![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nOut of the new batch of baby Pok\u00e9mon introduced in Diamond and Pearl, which include Mime Jr., Happiny, Bounsweet, and Mantyke, Munchlax was the one who stole the show for me. A pre-evolution to the route-blocking Snorelax, this food-frenzied kiddo shows the sleepy giant was much more\u00a0awake and active in its younger years. While not all that powerful, Munchlax has seen some play in the competitive scene due to its obscene health and a fairly good defense against special attacks. Pairing these strengths\u00a0with the fire and ice dampening Thick Fat ability, there are times where even a baby like Munchlax can fill out a slot on your team as well as it fills its gullet.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
24<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBidoof<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nPlump Mouse Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-1.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nThey may not be powerful, but what’s not to like about a Bidoof? Taking the honors of being Sinnoh’s regional rodent, this beaver-like Pok\u00e9mon will find its way into many trainers’ parties early on. While it starts as a normal type, it quickly evolves into Bibarel and adds water to the mix. According to its Pok\u00e9dex entries, this\u00a0dopey-looking critter has nerves of steel and can constantly be found chewing on stones and logs to keep its evergrowing chompers worn to an appropriate\u00a0size.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
23<\/h2>\n\n\n\nPurugly<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nTiger Cat Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-2.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nWhen I began researching for this list, Purugly wasn’t anywhere near making\u00a0the cut. Normal\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon usually don’t\u00a0pique my interest much in battle. However, once I started reading into the Pok\u00e9dex entries, it reminded me of my own cats. It also reminded me that Pok\u00e9mon aren’t just for battling and collecting, they’re also for friendship and having around as companions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hopefully\u00a0you have a Pok\u00e9mon somewhere that makes\u00a0you think of a pet you have or know\u00a0and makes you feel better just having that monster\u00a0on your team. These\u00a0may be reflective of a lot of cats, but the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex\u00a0entries for Purugly and Glameow\u00a0put a smile on my face and rocketed them onto my personal list:<\/p>\n
“It is a brazen brute that barges its way into another Pok\u00e9mon’s nest and claims it as its own.”<\/p>\n
“It hides its spiteful tendency of hooking its claws into the nose of its trainer if it isn’t fed.”<\/p>\n
“If it locks eyes, it will glare ceaselessly.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
22<\/h2>\n\n\n\nVespiquen<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBeehive Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-3.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<\/div>\nI was really into Beedrill as a kid. Compared to Butterfree, it was the coolest bug Pok\u00e9mon in the early game and an actual deciding factor when choosing between Red and Blue. After seeing what the rest of the world had to offer, though, the bee wasn’t stinging like it used to. Cue to Diamond and Pearl and what some consider the queen bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n
Vespiquen is not just the ruler of her hive; she\u00a0is<\/em> the hive. Hidden within the honeycomb-like lower half are grubs that will grow into her\u00a0Combee workers. Vespiquen also uses these grubs in combat with the moves Defense Order, Heal Order, and Attack Order, her signatures.\u00a0<\/p>\nYou’ll notice I keep mentioning Vespiquen as a “her.” That’s because only female Combee\u00a0inherit this monarchal evolution, while the males do not evolve at all and live to\u00a0serve the queen of all bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
21<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTorterra<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nContinent Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-4.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nOut of the three\u00a0starters’ final evolutions\u00a0from Diamond and Pearl, Torterra gets short shrift. Sure, it’s competing with a metal penguin and a flaming monkey, but this tortoise deserves respect for the work it puts in. Not only is it\u00a0the first Grass and Ground starter, but it’s the only Pok\u00e9mon with that combination type in existence. Torterra\u00a0embodies\u00a0those types so much that it’s literally a\u00a0landmass with trees growing on its back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You won’t go wrong choosing Torterra’s pre-evolution Turtwig at the start of the game. This Pok\u00e9mon makes a reliable\u00a0anchor while your team is coming together throughout your adventures in Sinnoh, and gives you an easy path through at least the first four Gym challenges, if not more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
20<\/h2>\n\n\n\nCroagunk<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nToxic Mouth Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-5.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nCroagunk and its evolution, Toxicroak, are rare breeds in the Pok\u00e9mon world. As the names imply<\/span>, these creatures deal in toxicity, being primarily Poison-types, but they’re\u00a0the only ones that share the\u00a0Fighting-type as well! Croagunk sports a cool purple and orange color scheme like the poison dart frogs they are inspired by, which drew me in before I even knew what it was capable of.<\/p>\nCroagunk is said to fight with underhanded tactics, which lines up with how its toxic attacks are administered. It can secrete\u00a0venom not only from poison sacs near the\u00a0mouth but also\u00a0from the tips of its fingers. While it wasn’t part of Croagunk’s potential abilities in the original Diamond and Pearl, its hidden ability is Poison Touch which, you guessed it, can poison enemies with physical attacks and is a perfect representation of its dangerous hands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
