The generation that started it all is relevant more than two decades later. The gameplay and stories have changed, but the fundamentals remain.Pokémon,called Pocket Monsters in Japan, arestored in Poké Ballsuntil they are tossed into battle.
RELATED:The 20 Fastest Pokemon Of All Time
Behind all the merchandise, trading cards, and video games arecreative Pokémon designsthat resonate with fans. The designs relate to move sets and stats that determine a Pokémon’s combat power. To face the Elite Four, an in-game rival, or friends in the real world, having a lineup with fighting prowess is critical. Although they might evolve into powerful Pokémon, these Pokémon prove ineffective in their base form.
10Magikarp
A wild Magikarp appears! Kicking it off with an undeniable weakling, this Pokémon is abundantly found in water using an Old Rod. Magikarp often appears as a low-level Pokémon. The Pokémon’s low stats mean it needs to evolve to be taken seriously. Magikarp learns a limited selection ofmoves from TMsand by leveling up. The only moves it can learn by leveling up are Splash, Tackle, and Flail.
9Marowak
In the originalPokémon Red and Blueadventures, Marowak was a significant part of the story. You have to journey through Lavender Town and the Pokémon Tower, which is where you encounter Marowak for the first time.
RELATED:20 Best Grass Pokémon, Ranked
Marowak is more formidable than its evolutionary predecessor, Cubone, yet Marowak is not that strong in the overall picture. This Pokémon haunts the Pokémon tower until it can be reunited with its child, so it can release to the afterlife. Any Pokémon that has this rich of a backstorydeserves to be more powerful.
8Aerodactyl
Thisancient Pokémonis one of the last people choose to spearhead their lineup. The amusing play on words that is Aerodactyl’s name (aero and pterodactyl) sets players up for a letdown since Aerodactyl is underpowered.
Prehistoric Pokémon are typically stronger than the average Pokémon, yet in In Generation I, Aerodactyl’s only powerful learned move is Hyper Beam at level 54. The Pokémon’s base stats pale in comparison to a Dragonite, Gyarados, or Charizard. With such an imposing appearance, it comes as a surprise that Aerodactly is underpowered.
7Abra
This Pokémon is frustrating to catch for all the wrong reasons. One thing that hasn’t changed sincePokémon’sinception is that Abra is born with Teleport. Catching an Abra proves to be a grueling task since it teleports immediately in the encounter. Had Abra been a genuinely powerful Pokémon and one of itsevolutionary stagesdidn’t require trading, this Pokémon would be a worthy addition. For now, Abra belongs in daycare—not in a trainer’s lineup.
6Haunter
Solely judging a Pokémon based on its appearance won’t get you far. According to Haunter’sPokémon YellowPokédex entry, “By licking, it saps the victim’s life. It causes shaking that won’t stop until the victim’s demise.” Even witha sinister description,the Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon Haunter is relatively underpowered.
RELATED:10 Best Ghost-Type Pokemon
The only moves Haunter can learn in Generation I are Lick, Confuse Ray, Night Shade, Hypnosis, and Dream Eater. Dream Eater is a strong attack, yet it requires the opponent to be sleeping first. There are only three Ghost-types in Generation I, and oddly enough, only Gengar is primed to face the Elite Four.
5Meowth
Meowth plays the villain in thePokémonanime series. Unlike ordinary Meowths,Team Rocket’s Meowthtaught itself how to communicate in the English language and walk upright like humans. Despite being one of the show’s main characters, it is heavily underpowered in Generation I’sPokémongames. As Gary is a rival to Ash, Meowth is a rival to Pikachu. This feline is underpowered when compared to Pikachu.
4Porygon
According toPokémon Red and Blue’sPokédex entries, Porygon is “a Pokémon that consists entirely of programming code. Capable of moving freely in cyberspace.” Our first impression of Porygon leads us to believe it has transcended the limitations of other Pokémon. This creature can leap through cyberspace, which is not an easyfeat, even for Mewtwo.Evidently, the amount of mystery surrounding a Pokémon doesn’t correlate to its power.
3Ditto
Regardless of the generation, Ditto proves to be ineffective in battle. The only move that Ditto can learn by leveling up is Transform. Also, there isn’t a single TM that this Pokémon can learn.
RELATED:The 10 Rarest Shinies In Pokémon GO
Transforming uses a turn, placing Ditto at a disadvantage against its foes. Ditto copies the movest and stats of its opponent, so the best it can be is the one step down from its opponent. For breeding, Ditto is the most compatible partner.If only Ditto were more powerful,it would be a worthy addition to any lineup.
2Metapod
As you embark on ajourney from Pallet Town,it becomes apparent that thePokémonworld is a surreal place. Generation I of thePokémongames introduces you to potentially powerful Pokémon early on, although Metapod is not one of them. Unless you raise a Caterpie and evolve it into a Metapod, you will catch a Metapod without damaging moves. Sure enough, you don’t need the mightiest Pokémon to beat Gym Leader Brock. For the rest of the game, however, good luck trying to win battles with a Metapod.
1Onix
This terrifying creature fundamentally shifted the way we think about Pokémon. Early in the firstPokémongeneration, players crossed paths with Pokémon like Pidgey and Rattata, but never an Onix massive in size.
Onix is not tough to beat, which goes against all expectations. Water-type and Grass-type moves are quadruply super effective. Facing Brock’s Onix in Pewter City’s gym is hard but far from impossible. How this colossal Pokémon can be bested by a Squirtle or Bulbasaur is nothing short of a miracle.
