Summary

• The Gen 3 Pokémon game in the Hoenn region introduced more than 100 Pokémon to the franchise, many of which still remain among the most powerful.
• Many of the Hoenn region's best Pokémon are Mythicals, Legendaries, and pseudo-Legendaries.
• The most powerful Pokémon in the Hoenn region have largely been determined by their stat totals.

The striking landscapes of the Hoenn region are home to Generation 3 Pokémon games, Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and introduced many now-familiar Pokémon to the series. The Hoenn region includes biomes ranging from deserts to rainforests and even had many large islands that could only be reached via the water, often taking advantage of certain Water-type Pokémon abilities. Each of these games, along with their later remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, are beloved titles for the story they told as well as the incredible Pokémon that they debuted, many of whom are still some of the strongest in the series.

There will always be debates regarding the best Pokémon in any classification, as people will always have their favorites or know how to best utilize a specific strategy, and the qualifications for what makes one Pokémon better than another can depend on so many variables. In the Hoenn region, there were over 100 new Pokémon added to the Pokédex, including some incredibly powerful Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Certain Pokémon are more powerful than the rest, and they are part of why so many fans love the Hoenn region.

For this list, determining the most powerful has been decided based on stat totals, which include HP, Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed.

10 Milotic (Pokédex #0350)

Water-Type Pokémon

Generation 3's Feebas functions like a complicated Hoenn version of Magikarp. It is extremely weak, but it evolves into a powerful Pokémon and gets a significant buff as the majestic Milotic. Relatively bulky, Milotic has a stat total of 540 and can withstand decent damage. Using its high Special Attack power, it can use Special Water-type moves like Surf and Hydro Pump. It also has two great ability options with Marvel Scale, which increases Defense when Milotic receives a status condition, and Competitive, which raises Special Attack when a stat is lowered.

9 Regirock, Regice, & Registeel (Pokédex #0377, #0378, & #0379)

Rock-Type, Ice-Type, & Steel-Type Pokémon

The trio of Legendary giants introduced in Gen 3 are Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, and each has a stat total of 580, although their stats are divided slightly differently. Regirock focuses more on physical Attack and Defense stats, Regice has more points in Special Attack and Defense, and Registeel is a more leveled balance between the two. Future generations added more to the crew of giants with other Pokémon such as Regieleki, Regidrago, and the creator of them all, Regigigas.

8 Salamence (Pokédex #0373)

Dragon/Flying-Type Pokémon

As one of two pseudo-Legendary Pokémon from Hoenn, Salamence has a high base stat total of 600. Its stat spread prioritizes its offensive stats, making it swift and deadly. Even though its defensive stats are lower, they are still not bad by any means. As long as Ice is not used against Salamence, it is often capable of taking decent damage. It also benefits from being a part of the frequently overpowered Dragon-type, giving it access to some terrifying moves. Its abilities from Flying-type do not have as many move options but nullify Ground attacks, which can be helpful.

7 Metagross (Pokédex #0376)

Steel/Psychic-Type Pokémon

As a powerful pseudo-Legendary Pokémon, Metagross' high base stat total is also at 600 and puts a strong emphasis on its physical Attack stats, making up for its low Speed stat. Its most well-known moves, Meteor Mash and Zen Headbutt, can destroy opposing teams by making use of Metagross' extremely high Attack stat. Being the ace Pokémon of the Ruby and Sapphire champion Steven's team, Metagross lives up to its important status in the Pokémon games as a powerful combatant.

6 Latios & Latias (Pokédex #0381 & #0380)

Both Dragon/Psychic-Type Pokémon

Latios and Latias are both dual Dragon- and Psychic-type Pokémon who, together, are the eon duo, also known as the Lati twins. They both feature stat totals of 600, although they are slightly different in their breakdown of stats. Latios is slightly more powerful with a greater emphasis on Attack and Sp. Attack, where Latias is a bit stronger in Defense and Sp. Defense. In the games, Pokémon Ruby had Latias while Pokémon Sapphire had Latios. In Pokémon Emerald, players can still only get one of the twins, based on a choice between red and blue colors in a portion of the game.

5 Jirachi (Pokédex #0385)

Steel/Psychic-Type Pokémon

The Mythical wish-giving Pokémon, Jirachi, certainly does not look very threatening when seen as a cheerful creature weighing only two pounds, but it is much more powerful than it appears. Like the Lati twins, Jirachi has a stat total of 600, but its stats are divided perfectly evenly between all categories, giving it a very well-rounded edge against any opponent. Jirachi is also the only known Pokémon that is able to learn the powerful Steel-type move Doom Desire.

4 Deoxys (Pokédex #0386)

Psychic-Type Pokémon

Dubbed the DNA Pokémon, Deoxys can change between four different forms: Normal Forme, Attack Forme, Defense Forme, and Speed Forme, by interacting with meteorites. Each of the four forms has a stat total of 600, although their exact distribution of stats varies drastically based on the form. For example, the Attack Forme of Deoxys has 180 in Attack but only 20 in Defense, while the Defense Forme has only 70 in Attack but 160 in Defense. This makes Deoxys capable of handling any situation, but only when they are able to prepare.

3 Slaking (Pokédex #0289)

Normal-Type Pokémon

Slaking's impressive base stat total of 670 is higher than that of pseudo-Legendaries and even some Legendaries and Mythicals. The one drawback is its ability Truant, which lets it move only every other turn. Slaking isn't one of the best non-legendary Pokémon thanks to this ability, but still, Slaking can be a beast in combat. It has an extremely high HP stat, so it can take an immense amount of damage before going down. It also has an incredible Attack stat, so when it can move, it can devastate opponents. As Norman's ace, Slaking is one of the most feared members of any gym leader's team in the Hoenn region.

2 Groudon & Kyogre (Pokédex #0383 And #0382)

Ground-Type Pokémon & Water-Type Pokémon

Groudon and Kyogre are very different beasts and are each a featured mascot for Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, respectively. They each have an impressive stat total of 670 and are able to control weather effects to work to their advantage. While Groudon is said to be the personification of land itself and the creator of continents, Kyogre is the personification of the sea and the creator of the oceans. Their epic standoff is only brought to an end by the one Pokémon stronger than them both.

1 Rayquaza (Pokédex #0384)

Dragon/Flying-Type Pokémon

The mascot of Pokémon Emerald, Rayquaza is the most powerful Hoenn Pokémon and puts an end to the conflict seen between Kyogre and Groudon. Its stat total of 680 is higher than any in the Hoenn region, with both Attack and Sp. Attack stats at 150, and another at 105 in HP. Rayquaza also has the perfect counter to any weather-buffed team with its Ability known as Air Lock, which turns off all weather condition effects. Truly, Rayquaza is the most powerful Pokémon in the Hoenn region, and one of the most powerful in the series, with its Mega evolution even statistically topping that of Arceus.