blissey

A Healer For Humans And Teammates

Normal is one of the most common types in the Pokemon franchise, though it also holds the disadvantage of not being super-effective against anything. Despite it being rare for Normal-type Pokemon to have any strength, the exception to this rule is Blissey. This pure Normal-type Pokemon was introduced in Gen Two as the evolution to Gen One's Chansey.

Though it probably won't be seen taking down any Legendary Pokemon, Blissey has taken a valuable role in many competitive teams as one of the best support Pokemon out there. Consider its role in the anime as an ally of Nurse Joy in Pokemon Centers, and it's easy to see why Blissey is beloved by many Pokemon fans, despite the Normal-type's flaws.

17 Ice – Alolan Ninetales

Cool In Temperature And Design

Ninetales and its pre-evolution Vulpix are arguably some of the most iconic Fire-types in the entire franchise since their introduction in Gen One. However, Pokemon Sun & Moon offered a new twist on the familiar Pokemon with regional variants. In those games, Vulpix and Ninetales can be discovered as Ice/Fairy-types, with an entirely new design.

Although there have been many beloved Ice-types in the video game series, like Mamoswine or Cetitan, Alolan Ninetales earns a spot on this list for the near-impossible job of improving an already stellar Pokemon design, from the incomparable Gen I of all generations. However, it's inherently not the most original Pokemon design, placing it near the bottom of this list.

16 Dragon – Goodra

Dragons Have Never Looked Cuter

There have been many Dragon-types throughout the Pokemon franchise, some like Garchomp and Dragonite who have been competitively viable, and others like Tatsugiri and Haxorus who remain fan favorites. However, of all the Dragon-type pseudo-legendary Pokemon who have graced the franchise, few are as memorable as Goodra's line.

Contrary to most Dragon-type evolutionary lines, Goodra and its pre-evolutions probably take the prize for cutest Dragon-types. Even Ash Ketchum added one to his team during the X & Y anime, and the Pokemon was given a Hisuian form in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which buffed it immensely by making it part Steel-type.

15 Steel – Mawile

Changing The Perception Of Steel-Types

The Steel-typing was originally introduced in the Gen 2 games, alongside Pokemon like Scizor and Skarmory. It was in Gen 3, however, that the seemingly confined typing was given a new interpretation with Mawile, who was later upgraded to Steel/Fairy in Gen VI. Though it doesn't initially look Steel-typed, Mawile's powerful jaw is apparently made of metal.

Mawile received yet another upgrade in Gen 6 with a Mega Evolution, which significantly boosted its power as a competitive tank. Sadly, Mawile is not available to catch in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, which is certainly a disappointment to many Steel-type Pokemon fans out there, but hopefully, it'll make an appearance in an upcoming game sometime soon.

14 Bug – Volcarona

It's Well Worth The Effort To Catch It

Bug-type Pokemon can typically be pretty nasty, whether it's a creepy critter like Parasect or a monstrous insect-like Golisopod. However, few Bug-types are as elegant as Volcarona, . This Bug/Fire-type is one of the rarest in that game, as it can only be caught once in Relic Castle with a 5.2% catch rate.

However, even by Gen 9, Volcarona remains one of the strongest special attackers in the franchise. It even has two new relatives, as of Scarlet & Violet, with the Paradox specimen Slither Wing and Iron Moth. Overall, out of all the Bug-type Pokemon that have wormed their way into the franchise, Volcarona is one to be revered by fans.

13 Poison – Salazzle

Salazzle Has One Thing Other Poison-Types Don't

Salazzle is one of the hardest Pokemon to obtain since it only evolves from female Salandits, which are rarely found in the wild. Nevertheless, the two Poison/Fire-type Pokemon not only come with a unique type (until the introduction of Iron Moth) but a unique Ability in Corrosion, which can inflict Poison and Steel-types with the poison status ailment.

As a result, Salazzle becomes a Pokemon with a huge advantage against types that would otherwise resist it, though the new Gen 9 Pokemon Glimmet and Glimmora can access Corrosion as a Hidden Ability. Nevertheless, Salazzle's Ability makes it a pretty strong contender for the best Poison-type, even if it's not the best Pokemon around.

