By the time Pokémon Black & White released in 2010, we had already seen close to 500 Pokémon on our handheld devices. Pokémon’s competitive scene really blossomed within the fifth generation, with popular events such as the Pokémon World Championships.
When looking into competitive Pokémon as an outsider, it can be daunting to choose between such a massive variety of different Pocket Monsters, each with different stats, abilities, types, movesets, etc. Over the course of your adventure through the Unova region, here are the 10 best Pokémon to add to your team and become the next Pokémon Champion
10 Chandelure
This haunted light fixture is possibly the most literal definition of a glass-cannon there is. (Get it? He’s made of glass…) Chandelure’s defenses are pretty sub-par, to say the least, but that special attack stat is no joke, as it’s one of the highest in the game.
When setting up correctly, Chandelure is a great user of Substitute to take cover behind some much needed added defense and throw out attacks like nobody’s business. Calm Mind is another great option, boosting its already monstrous sp. atk as well as its sp.def to ensure a swift victory over any opponents unfortunate enough to be slower than Chandelure.
9 Volcarona
Volcarona acts similarly to Chandelure, having less than stellar defenses and great special attack, but this Pokémon’s stat-spread is a little more versatile. Volcarona’s scariest move is definitely Quiver Dance, making opponents quiver in their boots when this flaming-hot moth raises its already good sp. atk, sp. def, and speed stats.
This Pokémon hits exceptionally hard, with moves like Bug Buzz, Fire Blast, Hurricane, and Fiery Dance. Its typing can leave it a bit on the frail side, but it remains an excellent choice for a devastating special sweeper.
8 Gothitelle
Gothitelle plays a very specific role, but when utilized effectively becomes extremely annoying to work around. Its ability Shadow Tag essentially ties down the opponent’s feet, not allowing them to switch out of battle.
When paired versus the right Pokémon, the opposer may not be able to do anything to defend themselves, making Gothitelle a feared addition to a team. Its stats aren’t the greatest thing about it, aiming for a more specially defensive build, but it serves its purpose well. To control the pace of battle, even more, Gothitelle is a great utilizer of Trick to shut down Pokémon with finesse.
7 Jellicent
Jellicent’s job is to shut down any enemy with a slight disadvantage to it, and it does that job well. Its Water-typing and decent defenses allow it to stand as a bulkier defensive Pokémon, as well as its Ghost-typing helping to deal with prominent Normal and Fighting-type Pokémon.
Walling-out your opponent with status moves like Will-O-Wisp and Toxic forces opponents to play around Jellicent, also having to avoid attacks like Scald and Ice Beam that can be particularly tricky to deal with. When low on HP, Leftovers and Recover will be your best friend, while your opponent’s hopes and dreams quickly fade away.
6 Keldeo
Keldeo’s great stat spread and move pool solidifies its role as a powerful, Mythical-Pokémon. This odd, water unicorn’s high sp. atk greatly benefits its signature STAB moves like Surf, Hydro Pump, and Secret Sword to fulfill the role of a solid attacker.
It makes great use of Choice items like Choice Scarf or Choice Specs to give it the boost it needs to excel in utilizing its moveset. Besides all-out offense, Keldeo can make use of moves like Calm Mind, Substitute, and Toxic to take on a more defensive approach and become a versatile Pokémon.
5 Hydreigon
Taking down this flying Dragon Cerberus proves to be a huge challenge due to its great typing, ability, and enormous attack. A lot of Generation V Pokémon focus primarily on high attack stats, and Hydreigon is no different with a base 125 sp. atk and 105 Attack.
Its other stats are at least decent, so its weaknesses are few and far between. Levitate allows it to avoid some of the scarier Ground-type Pokémon, while it dishes out a variety of different attacks like Draco Meteor, Flamethrower, and Dark Pulse. It’s best to take this thing out ASAP, to avoid running the risk of being OHKO’d into oblivion.
4 Excadrill
If your first reaction to this Pokémon sounded anything like “I’d better stay away from this Edward Scissorhands mole”, it wouldn’t be too far from expressing its sheer offensive potential. With a base 135 Attack and great typing, if the opposing team isn’t prepared for it, Excadrill can sweep multiple Pokémon with just a few moves.
It also stands as one of the best users of the Sandstorm weather effect, either boosting its Ground, Rock, and Steel attacks or doubling its speed stat. Either option is equally terrifying, not even mentioning its access to moves like Stealth Rock and Swords Dance.
3 Ferrothorn
As a purely defensive option, Ferrothorn is one of the very best, and possibly the most annoying. Stealth Rock, Spikes, Toxic, and Gyro Ball are all excellent moves to gain control of the battlefield and force players to work around this pesky bundle of fun.
Any opponent without a strong fire-type will indefinitely feel as if they’re stepping through a field of barbs, while their Pokémon are slowly whittled down to zero. It may be a linear and predictable team member, but that doesn’t make it any less fearsome.
2 Conkeldurr
This oversized construction worker doesn’t just have those guns for show, as it has one of the best attack stats with abilities to back it up. All three of Conkeldurr’s abilities increase its attack power in some way, allowing it to barrel through defensively weak teams with ease.
With a move like Bulk Up, a STAB Hammer Arm or Drain Punch becomes a force to be reckoned with. Conkeldurr’s mono Fighting-type is its biggest weakness, having trouble versus Psychic, Flying, and Ghost types, which are prominent in Gen V’s meta. Weaknesses aside, this Pokémon’s strengths should definitely not be overlooked.
1 Landorus
Landorus is perhaps one of the best terrain-setters in the game, and it strikes fear into the hearts of players around the world. Amazing typing and stats make it difficult to KO, in which it has the prime opportunity to set up a pesky Stealth Rock or Rock Polish, and Gravity is a unique, niche move that is great in double battles.
Its biggest strength lies in the fact that there aren’t many Pokémon able to effectively deal with Landorus, making it an Intimidating force, more than its ability already is. Besides defensive setups, its 145 base Attack means that an Earthquake or two is all it needs to wipe out the competition.
NEXT: Pokémon: The 10 Most Messed-Up Attacks, Ranked
