Pokémon: Scarlet & Violet recently released a first look at the newest additions to the franchise. The region draws inspiration from the Iberian Peninsula, particularly Spain, a country famous for its ties to prehistory. The Cave of Altamira, in particular, has numerous prehistoric paintings, which might mean several cool fossil Pokémon for the upcoming generation nine.
Fossil Pokémon are a staple of nearly every generation in Pokémon. And while some are forgettable and somewhat useless, others are among the most original creations in the franchise, and a few even rank as some of the best options for the competitive scene.
Dracozolt
The Galar fossils are very divisive. Their origins are almost universally loathed, but their stats turn them into absolute beasts in battle. Dracozolt is the perfect example; its design is awful, but its Electric/Dragon-typing and excellent stats make it one of the most underrated Pokémon in the Galar region.
Dracozolt's dual-type leaves it with four weaknesses and six resistances. Its stat distribution favors no particular stat, offering a balance between all of them instead. Overall, Dracozolt might not be the best fossil Pokémon, but it's nowhere near the bottom of the list.
Tyrantrum
Tyrantrum certainly looks the part of a great fossil Pokémon. The Pokémon version of a T-Rex, Tyrantrum is a dual Rock/Dragon-type, a combination that sounds cooler than it is. Design-wise, this mon has everything a great fossil should have: it looks fierce, intimidating, and awe-inspiring, capable of provoking fear in the hearts of the strongest Trainers.
However, Tyrantrum's typing is much more problematic in battle, resulting in a whopping six weaknesses. Tyrantrum is a beast when it comes to Physical Attack and Defense, but its underwhelming Speed means that any decent Fairy-type move can either OHKO or at least severely damage it.
Omastar
Omastar is one of the original creations of the franchise and has a place as one of the most iconic Pokémon in Generation I. Omastar looks like a carnivorous snail, living up to the terrifying aspect that characterizes some of the franchise's best fossils.
A dual Rock/Water-type, Omastar boasts four vulnerabilities -- including a four-times weakness to the absurdly common Grass-type. Omastar also lives up to its real-life inspiration, having a pitiful Speed stat of 55. Suffice it to say Omastar probably won't win any battles, although it at least looks suitably prehistoric.
Kabutops
Another Generation I fossil, Kabutops has one of the most striking designs in the Gen. Like Omastar, Kabutops is also a dual Rock/Water-type, although it looks nothing like a Rock-type Pokémon -- or a Water-type, for that matter. Indeed, its blade-like hands suggest a possible Steel-typing.
Still, Kabutops is the perfect example of a primitive-looking Pokémon that does the best with its design. It also has better stats that Omastar, making it the superior Rock/Water fossil, which isn't saying much, but it's an achievement nonetheless.
Bastiodon
Generation IV introduced only two fossils, but only one was memorable. Bastiodon blends elements of a Triceratops and the protective walls of a castle, creating a truly inspired design that ranks among the best in the Sinnoh region.
Beyond its physicality, Bastiodon is also a decent Pokémon in battle. Thanks to its great Rock/Steel-typing, it only has three weaknesses, although two are quad vulnerabilities to Fighting and Ground, which can become problematic. Bastiodon's awful Speed does it no favors, but its excellent Physical and Special Defenses make up for it.
Armaldo
Armaldo is one of the best Bug-type Pokémon. True, the Bug-type is famously bad, but Armaldo elevates it past its initial mediocrity. Introduced in Generation III, Armaldo is a dual-type Rock/Bug-type that boasts very powerful Physical Attack and Defense. However, its Speed stat is miserable, which never bodes well in battle.
On the positive side, Armaldo's typing leaves it with only three weaknesses and two resistances. Armaldo might not be any player's first choice, but perhaps it should be, especially if they find a way to work around the appalling Speed stat.
Cradily
There's a reason Cradily is one of Steven Stone's ace Pokémon. Possessing a truly inspired type combination -- Rock and Grass --, Cradily ranks among the strongest fossil Pokémon in the franchise. Its 495 stat total favors Physical and Special Defense, making it a tank, which is great considering its low Speed.
Cradilty's typing leaves it with four weaknesses and two resistances. At first glance, Cradily might not seem like such an impressive creature, but capable Trainers should have no problem exploiting its typing and Defensive stats, turning it into a valuable ally in battle.
Archeops
Archeops could be the best fossil Pokémon in the franchise. It is the living embodiment of high-risk-high-reward, having extremely high Physical and Special Attack and Speed but mediocre Defenses and HP. Archeops' Rock/Flying-type means it has five weaknesses, five resistances, and one immunity.
However, what makes Archeops such an unpredictable Pokémon is its ability, Defeatist. It halves Archeops' Physical and Special Attack stats when its HP drops below half. Trainers could take advantage of Archeops' Speed stat to decimate entire teams, but if its health drops below half, it's over.
Aerodactyl
Nothing beats the original, even when it comes to fossil Pokémon. Aerodactyl is arguably the best fossil in terms of design and stat distribution. A dual Rock/Flying-type, Aerodactyl is a beast in battle, thanks mainly to its excellent 515 stat total.
Generation VI gave Aerodactyl a huge boost by gifting it with a Mega Evolution, elevating its already strong stats into Legendary Pokémon level. Mega Aerodactyl looks more prehistoric than ever, cementing its place as the best-designed of the Pokémon fossils.
Dracovish
Dracovish is one of the ugliest Water-type Pokémon in the franchise, but what it lacks in physical beauty, it more than makes up for in raw strength. Dracovish is a Water/Dragon-type, a combination that leaves it with only two weaknesses and three resistances.
Strong stats further make Dracovish a beast in battle, but its signature attack, Fishious Rend, takes it to the top of the fossil ranking. Dracovish is the king of the fossils, a creature of immense power with a unique personality and a... striking design.