19<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAbomasnow<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFrost Tree Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-6.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nThe name says it all and is even confirmed in the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entry for Abomasnow, “it is the abominable snowman.”\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon games never had a distinctly snowy region before Diamond and Pearl. They may have had frosty\u00a0caverns where Ice\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon would roam, but never a snow-covered area out in the open. So its fitting the\u00a0<\/span>pre-evolution to this yeti-like creature can be found in the snow-covered terrain of Route 217, while Abomasnow itself lives atop Sinnoh’s highest point, the peak of Mt. Coronet.<\/p>\nDiverting from the typical ape-like design of sasquatches, Abomasnow is made to look like shrubbery that’s been through a bad snowstorm; its body is covered with branches weighed down with wet snow and ice. That’s not just a product of its environment, but its own doing. Abomasnow will kick up blizzards to stay hidden in the mountains, adding unneeded accumulation to the cold lands it likes to inhabit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
18<\/h2>\n\n\n\nProbopass<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nCompass Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-7.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLet’s cut to the chase:\u00a0Probopass makes this\u00a0list on looks alone. This cross-generation evolution to Nosepass from Ruby and Sapphire takes the Easter Island aesthetic of its younger self and pairs it with an incredible mustache. Upon evolving, Probopass’ inherent electromagnetism pulls iron shavings into clumps under its big red nose, creating what looks like an impressive set of lip bristles. Considering this Pok\u00e9mon’s magnetic personality, it does use several electric attacks even though Probopass is firmly made of Rock and Steel.<\/p>\n
Probopass has seen some competitive play due to its high defensive stats. One of its abilities, Magnet Pull, keeps Steel-type Pok\u00e9mon from switching out or running from battle. Depending on the meta, Probopass can trap its opponents while a teammate takes them out. Though it’s worth noting, this mustachioed wonder will fall victim to Ground and Fighting moves, which deal four times the damage.<\/p>\n
Here’s a\u00a0fun fact about this giant stone head\u00a0regarding\u00a0what I used to think were ears. Flanking\u00a0Probopass’ noggin are up to three “mini-noses,” little satellite creatures the big head commands to hunt for prey. This thing gets weirder and cooler by the minute!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
17<\/h2>\n\n\n\nGlaceon and Leafeon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFresh Snow Pok\u00e9mon and Verdant Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-8.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nDiscovering a new Eevee evolution in the world of\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon is a rare occurrence and celebrated by the fans when it does happen. Because they were introduced together and evolve\u00a0similarly, the Diamond and Pearl\u00a0additions to the Eeveelution\u00a0pack take this spot on the list together. Glaceon and Leafeon represent the Ice and Grass types,\u00a0respectively, of the eight elemental versions of Eevee that currently exist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-9.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nUnlocking the mysteries of turning an\u00a0Eevee<\/span>\u00a0into either of these\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon lies in their matching habitats. Unlike previous Eeveelutions that require special stones or befriending and leveling at certain times of day, Glaceon and Leafeon require the trainer to find a place in the world. Leveling an\u00a0Eevee next to a Moss Rock or an Ice Rock, usually deep in a forest or cave, will turn your unstable pet into one of these new forms.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n16<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTangrowth<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nVine Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-10.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nSome monsters get lost in the shuffle more than others when thinking of the standout Pok\u00e9mon from the original 151. One that I think got a raw deal was Tangela, the little bundle of vines that had quite the potential. However, Tangela was usually left off my teams because it didn’t evolve, and there were cooler options for the Grass slot on teams. Game Freak certainly didn’t forget about this bush with legs and gave it a much-deserved evolution in\u00a0Diamond and Pearl.<\/p>\n
Instead of exploring the mystery of what Tangela looks like under that veil of shrubbery, Tangrowth doubles down on its predecessor’s design by adding\u00a0an even bigger mess of vines. Due to the thickening of its exterior, Tangrowth is great on defense and can take plenty more damage than other Pok\u00e9mon. It’s not fancy,\u00a0but I’ll always celebrate monsters like Tangrowth\u00a0that get another chance to shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
15<\/h2>\n\n\n\nElectivire<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nThunderbolt Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-11.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nMoving from one of the Pok\u00e9mon I felt was left behind from the original 151 to one that really stood out, Electabuzz was a creature that certainly made a splash in Red and Blue. While I don’t believe it needed to be iterated on anymore, it too got a new evolution in Diamond and Pearl. Ditching its somewhat catlike features (or whatever Electabuzz was supposed to be), Electivire grows out some shaggier fur and takes on a\u00a0more ape-ish appearance, and sprouts a second tail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like Tangrowth, Electivire doubles down on its former design, opting to enhance the electricity-focused nature of this beast. When it shoves its tails into an enemy, it can unleash 20,000 volts of electricity. That’s enough power to kill just about anything, really. I’m certainly not an electrician, so\u00a0I’m not sure how Pok\u00e9mon actually withstand that kind of power. Regardless, the moral of the story is not to make an Electivire mad and stay away from it altogether to be safe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
14<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpiritomb<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nForbidden Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-12.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nSpiritomb is one of the stranger Pok\u00e9mon, not just in Diamond and Pearl, but in the entire series. Some work needs to be done to have the chance to catch this Ghost\/Dark entity. Diamond and Pearl have a semi-social space called The Underground where trainers can explore, collect items, set up Secret Bases, and connect with other players. The prerequisite to getting a Spiritomb to appear is interacting with 32 players in The Underground, a suitably communal task for a Pok\u00e9mon made from\u00a0108 individual spirits.<\/p>\n
