This article is part of a directory: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Complete Guide & Walkthrough
Table of contents

Those hoping to build an unstoppable team in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are in luck, as although there are more than 600 Pokemon missing from the games at launch, there's still a fairly wide selection of powerful Pokemon from which to choose, many of which are brand new additions to the long-running franchise. One or two are version exclusives, but most of the most powerful Pokemon can be caught in either version of the game.

RELATED: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Every Mythical & Legendary Pokemon (& How to Get Them)

As one might perhaps expect, the list of the strongest Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is mainly made up of Legendary and Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon, meaning that most of the games' most powerful Pokemon are Dragon-types. However, there are still a few non-Dragon-type Pokemon worth keeping an eye out for, which bodes well for anyone looking to build a strong team with excellent type coverage.

Garchomp

pokemon-scarlet-violet-strongest-pokemon-garchomp

Garchomp's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-dragon-1
png-pokemon-types-png-ground-1

Garchomp's Base Stats

HP

108

Attack

130

Defense

95

Special Attack

80

Special Defense

85

Speed

102

Total

600

Garchomp's Best Nature

Adamant

How to Get Garchomp in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Players will be able to find Garchomp circling around the upper ring of the great crater in the center of Paldea, though reaching this point will require the climbing upgrade for Koraidon or Miraidon. A Tera Form Garchomp can also be found in a cave in West Province (Area Two) just to the west of the Asado Desert and Cascarrafa. Alternatively, players can find Gible or Gabite to the north of the map around Glaseado Mountain and then evolve them into Garchomp by leveling them up. Gible evolves into Gabite at level 24 and Gabite evolves into Garchomp at level 48.

Goodra

pokemon-scarlet-violet-strongest-pokemon-goodra

Goodra's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-dragon-1

Goodra's Base Stats

HP

90

Attack

100

Defense

70

Special Attack

110

Special Defense

150

Speed

80

Total

600

Goodra's Best Nature

Gentle

How to Get Goodra in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

In order to get Goodra in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, players will need to evolve Sliggoo by reaching level 50 while it is raining or foggy. If it is not raining or foggy when Sliggoo hits level 50, it will evolve the next time that it levels up while in the right weather conditions. Players can catch Sliggoo in the area surrounding Casseroya Lake or evolve it from Goomy by reaching level 40. Goomy can be found in a lot of different places, including pretty much all of South Province.

Salamence

pokemon-scarlet-violet-strongest-pokemon-salamence

Salamence's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-dragon-1
png-pokemon-types-png-flying-1

Salamence's Base Stats

HP

95

Attack

135

Defense

80

Special Attack

110

Special Defense

80

Speed

100

Total

600

Salamence's Best Nature

Lonely / Naughty

How to Get Salamence in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

The only way to obtain Salamence's non-Paradox form is through evolving Shelgon by reaching level 50. Shelgon can be found in South Province (Area 6) or evolved from Bagon at level 30. Bagon only spawns in caves such as the ones in West Province (Area One), and, like Shelgon and Salamence, is exclusive to Pokemon Violet.

Dragapult

pokemon-scarlet-violet-strongest-pokemon-dragapult

Dragapult's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-dragon-1
png-pokemon-types-png-ghost-1

Dragapult's Base Stats

HP

88

Attack

120

Defense

75

Special Attack

100

Special Defense

75

Speed

142

Total

600

Dragapult's Best Nature

Hasty / Naive

How to Get Dragapult in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Dragapult evolves from Drakloak at level 60, with Drakloak having previously evolved from Dreepy at level 50. Players can find Drakloak in the northern part of Paldea, particularly in the Casseroya Lake area. Dreepy, on the other hand, appears only in swampy areas, so those hoping to find one should explore the southern part of the map. Unfortunately for Scarlet players, the Dragapult evolutionary line can only be caught in Pokemon Violet.

Tyranitar

pokemon-scarlet-violet-strongest-pokemon-tyranitar

Tyranitar's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-rock-1
png-pokemon-types-png-dark-1

Tyranitar's Base Stats

HP

100

Attack

134

Defense

110

Special Attack

95

Special Defense

100

Speed

61

Total

600

Tyranitar's Best Nature

Brave

How to Get Tyranitar in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

The only way to obtain the non-Paradox form of Tyranitar is by evolving Pupitar, which can be accomplished by leveling it up to level 55. Pupitar can be found in South Province (Area 6) or by evolving Larvitar at level 30. Larvitar is a lot more common, showing up in West Province (Area One) and several areas of South Province. Just as Dragapult is a Violet-exclusive Pokemon, Tyranitar and its earlier forms are exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet.

