As Pokemon fans know, balancing is all but an impossibility in this series. It’s not a team shooter with a roster of twenty or so characters, after all (and they can be utter nightmares to balance at the best of times). There are hundreds and hundreds of Pokemon and no way to make them all competitively viable.
Some contenders that are always popular picks tend to be Legendary Pokemon, but more often than not, those won't be eligible in competitive play. So-called 'Ubers' like Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre are only permitted in certain formats, meaning that you have to opt for the best non-legendary Pokemon instead. Let’s take a look at some of the strongest non-Legendary Pokemon in the series.
Updated June 30th, 2023, by Andrew Scariati: The best non-legendary Pokemon are constantly changing, especially as new contenders are added with every major release. With more powerful Pokemon arriving in The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disc DLCs, there are sure to be some shakeups. The strongest non-legendary choices have a combination of high base stats, excellent moves, and unparalleled versatility. With hundreds of choices, a portion stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Honorable Mention: Ditto
Here’s the thing about Ditto: you do not want to underestimate it. Sure, it looks like some kind of hideous sentient jello-based dessert, but it packs a major punch. You thought Ditto was just a convenient Pokemon to use for breeding? Well, it’s definitely that too, but when used strategically, it can absolutely overpower anything.
It copies the opponent’s stats (and all stat boosts) automatically, thanks to the Imposter Ability. With a Choice Scarf, it can also outspeed just about everything to boot. It’s not a Legendary Pokemon, but at the same time, it can be any Legendary Pokemon. Its HP and PP suffer, but work around those shortcomings, and you’ve got potentially the strongest and most versatile Pokemon ever created on your hands.
17 Gengar
Where better to kick off this list than with Gengar, the OG strongest Ghost-type ( that has been known for generations as a top-notch special sweeper? This Ghost/Poison Pokemon hits hard and fast and also boasts a Mega Evolution and a Gigantamax form.
It’s a huge fan favorite that also has tricks like Destiny Bond and Perish Song up its sleeve. However, it’s really suffered from the loss of its Levitate Ability, and many Pokemon have been added since its heyday that outspeed it. Despite this, Gengar's overwhelming offensive threats and access to a Mega Evolution earn it a place on our list.
16 Blissey
Unlike many of the Pokemon on this list, Blissey isn’t particularly powerful in the conventional sense. More in the shrugging off hits like Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator movies sense. This Pokemon looks relatively harmless, but it’s actually the bane of most special attackers’ existence.
With its titanic HP and excellent Special Defense, Blissey can take a heck of a beating from special sweepers, happily healing off the damage with Soft-Boiled. As a Normal-type, it’s only weak against Fighting, a typing that very rarely uses special attacks in the first place.
Eviolite Chansey is just as much of a pain to deal with, and if it starts throwing out Minimize… well, you’re going to have a terrible time trying to take this defensive behemoth out. Its physical frailty and lack of damage in response let it down, though.
15 Greninja
Speaking of hitting hard and fast, here comes the fearsome silent assassin, Greninja. Whether it’s hitting much harder than it should on paper thanks to its Protean Ability or throwing out crazy combos in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Greninja has definitely proven all of those who were being snarky about Froakie wrong.
Even so, it definitely comes up short without its Hidden Ability and really can’t take a hit in return. Despite the changes Greninja has endured, its raw power is great enough to warrant being called one of the strongest non-legendary Pokemon.
14 Charizard
There’s just something about Charizard, isn’t there? The first generation of Pokemon have all become iconic in their own ways, but few have risen to quite the same heights of favoritism as this fantastic Fire-type.
Owing to its debilitating Rock weakness, Stealth Rock has tended to ensure that this Fire/Flying Pokemon stayed in check in the past, but its true potential has been unleashed in more recent generations. Not only are both of Charizard’s Mega Evolutions absurd powerhouses, but it also has a Gigantamax form that can be a nightmare to deal with.
