The Ultimate POKEMON Roster for Generation IX

Last month, Nintendo launched Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. These games launched the ninth generation of Pokémon games and that meant that we got a ton of brand-new Pokémon to love and add to our collections. There are about 109 new Pokémon added to the games which brings the total number of Pokémon up to a staggering 1,008!

I’m actually glad that we don’t have the National Dex anymore. Like I’ve done for previous generations, I’m here to break the newest additions down to just numbers to determine which ones are the best for a given stat. Keep in mind that Legendary Pokémon are disqualified and that these Pokémon may not be competitively viable, they’re just the ones with the highest stats (with possibly an exception here or there).

I will also be ignoring Tera Types as that’s a whole other layer of complexity and strategy.

HP: Cetitan

This Terra Whale Pokémon is pretty cool looking if you ask me. His Ice-typing isn’t the best, but he’s got the HP to help him stick around. Also, if you have one with the Thick Fat ability, Fire attacks are going to basically lose their super effectiveness. Sadly Cetitan’s defenses are pretty meager, but his physical Attack is decent making it more of an ice cannon.

Recommended Moves:

Rest: Equip Cetitan with a Chesto Berry and then you get to heal up, becoming a pian for your opponent, and you don’t lose any turns!

Earthquake: This is just a powerful Ground-type attack which will decimate those Fire, Rock, and Steel Pokémon.

Attack: Palafin (Hero Form)

The Dolphin Pokémon means business! It is a little tricky because you have to switch out your Palafin and then send it back out. Thankfully, its Flip Turn attack makes this easier to do without sacrificing a turn. Pair it with a Pokémon that knows a move like U-Turn and you can facilitate the switch while keeping pressure on your opponent.

Recommended Moves:

Flip Turn: This is a physical attack with STAB and facilitates the transformation into Hero Form.

Wave Crash: Powerful STAB move that costs HP, but sometimes a hero needs to make some sacrifices.

Liquidation: Decent STAB with the chance of lowering your opponent’s Defense stat making your follow-ups hurt even more

Ice Punch: Deal with those pesky Grass-type Pokémon by hitting them with this attack

Defense: Great Tusk

Our first Paradox Pokemon to be on the list! Great Tusk is the past version of Donphan and while Orthworm does have a higher Defense stat, it has no other good stats to back it up. Great Tusk has decent HP and Attack stats paired with its Defense. It’s Protosynthesis ability also boosts its highest stat if Sunny Day is active or it’s holding a Booster Energy. With that boost, Great Tusk definitely wins out.

Recommended Moves:

Sunny Day: Not only does this trigger Protosynthesis, but it will also weaken Water attacks that would otherwise cause you great harm.

Megahorn: This is a strong move that can help wipe out Psychic Pokémon that are a pretty big threat to you.

Earthquake: This is just a solid move overall really and gets STAB.

Body Press: Utilize that high Defense in an offensive manner, plus STAB!

Special Attack: Iron Moth

Iron Moth is another Paradox Pokémon, this time for Volcarona. Its Special Attack is supported with a decent Special Defense and a decent Speed. The Quark Drive Ability boosts its highest stat by 30% which can really make it a threat, but you need Electric Terrain or a Booster Energy.

Recommended Moves:

Electric Terrain: This move triggers Quark Drive and prevents sleeping. Using an Energy Booster is probably better though.

Energy Ball: This can be used to deal with Grass-types and possibly lowers Special Defense for strong follow-ups.

Flamethrower/Fire Blast: Strong moves with STAB. Fire Blast is stronger, but less accurate.

Sludge Wave: Strong STAB with the chance to poison your foe.

Special Defense: Flutter Mane

Misdreavous’ Paradox form gets this spot on the list. You do want to be careful as its HP and Defense are pretty pathetic, but its Speed and Special Attack are nothing to scoff at. Like Great Tusk, Flutter man has the Protosynthesis ability that can give you a huge boost to your largest stat. Special Attack users will definitely have something to worry about when trying to bring down this Pokémon.

Recommended Moves:

Sunny Day: This would be to trigger Protosynthesis and can be disregarded if you equip Flutter Mane with a Booster Energy.

Mystic Fire: A decent attack that lowers your opponent’s Special Attack, plus if you’re running Sunny Day, it’ll be boosted.

Moon Blast/Shadow Ball: Good STAB attacks that can lower an opponent's stats.

Speed: Iron Bundle

Iron Bundle is what I like to call Mecha Santa. It’s a Paradox form for Delibird from the future and like other futuristic Paradox Pokémon, has the Quark Drive ability. Its Speed just barely edges out other Pokémon like Flutter Mane and decent Defense and Special Attack stats. While I love the overall design of Iron Bundle as a Santa-esque Pokémon and would love to recommend Present, it’s just not a great move.

Recommended Moves:

Electric Terrain: It’ll trigger Quark Drive, although using Energy Booster is probably better.

Freeze-Dry: This is a decent attack with STAB and is super effective against pesky Water-types without being too obvious like using an Electric Pokémon.

Ice Beam: Decent attack with STAB and potentially freezes an enemy.