Dragonite

pokemon-scarlet-violet-strongest-pokemon-dragonite

Dragonite's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-dragon-1
png-pokemon-types-png-flying-1

Dragonite's Base Stats

HP

91

Attack

134

Defense

95

Special Attack

100

Special Defense

100

Speed

80

Total

600

Dragonite's Best Nature

Brave

How to Get Dragonite in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Dragonite can be found flying above the light brown part of the map in North Province (Area 2). It also evolves from Dragonair at level 55, which, along with its unevolved from Dratini, can be found in the Casseroya Lake area. Players should be warned though that both Dratini and Dragonair are rare spawns and will dive under the water very quickly whenever players get too close to them.

Hydreigon

pokemon-scarlet-violet-strongest-pokemon-hydreigon

Hydreigon's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-dark-1
png-pokemon-types-png-dragon-1

Hydreigon's Base Stats

HP

92

Attack

105

Defense

90

Special Attack

125

Special Defense

90

Speed

98

Total

600

Hydreigon's Best Nature

Mild / Rash

How to Get Hydreigon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

The only way to obtain Hydreigon's non-Paradox form is by evolving Zweilous at level 64. Zweilous can be found in areas one and two of North Province or in the northeast part of the Glaseado Mountain range. Alternatively, players can find a Deino in the caves in South Province (Area 6) or the ones surrounding the Glaseado Mountain and then evolve it into Zweilous by reaching level 50. Unfortunately, Hydreigon, Zweilous, and Deino are all exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet​​​​​​.

Baxcalibur

pokemon-scarlet-violet-strongest-pokemon-baxcalibur

Baxcalibur's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-dragon-1
png-pokemon-types-png-ice-1

Baxcalibur's Base Stats

HP

115

Attack

145

Defense

92

Special Attack

75

Special Defense

86

Speed

87

Total

600

Baxcalibur's Best Nature

Adamant

How to Get Baxcalibur in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players hoping to get themselves a Baxcalibur will need to evolve Arctibax by reaching level 54. They can find Arctibax in North Province (Area One) or by evolving it from Frigibax by leveling it up to level 35. Frigibax can be found all over the Glaseado mountain, though it is a rare spawn.

Palafin (Hero Form)

pokemon-scarlet-violet-strongest-pokemon-palafin-hero

Palafin's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-water-1

Palafin's Base Stats

HP

100

Attack

160

Defense

97

Special Attack

106

Special Defense

87

Speed

100

Total

650

Palafin's Best Nature

Naughty

How to Get Palafin in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

In order to get Palafin, players will need to level up a Finizen to level 38 or higher while playing in co-op mode. Finizen can be found in the Paldean sea which surrounds the island of Paldea. It spawns pretty much the whole way around, though players will need to unlock their Legendary Pokemon's Swim ability by beating the Open Sky Titan to have a chance of finding one. To get Palafin's Hero Form, players will need to withdraw it from battle and then swap it back in.

Slaking

pokemon-scarlet-violet-strongest-pokemon-slaking

Slaking's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-normal-1

Slaking's Base Stats

HP

150

Attack

160

Defense

100

Special Attack

95

Special Defense

65

Speed

100

Total

670

Slaking's Best Nature

Naughty

How to Get Slaking in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Slaking can sometimes be found in the northern part of the Casseroya Lake area or can be evolved from Vigoroth by reaching level 36. Vigoroth can be caught in South Province (Area Five) or in the patch of land between the great crater, the base of the Glaseado Mountain, and the southern section of Casseroya Lake. It also evolves from Slakoth at level 18, which can be found in some of the trees in areas three and five of South Province. However, players will need to dash into the trees to knock them down, which they'll only be able to do after defeating the Stony Cliff Titan.

Koraidon

pokemon-scarlet-violet-pokedex-koraidon

Koraidon's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-fighting-1
png-pokemon-types-png-dragon-1

Koraidon's Base Stats

HP

100

Attack

135

Defense

115

Special Attack

85

Special Defense

100

Speed

135

Total

670

Koraidon's Best Nature

Adamant / Jolly

How to Get Koraidon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Koraidon can only be found in Pokemon Scarlet and accompanies players on their journey through the Paldea region. After completing all three main story paths and the final quest, The Way Home, the player's Koraidon will be able to change form and join their team in battle. If they return to the bottom of the crater afterward, players will be able to find and catch another Koraidon as well.

Miraidon

The pokedex cover for Miraidon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Miraidon's Type

png-pokemon-types-png-electric-1
png-pokemon-types-png-dragon-1

Miraidon's Base Stats

HP

100

Attack

85

Defense

100

Special Attack

135

Special Defense

115

Speed

135

Total

670

Miraidon's Best Nature

Timid / Modest

How to Get Miraidon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Miraidon can only be found in Pokemon Violet and accompanies players on their journey through the Paldea region. After completing all three main story paths and the final quest, the player's Miraidon will be able to change form and join their team in battle. If players return to the bottom of the crater a little later on, they'll be able to find and catch themselves a second Miraidon.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available now for the Nintendo Switch.