Unstoppable Teams: Essential Pokemon for Victory in Scarlet and Violet

The Pokemon franchise has typically targeted a younger audience, resulting in simplified gameplay. However, many older gamers make up the majority of the fan base and seek to increase the game's difficulty through self-imposed challenges. Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is an ideal game for such challenges, and players can optimize their experience by selecting the right Pokemon for their team. Fortunately, many of these essential Pokemon are readily available in the game, making team-building a breeze.

It's important to note that while it may not be possible to use all of the listed monsters on a team simultaneously, it's wise to keep them readily available as substitutes should the need arise. As of June 3, 2023, Pokemon Violet & Scarlet has maintained its popularity, thanks in part to updates that have improved its performance. Additionally, the highly anticipated DLC The Teal Mask has generated excitement among players.

The immersive and expansive gameplay of the RPG ensures that players are hooked for months on end, despite some occasional flaws. With an extensive array of unique Pokemon, including upcoming additions, it's crucial to review this list of must-have Pokemon for any team.

10 Walking Wake

Walking Wake, which was released in early 2023, has quickly gained popularity among Water and Dragon-type enthusiasts. With a remarkable Special Attack of 125, this Pokémon can unleash devastating special moves that can wipe out adversaries in no time. Additionally, it can maintain the upper hand in battles by employing its impressive Speed ability and using Noble Roar, an Attack-lowering move that can exhaust opponents.

9 Iron Leaves

Up until now, catching this particular Pokemon has been limited to timed events that require players to participate in a Walking Wake Raid through the Poke Portal. This Pokemon boasts a strong move set that includes powerful attacks such as Outrage and Hydro Pump, making it a formidable opponent in both physical and water-based battles.

Introducing the stunning new addition to Scarlet & Violet, boasting a unique combination of Grass and Psychic types that provides exceptional elemental coverage. Iron Leaves is a formidable force, wielding a range of powerful moves such as Close Combat, Megahorn, and Solar Blade, all with triple-digit power. Additionally, this Pokémon can learn a diverse array of TMs, making it an even more versatile and deadly opponent. And with the potential power boost from Swords Dance, Iron Leaves is truly a force to be reckoned with.

Iron Leaves boasts impressive base stats, with three of them surpassing 100, including an outstanding 130 Attack. Fans are eagerly anticipating its return after its recent availability in a Raid event.

8 Gholdengo

With its formidable Steel-Ghost hybrid, Gholdengo poses a considerable challenge to most other Pokemon. Its impressive durability allows it to withstand numerous attacks, while its massive 133 Special Attack ensures that it can dish out devastating counterattacks.

Gholdengo has a handful of powerful offensive techniques up its sleeves, with Make It Rain being the most potent among them. In addition, there are several moves that allow players to buff and debuff during the match, giving them a significant advantage. While it may require players to collect 999 Gimmighoul coins, the investment is definitely worth it.

7 Flutter Mane

With its Timid Nature, Flutter Mane, a Ghost-Fairy-type monster, boasts an unparalleled effectiveness that is further enhanced by its incredible Speed of 135. It has the ability to dictate the tempo of a battle, leaving its opponents overwhelmed and powerless in its wake.

Flutter Mane excels in the realm of Specials, boasting impressive stats of 135 for both Special Attack and Special Defense. Its arsenal includes the powerful moves Phantom Force and Moonblast, which can easily overpower its opponents. While its HP may be a concern, Flutter Mane's prowess in multiple areas makes up for this weakness. This elusive creature can often be spotted floating around in the caverns of Area Zero.

6 Iron Bundle (Paradox Delibird)

If you're looking for a new addition to your Pokemon Violet team, consider Paradox Delibird, also known as Iron Bundle. While it may not be a one-hit knockout powerhouse, Iron Bundle's unique ability to quickly decrease a Pokemon's HP sets it apart. With a base speed of 136, Paradox Delibird is one of the fastest Pokemon in the game, making it a valuable asset to any trainer's team.

