Highlights

• Meowscarada is a powerful Grass/Dark-type Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet with high Speed and Attack stats, but it has many weaknesses.
• Chien-Pao, a member of the Treasures of Ruin, is a Dark/Ice-type Pokemon with high Attack and Speed stats. Its ability lowers Defense stats of other Pokemon.
• Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost-type Pokemon, may be slow but it has high Defense, HP, and Special Attack stats. It can withstand attacks and hit back with strong Fire-type moves.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet have introduced a slew of new Pokemon for trainers to discover, battle, catch, and add to their teams. Unlike previous generations, many of the new Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet have become instantly beloved among the fanbase. With these new, lovable creatures comes a variety of mighty Generation IX Pokemon.

Naturally, the Mythical, Legendary, and Paradox Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet are much stronger than any regular Pokemon. These creatures include the four members of the Treasures Of Ruin: Chien-Pao, Chi-Yu, Ting-Lu, and Wo-Chien, as well as Miraidon and Koraidon. But there are also creatures outside of these Mythical, Legendary, and Paradox Pokemon that can be extremely powerful assets to any team in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

Updated on January 22, 2024, by Ben Painter: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet has introduced some powerful Pokemon in the base game. But with the DLC, The Hidden Treasures of Area Zero and its two parts, The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk, stronger Pokemon have been added. These could be a valuable member of any trainer's team when it comes to tackling the powerful legendary Pokemon and trainers that the updated games have to offer. Paldea, Kitakami & The Blueberry Academy have separate Pokedexes but collectively they are considered new additions to Paldea.

21 Archaludon (Steel/Dragon)

Strongest Move: Electro Shot, Best Ability: Stalwart

The pre-evolved form of Archaludon, Duraludon, was originally introduced in Pokemon Sword & Shield in Generation 8. He was also given a Gigantamax form in that game, so fans seemingly thought that was it with the Steel/Dragon-type.

However, in the DLC of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, The Indigo Disk, Archaludon was announced which is evolved from Duraludon when exposed to a Metal Alloy. The easiest way for gamers to acquire this is to find it in Chargestone Cave in the Polar Biome. With a base stat total of 600 with the key stats being 130 Defense and 125 Sp. Atk, this 'mon can pack serious damage with its signature move, Electro Shot. Dealing 130 damage but also raising its already high special attack.

Archaludon's Base Stats:

20 Meowscarada (Grass/Dark)

Strongest Move: Leaf Storm, Best Ability: Protean

To the dismay of many fans, the adorable Sprigatito evolved into the bipedal Meowscarada. Although the fanbase wanted to see this grass starter stay quadrupedal through its evolutionary line, it's hard to say that Meowscarada isn't a cool-looking and mysterious Pokemon.

Meowscarada isn't just for show; it's a hard-hitting and quick fighter that excels in both its Speed and Attack stats. The Grass/Dark-type evolution is rather lacking when it comes to the rest of its stats, including Special Defense, Special Attack, Defense, and HP. Not only that, but Meowscarada has the most weaknesses of the fully evolved starters, being weak to Fire, Ice, Flying, Fighting, Poison, Fairy, and Bug-type Pokemon.

Meowscarada's Base Stats:

19 Chien-Pao (Dark/Ice)

Strongest Move: Sacred Sword, Best Ability: Sword of Ruin

One of the four Treasures of Ruin, Chien-Pao is the only Pokemon to have the ability Swords of Ruin. The power of its ruinous sword teeth lowers the Defense stats of all Pokemon except itself by 25%, which benefits its high Attack base state.

What this Pokemon lacks in Defense and Special Defense is made up for by its sheer power and speed. Even though Chien-Pao has a low Special Attack stack compared to its Physical Attack, it can still benefit from using the unique move “Ruination,” which cuts the opponent’s remaining HP in half. This Dark/Ice-type is certainly one of the strongest Paldea Pokemon.

Chien-Pao's Base Stats:

18 Skeledirge (Fire/Ghost)

Strongest Move: Overheat, Best Ability: Unaware

When Crocalor reaches level 36, it evolves into the prehistoric-looking Fire/Ghost-type Skeledirge. Although Skeledirge is the slowest of the three starters, with below-average Speed, it's a powerful and sturdy asset to any team. The fire gator is a Ghost-type, making it immune to Normal and Fighting-type moves.

