With each new generation ofPokemonthat gets released newPokemon, moves, and abilities are added to expand the game’s simple rock-paper-scissors style of gameplay. The addition of new mechanics began all the way back inPokemon Ruby and Sapphirewhich saw the introduction of abilities for everyPokemon. Now, more than 20 years later, the franchise is still adding unique and exciting skills and mechanics to its newest batch ofPokemon.
RELATED:Every Move Cut From Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Many fans will agree thatPokemon Scarlet and Violethave introduced an absolutely stellar line of newPokemon, encouraging returning players to add many of these new monsters to their team as they venture through Paldea. Some of these newPokemonintroduce new evolution methods, while others have moves or abilities that are unavailable to any otherPokemonin the series. Players using any of the following Generation 9Pokemonwill certainly be in for a pleasant surprise.
10Annihilape
The Rage MonkeyPokemonAnnihilape is the new third evolution of the Generation 1 original Mankey line. The uniqueness of Annihilape is all centered around one move that is exclusive to the Pokemon’s evolution line, Rage Fist. Rage fist is a50-power Ghost-type movethat has a really cool effect. Each time thePokemonis hit while in battle, Rage Fist’s power will increase by 50 points, maxing out at a ludicrous 350 base power after taking 6 hits.
On its own that makes Rage Fist pretty interesting but the thing that makes Rage Fist one of the most unique moves in the entire series is that the hit counter doesn’t reset upon switch out or fainting. This means trainers can let Annihilape take a few hits against something that it resists to build up Rage Fist, switch out when something hits the field that it can’t handle, and then bring it back in tosweep the opponent’s teamlater with a fully charged Rage Fist. Smart players can also use a revive or aPokemonthat knows the move Revival Blessing on Annihilape to get a similar effect.
9Glimmora
The OrePokemonGlimmora is both Rock and Poison type. It has a pretty interesting ability called Toxic Debris which is exclusive to its evolution line. Toxic Debris works like this: whenever aPokemonwith this ability is hit with a physical move toxic spikes will be set on the enemy team’s field. This ability will trigger as long as there are fewer than 2 sets of toxic spikes on the opponent’s field.
Moves that hit multiple timeslike Double Slap or Population Bomb will trigger the Toxic Debris ability for each individual hit. This ability plus its access to moves like Stealth Rocks and Spiky Shield makes Glimmora one of the best set-upPokemoninScarlet and Violet.
8Baxcalibur
The Ice DragonPokemonBaxcalibur possesses a rather unique ability for an Ice-TypePokemoncalled Thermal Exchange. Here’s how it works: if aPokemonwith this ability is hit with a Fire-Type move, Its attack stat is raised by one stage. Unlike the ability Flash Fire, Thermal Exchange does not make its user immune to Fire-Type attacks, it also does not reduce the damage taken by Fire-Type attacks which is a bit unfortunate.
RELATED:Pokemon Who Could Beat Mewtwo In A Battle
However, it willprotect its user from getting burned. If this ability was on any other Ice-Type it would probably be pretty bad, but because Baxcalibur is part Dragon-Type it only takes neutral damage from Fire-Type attacks instead of 2x like most other Ice-Types.
7Toedscruel
The WoodearPokemonToedscruel is a regional variant of the Generation 1PokemonTentacruel. This Ground/Grass-Type possesses one ofthe strangest abilitiesin the entire series, Mycelium Might. APokemonwith the ability Mycelium Might will always move last when using a status move like Sunny Day, Thunder Wave, and Screech. In return, these status moves will ignore the abilities of the enemyPokemon. So a move like Confuse Ray can finally hit aPokemonwith the ability Own Tempo.
Unfortunately, Mycelium Might is not without limitations. There are some abilities that cannot be ignored such as Magic Guard, and Comatose. For any trainers interested in learning more about these interactions,Bulbapedia has a full list of all abilitiesthat can and can’t be ignored by moves and abilities.
6Garganacl
The Rock SaltPokemonGarganacl has an ability very fitting for its theme and design, that being Purifying Salt. Purifying Salt has two functions: it prevents its user from being affected by all status conditions and reduces the damage taken by Ghost-Type moves by half.
To be more specific, if aPokemonwith this ability is targeted by a Ghost-Type move, thePokemonusing the Ghost-Type move will have its physical and special attack stats during the damage calculation of the attack. This ability makes Garganacl a pretty sturdy wall whendealing with Ghost-TypePokemon.
5Farigiraf
The Long NeckPokemonFarigiraf isthe newest evolution of Girafarig. Farigiraf has the unique ability Armor Tail, which prevents enemyPokemonfrom using priority moves. That’s right, thisPokemon’s ability completely locks the opponent out of using an entire classification of moves.
This effect also extends toPokemonthat have the Prankster or Gale Wings abilities which give priority to moves that don’t usually have them. Considering the competitive relevance of moves like Fake Out and Extreme Speed this is a pretty crazy ability for anyPokemonto have.
4Gholdengo
The Coin EntityPokemonGholdengo is the 1000thPokemonin the national Pokedex, which is quite fitting given its evolution method and lore. ThisPokemonis obtained by leveling up a Gimmighoul while having 999 Gimmighoul Coins. WhileGholdengo’s evolution methodis unlike anything we’ve seen in the series, its ability is even more unique than that.
RELATED:Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Best Places to Farm Speed EVs
Gholdengo’s signature ability is called Good as Gold and it’s a bit ridiculous. This ability makes its user immune to status moves used by otherPokemon. This includes allyPokemonusing moves like Helping Hand. This ability makes Gholdengo a pretty solid special attacking wall. At least this makes all that time spent hunting down Gimmighoul Coins worth it!
3Kingambit
The Big BladePokemonKingambit is another Generation9 Pokemonthat has a unique evolution method. Kingambit is obtained by leveling up a Bisharp that is holding a Leader’s Crest and has defeated at least three other Bisharps.
That’s not all though, Kingambit also has a unique ability, Supreme Overlord. This ability grants Kingambit 10% extra power on all of its attacking moves for each allyPokemonthat has fainted during the battle. This ability makes Kingambit an excellent AcePokemon.
2Dondozo/Tatsugiri
These twoPokemonhave an incredibly unique interaction unlike pretty much anything seen in the series up until this point. If Dondozo and Tatsugiri are in a double battle together,Tatsugiri’s unique ability Commanderwill activate. This will cause the Tatsugiri to lead inside the Dondozo’s mouth and raise all of Dondozo’s stats by two stages.
RELATED:Scarlet And Violet: Best Pokemon From Unova
While the two are in this state, Dondozo cannot be switched out. The trainer using Dondozon and Tatsugiri will be unable to use Tasugiri’s moves while they are in this state and all enemyPokemonmoves that target Tatsugiri will miss. When Dondozo faints, Tatsugiri will return to its original position on the battlefield. These twoPokemonhave really turned what we know about double battles on its head.
1Palafin
Say hello tothe DolphinPokemonPalafin. Palafin has one of the most unique abilities in the whole franchise, in fact, many fans couldn’t believe their eyes when they first saw what this little dolphin creature could do. Palafin’s signature ability is called Zero to Hero, and it’s pretty wild.
This ability triggers when a Palafin returns to the battlefield after being switched out once. When this ability triggers, Palafin will enter the battle in its Hero Form. Palafin’s Hero Form boasts an impressive 650 base stat total compared to its base form’s 457 total. Its 160-base attack stat puts it on par with some LegendaryPokemon.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare available now on Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Pokemon Scarlet And Violet: Best Pokemon From Galar