12 Grass – Shaymin

The Most Mythical Grass-Type Out There

Mythical Pokemon often make their debut after the initial release of their generation's games. This is true of Shaymin, a Grass-type Pokemon with an alternate Grass/Flying-type Sky Forme when given a Gracidea flower in the daytime. In Pokemon Platinum, Shaymin could only be found after receiving Oak's Letter via event distribution.

Its Land Forme is unique in that it has completely equal base stats across the board totaling 600. Its Sky Forme sees its base stat distribution as more all over the place, putting priority on its Speed and Special Attack. Shaymin also played an integral role in the movieGiratina and the Sky Warrior, which likely turned it into many fans' favorite Grass-type Pokemon.

11 Rock – Tyranitar

This Pseudo Legendary Rocks

Tyranitar made its debut in Gen 2 as the fully-evolved form of Larvitar, a Rock/Ground-type Pokemon who can't be found in the wild until players near Victory Road. With incredible rarity and a 5% catch rate, obtaining a Larvitar itself is a tough task, as is leveling up its evolved form, Pupitar, to level 55 to finally evolve it into a Tyranitar.

Though getting a Tyranitar on your team will be an arduous challenge, this Rock/Dark-type is one of the strongest Rock-types out there, especially since the type is typically frail. Tyranitar has also had the benefit of getting both a Mega Evolution, as well as a Paradox variant in Iron Thorns, but it's hard to top the original, Godzilla-like Tyranitar.

10 Ground – Landorus

Its Therian Forme Makes It A Competitive Threat

Landorus is known as the third member of the Forces of Nature, a Legendary trio introduced in Pokemon Black & White alongside Tornadus and Thundurus (and as of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, the fourth member Enamorus). Landorus, a Ground/Flying-type, can only be obtained after players catch both the other two members of the trio.

It's quite a strong advantage for Landorus to be a dual Ground/Flying-type, given that it removes the Flying-type's weakness to Electric-type moves. Its Therian forme, which can be obtained by using the Reveal Glass item, also greatly boosts its Attack stat, making it a worthwhile physical attacker in any competitive team with moves like Earthquake.

9 Fairy – Sylveon

Introducing A Whole New Type

When Sylveon was first revealed , its typing was kept a mystery. That's because Sylveon was the very first Pokemon to be announced as Fairy-type, which was introduced in the Gen 6 games as a counter to Dragon-types. Thus, this Eeveelution had the distinct honor of setting the stage for what Fairy-types could be.

While great Fairy-types have been revealed in the franchise since, from powerful Pokemon like Tinkaton to sillier creatures like Slurpuff, Sylveon's simplicity and franchise significance make it the best of the new types. Plus, it's the first Eeveelution since Gen IV's Glaceon and Leafeon, which was far overdue by many fans' estimations.

8 Flying – Corviknight

Not Even Tinkaton Can Stop It Now

It wasn't until Tornadus in Gen 5 that a Pokemon had Flying as its primary type, let alone being a pure Flying-type. However, that has been remedied in generations since, with Gen 8's regional bird Rookidee, which evolves into the Flying/Steel-type Corviknight, easily one of the best fully-evolved regional birds that Game Freak has introduced.

Notably, Corviknight has performed excellently in the competitive scene thanks to abilities like Pressure and Mirror Armor, as well as access to moves like Steel Wing and Brave Bird. In the Gen Eight games, Corviknight also has a Gigantamax form that makes it even more intimidating than it normally looks, though it makes a valuable member of any team.

7 Dark – Zoroark

Don't Be Fooled By This Clever Dark-Type

Zoroark and its pre-evolution, Zorua, were the first Gen five Pokemon revealed, and made their anime debuts in the movie Zoroark: Master of Illusions. For fans of the games, however, Zorua and Zoroark were difficult to obtain in Black & White, only obtainable if players transferred over certain Event Legendaries from Gen four games on Nintendo DS.

Zorua and Zoroark are also the only Pokemon with the Ability Illusion, which allows them to disguise themselves as other Pokemon before getting hit in battle. In Pokemon Legends: Arceus, they were also given Normal/Ghost-type Hisuian forms, but it's the original Dark-type version of Zoroark that has become one of the most iconic creatures of Gen 5.