When equipped with the Iron Bundle's Secret Ability "Quark Drive," players can maximize Paradox Delibird's Base Speed, especially when on an Electric Terrain or holding Booster Energy. This results in a significant boost to its Speed stat, which can prove to be advantageous for players taking on the Nuzlocke Challenge as it enables them to attack more frequently. Paradox Delibird can be found in the elusive Area Zero located in the Great Crater.

5 Goodra

Goodra is highly regarded as a Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon due to its Dragon typing and impressive S-Tier Moves such as Draco Meteor and Outrage. In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, Goodra is undoubtedly a valuable addition to any team, with its abilities, particularly Hydration and Gooey, serving as its main strengths.

If a player's Goodra has the Hydration ability, it can heal itself of any status conditions that may arise during rain, which can be easily triggered using Rain Dance (TM18). On the other hand, Gooey, which is Goodra's Hidden ability, reduces the attacker's Speed stat each time they come in contact with Goodra. Additionally, Goomy, the first evolution of Goodra, can be caught early on in a Pokemon Violet & Scarlet playthrough, adding to the appeal of having Goodra on one's team.

4 Dondozo

One of the powerful Water-type Pokemon found in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is the False Dragon Dondozo. Its Base Defense stat of 115 makes it a remarkable addition to any team, although players should note that it's better suited as a swimming tank rather than an OHKO Pokemon. Dondozo's Defense can be further increased by changing its Nature to Relaxed, which boosts its Defense by ten percent. Additionally, Dondozo has a unique ability to combine with the Tatsugiri, a Pokemon with many Shiny forms. When combined, Dondozo's Overall Stats increase by +2, and it receives a specific stat boost depending on the form of the Tatsugiri (Curly - Defense, Droopy - Attack, and Stretchy - Speed). This impressive Pokemon can be found in Casseroya Lake.

3 Wo-Chien

One of the Legendary Pokemon that players can acquire in Paldea by activating hidden Stakes is Wo-Chien. While this Pokemon is indeed Legendary, its true value lies in its exceptional abilities rather than its status. Wo-Chien has the rare Hidden ability Tablets of Ruin, which drastically reduces the attack power of all opposing Pokemon.

Moreover, Wo-Chien boasts a 50% resistance against Ghost, Dark, Ground, Water, Grass, and Electric-type moves, despite being a dual-type Pokemon (Dark and Grass). As such, it's recommended that players teach it Grass-type moves such as Leaf Storm or Solar Beam. When it comes to Wo-Chien's Nature, the ideal one is Sassy since it increases its Special Defense by ten percent.

Wo-Chien is lurkingbehind the Purple Shrine in South Province (Area One).

2 Roaring Moon (Paradox Salamence)

Roaring Moon, the Paradox version of the Pseudo-Legendary Salamence, is a valuable addition to any Pokemon team. Its Hidden ability, "Protosynthesis," is considered one of the best abilities in the game, especially in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. This ability enhances a Pokemon's strongest stat in harsh sunlight or while holding Booster Energy, making Roaring Moon a must-have Pokemon.

Paradox Salamence naturally has a high base Attack stat, which can be further increased with the help of Protosynthesis. Additionally, if Roaring Moon has an Adamant Nature, its Attack stat will receive a ten percent boost, making it an incredibly powerful OHKO Pokemon. However, Roaring Moon is only obtainable in Pokemon Scarlet, so players will need to trade for it if they want to add it to their team. In order to find this rare monster, players must venture into Area Zero and defeat the final boss, after which it will appear in a large cave within the area.

1 Arcanine

In terms of Fire-type options in Generation 9 of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, there are a few viable choices, but none quite compare to the power and versatility of Arcanine. As a Generation 1 Pokemon, Arcanine boasts a formidable Base Attack of 110 (which can be further boosted with the Lonely Nature) and a solid Base Special Attack of 100, making it a force to be reckoned with in battle.

Arcanine's movepool is equally impressive, featuring the devastatingly powerful Overheat - the strongest Fire-type move in the game. Fortunately, players can easily obtain Arcanine's pre-evolution, Growlithe, which is a Very Common Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet. However, they will need to ensure they have a Fire Stone on hand to evolve it. With its combination of stats and moves, Arcanine is undoubtedly one of the strongest Fire-type options available in these games.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is available for the Nintendo Switch.