Unlike other Ghost Pok\u00e9mon, Spiritomb is physically tethered to an item called an Odd Keystone. Using this rock as its base, Spiritomb projects its spectral form through the artifact. When it does appear from the keystone, it doesn’t really have a\u00a0body and instead looks\u00a0like a swirling vortex of souls with a face plastered somewhere in the middle.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
13<\/h2>\n\n\n\nDriftloon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBalloon Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-13.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAt first glance, Driftloon looks\u00a0like a cute Pok\u00e9mon to add to the collection. Just a harmless little ghost, right? That’s what it wants you to think. This terror uses its unsuspecting nature to spirit its victims away, and in doing so becomes one of the creepiest Pok\u00e9mon of all time. Let these Driftloon\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entries sink in:<\/p>\n
“Stories go that it grabs the hands of small children and drags them away to the afterlife. It dislikes heavy children.”<\/p>\n
“Its round body is stuffed with souls and expands each time it leads someone away.”<\/p>\n
“If for some reason its body bursts, its soul spills out with a screaming sound.”<\/p>\n
“These Pok\u00e9mon are called the ‘Signpost for Wandering Spirits.’\u00a0<\/span>Children holding them sometimes vanish.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n12<\/h2>\n\n\n\nInfernape<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFlame Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-14.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nFire starters are never a hard sell for me. I’ve always been drawn to their flashy designs, which\u00a0usually feature\u00a0some part of their body set ablaze.\u00a0But the idea of starting with\u00a0Chimchar,\u00a0a flaming\u00a0monkey of all things, was an instant sell. Even better, its final form is inspired by\u00a0Journey to the West’s<\/span><\/em> <\/span>\u00a0Son Wukong, complete with golden accents and\u00a0a fiery crown. There wasn’t a need to consider the other options my first time playing this generation.\u00a0In my book, there was nothing cooler than this starter, and I set firmly on the path to partnering with Infernape to take on the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon League’s greatest challenges.<\/p>\nInfernape makes an impression on the battlefield with its high speed\u00a0and great physical and special attacks. Because it’s also a Fighting Pok\u00e9mon, it has access to some devastating moves across both types. Whether it’s smashing foes in the face with Close Combat or burning up the competition with a move like Flare Blitz, this monkey king is a strong choice to take on your Diamond and Pearl adventure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
11<\/h2>\n\n\n\nEmpoleon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nEmperor Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-15.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAll of the starters in Diamond and Pearl\u00a0are a hit for me. As you’ve read, Toreterra is my sleeper choice, Infernape was my initial choice, but Empoleon is my go-to favorite of the three. From its sharp design featuring a trident mask and\u00a0sharp edges on its wings and body to its typing of Water and Steel, the only Pok\u00e9mon of its kind,\u00a0Empoleon is a unique starter fitting of its kingly moniker.<\/p>\n
Empoleon is impressive in battle due to a wealth of resistance to over half of the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon types. Considering there are a total of seven types that can do normal or effective damage to it, Empoleon is a partner worth keeping by your side throughout the game.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
10<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRegigigas<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nColossal Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-16.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nGiven the moniker of the “Colossal Pok\u00e9mon,” I would have expected the 12-foot\u00a0tall Regigigas to be even taller. Its colossal nature may be more in its power than size, though. This Legendary Pok\u00e9mon has a massive Attack stat, making it one of the most powerful strikers in the game. However, this strength comes at a cost. Balancing its immense power is Regigigas’ ability Slow Start which halves both its attack and speed stats for the first five turns it’s in battle. This ability is cleverly shown in its Ghibliesque visual design by having moss growing from its feet and shoulders, a sign Regigigas has been dormant for a long time and is slowly waking up.<\/p>\n
Regigigas was the culmination of the elemental Regi Pok\u00e9mon cycle from Ruby and Sapphire. To even have a chance at obtaining this gargantuan, a trainer must have Regice, Registeel, and Regirock in their party when traveling to Snowpoint Temple. Once there, you have to adventure through a dungeon to find what looks like a statue of Regigigas, but having the appropriate Regi team will reveal the goliath is the real thing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
9<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRotom (and its many forms)<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nPlasma Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-17.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLong before their adorable addition to the Pok\u00e9dex or powered the Rotom Bike<\/span>\u00a0in Sword and Shield, Rotom was introduced as a quirky little electric Pok\u00e9mon capable of possessing household appliances. Depending on whether Rotom inhabits a fridge, washing machine, lawnmower, fan, or microwave, its secondary type will change based on the object. Having six forms, each with its own type combinations, makes Rotom a wonderful and flexible ally to add to your team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n8<\/h2>\n\n\n\nShaymin<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nGratitude Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/the-top-25-diamond-and-pearl-pokemon-18.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nOne of the few Legendary Pok\u00e9mon only accessible through an event is the Grass hedgehog, Shaymin. Obtaining it requires a letter from Professor Oak which will grant a trainer access to the Flower Paradise. This shy bushel of flowers has the power to eliminate toxins from an area and allow plants to grow and thrive in desolate lands. Shaymin’s miraculous restoration extends to itself in the form of its ability, Natural Cure, which heals any status condition Shaymin may be afflicted with when it switches out for another Pok\u00e9mon. All of this may not sound exciting, and I guess it isn’t, but Shaymin holds a secret transformation that’s revealed when it touches the Gracidea flower during daytime hours.<\/p>\n\n
