There’s a lot more to Pokemon training than meets the eye. When it comes to the question of the best Pokemon to use on a team, you have many factors to think about. It’s not just the one with the highest stats, the least weaknesses, or the best moves.
RELATED: Every Pokemon Type And What It's Weak To
In truth, it’s a combination of all of these traits and more. Another important thing to consider is the Ability a Pokemon has. This factor alone can make an otherwise great Pokemon almost useless. Slaking’s Truant, for instance, stops it from attacking on consecutive turns. Here, you can check out some of the best Pokemon abilities throughout the franchise.
Updated May 2, 2023 by Jacqueline Zalace: We've added even more Pokemon Abilities to our list, giving you tons of viable options to choose from. Additionally, we've cleaned up the formatting, making it easy to see which Pokemon have each Ability.
20 Flame Body
In Battle Effect | Out Of Battle Effect |
---|---|
Contact with this Pokemon will burn the opponent | Halves the number of steps required to hatch an egg |
Flame Body is an important Ability to have on at least one Pokemon if you plan on breeding. This move will half the steps needed to hatch eggs and, as the name implies, comes from Fire type Pokemon.
Within battle, this Ability can be quite helpful as well. This competitive value of Flame Body isn't that great, but overall, it's fairly well-rounded and helpful for breeding the perfect Pokemon.
Pokemon With Flame Body:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Ponyta | ✓ |
Rapidash | ✓ |
Magmar | |
Moltres | ✓ |
Slugma | |
Magcargo | |
Magby | |
Magmortar | |
Heatran | ✓ |
Litwick | |
Lampent | |
Chandelure | |
Larvesta | |
Volcarona | |
Fletchinder | |
Talonflame | |
Carkol | |
Coalossal | |
Sizzlipede | ✓ |
Centiskorch | ✓ |
Charcadet | ✓ |
read more
19 Ice Scales
In Battle Effect |
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Halves damage from special moves that hit the Pokemon |
Ice Scales is available only to Snom and Frosmoth as their Hidden Ability. Because of this, the Ability isn't possible to obtain if you don't have one of these two Pokemon in your party.
This ability reduces the damage of all special attacks Snom/Frosmoth take by half. Frosmoth’s Special Defense is quite solid, so this makes it pretty darn tanky indeed. Its exclusivity is really all that holds it back from rising any higher; imagine Blissey with this Ability! That’s terrifying to even think about.
18 Unaware
In Battle Effect |
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When this Pokemon is targeted by a damaging move, the attacking Pokemon's stats are ignored when calculating damage and accuracy |
A lot of the Abilities on this list have so much potential because they allow Pokemon to either deal huge damage outright or buff themselves so that they can. Before we get into that sort of thing, though, here’s an Ability that represents an enormous roadblock for Pokemon looking to set up.
In case you were… unaware, an Unaware Pokemon isn’t affected by its opponent’s stat boosts. If they’ve got boosted offenses, they’ll deal only their usual damage. If the opponent has increased their Defense/Special Defense, they’ll take the usual damage from a Pokemon with Unaware. It’s super handy to have, but it’s also a rare Ability and is quite niche. After all, if there are no boosts currently in play, this Pokemon essentially has no Ability.
Pokemon With Unaware:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Clefable | ✓ |
Wooper (Paldean and Regular Forms) | ✓ |
Quagsire | ✓ |
Bidoof | |
Bibarel | |
Woobat | |
Swoobat | |
Pyukumuku | ✓ |
Cosmog | |
Fuecoco | ✓ |
Crocalor | ✓ |
Skeledirge | ✓ |
Dondozo | |
Clodsire | ✓ |
read more
17 Stance Change
In Battle Effect |
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Changes the Pokemon from Shield Forme to Blade Forme, or vice versa
|
The Honedge line made its debut in Generation VI, and Aegislash quickly established itself as one of the greatest non-Legendary Pokemon ever. The key to its success? Its exclusive Ability, Stance Change. This Ability sees Aegislash switch from its Shield Forme (its default on being sent out) to its Blade Forme when using an offensive move. In the process, its base defenses switch with its very low base offenses.
