In a quest to be the best like no one ever was, many Pokemon fans will often get caught up in the metagame. Competitive Pokemon is a fairly complex game with a lot of moving parts, and there are certainly strategies that work better than others. A majority of Pokemon, even popular Pokemon that work well in casual play, flounder in competitive matches.
However, simply selecting the six best Pokemon isn't a recipe for success. The first reason is, obviously, there aren't a definitive "six best," regardless of how prominent some Pokemon are. The second reason comes in the importance of being unpredictable. Competitive battlers have seen Ferrothorn for years now, and pretty easily predict what it's going to do in battle. However, by selecting some more underrated or underused options, it's possible to get an edge in draft alone. Sometimes, the truly super-effective element is surprise.
10 Crawdaunt
From as early as Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Crawdaunt was always on the cusp of the highest levels of play. It has an incredible attack stat and fairly good offensive typing, but for a long time was missing many of the tools needed to truly succeed. However, with each new title, Crawdaunt inches ever closer to the top.
In Sword and Shield, Crawdaunt is mostly able to cement itself in a couple of different niches. The first is the one it is known for: wallbreaking. In single battles, it's important to be carry a Pokemon that can break stalls, and Crawdaunt's high attack is perfect. However, its low speed also makes it a decent option to add to a Trick Room team, turning its greatest weakness into a strength.
9 Hatterene
Although Hatterene caught the attention of fans through its unusual design and unnerving Pokedex entry, its stats also raise a few eyebrows. It's surprisingly bulky despite having a mediocre HP stat, and its special attack is quite gorgeous in conjunction with its moveset. Magic Bounce being on a useful Pokemon is also quite a boon as well.
The issue with Hatterene is that it is exclusively locked into Trick Room teams. Its speed is pitiful and its bulk is solid, making it a perfect candidate to set up and utilize a Trick Room. With so many fast Pokemon dominating higher tiers of play, this sort of reversal can be one heck of a switch-up.
8 Rotom-Heat
Rotom-Heat is a great Rotom model that has always been overshadowed by the much more ideal Rotom-Wash. While both have a unique typing that gives them an edge defensively, Rotom-Heat suffered from a weakness to rocks. It, like other fire Pokemon, could be kept in check without proper hazard control.
Fortunately, Rotom-Heat gained a new ally in the game-changing Held Item, Heavy-Duty Boots. While it might seem a bit overkill in conjunction with Levitate, negating Stealth Rock is just that important. Its incredible defensive-typing is now given the edge it needs to flourish both as a Nasty Plot wallbreaker or an offensive pivot.
7 Nidoqueen
Nidoqueen has often had a rough time shining in competitive battles. Nidoking is frequently chosen over its sister due to a more attractive offensive presence. Sheer Force, in conjunction with a Life Orb, can boost the power of many attacks to absurd levels. In that regard, Nidoking is outright just a better choice.
However, Nidoqueen can't be counted out so quickly. Nidoqueen trades some offense for better bulk, which doesn't mean a whole lot without good recovery. The extra bulk does mean that Nidoqueen fits better in the role of an offensive hazard setter. With either Toxic Spikes or Stealth Rocks, in combination with a wide variety of great attacks, Nidoqueen causes serious damage to enemy teams.
6 Primarina
Considering their popularity, it's a surprise to find that many starter Pokemon are far from competitively viable. Only a few select options shine above the rest, and some can truly clean house. In both competitive battles and Sun and Moon speedruns, Primarina is an ideal selection.
With great offensive typing and fantastic special attack, Primarina has the tools it needs to be an incredible wallbreaker. While its hidden ability leaves a lot to be desired, it doesn't need an ability to do its job. After equipping a Choice Specs, Primarina can put on an incredible performance will Sparkling Arias and space-bending Moonblasts. Primarina is a great option for trainers looking to use an underappreciated starter Pokemon on their team
5 Obstagoon
It was certainly a surprise to see Game Freak breath new life into old Pokemon once again with new evolutions in Sword and Shield. One of those evolutions is Obstagoon, a Galar-exclusive Pokemon that's quite the punk rocker. Its statline isn't very inspiring, but the tools it has certainly are.
Obstagoon packs the Guts ability, which enchances attacking power while statused. This, in combination with a Flame Orb and STAB Facade, is a old-school recipe for success. However, the spice that really brings it all home is its exclusive move: Obstruct. This attack is a variant on Protect, only this time punishing contact moves with a defense decrease. This lets Obstagoon pace itself to get revved up and ready to rock and roll.
4 Rhyperior
Rhyperior, despite its weaknesses, is a Pokemon with incredible highs. Its HP, attack, and defense are eye-popping, and its collection of attacks are fantastic. Solid Rock helps tremendously in covering its abysmal typing, although it still likely won't be wanting to go swimming anytime soon.
Similar to Nidoqueen, what makes Rhyperior an attractive option is its ability to lay Stealth Rocks, along with checking some of the prominent threats in the metagame with a crippling fear of geology. Togekiss and Volcarona in particular struggle to answer the pressure Phyperior applies. Plus, it can scare many hazard removers into submission. For trainers looking for support to their favorite grass-type, Rhyperior is a friend of the forest.
3 Dracozolt
The fossil Pokemon of Galar are abominations of nature in the best way. These hybrid-beasts that take inspiration from real-life butchering of paleontology are quite varied in nature. Dracovish needs no introduction, as Fishious Rend is just a disgustingly powerful attack. A less popular but equally enticing option is Dracozolt.
Dracozolt shares many of the same traits that Dracovish has, primarily in its signature technique. Bolt Beak deals double damage if the user attacks first, which is quite easy to achieve in combination with Sand Rush. Plus, it has quite a few other powerful moves to give it a wide range of attacks. The major drawback is that, unfortunately, electric is not a great offensive typing. Still, it's worth it to smash fossils together and bring this terror back to life.
2 Conkeldurr
Conkeldurr is far from what anyone would call a popular Pokemon. Its design is admittedly pretty ugly, and in the past it struggled to compete with better options. Its incredible tools kept it on the edge of success, but unable to really carve a niche compared to Mega Evolutions.
Fortunately for Conkeldurr, the removal of Mega Evolutions allows it to shine in its strengths once again. A base 140 attack that's boosted by Guts is always going to deal incredible damage, even with a poor speed stat. This, in combination with the best-of-the-best in physical attacks is all Conkeldurr needs to prove its worth as an option in online play. Worst case scenario, slap it onto a Trick Room team with Hatterene and bust some heads.
1 Ditto
Ditto is one of few Pokemon that sees play in every single tier. It's hardly a popular option, since it's rare that Ditto can find success. There are so many things holding Ditto back from doing its job easily. However, there's no one else that can do what Ditto does as well as Ditto does it, and that is achieving furious and glorious revenge.
Ditto's role in battle is to take a golf club to the opponent's favorite Pokemon, enacting revenge kills that use its opponents stat boosts against it. In the right situation, it can even use these boosts to finish the job. And, since Ditto carries a Choice Scarf, the opponent doesn't get to rush their attack. However, it still is rather frail with its horrible HP stat that doesn't get copied. It may go down swinging, but a Ditto in a more defensive team is often the perfect addition.