A lot of pokémon are just as dangerous in battle as they look – Charizard and Gyarados are perfect examples. Both of them are huge and have very prominent fangs, claws, and bad attitudes.
There are also pokémon whose cute or diminutive appearance belies the power they are capable of displaying in battle. A classic example of this type of pokémon is Pikachu. That cute little mouse does not look capable of fighting off a yawn (which would probably be adorable to witness).
The pokémon on this list are the latter type; they look useless but are deadly (or in Pokémon terms “faintly”) when pitted against another pokémon.
10 Jirachi
This cute little (it’s only 1’ tall) pokémon doesn’t look like it could harm anything – and it doesn’t look like it wants to either. It doesn’t have any apparent natural weapons like claws or fangs. It also doesn’t appear to be very tough or have any natural defenses. In fact, it always appears to be crying due to the markings under its eyes.
Despite appearances, all of Jirachi’s stats are very high, and its Serene Grace ability increases the likelihood of its attacks inflicting added effects. Jirachi’s move-set is very robust – with very strong attacks and numerous healing moves.
9 Azelf
Azelf, like Jirachi, is only 1’ tall and has those large vacant eyes that make it look as harmless as a kitten. Also like Jirachi, Azelf does not have any visible natural weaponry or obvious defensive capabilities.
What Azelf does have is a move-set with some decent attacks like Extrasensory and Future Sight. It also has some very nice status altering moves like Detect; which has an extremely high priority and prevents an opponent’s attack from hitting. Its special ability Levitate also protects it from ground attacks. Azelf’s attack, special attack, and speed stats are all high, and the other stats are slightly above average.
8 Flapple
Flapple lives in an apple, not green but red. Its only weapon is the horn on its head. In all seriousness, this benign little pokémon does not look like it would be able to fight-off a squirrel (an actual squirrel, not Pachirisu). However, Flapple is one of the better pokémon introduced in Sword & Shield.
It has a large move-set with many different attack types – normal, dragon, grass, flying, steel, poison, and ghost. It also has an attack unique to it called Grav Apple that is fairly powerful, has 100% accuracy, and lowers its opponent’s defense. It also gets Leech Seed, so it’s also capable of healing itself.
7 Jellicent
The pokémon featured on this list so far have all been very small physically, but at about 7’ in diameter, Jellicent is actually pretty large. That doesn’t make it look useful in a battle though – not any more than the average blue balloon anyway.
You need to look out for the fact it has a high special defense and a lot of hit points; while its other stats are decent. The move types in Jellicent’s arsenal aren’t that varied; it has mostly water and ghost moves. However, some of the water attacks it can learn, like Hydro Pump and Water Spout, are among the most powerful available.
6 Bellossom
Being a small (1’ tall) smiling flower, Bellossom doesn’t look completely useless. Unless one is referring to its battle prowess; then it looks absolutely useless. It doesn’t help that Bellossom has large innocent eyes and is usually sporting an enormous smile.
While it’s not that fast, it does have very good defense, special attack, and special defense stats. Bellossom’s move-set is filled with very potent status altering moves like Sleep Powder and Stun Spore. It also has health draining moves like Giga Drain and very powerful attacks like Petal Dance and Petal Blizzard. Toxic is also in its move-set; and while poisoning an opposing pokémon is more of an annoyance, badly poisoning an opponent (which Toxic does) is very useful.
5 Comfey
Comfey looks like a necklace of flowers, so going on appearances alone it would be useful only as a fashion accessory. This little grass pokémon is awesome in battle though.
Comfey doesn’t have too many hit points, but its attack, defense, special attack, special defense, and speed are all exceptional. Comfey’s move-set includes some very rare attacks that can bring even the biggest pokémon down.
That last statement was literal; its Grass Knot move increases in power against larger opponents (like Dragonite and Rigigigas). Comfey also gets several healing moves, and its Triage special ability gives its healing moves a higher priority rating.
4 Clefable
If one were to look at the descriptions of Clefable given in the actual Pokémon games they would see words/phrases like “timid”, “it will run and hide”, and “very wary”. These aren’t the descriptors typically used for something that is awesome in battle. However, if Clefable is taught the right moves and used properly it can beat any Pokémon with little effort.
Many of Clefable’s attacks raise its stats – like attack or defense. Its Stored Power move gets stronger for every stat increase. Clefable can use Sing to put an opposing pokémon to sleep then use attacks/moves that raise its stats. About the time the opponent wakes up Clefable is ready to deliver a powerful finishing blow.
3 Togekiss
Togekiss doesn’t possess the natural weapons that make birds useful in a fight – i.e. a sharp beak and talons. Its in-game description mentions that it “avoids strife,” is “never seen near conflict or turmoil”, and “brings kindness and sweet blessings." Such descriptions do not conjure images of something that is formidable in combat.
Togekiss is extremely powerful though. Its special attack, defense, and special defense stats are all very high. This pokémon’s move-set has a nice variety of powerful attacks, status/ stat altering, and healing moves. Some of its better moves are Sky Attack, Wish, and Tri Attack.
2 Mr. Rime
At a distance Mr. Rime looks like an old man with a cane; in fact, even up close he looks like an old man with a cane. This pokémon was introduced in Sword & Shield as an evolved version of Mr. Mime and can be an absolute terror in battle.
His special attack and special defense are respectable, and his other stats are above-average or average. Mr. Rime’s move-set is incredibly varied in attack types and has some powerful status altering moves. Some of its best attacks are Psychic, Freeze-Dry, and Dazzling Gleam. Its Mirror Coat move punishes opponents that use high-damage special attacks, its Slack Off move heals, and it can put an opponent to sleep with Hypnosis.
1 Victini
Victini is definitely in the running for cutest pokémon. It’s very small, has large blue eyes, and the long ears of a fennec fox. However, don’t be fooled by its incredibly cute exterior.
All of Victini’s stats are incredibly high. Its move-set contains some devastating fire and normal moves. It learns Endure which will ensure it has at least one hit point at the end of a turn. When this is used with Reversal, which increases in power when the user loses hit points, Victini can “one-shot” even the toughest pokémon.
With only one hit point remaining Reversal’s attack strength is significantly more powerful than attacks like Fire Blast and Hydro Pump. Most of its fire attacks also have a chance of burning the opponent, and its Zen Headbutt has a fair chance of making the opponent flinch. There’s a reason Victini is called the “Victory Pokémon”.
NEXT: Pokémon: The 10 Best Berries, Ranked