\nBidoof<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nPlump Mouse Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nThey may not be powerful, but what’s not to like about a Bidoof? Taking the honors of being Sinnoh’s regional rodent, this beaver-like Pok\u00e9mon will find its way into many trainers’ parties early on. While it starts as a normal type, it quickly evolves into Bibarel and adds water to the mix. According to its Pok\u00e9dex entries, this\u00a0dopey-looking critter has nerves of steel and can constantly be found chewing on stones and logs to keep its evergrowing chompers worn to an appropriate\u00a0size.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
23<\/h2>\n\n\n\nPurugly<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nTiger Cat Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nWhen I began researching for this list, Purugly wasn’t anywhere near making\u00a0the cut. Normal\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon usually don’t\u00a0pique my interest much in battle. However, once I started reading into the Pok\u00e9dex entries, it reminded me of my own cats. It also reminded me that Pok\u00e9mon aren’t just for battling and collecting, they’re also for friendship and having around as companions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hopefully\u00a0you have a Pok\u00e9mon somewhere that makes\u00a0you think of a pet you have or know\u00a0and makes you feel better just having that monster\u00a0on your team. These\u00a0may be reflective of a lot of cats, but the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex\u00a0entries for Purugly and Glameow\u00a0put a smile on my face and rocketed them onto my personal list:<\/p>\n
“It is a brazen brute that barges its way into another Pok\u00e9mon’s nest and claims it as its own.”<\/p>\n
“It hides its spiteful tendency of hooking its claws into the nose of its trainer if it isn’t fed.”<\/p>\n
“If it locks eyes, it will glare ceaselessly.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
22<\/h2>\n\n\n\nVespiquen<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBeehive Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<\/div>\nI was really into Beedrill as a kid. Compared to Butterfree, it was the coolest bug Pok\u00e9mon in the early game and an actual deciding factor when choosing between Red and Blue. After seeing what the rest of the world had to offer, though, the bee wasn’t stinging like it used to. Cue to Diamond and Pearl and what some consider the queen bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n
Vespiquen is not just the ruler of her hive; she\u00a0is<\/em> the hive. Hidden within the honeycomb-like lower half are grubs that will grow into her\u00a0Combee workers. Vespiquen also uses these grubs in combat with the moves Defense Order, Heal Order, and Attack Order, her signatures.\u00a0<\/p>\nYou’ll notice I keep mentioning Vespiquen as a “her.” That’s because only female Combee\u00a0inherit this monarchal evolution, while the males do not evolve at all and live to\u00a0serve the queen of all bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
21<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTorterra<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nContinent Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nOut of the three\u00a0starters’ final evolutions\u00a0from Diamond and Pearl, Torterra gets short shrift. Sure, it’s competing with a metal penguin and a flaming monkey, but this tortoise deserves respect for the work it puts in. Not only is it\u00a0the first Grass and Ground starter, but it’s the only Pok\u00e9mon with that combination type in existence. Torterra\u00a0embodies\u00a0those types so much that it’s literally a\u00a0landmass with trees growing on its back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You won’t go wrong choosing Torterra’s pre-evolution Turtwig at the start of the game. This Pok\u00e9mon makes a reliable\u00a0anchor while your team is coming together throughout your adventures in Sinnoh, and gives you an easy path through at least the first four Gym challenges, if not more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
20<\/h2>\n\n\n\nCroagunk<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nToxic Mouth Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nCroagunk and its evolution, Toxicroak, are rare breeds in the Pok\u00e9mon world. As the names imply<\/span>, these creatures deal in toxicity, being primarily Poison-types, but they’re\u00a0the only ones that share the\u00a0Fighting-type as well! Croagunk sports a cool purple and orange color scheme like the poison dart frogs they are inspired by, which drew me in before I even knew what it was capable of.<\/p>\nCroagunk is said to fight with underhanded tactics, which lines up with how its toxic attacks are administered. It can secrete\u00a0venom not only from poison sacs near the\u00a0mouth but also\u00a0from the tips of its fingers. While it wasn’t part of Croagunk’s potential abilities in the original Diamond and Pearl, its hidden ability is Poison Touch which, you guessed it, can poison enemies with physical attacks and is a perfect representation of its dangerous hands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
19<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAbomasnow<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFrost Tree Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nThe name says it all and is even confirmed in the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entry for Abomasnow, “it is the abominable snowman.”\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon games never had a distinctly snowy region before Diamond and Pearl. They may have had frosty\u00a0caverns where Ice\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon would roam, but never a snow-covered area out in the open. So its fitting the\u00a0<\/span>pre-evolution to this yeti-like creature can be found in the snow-covered terrain of Route 217, while Abomasnow itself lives atop Sinnoh’s highest point, the peak of Mt. Coronet.<\/p>\nDiverting from the typical ape-like design of sasquatches, Abomasnow is made to look like shrubbery that’s been through a bad snowstorm; its body is covered with branches weighed down with wet snow and ice. That’s not just a product of its environment, but its own doing. Abomasnow will kick up blizzards to stay hidden in the mountains, adding unneeded accumulation to the cold lands it likes to inhabit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
