We’ve gotten plenty of time to play around
with Pokemon Sword and Shield, and there are
a lot of great Pokemon to choose from.
The fact that not every Pokemon is in the
new games makes it so that you have to choose
some you don’t normally use, and some of
the OP Pokemon aren’t available anymore.
That’s why I wanted to break down each type
of Pokemon and give you the best Pokemon of
that type.
I’m going to take into account stats, move
pools, abilities, and just overall feel of
the Pokemon.
This is NOT a list of my favorite Pokemon,
but the ones I think would serve you the best
in a playthrough or battle.
I’m also not doing a list of specific new
Pokemon, this is a list of all the Pokemon
available in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Now of course, if your favorite Pokemon isn’t
what I think is the best, that doesn’t mean
you can’t or shouldn’t use it.
It’s all my opinion, and you are free to
disagree in the comment section.
Also, be sure to leave a like on this video
and subscribe with notifications on so you
never miss a video.
With all that said, let’s get right into
the list.
Normal: With normal types, it was pretty easy
to narrow this one down.
It’s clear as day that Snorlax is the best
normal type available in Sword and Shield.
It’s got the second highest base stat total
of any normal type, only outclassed by Silvally
from a pure statistical standpoint.
BUT, spoiler alert: Snorlax is getting a Gigantamax
form that’s going to take it above the rest.
It’s got a massive move pool to take advantage
of its physical attack stat, and it certainly
has the ability to take on just about every
Pokemon.
At the time of filming this video, the official
stats and ability of Gigantamax Snorlax haven’t
been released, but I’m very certain it’s
going to be far and above the best normal
type.
Fighting: For fighting types, I have to give
it up to the Shield mascot Zamazenta.
In its crowned shield form, it has a base
stat total of 720, which is absolutely insane!
Its ability, Dauntless Shield, also boosts
its defensive stat when it enters the battle,
kind of like the opposite of Intimidate.
Its signature move Behemoth Blast also counteracts
Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon by dealing
double damage to the giant forms.
Seeing as how a lot of people will probably
want to at least Dynamax a Pokemon, it’s
really easy to see why Zamazenta would be
so useful.
But can it see why kids love the taste of
Cinnamon Toast crunch?
Yeah, I don’t think it’s that good…
Flying: There weren’t that many primary
flying types to choose from in Generation
8, but the main two I narrowed it down to
are Corviknight and Noivern.
I decided to go with Corviknight because of
its typing, as well as its gigantimax form.
The flying steel typing gives it plenty of
resistances, two immunities, and only two
weaknesses.
Its hidden ability, Mirror Armor, also gives
it an edge over Noivern.
This ability sends back stat changing moves
used against it, which nullifies moves and
abilities that would normally lower your stats.
Corviknight may not have the greatest overall
stats, but the access to moves like Substitute
make for an easier time dealing with stronger
Pokemon.
Poison: I think it’s pretty obvious that
Eternatus is the best Poison type of the generation
in terms of battling goes.
690 base stats, as well as Dynamax canon make
it one of the strongest Pokemon in Sword and
Shield.
It’s pretty much the hard counter to just
about any Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokemon.
Not a whole lot else I need to really say
about it.
Ground: It was really hard to choose between
Hippowdon and Sandaconda for the best ground
type.
The choice essentially boils down to, gigantamaxing
and abilities.
Both Pokemon serve very similar purposes in
battle, with similar stat distributions.
The difference in abilities though, lies with
how a sandstorm is activated.
Both Pokemon have abilities that start a sandstorm,
but for Sandaconda, you have to take damage
before it starts.
With Hippowdon, it just starts when you send
out the Pokemon.
BUT Sandaconda’s gigantamax form gives it
a bit of an edge, and I’ve got to give it
up for the new Gen 8 mon.
I definitely think it deserves the best ground
type spot.
Rock: Despite the release of a brand new rock/fire
type with a gigantamax form in Coalossal,
I’ve got to give the best rock type to Tyranitar.
The disparity in base stats is pretty glaring,
with Tyranitar at 600 to Coalossal’s 510.
The ability Sand Stream is also probably better
than any of Coalossal’s abilities, so to
me, it’s a no-brainer to go with the classic
Tyranitar.
Bug: Finding a solid primary bug type can
seem like finding a needle in a haystack sometimes,
but in this generation, that’s not the case.
Accelgor, Shuckle, Vikavolt, and Orbeetle
were all candidates for the best bug type.
Accelgor because of its insane speed stat,
and unburden ability.
Shuckle because of its polarizing defensive
stats and stalling tactics.
Vikavolt for its bulkiness and massive special
attack stat.
And Orbeetle because of its decent stats,
and the fact that it has a gigantamax form.
I’m actually going to give it to Accelgor,
because it has pretty good special attack,
and there’s almost no way you’re going
to outspeed it.
Although it might not have great defensive
stats, Accelgor is gonna deal tons of damage
fast, and I feel like that’s what most people
are looking for in a Pokemon.
This was probably one of the closest calls
though, so any of these bug types will serve
you well.
Ghost: I’m so happy about the best ghost
type Pokemon, because it just so happens to
also be one of my favorites.
Gengar’s new Gigantamax form takes it above
and beyond any other primary Ghost type this
generation.
Gengar has always been one of the best ghost
types out there, with extremely solid special
attack and speed stats, as well as a great
move pool to take advantage of both ghost
and poison type stab moves.
But the fact that it can gigantamax gives
it so much more to work with now.
G-Max Terror is pretty great, and Gengar really
outclasses any other primary ghost type if
you ask me.
Steel: The best steel type essentially comes
to a choice between two new Pokemon: Duraludon
and Copperajah.
Both Pokemon can Gigantamax, and their stat
totals are within about 25 of each other,
so the only thing majorly separating the two
is their abilities.
I’m definitely gonna go with Duraludon because
of the ability Stalwart.
The ability ignores the effects of other Pokemon’s
abilities.
So if you’re going up against a Pokemon
with Intimidate.
Boom!
Doesn’t have to deal with it!
Duraludon also has the dragon secondary typing,
which reduces its weaknesses, while also adding
some strengths to other types with Stab.
Although its design isn’t exactly my favorite,
I have to admit, it’s a great battling Pokemon.
Fire: I hate to admit it, but Charizard is
the best fire type of Generation 8.
Although it kinda gets wrecked by rock types,
so does the second in line, Centiskorch.
Both Pokemon have gigantimxas forms, but Charizard
has higher base stats, a better move pool,
and honestly a better ability if you can get
one with Solar Power.
I’ve never been a huge Charizard person
myself, but I do think it’s the best fire
type of Sword and Shield.
Water: When it came to picking the best water
type, I had to choose between Lapras and Wishiwashi.
Lapras has an insane gigantimax form that
brings a whole new take to the already amazing
tank.
But Wishiwashi’s Schooling form just absolutely
obliterates all other water types.
With a 620 base stat total, it’s completely
unmatched even compared to gigantimax forms.
The only issue would be getting it to low
health, when it becomes pretty much useless.
But with massive defense and special defense
stats, it’s going to be pretty hard to whittle
Wishiwashi down.
I’ve been a huge fan of this Pokemon since
its release last generation, and I’m so
happy to have it back.
Grass: For the best grass type, I’m going
to go with Ferrothorn.
With all the new grass types added this generation,
none of them really stuck out with a great
stat total, amazing new type combination or
anything.
Even though I love the Applin line, it’s
not really the greatest when it comes to battles.
It has tons of weaknesses, including a X4
weakness to ice.
Ferrothorn on the other hand is only weak
to fire, and even if it is a X4 weakness,
it gets the job done.
It’s a great stalling Pokemon with leech
seed, spikes, and stealth rocks.
And the ability Iron Barbs will chip away
with any physical attackers.
Ferrothorn has always been a great grass type,
and I see no reason not to use it in Gen 8.
Electric: There weren’t a ton of electric
types this generation, so it was really easy
for me to pick Toxtricity as the best.
It was really between this new Pokemon and
Rotom, and what sold Toxtricity for me is
its ability.
To go along with its punk rock theme, its
signature ability, Punk Rock gives it a boost
to moves that are sound based, while also
reducing the damage you take from sound based
moves.
Moves like Boomburst, and Overdrive deal tons
more damage, and it kind of invalidates other
Pokemon trying to use the same moves.
The only downside to Toxtricity is its X4
weakness to ground, but giving it an air balloon
will fix that right up for you.
Psychic: For Psychic types, I’ve got to
give it up to Hatterene.
Or however you pronounce it.
It may not be the fastest Pokemon out there,
but it’s got a great overall stat total,
as well as a gigantimax form.
The secondary fairy typing also helps, along
with its hidden ability, Magic Bounce.
I don’t have a whole lot to say about this
Pokemon, since I haven’t really used it
that much, but it definitely stands alone
as the best psychic type.
Ice: If you’re looking for a fast, physical
sweeper, look no further than Galarian Darmanitan.
If you get one in Zen Mode, it will max out
its attack and speed stats to 160 and 135
respectively.
If that wasn’t enough, Darmanitan picks
back up its fire typing in its Zen Mode.
And even though it gives the Pokemon a X4
weakness to rock, being able to counter steel
types is a huge plus.
What more do I need to say about this Pokemon?
I think it’s pretty clear it’s great.
Dragon: I don’t think anyone will argue
against Dragapult being the best Dragon type
of Sword and Shield.
It’s a pseudo-legendary, which means its
stats are going to be great.
It’s got the ghost secondary typing to add
to its uniqueness, and it has some great moves
to go along with it.
You can make Dragapult a mixed attacker because
of its stat spread, meaning you can run moves
like sucker punch and dragon pulse on the
same Pokemon.
You also have several great abilities to choose
from like Infiltrator, Clear Body and Cursed
Body.
Honestly, it’s an all around great Pokemon,
and I expect to see it on just about every
team I go up against.
Dark: Despite Sword and Shield introducing
the amazing Pokemon Grimmsnarl, I think Hydreigon
is still the best dark type.
It’s still got 600 base stats, it’s still
got an awesome move pool with choices from
dark pulse to Draco Meteor.
And to top it all off, it’s got levitate,
so it’ll work great in double battles if
you want to use earthquake.
The only downside to having Hydreigon is the
X4 weakness to Fairy, but that leads in perfectly
to our final type of this video.
Fairy: If you saw the best fighting type,
you’ll probably have no shock to hear that
Zacian is most definitely the best fairy type.
It has basically the same set up as Zamazenta.
720 base stats in its crowned sword form,
a move that absolutely wrecks dynamax Pokemon,
and Fairy type is honestly pretty OP in the
latest generations.
I don’t think I really have to explain more
about why Zacian is the best fairy type, so…
Roll the outro!
That’s it for my list.
Thank you so much for watching this video,
and be sure to leave a like and subscribe
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video.
Of course, your list of best Pokemon might
be different than mine, so feel free to leave
a comment letting me know what you think are
the best.
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channel and my own Pokemon journeys.
Thanks again for watching, and I’ll see
you with another video.
