Ash and Pikachu have historically been a big part of the Pokemon anime series, but arguably just as big are the persistent, yet constantly bumbling Team Rocket trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth. Initially insistent on kidnapping Pikachu, the Team Rocket trio has evolved into a sort of rival for the young trainer, and they have appeared frequently throughout the series.

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As Pokemon trainers themselves, Jessie and James have maintained a steady collection of Pokemon over the years. While they rarely do well against Ash and his friends' teams, they still have their strengths. Here are some of Team Rocket's best Pokemon that have appeared in the anime.

Updated January 6, 2024 by Danny Guan: Jessie and James have caught a lot of Pokemon over their long tenure as Ash's persistent rivals, each one varying wildly in terms of strength and ability. Though the two are somewhat mediocre Pokemon trainers, the strength of their Pokemon and their bond with them is often enough to cause Ash some trouble. Here are some more of Jessie's and James's best Pokemon.

1 Jessie's Lickitung

Unhelpful Tongue Lasher

• Debut Episode: "Princess vs. Princess"
• Strongest Move: Slam

Lickitung was not only the first Pokemon that Jessie caught, but also the first Pokemon Team Rocket was ever seen capturing. It had an uncooperative nature and rarely listened to Jessie's orders, so it was not often used in battles.

Being a Normal-type Pokemon, Lickitung does not have many special properties. However, it does have some powerful attacks, such as Slam or Stomp. It can also use its tongue to disgust its opponents with a lick, paralyzing them.

2 James's Yamask

Versatile Ghost-Type Pokemon

• Debut Episode: "Battling for the Love of Bug-Types!"
• Strongest Move: Shadow Ball

Yamask is one of James's Pokemon that he caught while on the continent of Unova. Yamask accompanied James and Team Rocket in their many battles against Ash until it was sent to Giovanni to assist in the organization's cause.

As a Ghost-type, Yamask often used various supporting skills to help his allies or hinder his opponents. Moves like Haze and Will-O-Wisp helped Team Rocket gain the advantage, while Shadow Ball served as one of his strongest attacks.

3 Jessie's Dustox

A Fashionable Fighter

• Debut Episode: "All in a Day's Wurmple"
• Strongest Move: Psybeam

Jessie initially caught Dustox as a Wurmple around the same time May caught hers. While May's Wurmple managed to evolve into a Beautifly, Jessie was disappointed to see hers evolve into a Dustox. Nevertheless, her love for the Pokemon did not change, and the two remained steadfast partners for much of Hoenn and Sinnoh.

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Jessie's Dustox primarily competed in contests, particularly against May and her Pokemon. However, she was still quite potent in battle in her fully evolved form. She used strong moves like Gust and Psybeam to damage its opponents while weakening them with other attacks like Stun Spore and Poison Sting.

4 James's Mareanie

A Toxic Paramour

• Debut Episode: "The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair!"
• Strongest Move: Sludge Bomb

Mareanie was essentially the only Pokemon that James caught while adventuring in Alola. When he was stung by one of Mareanie's poison needles, his appearance made him look like another Mareanie, causing her to fall in love with him. She is very loyal to James, and the two had a good relationship before James was forced to leave her behind when he left Alola.

As a Water/Poison-type, Mareanie's most potent ability is to inflict poison on her opponents, such as with moves like Sludge Bomb. She can also use several Dark-type attacks, such as Knock Off and the Z-Move Black Hole Eclipse.

5 Jessie's Wobbuffet

Disarming Surprise Counterattacker

• Debut Episode: "Tricks of the Trade"
• Strongest Move: Mirror Coat

Wobbuffet is largely a joke Pokemon among Team Rocket's roster. He often comes out of his Pokeball at inappropriate times, and his owner Jessie is constantly furious and frustrated with his lack of intelligence.

Despite this, Wobbuffet can certainly be an asset in battle. Team Rocket is often blown away by powerful attacks, but Wobbuffet's Counter and Mirror Coat can send those attacks back at their users, saving the team from another humiliating defeat.

6 James's Weezing

Poisonous Gas Bomber

• Debut Episode: "Pokemon Emergency!"
• Strongest Move: Sludge

The first Pokemon James used in the series was Koffing (which would eventually evolve into Weezing). Weezing loyally accompanied James as his main battle Pokemon, and continued as a supporting Pokemon even after James started using other Pokemon.

Weezing's main function in battle was to stun its enemies with various gas-like moves such as Smokescreen or Smog. These moves kept Weezing as a valuable member of James's team until it was set free in Hoenn.

