With the anticipated release of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, a new Pokedex has been put together. In this new Pokedex, brings over a hundred new Pokemon for players to encounter and capture in the Spanish-themed region. Now for those competitive players out there, this is a new pool of Pokemon for experts to sift through and determine which ones are the best in terms of battling others.
In battle, a pivot Pokemon is almost necessary, as a pivot Pokemon is one that typically has high defensive and health stats. With high defensive stats, these Pokemon can be safely switched into battle with the strategic hope of not taking too much damage and either forcing a switch out of the opponent, or simply taking the enemy on.
11 Palafin
Though a community of competitive players have banned this Pokemon from their unofficial tournament, this Pokemon is incredibly viable in other forms of competition, even in Pokemon's Series 1 of competitive play of Scarlet & Violet.
Palafin is a water-type Pokemon, and one of the best! Though its design is simple, this dolphin-like Pokemon has a signature ability: Zero to Hero, which changes Palafin into its hero form when switched back into battle. Palafin's hero form as incredible stats, including good health.
10 Iron Treads
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet's Series 1 competition has banned Paradox Pokemon, but that doesn't mean the rule will change in the future. The same goes for legendary Pokemon. Iron Treads is a Pokemon that players can encounter as a Titan in Pokemon Violet, but players can also encounter the robotic-Donphan in Research Station 4.
Iron Treads is a great pivot Pokemon due to its steel-typing and wonderful defense-stat. In fact, Iron Treads' base defense stat sits at 120, making it an incredible tank against physical Pokemon.
9 Flutter Mane
Flutter Mane is another Paradox Pokemon, though this one is only obtainable in Pokemon Scarlet. Flutter Mane is a ghost and fairy-type Pokemon, giving it only two weaknesses. Flutter Mane also has some unexpectedly high special-defense stats.
This Pokemon's base special-defense stat sits at 125, ranking it 4th in best special-defense stats out of the Paldean Pokedex. Flutter Mane may be weak in terms of defense and health, but its outrageous speed and special-defense make it a powerful opponent for Pokemon like Gardevoir or Miraidon.
8 Iron Bundle
Iron Bundle is a Paradox Pokemon that players can only obtain in Pokemon Violet. Iron Bundle is a water and ice-type Pokemon with some stats that almost don't fit the Pokemon's initial appearance. First off, Iron Bundle has a base speed stat of 136, making it the third fastest Pokemon in the Paldean Pokedex.
Not only that, but Iron Bundle has a base defense stat of 114, which is great! With fast speed and defense, switching this Pokemon into battle as a pivot can provide a wonderful outcome, especially against physical opponents.
7 Roaring Moon
Roaring Moon is a Paradox Pokemon that players can obtain in Pokemon Scarlet. Roaring Moon is overall the strongest Paradox Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet, and can make for a great pivot for battle as a dragon and dark-type.
Roaring Moon has one of the best speed stats in the game the 6th best attack stat in Paldea, and great special-defense with balanced defense. With such tank-balanced stats, this Pokemon will surely be a popular pivot for competitive play, and even more so once Paradox Pokemon is unbanned from the official competition.
6 Iron Hands
Iron Hands is a Paradox Pokemon that players can obtain in Pokemon Violet. This Pokemon is a fighting and electric-type Pokemon, and with how great it is, has already been seen soloing high-star raids! Iron Hands has 3 weaknesses and 5 resistances, which is already amazing.
Iron Hands also has an incredibly high base health stat of 154, which ranks it 6th in Paldea in terms of health. This Pokemon also has a base attack stat of 140, ranking it 5th best in attack! With those stats, this Pokemon is best for pivoting against a wide majority of offensive Pokemon.
5 Dondozo
Dondozo has already been regarded as one of generation 9's best Pokemon, and rightfully so. Dondozo is a water-type Pokemon, making it only weak to electric and grass-type Pokemon, and even has 4 different resistances.
Dondozo also has some incredible health with a base stat of 150, and great base defense of 115. In some specific parties, this water-type beast can send giant waves in terms of competitive play, especially when partnered up with Tatsugiri to activate Tatsugiri's unique ability.
4 Kingambit
Kingambit is one of the newest evolutions given to older Pokemon that made an appearance in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. This dark and steel-type Pokemon evolves from Bisharp with some pretty unusual requirements. With its steel-typing, Kingambit has a lot of resistances, meaning one can usually switch this Pokemon in without danger.
Kingambit also has beastly stats, with some balanced health, some of the best defense stats, great special-defense stats, and an attack stat that puts almost all Pokemon to shame. Kingambit is arguably the best pivot there is in terms of competitive battle, unless going up against a fighting-type Pokemon.
3 Tinkaton
Tinkaton has been one of the new game's highly anticipated Pokemon ever since word got out that there was going to be a fairy and steel-type Pokemon in the game. Tinkaton may be smaller than most other Pokemon, but this creature packs a punch, and not to mention its defensive abilities!
Tinkaton is weak to only 2 Pokemon types, has 9 resistances, and 2 immunities! Tinkaton also has wonderful special-defense stats; it has some pretty balanced stats overall, but its typing sends the Pokemon over the edge in terms of being a pivot.
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1 Ting-Lu
Ting-Lu is one of the four different legendary Pokemon that players can obtain from shrines throughout Paldea. Ting-Lu is a unique ground and dark-type Pokemon with an incredible ability; the ability to lower the special-attack stat of all Pokemon but itself.
Ting-Lu also has the 4th highest health stat, sitting at an incredible 165! Ting-Lu also has a great base defensive stat, sitting at 130, which ranks it 9th out of best defense stats. Overall, Ting-Lu is one of the generation's best Pokemon to pivot in terms of battling other players.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is available on Nintendo Switch.