The release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet on November 18th, 2022 signifies a fresh start for mainline Pokémon games and a brand-new generation of pocket monsters for fans to either embrace or reject. Pokémon unites players of the franchise through their nostalgia, enjoyment, and criticism, as each new gen opens up a forum of discussion for fans of all preferences.
As with every new release, generation 9’s new Pokémon has fans in a deep discussion which new monsters are the best and worst (a topic eliciting players' passion). Generation 9 has already presented some standout starters and regional exclusives, not to mention this gen’s newest gimmicks, terastallizing, and paradox Pokémon. The best and brightest of the new gen are those that impress statistically and visually, inspiring players new and old to immerse themselves in the Paldea region.
18 Normal-Type: Maushold
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The charm of Maushold is in its quirky design, which makes it look like several tiny mice rather than a singular being. Interestingly, when evolved from Tandemaus, it can appear as a family of three or four (a unique variation not previously seen in Pokémon).
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Its appearance isn't the only unique element of Maushold as it's the only known Pokémon able to learn the new move, Population Bomb, which can strike opponents up to ten times. Small but mighty, Maushold is the most interesting and powerful new normal type Pokémon gen 9 has to offer, despite weighing under 7 pounds and only standing a foot tall. Maushold and its pre-evolution Tandemaus are a fresh take on mouse Pokémon and a cute addition to the normal type family that have been well-received by fans.
17 Grass-Type: Smolive
Smolive is another Pokémon featured in the promotional art for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, with good reason. Fans have been fawning over this adorable grass-type since long before the release of the game, where its dynamic evolutionary tree is revealed.
Smolive’s stats are that of a baby Pokémon, so its skills in battle are nothing remarkable. However, when heading to one of the first intended gyms in the game, players realize this Pokémon's cultural influence in the Paldea. Cortando is a town that hosts an olive festival celebrating the legume, which can be found in the grass all over the region. Sure to be the inspiration for many Pokémon memes that sum up grass-types, Smolive is the predictable but worthy best grass type of gen 9.
16 Flying-Type: Flamigo
Flamigo is making the world of Pokémon more colorful, vibrant, and tropical than ever before. Across Paldea, this flamingo-inspired being dots the landscape and is a fun new addition to generation 9, with a design that’s more creative than the average bird Pokémon.
Unlike a real flamingo, Flamigo ties its neck in a knot to contain its excess energy (according to the Pokédex). Like a real flamingo, this Pokémon prefers to stay in flocks so it can synchronize attacks (and works perfectly in Scarlet and Violet, which reintroduces double battles). It’s a fresh take on flying-types that so often look like ordinary birds, making Flamigo the best new flying type of gen 9.
15 Dragon-Type: Cyclizar
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Across Paldea, NPCs can be seen sitting atop this new dragon-type Pokémon who seems to be a handy replacement for bicycles in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Cyclizar’s design, while similar, doesn't hold a candle to legendaries Koraidon and Miraidon, but it's a fun new dragon-type Pokémon introduced in generation 9 that players are likely to see as a ride Pokémon in future games.
According to the Pokédex, Cyclizar is a mild-tempered Pokémon that has been utilized by humans for over 10,000 years. As a dual-typing dragon, this monster is given a versatile move set that is only strengthened by its naturally high base stats in attack and speed. Cyclizar’s design and interesting history make it the best new dragon-type addition in Scarlet and Violet and the cutest dragon-type Pokémon of this gen.
14 Ground-Type: Clodsire
Paldean Wooper is one of the few regional Pokémon introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, so it comes as no surprise that its evolution, Clodsire, is the best new ground-type Pokémon of gen 9. Not only is watching Clodsire flop alongside the player entertaining, but its strength in battle makes adventuring with it that much more fun.
Considering the slow pace at which Clodsire moves in the overworld, it is fitting that its speed stat is incredibly low. But where it lacks in speed Clodsire overcompensates in physical attack, making great use of the best move in its move set, Earthquake. This ground-type shakes up its opponents with its strength while charming its trainer with its aloof appearance (a win-win for players who build their party based on looks and strength, making it the best new ground-type Pokémon of gen 9).
13 Poison-Type: Grafiai
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet presented some of the most original and exciting promotional trailers yet, one of which Grafiai was the focus. In the cinematic trailers, a Pokémon professor is investigating a tree covered in graffiti-like markings, which is revealed to be the work of Grafiai, generation 9's best poison-type Pokémon.