When it uses King’s Shield, it switches back to Shield Forme. With its low Speed, then, Aegislash will usually tank a hit with its high defenses before switching its stats and going on the attack with great force. It can’t take a hit at all in Blade Forme, and can be quite predictable as a result, but Stance Change makes Aegislash a force to be reckoned with.
16 Sturdy
In Battle Effect |
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The Pokemon is unaffected by one-hit knockout moves that cause a target to faint instantly regardless of HP, Defense, or Special Defense |
Sturdy is a simple yet effective Ability that has seen a lot of use. Essentially, Sturdy Pokemon have a built-in Focus Sash: if their HP is full, when they’re attacked by a move that would take them out in one shot, they’ll withstand it with a single point of health left.
There are some major shortcomings to this, of course. Any kind of priority will immediately take the Pokemon down afterward, especially as most Pokemon with this Ability are slow, defensive Rock or Steel-types. The true potential of Sturdy lies in what that Pokemon does with its ‘free turn.’ There are ample setup opportunities here. Sturdy, Weakness Policy and Rock Polish, in particular, can be a fearsome combination.
Pokemon with Sturdy:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Geodude | |
Graveler | |
Golem | |
Magnemite | |
Magneton | |
Onix | |
Sudowoodo | |
Pineco | |
Forretress | |
Steelix | |
Shuckle | |
Skarmony | |
Donphan | |
Nosepass | |
Aron | |
Lairon | |
Aggron | |
Relicanth | ✓ |
Regirock | ✓ |
Shieldon | |
Bastiodon | |
Bonsly | |
Magnezone | |
Probopass | |
Roggenrola | |
Boldore | |
Gigalith | |
Sawk | |
Dwebble | |
Crustle | |
Tirtouga | |
Carracosta | |
Tyrunt | ✓ |
Carbink | ✓ |
Bergmite | ✓ |
Avalugg (Hisuian and Regular Forms) | ✓ |
Togedamaru | ✓ |
Cosmoem | |
Nacli | |
Naclstack | |
Gargancl |
read more
15 Wonder Guard
In Battle Effect |
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The Pokemon is immune to all damaging moves that are not super effective |
Wonder Guard is a unique Ability that is exclusive to Shedinja. At face value, you might wonder just how the heck this Pokemon could be at all usable. It has a grand total of 1 HP, which can’t be increased by any means. Does that sound like a good sign? No? That’s because it isn’t.
Related: Pokemon That Are Basically Evil Incarnate
The one thing Shedinja does have going for it is the aforementioned Ability, which renders it immune to any direct attacks it isn’t weak to. Super effective moves, status, weather damage and hazards all spell doom for it, but if you know that you are going to face a Pokemon that isn't super effective, then Shield Guard is great.
14 Neutralizing Gas
In Battle Effect |
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Abilities of any other Pokemon in the battle can't be used
|
Sometimes, an Ability doesn’t need to have a flashy effect in and of itself. Over the course of this list, we’ll see all kinds of absurd ones that are capable of making even the most modest Pokemon overpowered, but there’s more to the equation than that. After all, a critter like Mega Mawile (which was super reliant on Huge Power) is in some major trouble when that Ability is taken away.
Neutralizing Gas is the exclusive Ability of the Koffing family. It prevents or nullifies the effects of all other Pokémon in the battle. While this hasn’t been as dominating as it sounds, it’s an excellent counter to other strategies when played well.
13 Good As Gold
In Battle Effect |
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This Pokemon cannot be affected by status conditions or moves that inflict them |
Gholdengo is the 1000th Pokemon, and the good people at Game Freak decided to make it as weird as possible. It's made out of solid gold: actually, 1000 Gimmighoul Coins, all stacked on top of one another. If it looks like a surfer, you're not wrong, because it can make a surfboard out of gold to move around on.