7 Jessie's Gourgeist

Hard-Hitting Battler

• Debut Episode: "The Bamboozling Forest!"
• Strongest Move: Shadow Ball

Jessie's Gourgeist is one she found while traveling through the region of Kalos. Initially a Pumpkaboo, Gourgeist served as Jessie's main battle Pokemon in Kalos, though she temporarily traded her away once for a Mawile.

As a rare Grass/Ghost-type, Gourgeist has a number of moves that Jessie's usual Pokemon do not have, such as Seed Bomb and Shadow Ball. While Gourgeist is not as effective in battle as some of Jessie's other Pokemon, she certainly pulls her weight.

8 James's Inkay

Prankster Psychic-Type

• Debut Episode: "A Battle of Aerial Mobility!"
• Strongest Move: Foul Play

Inkay is one of the most mischievous Pokemon in Team Rocket's arsenal. Initially caught in the Kalos area, Inkay initially caused trouble for Team Rocket by playing pranks on them but is now a loyal Pokemon to James.

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Despite its size, Inkay is quite a capable fighter. He can attack from afar using moves like Psybeam or contend in close combat with moves like Tackle. He can also spray ink to distract its foes.

9 James's Victreebel

Mighty Grass-Type With An Affectionate Streak

• Debut Episode: "The Breeding Center Secret"
• Strongest Move: Double-Edge

James is known for owning several overly affectionate Grass-type Pokemon, and Victreebel was the first of these. Originally a Weepinbell, Victreebel served as James's main battle Pokemon throughout Johto until James was forced to trade it away.

Victreebel used many powerful Grass-type moves in battle, including Razor Leaf and Vine Whip, as well as debilitating moves like Sleep Powder and Stun Spore. It served well as a combatant in battle despite its over-affectionate personality.

10 Jessie's Arbok

Quintessential Poison-Type Fighter

• Debut Episode: "Pokemon Emergency!"
• Strongest Move: Double-Edge

Jessie's first known Pokemon was Ekans, which would eventually evolve into an Arbok as the series went on. Jessie would frequently use Arbok as her main battle Pokemon until eventually setting it free in Hoenn.

As a Poison-type Pokemon, Arbok used a lot of poison-type moves such as Poison Sting and Toxic. It also knew several other useful moves such as Dig and Wrap. All in all, Arbok was a strong contender in battle.

11 Jessie's Seviper

Vicious Toxic Combatant

• Debut Episode: "A Tail with a Twist"
• Strongest Move: Sludge Bomb/Poison Tail

Seviper was Jessie's main battle Pokemon during her time in Hoenn, and it continues to travel with her as a part of the team, though it sees much less use. Its strength is equal only to its cruel and vicious nature.

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As a Poison-type snake Pokemon similar to Arbok, Seviper has many similar moves such as Wrap, as well as new moves like Bite and Poison Tail. Compared to Arbok, Seviper is far more ruthless in battle, making it a more capable combatant.

12 James's Amoonguss

Massive Grass-Type Bruiser

• Debut Episode: "New Places... Familiar Faces!"
• Strongest Move: Energy Ball

Amoonguss is a rarity among James's roster of Pokemon, being the only one of his Grass-types to not attack him out of affection. Despite this, it is a very loyal Pokemon that never fails to carry out James's orders.

Amoonguss easily ranks among one of James's most powerful Pokemon, having been able to knock Pikachu out with a single Body Slam once. Unfortunately, Amoonguss still ends up with many losses against Ash and friends, but its track record is better than others.

13 Jessie's Yanmega

Stylish Battler And Showstopper

• Debut Episode: "The Thief That Keeps On Thieving!"
• Strongest Move: Steel Wing

After catching a Yanma (which would later evolve to Yanmega), Jessie would replace Seviper with this powerful Bug/Flying-type Pokemon. Yanmega served as Jessie's main Pokemon in the Sinnoh region.

Yanmega knows several powerful moves, such as Ancient Power, Wing Attack, and Steel Wing. Yanmega is one of Jessie's strongest Pokemon, having come close to beating Ash and his friends several times.

14 James's Gyarados

The Raging Destroyer

• Debut Episode: "Battle Aboard the St. Anne"
• Strongest Move: Dragon Rage

In an early episode of Pokemon, James was conned into buying a Magikarp by a scammer. Initially hoping to use the Pokemon to get rich, James is dismayed to learn that Magikarp is completely useless, lacking the power to swim or even perform basic attacks in battle.

After a series of mishaps and frustration, James ultimately attempted to abandon Magikarp, causing it to evolve into a Gyarados. Remembering its poor treatment, Gyarados attacked Team Rocket, blowing them away with a stormy Dragon Rage. Despite never actually being used to their benefit, Gyarados was certainly the most powerful Pokemon Team Rocket ever owned.

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