Ask different people who the most powerful and strongest Pokémon of all time is, and you’ll probably get completely different answers. However, the general consensus (for a long time now) is that the honour belongs to Arceus.
The Pokémon Universe Explained: Generations, Regions & Power Rankings
In the Pokémon universe (which spans movies, TV shows, video games, books and more), a wide range of types and regions display the might of these creatures in their different forms. With its first generation back in 1996, Pokémon has been around for quite a while. Over the years, we’ve seen up to 8 generations of a diverse range of Pokémon to discover. It’s quite rare to fill a Pokedex, and it’s even harder when there are eight generations’ worth of Pokémon to discover.
898 Pokémon exist in total, and there’s sure to be a power tier list somewhere. But today, we’ll address something a bit different. We’ll focus on the most powerful and best Pokémon of all time — the one that is sure to best any of the other Pokémon in battle.
As is the tradition in the show, let’s beg the question, “Who’s that Pokémon?
10. Kyogre – The Legendary Sea Titan With World-Shaping Power
Equivalent to Poseidon in its reign, Kyogre rules the seas with the ability to manipulate water. The legends recount that this Pokémon initially created the seas through violent storms and endless tidal waves. Although Groudon’s capabilities are quite similar to those seen in the epic battle between the two Pokémon, the type advantage would certainly bring Kyogre victory.
Seeking to gain the power of nature, the motives of Kyogre were deeply intertwined with its abilities. However, with Rayquaza’s intervention, Groudon and Kyogre’s battle ended, resulting in Kyogre entering an eternal state of sleep.
9. Solgaleo – The Ultra Space Lion With Devastating Z-Moves
With the ability to generate “Ultra Wormholes” and travel through “Ultra Space”, this Generation VII Psychic and Steel-type Legendary Pokémon is easily one of the most powerful creatures in the franchise. Some of its power comes from its unique abilities, “Sunsteel Strike” and “Z-Move Searing Sunraze Smash.”
Sunsteel strike causes the opponent to be struck with incredible force regardless of its abilities or type. The latter is an upgraded Z-Move version, which is capable of increasing the damage output exponentially.
8. Darkrai – The Nightmare-Inducing Mythical Pokémon Explained
Darkrai, also known as the Pitch-Black Pokémon, is a Dark-type Mythical Pokémon introduced in 2007. This Pokémon is responsible for countless nightmares, which can only be deterred with a Lunar Wing from Cresselia, the other member of the Lunar Duo.
Despite its vicious appearance and abilities, Darkrai does not act with malice but in self-defence. Counter to popular belief, the Pokémon was revealed to be weaker than both Dialga and Palkia in The Rise of Darkrai. Still, this Pokémon is far stronger than most in the series and is arguably the creepiest and most powerful.
7. Palkia – The Space-Controlling Legendary Pokémon From Sinnoh
This legendary Pokémon inhabits the Sinnoh region and opposes the Second Law of Thermodynamics, entropy, with its existence. Each breath from Palkia increases the stability of space, signifying its role as a deity in the creation mythology.
The legendary Pokémon is believed to live in an alternate dimension but can cross over into our universe at will. Palkia is a Water and Dragon-type Pokémon of Generation IV with boosted stats encouraging all trainers to search for and catch it in the 2006 video game Pokémon Pearl from GameFreak.
6. Giratina – The Distortion World Ruler and Banned Legendary Pokémon
One of the more mysterious Legendary Pokémon, Giratina, was also introduced in Generation IV as the face of Pokémon Platinum. The appearance we generally imagine is, in fact, the Altered Forme of Giratina. Its natural form, or Origin Forme, is unleashed when exposed to a Griseous Orb or in the Distortion World. This allows it to levitate through space and travel at incredible speeds.
This Pokémon is extremely violent and protective of its home, leading to its banishment from the real world. For this reason, it simply watches the human world from its home. The Ghost and Dragon-type Legendary Pokémon is capable of great destruction with its exclusive move, “Shadow Force.” It’s easily one of the most powerful Pokémon.
5. Dialga – The Time-Controlling Pokémon That Created Reality
Palkia’s counterpart, the legendary Steel and Dragon-type Pokémon, appeared as the face of Pokémon Diamond. Dialga, also called the Temporal Pokémon, is the time component of Sinnoh’s creation trio. The Pokémon is capable of altering time in any way imaginable. In the anime, we have seen Dialga accelerate, slow down, and even freeze time.
The universe’s time supposedly began upon Dialga’s birth and only continues to flow because of its life. Destruction of Dialga would be the end of the world and death for all beings. This fact alone earns this Pokémon a spot as the top ten strongest Pokémon in the franchise.
Its power has been demonstrated through its battles with Palkia, which have caused irreparable damage to the universe. The Temporal Pokémon’s signature move is the Roar of Time, which allows it to overwhelm nearly any other Pokémon.
4. Mewtwo – The Most Dangerous Man-Made Pokémon Ever Created
This Pokémon was created in a laboratory through DNA engineering experiments on Mew and is reflected in its bipedal appearance. As the dominating figure of the Mew duo, Mewtwo is an extremely muscular Pokémon with incredible agility and dynamic attacks incorporating its thick tail.
