Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has continued one of the most controversial trends that the franchise introduced with Pokemon Sword and Shield: not including every Pokemon. This decision was met with plenty of fan backlash when it was first announced in 2019, but it was clear from the start that it was a permanent change to the franchise. That was reiterated with Pokemon Legends Arceus when the Hisui Pokedex was limited to 240 Pokemon. What's more, the Paldea pokedex in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet only contains a total of 400 Pokemon, with more than a quarter of them being new in Generation Nine.

Every mainline Pokemon game introduces new starter and legendary pokemon, so it's unlikely that they will include those from previous generations moving forward. With over a thousand Pokemon capturing fans' hearts over more than twenty years of Pokemon games, this means that there are bound to be some notable omissions regardless.

Updated December 17, 2023, by Ben Painter: Several hundred Pokemon were missing from Scarlet & Violet when the game was first released in November 2022. Its first DLC, The Teal Mask, brought some fan favorites such as the Sinnoh starters, Snorlax, and Ludicolo, but there were still a lot that were absent from the Nintendo Switch titles. However, the second installment of the DLC, The Indigo Disc, brought more returning 'mons, including Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Metagross, the Legendary Beasts, and more. Despite the whole host of creatures now in the game, there are still a few that are left out.

15 Blipbug, Dottler, and Orbeetle

Introduced in Generation 8

The Sword & Shield regional bug is one of the franchise's best in its category. When it evolves into the powerful Orbeetle, it becomes a Bug/Psychic-type, which is really handy to have.

Although there aren't any Gigantamax Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet, since they have been replaced by Tera Pokemon, Orbeetle has an awesome giant form where he takes the shape of a UFO. The latest generation brought Lokix as its regional bug, which is a fantastic Bug/Dark-type. Still,it would have been great to see Orbeetle and its pre-evolved forms make the jump to Paldea.

14 Nidoran, Nidorino, Nidorina, Nidoqueen, and Nidoking

Introduced In Generation 1

Present in the franchise since Red & Blue back in 1999, the Nido-line are pretty iconic, being used as a signature Pokemon by the evil Rocket Boss Giovanni.

It is a wonder that they have been excluded in Generation 9 given their iconic status. Both Nidoking and Nidoqueen are solid in battle, capable of hitting hard with STAB Poison and Ground moves like Sludge Bomb and Earthquake. The Pokemon would have looked the part in Generation 9. Seeing one in the 3D landscape would strike fear into any trainer.

13 Aerodactyl

Introduced In Generation 1

Famous in the anime for being the reason that Ash's Charmeleon evolved into Charizard, powerful trainers like Lance have used Aerodactyl in their teams since the first days of the franchise. Its absence is puzzling, as there is a distinct lack of fossil Pokemon across Paldea. No new ones were introduced after all.

The Rock/Flying-type has a base speed of 130, meaning there aren't many Pokemon that can get the edge over it in that department. It can strike with Stone Edge or Air Slash to do some real damage to its opponents, a sad miss in Scarlet & Violet.

12 Miltank

Introduced In Generation 2

Miltank is infamous for being an absolute nuisance in Pokemon Gold & Silver, under the command of Whitney, the Normal-type gym leader. Using Stomp, Attract, Rollout and Milk Drink, this 'mon was a nightmare to deal with.

This begs the question as to why this 'mon has been left behind. Gamers could use this strategy in Scarlet & Violet to battle the many Team Star bosses, Titans, and Gym Leaders. Fellow cow-based Pokemon Tauros got a regional variant in Paldea, so why didn't Miltank get the same treatment?

11 Budew, Roselia, and Roserade

Introduced in Generation 3 (Roselia); 4 (Budew And Roserade)

As far as Grass types go, Roserade stands out as one of the best, used by Cynthia as part of her elite team as the Sinnoh Champion. Roserade was commonly used, so it is a shame that it was left out in Generation 9.

Although there are a lot of decent leafy 'mons in the game, such as Mewoscarda, Arboliva and Toedscruel, Roserade was always a good option. It also had the benefit of being a Poison-type. With its high Special Attack, it could decimate with Sludge Bomb and Petal Dance.

10 Tyrunt And Tyrantrum

Introduced in Generation 6

The Generation 6 fossil Pokemon are fan-favorites. Gamers were long awaiting a T-Rex Pokemon and they got exactly that with this Rock/Dragon type. It is a crying shame that this wasn't one of the Pokemon brought over into Scarlet & Violet, as their designs are impeccable.

