At first glance, the world of Pokemon is a paradise. A world filled to the brim with fantastical beasts that can be caught and commanded seems like a dream come true, but looks can be deceiving. While it may seem like the perfect world, there is a danger hidden within the very perk that draws people in - the Pokemon.
Living among creatures that control the elements may seem enticing at first, but you have to remember that these are wild animals. They don't adhere to the same rules as humans, and they have no qualms with using their innate talents to either defend themselves or hunt their prey. Out of all of the Pokemon that live in this deceptively deadly world, there are a few whose Pokedex entries make them out to be far more horrifying than a children's game should allow.
Updated March 2, 2023, by Dexter Adams: With the number of games being produced by the Pokemon franchise growing, so too does the number of pokedex entries. As more information is being added to the pokedex, more people are questioning whether they truly want to live in a Pokemon world. While Scarlet and Violet's dex entries have been rather tame in comparison to some of the earlier entries, there are still a handful that show how dangerous Pokemon can be.
20 Ceruledge
"An old set of armor stepped in grudges caused this Pokemon's evolution. Ceruledge cuts its enemies to pieces without mercy." (Violet)
As one of the edgiest Pokemon designs to date, it's to be expected that Ceruledge would have an equally edgy pokedex entry. This Pokemon is quite literally fueled by negative emotions. Whatever anger, betrayal, or sadness was left in the armor is now part of this Pokemon's very being, and its only outlet is through battle.
Pokemon battles are often presented as training or dispute resolutions between Pokemon and trainers alike. For a Pokemon to go so far as to literally cut down their opponent in one of these battles is a level of violence unbefitting of the series's PEGI 3 rating.
19 Palossand
"From the hollows in its arms, it fires the bones of its victims, which are all dried up after being drained of their vitality." (Violet)
Palossand has already been established as a horrifying Pokemon. After all, a Pokemon dragging unsuspecting prey into its body like living quicksand while draining them of their essence is a terrifying concept. However, Scarlet and Violet just had to add to this Pokemon's dex entry.
Not only does Palossand keep living things, because humans are also fair game for this Pokemon, in its body to absorb at its leisure, but now it fires the bones of its past meals at enemies. There are Pokemon that use bones to fight, like the Cubone line, but there's something disturbing about a Pokemon using its prey's bones to defend itself.
18 Toedscruel
"It coils its 10 tentacles around prey and sucks out their nutrients, causing the prey pain. The folds along the rim of its head are a popular delicacy." (Violet)
When you look at a Grass type, you don't tend to think of them as predators. Most are plant-like so many believe that they use photosynthesis to 'eat'. Toedscruel isn't most Grass types. They're based on mushrooms which are organisms that feed off of dead or dying plant matter. Unlike the average mushroom, however, Toedscuel prefers their next meal to be alive and squirming.
The idea of a massive mushroom rapping around you and slowly draining sucking up your nutrient until you're nothing but a raisin is already scary enough, but then the dex adds the fact that this is painful. Understandably, the process would be painful, but the fact that this Pokemon forces its prey to suffer, instead of outright killing them like most predators, makes Toedscruel live up to its name.
17 Chien-Pao
"This Pokemon can control 100 tons of fallen snow. It plays around innocently by leaping in and out of avalanches it has caused." (Scarlet)
For a Pokemon with literal swords for teeth, you'd think this Pokemon's bite would be the worst part about it, but you'd be wrong. To put in perspective the amount of snow that this Pokemon can control: the average space shuttle weighs around 78 tons. The fact that there's a creature with the strength and control to freely manipulate this much snow is terrifying by itself, but it's Chien-Pao's nature that makes this Pokemon truly deadly.
To Chien-Pao, causing an avalanche is fun. The destruction that this Pokemon causes doesn't even register to it as a natural disaster, as it's said that its play is innocent. It doesn't mean to threaten the lives of others, they just happen to be casualties to this Pokemon's fun. But, in the end, its actions are what defines it, and there's a good reason why it's labeled as the Ruinous Pokemon.
16 Gimmighoul (Chest Form)
"This Pokemon was born inside a treasure chest about 1,500 years ago. It sucks the life-force out of scoundrels who try to steal the treasure." (Scarlet)
Dungeons & Dragons has taught many people that an unassuming treasure chest is most likely a trap and Nintendo has now successfully reaffirmed this notion with the introduction of Gimmighoul. This cute little gremlin guards its wealth of coins with more ferocity than a Kangaskhan would its young. Where most animals would simply attack when threatened, Gimmighoul takes things a little too far.
Like any self-respecting Ghost type, Gimmighoul of course targets the soul when defending its coins. While this could be argued as defending its hoard, it seems a little excessive to suck out a person's soul over a few coins. Regardless, the next time you see a random chest lying around, stay away from it.
15 Froslass
"When it finds humans or Pokemon it likes, it freezes them and takes them to its chilly den, where they become decorations." (Sun)
It's already dangerous enough to climb a snowy mountain without having to worry about an undead ice creature hunting you. While it doesn't indiscriminately attack people, those that do garner this Pokemon's 'affection' are subject to a cruel fate. The most disturbing part of this entry isn't that Froslass hunts humans and Pokemon, but that it does this to add to its collection.
