Summary
The latest DLC forPokemon Scarlet & Violet,The Indigo Disk, has just been released, and fans are shocked at the introduction of a new type: Stellar. This typing is unique among the rest, as no Pokemon can be Stellar-type without the help of Terastallization. The typing gives STAB bonus to a move of each type once per battle, giving every type a fighting chance.
Given that Stellar-type seems to encompass all the other 18 types in thePokemonfranchise, it’d be worthwhile to examine all of them and select which one Pokemon is the greatest of each. Whether it’s how iconic they are, how strong they are, how unique they are, or how memorable they are, these are what we consider the best Pokemon of every type.
Updated June 28, 2025 by Blaise Santi: Now that fans of the Pokemon franchise have been given some time to see how the metagame has changed with the addition of the new Stellar-typing, it’s fair to see where it ranks against all the other best Pokemon of each time from the series.
Additionally, let’s take a look at the Pokedex data for each of the Pokemon on this list to find out exactly why they’re the best of their type, whether it’s because of their ability, strength, notoriety, or originality.
Normal, Stellar (Terastallized)
Abilities
Tera Shift (Normal form), Tera Shell (Terastal form), Teraform Zero (Stellar form)
Rapid Spin, Headbutt, Tri Attack, Tera Starstorm
Highest Stats
HP (Normal form), Defense & Special Defense (Terastal form), HP & Special Attack (Stellar form)
Terapagos is a brand-new addition to thePokemonuniverse as ofThe Indigo Disk, the second DLC expansion forScarlet & Violet. Technically, it’s a Normal-type Pokemon, but it also introduces a new type that’s unfortunately limited to Terastallization: Stellar. This unique typing is super-effective against any kind of Terastallized Pokemon, with no weaknesses.
While this sounds pretty overpowered for the currentScarlet & Violetmetagame, this type will likely become obsolete by the time the next generation of games comes around. However, Terapagos gets a special benefit from this exclusive typing with a completely new form that it only inhabits after Terastallizing.
HP & Special Defense
Normal is one of the most common types in thePokemonfranchise, though it also holds the disadvantage of not being super-effective against anything. Despite it being rare for Normal-type Pokemon to have any strength, the exception to this rule is Blissey. This pure Normal-type Pokemon was introduced in Gen Two as the evolution to Gen One’s Chansey.
Though it probably won’t be seen taking down any Legendary Pokemon, Blissey has taken a valuable role in many competitive teams as one of the best support Pokemon out there. Consider its role in the anime as an ally of Nurse Joy in Pokemon Centers, and it’s easy to see why Blissey isbeloved by many Pokemon fans, despite the Normal-type’s flaws.
Special Defense & Speed
Ninetales and its pre-evolution Vulpix are arguably some of the most iconic Fire-types in the entire franchise since their introduction in Gen One. However,Pokemon Sun & Moonoffered a new twist on the familiar Pokemon with regional variants. In those games, Vulpix and Ninetales can be discovered as Ice/Fairy-types, with an entirely new design.
Although there have been many beloved Ice-types in the video game series, like Mamoswine or Cetitan, Alolan Ninetales earns a spot on this list for the near-impossible job of improving an already stellar Pokemon design, from the incomparable Gen I of all generations. However, it’s inherently not the most original Pokemon design, placing it near the bottom of this list.
Dragon, Steel/Dragon (Hisuian form)
Special Attack & Special Defense
There have been many Dragon-types throughout thePokemonfranchise, some like Garchomp and Dragonite who have been competitively viable, and others like Tatsugiri and Haxorus who remain fan favorites. However, of all the Dragon-type pseudo-legendary Pokemon who have graced the franchise, few are as memorable as Goodra’s line.
Contrary to most Dragon-type evolutionary lines, Goodra and its pre-evolutions probably take the prize for cutest Dragon-types. Even Ash Ketchum added one to his team during theX & Yanime, and the Pokemon was given a Hisuian form inPokemon Legends: Arceus, which buffed it immensely by making it part Steel-type.
