The Best Pokémon of All Time [Ranked]

Pikachu

Pikachu isn't the strongest Pokémon out there. Its stats are pretty bad. But what gets Pikachu a spot on this listing is that it's the face of the entire franchise.

If someone out there knows only one Pokémon, it's probably Pikachu. Pikachu has been the series' mascot for more than two decades, and it has to be considered as among the best Pokémon of all time.

If not for strength, for its long-term popularity and sheer presence. Sporting unique moves like Volt Tackle and its exclusive Z-Move using a special Z Crystal, alongside its Gigantamax form, Pikachu has a lot to offer.

All that and it’s been in more episodes of the Pokémon anime series than any other Pokémon.

It’s even been an airplane!

As the 25-year face of a multi-billion dollar franchise, Pikachu has to take the crown as the best Pokemon of all time. With its iconic design and massive popularity, Pikachu is the king of the Pokémon world and the original Pokémon mascot.

Eevee

Eevee is a very popular Pokémon famous for its many evolutions. Capable of evolving into eight different Pokémon including popular Fairy type Pokémon Sylveon, Eevee is a favorite Pokemon of many. It's even been the mascot Pokémon of its own game, Pokémon Let’s Go: Eevee!

Eevee is also one of the best fox Pokémon!

Eevee’s popularity comes more from its cute design and its evolutionary potential than anything else. It received a major glow up with its Gigantamax Form in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Eevee appears in the Pokémon anime and movies, Pokémon cards, and so many other kinds of official Pokémon Company merch. Eevee is a crazy popular Pokémon with a staying power second only to Pikachu.

Eevee’s cute design and towering popularity combine to give it a spot on this listing, proving it’s not all about strength in the Pokémon world.

Zacian

Zacian, the dog Pokémon who served as the mascot of Generation 8’s Pokémon Sword, saw major success in competitive play during its generation.

This Legendary Pokémon has two forms, one which is a pure Fairy type Pokémon, and one which is Fairy/Steel dual-type.

With a base stat total of 720 at its debut, Zacian was a beast. Its high stats, movepool, and excellent typing helped it dominate its competitive rivals. The only Fairy type Pokémon on this list, Zacian is a truly powerful Pokémon.

Zacian's strong design, interesting type combination, and fantastic utility in competitive and casual play, mean it's one Pokémon that deserves its spot here.

Rayquaza

This powerful Legendary Pokémon is the only force strong enough to rein in warring rivals, Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon, whose literally earth-shaking argument threatened to destroy the whole Pokémon world.

This Dragon type Pokémon also features on this list of the best Dragon Pokémon!

A Dragon/Flying dual-type Pokémon, Rayquaza is very strong. Its massive Attack and Special Attack stats mean it hits like a truck.

After learning Dragon Ascent Rayquaza can Mega Evolve into its Mega Evolution, boosting its power even further! Mega Rayquaza really shows off Rayquaza’s place in the Pokemon world's lore.

Rayquaza’s great design choices, its pure power, position in-universe, and its enduring popularity mean Rayquaza is one of the best Pokemon of all time. Rayquaza is also one of the best Dragon Pokémon!

Eternamax Eternatus

Eternamax Eternatus debuted in Pokémon Sword and Shield as the big bad Pokémon at the very end of the game. With an unusual dual typing of Poison/Dragon and an alien appearance, Eternatus made an impact.

Eternatus sported a unique Eternamax form which boosted its stats to an earth-shattering 1125! If that wasn’t enough, Eternamax Eternatus can use a unique attack, Eternabeam, with a crazy high base power of 160!

Eternamax Eternatus is one of the strongest Pokémon ever to be featured in game, stronger even than other legendary Pokémon.

With its unusual design and key position in the lore of the Pokemon world, is easily one of the best.

Arceus

Many people will never have had the chance to play with Arceus in game, since its debut game, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, distributed Arceus through limited time only events.

But since its debut it has been featured in other parts of the franchise, from the anime to side-games and even mainline games like Pokémon Legends Arceus where it played a major role in the game’s plot.

Arceus is a powerful Normal type legendary Pokémon.

Arceus is the only Pokémon capable of changing its type to any of the eighteen different types using special “Plate” items.

Arceus supposedly created the entire Pokémon universe. Without Arceus, not a single other Pokémon could exist! Check out this list of the best Pokémon gods for more!

Mewtwo

For all us older Pokémon fans, Psychic Pokémon Mewtwo will have a special place in our memories. And a special place on this list of cat Pokémon!

After a grueling trek through the darkness fighting the strongest wild Pokémon to be found in Pokémon Red and Blue, players would eventually come across Mewtwo standing all alone at the very end of Cerulean Cave.

Mewtwo was touted as being the strongest Pokémon of all, and way back in the 90s, it really was! Mewtwo’s high stats and its Psychic typing made Mewtwo the undisputed king of the Pokemon world.

Mewtwo can Mega Evolve. A master of Psychic abilities, the Mega Mewtwo X form also grants Mewtwo the Fighting type, giving it a whole new dimension to its power, really showing off Mewtwo's abilities. Mewtwo was even the star of the first Pokémon movie!

Charizard

Another super popular Pokémon is Charizard. This Fire/Flying type Pokémon, introduced way back in Pokémon Red and Blue, is an all-time favorite of fans and is the final evolution of Charmander.

From the early Trading Card Game to its two Mega Evolutions and its Gigantamax form, Charizard has seen a lot of love in the games – and in the anime too, as Charizard was a major character in Ash Ketchum’s team.

Charizard’s sleek, draconic design was an instant favorite, but it wasn’t until Pokémon X and Y that it actually gained the Dragon type and became a Dragon Pokémon due to its version exclusive Mega Evolution.

With a good stats and its Flying type which eliminates its weakness to Ground, Charizard packs a reasonable punch. It’s a great choice for any team, but its popularity and name recognition goes way past its strength and utility in game and makes Charizard a solid contender for the top spot.

Lucario

Lucario is a dual-type Fighting/Steel Pokémon. This very popular Pokémon has a cool design, good stats, and has been featured many times over in the Pokémon anime and the wider franchise.

Lucario was an almost overnight success, its popularity quickly reaching levels few other Pokémon could ever hope to reach, even featuring in its own Pokémon movie.

Lucario can Mega Evolve into Mega Lucario, which boosts its already pretty good stats even higher. Mega Lucario has fantastic Attack, Special Attack, and Speed stats, making it a solid choice in battle.

With its cool, spiky design packed with personality, its raw power, and its popularity, it’s easy to see why Lucario takes a spot on this listing.

Ho-Oh

Phoenix-like Ho-Oh was first introduced to Pokémon fans in the Pokémon anime, where it appeared early on as a mysterious, nameless Pokémon glimpsed by the protagonist, Ash Ketchum.

It wasn’t until Pokémon Gold and Silver that Ho-Oh received an in-game appearance. Aside from being a powerful Legendary Pokémon for players to catch, Ho-Oh restored three dead Pokémon to life and created a trio of Legendary Beasts. Ho-Oh also features on this list of the best bird Pokémon!

This Fire/Flying dual-type Legendary Pokémon packs a punch, with excellent Special Defense at 154, and a powerful Attack at 130.

Ho-Oh deserves a spot in this listing for its pure power, its importance to the lore, and its majestic design.