Summary
Pokemon Scarlet & Violethave introduced a slew of newPokemonfor trainers to discover, battle, catch, and add to their teams. Unlike previous generations, many of the new Pokemonintroduced inPokemon Scarlet & Violethave become instantly beloved among the fanbase. With these new, lovable creatures comes a variety of mighty Generation 9 Pokemon.
Naturally, the Mythical, Legendary, and Paradox Pokemon inScarlet & Violetare much stronger than any regular Pokemon. These creatures include the four members of theTreasures Of Ruin: Chien-Pao, Chi-Yu, Ting-Lu, and Wo-Chien, as well as Miraidon and Koraidon. But there are also creatures outside these Mythical, Legendary, and Paradox Pokemon that can be extremely powerful assets for anyPokemon Scarlet & Violet team.
Updated July 05, 2025 by Ben Painter:Pokemon fans worldwide await the release of the next entry into the franchise,Pokemon Legends: Z-A. But with that game not being brought to the Nintendo Switch until later this year, it may be time for fans to jump back into Pokemon Scarlet & Violet and explore the region of Paldea once more.
There are 120 Pokemon to capture and use in battle that were first introduced in Generation 9, including some strong entries that may go down as some of the strongest in the franchise altogether. This update adds five new Pokemon that can be considered thestrongest Paldea Pokemon.
35Hydrapple
Grass/Dragon-type
A surprise for Pokemon fans when theTeal Mask DLCcame around forPokemon Scarlet & Violetwas a new evolution for Applin, Dipplin. An even bigger surprise was that in the second DLC,The Indigo Disk, there was afurther evolution in Hydrapple.
This is a great Pokemon with fantasticHP, Defense, and Special Attack, and it can learn a wide variety of moves from different types, which is helpful for all the double battles in the Blueberry Academy. As a Special Attacker, its strongest move is Power Whip, a Physical move, so gamers may want to opt forEnergy Ballor teach itLeaf Stormby TM.
106
80
110
120
44
540
34Pawmot
Electric/Fighting-type
The latest Pikachu-clone in the franchise and for a long time, it is very usable in battle, beingone of the best Electric typesto use in the game. Complete with aFighting secondary typing, it can use the powerful120 base power Close CombatandDouble Shockto do serious damage with its high attack.
It is easy to obtain early. Its first form, Pawmi, is found easily at the start of the game. It evolves at level 18 and can be evolved straight away once it walks 1000 steps outside its Pokeball, a cheat code for having a fully evolved Pokemon in the early game. Its stats aren’t too great in other areas, so it can’t receive that high of a ranking.
70
115
60
105
490
33Quaquaval
Water/Fighting-type
Out of the latest starting Pokemon in the franchise, Quaquaval is the weakest one, largely in part due to its five weaknesses in the game. It does make up for it with its120-attackstat. It can hit hard with powerfulSTAB(Same, Type, Attack Bonus) physical moves such asClose CombatandWave Crash.
The flamboyant duck has been divisive among fans for its design, but in battle, it isone of the strongest of Generation 9. The final form of the Starter Pokemon is always a solid addition to a team. This Water option more than carries its way up until the Elite Four, Champion, and beyond.
85
75
530
32Iron Thorns
Rock/Electric-type
Pokemon Scarlet & Violetbrought out a brand-new category of Pokemon, Paradox Pokemon. InViolet, these Paradoxes come in the form of Future Pokemon. Iron Thorns is a particularly strong one, no surprise as it is based onthe Pseduo-Legendary Pokemon Tyranitar.
The abilityQuark Driveworks beautifully here as it boosts the Pokemon’s highest stat when anElectric Terrainis present. With Iron Thorns being an Electric-type, this match was made in heaven. Combining this with a powerful moveset and insaneAttack, this ‘mon is definitely one of the strongest Paldea Pokemon.
100
134
84
72
570
31Iron Jugulis
Dark/Flying-type
Another pseudo that was given the Paradox treatment was Iron Jugulis, who, of course, is a Future version of the Generation 5 Pokemon Hydreigon. This Pokemon is one to use inPokemon Violet, with an impressiveSpecial Attackstat, which uses moves likeHyper Beam, Hurricane, and Dark Pulseto full effect.
It is also pretty quick and takes hits too, with decentDefenseandHP. This Pokemon is great all around and also has a fantastic design to make it even more desirable for players on the Nintendo Switch.
94
86
122
108
Steel/Dragon-type
The pre-evolved form of Archaludon, Duraludon, was originally introduced inPokemon Sword & Shieldin Generation 8. He was also givena Gigantamax form in that game, so fans seemingly thought that it was with the Steel/Dragon type.
However, in the DLC ofPokemon Scarlet & Violet,The Indigo Disk, Archaludon was announced, which has 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, the key stats being 130Defenseand 125Sp. At the moment, this ‘mon can pack serious damage with its signature move,Electro Shot. Dealing 130 damage but also raising its already high special attack.
90
130
125
65
600
Grass/Dark-type
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 throughout 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 who excels in itsSpeedandAttackstats. TheGrass/Dark-type evolution is rather lacking regarding the rest of its stats, includingSpecial Defense,Special Attack,Defense, and HP. Also, Meowscarada has the most weaknesses of the fully evolved starters, being weak toFire, Ice, Flying, Fighting, Poison, Fairy, andBug-type Pokemon.
76
81
123
28Wo-Chien
Dark-Grass-type
As one of the members of the Treasures of Ruin, Wo-Chien is one of thePaldean Legendary Pokemon. It can be caught toward the end of the game once gamers have found andremoved all eight stakes in the South Province, and then the Ruinous Pokemon can be battled.
Once gamers have made this Pokemon their own, they have a solid ‘mon to use in the game, with high all-around stats but an emphasis on itsDefense. However, the only downside to this Pokemon is it has seven weaknesses, including a 4x weakness to Bug. It does have somepowerful STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) movesto hit back with, and thanks to its high Defense, it should be able to take some hits.
95
135
27Ting-Lu
Dark/Ground-type
As a member of the Treasures of Ruin, Ting-Lu is a Legendary Pokemon for Generation 9 and a strong one at that, with a base stat total of 570. Its stats are impressive, but what it excels in is its highHPandDefense. It will take a lot to rock this Pokemon in battle, and as a bonus, it has no 4x weaknesses.
Its Special Defense isn’t anything to write home about, but this is improved with its signature ability,Vessel of Ruin, which lowers the Special Attack of all Pokemon except itself. Once the trainer haslocated all eight stakes of the North Province, they can battle and catch Ting-Lu and add it to their party.
155
55
45
26Clodsire
Poison/Ground-type
Along with Tauros, Wooper was the only Pokemon to receive a regional variant in Paldea and, following the trend set in Generation 8, Paldean Wooper evolved into the brand-new Pokemon, Clodsire. An awesome ‘mon to use in the game whoexcels at being a wall, with highHPandSpecial Defense.
It can take a lot of hits, complete with resistingFighting, Poison, Rock, Bug, and Fairytypes, and alsobeing immune to Electric moves. Offensively, it is not great, but with75 Attack, it is not too bad and will still do awesome damage with physical STAB moves such asPoison JaborEarthquake. Complete with Amnesia and Toxic, Clodsire has a solid moveset.
20
430
