Every new generation of Pokemon sees the competitive meta change and evolve. Sometimes, it's a result of new mechanics like Mega Evolution or Dynamaxing. Other times, it's because of all-new typings added into the game, like Fairy-type in Pokemon X & Y. More often than not, however, the meta changes are due to new Pokemon.
Over the years, many Pokemon have faded in and out of the competitive meta due to changes and balances in the game. Oftentimes, once great Pokemon are shelved by competitive players due to their ineffectiveness in the current meta. However, these Pokemon deserve a lot more attention from VGC players.
Updated March 31st, 2023, by Taylor Pittman: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced new Pokemon, pseudo-evolution methods, and Pokemon types such as regional forms, convergent species, and Paradox Pokemon to the Pokemon VGC. As a result, the competitive meta has significantly changed, and players are experimenting with new team combinations and the added feature of Terastallizing Pokemon. The metagame is still quick to change with this new generation, and there are already Pokemon that are not being seen in the winners' circles, despite their potential. This list has been updated to include more underrated competitive Pokemon to reflect the effects of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet on the competitive front.
11 Bellibolt
Bellibolt has a comfortable spot in the RU (RarelyUsed) Smogon tier due to being outpowered by other Gen 9 Pokemon, but it has the potential to shine on certain teams as a good defensive pivot due to its bulk and recovery moveset, including Slack Off. Consequently, equipping it with Left Overs has been a popular move.
While VGC competitors are testing its limits for how much damage it can absorb, it also has offensive capabilities to tap into when given the opportunity. Bellibolt's Ability Electromorphosis doubles all of its Electric-type moves and paired with an Electric Tera-type, it can quickly become a problem for its targets.
10 Flamigo
Flamigo started in the UnderUsed (UU) tier when the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet seasons first started, but it quickly started rising in the ranks as a late-game sweeper on bird teams. It now sits in the RU tier, but it still has the ability to handle many of the popular Pokemon in the meta with its Water/Flying STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves like Liquidation and Brave Bird.
Flamigo's ability Scrappy is also responsible for its popularity by taking out Ghost-type foes, which is one of the best defensive types in the series. Most teams who use Flamigo are equipping it with Choice Scarf to make up for its average speed stat and spamming Close Combat to get the job done.
9 Bombirdier
Bombirdier has never had its moment in the sun in the most recent competitive meta as a Gen 9 Pokemon and finds itself in the NU (NeverUsed) tier. However, this is not to say it doesn't have fantastic potential with powerful moves like Brave Bird and the pivot move U-Turn in its arsenal. On the topic of pivot moves, its signature Parting Shot can set teams up for OHKOs.
Bombirdier is lacking stats in OU (OverlyUsed) standards, which has kept it in the lower tiers consistently. Nevertheless, it is a team player, and competitors can stretch its abilities to alter the field with speed control and entry hazards. A Ground Tera-typing is another way to keep things interesting when running Bombirdier on the field.
8 Jolteon
Jolteon has been in more fortunate spots in the competitive Pokemon meta. In the days of Pokemon Black & White, Jolteon was placed in the OU (OverUsed) tier. It dropped into the RU tier in subsequent games, but its most recent appearance in Sword & Shield has found it placing quite low in the PU tier.
Despite that, Jolteon has a lot of unrealized potential, thanks to its incredible speed and special attack. However, many VGC fans protest Jolteon's placement in even RU, claiming its popularity is making up for its lack of potential in battle. However, this is likely due to Jolteon's inability to use Hidden Power in more recent generations.
7 Golurk
Golurk is certainly one of the most unique Pokemon in the series' Pokedex of over 800 different creatures. Its Ghost and Ground typing makes it immune to popular typing such as Normal, Fighting, and Electric. Still, in the most recent generation, it's fallen behind in the NU tier, designating Pokemon that are never used competitively.
Perhaps all it takes is one brave player to take advantage of Golurk's potential. Equipping it with the Weakness Policy item will give it the upper hand after being hit by a super-effective move, while some have even paired it with Pokemon that can utilize Trick Room to account for its lack of usable speed.
6 Nidoking
The UU tier includes Pokemon that are only absent from the OU tier out of sheer lack of popularity. One example of this from Gen 8 is Nidoking, who has been placed in the tier in every generation since the second. It's safe to say that over the course of competitive Pokemon history, Nidoking has been quite underrated.
Its lack of usage, for most players, is a result of its difficulty to pivot into. Nidoking's defense stats leave a lot to be desired, unfortunately. However, the metagame is always changing and evolving, so it may be time for a player to realize Nidoking's strength through the perfect combination of team and strategy.
5 Goodra
Goodra first appeared in the sixth generation as the pseudo-legendary Pokemon for Pokemon X & Y. However, in Sword & Shield, Goodra has unfortunately been banned from the NU tier. Sadly, this has meant that the Pokemon is absent from many areas of the competitive meta, simply just based on the rules against it.
Perhaps the next generation will be Goodra's time to shine as a viable Pokemon. Pokemon Legends: Arceus introduced its Hisuian form, now Dragon/Steel-typed and boasting better defense stats in lieu of speed. If this form shows up in Scarlet & Violet, it could lead to greater popularity for the Dragon-type in the future.
4 Dhelmise
It's unfortunate that Dhelmise has been relegated to the NU tier, as its potential continues to be unrecognized even years into the Sword & Shield meta. This is largely due to the fact that many players have other options for Poltergeist users. Still, its monstrous Attack stat should be more appealing to many players.
However, Dhelmise's popularity has slowly been rising among the competitive community. It's very viable in 2 v 2 battles, offering coverage against Water, Ghost, Ground, and Psychic types. If paired with a Trick Room user, it could even outclass the Speed stat of more preferred Grass/Ghost-types like Decidueye.
3 Galarian Weezing
This regional variant of Weezing is Poison/Fairy-type, making it a powerful option against Dragon-types while keeping a resistance to Poison itself. Additionally, it has the ability Neutralizing Gas, which makes Abilities have no effect. This can be devastating to Pokemon like Therian Landorus who rely on Abilities like Intimidate.
It also means that Galarian Weezing is the perfect counter for Pokemon who take advantage of weather effects. Despite this incredible potential, Weezing is relegated to the RU tier in the Sword & Shield meta. Given its Defense stats and access to moves like Defog and Pain Split, it's a shock that it doesn't see more action.
2 Vanilluxe
Vanilluxe surprisingly had a lot of potential competitively going into the Gen 8 meta. Unfortunately, as of late 2021, Vanilluxe has been banned from the ZU tier, which is comprised of Untiered Pokemon. This is likely due to the strategies possible with Vanilluxe, which has made it way too overpowered for the metagame.
Vanilluxe has access to the Ability Snow Warning, which summons Hail on switch-in. This gives it the option to abuse moves like Blizzard which ignore accuracy during Hail. However, Vanilluxe's so-so stats mean it's not exactly an OHKO machine, so hopefully, the next generation will see it being used more frequently.
1 Alolan Ninetales
Alolan Ninetales is in a similar position to Vanilluxe, as its access to Snow Warning pairs well with its high Speed and Special Defense. Its strength even resulted in it being banned from the UU tier. However, more and more players have caught on to the potential of Alolan Ninetales, now finding it in the OU tier in Sword & Shield.
Hopefully, future generations will see Alolan Ninetales continue to excel in the metagame. Its Ice/Fairy typing makes it a real threat to even the strongest Dragon-type Pokemon. Additionally, pairing it with the Light Clay item and giving it moves like Aurora Veil can make it an extremely difficult Pokemon to get rid of in battle.