At the center of Paldea in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet lies Area Zero. Here, players unravel the mystery of the Paradox Pokemon and help Arven reconnect with his parents. In Violet, Paradox Pokemon come from the future, and their greater strength overall means that players will want to catch them all. However, players should keep a particularly watchful eye on Iron Valiant, as it is arguably the most powerful of the future Paradox Pokemon revealed thus far.
Leaks suggest that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC could be an opportunity for more Paradox Pokemon to be introduced. According to some leaks, the DLC will include Paradox forms for Suicune and Virizion, for example. It will be interesting to see how these new creatures compare to the ones that players have seen already, especially powerful ones like Iron Valiant.
Iron Valiant is Exclusive to Pokemon Violet
All the Paradox Pokemon found in Scarlet and Violet are considerably stronger than average creature, which is why the climax of the games centers around making sure Paldea isn't overwhelmed by them. In Scarlet, players discover Paradox Pokemon from the past, while in Violet the Paradox Pokemon come from the future. Violet's creatures all share the same "Iron" naming convention, which seems to set up a somewhat dystopian future for Pokemon.
Of all the Paradox Pokemon, Iron Valiant stands out for a few reasons. Firstly, it does not seem to be a descendant of one Pokemon. Instead, it appears to be a merger between Gallade and Gardevoir. Secondly, it is considerably more powerful than the other Paradox Pokemon. Not counting Miraidon, which is a Legendary, Iron Valiant has the highest base stat of all of Violet's Paradox Pokemon. With a base stat total of 590, it falls just ten points short of being a pseudo-legendary. Its Attack stat of 130, Special Attack stat of 120, and Speed of 116 make it a fast and powerful mixed attacker on the battlefield, and its Fairy/Fighting dual-typing makes it immune to the mighty Dragon-types like Scarlet's corresponding Roaring Moon that usually bring terror.
Iron Valiant is easy to work with because of its move pool, which includes hard-hitting techniques like the Fairy-type special attack Moonblast, which can become devastating when Terastallization is thrown into the mix. It is not without its weaknesses, however. Poison-type and Steel-type moves are particularly lethal against Iron Valiant, and its Special Defense stat of 60 and Defense stat of 90 make it relatively fragile.
The Other Paradox Pokemon of Violet Version Add Great Support
Though Iron Valiant may have the highest base stats of its peers, any seasoned Trainer will know that this alone doesn't ensure victory. Players can still build effective strategies around the other Paradox Pokemon that excel in unique areas. Iron Bundle is the fastest Paradox Pokemon, for example, beating out even the legendary Miraidon. Iron Treads is a Ground/Steel dual-type with a Defense stat of 120, making it a good choice for players looking for something tanky to anchor onto the playing field.
Pokemon Scarlet players get their fair share of great Paradox Pokemon as well. Standouts from that version include Flutter Mane, which is the past version of Misdreavus. With three immunities and impressive Speed, Special Defense, and Special Attack stats, it is a dangerous foe. Roaring Moon, the past version of Salamence, is also noteworthy as it packs a base stat that's as high as Iron Valiant's. Players will soon be seeing these Paradox Pokemon in VGC, as they will be unbanned in Series 2, so they should be prepared to counter terrors like Valiant.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on Nintendo Switch.