They are also good in battle. Tyrantrum has a whopping 121 attack and 119 defense, an absolute rock. Paldea's Area Zero would have been a fitting place to include these Pokemon, as they would have fit perfectly roaming around that ancient land. Maybe these 'mons will be included in the next part of the DLC, The Indigo Disc.

9 Ferroseed and Ferrothorn

Introduced in Generation 5

Ferroseed and Ferrothorn are defensive walls, used as a way to stall out opponents with a moveset of Ingrain, Curse, Gyro Ball and Power Whip. It is annoying to come up against in a competitive battle, but boy does it work.

This begs the question of why these Pokemon have not made the jump over to Scarlet & Violet. They were included in Sword & Shield, but not the latest entries. Steel-type Pokemon are always useful to have in, a party and Ferrothorn fits these criteria to a tee.

8 Baltoy and Claydol

Introduced In Generation 3

These Ground/Psychic Pokemon made their debuts in Generation 3 in Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire, and remained solid team members up until their exclusion from the franchise.

With high defense and special defense, Claydol can be used as a wall, but also packs a punch with its Power Spilt and Guard Split. These moves allow it to average its stats with an opponent, giving it the boost in stats that it will need to decimate with powerful Psychic and Ground attacks.

7 Aron, Laron, and Aggron

Introduced in Generation 3

It is puzzling as to why Aggron has been left out, especially due to its popularity. Aggron is a go-to on many gamer's Hoenn teams, hitting hard with STAB (same type attack bonus) Steel and Rock moves.

Aggron would have been perfect to include. An Ancient or Future Paradox form would have been a work of art, and it would have been amazing to see how those would have looked in-game.

6 Wimpod and Golisopod

Introduced in Generation 8

The Bug/Water type-combination is a relatively rare one, and Golisopod is a popular choice among players looking for that. It was only introduced in Pokemon Sword and Shield, but the design is one of the better ones from Generation 8, drawing inspiration from an isopod.

As a result of its Bug typing, Golisopod is not weak to Grass-type Pokemon like most Water-types are. It would have been a good choice for Kofu, the Water gym leader in Cascaraffa, to use him in battle to increase the difficulty level for players.

5 Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam

Introduced In Generation 1

Abra and its evolution line are among the most iconic Pokemon of the entire franchise. Looking at the Paldea pokedex, their inclusion was unlikely given, that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet already includes several pure Psychic types. There is an easy way around this, however. Since Generation 7, the franchise has been using regional variants with different types.

Not only would that allow for the inclusion of Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam, but it would allow them to make use of less common dual-types like Electric/Psychic, Poison/Psychic, or Ground/Psychic.

4 Onix and Steelix

Introduced in Generation 1 (Onix), 2 (Steelix)

Onix and Steelix are both very popular among fans of the Pokemon franchise, and together they're two of the largest Pokemon ever designed. Onix was a permanent figure in the early seasons of the anime as one of Brock's Pokemon, and Steelix is one of the best steel-type choices for any team with much higher defense than most.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet does include other popular Steel-type Pokemon like Scizor and Copperajah. Still, Steelix seems like a great option to add to the roster.

3 Smoochum and Jynx

Introduced in Generation 2 (Smoochum), 1 (Jynx)

Smoochum and Jynx were the original Ice/Psychic-type Pokemon, but now share that stage with the Galarian variant of Mr. Mime, Mr. Rime, and the legendary Calyrex. Given that none of the others are available in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Smoochum and Jynx would be a great addition to help expand options for players.

Because this evolution line has been left untouched since the second generation of Pokemon games, it's also ripe for new a new evolution in order to increase its usefulness in battle.

2 Togepi, Togetic, and Togekiss

Introduced in Generation 2 (Togepi and Togetic), 4 (Togekiss)

There are very few Pokemon from the Johto region that are more instantly recognizable than Togepi. The cute Pokemon was one of the first from the second generation introduced in the anime and even became a regular in the series long before it was ever introduced in the games.

Togetic and Togekiss are the only Fairy/Flying-type options in the entire franchise other than legendary Pokemon. Although they do have several weaknesses, their immunity to both Dragon and Ground-type attacks makes them a valuable option for any team.

1 Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash

Introduced in Generation 6

Honedge and its evolution line were great additions to the franchise in the sixth generation thanks to their use of the Steel/Ghost dual-type. This remains the type combination with the most resistances, and the only logical reason for their exclusion is the fact that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced a different option in the incredibly strong Gholdengo.

After being fully evolved, Honedge becomes Aegislash and turns into a great option for any team. It's a shame that it has been missed from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, even if players might prefer to use Gholdengo.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, The Teal Mask DLC And The Indigo Disc DLC are available now for Nintendo Switch.