This wild abomination is the only Pokemon with the Good As Gold ability that allows it to ignore all status conditions. Yup, all of them! The Ability description claims that this is thanks to its solid gold body that can't be affected, but we think it's probably just that Gholdengo is too cool to care.
12 Multiscale
In Battle Effect |
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When this Pokemon is at their maximum HP, incoming damage is halved
|
Multiscale is another Ability that doesn’t have any major direct power itself, but allows the Pokemon the opportunity to boost itself and shoot for a sweep. It’s not just about being aggressive, either: Multiscale is just as useful from a defensive point of view.
This Ability halves the damage taken from direct attacks while the user’s HP is full. It’s available to only two Pokemon; Dragonite and Lugia. The former loves using it to help it accrue Dragon Dances, while it helps the latter with its main game plan: sitting there tanking absolutely everything and being a monumental pain.
Pokemon With Multiscale:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Dragonite | ✓ |
Lugia | ✓ |
11 Gorilla Tactics
In Battle Effect |
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This Pokemon's Attack stat is increased by 50%, but it can only use one move |
Gorilla Tactics is a newer Ability introduced in Pokemon Sword and Shield, exclusive to Galarian Darmanitan. What does it do? It immediately makes this ludicrous-looking creature overpowered.
The effect of the Ability is the same as that of a Choice Band: it gives the Pokemon an Attack boost but allows it to use only the first move it picked on being sent out. The truly frightening thing is that you can actually give it a Choice Band on top of that. Considering that this thing already has a base Attack of 140, that’s some astronomical power right there.
10 Prankster
In Battle Effect |
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Any status moves used by this Pokemon have their priority increased by one |
From an offensive point of view, Prankster doesn’t actually have any effect at all. From an irritating, status-spammy point of view, it does absolutely everything.
This Ability’s effect is simple, yet powerful: all status moves used by the Pokemon in question gains priority. Since its introduction, this Ability has brought us the likes of Thunder Wave Thundurus, Recover/Will-O-Wisp Sableye, and all kinds of other things that are absolutely zero fun to deal with.
Pokemon With Prankster:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Murkrow | ✓ |
Sableye | ✓ |
Volbeat | ✓ |
Illumise | ✓ |
Banette (Mega Form) | |
Riolu | ✓ |
Purrloin | ✓ |
Liepard | ✓ |
Cottonee | |
Whimsicott | |
Tornadus (Incarnate Forme) | |
Thundurus (Incarnate Forme) | |
Meowstic (Male) | ✓ |
Klefki | |
Impidimp | |
Morgrem | |
Grimmsnarl | |
Shroodle | ✓ |
Grafaiai | ✓ |
read more
9 Beast Boost
In Battle Effect |
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When this Pokemon causes any other Pokemon in a battle to faint with a damaging move, its highest stat is increased by one stage to a maximum of +6 stages
|
Beast Boost is an interesting case. This Ability was introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon as the signature Ability of the Ultra Beasts. Its effect is very similar to that of Moxie (+1 to Attack when the Pokemon scores a knockout), with one important distinction: it will boost whichever stat is that particular Pokemon's highest.
As a result, it’s got a lot more versatility. Ultra Beasts have some very high base stats to begin with; giving Stakataka more Defense or Kartana even more Attack is a frightening prospect.
Pokemon With Beast Boost:
Pokemon |
---|
Nihilego |
Buzzwole |
Pheromosa |
Xurkitree |
Celesteela |
Kartana |
Guzzlord |
Poipole |
Naganadel |
Stakataka |
Blacephalon |
This is not a Hidden Ability for any Pokemon.
read more
8 Supreme Overlord
In Battle Effect |
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Upon entering battle, this Pokemon gets a 10% increase to their moves' Power for each Pokemon that has fainted in their party |
A name like Supreme Overlord speaks for itself. Kingambit gets a signature move in the Scarlet and Violet games that provides a boost to an Attack's Power based on how many of your other Pokemon have fainted.
