Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are now nearly two months old, with 400 Pokemon to catch, battle, and collect, gamers are kept busy with all the Generation 9 games have to offer. The Pokemon will help trainers on their quest to battle the gyms, take on Team Star and capture the menacing Titan Pokemon.
Among the 400 Pokemon of Paldea are 42 of the lovable creatures from the Generation 4 games set in Sinnoh, first introduced in Pokemon Diamond & Pearl. Many gamers' favorite Pokemon come from the 2006 Nintendo DS games and here are the best ones gamers can use in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
10 Staraptor
The lower game bird Pokemon are always very used in the games. Killowattrel takes this position in Scarlet & Violet. Staraptor served the purpose of being a unique bird due to the fact it can learn the fighting-type move Close Combat, something not previously found before in a regional bird.
Staraptor has a very solid design, and great stats and flying is a very useful type in the franchise, therefore this emo-bird is a very solid Pokemon, and it wouldn't look out of place in any gamers team.
9 Gallade
Gardevoir was an amazing Pokemon introduced in Generation 3, but male Kirlia's were completely useless until the next generation when Gallade was introduced. An amazing inclusion to Paldea, as this evolution line is absolutely a fan-favorite.
Adding an exciting new fighting type to go along with its psychic type, Gallade was an amazing addition to the evolution line. Gallade's design is fantastic and along with 125 attack and 115 special defense, it certainly is not one to be messed with.
8 Luxray
Luxray's fierce design paired with its intimidate ability means this is a Pokemon that all others should fear. The pure electric type captured the hearts of fans in 2006 and it has remained so to this date.
Electric types tend to not have a design quite like Luxray's leaning towards the cuter side instead, see Pawmot in Scarlet & Violet for example. This makes fans wonder why Luxray doesn't have the dark type secondary typing, its dark color and use of Crunch is a head-scratcher for many. Nonetheless, Luxray is still an amazing Pokemon and a welcome addition to Scarlet & Violet.
7 Garchomp
Garchomp is without a doubt, one of the most well-designed Pokemon in the franchise, and it has the stats to back it up. The dragon/ground type was a must for fans as it would have been a tragedy if Garchomp missed the cut for Scarlet & Violet, thankfully it made it.
Along with Dragapult, Haxourous, and Goodra, many of the pseudo-legendary dragons are available in Paldea, which has the makings of a very strong roster. Fans are spoiled for choice on dragon types but Garchomp must be high up any gamers list.
6 Lucario
This fighting/steel-type Pokemon is somewhat of a franchise mascot these days, it stars in its own movie and is now a prominent Pokemon of Ash Ketchum in the anime. It comes as no shock that Lucario made the line-up for Scarlet & Violet.
Lucario deserves this spotlight as it has a fantastic design, a very unique move-set, and an impressive 115 special attack. This turns Lucario and its signature move Aura Sphere into a monster. Rock and normal types should run in fear.
5 Glaceon & Leafeon
Eevee has become a secondary mascot to the franchise, of course being behind Pikachu. Fans flock to capture all eight of the Eeveelutions (the evolved form of Eevee). Introduced in Generation 4 were Glaceon and Leafeon the ice and grass evolved form, respectively.
Scarlet & Violet did not include a new Eeveelution, so this void has to be filled and fans should look no further than Glaceon & Leafeon who have amazing designs and great move sets. Collecting all the evolved Eevees is a task but one that is worth it. Can gamers conquer Paldea using just Eeveelutions?
4 Weavile
The dark/ice type is the evolved form of Sneasel, introduced in Generation 2, but Game Freak felt that it needed an extra boost, so in Sinnoh, Weavile was introduced.
It was a fantastic edition, and it is a Pokemon that has received some limelight from Game Freak in recent entries, adding a new form and evolution for Sneasel in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. In Paldea, Weavile can be found in North Province (Area One) and gamers should head here to pick this one up, along with many other ice types in the game.
3 Spiritomb
The ever-elusive Spiritomb is always a tricky catch in Pokemon games but in Scarlet & Violet, it is easier. Spiritomb is a rare spawn in two specific locations in the game, both in Glasaedo Mountain.
The Pokemon's ghost/dark typing means that Spiritomb only has one weakness, fairy, therefore making this an incredible Pokemon in the game. Catching a Spiritomb is a massive flex as it is so rare to find. Its rarity is a massive reason why this Pokemon is up there in the list of Sinnoh additions to Generation 9.
2 Rotom
Rotom is ever present in the game, as the trainer's phone is actually a Pokemon, a Rotom which has the ability to possess electronic items. However, wild Rotoms are found throughout the game and gamers will need to catch one of these in order to register this to the Pokedex.
Rotom has the unique ability to change its type depending on its form, a great strategy for battle as it can be changed at will in Generation 9. Apart from its speed, every stat is improved with a form change and also a new move can be learned also, which matches the type of its new form. This amazing Generation 4 Pokemon is always a welcome addition to a new entry into the franchise.​​​​​​​
1 Abomasnow
Not the abominable snowman, but Abomasnow. A terrifying ice/grass giant Pokemon, it has a great move set and a fantastic design. There is no surprise that it has been included in Scarlet & Violet, with Wood Hammer, Ingrain, and Snow Warning combo it is a tank and very useful in the game.
Make sure to watch out for fire types as Abomasnow is quad-weak to this, but its 494 all-around stats are not to be messed with, and it would not look out of place on any gamer's roster. It is one of the stronger ice types in the game.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on Nintendo Switch.​​​​​​​