The residual damage from G-Max Wildfire is not fun to deal with. Nevertheless, that unfortunate weakness holds it back from the big leagues, as do those modest stats in its vanilla form.
13 Ferrothorn
Of course, you can’t mention super tanky Steel types without giving Ferrothorn some love. This Grass/Steel Pokemon has been Power Whipping, Leech Seeding, and shrugging off hits like Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator movies for years now, and it’s sure as heck not going to change its ways any time soon.
It’s up to its old tricks again, appreciating the freedom from Hidden Power Fire. Sadly for Ferrothorn, it has to worry about Mystical Fire instead. All kinds of Pokemon that could previously barely scratch its spiky surface learn that now, and they’re poised to burn it to a sad, salty cinder.
12 Shedinja
You’re probably surprised to see Shedinja here. After all, its maximum HP stat of a single point doesn’t exactly scream Pokemon powerhouse, does it? However, it’s got some fantastic gifts to compensate.
This bug/Ghost Pokemon is perhaps the most unusual in the whole game. Its exclusive Ability, Wonder Guard, renders it completely immune to all attacks that aren’t super effective on it. As such, it can be entirely invincible.
Or, it can be effortlessly swatted aside like the pitiful, rotten, undead husk of a sad little bug that it is. It entirely depends on the match-up. Status, hazards, and damaging weather will also immediately take it out, and it’s so situational that its only place on this list could be right around the middle.
11 Dragonite
Dragonite is the original pseudo-legendary and made its mark on Kanto throughout the early days of the series. This dragon gained infamy as a core member of Lance's notoriously illegal Elite Four team, which featured Dragonite at levels lower than their evolution level.
In addition to its inclusion on arguably the strongest trainer's team, Dragonite also boasts a staggering 600 Base Stat Total (BST). 134 Attack and defenses that hover around 100, Dragonite is a well-balanced choice that excels with mixed movesets when necessary. Its unique design only serves to accentuate just how powerful this first-generation Dragon-type really is.
10 Scizor
When it was first released in Pokemon Gold and Silver, Scizor really wasn’t all that impressive. However, it’s one of those lucky Pokemon that has been steadily buffed and buffed as the generations have passed. Changes to the mechanics have meant that it could make the best use of its high Attack and strong Bug/Steel STAB moves (now that both of those types actually have moves worst using).
The Technician Ability and addition of Bullet Punch to its arsenal, along with the great defensive typing it already had, have made Scizor a true force to be reckoned with. It is quite slow and predictable, though, making it a little easier to play around than some major threats.
9 Lucario
Lucario maintains its incredible power across mediums, boasting solid typing and wonderful move sets in the games while making history in the Pokemon Anime. Its 525 BST is very solid with a focus on both attack stats, as Attack comes in at 110 while Special Attack hits 115. Luckily, Mega Evolution catapults its BST to 625, allowing Lucario to hang with the very best.
In addition to its power-in game, it's hard to deny just how important Lucario is to Ash's team in the battle against Cynthia. Much like in the games, Mega Lucario relies on Aura Sphere and Bullet Punch as its signature moves that can handle any situation. If Lucario's raw power and unusual typing aren't enough, its powerful, intimidating design applies the cherry on top of this powerhouse Pokemon cake.
8 Dracovish
On the surface, Dracovish doesn’t look like much of a threat. It looks… well, equal parts horrifying and ridiculous, but its stats aren’t particularly special at all. However, stats are only part of the equation, as it's important to remember that there's more to a Pokemon than sheer numbers.
So why Is it in a strong spot in the middle of our list, then? Because it has a huge ace up its sleeve in the form of Fishious Rend. This already-powerful attack is twice as strong if Dracovish goes first and can be boosted by its Strong Jaw Ability.
7 Tyranitar
Tyranitar is a Pokemon that needs no introduction. This powerhouse of a Rock- and Dark-type has been spreading its sandy shenanigans across the battlefields of the Pokeverse for generations. It’s darn strong and has incredible coverage with a surprise special or mixed set. You never quite know what Tyranitar will do, but you can be sure you won’t like it.
