Highlights
- Fossil Pokemon are ancient creatures with unique designs and themes, sometimes lacking in strength but always standing out.
- Scarlet and Violet players have rare Fossil Pokemon options, with some like Cradily boasting excellent designs and decent stats.
- Not all Fossil Pokemon are created equal - some like Aerodactyl and Tyrantrum are powerful and popular choices for players.
In nearly every Pokemon game since the Kanto region, players have been able to choose from a small list of Fossils to rejuvenate and transform back into living Pokemon. The originals were Omastar, Kabutops, and Aerodactyl, but since then, Game Freak has released 12 more, each based on ancient creatures (or living things in Cradily’s case).
Gen 10 Needs To Do Right By Fossil Pokemon
After inconsistent representation for three generations of Pokemon, Gen 10 ought to either restore or revamp the tradition of Fossil Pokemon.
While these Pokemon may be extinct in the everyday world, their unique designs and themes let them all stand out; often more than their actual strength. There are a few of these Pokemon that don’t have much to offer outside the novelty of being spawned from their ancient fossils.
Updated June 24, 2024 by Stephen LaGioia: With each Pokemon release, whether the charming anime or gripping video games, the lore continues to grow even more vast and rich. This has culminated with Violet & Scarlet (and supplemental DLC The Teal Mask and Indigo Disk), which offers tons of compelling content.
Among this huge list of 10,025 Pokemon are the more exclusive and rare Fossil types, which number well over two dozen. In fact, these ancient Pokemon are so rare, that Scarlet and Violet players have no way to access them other than transferring them via Pokemon Home. Given their complexity and rarity, we thought we'd revisit and carve some more detail into this list highlighting each Fossil Pokemon, ranking them in terms of strength and usefulness.
What binds these Pokemon together and gives them the "Fossil" moniker is that they date from prehistoric times and can be obtained by collecting different Fossils to restore them. They also have the commonality of all being at least partly of the Rock-type, aside from the Galar-region Fossil Pokemon.
While the evolved forms will be the focus here (as they are almost always stronger), this list will also touch on the unevolved forms.
16 Anorith And Armaldo
Generation 3
Anorith:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
45 | 95 | 50 | 40 | 50 | 75 |
Armaldo:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
75 | 125 | 100 | 70 | 80 | 45 |
The unfortunate position of last (relatively speaking) falls on Armaldo, and particularly its meager unevolved form Anorith. First introduced as emerging from the Claw Fossil in the Gen 3 Hoenn Region, Armaldo and Anorith were fairly underwhelming. Anorith may be called the Old Shrimp Pokemon, but these two look more like creatures made straight out of the space-sim Spore.
To many, their designs come across as rather haphazard. Further, as Rock and Bug-types, they don't bring much to the table, as Bug was often seen as the worst type in the game before its buff in Gen 7.
There is no legitimate way to obtain, and thus regenerate, the Claw Fossil in the Cinnabar Lab in Gen 3, but players in Gen 4 may obtain them via trading.
The locations and Fossils needed to revive each evolved Pokemon listed will be mentioned corresponding to the Generations/games they are introduced .
15 Genesect
Generation 5
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
71 | 120 | 95 | 120 | 95 | 99 |
While the large robotic insect may look pretty intimidating, it's rather outmatched even by many in its own Fossil category, being of the fairly weak Bug-type. It has few strong, specialized moves, and its base HP is on the low side.
Still, as far as Bug-types go, Genesect can pack a punch offensively, slotting in as a sort of beefier version of Scizor in many respects. It's useful that Genesect is resistant to many types, though it's also vulnerable to more elements than the average Fossil.
The Pokemon is also quite exclusive, coming from an unknown Fossil and crafted by Team Plasma.
14 Tirtouga And Carracosta
Generation 5
Tirtouga:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
54 | 78 | 103 | 53 | 45 | 22 |
Carracosta:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
74 | 108 | 133 | 83 | 65 | 32 |
The sea turtle from Gen 5’s Unova region can be described as a mega-charged, upright-standing turtle. The Pokemon world is already full of turtles, and to take up a coveted Fossil spot with another one just seems disappointing.
Stat-wise, Carracosta is just fine, with lots of power and indestructibility, though most everything else is downhill from there, culminating in a rough 32 Speed. Decent abilities fall flat on this underwhelming design, which leads this unfortunate turtle to sink rather than swim.
The tank-like Carracosta can be revived by way of a Cover Fossil, by visiting the Nacrene Museum (Black and White version 2).
13 Lileep And Cradily
Generation 3
Lileep:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
66 | 41 | 77 | 61 | 87 | 23 |
Cradily:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
86 | 81 | 97 | 81 | 107 | 43 |
Classified as the Barnacle Pokemon, Cradily is Gen 3’s ancient plant Pokemon; and a stout one. The ancient tropical plant as one of the Hoenn region’s two Fossils was an excellent design and every time the strange plant makes its way onto the field trumpets blare.
