Have you ever wondered which are the most powerful Pokemon? Maybe, which ones specifically would dominate the rest? Well, we compiled a list of the 30 most powerful Pokemon and we think you might be surprised by a couple that made the list.
Related: Pokemon Card Value and Price Guide
Let's see if you can answer the questions we ask, and maybe you have what it takes to be a Pokemon master!
Xerneas is a Gen 6 Fairy type Pokémon that is capable of sharing eternal life. Standing just under 10 feet and weighing 474 pounds, Xerneas is a member of the Aura Trio, along with Zygarde and Yveltal. Xerneas is ancient, and before it was revived, it slept for 1,000 years as a tree. When Xerneas horns shine in multicolors, it is capable of sharing eternal life. Xerneas is also the mascot of Pokémon X.
The Legendary Pokémon Yveltal is the 2nd member of the Aura Trio mentioned on this list. Yveltal is a Dark/Flying that’s 19 feet tall and weighs almost 450 pounds. Yveltal is the Pokémon Y Mascot that’s known as the Destruction Pokémon. Yveltal is capable of absorbing the life force of Pokémon by spreading its wings and tail feathers & when Yveltal’s life is ending, it absorbs the life energy of all Pokémon to transform into a cocoon.
Known as the Order Pokémon, Zygarde is the final member of the Aura Trio. This Dragon/Ground type Pokémon is just over 16 Feet and is the heaviest of the trio at 672 pounds. Zygarde is capable of changing into three Formes, and two components. When in Complete Forme, Zygarde is the most powerful of the Aura Trio.
Resembling a boulder, Golem is the evolution of Geodude and Graveller. At 4 ½ feet and 660 pounds, Golem is extremely powerful and its shell is just as strong when in danger. For example, dynamite won’t even scratch Golem’s shell. Golem is capable of encapsulating itself into a ball and can generate high speeds when going downhill. To prevent Golem from barreling through homes and towns, grooves have been built along the sides of mountains so Golem doesn’t cause such devastation.
Pop Quiz: How does Graveller evolve into Geodude?
Answer: By being traded
The Warrior Pokémon Zacian is the mascot of Pokémon Sword. Zacian has two forms; the original is the Hero of Many Battles. The 2nd is possible with the use of the Rusted Sword, dubbing Zacian the Crowned Sword. When in original form, Zacian is a Fairy type Pokémon and when with the Rusted Sword, Zacian also becomes a Steel type. Zacian is capable of cutting down anything with a single strike. Zacian is extremely fast, so fast in fact that when it strikes, its enemies don’t feel a thing until after they fall down. Just to understand how strong Zacian is, it's capable of cutting the ocean.
Pop Quiz: Which Pokémon is also a part of the Hero Duo with Zacian?
Answer: Zamazenta
The mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom is a worthy candidate for this list. Capable of destroying kingdoms with lightning, Zekrom is the only Pokémon able to learn Bolt Strike. At 9 ½ feet and over 750 pounds, Zekrom is one of the tallest Pokémon on our list. Zekrom is a member of the Tao Trio along with Reshiram and Kyurem.
Pop Quiz: Using DNA Splicers, which Pokémon is able to fuse with Zekrom?
Answer: Kyurem to for Black Kyurem
The T-Rex of Pokémon, Tyranitar undoubtedly looks like a dinosaur. At 6’7 and nearly 450 pounds, this rock and dark type Pokémon has immense power. Tyranitar has the abilty to cause devastating earthquakes when angry. When Tyranitar evolves into Mega Tyranitar, it causes even more devastation. This evolution is only possible with the use of Tyranitarite.
Pop Quiz: Which 2 Pokémon are part of the evolution of Tyranitar?
Answer: Larvitar and Pupitar
Rival of Groudon and Legendary Pokémon, Kyogre is a water type Pokémon. Resembling a whale, Kyogre is nearly 15 feet long and over 775 pounds. With the assist of the Blue Orb, Kyogre turns into Primal Kyogre, doubling in size and gaining much more strength. Kyogre is capable of ending droughts and although it’s a Water Pokémon, Kyogre can fly.