Taking on a really challenging opponent, like a Gym Leader? Kingambit makes for an excellent last resort to avenge all your other fallen Pokemon!
7 Guts
In Battle Effect |
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While this Pokemon is affected by a non-volatile status condition, its Attack stat is increased by 50%
|
Simply having very high stats is good enough in and of itself, but some of the best Abilities in the series deal with a different concept entirely: protection from status. After all, what’s the use of a super high Attack stat if you’re just going to get burned?
With Guts, that’s no longer an issue. This Ability raises a Pokemon's Attack when they’re afflicted by a status, making it a perfect way to circumvent one of the biggest threats to physical attackers. Not only that, but with a Flame Orb or Toxic Orb, you can take advantage of this effect while also protecting yourself.
Pokemon With Guts:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Rattata | |
Raticate | |
Machop | |
Machoke | |
Machamp | |
Flareon | ✓ |
Heracross | |
Ursaring | |
Tyrogue | |
Larvitar | |
Taillow | |
Swellow | |
Makuhita | |
Hariyama | |
Shinx | ✓ |
Luxio | ✓ |
Luxray | ✓ |
Timburr | |
Gurdurr | |
Conkeldurr | |
Throh | |
Obstagoon | |
Usraluna | |
Squawkabilly (Green and Blue Plumage) | ✓ |
read more
6 Drizzle
In Battle Effect |
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When this Pokemon enters a battle, it begins to rain
|
While Politoed and Pelipper are both reasonable, viable Pokemon, sporting decent bulk/power and a nice array of supportive moves, there’s really only one reason they’re used competitively — that reason is Drizzle.
This Ability automatically summons rain when the Pokemon is sent out. Needless to say, this is invaluable on rain teams. Additionally, rain can damage certain Pokemon, making them easier to take down.
Pokemon With Drizzle:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Politoed | ✓ |
Pelipper | |
Kyogre |
5 Regenerator
In Battle Effect |
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Regenerate 33% of the Pokemon's maximum HP when switching out of battle |
Sometimes, you take quite the beating while participating in a battle. We all know how frustrating it is to swap out a Pokemon with low HP, only to waste a turn healing them. With Regenerator, you can restore some health without lifting a finger.
Related:
Although 33 percent may not sound like much, this small HP boost can be beneficial in close battles, where every attack matters.
Pokemon with Regenerator:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Slowpoke | ✓ |
Slowbro | ✓ |
Tangela | ✓ |
Slowking | ✓ |
Corsola | ✓ |
Ho-Oh | ✓ |
Tangrowth | ✓ |
Audino | |
Solosis | ✓ |
Duosion | ✓ |
Reuniclus | ✓ |
Foongus | ✓ |
Amoonguss | ✓ |
Alomomola | ✓ |
Mienfoo | |
Mienshao | |
Tornadus (Therian Form) | |
Mareanie | ✓ |
Toxapex | ✓ |
Gossifleur | |
Eldegoss | |
Klawf | ✓ |
Cyclizar | ✓ |
read more
4 Tinted Lens
In Battle Effect |
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Doubles the damage of "not very effective" moves |
It's always best to think of type matchups when in battle. Doing so will make it go by smoother, especially if you are super effective to the opposing Pokemon.
This isn't always the outcome though. At times, you may be facing a Pokemon that seems to have the upper hand. This is where Tinted Lens comes in handy. This move will double the damage of "not very effective" moves. If you just need to do a sliver of damage to defeat a Pokemon, this Ability can give you the edge.