It would be one thing if Froslass hunted in order to survive, but its methods speak of an almost human compulsion. This Pokemon goes out of its way to collect those that it deems as beautiful or eye-catching much like a human would collect cards or stamps. To it, human life is so insignificant that Froslass can end one without a single thought except for how good their body would look in their home.
14 Guzzlord
"It has gobbled mountains and swallowed whole buildings, according to reports. It's one of the Ultra Beasts." (Sun)
The Ultra Beasts are an interesting set of Pokemon. They're not Pokemon in the traditional sense, as they come from a parallel universe, but share many similarities. One such similarity is that they're incredibly dangerous, none more so than the monstrosity known as Guzzlord.
As the Pokedex says, Guzzlord has an insatiable hunger. Everything in its path is nothing more than sustenance for the massive Ultra Beast. In the anime, an alternate reality where Guzzlord was allowed to run rampant showcased the devastation this one Ultra Beast could cause. It doesn't care what it puts in its mouth, even if what it's about to chow down upon is screaming in terror.
13 Umbreon
"When agitated, this Pokemon protects itself by spraying poisonous sweat from its pores." (Gold)
The Eeveelutions are a rather unassuming bunch. They have rather cute designs, taking away from the power these Pokemon possess. While the obvious dangers of the fire-type Flareon and the electric-type Jolteon are clear, it's the dark-type, Umbreon, that you should truly watch out for.
Dark-types are known for their sneaky battle tactics and Umbreon is no exception. While most dark types show their trickery through moves like Sucker Punch or even Fake Out, Umbreon deploys an ability that wouldn't be out of place on a poison type. While it's never explicitly stated how toxic the poison Umbreon secretes is, this defensive mechanism is more than enough to catch someone off guard, allowing Umbreon to capitalize on its stunned prey.
12 Trevenant
"It can control trees at will. It will trap people who harm the forest, so they can never leave." (X)
While ghost-types are infamous for their violent tendencies and innate maliciousness. Most seem to relish the chance of causing strife and fear, but Trevenant is different. It's not an inherently violent Pokemon. In fact, it acts as a guardian to whatever forest it resides in. The danger of this Pokemon comes in how it deals with those who harm its forests.
Now, one could say that it's just protecting its home, but Trevenant is an animal at the end of the day. What it deems to be a threat and what it deems as protection differs from what a human would. Where a human would merely run or ward off a threat, a Trevenant essentially imprisons those threats in their forest, trapping them there for the rest of their lives.
11 Kleavor
"A violent creature that fells towering trees with its crude axes and shields itself with hard stone. If one should chance upon this Pokemon in the wilds, one's only recourse is to flee." (Legends: Arceus)
When Kleavor is introduced as a noble in Legends: Arceus, it arrives in the clearing in a truly spectacular fashion. With an admittedly elegant spin, it cut down several trees with ease before landing in front of your player. It was an incredibly impressive and intimidating, even more so when you read its Pokedex entry.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus did a very good job at establishing the fact that the Pokemon world is dangerous. Most Pokemon attack on sight without any sort of provocation needed. This means that, to humans, every Pokemon is dangerous. Considering Kleavor's Dex entry specifies the only course of action when encountering this Pokemon is to run is a testament to its strength and deadliness.
10 Goodra
"It attacks with retractable horns. It throws a punch that's the equivalent of the force of a hundred pro boxers." (Y)
When most people look at this gooey dragon, they see a gentle giant. While this is true given the dragon-types typically friendly disposition, Goodra is still a pseudo legendary. Its stats are comparable to mythical and legendary Pokemon and people tend to forget that when looking at its smiling face.
Stat-wise, Goodra is a more defensive Pokemon - according to its Pokedex, it hits like a truck and then some. Seeing as the average pro boxer can punch with a force of around 750 pounds, Goodra, whose punch is 100 times that number, is more than capable of shattering a person's bones with ease.
9 Magcargo
"Magcargo's body temperature is approximately 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Water is vaporized on contact. If this Pokemon is caught in the rain, the raindrops instantly turn into steam, cloaking the area in a thick fog." (Sapphire)
Being a fire type, it's understandable that a Magcargo would be considered dangerous. After all, fire is one of the most destructive elements on the planet, even in a world like Pokemon. However, its ability to generate fire isn't what makes Magcargo deadly. No, just being in the vicinity of this Pokemon is dangerous.
To put things in perspective, the surface of the sun is roughly 9,941 degrees Fahrenheit. Magcargo's body, if this Dex entry is to be believed, runs nearly twice as hot as the sun. Not only would this do more than just cause rainwater to evaporate on contact, but this Pokemon's mere existence would cause an apocalyptic cataclysm.
8 Electrode
"It is dangerous. If it has too much electricity and has nothing to do, it amuses itself by exploding." (Gold)
Voltorb and Electrode are infamous for their explosive tempers. Every time they're portrayed in the anime or manga, they are seen exploding. They are literal walking (or rolling) time bombs, but surprisingly that's not the scariest part about them.