Pop Quiz: What is Kyogre known for expanding?
Answer: The seas
Legendary Pokémon Groudon is one of the most powerful Generation 3 Pokémon. Just how powerful is Groudon? Groudon is capable of making continents expand, and Groudon can also cause volcanic eruptions and great droughts. Legend has it that its main rival Kyogre is capable of expanding oceans. When they battle, the damage is disastrous. At 11 ½ feet and just under 2,100 pounds, Groudon is massive. The mascot of Pokémon Ruby, Groudon is capable of turning into Primal Groudon while holding the Red Orb. The Red Orb is a Generation 3 Legendary Artifact and it turns Groudon from a Ground Type into Ground and Fire Types.
Pop Quiz: What are Groudon, Kyogre and Rayquaza known as?
Answer: Super Ancient Pokemon
Eternatus is one of the Legendary Pokémon from Generation 8. A dual type Pokémon, Eternatus is both a Poison and Dragon type. At 65 ½ feet and weighing over a ton, Eternatus is certainly the largest Pokémon on this list. If Eternatus absorbs a vast amount of energy at once, it will become Eternamax, which is capable of causing destructive storms that can tear holes in different dimensions.
Pop Quiz: How did Eternatus come to earth?
Answer: Inside a meteor
Ho-Oh, a 2nd Generation Legendary Pokémon, is the Mascot of Pokémon Gold and HeartGold. Standing at 12 ½ feet and weighting nearly 440 pounds, Ho-Oh is the Guardian of the Skies. Ho-Oh also has the ability to revive the dead and is the only Pokémon capable of learning Sacred Fire. Ho-Oh is also known to leave a rainbow behind when it flies.
Pop Quiz: Ho-Oh first appears unidentified in which episode of the Pokémon TV Show?
Answer: Episode 1
A 5th Generation Pokémon, Kyurem stands nearly 10 feet tall and weighs over 700 pounds. Kyurem lives in the Unova Region and is capable of changing forms into Reshiram and Zekrom, yet can’t evolve. The three forms are called the Tao Trio. Kyurem is the only Pokémon capable of learning Glaciate.
Pop Quiz: Which Game is Kyurem the mascot of?
Answer: Pokémon Black 2 & White 2
The final member of the creators of Sinnoh, Dialga is also a 4th Generation Pokémon. Standing at nearly 18 feet and over 1,500 pounds, Dialga is the tallest of counterparts Giratina and Palkia. Dialga also has the ability to warp time, or simply stop time, and can travel back and forth in time. Dialga is the only Pokémon capable of learning Roar of Time.
Pop Quiz: Where does Dialga live?
Answer: A different dimension in the distortion world
Also a 4th Generation Pokémon, The Legendary Palkia is one of the three Pokémon to create Sinnoh. Standing just short of 14 feet and 740 Pounds, Palkia is capable of creating alternate realities and can Warp Space. Like Giratina, Palkia is protective of its home. Palkia is the only Pokémon capable of learning Spacial Rend.
Pop Quiz: Which Pokémon has Palkia been seen in conflicts with?
Answer: Dialga
The 4th generation renegade Pokémon, Giratina, stands well over 14 feet and weighs around 1,650 pounds. One of the 3 Pokémon to create Sinnoh, Giratina is a territorial Pokémon that can get combative when its home is disturbed. Giratina can be spotted at cemeteries and is known to live in a reverse side of the world.
Pop Quiz: Whats the one Pokémon move only Giratina can learn?
Answer: Shadow Force
The four-armed fighting Pokémon, Machamp, knows every martial arts style. Capable of punching 500 times in a single second, Machamp has plenty of power. How much? Well, let's say Machamp can move a mountain with a single hand. With the evolution of Machop and Machoke, Machamp can fight and defend itself with all four arms at once. The belt Machamp wears is necessary to limit Machamp’s movement. Due to its arms moving so fast at once, they can get tangled up. At 5”3’ and just under 290 pounds, Machamp is a strong first entry in this list.