Unlike other Pokémon, it lacks empathy for all other life forms. As a bioengineered weapon, Mewtwo is only capable of brainstorming strategies and tactics to overwhelm its enemies. The Pokémon is incredibly intelligent and capable of both telepathy and mind control. Mewtwo can also generate psychic waves through its unique ability, Psystrike.
All of these abilities, combined with its terrifying mindset, make Mewtwo the deadliest and strongest Pokémon in the series.
3. Deoxys – The Shape-Shifting Alien Pokémon With Multiple Forms
This Psychic-type Mythical Pokémon is capable of transforming its appearance and abilities. It also has the ability to move at a high speed — in fact, it bears the highest base Speed Stat of all Pokémon. The four forms we know of are Normal Forme, Attack Forme, Defense Forme, and Speed Forme.
Depending on which Nintendo DS game you played (Ruby/Sapphire/Colosseum/XD, FireRed, LeafGreen, Emerald), you would encounter Deoxys in a different form. With the ability to effectively change its stats to optimize itself for battle against the opponent, it is safe to say that this Pokémon is one of the strongest in the franchise.
Another feature that makes this creature so powerful is the ability to create clones of the Normal Forme that can fight at a power level similar to the original. Its psychokinetic powers, like Psycho Boost, paired with its 4 unique forms and cloning ability, make it the third strongest Pokémon introduced thus far.
2. Rayquaza – The Sky God Pokémon That Dominates Groudon and Kyogre
The Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza, was introduced in Generation III as the face of Pokémon Emerald.
This Dragon and Flying Type Legendary Pokémon can Mega Evolve into Mega Rayquaza by simply consuming meteoroids. This is due to its specialised Mikado organ, which stores enough energy to activate the Mega Evolution.
Rayquaza possesses some of the strongest attacking abilities of all Pokémon. The one drawback that keeps it from being the most powerful Pokémon is its requirement to Mega Evolve. Rayquaza must use a manoeuvre known as Dragon Ascent, which will lower its defence in order to maximise attacking efficiency and thus Mega Evolve.
1. Arceus – The God of Pokémon and Creator of the Universe
The equivalent of Zeus in Greek mythology, Arceus is referred to as the Alpha Pokémon. Introduced in Generation IV, Arceus is believed to be the first Pokémon to create the Pokémon universe, including the creation trio. It was able to shape the universe by utilising its 1000 arms.
Having literally created all life, it is not strange to assume that Arceus also possesses the ability to take it away. Some of Arceus’ powers in the anime include halting time, rematerialising destroyed land or even people, and reducing things to nothingness. As the creator of the Pokémon universe, Arceus rules benevolently from behind the scenes. Although it is generally portrayed as compassionate and caring, Arceus will not hesitate to destroy those who oppose it.
Arceus’ special move, “Judgement”, supports the idea that Pokémon creators would like us to believe that it truly functions as the God of the Pokémon universe.
Why is Arceus The Most Powerful?
First things first, let’s establish Arceus (who has a base stat total of 720). It’s a Normal-type mythical Pokémon that was originally introduced in Generation IV. Since he’s the only one of his type as a powerful legendary Pokémon, Arceus (the most mythical of any Pokémon) is genderless. This character is one that is rarely shown off on the big screen. However, he’s still a force to be reckoned with. Arceus is the creator of the Pokémon regions of Sinnoh and Ransei. He’s also the oldest Pokemon even though he wasn’t introduced in the earlier generations. At 3.2 Meters tall, he’s a towering figure in comparison to his fellow Pokémon.
He’s known as “The Original One” and serves as the master of the legendary creation trio. This trio consists of legendary Pokémon like Dialga, Palkia and Giratina. As their master, Arceus also holds a trump card that makes him a formidable force in any matchup. Yes, you guessed it. He can change his type if he’s holding a Plate or type-specific Z-Crystal. If you don’t know what those are, you’re not alone. We’ll explain. The Plate is a type of held item that was originally introduced in Gen IV.
The Plates are capable of boosting the holder’s moves for the corresponding type of plate. For example, a Fire-type like Charizard holding the Flame Plate will be much stronger with flame-type abilities. With Arceus, though, it works a bit differently and makes him a Fire type.
Meanwhile, the Z-Crystals provide Arceus with held items of the same name at will. Essentially, making Arceus able to hold an elemental item that changes its type.
In comparison to other powerful Pokémon, it’s important to see how well Arceus holds up. Especially when facing characters with totally unique and equally reality-bending techniques. We’ll match him up with other strong legendary Pokémon and explain why Arceus would take home the victory.
Who is the No. 1 Pokémon trainer?
Even though Lance is one of the earliest additions to the Pokémon universe (first appearing in the Kanto region), he is considered to be one of the most powerful Pokémon trainers of all time. However, many would argue that Leon, the World Coronation Series Monarch, is. Leon has a Charizard that can Gigantamax.
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Tell us, who do you think is the most powerful Pokémon of all time?
I think Pichachu is the most powerful.