Like regional variants (first introduced inPokemon Sun and Moon) and convergent evolutions (introduced inPokemon Scarlet and Violet), Paradox Pokemon were one of the most highly anticipated new features of Pokemon’s ninth generation. These Paradox Pokemon, including ancient and futuristic forms of contemporary, pre-existing Pokemon, were introduced to the Paldea Region’s Area Zero through the use of a dubious time machine. The Scarlet Book, exclusive toPokemon Scarlet, contains a great deal of field-guide information on the ancient Paradox Pokemon, of which there are 11.
While all Past Paradox Pokemon, excluding legendaries and thepsuedo-legendary, Roaring Moon, boast a base stat total of 570, putting them, more or less, on even footing with one another when it comes to raw power. However, by looking at the stats, abilities, and weaknesses of these 11 Past Paradox Pokemon, a pecking order starts to take form, with one Past Paradox Pokemon reigning supreme.
11Sandy Shocks
The Ancient Robotic Pokemon
Sandy Shocks, the Electric-and-Ground-type past Paradox form of Magneton, is a significant improvement on its Kantonian descendant — in terms of base stats, at least — with Sandy Shocks boasting a base stat total of 570 compared to Magneton’s 465. That being said, Sandy Shocks pales in comparison to the other Past Paradox Pokemon, with none of its base stats being particularly spectacular, apart from its base Special Attack stat of 121.
Of course, there are ways for trainers to transform Sandy Shocks into a more competitive Pokemon through the use oftraining and battle elements such as Natures, held items, and Gen 9’s trademark gimmick: Terastalization. To boost the competitive nature of Sandy Shocks, trainers will want to find one with a ‘Modest’ Nature to increase the Pokemon’s already impressive Special Attack stat. When it comes to dominating in battle, a Sandy Shocks with an Electric Tera-type will eliminate the Pokemon’s weaknesses to Water, Ice, and Grass-type moves.
10Brute Bonnet
The Dinosaur Mushroom Pokemon
Brute Bonnet, like all non-legendary Paradox Pokemon, has a base stat total of 570, making theGrass and Dark typea more viable opponent in battle than its modern-day equivalent: Amoonguss. That being said,Brute Bonnet’s unfortunate typing makes it particularly vulnerableto a flurry of different attacks, with Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, Fairy, and Bug-type moves being super effective against the Pokemon.
Trainers can make Brute Bonnet a more viable Pokemon, however, by boosting its already impressive Attack stat by locating a Brute Bonnet with a ‘Brave’ Nature. This Nature will, however, lower Brute Bonnet’s already abyssmal Speed stat, making it one of the slowest Past Paradox Pokemon in battle.
9Slither Wing
The Brawling Moth Pokemon
Slither Wing is just one of two Paradox forms of Volcarona, the Bug-and-Fire-type Pokemon first introduced in Generation 5. In its Past Paradox form, Slither Wing is a menacing opponent whose Bug/Fighting-typing allows it to resist Grass, Fighting, Bug, and Dark-type moves.
To make Slither Wing even more menacing on the battlefield, trainers can boost the Pokemon’s average Speed stat with a ‘Jolly’ Nature, allowing Slither Wing to strike first with its impressive Attack stat of 135. Similarly, equipping Slither Wing with aBug Tera-typewill remove the Pokemon’s weaknesses to Fairy and Psychic-type moves.
8Scream Tail
The Fierce Fairy Pokemon
Scream Tail, the Past Paradox form of Kanto’s Jigglypuff, was an instant fan-favorite when it was first announced forPokemon ScarletandViolet, due in no small part to the widespread nostalgia surrounding theoriginal 151 Pokemon. By replacing Jigglypuff’s Normal and Fairy typing with the more powerful combination of Fairy and Psychic, Scream Tail not only boasts impressive HP, Special Defense, and Speed stats, but it is also only susceptible to attacks from a few select types, including Poison, Ghost, and Steel.
Catching a Scream Tail with a Fairy Tera-type will eliminate the Pokemon’s weakness to Ghost-type moves, leaving only Poison and Steel-type moves as viable counters. A ‘Careful’ Nature will also make Scream Tail more powerful by boosting its already impressive Special Defense stat, while lowering its already lackluster Special Attack stat of just 79.
7Great Tusk
The Pummeling Pachyderm Pokemon
Without the ability to rely on its forgettable Special Attack and Defense stats, Great Tusk — the Ground-and-Fighting-type Past Paradox form of Donphan — relies onstraightforward physical attacksto subdue its opponents. Equipping Great Tusk with a move-set full of physical attacks, such as Headlong Rush, Close Combat, Ice Spinner, and Knock Off, will help players avoid the Pokemon’s abysmal Special Defense and Special Attack stats, both sitting at just 53 — the lowest of any base stats among all 11 Past Paradox Pokemon.
