Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced 114 new Pokemon to the Pokedex, including Paradox Pokemon, regional fakes, and the series’ one-thousandth overall critter.
Among these new additions, there are nine standout Pokemon that are considered the best in terms of design, their role in the greater Pokemon world, and their impact on the story of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
The 9 Best New Pokemon of Gen 9
- Armarouge: A Fire-type Pokemon with a sleek, armored design and unique signature moves.
- Ceruledge: Another Fire-type Pokemon with an armored design, it became an instant fan-favorite alongside Armarouge.
- Mabosstiff: This Pokemon plays a significant role in the Path of Legends storyline, where players help Arven find the Herba Mystica to heal his sick Mabosstiff.
- Tinkaton: A fan-favorite due to its cute design and mischievously dark lore, which portrays it as a menace to the Corviknight population of Paldea.
- Clodsire: A new regional evolution for an existing Pokemon, it has a round shape and a blank expression that captured players’ hearts.
- Dondozo: Memorable for its False Dragon Titan battle alongside its partner Tatsugiri, this duo represents excellent design decisions for competitive battles in Gen 9.
- Roaring Moon: A Paradox Pokemon and prehistoric redesign of the popular Salamence, it stands out as the best among Paradox Pokemon.
- Gholdengo: The one-thousandth Pokemon in the Pokedex, this Steel/Ghost creature is powerful and unique in terms of design and ways to obtain it.
- Ogerpon: Featured in The Teal Mask DLC, Ogerpon’s tragic past, charming design, and powerful battle potential make it one of the best Legendaries of Gen 9.
These Pokemon are not necessarily the strongest, but they represent the cream of the crop in terms of design, their role in the greater Pokemon world, and how impactful they are on the story of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Top 9 Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet
- Armarouge and Ceruledge:
- Strengths: Sleek, armored designs and unique signature moves make them stand out among Fire-type Pokemon.
- Weaknesses: Humanoid designs can be controversial among Pokemon fans, potentially limiting their appeal.
- Tinkaton:
- Strengths: Cute design and mischievously dark lore make it a fan-favorite.
- Weaknesses: Its role as a menace to the Corviknight population of Paldea may not appeal to all players.
- Clodsire:
- Strengths: Round shape and blank expression make it endearing to players.
- Weaknesses: May not be the strongest Pokemon in Gen 9, limiting its competitive potential.
- Dondozo and Tatsugiri:
- Strengths: Excellent design decisions for competitive battles in Gen 9, particularly in the double battle format.
- Weaknesses: Their abilities shine when they are both on the field at the same time, potentially limiting their effectiveness when used separately.
- Roaring Moon:
- Strengths: Intimidating prehistoric redesign of the popular Salamence and standout among Paradox Pokemon.
- Weaknesses: Some other Paradox Pokemon, like Flutter Mane and Iron Bundle, may be stronger.
- Gholdengo:
- Strengths: Unique design, powerful abilities, and interesting methods of obtaining it.
- Weaknesses: As the one-thousandth Pokemon in the Pokedex, it may face high expectations from fans.
- Mabosstiff:
- Strengths: Significant role in the Path of Legends storyline, making it memorable and endearing to players.
- Weaknesses: Its role in the story may overshadow its competitive potential.
- Ogerpon:
- Strengths: Tragic past, charming design, and powerful battle potential make it one of the best Legendaries of Gen 9.
- Weaknesses: Its prominence in The Teal Mask DLC may limit its exposure to players who do not purchase the additional content.