Pokemon With Tinted Lens:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Butterfree | ✓ |
Venonat | |
Venomoth | |
Hoothoot | ✓ |
Noctowl | ✓ |
Illumise | |
Mothim | ✓ |
Yanmega | |
Sigilyph | ✓ |
Braviary (Hisuian only) | ✓ |
Nymble | ✓ |
Lokix | ✓ |
read more
3 Huge Power/Pure Power
In Battle Effect |
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This Pokemon's Attack stat is doubled |
Stats don’t tell the whole story when it comes to a Pokemon's viability. After all, it doesn’t matter if Shedinja has a single point of HP if you haven’t got a darn thing to hit it with, does it? By the same token, Pokemon with our next Ability are going to hit a whole lot harder than you might think.
Huge Power (or Pure Power, as they’re identical) has the simple effect of doubling your Attack. This is exactly what made Mega Mawile the malevolent menace it was, as it effectively had a base Attack of 210. Pokemon with this Ability tend to have moves with high base power, too, which only adds to the threat.
Pokemon With Pure Power:
Pokemon |
---|
Meditite |
Medicham |
This is not a Hidden Ability for any of the above Pokemon.
Pokemon With Huge Power:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Marill | |
Azumarill | |
Azurill | |
Mawile (Mega Form) | |
Bunnelby | ✓ |
Diggersby | ✓ |
read more
2 Protean/Libero
In Battle Effect |
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Before using a move, this Pokemon will change its Type to the Type of the move it is using
|
It’s interesting to think that a lot of Pokemon fans looked down on Froakie prior to Pokemon X and Y’s launch. The poor little thing became a meme, but it soon got the last laugh. Armed with its Hidden Ability, Protean, the vicious frogsassin known as Greninja was claiming souls and crushing dreams left and right.
The Ability Protean allows the Pokemon to change its typing to the type of the move it’s about to use, before using it. Essentially, then, it has STAB on everything, which is a much more powerful tool than you may think. Interestingly, Cinderace’s Hidden Ability is Libero, which has exactly the same effect. It’s going to be a powerhouse once that hits the meta.
Pokemon With Libero:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Scorbunny | ✓ |
Raboot | ✓ |
Cinderace | ✓ |
Pokemon With Protean:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Kecleon | ✓ |
Froakie | ✓ |
Frogadier | ✓ |
Greninja | ✓ |
Sprigatito | ✓ |
Floragato | ✓ |
Meowscarada | ✓ |
read more
1 Intimidate
In Battle Effect | Out Of Battle Effect |
---|---|
When this Pokemon is in battle, all adjacent opponents have their Attack stat lowered by one stage | If this Pokemon is first in the party, it has a 50% chance to prevent an encounter with a wild Pokemon |
With so many great Pokemon Abilities, it’s hard to pick out just one as the best. However, in terms of overall utility, Intimidate has always been one of the most prized of all.
Intimidate works by reducing the Attack stat of the opposing Pokemon whenever the user switches in. As experienced Pokemon players will know, this can be a real lifesaver, supporting both the user and their allies. This passive effect that can really bolster tankiness is invaluable, especially considering that some excellent Pokemon like Gyarados, Arcanine and Salamence have it.
Pokemon With Intimidate:
Pokemon | Hidden Ability? |
---|---|
Ekans | |
Arbok | |
Growlithe | |
Arcanine | |
Tauros | |
Gyarados | |
Snubbull | |
Granbull | |
Quilfish | ✓ |
Stantler | |
Hitmontop | |
Mightyena | |
Masquerain | |
Mawile | |
Manectric (Mega Form) | |
Salamence | |
Staravia | |
Staraptor | |
Shinx | |
Luxio | |
Luxray | |
Herdier | |
Stoutland | |
Sandile | |
Krokorok | |
Krookodile | |
Scraggy | ✓ |
Scrafty | ✓ |
Landorus (Therian Forme) | |
Litten | ✓ |
Torracat | ✓ |
Incineroar | ✓ |
Wyrdeer | |
Overqwil | ✓ |
Squawkabilly (Green, Yellow, and White Plumage) | |
Maschiff | |
Mabosstiff |
read more
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