This list was created based on Rockersk08's perspective on the games. After reading the top ten book for Pokémon and the anime-based opinions, he decided to create his based on his experience. All Pokémon must be final form. Dual-type Pokémon can appear in more than one category, although that Pokémon can only win in one category. For example, he picked Salamence as the best Dragon-type, but being part Flying, it made the flying list, but not as number one. Legendaries are separated in their own categories. A moveset is also listed, and a second Pokémon is discussed.
Verdict: Slaking may only be able to attack every two turns, but it is so powerful that the delay is pointless. Slaking can use Giga Impact to easily lay a beatdown on most opponents. It has very high stats, notably in HP and Attack. If you use it in double battles and neutralize its ability, Slaking will be extremely destructive.
Honorable Mention: Porygon-Z functions much like a Psychic-type but with few weaknesses, a wide pool, and destructive power.
Verdict: Between Conkeldurr and Machamp, I had to push my long-time winner Machamp down to second place in favor of Conkeldurr's higher HP and Attack, while still retaining the move versatility. Instead of Close Combat, Hammer Arm or Superpower is used, and Conkeldurr learns rock moves by level up! With high HP and if you're daring, use a Payapa Berry to weaken Psychic attacks and strike back with Payback!
Honorable Mention: Lucario's special moveset and speed are great to have on a team, not to mention the perfect accuracy from Aura Sphere!
Verdict: Aerodactyl may seem underrated, but with top speed and attack, Aerodactyl can usually outrun most electric attackers save Jolteon. Too bad Aerodactyl cannot learn Brave Bird, as it would be powerful indeed. Guess Aerial Ace will have to do…
Honorable Mention: The Sinnoh Bird Staraptor is surprisingly powerful despite being available early and being easy to raise. Aside from the iconic Brave Bird, it can also use Close Combat on potential Rock-type threats, and can use U-turn to get out of a mismatch.
Verdict: So what if Toxicroak has a 4X Psychic weakness? Toxicroak has decent speed and the powerful Poison Jab move, along with Brick Break. An overzealous Psychic Pokémon will definitely take a Sucker Punch if the opponent fails to predict it.
Honorable Mention: Drapion's lone weakness to Ground will help surprise any player that fails to understand the secondary Dark type. Aside from STAB moves, any Ground-type you face will have to watch out for Ice Fang.
Verdict: Although the 4X weakness is present, Rhyperior has enough raw attack power to shut down most opponents. Get some speed in, and this will be unstoppable. Solid Rock will also dampen most enemy attacks, but for the worst-case scenario, give it a Focus Sash.
Honorable Mention: If you can acquire a Thick Club, Marowak is a much better choice due to the single typing and overall stronger attack.
Verdict: Rampardos is a powerhouse because of high attack power and pure-rock typing. The pure type reduces weaknesses. Head Smash is a must, but Zen Headbutt can help deter any Fighting-types incoming. Don’t forget Earthquake.
Honorable Mention: An excellent alternative, Gigalith has more defense than Rampardos with about the same move pool.
Verdict: It took until Generation IV for Pinsir to reach its potential, when it could use a powerful Bug-type move, X-Scissor. Pinsir is fast, strong and versatile, especially with Mold Breaker. Take out those Psychics and Darks with confidence!
Honorable Mention: Once underestimated, Yanmega can also provide the Bug-type alternative a Trainer needs, with the ability to speed up and provide Flying cover as well. Rock and Fire weaknesses can be dealt with via SolarBeam and AncientPower.
Verdict: Gengar truly owns, as it has high special attack and speed. Now that Shadow Ball is a special move, Gengar can actually take advantage of its type. Gengar can also learn a wide variety of special moves to overpower opponents and provide versatile coverage.
Honorable Mention: Golurk is a solid alternative that also covers the critical Ground-type.
Verdict: Metagross is a solid tank that can take abuse and dish it out as well. With Magnet Rise, ground moves become useless, and only fire types can hurt Metagross, which Earthquake can take care of, except for Charizard and the like. Although it is slow, a Baton Passing Ninjask can fix it, or dump Magnet Rise for Agility. As for attack, shove opponents full of Meteor Mash and Zen Headbutt, or the faster Bullet Punch.
Honorable Mention: I was quite surprised at how fast Durant was. I underestimated it and got beaten by it. Noting the 4X Fire weakness, take advantage of Durant's speed, resistances and powerful moves.
