At the moment, "only" 893 Pokemon exist. In the games, all of the Pokemon have their own set of stats. These combine Attack, Special Attack, HP, Special Defense, Speed, and Defense.

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Defense is a stat that decides how much damage a Pokemon takes when hit with a physical move. And physical moves themselves are (typically) determined by Attack. Usually, Attacks make physical contact with the Pokemon, so the highest Defense Pokemon endure or reflect these moves as much as possible.

Updated November 26, 2022 by Suzail Ahmad: Pokemon is one of the biggest franchises in the world. In the last few years, Game Freak has been consistently releasing new titles, giving Pokemon fans more content to enjoy. The recent Pokemon games have received a mixed reception from the fans, and the rushed release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has only made things worse.

However, that hasn't stopped fans from playing the game and searching for the right Pokemon for their teams. One of the main aspects to consider while looking for strong Pokemon to include in the party is defense. Pokemon that have high defense are able to withstand more attacks, which can make all the difference in the midst of a battle. So, here are the best defensive Pokemon in the games.

17 Runerigus

Runerigus in Pokemon Sword and Shield
  • According to Pokemon Sword, "A powerful curse was woven into an ancient painting. After absorbing the spirit of a Yamask, the painting began to move."
  • Base Defense Stat: 145

Runerigus is the evolved form of Galarian Yamask, and it made its debut in Generation 8. In order to evolve Yamask, the players must travel to the large rock arch in Dusty Bowl after the Pokemon has taken at least 49 damage without fainting.

Needless to say, this is one of the most unique ways of evolving a Pokemon. Runerigus is a Ground/Ghost-type Pokemon, which makes it a formidable opponent. In addition to having a defense of 145, Runerigus has attack and special defense stats of 95 and 105, respectively.

16 Diancie

Diancie in Pokemon anime
  • According to Pokemon Alpha Ruby, "A sudden transformation of Carbink, its pink, glimmering body is said to be the loveliest sight in the whole world."
  • Base Defense Stat: 150

Diancie is a Rock-Fairy-type Pokemon that was introduced in Generation 6. It is a mythical Pokemon with very limited weaknesses. It has a 2x weakness to ground, water, and grass and a 4x weakness to Steel-type attacks.

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Considering the similarities between Carbink and Diance, it wouldn't be a stretch to consider the latter the evolved form. Among other stats, Diancie has a defense stat of 150, which makes it a very durable Pokemon.

15 Ice Rider Calyrex

Ice Calyrex Rider from Pokemon Sword and Shield DLC
  • According to Pokemon Shield, "It's said that this Pokemon once moved a large forest—and all the Pokemon living there—to a new location overnight."
  • Base Defense Stat: 150

Ice Rider Calyrex is one of the new legendary Pokemon that were introduced in Generation 8. It was a part of the Sword and Shield DLC. The Pokemon has two natures, Psychic/Ice, which makes it susceptible to many kinds of attacks, and to make matters worse, it has a speed of just 50.

So, to make Ice Rider Calyrex a usable Pokemon, the developers had to make the other stats better. They focused on the Pokemon's defensive stat increasing it all the way to 150. In addition to its defense, Ice Rider Calyrex also has good attack and special defense stats, which makes it a good addition to any team.

14 Doublade/Aegislash

Aegislash in Pokemon anime
  • According to Pokemon X, "When Honedge evolves, it divides into two swords, which cooperate via telepathy to coordinate attacks and slash their enemies to ribbons."
  • Base Defense Stat: 150

Introduced in Generation 4, Doublade is a Steel/Ghost-type Pokemon. It evolves from Honedge after it reaches level 35. Thanks to its defense stat of 150, Doublade is able to tank several hits from the opponent. It can be evolved further into Aegislash, which is a rather unique Pokemon.

Depending on the move, Aegislash can turn into either its blade form or shield form. The blade form is focused on attack, while the shield form takes care of defense. Doublade is not an amazing Pokemon; there are many better options for competitive trainers.

13 Carbink

Pokemon Anime Carbink and Diancie
  • According to Pokemon Ultra Sun, "some say that deep beneath the surface of the world, a pack of Carbink live with their queen in a kingdom of jewels."
  • Base Defense Stat: 150

Carbink is a Pokemon first introduced in Pokemon X and Y versions that look like a small rabbit-like head atop a crystalline, floating body. It's one of the few Rock-Fairy dual-type Pokemon in the series, and its base Defense stat of 150 makes it a formidable foe indeed.

Its described as living in small communes and regularly grooming one another with their soft manes. They're not to be messed with, though, thanks to their ability to shoot lasers from the gems embedded in their body.

12 Registeel

pokemon sword and shield let ring the piercing note
  • According to Pokemon Sword, "Registeel's body is made of a strange material that is flexible enough to stretch and shrink but also more durable than any metal."
  • Base Defense Stat: 150

Registeel premiered in Generation 3, being the trio of Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald versions. It's a Legendary Steel-type Pokemon with a Defense stat of 150 thanks to its incredibly hard outer shell – Registeel's extreme durability actually comes from thousands of years spent under intense pressure underneath the earth's surface.

The Legendary Titans from Generation 3 (as well as Generation 7) tend to be Pokemon with high defense, but it's not the focus for all of them. They are shrouded in mystery and difficult to catch, making them all the more enigmatic.

11 Toxapex

  • According to Pokemon Ultra Moon, "with its 12 legs, it creates a dome to shelter within. The flow of the tides doesn’t affect Toxapex in there, so it’s very comfortable."
  • Base Defense Stat: 152

Toxapex was introduced in Generation 7 – Pokemon Sun and Moon versions. Toxapex is a Poison and Water dual-type Pokemon that evolves from Mariane, and its nickname is the "Brutal Star" Pokemon – with a base Defense stat of 152, it's a brutal tank indeed.