Pop Quiz: What job does Machamp have in Rhyme City in Detective Pikachu?
Answer: Police officer/traffic coordinator
The Pokémon Megastar, Pikachu, is well-deserving of a top 15 spot on this list. After all, the electric rodent is a bolt of thunder, driving Team Rocket to the extreme lengths to catch em’. Capable of a 10 Million volt thunderbolt, Pikachu has serious power. At 1”04’ and 13 pounds, this electric type Pokémon can generate the same level of power as a power plant. Often found in groups, Pikachu’s send messages to one another through electricity. Pikachus can gain energy by being struck by lightning and eating electronic equipment such as telephone poles. Evolving from Pichu and having the capability of evolving into Raichu with the Thunder Stone, Pikachu stands alone from the rest of Pokémon capable of evolving. It’s as if you always have to have a Pikachu, thanks to the feisty, lovable character on the anime show and later in the Pokémon Yellow game.
Pop Quiz: Who Designed Pikachu?
Answer: Atsuko Nishida
This Legendary Pokémon, Articuno, is one of the rarest Pokémon on this list. Articuno is an ice and flying type and is one of the three legendary birds, with Moltres and Zapdos being the other two. Articuno makes number 13 on this list due to its ability to create and control ice and all times. Articuno also boasts some psychic abilities, capable of freezing an opponent stiff with its eyes alone. With the flap of its wings, Articuno can cause snow to fall. Articuno prefers to habitat cold, icy mountains and has the ability to assist lost hikers.
Pop Quiz: Where is Articuno Located in Pokémon Red & Blue?
Answer: Dungeon on Seafoam Island
The process of Magikarp evolving into Gyarados is an arduous one but is ultimately worth it. With the appearance of a giant sea snake, Gyarados, the water and flying Pokémon is over 21” and 500 pounds. Capable of crushing stones with its fangs, Gyarados matches strength with ferocity by unleashing its wrath for up to a month when agitated. Capable of living in both fresh and saltwater, Gyarados can jump from land or sea and cover over 50 feet in the air. This rare Pokémon is certainly one of the most powerful and even has scales as strong as steel.
Pop Quiz: How Did Jesse And James evolve Gyarados in the anime show?
Answer: James kicked Magikarp into the water, enraging it enough to evolve into Gyarados
The Hydro Pumping Blastoise is a badass. This water Pokémon evolves from Squirtle & Wartortle and is one of the main characters in generation 1. With the appearance of a Turtle with cannons, Blastoise can reach 6 plus miles with each cannon blast. That’s impressive for a 5 foot 190 Pound Pokémon. What's more impressive is that the blasts can cut through concrete and even steel. With a preference for lakes, Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise congregate, with Blastoise capable of leading the pack.
Dragonite is a bonafide member of the Most Powerful Pokémon. Why? Because this massive Flying Dragon Pokémon is capable of actually flying at over 1,500 mph while being over 7” and 460 pounds. Yes, Dragonite can break the sound barrier while flying. The final evolution of Dratini and Dragonair, Dragonite has the intelligence level of a human and is believed to aid people in danger at sea. On the contrary, Dragonite can become enraged when disturbed and has a rivalry with Kingdra when they cross paths. Like most of the Pokémon on this list, Dragonite is rare to see and capture.
Pop Quiz: Can you give us one of Dragonite’s nicknames?
Answer: Sea Incarnate & Sea Guardian
Is this the first shocker in our Most Powerful Pokémon countdown? The mighty Charizard is much lower than you anticipated, right? After all, ‘Zard is the hottest thing going in the card realm, but things are slightly different here. With that said, this was a tough decision, given the ferocity Charizard wields with his Flamethrower. The heat generated can melt boulders, glaciers, and even start forest fires. At five feet, seven inches, and roughly 200 pounds, this fire breathing Pokémon would be a tough test for just about any Pokémon. The third evolution from Charmander and Charmeleon, Charizard is a bonafide member of the upper echelon of Power Pokémon.
