The best Gen 8 Pokemon

From one perspective, marketing the game with the early-route birds and rodents, some Galarian forms, and a few random Fairies keeps the actual Pokedex a mystery and allows people to discover the game for themselves. But for people like me, I have to know what I should look forward to, in order to get excited about a Pokemon game.

10. Galarian Zigzagoon

9. Galarian Darmanitan

8. Frosmoth

7. Galarian Moltres

6. Polteageist

5. Orbeetle

4. Grapploct

3. Centiskorch

2. Dragapult

1. Toxtricity

And boy, did Galar deliver. If we'd know that Toxtricity and Dragapult were headlining the game, I legitimately think a lot of negative press could've been avoided. Because at the end of the day, what matters most is that there's awesome Pokemon to catch.

How about you? What were your favorites of the 8th gen?

The Worst Gen 8 Pokemon

Well well, what's all this then? You lot up to some mischief as usual? Good riddance to bad rubbish, I always say!

10. Dracovish

9. Runerigus

8. Galarian Weezing

7. Galarian Mr. Mime

6. Eternatus

5. Greedent

4. Chewtle

3. Arctovish

2. Blipbug

1. Calyrex

Some of the ones here are spaghetti messes like Runerigus and Eternatus, others are ugly cartoons like Blipbug and Greedent, and then Calyrex deserves a tip of the hat for becoming the new Worst Pokemon Ever. Actually, scratch that. Calyrex deserves nothing. Nothing except a swift kick in the head.

But, now I ask the peanut gallery - you are your Bottom 10 Pokemon from this gen?

8th Gen Summary

Perhaps Legends: Arceus should be counted as part of Gen 8. I mean, it's not really Gen 9 yet, is it? But I don't feel like waiting around to see how things develop, the timing is right to wrap this up here. We'll cover the Hisuan Forms later.

Anyway, the 8th Gen averaged out to 5.7 / 10. Like as in Alola, we factor in the Galarian forms, but not Gigantamax. The Gigantamaxes come out to 5.5 / 10, so they actively bring the generation down.

That means this is the best-ranking Generation since Hoenn, which sounds wild but... actually, kinda tracks. The first Pokemon they showed off were underwhelming, just boring mainly. But upon release, all the hidden gems came out and I ended up with a dozen or so that I absolutely loved! And that was the overall impression of the game, too. I went in not expecting much, but surprisingly enjoyed it.

A lot of the criticisms I have still stand, and I remain cynical about the future of the franchise (although Arceus: Legends might be a step in the right direction?), but it makes me glad to know that the designers can still turn out some killer Pokemon. 

other regional scores, for reference:
Gen 1 - 6.2

Gen 2 - 5.8

Gen 3 - 6.1

Gen 4 - 4.8

Gen 5 - 5.4

Gen 6 - 5.6

Gen 7 - 5.4

Gen 8 - 5.7

Beta Gen Summary

(if you don't know what this is, click here)

I suppose I shouldn't keep you waiting any longer. Let's look back on the dream of things that might have been.

The 69 Beta Pokemon I reviewed averaged out to 5.9/10. That's pretty good, even with the host of stupid babies dragging down the average!

Of those, 30 were rough drafts of existing Pokemon, and half of them turned out better than their final counterparts, for a net gain of 27 points. They shouldn't have second-guessed themselves!

Now, using the ratings I gave to the actual Gen 2 Pokemon, if Gold/Silver had shipped with the Beta Pokedex, it would have averaged out to 5.8/10. Which is... exactly what the actual Gen 2 got. How did that happen, when I just said the beta-versions were better overall? Well, keep in mind that because the Beta version had original Pokemon like Bellmitt and Twinz, it was missing actual Gen 2 Pokemon like Heracross and Chinchou. And it all ended up evening out.

So what's the moral, here? Apparently if the Beta had been final, it would've still been about as good. There's no need to wish for an alternate universe, here. But I do wish that we could get that top crop of Beta-mons in the real games, some day.

Now I want to see the discarded designs for all the generations...

The Best Beta Gen Pokemon

I weep for what never got the chance to exist. We were missing out, man.

10. Pangshi

9. Beta-Magby

8. Bomseaker

7. Dynabear

6. Anchorage

5. Rinring

4. Bellboyant

3. Warwolf

2. Tigrette

1. Octillery

I made the executive decision to bump Beta-Scizor from the list, because while he is indeed awesome, he's equally awesome to his final version, whereas Beta-Magby was a vast improvement. And this also opened a slot for another original Pokemon, Pangshi, to squeeze in there. Hey, it's my site, I make the rules, ok?

How about you - which Beta Pokemon do you wish were real?

