One of the biggest Nintendo Switch exclusives, Pokémon Sword and Shield has been out in the wild for a few weeks now. It was quite a controversial release, what with its National Dex cuts and such, but ultimately, it’s proven to be the juggernaut that a mainline Pokémon release always will be.

With regards to that Pokédex, the games feature a crop of all-new critters, along with a smattering of representation from each previous generation. Of course, some favorites have failed to make the cut and fans are super sad about it, but there are some excellent Pokémon from the franchise’s past that are up for grabs in Galar. Let’s take a look at some of the best Generation II Pokémon available in Sword and Shield.

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10 Sneasel

Now, granted, Sneasel wasn’t finally gifted with an evolution (Weavile) until Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Don’t let that fool you, though, because Sneasel is a furious little ball of Ice/Dark hatred and fury in its own right. It’s a strong, independent little weasel that doesn’t need any evolution.

In the lower tiers of competitive play, Sneasel’s Speed and Attack allow it to shred through weakened teams itself, or punch holes for a teammate to exploit. Needless to say, Weavile shares these traits and then some.

9 Piloswine

The odd, lumpy little snow-pig Swinub is in a similar spot to Sneasel. It was introduced in Generation II but was unable to unleash its full potential until some time later, when it final evolved form was added (again in Generation IV).

However, it was given a first evolution right there and then in Pokémon Gold and Silver: Piloswine. This magnificent soul is almost (almost) too furry to be allowed, a trait it seems to use to allow it to shrug off blows like Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator movies. Ice and Ground STAB is one of the best offensive combinations in the whole series, making Mamoswine a huge physical threat. If you slap an Eviolite onto Piloswine, it can also put in some surprising work.

8 Togetic

Generation II, as fans will remember, introduced all kinds of new mechanics to the series. One of the primary ones was breeding, which gave rise to the all-new and super adorable baby Pokémon. One of the first of these we met was the Normal-type (now retconned to Fairy) Togepi, and its evolved form Togetic.

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Since then, Togepi has been graced with a final form: the infuriating, Air-Slashing, flinch-spreading, demonic parade balloon filled with malice and salt that is Togekiss. When not pulling off Serene Grace-based shenanigans, it’s an excellent supportive Pokémon (as is Togetic with an Eviolite and the right support).

7 Quagsire

Now, it would be easy to underestimate Quagsire. Of course it would. For one thing… well, just look at it. That’s the face of a Pokémon that decided to lay down “just to rest its eyes,” fell into a 24-hour ‘nap’ and no longer knows or cares what day it is, what its own name is or whether it likes pineapple on pizza or not.

The thing about that is, Quagsire is a much more capable tank than many give it credit for. It’s not exactly going to rise to the cream of the competitive crop, but Water and Ground is a fantastic defensive typing and its Simple ability allows it to instantly cancel out any boosts the opponent has accrued, simply by thrusting its delightfully derpy face onto the battlefield.

6 Wobbuffet

For many Pokémon players, straight-up hyper offense is the way forward. While some like to build slow, defensive teams that gradually whittle opponents down, others are not about that life at all. Offensive players would rather send several payloads of hot, fresh Poké-pain straight up both the other player’s nostrils.

Wobbuffet, then, is not for everybody. It’s a brilliantly ridiculous Pokémon that has its niche and can fulfill it very well but has to be carefully played. It’s a potent and frightening force, specializing in trapping key Pokémon, forcing them to attack it and surviving with its monstrous HP, then using Counter or Mirror Coat to hit back twice as hard. You won’t see it often, but everyone’s fallen prey to one of these things over the course of their Pokémon career. Even wild ones can be deadly if you aren’t prepared.

5 Espeon and Umbreon

That’s right, friends. Generation II introduced a fan-favorite duo when it added two new Eevee evolutions to the mix: Espeon and Umbreon. A fast, offensive Psychic-type and a slow, bulky member of the fresh and exciting new Dark-type respectively, these two remain among many fans’ most beloved Eeveelutions.

Competitive-wise, they each have their uses. The Magic Bounce Hidden Ability has been great for Espeon and its hit-and-run style, while Umbreon has all the tools it needs to be a great wall or supporter.

4 Corsola

Well, you never thought you’d see Corsola on a list of the best… anything at all, did you? This long-forgotten Water/Rock had been a laughing stock for a long time. Generation VII reduced it to a crunchy little chew toy and/or hors d’oeuvre for Mareanie. It was given a new lease of life in Sword and Shield, though, with a new Galarian form and an evolution.

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Galarian Corsola is a Ghost-type that evolves into Cursola. This horrifying-looking abomination is very slow but surprisingly powerful (base 145 Special Attack is very strong indeed). It also sports a new Hidden Ability, Perish Body, which sets off the effects of Perish Song when it’s hit by a contact move. When players get to grips with that, they’ll be pulling off some very devious strategies.

3 Steelix

Well, your mileage will probably vary on this one. Steelix is a Pokémon that your opponent will often either find to be a complete roadblock or will just blaze through it will no issues at all. It’s very dependent on the situation.

Steelix takes Rock-type Pokémon’s general spirit of try and be super defensive while ignoring the fact that you’re Rock-type and weak to absolutely everything ever and runs with it. No longer Rock-type itself (it’s Steel/Ground), it expands on the stats of Onix: very slow, very physically defensive. Make sure you can deal with the opponents that can make short work of it, and it’ll happily sit there until the end of time itself.

2 Hitmontop

If you’re a competitive player who has spent a lot of time in doubles battles, you’re surely seen a whole lot of this dancing dude. Hitmontop has all the traits it needs to be a solid doubles supporter: handy moves like Wide Guard, Quick Guard, Helping Hand and Fake Out, priority in Mach Punch, the excellent Intimidate Ability, well-rounded stats… what more could you ask for?

When you want to go the more offensive route, it also boasts the super-strong Close Combat. Sword and Shield’s metagame is just starting to develop, but there’s no doubt that Hitmontop is going to have a part to play.

1 Tyranitar

Speaking of previously popular Pokémon that are sure to be meta mainstays this time around too, here comes our old buddy Tyranitar. One of the strongest pseudo-Legendary Pokémon around, Tyranitar took a hit when Fairy-types were introduced but is still the potent force it always was.

The trusty Tyranitar/Excadrill combo is sure to be a common sight on the ladder (for those of us who want to party like it’s 2011), with the Armor Pokémon setting up its auto-sandstorm and being a darn pain as usual.

NEXT: Pokémon: The 10 Best Gen III Pokémon In Sword & Shield