The mischievous Gengar is well-deserving of a top 10 most powerful Pokémon spot. Gengar, a Shadow Pokémon, is the third evolution of Gastly & Haunter. At 4”11 and 90 pounds, Gengar utilizes his size to terrify and prank people. Capable of flying and taking over a person’s mind, Gengar is not one to be trifled with.
Pop Quiz: Do you remember which Pokémon Gengar defeated in battle in the Detective Pikachu Movie?
Answer: Blastoise
Are you scratching your head on this one? You shouldn’t be. Although Ditto looks like a purple adorable blob, this Pokémon can transform into any shape or Pokémon it desires. At a mere 1” and 8.8 pounds, Ditto is the smallest Pokémon on this list, but that doesn’t diminish its capabilities.
Pop Quiz: Do you know how to distinguish Ditto when it transforms in comparison to the real Pokémon?
Answer: Its bead-shaped eyes never change.
Grab your spoons! This Psychic Pokémon, Alakazam, utilizes spoons to increase his kinetic powers' strength and diminish the accuracy of his opponents’ attacks. The final evolution of Abra & Kadabra, Alakazam is just under 5” and over 105 Pounds.
Pop Quiz: Can you name the Pokémon higher on this list that defeats Alakazam in Mewtwo Strikes Back?
Answer: Mewtwo
One of the most recognizable Generation 2 Pokémon, Lugia certainly has the power to back it up. Known as the “Guardian of the Seas,” Lugia has the ability to cause the seas to get rough or calm. When it comes to how powerful Lugia is, the estimation is that just flapping its wings can cause massive storms. Due to this, Lugia prefers to live deep in the ocean to avoid causing damage. Lugia is a Flying and Psychic Pokémon that doesn’t evolve and is the legendary birds' leader.
Pop Quiz: Do you know what Lugia was called before being identified?
Answer: Pokémon “X”
The massive Rayquaza is one of the oldest Pokémon, with estimations around multiple hundreds of years in age. At 23” and 455 pounds, this dragon Pokémon has the ability to fly and can unleash one of the strongest attacks of any Pokémon. Rayquaza is also the leader of the Legendary Birds of the Hoenn Region (Groudon & Kyogre) and even has the ability to calm its counterparts. Raquaza is the only Pokémon capable of learning Dragon Ascent, which inflicts damage and decreases the opponents’ defense and special defense abilities.
Pop Quiz: What game is the first one that Ryquaza appears in?
Answer: Ruby & Sapphire
This is where things get hairy. Dubbed The Original One, Arceus is the most mythical of any Pokémon. Creating multiple regions (Ransei & Sinnoh) and maybe even the Pokémon Universe, Arceus is one of the oldest Pokémon even though he isn’t from the first or second generation. At 10” and over 700 Pounds, Arceus is imposing in character and ability. Capable of disappearing or stopping time, Arceus is arguably the most powerful Pokémon. It would be epic to see Arceus battle the remaining two on this list.
Pop Quiz: Do you know the legend of how Arceus came to exist?
Answer: Arceus hatched from an egg when the world was empty, then began to create the world.
Although Mew is the last Pokémon in the 1st Generation, it has the DNA of every original Pokémon. Standing at 1’04” in height and under 9 pounds, you wouldn’t expect this adorable Pokémon to be capable of using any attack. Mew can also become invisible at will and is only able to be seen through a microscope. In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Mew battles Mewtwo to save humanity, with Ash Ketchum and Pikachu's help. Mew alone can’t beat the top Pokémon on this list.
Pop Quiz: What was the first English Mew Pokémon card?
Answer: Black Star Promo
If one thing is certain, Mewtwo is the champion of Powerful Pokémon. Standing six-foot, seven inches, and 269 pounds, the scientific creation Mewtwo, is the spawn of a pregnant Mew that had its DNA altered. Capable of controlling the mind of its enemies & teleportation, Mewtwo is undaunted. In the recent Detective Pikachu film, Mewtwo’s abilities are on full display, personifying how devastatingly powerful this Pokémon is. There is no real match for Mewtwo.
Pop Quiz: Where was Mewtwo genetically modified?
Answer: Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island