(no all-time ranking update, since I'd be comparing idealized phantoms with the all-too-fallible flesh)

The Worst Beta Gen Pokemon

Presenting the argument for "this beta should never have seen the light of day", we have:

10. Puddi

9. Cleffa

8. Blossomole
7. Likk

6. Para

5. Grimey

4. Grotess
3. Hitmontop

2. Golpy
1. Ballerine

Yeah, it wasn't a good day for babies. It's hardly ever a good day for babies, but this day was worse than most. Thank goodness Gamefreak saw reason, and removed most of them, along with these other foul shitstains.

(again, no cumulative ranking, for Reasons)

And you? What Beta Pokemon make you say "sometimes dead is better"?

The Worst Gen 7 Pokemon

Trouble in paradise. Some of these garbage Pokemon were polluting the fair oceans and forests, being in the way and getting everybody all upset.

10. Alolan Graveler

9. Comfey

8. Dewpider

7. Trumbeak

6. Alolan Persian

5. Turtonator

4. Drampa

3. Necrozma

2. Alolan Dugtrio

1. Gumshoos

Specifically, I recall upsetting people with the blinding wisdom that Drampa, Turtonator, Necrozma, and Dewpider suck. I wish they didn't, but thems the facts. Who's running this blog, anyway? I don't see you posting shit!

...okay, you barely see me posting shit either, but still!

Well fine then, if you know so much - who are your Bottom 10 Pokemon from this gen?

The Best Gen 7 Pokemon

It was another short-handed generation, but at least it had more than the last one. I found myself with almost two full teams of Pokemon I wanted to use, which is a good problem to have. And not much of a problem, with the overly-generous exp share mechanics.

10. Buzzswole

9. Toucannon

8. Bruxish

7. Alolan Ninetales

6. Minior

5. Alolan Muk

4. Palossand

3. Alolan Marowak

2. Mimikyu

1. Salazzle

And as for the traditional "how do they fit into my cumulative top 10"... dang. This only gets harder and harder. I'll use the top 10 from my Top 25 I did a few years ago, instead of the older list from the Gen 6 wrap-up. But with a slight alteration, because I really don't know what Blastoise is doing up that high. He's still great, don't get me wrong, but... 4th best? anyway:

10. Mimikyu

9.  Donphan

8. Galvaltula

7. Salazzle

6. Pinsir

5. Starmie

4. Cacturne

3. Machamp

2. Heracross

1. Haunter

Salazzle and Mimikyu make the cut, and I can tell you that a few others would've got shuffled into that top 25 somehow.

7th Gen Summary

It's been a long time coming, hasn't it? We've been through so much, you and I. Well, it's time at last. Come, lay your head on my lap, and let me dribble opinions into your ear.

The 7th gen averaged out to 5.4 / 10. And that's counting Alolan forms, which I think you should. But not counting Ultra Beasts, because I scored them on their own scale, and evaluated them on different criteria. Ultra Beasts averaged out to a B+, by the way.

Funny story about the Alolans, though - they actively hurt the percentage. And compared to their Kanto origins, they combine for a net loss of 15 points! I feel like it was all worth it, to get Alolan Muk, Ninenales, and Marowak, though.

Oddly, despite the score coming in lower than Gen 6, I have a much more positive feeling about this generation! Maybe there were more 10/10s, and I've already forgotten the middling mooks? Or maybe it was the Alola Spirit moving me. I liked the game as a whole, and wrote my thoughts in more detail in the First Thoughts series.

Here's to Gen 8 in 2019!

other regional scores, for reference:

Gen 1: 6.2

Gen 2: 5.8

Gen 3: 6.1

Gen 4: 4.8

Gen 5: 5.4

Gen 6: 5.6

Gen 7: 5.4

The Worst 25 Pokemon of All Time

This is it. This is what this blog was founded on. Some Pokemon are really aces, you guys. They're cool or cute or badass or whatever!

Then you get some that are blights on the face of mankind. Specimens so awful, it's a wonder they were ever brought into the daylight. Horrific fusions of poor taste and misplaced design goals, I despite every single one of them with an unhealthy passion. But all that hate eats you up inside. And so, with this, I consider it case closed, I feel merely pity -

Sadly, not all Pokemon are created equal.


25. Barboach
24. Cherrim
23. Druddigon
22. Barbaracle
21. Phione
20. Smoochum
19. Rhyperior
18. Burmy
17. Garbodor
16. Kyurem
15. Mime Jr.
14. Cherubi
13. Staravia
12. Mothim
11. Azurill
10. Sigilyph
9. Wormadam
8. Drapion
7. Mega Manectric
6. Mega Aerodactyl
5. Tranquil
4. Uxie
3. Zygarde
2. Klefki
1. Dunsparce

Now, how about you? I'm sure you have a shit-list. Give me your bottom 10s!

