Summary
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetintroduced a new type of creature calledParadox Pokemon, with some of these species being futuristic versions and others beingancient versions of well-known and beloved Pokemon. With stats that rival legendary ones, many players have chosen to use these species in their teams, both casually and in competitive tournaments.
In addition to giving a fresh look to some Pokemon, Paradox forms come with unique abilities that are enhanced by Electric Terrain, in the case of the futuristic ones fromViolet, and Sunny weather conditions for the ancient ones fromScarlet. Whether players are building a dream team or simply curious about the new lore, these Paradox Pokemon offer something truly special not seen in the other games.
10Great Tusk
The Ancient Proboscidean Pokemon
One of the first Paradox Pokemon that players ofScarletwill encounter in the game isGreat Tusk, an ancient version of Donphan, who becomes one of the Titans that must be defeated in the Path of Legends storyline.
A true tank in battle,Great Tusk has excellent physical attack and defense, capable of absorbing heavy damage and dishing it out in kind. Despite its great stats, this Pokemon falls short compared to others due to having six type weaknesses.
9Iron Valiant
Gardevoir And Gallade From Another Timeline
Iron Valiantis a true futuristic blend of Gardevoir and Gallade, featuring a mix of excellent attacks and special attacks. This Pokemon can have a varied moveset with Close Combat, Drain Punch, or Moonblast.
Highly versatile, Iron Valiant offers significant room for customization and optimization depending on the construction of the team it’s in and the opponents it faces. Its speed is also impressive, especially when using Booster Energy to activate its Quark Drive ability.
8Roaring Moon
The Ancient Draconic Pokemon
Roaring Moonis definitely one of the most beloved Pokemon of the new generation. As an ancient version of Salamence with a Dragon/Dark typing, it ranks among thebest Paradox Pokemon released. With high speed and physical attack stats, and a wide range of moveset options, enemies won’t have time to react.
With access to Dragon Dance, Roaring Moon becomes a top attacker for any team, especially when equipped with a Choice Band. This Pokemon is a staple for competitive players who favor fast-paced hyper-offensive teams.
7Walking Wake
A Super-Ancient Version Of Suicune
With the success of the Paradox Pokemon, Game Freak has introduced more legendary Pokemon in past and future forms. One of them isWalking Wake, an ancient version ofSuicune from the second generation. Walking Wake is a specialist in Special Attack and one of the best options for players seeking a Water-type attacker.
With excellent moveset options, using Draco Meteor, Flamethrower, and Dragon Pulse, this Pokemon stands out by using Hydro Steam as its STAB move to take down its foes. Additionally, Walking Wake is notable for being the only Water-type with Protosynthesis.
6Iron Bundle
A Dangerous Robotic Bird
When players first look atIron Bundle, it might not seem like much. However, it is actually one of the best futuristic Pokemon of the generation. With one of the highest speeds in the game and powerful STAB Ice and Water moves like Hydro Pump and Freeze-Dry, Iron Bundle can achieve OHKOs even against Legendary Pokemon.
Additionally, its Ice-type moves have a chance to freeze opponents, which can be crucial in a tough battle, making Iron Bundle one of the best options for any team.
5Iron Hands
Amp You Very Much
Featured both in VGC and TCG,Iron Handsis the futuristic version of Hariyama. With access to the ability Quark Drive and the move Belly Drum, this Paradox Pokemon can significantly boost its damage.
Featuring a great combination of attack and defense, Iron Hands is a balanced Pokemon that fits well into a wide variety teams. In addition to its strong attack, it also stands out for its high HP and has proven to be an excellent option for Tera Raids.
4Flutter Mane
A Ghostly Misdreavus From The Past
Flutter Maneis the ancient version of Misdreavus, one of the mostpopular Pokemon of Generation 9, and the most powerful non-legendary Pokemon of all. With high speed capable of outpacing almost all species, Flutter Mane has an excellent stat distribution focused on Special Attack and Special Defense.
Additionally, Flutter Mane is a Fairy and Ghost-type Paradox Pokemon, granting it immunity to Fighting and Dark-type damage, which are some of the most popular types in VGC. This Pokemon also stands out as a support option in Doubles, thanks to its vast arsenal of moves.
3Raging Bolt
The Long-Necked Raikou
Raging Boltis the ancient version of Raikou, released alongside Walking Wake and Gouging Fire.With its unique design, this Pokemon has excellent moves that can become incredibly powerful with the use of Calm Mind to boost its Special Attack.
Raging Bolt can fit into a variety of offensive teams, with access to moves like Thunderclap and Dragon Pulse, as well as Volt Switch for greater mobility within the team.
2Koraidon
The Winged King Of Scarlet Book
Koraidonand Miraidon are the two main legendaries ofPokemon Scarlet and Violet,and certainly deserve a spot on this list. Although there is debate about whether they should be considered Paradox Pokemon, Koraidon and Miraidon are ancient and futuristic versions of Cyclizar.
Focused on physical damage, Koraidon is a Dragon/Fighting-type legendary with exceptionally high stats and the ability to use Collision Course, a Fighting-type move that deals increased damage if it is super effective against the opponent.
1Miraidon
The Iron Serpent Of Violet Book
The leader and strongest Paradox Pokemon of Generation 9 isMiraidon. With stats as impressive as Koraidon’s but focused on Special Attack instead, this futuristic motorcycle-looking creature fromPokemon Violetis an excellent choice in competitive play, Tera Raids, and even in thePokemon Trading Card Game.
Miraidon is a Dragon/Electric-type Legendary and can use the ability Hadron Engine, which automatically summons Electric Terrain upon switch-in, increasing its Special Attack damage by 1.3x. Additionally, moves like Electro Drift and Parabolic Charge make it a true powerhouse in battle, and the best Paradox Pokemon of all.