18<\/h2>\n\n\n\nProbopass<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nCompass Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLet’s cut to the chase:\u00a0Probopass makes this\u00a0list on looks alone. This cross-generation evolution to Nosepass from Ruby and Sapphire takes the Easter Island aesthetic of its younger self and pairs it with an incredible mustache. Upon evolving, Probopass’ inherent electromagnetism pulls iron shavings into clumps under its big red nose, creating what looks like an impressive set of lip bristles. Considering this Pok\u00e9mon’s magnetic personality, it does use several electric attacks even though Probopass is firmly made of Rock and Steel.<\/p>\n
Probopass has seen some competitive play due to its high defensive stats. One of its abilities, Magnet Pull, keeps Steel-type Pok\u00e9mon from switching out or running from battle. Depending on the meta, Probopass can trap its opponents while a teammate takes them out. Though it’s worth noting, this mustachioed wonder will fall victim to Ground and Fighting moves, which deal four times the damage.<\/p>\n
Here’s a\u00a0fun fact about this giant stone head\u00a0regarding\u00a0what I used to think were ears. Flanking\u00a0Probopass’ noggin are up to three “mini-noses,” little satellite creatures the big head commands to hunt for prey. This thing gets weirder and cooler by the minute!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
17<\/h2>\n\n\n\nGlaceon and Leafeon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFresh Snow Pok\u00e9mon and Verdant Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nDiscovering a new Eevee evolution in the world of\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon is a rare occurrence and celebrated by the fans when it does happen. Because they were introduced together and evolve\u00a0similarly, the Diamond and Pearl\u00a0additions to the Eeveelution\u00a0pack take this spot on the list together. Glaceon and Leafeon represent the Ice and Grass types,\u00a0respectively, of the eight elemental versions of Eevee that currently exist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nUnlocking the mysteries of turning an\u00a0Eevee<\/span>\u00a0into either of these\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon lies in their matching habitats. Unlike previous Eeveelutions that require special stones or befriending and leveling at certain times of day, Glaceon and Leafeon require the trainer to find a place in the world. Leveling an\u00a0Eevee next to a Moss Rock or an Ice Rock, usually deep in a forest or cave, will turn your unstable pet into one of these new forms.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n16<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTangrowth<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nVine Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nSome monsters get lost in the shuffle more than others when thinking of the standout Pok\u00e9mon from the original 151. One that I think got a raw deal was Tangela, the little bundle of vines that had quite the potential. However, Tangela was usually left off my teams because it didn’t evolve, and there were cooler options for the Grass slot on teams. Game Freak certainly didn’t forget about this bush with legs and gave it a much-deserved evolution in\u00a0Diamond and Pearl.<\/p>\n
Instead of exploring the mystery of what Tangela looks like under that veil of shrubbery, Tangrowth doubles down on its predecessor’s design by adding\u00a0an even bigger mess of vines. Due to the thickening of its exterior, Tangrowth is great on defense and can take plenty more damage than other Pok\u00e9mon. It’s not fancy,\u00a0but I’ll always celebrate monsters like Tangrowth\u00a0that get another chance to shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
15<\/h2>\n\n\n\nElectivire<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nThunderbolt Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nMoving from one of the Pok\u00e9mon I felt was left behind from the original 151 to one that really stood out, Electabuzz was a creature that certainly made a splash in Red and Blue. While I don’t believe it needed to be iterated on anymore, it too got a new evolution in Diamond and Pearl. Ditching its somewhat catlike features (or whatever Electabuzz was supposed to be), Electivire grows out some shaggier fur and takes on a\u00a0more ape-ish appearance, and sprouts a second tail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like Tangrowth, Electivire doubles down on its former design, opting to enhance the electricity-focused nature of this beast. When it shoves its tails into an enemy, it can unleash 20,000 volts of electricity. That’s enough power to kill just about anything, really. I’m certainly not an electrician, so\u00a0I’m not sure how Pok\u00e9mon actually withstand that kind of power. Regardless, the moral of the story is not to make an Electivire mad and stay away from it altogether to be safe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
14<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpiritomb<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nForbidden Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nSpiritomb is one of the stranger Pok\u00e9mon, not just in Diamond and Pearl, but in the entire series. Some work needs to be done to have the chance to catch this Ghost\/Dark entity. Diamond and Pearl have a semi-social space called The Underground where trainers can explore, collect items, set up Secret Bases, and connect with other players. The prerequisite to getting a Spiritomb to appear is interacting with 32 players in The Underground, a suitably communal task for a Pok\u00e9mon made from\u00a0108 individual spirits.<\/p>\n
Unlike other Ghost Pok\u00e9mon, Spiritomb is physically tethered to an item called an Odd Keystone. Using this rock as its base, Spiritomb projects its spectral form through the artifact. When it does appear from the keystone, it doesn’t really have a\u00a0body and instead looks\u00a0like a swirling vortex of souls with a face plastered somewhere in the middle.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
13<\/h2>\n\n\n\nDriftloon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBalloon Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAt first glance, Driftloon looks\u00a0like a cute Pok\u00e9mon to add to the collection. Just a harmless little ghost, right? That’s what it wants you to think. This terror uses its unsuspecting nature to spirit its victims away, and in doing so becomes one of the creepiest Pok\u00e9mon of all time. Let these Driftloon\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entries sink in:<\/p>\n
“Stories go that it grabs the hands of small children and drags them away to the afterlife. It dislikes heavy children.”<\/p>\n
“Its round body is stuffed with souls and expands each time it leads someone away.”<\/p>\n
