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There are many different sets of criteria that Pokemon players use when determining which Pokemon they want to join their party. However, some of these factors are more heavily weighted than others. When it comes to deciding which of these creatures is the best fit for a team, players must look closely at not only how strong a Pokemon is, but also at the moves they have and can learn.
However, it's not just important to know the Moves that a Pokemon has available. It is also vital to know if that Move compliments the Pokemon. Is this creature the right Type to get the most out of that Move? Do their stats allow them to use the Move strategically and effectively? In order to get a feel for this aspect of team building, let's take a look at the strongest Pokemon/Move combinations in each Generation. For the purposes of this list, Legendaries are excluded, since they are acquired so late in the games that it makes their usage impractical.
8 Gen 1: High Special Attacker with Blizzard
This one is a bit more general compared to others on this list, but that is only because of how good of a move Blizzard is in Gen 1. Blizzard has 90% accuracy in Gen 1, as opposed every other Gen where its accuracy is only 70%. Combined with its tremendous 120 base power, this makes Blizzard extremely reliable.
Combine this with a Pokemon that has a high Special stat, such as Starmie or Omastar, for a powerhouse. Even better, all Gen 1 Ice-types have high Special Attack, and will gain a 50% Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB) with this Ice-type move.
7 Gen 2: Golem with Earthquake
Golem, a Gen 1 Pokemon, found its perfect move in Gen 2. This one is the epitome of simple but effective. Golem has a huge 110 base Attack stat in the first five Gens, which compliments Earthquake's 100 base power and 100% base accuracy extremely well.
This is taken even further with Ground being a very strong offensive Type (super effective against 5 different types, Electric, Poison, Rock, Steel, and Fire) and the STAB bonus that Golem gets with Earthquake.
6 Gen 3: Slaking with Return
Slaking is a beast in every sense of the word, to the point where it is often confused with being a pseudo-legendary. However, the most important thing here is that extremely high 160 Attack stat, making physical moves hit hard.
The move Return increases in power the more friendly the Pokemon in question is with its trainer, going all the way up to a staggering 102 base power. By grinding some friendship and building a strong relationship woth Slaking, Return will take enemies out quickly. Due to Return being a Normal move, and Slaking also being a Normal-type, it also gets the STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), making it even stronger.
5 Gen 4: Rampardos with Head Smash
One of Gen 4's fossil Pokemon, Rampardos sports an incredible base 165 Attack stat. The move Head Smash also has an impressive 150 base power, among the highest of Rampardos' moveset. It does carry added drawback of the user taking recoil damage after using this attack, but giving Rampardos a Sitrus Berry can help remedy that.
This move's power is increased even more thanks to STAB, as both Head Smash and Ramardos share the Rock typing.
4 Gen 5: Volcarona with Quiver Dance
Volcarona is an extremely scary Pokemon in terms of stats. It boasts 135 points in its Special Attack, 105 points in its Special Defense, and 100 points in its Speed.
Quiver Dance bolsters these already incredible stats, giving them all a 50% increase in just one turn. This makes all of Volcarona's Special moves hit incredibly hard, especially when STAB and the power boost it gets from its Swarm ability are taken into account.
3 Gen 6: Malamar with Superpower
Malamar doesn't seem like much at first, with all of its stats being on the middling/just good side of things. However, it is blessed with the excellent combination of the move Superpower plus its Ability, Contrary.
Normally with the move Superpower, the user's Attack and Defense stats decrease by 50% every time it's used. With the Contrary ability, though, this effect is reversed, meaning that Malamar's Attack and Defense stats increase with each use. As one can imagine, this quickly makes Malamar a massive threat. What's more, Superpower is a Fighting move (the singular best offensive type), with 120 base power, and 100% accuracy.
2 Gen 7: Minior with Shell Smash
Minior has 2 different forms, Shield Form and Core form. Shield Form has excellent defensive stats but poor offensive stats and Speed, while Core Form is the inverse. Minior's current form changes depending on how much damage is taken thanks to its Ability, Shields Down (above 50% HP = Shield Form, Below 50% = Core Form).
The move Shell Smash doubles Minior's attacking stats and speed in one turn while decreasing its defenses by 50%. Minor in Core Form with this kind of boost is the very definition of hard-hitting, and not much can stand in a trainer's way with this.
1 Gen 8: Steelix with Body Press
This Gen 2 Pokemon had to wait until Gen 8 for the perfect move. Body Press is an extremely interesting move. Instead of using the Pokemon's Attack stat to deal damage, it uses its Defense Stat. Steelix has a terrifying base of 200 points in its Defense stat, meaning Body Press is guaranteed to deal massive amounts of damage.
But it doesn't end there. Body Press is a Fighting move, meaning it hits a lot of types for super effective damage. It also has 100% accuracy, and Defense boosts given from moves like Curse or Iron Defense also contribute to Body Press's power, making it even more powerful.