Skeledirge excels in its Special Attack stat but also has high Defense and HP. It may be slow, but it can certainly withstand an enemy's attack and hit them back with a special Fire-type move.

Skeledirge's Base Stats:

17 Annihilape (Fighting/Ghost)

Strongest Move: Close Combat, Best Ability: Defiant

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet introduced many new evolutions for pre-existing Pokemon, including Primeape. Annihilape, the new evolution for Primeape, is an all-around destructive and intense-looking Pokemon. This creature looks like it's on the prowl, ready to destroy any and all things that stand in its way.

Annihilape is like many other Fighting-types, excelling in Attack and HP. It falls short with its Special Defense, Speed, Defense, and Special Attack stats, but its high Attack stat and primary use of Physical Attacks make its low Special Attack not much of a loss. Like other Ghost-types, Annihilape is immune to normal and Fighting-type Pokemon.

Annihilape's Base Stats:

16 Chi-Yu (Dark/Fire)

Strongest Move: Overheat, Best Ability: Beads of Ruin

Another member of the Treasures of Ruin, Chi-Yu excels in Special Attack and Special Defense. Despite being vulnerable to Physical Attacks and having low HP, this flaming goldfish can cover its bases by delivering powerful Special Attack moves to get rid of its foes in one hit.

Unlike the other Treasures of Ruin, Chi-Yu benefits the most from their signature move, “Ruination,” as it is boosted further by Chi-Yu’s Special Attack capabilities. That, coupled with its ability, Beads of Ruin, which decreases the Special Defense of all Pokemon by 25%, makes Chi-Yu a Pokemon not to be messed with.

Chi-Yu's Base Stats:

15 Kingambit (Steel/Dark)

Strongest Move: Close Combat, Best Ability: Defiant

Kingambit is another evolution to a pre-existing Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. The Generation V Pokemon, Bisharp, now evolves into Kingambit after equipping the Leader's Crest and defeating three Bisharp also holding the evolutionary item. Aside from looking insanely sleek in its design, Kingambit is a powerful asset for trainers to add to their teams later on in the game.

Kingambit is relatively balanced in its stats, excelling in Attack, Defense, and HP but falling short with Speed, Special Attack, and Special Defense. It's the general stat distribution for any Steel-type, so this is to be expected. However, Kingambit only has three weaknesses, unlike many others who have upwards of four or five, being weak to Fire, Ground, and Fighting-type Pokemon. Since it's a Steel/Dark-type, it's immune to Poison and Psychic-type moves.

Kingambit's Base Stats:

14 Ceruledge (Fire/Ghost)

Strongest Move: Solar Blade, Best Ability: Flash Fire

Exclusive to Pokemon Violet, Ceruledge evolves from Charcadet when exposed to the Malicious Armor. The Fire/Ghost Pokemon is a solid Physical Attacker, unlike its counterpart in Pokemon Scarlet Armarouge, who has a high Special Attack stat. Ceruledge is a bit faster, too, lending to its sleeker design.

While Ceruledge is vulnerable to Physical Attack, it has a high Special Defense to protect from incoming damage. Its signature move, “Bitter Blade,” is boosted by its high Attack stat. Coupled with its Speed, it can make for a perfect STAB move - especially if players have a Ceruledge with the Sharpness ability, as this move will increase its power by 50%. All this power makes Ceruledge one of the best Pokemon in Violet for players to have on their team.

Ceruledge Base Stats:

13 Gholdengo (Steel/Ghost)

Strongest Move: Make It Rain, Best Ability: Good as Gold

Pokemon fans had many expectations for the franchise's 1000th Pokemon, but no one expected that it would be as goofy-looking as Gholdengo. This "surfer dude" Pokemon evolves from Gimmighoul by an unconventional evolution method. In order to evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo, players must obtain 999 coins in the "Let's Go" Mode.

Gholdengo may look a bit silly, but it's a beast when it comes to battling. This Ghost/Steel-type is the strongest non-legendary Ghost-type introduced in Generation IX. It has beefy Defense and Special Defense stats, as well as a threateningly high Special Attack stat. Gholdengo can certainly stand its ground in a battle against other Pokemon.