“If for some reason its body bursts, its soul spills out with a screaming sound.”<\/p>\n
“These Pok\u00e9mon are called the ‘Signpost for Wandering Spirits.’\u00a0<\/span>Children holding them sometimes vanish.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n12<\/h2>\n\n\n\nInfernape<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFlame Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nFire starters are never a hard sell for me. I’ve always been drawn to their flashy designs, which\u00a0usually feature\u00a0some part of their body set ablaze.\u00a0But the idea of starting with\u00a0Chimchar,\u00a0a flaming\u00a0monkey of all things, was an instant sell. Even better, its final form is inspired by\u00a0Journey to the West’s<\/span><\/em> <\/span>\u00a0Son Wukong, complete with golden accents and\u00a0a fiery crown. There wasn’t a need to consider the other options my first time playing this generation.\u00a0In my book, there was nothing cooler than this starter, and I set firmly on the path to partnering with Infernape to take on the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon League’s greatest challenges.<\/p>\nInfernape makes an impression on the battlefield with its high speed\u00a0and great physical and special attacks. Because it’s also a Fighting Pok\u00e9mon, it has access to some devastating moves across both types. Whether it’s smashing foes in the face with Close Combat or burning up the competition with a move like Flare Blitz, this monkey king is a strong choice to take on your Diamond and Pearl adventure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
11<\/h2>\n\n\n\nEmpoleon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nEmperor Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAll of the starters in Diamond and Pearl\u00a0are a hit for me. As you’ve read, Toreterra is my sleeper choice, Infernape was my initial choice, but Empoleon is my go-to favorite of the three. From its sharp design featuring a trident mask and\u00a0sharp edges on its wings and body to its typing of Water and Steel, the only Pok\u00e9mon of its kind,\u00a0Empoleon is a unique starter fitting of its kingly moniker.<\/p>\n
Empoleon is impressive in battle due to a wealth of resistance to over half of the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon types. Considering there are a total of seven types that can do normal or effective damage to it, Empoleon is a partner worth keeping by your side throughout the game.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
10<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRegigigas<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nColossal Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nGiven the moniker of the “Colossal Pok\u00e9mon,” I would have expected the 12-foot\u00a0tall Regigigas to be even taller. Its colossal nature may be more in its power than size, though. This Legendary Pok\u00e9mon has a massive Attack stat, making it one of the most powerful strikers in the game. However, this strength comes at a cost. Balancing its immense power is Regigigas’ ability Slow Start which halves both its attack and speed stats for the first five turns it’s in battle. This ability is cleverly shown in its Ghibliesque visual design by having moss growing from its feet and shoulders, a sign Regigigas has been dormant for a long time and is slowly waking up.<\/p>\n
Regigigas was the culmination of the elemental Regi Pok\u00e9mon cycle from Ruby and Sapphire. To even have a chance at obtaining this gargantuan, a trainer must have Regice, Registeel, and Regirock in their party when traveling to Snowpoint Temple. Once there, you have to adventure through a dungeon to find what looks like a statue of Regigigas, but having the appropriate Regi team will reveal the goliath is the real thing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
9<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRotom (and its many forms)<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nPlasma Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLong before their adorable addition to the Pok\u00e9dex or powered the Rotom Bike<\/span>\u00a0in Sword and Shield, Rotom was introduced as a quirky little electric Pok\u00e9mon capable of possessing household appliances. Depending on whether Rotom inhabits a fridge, washing machine, lawnmower, fan, or microwave, its secondary type will change based on the object. Having six forms, each with its own type combinations, makes Rotom a wonderful and flexible ally to add to your team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n8<\/h2>\n\n\n\nShaymin<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nGratitude Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nOne of the few Legendary Pok\u00e9mon only accessible through an event is the Grass hedgehog, Shaymin. Obtaining it requires a letter from Professor Oak which will grant a trainer access to the Flower Paradise. This shy bushel of flowers has the power to eliminate toxins from an area and allow plants to grow and thrive in desolate lands. Shaymin’s miraculous restoration extends to itself in the form of its ability, Natural Cure, which heals any status condition Shaymin may be afflicted with when it switches out for another Pok\u00e9mon. All of this may not sound exciting, and I guess it isn’t, but Shaymin holds a secret transformation that’s revealed when it touches the Gracidea flower during daytime hours.<\/p>\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nThey may not be powerful, but what’s not to like about a Bidoof? Taking the honors of being Sinnoh’s regional rodent, this beaver-like Pok\u00e9mon will find its way into many trainers’ parties early on. While it starts as a normal type, it quickly evolves into Bibarel and adds water to the mix. According to its Pok\u00e9dex entries, this\u00a0dopey-looking critter has nerves of steel and can constantly be found chewing on stones and logs to keep its evergrowing chompers worn to an appropriate\u00a0size.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
23<\/h2>\n\n\n\nPurugly<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nTiger Cat Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nWhen I began researching for this list, Purugly wasn’t anywhere near making\u00a0the cut. Normal\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon usually don’t\u00a0pique my interest much in battle. However, once I started reading into the Pok\u00e9dex entries, it reminded me of my own cats. It also reminded me that Pok\u00e9mon aren’t just for battling and collecting, they’re also for friendship and having around as companions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hopefully\u00a0you have a Pok\u00e9mon somewhere that makes\u00a0you think of a pet you have or know\u00a0and makes you feel better just having that monster\u00a0on your team. These\u00a0may be reflective of a lot of cats, but the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex\u00a0entries for Purugly and Glameow\u00a0put a smile on my face and rocketed them onto my personal list:<\/p>\n
