Way back in 1995, Ash Ketchum started this journey to become a Pokémon Master. In 1996, fans could also start their journey when Pokémon Red & Blue (originally Red & Green when released in Japan) was released on the Game Boy.
Most fans know how the story started, with having to pick one of the starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle, but who in the original Red & Blue game were the Pokémon who could dish out the damage? We are going to have a look-back and see who, out of the original 151 Pokémon, were the creatures who were the most powerful in-game based on their base attack stats. The results will probably surprise you (hint: It isn’t Mewtwo).
10. Arcanine
Base Attack: 110
“A Pokémon that has been admired since the past for its beauty. It runs agilely as if on wings.”
Arcanine is the evolved form of Growlithe, which can be found on routes connecting Celadon City and Lavender Town with Saffron City. Combined with its special attacks, it does make for a formidable opponent but is easily countered.
Kanto Pokédex #059
9. Kabutops
Base Attack: 115
“Its sleek shape is perfect for swimming. It slashes prey with its claws and drains the body fluids”
This fossil Pokémon is the evolved form of Kabuto and is said to be the most useful of the fossils (the others from Red & Blue are Omanyte, Omastar, and Aerodactyl). It is fragile against Ground and Electric attacks but does make for a good team, and it is useful against sleeping Pokémon as it can utilise free turns for its Sword Dance ability.
Kanto Pokédex #141
8. Hitmonlee
Base Attack: 120
“When in a hurry, its legs lengthen progressively. It runs smoothly with extra long, loping strides.”
In the original Red & Blue, Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan are stand-alone Pokémon. They are not evolved from anyone however in Gold & Silver it was revealed that they are evolved from Tyrogue (along with a third Hitmontop). The rest of Hitmonlee’s stats aren’t brilliant but with his high attack and high speed, he can make a difference. Hitmonlee is the only Fighting-type, which gets the ability High Jump Kick, which does 85 base damage on its own.
Kanto Pokédex #106
7. Gyarados
Base Attack: 125
“Rarely seen in the wild. Huge and vicious, it is capable of destroying entire cities in a rage”
For those of you manage to stick with your Magikarp enough to get it to evolve will know that Gyarados is a pretty good Pokémon. He has pretty decent attack stats as well as having enough defensive capability to make a difference. Although it benefits from having Thunderbolt in its move pool, players must be wary of the fact that it takes x 4 damage from other Electric-type attacks as well.
Kanto Pokédex #130
6. Pinsir
Base Attack: 125
“If it fails to crush the victim in its pincers, it will swing it around and toss it hard.”
Even though this Bug-type Pokémon has pretty good attack stats, it is fragile against special attacks. It’s own special attacks aren’t very good either but the Swords Dance ability will cause a lot of damage when used in the right circumstances.
Kanto Pokédex #127
5. Flareon
Base Attack: 130
“When storing thermal energy in its body, its temperature could soar to over 1600 degrees”
Flareon is one of Eevee’s evolved forms (the others in Red & Blue are Jolteon and Vaporeon). This little Fire-type Pokémon does pack some power. It doesn’t have much speed or defense, but that doesn’t matter too much when you are bashing out hard hitting attacks. It is, however, always effected by Water- and Rock-type Pokémon.
Kanto Pokédex #136
4. Rhydon
Base Attack: 130
“Protected by an armor-like hide, it is capable of living in molten lava of 3,600 degrees.”
Rhydon is the evolved form of Rhyhorn. It is a pretty hard hitter and has the defense to back it up, but it doesn’t have good special stats and has a fair few number of weaknesses, being as it is a Ground- and Rock-type pokémon. Rhydon and others of his type are the only true counters to Zapdos.
Kanto Pokédex #112
3. Kingler
Base Attack: 130
“The large pincer has 10000 hp of crushing power. However, its huge size makes it unwieldy to use.”
To be honest, the only thing which makes Kingler stand out is his attack. The rest of his stats aren’t great, he is relatively slow, and his Special is, well, not that Special. Most other favoured Pokémon will kill him with two special attacks.
Kanto Pokédex #099
2. Machamp
Base Attack: 130
“Using its heavy muscles, it throws powerful punches that can send the victim clear over the horizon.
Overall Machamp is a good pokémon. Even though it has low defense and speed, if it attacks another while they are paralyzed then Machamp can certainly cause a lot of damage. It does, however, have a bit of a hard time against Psychics.
Kanto Pokédex #068
1. Dragonite
Base Attack: 134
“An extremely rarely seen marine Pokémon. Its intelligence is said to match that of humans.”
Dragonite, the evolved form of Dragonair, may look like it is all lovely and happy but do not mistake it for being a push over. It is incredibly strong and has an amazing move pool. Dragonite was the main goal of any Pokémon Master until they found Mewtwo (who could only be found deep in Cerulean Cave and only if you defeated the Elite Four).
Kanto Pokédex #149
Honorable mentions
A list of strong Pokémon couldn’t go without mentioning Mewtwo. While he does have very impressive Special Attack / Def stats, his Base Attack is on 110 which puts him a lot further down the list sitting with the likes of Snorlax, Golem, Dodrio, and Scyther. If I were to make a list of overall strongest, then Mewtwo would certainly be at the top.
Is your favourite Pokémon on the list? How do you think they would fair against those mentioned here?
All images are from http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/
Pokémon statistics from http://www.smogon.com
