Welcome back, Escapists! In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve spent the past week counting down the 100 top Pokemon in celebration of the upcoming 20th anniversary. Today is a special day – we’re breaking the top 25! From the strange to the strong, the cute to the capable, here are numbers 25-11 on our list. Be sure to check in tomorrow when we finish out our list with the top 10 Pokemon!
25. Umbreon
All hail Umbreon, supreme leader of the -eons! Umbreon has earned such a title thanks to the fact that it was – drumroll – the very first Dark type Pokemon to be featured in the games. It’s super dark, pure dark. It’s also a total badass, and without any reservation, I hereby dub Umbreon the greatest of the Eeveelutions. What a great way to kick off the top 25!
24. Tyranitar
This hulking powerhouse is a force to be reckoned with. Tyranitar, with its spiked armor, is a truly intimidating sight, but managed to still fit in with the charming style of Pokemon’s universe. Tyranitar is still a popular option for battlers, which is hardly a surprise considering its strength and resistance.
23. Hitmonlee
Hitmonlee was named after Bruce Lee, making it immediately cool without even having to do anything. Hitmonlee is incredibly powerful, but also incredibly fragile. Be kind to it and it will be kind to you. Probably.
22. Alakazam
I always loved Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam, if for nothing but the clever names that they were given. Sure, Abra was a pain and I almost gave up on it a billionty times, but in the end, Alakazam was one of my favorite evolutions. Also, you know this mustached Pokemon means business by the way it’s holding two spoons like that.
21. Mr. Mime
Mr. Mime always scared the crap out of me, and has likely contributed – along with Tim Curry, of course – to my lifelong fear of clowns. All that aside, he was a super unique and clever Pokemon, really making the most of that “mime” thing with his ability to actually create invisible barriers. Although, it does feel a little weird to keep something that looks so human-like captive in a Poke Ball and make it fight for you…
20. Rayquaza
Rayquaza just wants to save the world – I’m not sure what more you need than that. The game mascot of Pokemon Emerald was focused on ending the conflict between Kyogre and Groudon, which would have most certainly brought about the destruction of the world.
19. Dragonite
Sure, Rayquaza is a super fierce dragon that is a beast on the battlefield, but it’s another dragon that wooed us just a little bit more – big, cute, friendly, adorable Dragonite. While he may not be the “best” or “fan favorite” dragon in the game, he’s definitely top twenty tier. He may not look as intimidating as some of the other dragons featured in the games, but one blast from his hyper beam…
18. Arcanine
Arcanine is a beast, in appearance and in practice. This fire-breathing dog..tiger…dude… is one of the first Fire Stone evolution types. It’s strong, fast, and was one of the best parts of going Red over Blue.
17. Articuno
This elusive frosty avian hangs out in the Seafoam Islands in the early versions of the game, a place that you only really go to in order to get Articuno. The arctic one, like its fellow Legendary counterparts Zapdos and Moltres, is difficult to capture. But man, when you do…
16. Deoxys
Deoxys is the most dangerous Pokemon in the franchise. Yup, I said it. Deoxys is rare enough that you likely won’t be facing off against one with any real regularity, and versatile enough that, even when you do, you probably have no idea what you’re up against. It can transform – do you want a speed form? Or maybe an attack form? Normal? Defense? It can be anything, making it almost completely unpredictable in battle. And nothing is more dangerous than the unpredictable.
15. Blastoise
CANNONS. A TURTLE WITH CANNONS. WHY DID WE NOT PUT HIM HIGHER ON THIS LIST?
14. Mudkip
If cuteness could kill, Mudkip would be the most dangerous Pokemon in the game. Cuteness aside, Mudkips are ridiculously strong for their size. They also have… radar, and…. oh come on. It’s just freaking cute.
13. Snorlax
Snorlax has two loves: eating and sleeping. But besides obviously being my spirit animal, Snorlax is also a defensive beast. It likes to doze, but when it pops awake (or is awakened), it can throw some seriously high-damage attacks at its foes as well.
12. Mew
Mew’s greatest strength is in its scarcity – lots of us probably don’t even have one. It’s ridiculously valuable in battle, and talented, sure, but make no mistake – the star of the first Pokemon film is as popular as it is because it’s so rare.
11. Eevee
Eevee is like the evolutionary equivalent of the turducken. Or maybe a swiss army knife would be more accurate, if not slightly less fun to say. Grabbing one or ten of these ridiculously adorable critters gives you access to spare water, fire, electric, dark, psychic, fairy…. well, you get the point.
Previous Days:
Numbers 100-86
Numbers 85-71
Numbers 70-56
Numbers 55-41
Numbers 40-26
Check back tomorrow when we conclude the countdown with Top 10 Pokemon of all time.
