Many fans are wondering out of the latest Generation seen in Scarlet and Violet, who are the best of the best when it comes to the Pokémon to use in the new Pokémon game. From the current Raid META of Azumarill and Iron Hands, to the more competitive choice of Gholdengo and Chi-Yu, there are so many options of powerful Pokémon to use in Scarlet and Violet. This list is our ranking of the strongest Pokémon to use in Scarlet and Violet, exclusive to Generation 9 only. This list will not include the Paradox or Legendary Pokémon. Rather the focus of this list will be on the best Pokémon to use in the base-game throughout the three main questlines.
For those looking for some of the strongest Pokémon, including that of Paradox Pokémon, feel free to take a look at our related article of the Best Pokémon Builds to Use in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet 5 and 6-Star Tera Raids.
Honorable Mentions
No matter which Starter Pokémon you chose in Scarlet and Violet, make sure to fully commit to evolve these Pokémon as all three are great to use in the base-game. We recommend that you use your Starter Pokémon throughout. Quaxly, Fuecoco and Sprigatito final forms are some of the strongest Generation 9 Pokémon. The best to use out of the three, however, is Skeledirge.
The Strongest Generation 9 Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet
No. 7 – Houndstone
Base Stats:
- HP – 72
- Attack – 101
- Defense – 100
- Speed – 68
- Special Attack – 55
- Special Defense – 97
Houndstone is one of those underrated Generation 9 Pokémon and has proven to be one of the strongest choices to level-up and evolve in Scarlet and Violet. With a great Base Stat of both Attack and Defense, being in the triple digits, what sets this Pokémon apart is its highly unique Move. This is the ‘Last Respects’ Move where its power is added depending on the amount of allies in your party have fallen during battle. This is amazing Move that should be fully utilized at the end of a Gym Leader Battle which can easily turn the tables in the most crucial moment of a Battle.
At the last moment, bring our Houndstone whose damage will increase depending on the time you choose to bring this Pokémon out in Battle. Truly what makes this Pokémon is this Move, which can be so crucial in progressing through the main questlines of Scarlet and Violet.
No. 6 – Orthworm
Base Stats:
- HP – 70
- Attack – 85
- Defense – 145
- Speed – 65
- Special Attack – 60
- Special Defense – 55
The sixth spot on this list goes to weird-looking Pokémon, Orthworm. It is ridiculous to believe that this fragile and strange appearance would be one of the strongest defensive Pokémon to use in Scarlet and Violet. Orthworm has one of the greatest Base Stat Defense of 145 which is ridiculous for a Pokémon looking like this. To add to its Defense, Orthworm has the Ability ‘Earth Eater’ which restores its HP if hit by Ground-Type Moves. Making it a stronger defensive Pokémon which can do a bunch of damage also.
For those looking for a tanky Pokémon that needs no evolution and has insanely good Base Stats, Orthworm is the one for you. Getting Orthworm as early as possible will make this Pokémon insane through your run of Scarlet and Violet as it can easily aid you in battling questlines where you may be under levelled to beat.
No. 5 – Annihilape
Base Stats:
- HP – 110
- Attack – 115
- Defense – 80
- Speed – 90
- Special Attack – 50
- Special Defense – 90
The new evolutionary form of Mankey has been added for Generation 9 in the form of Annihilape. Creators have referred to this Pokémon often as a great Pokémon to use in Scarlet and Violet Tera Raids. But Annihilape is also a fantastic Pokémon to use in the base-game. Mankey can be caught very early in the game, in South Province (Area Five) and West Province (Area One), making this a Pokémon which you can level up early in the game to obtain Annihilape. This Pokémon is both a great offensive and defensive Pokémon, with Moves that can easily 1-hit KO opponents.
Annihilape is one of the powerful Pokémon which requires strategy when choosing its Move Set and which Moves to play at the time of Gym Leader and Titan Battles. Most of its Moves can end in Annihilape becoming confused or fainting. With a high Base Stats of HP and Attack, and a decent starting Defense, Annihilape is a Pokémon that must be tried out in your playthrough of Scarlet and Violet. Do not overlook this Beast.
No. 4 – Gholdengo
Base Stats:
- HP – 87
- Attack – 60
- Defense – 95
- Speed – 84
- Special Attack – 133
- Special Defense – 91
Every Scarlet and Violet player will have read this name time and time again, appearing in both PvP and Raid lists. This new, albeit awful looking Pokémon is 100% one of the strongest Pokémon available to use in Scarlet and Violet. It has the most ridiculous requirement to evolve its first form of Gimmighoul where players must collect 999 Coins to evolve. But the reward to doing so is well worth it. This evolution takes time but can be started as early as you venture out into the Paldean wilderness.
