The abilities that Pokemon wield are beyond imagination. Each one is capable of manipulating the various elements of the world to unleash a multitude of attacks that break the very laws of reality. As powerful and as devastating as these attacks are, they're widely accepted as the only means Pokemon have to fight, but that's not always the case.
While every Pokemon possesses the ability to manipulate the forces of nature, some have other means to engage in combat. There are a few Pokemon that just prefer to use weapons and tools to aid them in combat rather than the elements. They are not many, but they're just as capable as any other Pokemon.
Updated December 11, 2022, by Dexter Adams: With the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, a slew of new Pokemon have exploded onto the scene. These Pokemon, with unusual designs and unorthodox ways to fight, prove, once again, that not all Pokemon rely on physical strength or their ability to manipulate the forces of nature. Specifically, quite a few of those Pokemon that rely on non-biological instruments to aid them in battle have been added to the Pokedex. Scarlet and Violet have also reintroduced several Pokemon that had been all but forgotten that rely on similar means to tackle opponents.
14 Hypno
The title of the Pokemon world's creepiest Pokemon is constantly being juggled between Pokemon like Gengar and Mr. Mime. However, there's one Pokemon that competed for this title that many have forgotten, possibly on purpose. Fortunately, or unfortunately, this Pokemon has reappeared in Paldea, reminding everyone of the dangers that a simple pendulum can bring.
Hypno is best known for its ability to brainwash others using a silver pendulum it carries around. Much like a stereotypical hypnotist hypnotizing a volunteer using a pocket watch, Hypno will mesmerize their prey and feast on their dreams. This species is especially fond of children's dreams and has been known to kidnap them to continuously feast on them.
13 The Tinkatink Line
Scarlet and Violet's new line of fairy-steel types is proof of the resourcefulness of Pokemon. Tinkatink, Tinkatuff, and Tinkaton all gather bits of scrap metal to craft hammers that they use to defend themselves, though Tinkatink does this rather pitifully. The first stage of this line consistently has its hammer stolen by much larger Pokemon whose diet consists of metal, forcing it to reforge its weapon over and over again.
The last two members of this evolutionary line are far more formidable when it comes to using, and protecting, their weapons. The PokeDex states that Tinkatuff forms its hammers out of the metal scraps of its prey, Pawniard, and Bisharp, while Tinkaton wields its 220-pound hammer to take potshots at flying Corviknight.
12 Bombirdier
A flying-type with no prehensile limb is the last Pokemon you'd think would use a tool or weapon, but Bombirdier definitely defies expectations. It can't grasp items in a traditional sense; this flying and dark type can use an 'apron' made of its own feathers to hold things. While it primarily uses this apron like a pelican's bill, it also uses it to gather rocks to drop on unsuspecting prey.
Much like how some real-life animals use stones to break upon nuts and fruits, Bombirdier also uses rocks similarly. It mainly drops rocks because it enjoys the sound, but it can use this ability as a means of fighting. It's why this Pokemon is the only one with the ability Rocky Payload, an ability that increases the damage done by rock-type moves.
11 Braixen And Delphox
It's practically common knowledge at this point that the Kalos starters were designed around the classic RPG classes. Froakie was the thief or assassin, Chespin was the tank, and Fennekin was the mage. Of course, we don't see the mage inspiration from Fennekin until it evolves, but it's very prevalent in Braixen and Delphox in their designs and equipment.
Like any good witch or wizard, Braixen and Delphox use wands as a focus for their abilities. However, instead of casting spells, the two bipedal foxes use their wands to generate and control their fire. Delphox even goes a step further and uses its wands to channel its psychic power and see the future. Both also use their wands as a means of communicating with each other.
10 Floragato And Meowscarada
While there were quite a few people that were disappointed with the direction that Sprigatito's evolutionary line went, no one can deny that Floragato and Mewoscarada are some of the most interesting starter evolutions created. While the other grass starters rely on shooting out leaves or summoning vines from their bodies, the two recent additions have a different manner of attack.
Both Floragato and Meowscarada use similar yet different weapons in combat. For Floragato, it uses a hardened flower bud as its primary weapon, wielding it like a flail, or a yo-yo, using a vine that it hides under its fur. When Floragato evolves into Meowscarada, that bud blooms into a flower that's filled with so much pollen that it will literally explode. These two Pokemon give a whole new meaning to the word "Flower Power."
9 Farfetch'd And Galarian Farfetch'd
One wouldn't think that a simple leek could be used as a viable weapon, but Kanto's wild duck Pokemon would beg to disagree. Using what many would consider an ingredient for cooking, Farfetch'd become a veritable swordsman. The Pokemon has even developed several fighting styles that incorporate the use of the leek, practically making it a part of the Pokemon itself.
The Farfetch'd of Galar follow the same habits as their Kantonian counterpart. They, too, use leeks for combat, though the ones they choose are significantly larger. Because of the weight of their leeks, these Farfetch'd would wield them like one would a great sword or javelin. Additionally, because they wield larger leeks, Galarian Farfetch'd have become fighting types as opposed to flying.