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Unfortunately for Cradily, it just isn’t that powerful. All-around decent stats don’t hold Cradily back, but they don’t do it any favors either. Better defenses give Cradily the option of a stall Pokemon, but its miserable 43 Speed Stat leaves quite a lot to be desired.
Players must revive it from the Root Fossil, with the Devon Corporation in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald.
12 Omanyte And Omastar
Generation 1
Omanyte:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
35 | 40 | 100 | 90 | 55 | 35 |
Omastar:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
70 | 60 | 125 | 115 | 70 | 55 |
The Helix Fossil has always been a staple among Pokemon Fossils. Omastar is the classic killer sea snail that is described as being so slow and weak that it went extinct because it couldn’t catch food. Despite this description, it actually has 55 Speed which is faster than both Cradily and Carracosta — although it still has a long way to go.
As a Water and Rock-type with a powerful Special Attack stat of 115, If it manages to land an attack on a target, Omastar is sure to rock some boats.
Awaken this ancient Pokemon via the Cinnabar Lab in Red, Blue, and Yellow.
11 Cranidos And Rampardos
Generation 4
Cranidos:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
67 | 125 | 40 | 30 | 30 | 58 |
Rampardos:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
97 | 165 | 60 | 65 | 50 | 58 |
This is the big and stout fella of Gen 4; the pure Rock-type, Rampardos. The Sinnoh Region was the first in the Pokemon world to finally give fans their first dinosaur Fossils and truly, it was a little underwhelming.
Rampardos is a pure Rock-type, which has advantages, it can’t be hit by Fighting or Grass for quadruple damage like some of the other Fossils, but it also means it doesn’t have secondary typing to use as a threat. Compared to every other Fossil, that just doesn’t hold up.
This spiked beast can be revived by using a Skull Fossil, and going to the Oreburgh Mining Museum in Diamond and Pearl, Platinum, as well as Brilliant Diamond and Pearl.
10 Arctovish
Generation 8
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
90 | 90 | 100 | 80 | 90 | 55 |
The relatively new bulky ice fish monster from the Galar Region, Arctovish combines the Fossilized fish and the Fossilized Dino brought to life by science! Overall, Arctovish is a decent but underwhelming Pokemon, at least more than its beastly appearance lets on. With Galar Fossils losing their Rock typing, Arctovish is left as a Water and Ice-type, which isn’t exactly the best combination.
While its stats are just average, it does have access to the devastatingly powerful Fishious Rend attack, which is at least one good aspect that it can boast. The combo concept that the Galar Fossils use is pretty cool, unfortunately, this big fish got the short end of the stick.
9 Amaura And Aurorus
Generation 6
Amaura:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
77 | 59 | 50 | 67 | 63 | 46 |
Aurorus:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
123 | 77 | 72 | 99 | 92 | 58 |
The Ice and Rock-type sauropod, Aurorus was first introduced in the Kalos Region of Gen 6. With fairly unique typing and an interesting design, the Sail Fossil is one of the first that really might be worth using. A truly massive Pokemon, Aurorus has an incredibly high HP stat and a powerful ability with its signature move, Refrigerate.
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Plus, Amaura has one of the cuter aesthetics — and it's a blast to evolve! The Tundra Pokemon is one worth considering for this reason alone, but for those min-maxing fans out there, it's not the best of the best.
Aurorus can be revived from a Sail Fossil by way of the Ambrette Town Fossil Lab in Pokemon X and Y.
8 Arctozolt
Generation 8
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
90 | 100 | 90 | 90 | 80 | 55 |
This sniveling little velociraptor Ice hybrid puts Pokemon design on a whole new level. While ice typing may not be of a huge benefit for this Electric-type (as it doesn’t lose its Ground weakness and instead gains weakness to Fire, Fighting, and Rock-types) it does pose an excellent opportunity for this Pokemon’s icy-cool look.
Unfortunately for Arctozolt, it can’t monopolize on its signature move, Bolt Beak, as its base 55 Speed stat is "lukewarm" to say the least.
It's only resurrected by combining a Fossilized Bird and a Fossilized Dino.
7 Archen And Archeops
Generation 5
Archen:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
55 | 112 | 45 | 74 | 45 | 70 |
Archeops:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
75 | 140 | 65 | 112 | 65 | 110 |
Archen and Archeops are the Flying Rock-type Fossils of the Unova Region. Based on the archeopteryx, these Pokemon are jam-packed with power. With a whopping 140 Attack stat and respectable 112 Special Attack, this Pokemon can really pack a punch. Unfortunately, it’s majorly held back by its truly awful ability, Defeatist.
At half-health Archeops Attack and Special Attack, stats are cut in half, meaning its powerful offense becomes mediocre at best. This makes the colorful bird Fossil much more effective at hit-and-run tactics. It certainly has its place, but its strategy means other Pokemon are going to take a beating.
Use the Plume Fossil starting at level 37 to get the hostile Archeops, from the Nacrene Museum (Pokemon Black and White).
6 Dracozolt
Generation 8
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
90 | 100 | 90 | 80 | 70 | 75 |
Another Galar Fossil with the wonderfully designed raptor head. This Electric and Dragon-type, unfortunately, suffers from the same poor statistical design that plagues Arctozolt.