Grafiai's artistic ability comes out at night when it marks trees with its sweet-smelling poison to draw in bug-type Pokémon to prey upon. It has an exclusive move called Doodle, which captures the target in a sketch, changing it and the user's abilities to make the battle more advantageous for Grafiai. Other than Smeargle, there aren't many artistic Pokémon, especially not with poison-type abilities, so Grafiai is a welcomed addition to the new generation.
12 Rock-Type: Klawf
Perched upon the rocks and cliffs of Paldea, Klawf awaits. This new rock-type crustacean Pokémon is a tank, with high defense and a special new ability that’s both useful and annoying to players.
When Klawf's HP falls below 50% its exclusive ability, Anger Shell, begins, which involves 5 stat changes, and their battle animations also slow the battle significantly as Klawfs’s stats shift about. It’s irritating but it gives Klawf a boost in its attack stats that helps it finish off the battle strong. Featured as one of the titan Pokémon of gen 9, Klawf is the best-in-show as the newest rock-type.
11 Bug-Type: Lokix
Constantly running into Lokix’s pre-evolution Nymble in the grass can be maddening for players exploring Paldea. However, those who stick with this Pokémon long term will be able to enjoy its powerful evolution with a modern design.
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Lokix is designed after a locust but has the appearance of a mech suit and the power to back up the appearance. With the ability to extend the legs normally folded on its back to enter Showdown Mode, Lokix can make the most of its powerful move set with includes Axe Kick, a 120-damage-dealing physical attack. A powerful new Pokémon taking bug types into the world of mechs, Lokix is the best of his type in gen 9.
10 Psychic-Type: Firaigiraf
Generation 9 introduced a well overdue evolution for beloved Pokemon Girafirig who has introduced long ago in generation two. The evolution was well worth the wait, featuring a stylish design that resembles a black hoodie covering the Pokémon’s head and neck and an updated eye shape that gives it a more mature appearance.
Firigiraf’s base stats for HP and special attack are nearly equal, making it a strong special attacker that can take on a lot of damage. A little shorter than a real giraffe, this Pokémon stands ten feet tall, looming well above its trainer. With a modern design and powerful exclusive move Twin Beam, it’s no question that Firigiraf is the best new psychic-type and overall one of the most interesting new Pokémon of gen 9.
9 Ghost-Type: Grevard
Greavard had an early start in developing a fan base, as it was used in promotional art for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (which even included a ghost-type Pokémon filter and TikTok trend). This lovable ghost-type good boy is a new fan favorite and a great asset in battle too.
The Pokédex entries for Greavard reveal the macabre nature of this sweet but spooky Pokémon, who unwittingly drains the life force of anyone who spends time with it for too long. Heartbreaking as his story is, thankfully, it doesn’t affect trainers in-game as Greavard is a strong partner in battle. A physical attacker with strong moves like Phantom Force, this Pokémon is the best new ghost-type gen 9 has to offer.
8 Ice-Type: Iron Bundle
Distant relative to Delibird, Iron-Bundle is a robotic bird Pokémon with a mechanical design that is similar to Miraidon. Iron-Bundle doesn't just look like a robot but acts like one too as it has a naturally high-speed stat that is the highest of all ice-type Pokémon (making it the best of the new ice-types introduced in gen 9).
Iron Bundle shares the ability Quark Drive with several of the gen 9’s new Paradox Pokémon, boosting its already high-speed stat and making it a great lead Pokémon for trainers exploring Paldea. For Pokémon Violet players, Iron Bundle can be found in the wild but Pokémon Scarlet players will need to connect with a friend and trade as it’s an exclusive paradox Pokémon for Violet. Regardless of how players get their hands on Iron Bundle, they’ll enjoy this speedy futuristic being that comes in as the best new ice-type of generation 9.
7 Water-Type: Finizen
Starter Quaxly is a great water-type Pokémon, but there's something special about gen 9’s Finizin, which evolves into Palafin. Players have had the ability to travel across the water for years in the games, yet there had not been a dolphin-like Pokémon created until the well-designed water-type Finizen.
The designers of this Pokémon took inspiration from dolphins when designing it, focusing on their highly social nature. In order to evolve Finizin into Palafin, players must reach level 38 and then, while connected to another player, faint a wild Pokémon in order for it to evolve. This is a fresh design mechanic that works well for a game like Scarlet and Violet, which has the best multiplayer functionality Pokémon has ever seen. Finizen is the best new water-type Pokémon of generation 9.