Verdict: Arcanine is the choice because it learns ExtremeSpeed and Flare Blitz, and can stand up to weaknesses. It learns Crunch naturally now, so it rivals Houndoom. Thunder Fang can help eliminate the Water weakness.
Honorable Mention: Chandelure's monster special attack and Ghost attributes blend a critical type that can stop rampant Psychics, and can use Sunnybeam to cut its weakness.
Verdict: Vaporeon has high Special Attack, but the HP count helps it shine. While Haze is a key move, I would choose Rest simply because Vaporeon isn't that fast. The single type reduces weaknesses.
Honorable Mention: Blending two critical types, Starmie can provide fast support to a team and open up a spot for a specialty Pokémon. A Starmie with Rapid Spin can break an opponent's Spikes/Stealth Rock setup if you encounter one.
Verdict: Sceptile is fast compared to other Grass-types. Although the signature move Leaf Blade is now less worthy on Sceptile, Energy Ball or SolarBeam make good substitutes. To stay special-oriented, Focus Blast and Dragon Pulse are good moves.
Honorable Mention: Leafeon is a slower but decent alternative, able to hit harder with the physical Leaf Blade and using Sunny Day in conjunction with its Leaf Guardability and Synthesis. In a worst-case scenario, it can use Dig against a Fire-type.
Verdict: Jolteon has ruled the herd ever since the beginning. With insane Speed and Special Attack, Jolteon can easily paralyze any vulnerable Pokémon and deliver Thunderbolt attacks. Adding Shadow Ball can help defeat any fast Psychic-types, and Jolteon can use Hyper Beam if needed
Honorable Mention: In place of speed, Electivire can provide an attack staple to a team, and can cover its weakness to Ground with Ice Punch.
Verdict: Legendaries aside, Alakazam has dominated the Psychic region every since Generation I. Though physically weak, Alakazam can still provide the backbone most teams need with high speed and special attack. Throughout my Pokémon games, I always had an Alakazam on my team. Now, with Focus Blast and Energy Ball, Alakazam can help cover your team from other threats. Players can also opt for Thunder Wave instead.
Honorable Mention: Gallade can fill in two critical types and lay down physical Psycho Cut attacks along with Close Combat. It isn't fast though, so a Baton Pass setup will help.
Verdict: Lapras has monster HP that can help absorb many blows. Since it is also part water, Lapras can easily anchor a team. Plus, it learns Ice Beam naturally, along with other key moves.
Honorable Mention: The pure Ice-type Glaceon functions similar to Vaporeon, but with Hail in effect, the Pokémon gains an evasion bonus.
Verdict: Salamence is powerful due to its high attack power, move pool and Intimidate. It’s no surprise why this Pokémon is considered OP. Although the 4X weakness is still a problem, it seems to be less of a problem than with Dragonite, although Dragonite can use ExtremeSpeed. Due to the paucity of non-legendary final-form Dragon-type Pokémon, only nine Pokémon are listed.
Honorable Mention: Haxorus is a worthy Dragon Pokémon due to the fact that it is not a dual-type and has more attack power.
Verdict: Houndoom is fast, versatile, and less susceptible to fighting moves. Although the physical/special move category changed Crunch to Dark Pulse, it is a minor setback. Besides, Houndoom can double as a fire type and provide SolarBeam strikes as well.
Honorable Mention: If you like playing mind games on your opponents, cleverly use your Zoroark. Position a Pokémon that will prompt your opponent to switch in something that Zoroark can destroy. Note that Dark Pulse has to be bred onto Zoroark.
Verdict: Regigigas has enough raw power to lay a smackdown, but mainly once Slow Start passes. Being a Normal-type, it only has one weakness, and Zen Headbutt gets rid of most Fighting-types.
Honorable Mention: If you are lucky enough to get the right Latios, that Pokémon is an absolute beast. It’s fast, blends two strong types and can cover a wide variety of moves.
Verdict: Being the Alpha Pokémon, Arceus is a beast because it can change types based on the plate attached. It can easily change to suit needs, especially with Judgment. Arceus also has the most balanced stats, but EV training will most likely go special since Judgement is special-based.
Honorable Mention: The Speed form of Deoxys is worth having due to its stats being overall more balanced than normal, while having a wide move pool.