“It is a brazen brute that barges its way into another Pok\u00e9mon’s nest and claims it as its own.”<\/p>\n
“It hides its spiteful tendency of hooking its claws into the nose of its trainer if it isn’t fed.”<\/p>\n
“If it locks eyes, it will glare ceaselessly.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
22<\/h2>\n\n\n\nVespiquen<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBeehive Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<\/div>\nI was really into Beedrill as a kid. Compared to Butterfree, it was the coolest bug Pok\u00e9mon in the early game and an actual deciding factor when choosing between Red and Blue. After seeing what the rest of the world had to offer, though, the bee wasn’t stinging like it used to. Cue to Diamond and Pearl and what some consider the queen bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n
Vespiquen is not just the ruler of her hive; she\u00a0is<\/em> the hive. Hidden within the honeycomb-like lower half are grubs that will grow into her\u00a0Combee workers. Vespiquen also uses these grubs in combat with the moves Defense Order, Heal Order, and Attack Order, her signatures.\u00a0<\/p>\nYou’ll notice I keep mentioning Vespiquen as a “her.” That’s because only female Combee\u00a0inherit this monarchal evolution, while the males do not evolve at all and live to\u00a0serve the queen of all bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
21<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTorterra<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nContinent Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nOut of the three\u00a0starters’ final evolutions\u00a0from Diamond and Pearl, Torterra gets short shrift. Sure, it’s competing with a metal penguin and a flaming monkey, but this tortoise deserves respect for the work it puts in. Not only is it\u00a0the first Grass and Ground starter, but it’s the only Pok\u00e9mon with that combination type in existence. Torterra\u00a0embodies\u00a0those types so much that it’s literally a\u00a0landmass with trees growing on its back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You won’t go wrong choosing Torterra’s pre-evolution Turtwig at the start of the game. This Pok\u00e9mon makes a reliable\u00a0anchor while your team is coming together throughout your adventures in Sinnoh, and gives you an easy path through at least the first four Gym challenges, if not more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
20<\/h2>\n\n\n\nCroagunk<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nToxic Mouth Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nCroagunk and its evolution, Toxicroak, are rare breeds in the Pok\u00e9mon world. As the names imply<\/span>, these creatures deal in toxicity, being primarily Poison-types, but they’re\u00a0the only ones that share the\u00a0Fighting-type as well! Croagunk sports a cool purple and orange color scheme like the poison dart frogs they are inspired by, which drew me in before I even knew what it was capable of.<\/p>\nCroagunk is said to fight with underhanded tactics, which lines up with how its toxic attacks are administered. It can secrete\u00a0venom not only from poison sacs near the\u00a0mouth but also\u00a0from the tips of its fingers. While it wasn’t part of Croagunk’s potential abilities in the original Diamond and Pearl, its hidden ability is Poison Touch which, you guessed it, can poison enemies with physical attacks and is a perfect representation of its dangerous hands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
19<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAbomasnow<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFrost Tree Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nThe name says it all and is even confirmed in the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entry for Abomasnow, “it is the abominable snowman.”\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon games never had a distinctly snowy region before Diamond and Pearl. They may have had frosty\u00a0caverns where Ice\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon would roam, but never a snow-covered area out in the open. So its fitting the\u00a0<\/span>pre-evolution to this yeti-like creature can be found in the snow-covered terrain of Route 217, while Abomasnow itself lives atop Sinnoh’s highest point, the peak of Mt. Coronet.<\/p>\nDiverting from the typical ape-like design of sasquatches, Abomasnow is made to look like shrubbery that’s been through a bad snowstorm; its body is covered with branches weighed down with wet snow and ice. That’s not just a product of its environment, but its own doing. Abomasnow will kick up blizzards to stay hidden in the mountains, adding unneeded accumulation to the cold lands it likes to inhabit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
18<\/h2>\n\n\n\nProbopass<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nCompass Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLet’s cut to the chase:\u00a0Probopass makes this\u00a0list on looks alone. This cross-generation evolution to Nosepass from Ruby and Sapphire takes the Easter Island aesthetic of its younger self and pairs it with an incredible mustache. Upon evolving, Probopass’ inherent electromagnetism pulls iron shavings into clumps under its big red nose, creating what looks like an impressive set of lip bristles. Considering this Pok\u00e9mon’s magnetic personality, it does use several electric attacks even though Probopass is firmly made of Rock and Steel.<\/p>\n
Probopass has seen some competitive play due to its high defensive stats. One of its abilities, Magnet Pull, keeps Steel-type Pok\u00e9mon from switching out or running from battle. Depending on the meta, Probopass can trap its opponents while a teammate takes them out. Though it’s worth noting, this mustachioed wonder will fall victim to Ground and Fighting moves, which deal four times the damage.<\/p>\n
Here’s a\u00a0fun fact about this giant stone head\u00a0regarding\u00a0what I used to think were ears. Flanking\u00a0Probopass’ noggin are up to three “mini-noses,” little satellite creatures the big head commands to hunt for prey. This thing gets weirder and cooler by the minute!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