8 Sirfetch'd
As the evolved form of Galarian Farfetch'd, Sirfetch'd also wields a leek in battle, but in a much different fashion than either version of Farfetch'd. Its leek evolves with Sirfetch'd, becoming two separate parts. The stem becomes a wickedly sharp blade while the leaves harden into a shield capable of withstanding the most brutal of attacks.
Like the knights of old that it's based on, Sirfetch'd wields both parts of its leek in battle. Its blade is used as a combination of a sword and a lance to keep its opponents at a respectable distance while its shield fends off attacks from those that slip past its attacks. These leeks are so crucial to a Sirfetch'd way of life that when its leek inevitably withers, the Pokemon will retire.
7 Cubone And Marowak
The life of Cubone and Marowak is one of the many tragedies hidden behind the bright, colorful veil that the Pokemon world projects. The story of how Cubone wears the skull of its dead mother haunts the dreams of a generation. Disturbing origins aside, both Cubone and Marowak's skeletal aesthetic isn't just keyed to their looks but also their way to battle.
Both Pokemon use bones from an unknown origin to aid them in battle. They wield them like clubs or even boomerangs at times. They even have signature moves based on these weapons. Even the Alolan variant uses their bones in such a manner, though they are wielded more like staves than clubs; they, too, gain the signature moves of Cubone and Kantonian Marowak.
6 The Oshawott Line
The seashells on Oshawott and Dewott's bodies aren't just for show. These shells are known as scalchops and, while they are technically a part of both of these Pokemon, they can be removed and used in battle. The shells are fairly durable, capable of protecting both Pokemon from super-effective hits, and are essential for Oshawott and Dewott to use the move Razor Shell.
Samurott's far more blade-like seamitars function much like its previous forms' scalchops, making Samurott a fearsome opponent to face in battle. Scalchops and seamitars are all made of the same keratin material that fingernails are made from and, like fingernails, they can be regrown if broken or lost.
5 Kadabra And Alakazam
The stereotypical spell casters of fantasy almost always have some kind of focus to help them control their magic. Whether it be a wand, a staff, or some kind of gemstone, these foci go practically hand-in-hand with a mage, and what are Kadabra and Alakazam but the Pokemon world's mages? Their entire line is based on the famous magic words, after all.
While the two psychic types don't use a 'traditional' spell focus, their spoons are just as much a part of them as their mustaches. Both Kadabra and Alakazam can function without their spoons, but their telekinetic powers are cut in half without them. Their spoons can also be used as cutlery, and anything eaten with them is said to taste delicious.
4 The Timburr Line
Where the majority of item-wielding Pokemon use their specific item to aid them in battle, members of the Timburr line use theirs as more of a training instrument than a weapon. In both Timburr and Gurdurr's PokeDex entries, it's stated that the two of them wield their items as a means to strengthen their bodies for evolution.
This strength training doesn't stop when they reach their final stage either. Conkeldurr forms its concrete pillars as a means to continue strengthening its body, even during battle. This is further proven as Conkeldurr is known to toss its pillars aside should it ever need to go all out in battle.
3 Galarian Slowbro
Everyone knows how Slowbro comes into being. A Slowpoke, using its tail to fish, gets bitten by a Shellder and the poison in the Shellder's bite triggers an evolution. It's possibly one of the strangest evolutionary processes in Pokemon, but it's still interesting, as Slowbro is technically two Pokemon. That being said, the Slowpoke of Galar undergoes a different process to evolve into Slowbro.
Unlike the typical Slowbro, Galarian Slowbro are bitten on the arm by a Shellder, triggering a completely different evolution. The Shellder takes on a form resembling an arm cannon capable of shooting globs of poison from the stinger-like tip. As is the same with Kantonian Slowbro, the Shelder is still a separate entity that Slowbro manipulates by pulling its tongue.
2 Zacian
You can't discuss weapon-wielding Pokemon without discussing the Legendary Heroes of Galar. While both Pokemon are heavily tied around their respective weapons, Zamazenta's shield becomes integrated into its body. It doesn't wield its weapon in the same manner as Zacian. As such, Zamazenta didn't make it on this list, while Zacian did.
Zacian, as the mascot of Pokemon Sword, wields a blade in a fashion reminiscent of a certain Dark Souls boss. This legendary is said to move with unparalleled grace and ferocity, capable of even cutting through a Dragon-type's scales with little effort. While it may wield its weapon in an unorthodox manner, no one can deny Zacian's prowess with a sword.
1 Mewtwo
Mewtwo is known for its less-than-ethical creation and unrivaled psychic powers. It's seen as the ultimate Pokemon, capable of overwhelming its foes without even having to move. With all the abilities and powers at Mewtwo's disposal, many wouldn't even think that such a Pokemon would need a weapon or tool for battle, and they would only be partially right.
In the anime and the games, Mewtwo only relies on its psychic powers in combat, but not in the manga. Much like Kadabra and Alakazam, Mewtwo has also been shown using a spoon in combat. However, Mewtwo doesn't necessarily use it to focus its power. Instead, Mewtwo wields this much larger piece of cutlery like a bo staff, striking its opponents with vicious attacks.