Gholdengo has very good Base Stats across the board, with an even better Special Attack. But the thing that sets Gholdengo apart from any other Generation 9 Pokémon is its main Ability of ‘Good as Gold’ which is unique to Gholdengo. What this does is give this Pokémon full immunity from Status Moves. Meaning that Gholdengo cannot be affected by moves which alter battle conditions such as the change of weather or raising/lowering Stats. This makes Gholdengo an incredibly useful Pokémon to use throughout the three main questlines of Scarlet and Violet.
No. 3 – Kingambit
Base Stats:
- HP – 100
- Attack – 135
- Defense – 120
- Speed -50
- Special Attack – 60
- Special Defense – 85
Kingambit is truly a stacked Pokémon. With 3 Base Stats in the triple figures. Whilst its Special Attack and Defense is average, its high physical Attack and strong Defense to protect itself in each round makes this Pokémon one of the strongest in Generation 9. Its ‘Defiant’ Ability increases its Attack further if its Stats are lowered by the opposition in Battle.
This Pokémon has one of the highest Base Stats of Attack in the game and due to its Ability, this can be increased even further. Teaching Kingambit the Egg Move ‘Sucker Punch’ will put this Pokémon in a tier of its own, with the strongest Sucker Punch in Scarlet and Violet. Need I write more for a Pokémon with stacked HP, Attack and Defense? It is the obvious top 3 choice in Scarlet and Violet.
No. 2 – Dondozo
Base Stats:
- HP – 150
- Attack – 100
- Defense – 115
- Speed – 35
- Special Attack – 65
- Special Defense – 65
Dondozo is another great Defense Pokémon. Whilst it is on the rarer side to obtain, where players can find this Pokémon in northern Paldea, at Casseroya Lake. Dondozo is another Pokémon with triple digit Base Stats, making this a threatening tanky Pokémon. Not only does this Pokémon have a fantastic Defense and HP to absorb a bunch of damage but, it also has a base Attack of 100. Ridiculous. Although, its downside comes with its Speed of 35, it can be taught ‘Rest’ via the TM, making this Pokémon restore its HP. It does not even matter that the opponent attacks in this time of rest as its massive Health Pool will mean that it is almost impossible to knock out this Pokémon.
As a pure Water-Type, Dondozo is only weak to Electric and Grass-Type, meaning that its natural tanky build will make it highly unlikely for the AI opposition in the base-game to knock out this Pokémon.
No. 1 – Garganacl
Base Stats:
- HP – 100
- Attack – 100
- Defense – 130
- Speed – 35
- Special Attack – 45
- Special Defense – 90
Our number one spot goes to the Rock-Type, Garganacl. As this list excludes Paradox and Legendary Pokémon of Scarlet and Violet, we have deemed this the best Pokémon to use in the base-game of Scarlet and Violet. Garganacl has the ability to remain at 1 HP should the move be a one hit KO move at this Pokémon full Health. This makes it a fantastic Pokémon to use during all crucial battles, such as against harder Gym Leaders or taking on Titans early in the game. It’s first form of Nacli can be found relatively early in the game, with a 60% spawnrate in Rocky Biomes. This can become the Pokémon which you base your entire team around through your playthrough.
Garganacl has great triple figure Base Stats and that although this Pokémon has a low Speed Stat of 35, it has the ability to learn the Move Recover at Level 30. This then gives you the option of running the tankiest build possible of this Pokémon with its high Stats of HP, Attack and Defense. Slowness will not matter here as it cannot be KO’d with one hit and can recover its Health or withstand enough damage to hit back with its Base 100 Attack.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that these are Pokémon we recommend using for the base-game of Scarlet and Violet. There are many more viable options and really it depends on what Typing you like playing with. Everyone has their preferences. These are the best of the best of Generation 9 in regard to insane Base Stats, more on the side of tanky builds which allow you to obliterate the main questlines and reach the post-game quicker than you would normally do. As a lot of those on the list can be obtained early in the game, commit to these Pokémon and you will see the rewards of their incredible strength against the Scarlet and Violet AI.
How much of this list did you agree with? Please keep in mind that this is opinion-based, on our own experience of playing through the base-game of Scarlet and Violet. These are the best we recommend for those just getting started with the game as many can be obtained early in the game. Got a different list to ours? We would love to read it over at Gamer Journalist’s Facebook. Feel free to check out our other Pokémon articles, such as Top 10 Weakest Generation 9 Pokémon, Ranked or Best Locations to Find Shiny Water-Type Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet.