Gholdengo's Base Stats:

12 Walking Wake (Water/Dragon)

Strongest Move: Outrage, Best Ability: Protosynthesis

A prehistoric version of Suicune, Walking Wake is a powerful Water/Dragon-type Pokemon that players were introduced to through a special Tera Raid. With only weaknesses to Dragon and Fairy, Walking Wake has a high Special Attack and Speed stat, which are utilized best with moves like Draco Meter and Hydro Steam.

As a Paradox Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet, Walking Wake’s Protosynthesis ability will boost its highest stat if Harsh Sunlight is affecting the field. It can also be triggered by the Pokemon holding the Booster Energy item. And while its design doesn't have any effect on its performance in battle, Walking Wake is certainly one of the best Pokemon in Scarlet.

Walking Wake's Base Stats:

11 Gouging Fire (Fire/Dragon) & Raging Bolt (Electric/Dragon)

Strongest Move: Raging Fury/Zap Cannon, Best Ability: Protosynthesis

Unlike their counterpart Walking Wake, Gouging Fire and Raging Bolt can be acquired in open gameplay, but that does not mean it is an easy task. Only available in Scarlet, gamers must first add 200 Pokemon into the Blueberry Academy Pokedex and then talk to Perrin at the entrance to the Terrarium to then enable the Paradox Legendary Beasts to be caught.

Both 'mons are great to use in the game, with the Entei clone being the better physically and the Raikou ancestor being the stronger special attacker. With 590 base stat total each, both Pokemon will be handy to use in battle against the strong trainers and Pokemon the DLC has in store.

Gouging Fire & Raging Bolt's Base Stats:

10 Munkidori (Poison/Psychic)

Strongest Move: Sludge Wave, Best Ability: Toxic Chain

The first of the Loyal Three, the new Legendary Pokemon introduced in the Teal Mask DLC, Mukidori is a Poison/Psychic with only three weaknesses to Ground, Ghost and Dark. It also resists Fighting, Poison, Grass, and Fairy, meaning it can do some real damage in battle.

With a staggering 130 special attack stat, this Pokemon can hit hard with powerful moves such as Gunk Shot and Psychic. Its Toxic Chain ability has a 30% chance to poison an opponent when it uses a move, which is a very high percentage. Munkidori also has a great design, as the black and blue work well together.

Munkidori's Base Stats:

9 Fezandipiti (Poison/Fairy)

Strongest Move: Moonblast, Best Ability: Toxic Chain

The second member of the Loyal Three is the bird-Pokemon Fezandipiti, which is not actually Flying-type but Poison/Fairy, which is a very solid type combination is weak to just three types, Ground, Steel, and Psychic. It is immune to the Dragon typing completely and is resistant to Fighting, Bug, Grass, Dark, and Fairy. Very little can hurt the Retainer Pokemon.

Design-wise, Fezandipiti is amazing, with the signature 'Toxic Chain' on its body that each of the Loyal Three possesses. It has a black-and-white design with brown accents, and the colors work for it.

Fezandipiti's Base Stats:

8 Okidogi (Poison/Fighting)

Strongest Move: Giga Impact, Best Ability: Toxic Chain

The final member of the Loyal Three and is the Poison/Fighting Okidogi, the biggest and meanest of the trio. Designed from a dog, the green and black colors it possesses are really reminiscent of its typing, and it works well for this 'mon.

With a whopping 128 attack, it can hit hard with physical STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves like Superpower and Poison Jab; it will also take a lot to rock this 'mon with 115 defense. It also resists six types, Fighting, Poison, Rock, Bug, Grass, and Dark. Okidogi is certainly the strongest Pokemon of its trio, and gamers should add it to their teams when they complete the Teal Mask DLC.

Okidogi's Base Stats:

7 Baxcalibur (Dragon/Ice)

Strongest Move: Glaive Rush, Best Ability: Thermal Exchange

When Arctibax reaches level 54, it evolves into the powerful pseudo-legendary Dragon/Ice-type Pokemon, Baxcalibur. This mighty ally is certainly one that deserves to stand alongside Dragonite, Hydreigon, and other beloved dragon-type pseudo-legendaries. Baxcalibur is strong; it's got an insanely high Attack stat with beefy Defenses and high HP. Although its Special Attack, Speed, and Special Defense are lacking, it doesn't take away from how truly powerful this Dragon-type is.

Its typing makes it weak to Dragon, Fairy, Fighting, Rock, and Steel-type attacks, but Baxcalibur has the defenses to take a hit from one of these move types.