As stated in their Dex entry, Electrode find enjoyment in exploding. While this is a relief that they aren't hurting themselves by using Selfdestruct and Explosion, it's troubling that they see this act the same way humans see watching TV. It's fun for them and, unfortunately, their fun can cause extreme collateral damage.
7 Espurr
"It has enough psychic energy to blast everything within 300 feet of itself, but it has no control over its power." (Y)
It's often said that big things come in small packages and this has never been more true than with Espurr. Despite its rather unassuming appearance, as its Dex entry states, it has an incredible amount of power at its disposal. While there are plenty of other Pokemon that have far more raw power, it's the fact that Espurr is stated to have no control over their power that makes Espurr so dangerous.
Even if Espurr's power is on the lower side in the grand scheme of things, it still has enough force to wipe out an entire football field. If something were to set off this adorable kitten, it's functionally a bomb just waiting to go off.
6 Wigglytuff
"Its fine fur feels so pleasant, those who accidentally touch it cannot take their hands away." (Black 2)
At first glance, this entry doesn't make Wigglytuff out as threatening. It doesn't cause immeasurable pain or kill anyone that looks at it funny. It's just a big, cute, and incredibly soft Pokemon, but that's the problem. It's too soft.
People are so enraptured by this Pokemon's fur that they drop everything to continue petting it. They forget their friends, their job, their family, everything. For that person, nothing else matters except the feeling of that Wigglytuff's fur. The life they had is gone, replaced by an unending desire to pet this Pokemon.
5 Toxicroak
"Its knuckle claws secrete a toxin so vile that even a scratch could prove fatal." (Diamond)
Without even knowing its Dex entry, Toxicroak looks intimidating. It's big, agile, and has a creepy glare. It's also apparently proficient in some form of martial arts. If that wasn't scary enough, it's incredibly venomous.
Toxicroak's design is based on the poison dart frog but, unlike its diminutive real-world counterpart, it uses its toxins for offense rather than defense. If its innate combat ability fails it, its poison is an ace in the hole and a potential one-shot kill. If just a scratch is enough to kill someone, just imagine what a full dose would do.
4 Mimikyu
"A gust of wind revealed what hides under this Pokemon's rag to a passing Trainer, who went home and died painfully that very night." (Ultra Moon)
The sad part about this entry is that Mimikyu doesn't purposely go out of its way to hurt people. In fact, it's the opposite. It wears its 'costume' to not only make itself look more appealing but protect those around it because it knows how dangerous it is to just see its true form. It's why it goes out of its way to maintain this costume.
However, regardless of its intent, Mimikyu is incredibly dangerous. If just the slightest breeze can trigger this effect, just being in the same area as a Mimikyu is hazardous to your health. Heaven forbid its costume gets damaged while it's in a public space.
3 Inteleon
"Its nictitating membranes let it pick out foes' weak points so it can precisely blast them with water that shoots from its fingertips at Mach 3." (Shield)
For a Pokemon inspired by James Bond, it's no surprise that Inteleon is as dangerous as it is. It's the Secret Agent Pokemon after all. It needs to be stealthy, badass looking, and, above all, deadly. Its creators might have gone a little overboard.
Being able to pick out an opponent's weaknesses with a single glance is impressive, but that's nothing compared to its water bullets. To put this in perspective, the average speed of a handgun round being fired is roughly 370 meters per second. Mach 3 is 1029 meters per second. This means that an Inteleon's finger gun can shoot a bullet of water with over three times the force of a standard handgun. If it wanted to, an Inteleon could shoot through a steel bunker.
2 Gengar
"It apparently wishes for a travelling companion. Since it was once human itself, it tries to create one by taking the lives of other humans." (Moon)
The Pokedex has never been exactly kind to Gengar. It always portrays Pokemon's quintessential ghost as the embodiment of evil. It hides in shadows, stalks and terrorizes people, and laughs while doing it all, but this entry hits different. This entry flat-out states that Gengar kills people.
Reasons aside, Gengar, without hesitation and minimal effort, snuffs out the life of anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby. We even see this in episode 23 of the Pokemon anime when Ash and Pikachu are ejected from their bodies so that a Gengar and its friends can have some fun. It may have ended well for them in the end, but considering that the Dex doesn't include how Gengar brings their targets back to life paints a much darker picture.
1 Gardevoir
"To protect its trainer, it will expend all its psychic power to create a small black hole." (White)
While its intentions may be noble, Gardevoir's methods of defending their Trainer leave much to be desired. While these psychic types are undoubtedly powerful, being able to create an event horizon and all, but it has very little regard for their surroundings.
A black hole breaks the laws of physics. The gravitational pull of a black hole is so strong that it can bend light. They are known to 'consume' stars and, if one were to spawn on Earth, the results would be catastrophic. It doesn't matter that the Gardevoir was trying to save its trainer because their trainer wouldn't survive the Gardevoir trying to protect them.