Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is the 9th generation of the Pokémon series, and its release on November 18, 2022 saw it become the fastest selling Nintendo game of all time (via The Verge). Not everything has been perfect about the release and complaints about graphics and frame rate problems forced Gamefreak to release a patch that, according to Kotaku, may not have solved all the issues. But there is still plenty to celebrate in the first open world Pokémon game and that includes its 107 new Pokémon.
Every type is accounted for, and there are even some new type combinations that will make the competitive battling scene interesting. Every generation, there are more Pokémon of some types than others, and thanks to the legendary quartet Treasures of Ruin, the Dark type has gained a number of new Pokémon. Dark types tend to have strong defensive and offensive stats along with moves that usually have debilitating secondary effects. The Dark types introduced this generation all have their positives and ranking them will help players determine who should be on their team.
10 Bombirdier
Flying/Dark is an excellent type combination that removes the bug and fighting weaknesses of the Dark type. While it does add a Rock and Ice type weakness, Bombirdier's signature ability, Rocky Payload, gives its Rock moves STAB power, allowing it to take on Ice types.
Unfortunately, that ability is hidden and therefore difficult to obtain. Its stats are middling at best, with only a 485 base stat total, though a 103 base attack is formidable. With three powerful STAB attacks, it is not easy to switch in on Bombirdier without losing a chunk of health.
9 Meowscarada
When the Pokémon Sun and Moon starters were revealed, Sprigatito captured a lot of fans' hearts with its cute, cat-like features. The final form of the Grass starter is Meowscarada, a Grass/Dark Pokémon with a base stat total of 530, the same number for many starters.
Meowscarada is a fast, strong attacker but with low defenses, though not so low that it can't take a hit or two. Its signature move, Flower Trick, hits at 70 base power and can't be evaded and always gives a critical hit. But seven type weaknesses and one 4x weakness to Bug means the Magician Pokémon will only have a few chances to get its attacks off.
8 Kingambit
Kingambit is the newly introduced evolved form of Bisharp, a powerful Pokémon that was always a solid attacker in the metagame, so its evolved form should prove to be even stronger. Dark/Steel is a very powerful dual defensive type Pokémon, except that the three types it is weak to are very common: ground, fire, and fighting. And fighting is a 4x weakness on Kingambit.
Its signature attack, Kowtow Cleave, is a physical Dark type attack with 85 base power that never misses. With a huge 135 base attack, Kingambit should be two-shotting most Pokémon that resist it. Very slow speed doesn't help it, and actually evolving Kingambit may prove difficult. Trainers need to defeat three Bisharp that lead a pack of Pawniard with their own Bisharp.
7 Brute Bonnet
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In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, there are some time-travel aspects that have led to the presence of "Paradox Pokémon," Pokémon that are either past or future evolutionary cousins of well-known Pokémon. For instance, Brute Bonnet appears to be a past ancestor of Amoonguss.
Brute Bonnet has over 100 more base stats than Amoonguss and trades its Poison type for Dark type. It's appears to be a cross between a dinosaur and a mushroom and a powerful 127 base attack alongside solid stat in everything except speed. It has a great movepool with spore, sucker punch, and giga drain to make sure it's annoying as possible before being defeated.
6 Chi-Yu
As one of the Treasures of Ruin, which are the new legendary group of Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet, Chi-Yu a Fire/Dark type can learn Ruination, a move that always deals 50% of whatever health is remaining on the opposing Pokémon. Along with the signature move comes a signature ability, Beads of Ruin, that lowers the special defense of Pokémon on the field by 25%.
A very high base 135 for its special attack stat, coupled with its ability, means Chi-Yu will be hitting everything hard. And with a powerful special move pool of Dark and Fire type moves, most Pokémon will want to avoid taking this one on. Low defenses and a typing with common weaknesses are issues to keep in mind, however.
5 Wo-Chien
Wo-Chien is the Grass/Dark Treasure of Ruin and the defensively-minded variation. With a 135 base special defense and an ability that lowers the attack of any other Pokémon on the opponent's team, a 4x weakness to Bug type moves is painful, but its resistance to six common types means it should survive a long time.
Wo-Chien also has access to a number of important status and healing moves like leech seed and ingrain that should keep it around a while. Plus it has one of the best designs in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet as some kind of monstrous forest snail.
4 Iron Jugulis
One of the Paradox Pokémon, Iron Jugulis is a future version of Hydregion made completely from metal and sporting a new typing Dark/Flying, a powerful type combo that lets Iron Jugulis have STAB for the rarely resisted Flying type moves.
Iron Jugulis has the signature future Paradox Pokémon ability, Quark Drive, when Electric Terrain is active, or the Pokémon is holding Booster Energy. Its highest stat (other than HP) is increased by 30%, or 50% if Speed is the highest stat. So Iron Jugulis' huge special attack of 122 gets boosted even more. A STAB Hurricane should knock out most Pokémon in one hit.
3 Chien-Pao
The Sword of Ruin, Chien-Pao is the Ice/Dark type Treasure of Ruin, and the Pokémon focuses on blisteringly fast attacks with a base 135 speed and base 120 attack. There are only a handful of Pokémon faster than Chien-Pao, so the legendary should be outspeeding most threats.
Its ability lowers the defense of all opponent Pokémon, which means there are not many Pokémon that can switch in on Chien-Pao. They will have to survive a STAB icicle crash with 85 base power from a Pokémon with effectively 150 base attack after the ability is taken into account.
2 Ting-Lu
Ting-Lu is the last of the Treasures of Ruination, and besides being one of the hardest Pokémon to catch, it's the most dangerous of the quartet. It's a Ground/Dark Pokémon with an ability Vessel of Ruin that lowers the special attack of opponents on the field by 25%. This effectively gives Ting-Lu 100 base special defense, 125 base defense, and 155 hp. It won't be easy getting this Pokémon off the field.
A dual immunity to Psychic and Electric moves is also welcome allowing Ting-Lu to switch in safely on those types of Pokémon. And 110 base attack is very high as well, allowing the Pokémon to throw around STAB earthquakes and throat chops with abandon. Also, its mystical deer-like design may be the best of the quartet.
1 Roaring Moon
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Pokémon Scarlet and Violet may not have brought back any Mega Pokémon for the games, but they didn't completely forget about them. Roaring Moon is the ancient Paradox Pokémon version of Mega Salamence, and its base stat total of 590 makes it almost as powerful as its origin form.
With the always dangerous Dragon/Dark typing, Roaring Moon can use its 139 base attack and 119 speed to lethal effect. It has access to the powerful physical moves outrage and throat chop allowing it to take advantage of those STABS. Its ability, Protosynthesis, increases its highest stat (other than HP) by 30%, or 50% if Speed is the highest under harsh sunlight or when it's holding Booster Energy.