Baxcalibur's Base Stats:

6 Palafin (Water)

Strongest Move: Focus Punch, Best Ability: Zero to Hero

Palafin is an interesting Pokemon introduced in Scarlet & Violet. Not only does it evolve using a strange method of evolution, but the Palafin's ability, "Zero To Hero," makes it one of the most powerful Water types introduced in Generation IX. Finizen will evolve into Palafin at level 38, but only if players engage in multiplayer mode and have a friend watch their Finizen battle to trigger the evolution into Palafin.

"Zero To Hero" makes use of the move "Flip Turn," which can be learned by Finizen upon its evolution into Palafin. The move works similarly to U-Turn and Volt Switch, damaging the enemy's Pokemon and allowing the player to immediately switch their own out. When Palafin is sent back out in the same battle, "Zero To Hero" will trigger, allowing Palafin to transform into its "Hero Form." Palafin's Hero Form gives it a nearly 200-point increase in stats, putting it on par with the stats of some pseudo-legendary and Legendary Pokemon.

Palafin's Base Stats (Zero Form/Hero Form):

5 Iron Hands (Fighting/Electric)

Strongest Move: Focus Punch, Best Ability: Quark Drive

Iron Hands is a Paradox Pokemon found in Pokemon Violet, bearing a futuristic resemblance to the Fighting-type Pokemon Hariyama. This Fighting/Electric-type Pokemon is a popular creature for Tera Raids, thanks to its abnormally high Attack stat which makes it undoubtedly the strongest Pokemon in Violet.

That, coupled with its ability Quark Drive (which boosts its highest stat on Electric Terrain), makes Iron Hands an unstoppable force. Players using Iron Hands in raids will often pair Belly Drum and Drain Punch together, making the most out of boosting the Pokemon’s attack stat and replenishing the lost HP by attacking with a ton of damage.

Iron Hands' Base Stats:

4 Ogerpon (Grass)

Strongest Move: Wood Hammer, Best Ability: Embody Aspect

Ogerpon is the star of the DLC of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet and is the Pokemon to get in Kitakami; gamers can add this 'mon to their party at the end of the quest line. Ogerpon has the unique ability to change its typing depending on what mask it is wearing, with the Teal Mask being pure Grass-type, the Wellspring Mask being Grass/Water, the Heartflame Mask being Grass/Fire, and the Cornerstone Mask being Grass/Rock. This allows for a very versatile battle, and gamers can change their typing going into whichever battle.

It has 120 attack and 110 speed; it will hit hard and more than likely get the first move. With powerful Terastallization abilities, it is certainly the strongest Pokemon in Paldea.

Ogerpon's Base Stats:

3 Iron Boulder (Rock/Psychic) & Iron Crown (Steel/Psychic)

Strongest Move: Giga Impact/Hyper Beam, Best Ability: Quark Drive

Iron Crown missed this list due to the fact that it is impossible to acquire in the game, unlike its counterparts Iron Boulder & Iron Crown, who are the future incarnations of the Generation 5 Swords of Justice Legendary Trio.

The Terrakion counterpart is a fast physical attacker and can strike down opponents with a Stone Edge or Giga Impact which will leave opponents in ruins. The Cobalion of the future is not as fast and focuses more on special attack it can make use of Flash Cannon or Hyper Beam to make quick work of any opponents. These 'mons can be caught only in Pokemon Violet, once players have added 200 Pokemon to the Blueberry Academy Pokedex.

Iron Boulder & Iron Crown's Base Stats:

2 Pecharunt (Ghost/Poison)

Strongest Move: Malignant Chain, Best Ability: Poison Puppeteer

The newest Pokemon that has been added to the franchise is Pecharunt, the Ghost/Poison-type. No longer are the Gengar line the only members of this type combination. Gamers can catch this 'mon in the Epilogue of The Hidden Treasures Of Area Zero: Mochi Mayem.

Being a Mythical Pokemon means it is insanely powerful, its signature move is Malignant Chain which deals 100 damage but also has a 50% chance to poison the opponent. Combining that with its Poison Puppeteer ability, which confuses all poisoned opponents then gamers have an annoying weapon in their arsenal. Percharunt can also learn Toxic for a 100% chance of poisoning. Its staggering 160-base defense means it will tank most hits thrown its way, it is certainly one of the strongest Paldea Pokemon.

Pecharunt's Base Stats: