[
The largest multimedia franchise in the world, Pokémon, is based around capturing magical creatures and training them as friends and battling companions while exploring the Pokémon world. While the first games had 151 Pokémon for trainers to collect, the franchise has now surpassed 1000, and shows no sign of stopping. This, naturally, has resulted in massive diversity within the Pokémon to make them stand apart from one another, such as through gimmicks.
The term gimmick refers to something used to improve appeal and attract attention. When talking about Pokémon, a gimmick can refer to anything from a rare evolution method, a unique ability, a distinct competitive edge in battle, or even a matter of appearance. There have been many gimmick Pokémon in the franchise, but some stand out more, be it for the uniqueness of their gimmick, their role in the franchise, or for how powerful they are.
10
Eevee – Pokédex Number 113: The Evolution Pokémon
The main mechanic of the franchise is evolution, which sees Pokémon transform into more powerful species once they hit specific requirements. Thus, it makes sense that they would make at least one species whose gimmick was based around evolution. That species is Eevee, a cute little Normal-type Pokémon whose unstable DNA means that it can evolve to adapt to any environment.
As of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Eevee can turn into eight species: Vapreon, Jolteon, Flareon, Umbreon, Espeon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon. They are all monotypes and have the same base stat total of 525, but each specializes in a different tyé and strategy. These evolutions are often used to show off new mechanics, such as Umbreon and Espeon evolving through friendship and time of day.
9
Wobbuffet – Pokédex Number 202: The Patient Pokémon
Deep within caves lives a little Psychic-type called Wynaut and its evolution, Wobbuffet. This silly blue Pokémon is highly protective of its black tail, but unlike other species, it never starts a fight. Instead, Wobbuffet is designed to take hit after hit, and, should it get knocked out, it can drag its opponent down with it thanks to the move Destiny Bond.
Befitting a Pokémon based on a punching bag, Wobbuffet learns no offensive moves, instead relying on its high HP stat to survive attacks, then retaliates with Counter and Mirror Coat to deal twice as much damage to its attacker. Thanks to its Shadow Tag ability, the trainer can’t even swap to another Pokémon until Wobbuffet or their Pokémon faints, so you need to be very careful when facing one. Finally, it’s got one of the funniest cases of gender dysmorphism in the franchise, with a female Wobbuffet sporting red lipstick.
8
Smeargle – Pokédex Number 235: The Painter Pokémon
At first glance, you wouldn’t think Smeargle would be a staple of competitive battles. It’s a Normal-type with lackluster stats, and its Pokédex entries are all about how it loves to paint using the liquid it secretes from its tail. However, the key to its success comes from the only move that it learns via level-up: Sketch.
Using Sketch allows Smeargle to learn any move used before it in battle, meaning that, with the right planning, it can plug any gap you need in your team. However, its low stats mean that Smeargle is best used as a support Pokémon. Some of its most common moves include Spore, which can always put enemies to sleep, Sticky Web for slowing down the enemy team, and Whirlwind for forcing switches.
7
Shedinja – Pokédex Number 292: The Shed Pokémon
The Ground and Bug-Type Nincada is based on the cicada, an insect that spends most of its life underground before molting into a winged adult and leaving its old shell clinging to the side of trees. Thus, if a trainer has a spare slot on their team and a spare Poké Ball when Nincada evolves into the speedy Bug and Flying-type Ninjask, its molted shell becomes a Bug and Ghost-type called Shedinja. It moves by levitating through the air, and it’s said that, if you look into the hollow spot on its back, you run the risk of losing your soul.
Shedinja is full of gimmicks: it has a unique way of evolution, has the lowest HP of any Pokémon, and has a signature ability in Wonder Guard, which grants Shedinja immunity from any attack that isn’t a super effective hit. Bug and Ghost do have a lot of weaknesses, and 1 HP means Shedinja will always go down with one hit. However, with the right planning, Shedinja can be the perfect Pokémon to get past a difficult trainer, or even outlast some legendary Pokémon.
6
Rotom – Pokédex Number 479: The Plasma Pokémon
Pokémon based on inanimate objects tend to be contentious among fans, but one of the best-received is Rotom. Its true form is a Ghost and Electric-type made entirely of plasma, allowing it to possess electrical appliances. Some examples include Pokédex and phones, allowing Rotom to help its assigned trainers more directly, but for battle, it can possess a washing machine, microwave, fridge, lawn mower, or fan.
Possessing an appliance bumps Rotom’s stats from 440 to 520, and, depending on which appliance it possesses, Rotom’s Ghost-type is swapped out for another, and it gains a powerful move associated with its new typing. It keeps its Levitate ability for Ground-type immunity, meaning that some types, like the Water-type Wash Rotom and the Fire-type Heat Rotom, can be pretty bulky, though the Ice-type Frost and Grass-type Mow are also usable. The only one that’s hard to justify is the Flying-type Fan Rotom; Air Slash is weaker than the likes of Overheat, Hydro Pump, Blizzard, and Leaf Storm, and Flying-types are already immune to Ground, so the Levitate ability feels redundant.
5
Arceus – Pokédex Number 493: The Alpha Pokémon
There are many powerful legendary Pokémon whose powers seem godlike in how they can warp reality, but one stands above all others. Also known as the Original One, Arceus is a Normal-type who acts as the God of Pokémon, having created the world and the trio of dragons Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina who control time, space, and antimatter. It rarely interacts with humans or Pokémon, but, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it has the ability to send people through time, transport people to its realm, and even create a lesser avatar to be commanded in battle.
Arceus’ gimmick is tied to eighteen plates that increase the damage of different Pokémon types. Arceus is usually a Normal-type, but when it holds a plate that isn’t the Normal Plate, its type changes to match the plate, as does its signature move, Judgment. Pokémon Sun and Moon introduced the artificial Pokémon types: Type: Null and Silvally, with the latter mimicking Arceus’ powers. Alas, you can’t top the Alpha Pokémon.
4
Zoroark – Pokédex Number 571: The Illusion Fox/Baneful Fox Pokémon
Several Pokémon species are noted as having the ability to mess with the human mind, but few are as potentially terrifying as Zoroark. A Dark-type from the Unova Region, it has the ability to trap people in complex illusions if they stray too close to its home, especially if it has a young Zorua in its mane. In the ancient Hisuian Region, Zoroark are instead Normal and Ghost-types, and are far more malicious and cruel than their Unovan counterparts.
Illusion is Zoroark’s signature ability, and it allows the fox to look like the last Pokémon in a trainer’s party. It’s a fun way of messing with your opponent’s head, especially if you place a Poison or Fighting-type in the back, and possibly get a free turn due to Dark-types’ immunity to Psychic. However, you still need to be careful, since the illusion breaks if Zoroark takes damage and its low defenses mean it doesn’t have great staying power.
3
Aegislash – Pokédex Number 681: The Royal Sword Pokémon
Ghost-type Pokémon are often some of the most creative species, and one of their best comes from Kalos. The dual Steel-type Honedge is a possessed sword that can drain the life force from people who hold it, and when it evolves into Doublade and adds a second sword, it learns how to use offensive and defensive stances. A Dusk Stone then evolves it into Aegislash, with one sword transforming into a shield, and its spectral powers allow it to manipulate humans in its vicinity.
Aegislash’s ability is Stance Change, and, when used correctly, turns Aegislash into a terrifying opponent. It starts out in its defensive Shield Form, but, when it wants to attack, it shifts to Blade Form and trades its impressive defenses for all-out offense. If it wants to go back to Shield Form, it uses its signature move, King’s Shield, a move that protects it from damage and lowers the attack stat of any opponent that makes contact with Aegislash.
2
Zygarde – Pokédex Number 718: The Order Pokémon
The Pokémon World is watched over by the Dragon and Ground-type Zygarde, who acts as guardian of the ecosystem. Its body is made up of dozens of cells that lie dormant around the world, keeping watch for danger. Should a threat arrive, the cells gather together, so Zygarde can take one of multiple shapes based on the power required to battle the threat.
Trainers need to collect the Zygarde cells before they can use it in battle. 10 percent of the cells allow Zygarde to become a dog-like form that has tremendous speed, while 50 percent is the serpentine dragon that most people are familiar with. When all the cells come together, Zygarde becomes a great titan when it is dropped below half its starting hit points, and can decimate almost any foe with its Core Enforcer attack.
1
Mimikyu – Pokédex Number 778: The Disguise Pokémon
Since Pikachu is the mascot of the franchise, there are a number of rodents meant to emulate the original Electric Mouse Pokémon. However, the most creative Pokémon of the lot is actually a Fairy and Ghost-type named Mimikyu. A lonely Pokémon, it creates a disguise based on Pikachu in the hopes of making friends, because if anyone looked at its true body, they would die of fright.
Mimikyu became one of the most popular Alolan Pokémon thanks to its cute yet creepy design and relatable backstory. As if dressing up as Pikachu wasn’t enough of a fun gimmick, its signature Disguise ability allows Mimikyu to take minimal damage on its first hit, ensuring that it can stay in the fight longer. Once its disguise has been broken, the fake Pikachu head falls over to the side, which is a nice touch that shows the designers went the extra mile in creating this Pokémon.
Pokémon
- Release Date
-
1997 – 2023
- Network
-
TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
-
Rica Matsumoto
Satoshi (voice)
-
Ikue Otani
Pikachu (voice)
https://static0.colliderimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Eevee.jpg?w=1600&h=900&fit=crop
https://collider.com/best-gimmick-pokemon-ranked/
Tyler B. Searle
Almontather Rassoul
