A lot of pokémon are just as dangerous as they look; Charizard is a perfect example. However, there are many pokémon whose cute and/or weak appearance belies how powerful they are in combat. A classic example of this type of pokémon is Pikachu.
Fans of the anime series know just how powerful those little yellow electric mice can be, despite being very small and cute. Not surprisingly, there are many different types of pokémon that are also much more powerful than they appear. Here are ten very powerful pokémon that may look weak, but can take on the strongest of opponents (and have a chance of victory too).
10 Altaria
Altaria is a flying/dragon type pokémon that was introduced in generation 3 (Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald). It is a little unnatural to think of a dragon type that looks weak, but Altaria certainly doesn’t look formidable.
Even though Altaria is a dragon type, it is only three and a half feet tall and resembles a blue bird of paradise floating in a puffy cloud. On top of its appearance Altaria is known to sing (hum) a beautiful melody. This pokémon has fairly good stats, with defense and special defense being the highest. Altaria also learns some powerful moves – like Sky Attack and Cotton Guard.
9 Jirachi
This adorable little pokémon is a steel/psychic type, and was introduced in generation 3. Jirachi is only one foot tall and is definitely in the running for most adorable pokémon. Its very high stats and large variety of moves give it a level of combat effectiveness on par with powerhouses like Dragonite and Volcanion.
Its ability is Serene Grace, which doubles the likelihood of Jirachi’s attack moves inflicting a secondary effect – like lowering a stat or flinching. To compliment this ability, many of Jirachi’s moves have a chance for a secondary effect. This pokémon also has a large selection of healing moves; some of which are fairly uncommon.
8 Shaymin – Land Form
Shaymin (Land Form) is a grass type pokémon introduced in generation 4 (Diamond, Platinum, and Pearl). Shaymin resemble hedgehogs, but instead of spines covering its back it has flowers – specifically Gracidea flowers (which allow Shaymin to fly). To add to its appearance of weakness, it commonly hides among flowers to avoid detection.
While Shaymin don’t have a lot of powerful attack moves, they do learn many supplemental moves that produce various effects – like Leech Seed and Aromatherapy. Teaching Shaymin Solar Beam or Giga Impact via TMs will give it the firepower to challenge the strongest of pokémon. Shaymin also have stats that are much higher than one might assume from its appearance.
7 Manaphy
Manaphy is water type pokémon that was introduced in generation 4. This cute little thing is only a foot tall, and its large smile and eyes make it appear very benign. This appearance is deceiving though, as Manaphy has very high stats and is difficult to inflict status ailments upon (for longer than a turn anyway).
Like Shaymin, Manaphy doesn’t have a wide selection of attack moves; it does learn Dive though – which is pretty powerful. It can learn Rain Dance, which makes water moves more powerful; it also works well with Manaphy’s Hydration ability (which heals status ailments if it’s raining).
6 Celebi
This little sprout is a grass/psychic type pokémon introduced in generation 2 (Gold, Silver, and Crystal). Celebi is only two feet tall and looks like a smiling green onion crossed with a fairy – yet it’s not a fairy type.
Its stats are pretty high; and again, are on level with Dragonite (which towers over it). Celebi has a nice variety of attack moves like Leaf Storm and Future Sight, as well as a healthy selection of healing moves like Recover and Leech Seed. Its Natural Cure ability heals it of status ailments when switched out.
5 Diancie
This powerful yet innocent looking pokémon is a rock/fairy type that was introduced in generation 6 (X and Y). Diancie’s hit points and speed are not the highest, but its defense and special defense are extremely high.
This is called the “Jewel Pokémon” due to the large crystals growing from its head and body, but it should be called the “Dragon Slayer Pokémon” because of its immunity to dragon type moves. Its Clear Body ability prevents its stats from being lowered by opponents’ moves. Diancie also some powerful attacks in its move-set – like Stone Edge and Diamond Storm.
4 Victini
Victini is a fire/psychic type pokémon that was introduced in generation 5 (Black and White). This small pokémon resembles a fennec fox, and is said to store an infinite amount of energy inside of itself. Like the other pokémon on this list, Victini’s small stature hides relatively high stats.
Unlike some of the pokémon on this list, Victini has a huge selection of very powerful attack moves to choose from; some of the more notable of these are Zen Headbutt and Inferno. Its Victory Star ability increases its accuracy, but most of Victini’s attacks have a 100 accuracy rating anyway.
3 Gardevoir
This graceful looking pokémon is a psychic/fairy type that was introduced in generation 3. At a little over five feet tall, this is by far the largest pokémon on this list, and Gardevoir’s lithe and flowing form gives it the appearance of a dancer.
This pokémon has an exceptionally high special attack and special defense. The rest of its stats are about average. Gardevoir learns some strong attack moves like Psychic and Dream Eater. Dream Eater requires the target to be asleep so it is fortuitous that Gardevoir also learns Hypnosis. This is also one of the few pokémon with the Trace ability; which allows a pokémon to copy the opponent’s ability.
2 Meloetta – Both Forms
Meloetta, introduced in generation 5, is a normal/psychic type in its Aria form, and a normal/fighting type in its Pirouette form. The two forms have very different stats; the Aria form has very high special attack and special defense ratings, and the Pirouette form has high attack and speed ratings.
Both forms use the same move-set that includes some powerful attacks like Psychic, Wake-Up Slap, Close Combat, and Perish Song. Both forms have the Serene Grace ability, which increases the likelihood of inflicting status ailments on the opponent. It also learns the move Roleplay, which allows Meloetta to replace its ability with an opponent’s.
1 Mew
It’s no surprise to see Mew on this list – it is a small pinkish pokémon that resembles a cross between a cat and a rabbit. Having been introduced in generation 1 (Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow), Mew is a pokémon of which almost every Pokémon player is aware.
This pokémon is a psychic type, and as such its move-set is dominated by psychic moves. Mew doesn’t have a large selection of attack moves to choose from, but it has several rare moves like Transform and Imprison that can make combat almost too easy. It has the ability Synchronize; which allows Mew to transfer some status ailments to the opponent.