The Pokemon franchise is the biggest media franchise that boasts an impressive track record of games. After months of anticipation, the 9th Generation of Pokemon games has finally arrived with the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. The Pokemon series has finally evolved, breaking away from its traditional linear progression system, to offer a fully open-world Pokemon game for the first time. The large map and new mechanics aside, the main attraction of any and all Pokemon games still remains the Pokemon that players can catch and battle with.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have introduced many quirky-looking new Pokemon whilst also bringing over many from the previous generations. This time around the national dex contains 400 Pokemon, with 40 specifically being from the Hoenn Region. This region is known for its vibrant Pokemon designs. The very best Pokemon (and their evolution lines) from the Hoenn Region have made a return in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
5 Tropius
After having been skipped over in the Generation VIII Pokedex, the banana dinosaur, Tropius, has finally made its return in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Though not well suited for competitive play with its 460 stat total, Tropius is still a fun Pokemon to have on your team. It has a very decent design, which makes it stand out, even if it does not evolve. Tropius also has one of the better-looking green shiny forms.
This Pokemon has always been a rare one to encounter within the games and that situation hasn't changed much in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. It can be found in both games in the West Province (Area three) and Casseroya Lake. It has a 30% spawn rate in the forest and lake and a 10% spawn rate in the grass.
4 Altaria (The Swablu line)
The fluffy cloud dragon, Altaria, has also made the dex cut in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Altaria is one of the best Pokemon to originate from the Hoenn region and is also quite useful in battle. It has a base stat total of 490 with decent speed and special attack stats and a high special defense stat. Players can catch a Swablu from various locations in the game, specifically the northern parts of the West Province (Area 1).
Once caught, players can train Swablu to reach level 35, upon which it will evolve into the majestic and cute Altaria. Altaria has gained quite the fan following since its debut in Generation III, thus prompting GameFreak to include it in their latest games.
3 Breloom (The Shroomish line)
Breloom, also known as the Mushroom Pokemon, is a grass/fighting type Pokemon that is a very fun partner to have on one's team. Breloom was another Pokemon that sadly got cut from the Pokedex, the last generation, however, the kangaroo brawler is back this time around and fans are loving it. Breloom has a base stat total of 460.
Though the total may not be very high, it has a very high individual attack stat total of 130, making it extremely viable. Breloom is a great choice for having a grass-type Pokemon in one's team and can learn a variety of moves through TMs. Players can encounter a Shroomish in the West Province (Area Three) and the South Province (Area Five). Shroomish evolves into Breloom at level 23.
2 Gardevoir (The Ralts line)
The Ralts evolution line is one of the most controversial, yet popular Pokemon lines to originate from the Hoenn Region. However, that by no means is an indication that their inclusion is not a welcomed one. Gardevoir is a very cool-looking Pokemon, with an even cooler shiny form. It also has a high stat total of 518 making it an excellent fighter to be included in a player's team.
What makes this fairy Pokemon strong is its high special attack and special defense stats, along with its diverse move-pool. Ralts is a rare Pokemon to encounter and can be found in the South Province (Area One). The inclusion of Ralts also means that Gardevoir's counterpart evolution, Gallade is also included in the Generation 9 games. Moreover, there is also a Paradox Form for Gardevoir in Pokemon Violet, called the Iron Valiant, which looks like a distant relative of both Gallade and Gardevoir.
1 Salamence (The Bagon Line)
Salamence, the pseudo legendary of the Hoenn Region has also made its way onto the 9th Generation of Pokemon games, however, is exclusive to Pokemon Violet. Salamence is a flying/dragon-type Pokemon and one of the strongest and most menacing Pokemon to hail from the Hoenn Region. It has a base stat total of 600, which includes a high-speed stat of 100 and a strong attack stat of 135, making it one of the best physical attackers in the game.
The Baygon evolutionary line is one of the most beloved ones from Generation III. It also has an interesting lore behind its evolutionary trail. Baygon is a Pokemon that desperately wanted to fly and roam the sky, which resulted in it evolving into a soaring dragon. Players can encounter Baygon commonly in the South Province (Area Five), where when caught, it evolves into a Shelgon at level 30 and a Salamence at level 50. Pokemon Scarlet has also brought forth a Paradox Form for Salamance, called Roaring Moon.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available now for the Nintendo Switch.