My Top 25 Favorite Pokemon of All Time

As I was going through these individual type rankings, I realized my opinions of certain Pokemon had... shifted a bit, from when I wrote the review. I ranked them according to their written score, but sometimes I wished I had given this one a 10 instead of a 9, or that this guy wasn't really a 9, more like an 8, etc.

So, I figured I may as well do one last shout-out to all my Poke-homies. This will be a fresh ranking, from a fresh state of mind, that may or may not agree with my previous cumulative Top 10 lists, or reflect the exact score I gave each Pokemon.

Basically, it's my excuse to just say "screw it" to the past 5 years of data and give a completely emotion-based ranking off the top of my head, while everything is still fresh in my mind.

25. Gardevoir
24. Scizor
23. Magmar
22. Torterra
21. Deoxys
20. Scolipede
19. Gengar
18. Shiftry
17. Krookodile
16. Luxray
15. Kingler
14. Metagross
13. Cofagrigus
12. Typhlosion
11. Scyther
10. Blaziken
9.  Donphan
8. Galvaltula
7. Pinsir
6. Starmie
5. Cacturne
4. Blastoise
3. Machamp
2. Heracross
1. Haunter

So, how about you? You don't have to rattle off all 25, but at least give me a top 10 all-time favorites.

The Best (and Worst) Ghost-Type Pokemon

Saving the best for last, it's the ghosts with the most, my favorite type of all. They aren't many, but there amount of quality is super-high. And of course, it ends with my all-time reigning world champion favorite, Haunter, at the big #1 spot.

10. Mega Banette
9. Pumpkaboo
8. Chandelure
7. Aegislash
6. Sableye
5. Duskull
4. Shedinja
3. Gengar
2. Cofagrigus
1. Haunter

And like I said, there's just so few BAD ones. A bottom 5 is pretty much all I can do.

5. Gourgeist
4. Spiritomb
3. Drifloon
2. Doublade
1. Dusknoir

The Best (and Worst) Dark-Type Pokemon

Dark, as a sub-type, is like butter. It makes everything better. I didn't think I would consider it one of my favorite types, and I don't particularly like the Dark elements of it, but it just seems that the sort of Pokemon that gets ascribed a Dark sub-type, just has enough of that edge to be really badass and cool.

10. Krookodile
9. Pangoro
8. Tyranitar
7. Houndour
6. Sableye
5. Weavile
4. Sharpedo
3. Shiftry
2. Sneasel
1. Cacturne


In fact, there's just not that many bad Dark types. I stopped the list at 8, because any more and I'd be dipping into 5/10s and I just don't think that score belongs on a bottom anything.

8. Bisharp
7. Mega Tyranitar
6. Mega Gyarados
5. Spiritomb
4. Mightyena
3. Scraggy
2. Skuntank
1. Drapion

The Best (and Worst) Psychic-Types

I'm back! And on the predicted date, too. It's almost as if someone saw the future? someone... with Psychic Powers? (no? no good?) okay sheesh give me a break it's tough trying to come up with puns for every type.

Here's my top 10 psychic Pokemon, a fair amount of them are Legendaries. In fact, some of the few legendaries you'll see on my top 10s.

10. Claydol
9. Victini
8. Mew
7. Gardevoir
6. Abra
5. Reuniclus
4. Deoxys
3. Mewtwo
2. Metagross
1. Starmie


But what is with the Psychic type to produce these inbred rejects. You think they're a decent sort, coming out with Mewtwo and Abra and the like, but then all of a sudden there's Jynx and Wobbuffet, and then each of them get even worse prevolutions! Just goes to show, I guess.

10. Wobbuffet
9. Bronzor
8. Jynx
7. Wynaut
6. Mespirit
5. Smoochum
4. Mega Slowbro
3. Mime Jr.
2. Sigilyph
1. Uxie

The Best (and Worst) Steel-Type

You know, I think somehow I'd forgotten how many Steel-types there are. In my head it's not an oft-used type, but there's really a lot of them these days. And a lot of kickass Pokemon with balls of steel, too.

10. Lucario
9. Escavalier
8. Mega Scizor
7. Genesect
6. Mega Mawile
5. Steelix
4. Aegislash
3. Aggron
2. Scizor
1. Metagross


And surprisingly few crap ones! I mean, those bottom two are absolutely vile, but most of this list are 3/10s. That ain't bad. Makes me think that Steel actually has a great average rating.