It’s also deadly because it enables frightening threats like Excadrill, which really can claim souls left and right under the effects of the sandstorm. Tyranitar is a little limited by its Speed and various weaknesses, though (four times weak to Fighting is a particular drag).
6 Snorlax
Another OG Pokemon from Generation One, Snorlax has always been a solid (if unspectacular) pick. Its huge HP and Special Defense, coupled with its potent Attack, allows it to dish out much more damage than walls tend to be able to muster, and various interesting strategies like Curse Snorlax and Belly Drum Snorlax have emerged over the years.
Its Gigantamax attack, G-Max Replenish, restores berries that it and its allies may have used, opening up some super strong strategies in the doubles format. If you’re a competitive trainer, watch out for this one! As always, though, its dismal Speed holds it back from reaching the top spot.
5 Hydreigon
Hydreigon is a simple Pokemon with simple tastes. It doesn’t want to get into complex set-up strategies or mess around with status moves. It’s (usually) here to put on its stylish Choice Scarf/Choice Specs and blast its opponents so far into the horizon that they won’t make it back to their trainers for up to 12 business days.
This vicious Dark/Dragon Pokemon sometimes takes the physical route with a Dragon Dance set, but that can be tough to pull off. It’s often best at punching holes with its powerful STAB special moves. A well-known threat, held back only by its average Speed and the existence of the Fairy type.
4 Aegislash
Often, Game Freak give deserving Pokemon a little boost to their base stats between generations. It’s never really all that significant, but it’s nice to throw a Pokemon in need of a bone. The developers rarely choose to nerf a Pokemon's stats in the same way, but that’s exactly what happened to Aegislash in the transition to Sword and Shield.
Its defenses are now base 140 in Shield Forme, and its offenses are now 140 in Blade Forme. This is a very minor reduction, but it still proves just how good this Steel/Ghost Pokemon is. When played well and supported, Aegislash will always perform well, taking hits with its high defenses before switching to Blade Forme and retaliating with all its might. It can be a little predictable, though, which is why it just misses out on the top spots.
3 Togekiss
Togekiss is an exceptional Pokemon in nearly every facet, touting a 545 BST that features incredibly well-rounded stats with a focus on its Special Attack at 120. Aside from its powerful defenses that round out its high BST, Togekiss offers a strategic Swiss Army Knife for any occasion.
Perhaps its most effective niche involves the infamous paralysis and flinching (dubbed "paraflinch") combination that made it famous. First, you paralyze an opponent, then use Air Slash repeatedly. Air Slash features a 30 percent chance to flinch, but with Togekiss' Serene Grace ability, this number balloons to 60 percent.
With this strategy in place, Toegkiss can immobilize foes for numerous turns, whittling them down while they watch helplessly.
2 Metagross
One of the most powerful non-legendary Pokemon in the series is the mighty Metagross. This Steel/Psychic monster has been a meta mainstay several times since it was added in Generation Three.
It’s super tanky and can even take the surprise special attacking route. With its Mega Evolution, it could even make up for its mediocre Speed with the boost from base 70 to base 110.
You don’t want to mess with this angry, spidery supercomputer, that’s for darn sure. All that prevented it from ranking any higher was its exploitable weaknesses and rather predictable nature.
1 Garchomp
In the top spot, we have perhaps the strongest pseudo-Legendary Pokemon and one of the best Dragon types in series history: Garchomp. Since it first appeared in Gen Four, Garchomp has traditionally been a very popular pick and a force to be reckoned with.
It boasts 130 Attack, 102 Speed, 108 HP, and excellent STAB moves in Outrage and Earthquake. It has some great coverage moves available to it as well (even able to run a mixed set well), meaning it can cover specific issues your team may have.
It can be defensive with Stealth Rock, Rough Skin, and Rocky Helmet. You’re never quite safe from Garchomp because you’re never quite sure what it will do and which moves it has. Garchomp is a constant threat and the current best non-legendary Pokemon.