Attack & Defense
The Steel-typing was originally introduced in the Gen 2 games, alongside Pokemon like Scizor and Skarmory. It was in Gen 3, however, that the seemingly confined typing was given a new interpretation with Mawile, who was later upgraded to Steel/Fairy in Gen VI. Though it doesn’t initially look Steel-typed, Mawile’s powerful jaw is apparently made of metal.
Mawile received yet another upgrade in Gen 6 with a Mega Evolution, which significantly boosted its power as a competitive tank. Sadly, Mawile is not available to catch inPokemon Scarlet & Violet, which is certainly a disappointment to many Steel-type Pokemon fans out there, but hopefully, it’ll make an appearance in an upcoming game sometime soon.
Special Attack
Bug-type Pokemon can typically be pretty nasty, whether it’s a creepy critter like Parasect or a monstrous insect-like Golisopod. However, few Bug-types are as elegant as Volcarona,who first appeared inPokemon Black & White. This Bug/Fire-type is one of the rarest in that game, as it can only be caught once in Relic Castle with a 5.2% catch rate.
However, even by Gen 9, Volcarona remains one of the strongest special attackers in the franchise. It even has two new relatives, as ofScarlet & Violet, with the Paradox specimen Slither Wing and Iron Moth. Overall, out of all the Bug-type Pokemon that have wormed their way into the franchise, Volcarona is one to be revered by fans.
Special Attack & Speed
Salazzle is one of the hardest Pokemon to obtain since it only evolves from female Salandits, which are rarely found in the wild. Nevertheless, the two Poison/Fire-type Pokemon not only come with a unique type (until the introduction of Iron Moth) but a unique Ability in Corrosion, which can inflict Poison and Steel-types with the poison status ailment.
As a result, Salazzle becomes a Pokemon with a huge advantage against types that would otherwise resist it, though the new Gen 9 Pokemon Glimmet and Glimmora can access Corrosion as a Hidden Ability. Nevertheless, Salazzle’s Ability makes it a pretty strong contender for the best Poison-type, even if it’s not the best Pokemon around.
Special Attack & Speed (Sky Forme)
Mythical Pokemon often make their debut after the initial release of their generation’s games. This is true of Shaymin, a Grass-type Pokemon with an alternate Grass/Flying-type Sky Forme when given a Gracidea flower in the daytime. InPokemon Platinum,Shaymin could only be found after receiving Oak’s Letter via event distribution.
Its Land Forme is unique in that it has completely equal base stats across the board totaling 600. Its Sky Forme sees its base stat distribution as more all over the place, putting priority on its Speed and Special Attack.Shaymin also played an integral role in the movieGiratina and the Sky Warrior, which likely turned it into many fans' favorite Grass-type Pokemon.
Tyranitar made its debut in Gen 2 as the fully-evolved form of Larvitar, a Rock/Ground-type Pokemon who can’t be found in the wild until players near Victory Road. With incredible rarity and a 5% catch rate, obtaining a Larvitar itself is a tough task, as is leveling up its evolved form, Pupitar, to level 55 to finally evolve it into a Tyranitar.
Though getting a Tyranitar on your team will be an arduous challenge, this Rock/Dark-type is one of the strongest Rock-types out there, especially since the type is typically frail. Tyranitar has also had the benefit of getting both a Mega Evolution, as well as a Paradox variant in Iron Thorns, but it’s hard to top the original, Godzilla-like Tyranitar.
Attack & Special Attack
Landorus is known as the third member of the Forces of Nature, a Legendary trio introduced inPokemon Black & Whitealongside Tornadus and Thundurus (and as ofPokemon Legends: Arceus, the fourth member Enamorus). Landorus, a Ground/Flying-type, can only be obtained after players catch both the other two members of the trio.
It’s quite a strong advantage for Landorus to be a dual Ground/Flying-type, given that it removes the Flying-type’s weakness to Electric-type moves. Its Therian forme, which can be obtained by using the Reveal Glass item, also greatly boosts its Attack stat, making ita worthwhile physical attacker in any competitive teamwith moves like Earthquake.