While Great Tusk is weak against Water, Grass, Ice, Flying, Psychic, and Fairy-type moves, equipping the Pokemon with a Ground Tera-type can eliminate a few of these blind spots, leaving Great Tusk susceptible to only half of them (Water, Grass, and Ice).
6Flutter Mane
The Paranormal Pterosaur Pokemon
Flutter Mane, the Ghost-and-Fairy-type Past Paradox form of Misdreavus, is a Special Attacker’s dream. With an even spread of 135 stats across both Flutter Mane’s Special Attack and Special Defense stats, this Pokemon will be able to take down a wide variety of opponents with a move-set designed to highlight its strengths, including Special Attacks like Moonblast, Shadow Ball, Mystical Fire, and Power Gem, all of which Flutter Mane learns naturally as it levels up.
Trainers can make the most of Flutter Mane’s impressive Sp. Attack stat by locating one with a ‘Modest’ Nature. This Nature will boost Flutter Mane’s Sp. Attack stat at the cost of its already lackluster Attack stat. Similarly, equipping Flutter Mane with thegreat held item Choice Specswill also boost its Special Attack by 50 percent, although the item will lock the Pokemon into the first move it uses upon entering battle.
5Roaring Moon
The Lunar Dragon Pokemon
With a base stat total of 590, Roaring Moon — the Past Paradox form of Salamance — is categorized with other legendary Paradox Pokemon like Walking Wake and Gouging Fire. In addition to its impressive speed and attack stats, Roaring Moon’s Dragon and Dark typing allows it to resist moves from Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, Ghost, and Dark-type moves, while being completely immune to Psychic-type attacks.
The biggest drawback to Roaring Moon, competitively, is its debilitating 4x weakness to Fairy-type moves. Trainers can negate this weakness by pairing the Pokemon with a Flying Tera-type in battle. This Tera-type will leave Roaring Moon partially susceptible to Electric, Ice, and Rock-type moves, but it’s certainly better than being one-hit KO’d by a Moonblast attack.
4Walking Wake
The Ravaging Raptor Pokemon
Introduced alongside the other Past Paradox forms of Johto’s Legendary Beasts (Entei, Raikou, and Suicune) as part ofPokemon Scarlet and Violet’sThe Indigo DiskDLC, Walking Wake is the Water-and Dragon-type Past Paradox form of Suicune. In addition to having an impressive base stat total of 590, Walking Wake’s typing leaves it particularly susceptible to moves from only two types: Dragon and Fairy — two of the most powerful types in the entire series.
Trainers can eliminate these debilitating weaknesses by capturing a Walking Wake with a Water Tera-type. While the Pokemon will still be left with two notable weaknesses (Grass and Electric-type moves), it will now only take neutral damage from Dragon and Fairy-type moves.
3Raging Bolt
The Shocking Sauropod Pokemon
Raging Bolt, the Electric-and-Dragon-type Past Paradox form of legendary beast Raikou, boasts one of the most impressive base stats among all the Past Paradox Pokemon with its staggering 137 Special Attack stat. Players can really highlight Raging Bolt’s Special Attack by utilizing the Pokemon’s signature move: Thunderclap. This special move allows Raging Bolt to attack fast and hard while its opponent is readying for an attack.
Raging Bolt’s most notable drawback is its significant weakness to Ice, Ground, Dragon, and Fairy-type moves. That being said, equipping Raging Bolt with a Fairy Tera-type will leave the Pokemon susceptible to only Poison and Steel-type moves, while maintaining its powerful Electric and Dragon-type moves such as Draco Meteor and Volt Switch.
2Gouging Fire
The Toasty Triceratops Pokemon
Gouging Fire, the Past Paradox form of legendary beast Entei, is arguably the strongest of its trio when compared to Raging Bolt and Walking Wake. With impressive Attack and Defense stats, the Fire-and-Dragon-type offers trainers a powerful Pokemon that can not only deliver knock-out blows, but one that can also tank powerful attacks from opponents.
Part of what makes Gouging Fire so effective in battle is its signature move, Burning Bulwark. While the Special Attack doesn’t deal direct damage to opponents, it does block the effects of both physical and special moves from affecting Gouging Fire on the turn the move was used. Burning Bulwark similarly burns all susceptible Pokemon who attempt to attack Gouging Fire during the turn the move is utilized.