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It's a great Pokemon to add to the party because it can endure a beating while letting Poison damage tick by on its foe. Its poison sac is described as being so toxic that even a Wailord has a hard time recovering.

10 Deoxys

Pokemon Deoxys Space
  • According to Pokemon LeafGreen, "When it changes form, an aurora appears. It absorbs attacks by altering its cellular structure."
  • Base Defense Stat: 160

Thanks to the change in cellular structure, Deoxys (in Defense Forme) gets a base Defense stat of 160. While not in terms of Defense particularly, it does have the highest Special Defense among all the Psychic-type Pokemon.

Clearly, Deoxys's design originates from aliens as well as the nucleic acid double helix or a chromosome package. The name itself is literally an abbreviation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

9 Onix

Pokemon Onix
  • According to Pokemon Sword, "As it digs through the ground, it absorbs many hard objects. This is what makes its body so solid."
  • Base Defense Stat: 160

One can only wonder how many hard objects Onix absorbed to bolster its body enough for a base Defense stat of 160. In fact, of all unevolved Pokemon, it has the highest amount. (Additionally, Onix is the heaviest!)

Unsurprisingly, Onix is a rock snake, possibly even inspired by the Mongolian death worm. Its name is merely a corruption of "onyx" (the mineral).

8 Bastiodon

Pokemon Bastiodon
  • According to Pokemon Ultra Moon, "This Pokémon is from roughly 100 million years ago. Its terrifyingly tough face is harder than steel."
  • Base Defense Stat: 168

Whatever material it is made of, Bastiodon and its face get it to a base Defense stat of 168. Put together, Bastiodon has the highest base Defense and Special Defense!

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Since it is a Fossil Pokemon, it draws inspiration from a dinosaur but also a fortress. Bastiodon's name is a combination of "bastion" and "don," a suffix used in many dinosaur names.

7 Aggron

Pokemon Aggron
  • According to Pokemon X, "It claims an entire mountain as its own. The more wounds it has, the more it has battled, so don't take it lightly."
  • Base Defense Stat: 180

It is no wonder Aggron can endure battle after battle, wound after wound because it has a base Defense stat of 180.

Literally, it is a dinosaur, more specifically a Triceratops, but decked out in armor like a knight. Aggron's name is a combination of "aggressive" and "iron."

6 Cloyster

Pokemon Cloyster
  • According to Pokemon Sword, "Its shell is extremely hard. It cannot be shattered, even with a bomb. The shell opens only when it is attacking."
  • Base Defense Stat: 180

That is one tough shell indeed as Cloyster has a base Defense stat of 180. In fact, of all the Water-type Pokemon, it reigns supreme here.

Origin-wise, Cloyster is a bivalve with a black pearl attached. The name itself is just a combination of "clam" and "oyster," which is pretty self-explanatory!"

5 Avalugg

Pokemon Avalugg
  • According to Pokemon Omega Ruby, "Its ice-covered body is as hard as steel. Its cumbersome frame crushes anything that stands in its way."
  • Base Defense Stat: 184

When ice feels as hard as steel, that might be an Avalugg which has a base Defense stat of 184. When it comes to Ice-type Pokemon, this is the highest amount.

It is quite actually only an iceberg. Avalugg's name is just a combination of "avalanche" and lug" (meaning, dragging something that is heavy).

4 Regirock

Pokemon Regirock
  • According to Pokemon Sword, "Every bit of Regirock's body is made of stone. As parts of its body erode, this Pokémon sticks rocks to itself to repair what's been lost."
  • Base Defense Stat: 200

While Regirock is made up of mere stones, it has a base Defense stat of 200, making it the most defensive Legendary Pokemon in the entire franchise.

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Obviously, Regirock is a golem...a rock golem, that is. Regarding its name, that is a combination of "regis" (Latin for "royal") and...well...rock, of course! When it comes to the Legendary Titans, this is the highest defense Pokemon of the group.

3 Steelix

The Steelix Pokemon species
  • According to Pokemon X, "Tempered underground under high pressure and heat, its body is harder than any metal."
  • Base Defense Stat: 200

Yes, no metal out there is tougher than Steelix, which has a base Defense stat of 200. And no Ground-type Pokemon compares, as it boasts the highest amount in that regard.

Steelix is a steel snake, possibly drawing influence from a wyrm (dragon worm). The name itself, in case it was not obvious already, is a combination of "steel" and its pre-evolution Onix. Perhaps the word "helix" counts too here, considering Steelix's body.

2 Stakataka

Pokemon Stakataka
  • According to Pokemon Ultra Sun, "It appeared from an Ultra Wormhole. Each one appears to be made up of many life-forms stacked one on top of each other."
  • Base Defense Stat: 211

Who knows how many life forms are stacked on top of each other but there are enough for Stakataka to have a base Defense stat of 211. Of all the Rock-type and Steel-type Pokemon, it has the highest amount. (Also, Stakataka is the heaviest Rock-type Pokemon!)

Design-wise, it looks like a castle. And regarding Stakataka's name, it is a combination of "stack" and "attack." Its high stat makes it one of the best defensive Pokemon in a party.

1 Shuckle

Pokemon Shuckle
  • According to Pokemon Alpha Sapphire, "Shuckle quietly hides itself under rocks, keeping its body concealed inside its hard shell while eating berries it has stored away..."
  • Base Defense Stat: 230

While eating berries Shuckle is chilling, because thanks to its hard shell it gets a Defense stat of 230. It's the Pokemon with the highest defense, and also the highest Special Defense, out of all the hundreds currently obtainable.

When it comes to origin, Shuckle is an endolith. The name itself, on the other hand, is a combination of "shuck" (meaning a husk or pod) and "turtle."

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