6 Fairy-Type: Dachsbun
At level 26, Fidough evolves into Dachsbun, an equally cute but much more powerful Pokémon than its pre-evolution Fidough (which continues with the bread dog motif). Appearing as a mix between a Dachshund and toasted bread, it’s a brand new fairy-type that fans won’t be disappointed in, with some unique abilities to boot.
Dachsbun won’t ever have to worry about facing off against fire Pokémon thanks to its ability, Well-Baked Body, which makes it immune to fire-type moves while greatly boosting its defense stats. The experience of heated battles needed to evolve Dachsbun is well worth the effort, as it’s a tanky Pokémon with great defense while maintaining decent speed. Where this loaf lacks in special attack, it makes up in its cute appeal, easily becoming one of the best dog-like Pokémon of gen 9, as well as the best fairy-type.
5 Fighting-Type: Pawmot
Players might be tired of battling this Pokémon’s baby version Pawmi because of how commonly it’s found across Paldea, but sticking with it is well worth the investment. Its final evolution Pawmot is the best fighting-type Pokémon of generation 9 despite its docile appearance.
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On top of being one of the cutest Pokémon of gen 9, Pawmot is a fighter statistically, with a dual typing of electric and fighting. Its exclusive move, Double Shock, only works on fellow electric-type Pokémon and removes that typing from the opponent for the rest of the battle (giving Pawmot an attack advantage and the opposing Pokémon a disadvantage by disabling its STAB, same type attack bonus). Its endearing design, clever moves, and focus on partnership with its trainer make Pawmot one of the best new Pokémon of gen 9 overall.
4 Steel-Type: Tinkaton
Tinkaton is a Pokémon that can not only use steel-type moves but seeks out steel in its natural habitat. Tinkaton's hammer is self-made due to the processes it goes through during its evolutions, where it harvests steel from other Pokémon to forge its weapon. According to the dex, it seeks out the Pokémon Corviknight to harvest its steel, making this Pokémon cute but deadly.
Tinkaton is dual steel and fairy-type; a combination that may seem unlikely but makes for a well-rounded Pokémon. Dragon, dark and fighting-type opponents have the odds against them when taking on Tinkaton, whose moves are super effective. Strong and incredibly unique, Tinkaton shines as the best new steel-type that gen 9 has to offer.
3 Electric-Type: Bellibolt
From the moment gym leader Iono was introduced in a promotional trailer for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, it was clear which Pokémon would be the best electric-type introduced in gen 9. Iono’s partner Pokémon is Bellibolt, the EleFrog Pokémon. Its pre-evolution Tadbulb can be found early in the game, where trainers can begin leveling up a Bellibolt of their own.
Bellibolt is well-designed, featuring a smiley face and a great color palette that sets it aside from most electric-types. Its exclusive ability, Electromorphosis, gives Bellibolt a great advantage in battle, as every time it’s hit with an attack, it charges the next electric-type move it deals. This new electric-type Pokémon is a force to be reckoned with and is associated with one of the best characters of Scarlet and Violet, making it one of the very best of gen 9.
2 Dark-Type: Meowscarada
While Sprgatito didn't make the cut for best grass-type Pokémon of gen 9, its final evolution Meowscarada is surely the best new dark-type. With dual typing of grass and dark, Meowscarada is able to learn countless devastating moves that are sure to impress in battle.
Known as the Magician Pokémon, Meowscarada is speedy in battle and learns some aesthetically pleasing and unique moves like Worry Seed, U-Turn, and Leaf Storm. Similarly to a magician, it hides flowers and bombs in its cape to later surprise opponents. This well-designed Pokémon that fans couldn't wait to discover is the best new dark type of gen 9 and makes for a great partner in battle.
1 Fire-Type: Armarouge and Ceruledge
Armarouge and Ceruledge both evolve from Charcadet, but their evolutions vary depending on which version of the game they're in. Violet players will enjoy Ceruledge, the purple fire ghost-type while Scarlet players get Armarouge, the Mega Man lookalike with fire and psychic abilities.
It’s pre-evolution can be found early on in the game, but it takes some grinding and skill for players to obtain the necessary item needed to evolve it to its full potential. It’s clear why this striking Pokémon was used in promotional art for the game, as in addition to its design it’s skills in battle are impressive with naturally high attack and speed stats. While Fuecoco is cute, Armarougue and Ceruledge are the best fire-type Pokémon of gen 9.
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