With only a base 75 Speed stat, the only Pokemon Dracozolt can outspeed to use its powerful Beak bolt attack are slow and bulky Rock, Ground, and Steel-types, all of which resist electric damage. This means Dracozolt is basically dead in the water when it comes to a contest of quickness and bringing serious damage.
Resurrect one by combining a Fossilized Bird and a Fossilized Drake.
5 Kabuto And Kabutops
Generation 1
Kabuto:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
30 | 80 | 90 | 55 | 45 | 55 |
Kabutops:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
60 | 115 | 105 | 65 | 70 | 80 |
This horseshoe crab turned scythe-wielding monster is one of the original Fossils, but unlike Omastar, it has some serious staying power. Kabutops' very cool design is enough to keep it around, but it also shines in battle. With access to two great abilities in battle armor and weak armor, this Pokemon is ready for a fight.
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Kabutops shines because, unlike many Weak Armor Pokemon, it actually has the Defense to survive a couple of hits if it’s set up properly. Kabutops may be an oldie, but it is certainly a goodie.
Players can use the Dome Fossil after Kabuto reaches level 40, where it morphs into the more deadly and ominous Kabutops.
4 Shieldon And Bastiodon
Generation 4
Shieldon:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
30 | 42 | 118 | 42 | 88 | 30 |
Bastiodon:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
60 | 52 | 168 | 47 | 138 | 30 |
The Sinnoh Regions Rock and Steel-type, Bastiodon, is one of the Pokemon game’s first actual dinosaur fossils. Bastiodon is a Ceratopsid (a fancy triceratops), and as such has high defenses befitting the large shield plastered to its face. Its design might be a little silly, but a good triceratops is hard to come by.
With powerful defensive typing in Rock and Steel and a stat block that could stop even the most powerful hits, this is a Pokemon that is sure to stick around for a while (which is ironic because it’s a Fossil Pokemon).
Starting at level 30, players can revive this monster via Armor Fossil at the Oreburgh Mining Museum (Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, and Brilliant Diamond and Pearl).
3 Aerodactyl
Generation 1
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
80 | 105 | 65 | 60 | 75 | 130 |
The original and only speed demon Fossil Pokemon. With an unmatched speed stat amongst the Fossils and attacks that make its enemies tremble, Aerodactyl is a monster in the air. With the ability Rock Head and the transfer only move Double Edge, Aerodactyl packs a punch to go along with its monstrous speed. And the dino-inspired monster grows even more beastly when taking the form of Mega Aerodactyl.
This is a Pokemon that has a rich history and has been good for a long long time. It’s a wonder how it ever went extinct. In fact, its presence as a Fossil suggests that this alpha hunter was forced extinct by some cataclysmic event… Just what could Game Freak be hiding?
The unique fossilized substance known as Old Amber (Cinnabar Lab) must be used to resurrect an Aerodactyl.
More On Mega Aerodactyl
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
80 | 135 | 85 | 70 | 95 | 150 |
Players can morph the already potent Aerodactyl into this spiky Mega form by using the Aerodctylite — a held item Mega Stone introduced in Gen 6. Most of its stats are increased by a decent size when it fights in this form. In fact, it possesses the highest base speed of all Rock-type Pokemon when in Mega form.
2 Tyrunt And Tyrantrum
Generation 6
Tyrunt:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
58 | 89 | 77 | 45 | 45 | 48 |
Tyrantrum:
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
82 | 121 | 119 | 69 | 59 | 71 |
The Strong-Jawed bitey creature of the ancient Kalos Region made a big dent in the meta as an alternative Dragon-type. With Strong Jaw and access to every fang attack in the game (besides Psychic Fangs and Fishious Rend), Tyrantrum brings a lot of moveset diversity and power to the Fossil lineup.
Alternatively, with Rock Head and Head Smash attacks, Tyrantrum has access to a very powerful STAB Dock-type attack with no drawbacks. Throw in its whopping 121 Attack and 119 Defense and players have a solid, immovable wall that brings down the house.
Players can get their hands on this awesome Fossil type by evolving Tyrunt starting at level 39 (during the day), using a Jaw Fossil at the Ambrette Town Fossil Lab in Pokemon X and Y).
1 Dracovish
Generation 8
HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
90 | 90 | 100 | 70 | 80 | 75 |
Tyrantrum isn’t the only Dragon-type Fossil with the introduction of Dracovish in the Galar Region. This fish and drake monstrosity tears into the competition with its use of Fishious Rend, Strong Jaw, and a speed-boosting held item. Largely controlling the meta at the early stages of Sword and Shield's competitive scene, this fish dragon Fossil is an abomination that fans just can’t get enough of.
Its ridiculous upside-down fish head on top of a twisted and contorted dragon tail is truly something out of a horror movie. Unfortunately, this terrible thing is one of the most powerful Pokemon in the Galar Region, so players are sure to encounter it eventually.
Combine a Fossilized Fish and a Fossilized Drake to resurrect this beast.