6 Fighting – Lucario

Lucario Puts The Smash In Super Smash Bros.

Lucario was introduced in the Gen 4 games Diamond & Pearl, though its reveal predated the release of the games enough for the Pokemon to star in the anime movie Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. Ash later obtained a Lucario during the Pokemon Journeys anime saga, with Mega Lucario on his team when he finally became the Pokemon champion.

Many fans also recognize this Fighting/Steel-type Pokemon from its playable appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series. Its use of aura is canonically tied to the bond it has with its trainers, which lines up with the Pokemon's popularity amongst the fandom. Overall, there are few Fighting-types as integral to the Pokemon brand as this Gen Four Pokemon.

5 Psychic – Gardevoir

A Psychic To End All Psychics

Introduced in Gen 3, Gardevoir is one of two final forms in the Ralts evolutionary line. Its counterpart is Gallade, a Psychic/Fighting-type who evolves from Kirlia when given a Dawn Stone. Gardevoir, however, is a Psychic/Fairy-type as of Fairy-type's introduction in Gen VI, but that wasn't the only upgrade Gardevoir has gotten in the games.,

Gardevoir received a Mega Evolution as well in Gen 6 and inspired the Paradox Pokemon Iron Valiant. It's one of the strongest special attackers in the game, especially in its Mega form, with powerful moves like Future Sight and Moonblast in its arsenal. When it comes to Psychic-types, it's hard to get more recognizable than Gardevoir.

4 Ghost – Gengar

You'll Never Forget That Smile

Many Pokemon fans might see Gengar's face in their nightmares. This Ghost/Poison-type Pokemon was introduced in the first-generation games, evolving from Haunter after being traded. As one of the most iconic Pokemon of all time, Gengar has received special treatment in the past, including Mega Evolution and Gigantamax forms in more recent years.

Not only is Gengar an incredibly reliable and speedy special attacker in the competitive scene, but it's also a favorite of long-time Pokemon designer Ken Sugimori. Gengar, alongside Nidorino, is also one of the first Pokemon to appear in the games thanks to its inclusion in , which was copied for the anime.

3 Water – Greninja

How Many Pokemon Become Their Own Trainers?

There have been many iconic Water-types from throughout the Pokemon franchise, especially when you limit the selection to just fully-evolved starters. However, it's obvious that Greninja is one of the best Pokemon in recent years, resulting in its inclusion as a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. series, but it also got special treatment in the games.

To honor Ash's bond with Greninja in the Pokemon anime, Greninja received a new Event-exclusive form in Ash-Greninja, which was the first acknowledgment of Ash in the video game series. In Gen 9, Ash-Greninja's signature ability Battle Bond was altered to simply just increase its stats after defeating an opponent, keeping Greninja a top-tier Pokemon.

2 Fire – Charizard

It's Iconic For A Good Reason

Few Pokemon are more iconic than the Fire/Flying-type Charizard, the fully-evolved form of Gen 1 starter Charmander. Particularly, Ash Ketchum's Charizard was an iconic character from the anime, initially refusing to obey Ash until it became one of his strongest companions. In the games, Charizard has remained a favorite of many Pokemon fans.

In Gen 6, Charizard was given two Mega Evolutions, and is also a playable Super Smash Bros. character as part of Pokemon Trainer's trio (though it stood on its own in Super Smash Bros. 4). Furthermore, it's been the mascot of both Pokemon Red and Pokemon FireRed, and even its original holo trading card is still valuable according to TCG collectors.

1 Electric – Pikachu

When You Think Pokemon, You Think Pikachu

Simply put, it's hard to make the argument that there's a better or more iconic Pokemon than Pikachu. The Electric mouse has been the face of the franchise for as long as the franchise has existed. Pikachu was Ash Ketchum's companion throughout the entire anime saga, as well as the star of the blockbuster movie Detective Pikachu, voiced by Ryan Reynolds.

It's been given alternate forms wearing Ash's various hats from the anime, as well as a Gigantamax form paying tribute to its original design. Though Pokemon designs have gotten far more creative since the first generation, there's just no denying that Pikachu is one of the most iconic video game characters in history, and it's just too cute to argue against it.