10. Klang
9. Magnezone
8. Mega Steelix
7. Doublade
6. Mega Lucario
5. Shieldon
4. Magneton
3. Bronzor
2. Klingklang
1. Klefki

The Best (and Worst) Fairy-Type Pokemon

Okay, Fairy is officially my most hated type. I don't really like it on a concept level, and while I appreciate how it was used to give boring Normal-types something different, it also seemed to be assigned to the worst of them all. And in fact, it's hard to think of many good ones. So here's a top 5, but I'm already reaching by the time we hit the cinco.

5. Whimsicott
4. Jigglypuff
3. Mega Audino
2. Mega Mawile
1. Gardevoir


On the other hand, it's very easy to think of hateable ones! These Pokemon suck majorly! I don't like them at all! I think I've made myself abundantly clear!

10. Carbink
9. Togetic
8. Cleffa
7. Clefable
6. Snubbul
5. Dedenne
4. Igglybuff
3. Mime Jr.
2. Azurill
1. Klefki

The Best (and Worst) Bug-Types

I love Bug-types. I think it's something about how bug-catching is the closest to real-life Pokemon collecting you can get, or maybe just that bugs have badass plates and jaws and horns and spikes and stuff. This was a pleasure to look through, and honestly I feel like numbers 2 through 7 could really go in any order, I love 'em all so much.

10. Genesect
9. Shedinja
8. Mega Beedrill
7. Joltik
6. Scizor
5. Scolipede
4. Pinsir
3. Scyther
2. Galvantula
1. Heracross

But by some cruel trick of fate, there are also a large number of stupid, pointless and ugly Bug-types. Kind of like real life, I suppose. But it seems like I'm generally hot or cold on these guys, either I think they're pretty great, or I can't reach for my flyswatter fast enough. Special points for the bottom three for just being the single WORST evolutionary line ever, not a single redeeming feature about any of its members.

10. Mega Pinsir
9. Scatterbug
8. Crustle
7. Nincada
6. Cascoon
5. Dustox
4. Illumise
3. Burmy
2. Mothim
1. Wormadam

The Best (and Worst) Dragon-Types

Dragon is such a weird type. It doesn't have any obvious elemental connections, and exists mainly as a mechanic to make some Pokemon "better" than others. This is especially obvious in the first few gens, where it was almost exclusively the purveyance of the psuedo-legendaries.

10. Gabite
9. Altaria
8. Tyrantrum
7. Zekrom
6. Giratina
5. Dratini
4. Gible
3. Haxorus
2. Dragonair
1. Rayquaza


But really, it turns out I don't like Dragon-types that much. Maybe it's because the games treat them like they're hot shit, but really a lot of them are just over-designed actual shits. Oh, and no, I will NOT apologize for hating Mega Ampharos. It's really really really stupid.

10. Mega Latias/Latios
9. Bagon
8. Shelgon
7. Mega Ampharos
6. Reshiram
5. Dragonite
4. Druddigon
3. Mega Salamence
2. Kyurem
1. Zygarde

The Best (and Worst) Poison Types

I get to give props to my all-time favorite Pokemon today, so that's always cool! Haunter, you're my bae. Forever and always. The rest of you are cool, too, I guess.

10. Muk
9. Nidorina
8. Nidorino
7. Roserade
6. Nidoking
5. Beedrill
4. Mega Beedrill
3. Gengar
2. Scolipede
1. Haunter

I'd forgotten how aggressively ugly some of these Pokemon were. Poison, as a type, tends towards the ugly, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. The bottom two in particular are just such a mess, I don't even know.

10. Skrelp
9. Skuntank
8. Gloom
7. Dustox
6. Tentacool
5. Trubbish
4. Seviper
3. Gulpin
2. Drapion
1. Garbodor

The Best (and Worst) Ice-Types

It's hotter and sweatier than Elvis Presley's armpit where I live, so what better way to cool down than with some chill Ice-Types? I notice that this top 10 is bookended with Pokemon I accuse of looking like those infamous Little Ponies, and I'm not entirely sure I like what that says about me.

10. Lapras
9. Cloyster
8. Mega Abomasnow
7. Walrein
6. Snowver
5. Glalie
4. Weavile
3. Sneasel
2. Abomasnow
1. Aurorus

There aren't that many Ice Types to begin with, and so these are literally all of the "bad" ones. Kyurem is really, really freaking bad, though. Like amazingly awful. Stupendously sucky. Wonderfully whack. But I digress...

10. Delibird
9. Cryogonal
8. Mamoswine
7. Beartic
6. Spheal
5. Mega Glalie
4. Snorunt
3. Jynx
2. Smoochum
1. Kyurem