17<\/h2>\n\n\n\nGlaceon and Leafeon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFresh Snow Pok\u00e9mon and Verdant Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nDiscovering a new Eevee evolution in the world of\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon is a rare occurrence and celebrated by the fans when it does happen. Because they were introduced together and evolve\u00a0similarly, the Diamond and Pearl\u00a0additions to the Eeveelution\u00a0pack take this spot on the list together. Glaceon and Leafeon represent the Ice and Grass types,\u00a0respectively, of the eight elemental versions of Eevee that currently exist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nUnlocking the mysteries of turning an\u00a0Eevee<\/span>\u00a0into either of these\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon lies in their matching habitats. Unlike previous Eeveelutions that require special stones or befriending and leveling at certain times of day, Glaceon and Leafeon require the trainer to find a place in the world. Leveling an\u00a0Eevee next to a Moss Rock or an Ice Rock, usually deep in a forest or cave, will turn your unstable pet into one of these new forms.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n16<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTangrowth<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nVine Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nSome monsters get lost in the shuffle more than others when thinking of the standout Pok\u00e9mon from the original 151. One that I think got a raw deal was Tangela, the little bundle of vines that had quite the potential. However, Tangela was usually left off my teams because it didn’t evolve, and there were cooler options for the Grass slot on teams. Game Freak certainly didn’t forget about this bush with legs and gave it a much-deserved evolution in\u00a0Diamond and Pearl.<\/p>\n
Instead of exploring the mystery of what Tangela looks like under that veil of shrubbery, Tangrowth doubles down on its predecessor’s design by adding\u00a0an even bigger mess of vines. Due to the thickening of its exterior, Tangrowth is great on defense and can take plenty more damage than other Pok\u00e9mon. It’s not fancy,\u00a0but I’ll always celebrate monsters like Tangrowth\u00a0that get another chance to shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
15<\/h2>\n\n\n\nElectivire<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nThunderbolt Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nMoving from one of the Pok\u00e9mon I felt was left behind from the original 151 to one that really stood out, Electabuzz was a creature that certainly made a splash in Red and Blue. While I don’t believe it needed to be iterated on anymore, it too got a new evolution in Diamond and Pearl. Ditching its somewhat catlike features (or whatever Electabuzz was supposed to be), Electivire grows out some shaggier fur and takes on a\u00a0more ape-ish appearance, and sprouts a second tail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like Tangrowth, Electivire doubles down on its former design, opting to enhance the electricity-focused nature of this beast. When it shoves its tails into an enemy, it can unleash 20,000 volts of electricity. That’s enough power to kill just about anything, really. I’m certainly not an electrician, so\u00a0I’m not sure how Pok\u00e9mon actually withstand that kind of power. Regardless, the moral of the story is not to make an Electivire mad and stay away from it altogether to be safe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
14<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpiritomb<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nForbidden Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nSpiritomb is one of the stranger Pok\u00e9mon, not just in Diamond and Pearl, but in the entire series. Some work needs to be done to have the chance to catch this Ghost\/Dark entity. Diamond and Pearl have a semi-social space called The Underground where trainers can explore, collect items, set up Secret Bases, and connect with other players. The prerequisite to getting a Spiritomb to appear is interacting with 32 players in The Underground, a suitably communal task for a Pok\u00e9mon made from\u00a0108 individual spirits.<\/p>\n
Unlike other Ghost Pok\u00e9mon, Spiritomb is physically tethered to an item called an Odd Keystone. Using this rock as its base, Spiritomb projects its spectral form through the artifact. When it does appear from the keystone, it doesn’t really have a\u00a0body and instead looks\u00a0like a swirling vortex of souls with a face plastered somewhere in the middle.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
13<\/h2>\n\n\n\nDriftloon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBalloon Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAt first glance, Driftloon looks\u00a0like a cute Pok\u00e9mon to add to the collection. Just a harmless little ghost, right? That’s what it wants you to think. This terror uses its unsuspecting nature to spirit its victims away, and in doing so becomes one of the creepiest Pok\u00e9mon of all time. Let these Driftloon\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entries sink in:<\/p>\n
“Stories go that it grabs the hands of small children and drags them away to the afterlife. It dislikes heavy children.”<\/p>\n
“Its round body is stuffed with souls and expands each time it leads someone away.”<\/p>\n
“If for some reason its body bursts, its soul spills out with a screaming sound.”<\/p>\n
“These Pok\u00e9mon are called the ‘Signpost for Wandering Spirits.’\u00a0<\/span>Children holding them sometimes vanish.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n12<\/h2>\n\n\n\nInfernape<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFlame Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nFire starters are never a hard sell for me. I’ve always been drawn to their flashy designs, which\u00a0usually feature\u00a0some part of their body set ablaze.\u00a0But the idea of starting with\u00a0Chimchar,\u00a0a flaming\u00a0monkey of all things, was an instant sell. Even better, its final form is inspired by\u00a0Journey to the West’s<\/span><\/em> <\/span>\u00a0Son Wukong, complete with golden accents and\u00a0a fiery crown. There wasn’t a need to consider the other options my first time playing this generation.\u00a0In my book, there was nothing cooler than this starter, and I set firmly on the path to partnering with Infernape to take on the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon League’s greatest challenges.<\/p>\nInfernape makes an impression on the battlefield with its high speed\u00a0and great physical and special attacks. Because it’s also a Fighting Pok\u00e9mon, it has access to some devastating moves across both types. Whether it’s smashing foes in the face with Close Combat or burning up the competition with a move like Flare Blitz, this monkey king is a strong choice to take on your Diamond and Pearl adventure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
11<\/h2>\n\n\n\nEmpoleon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nEmperor Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAll of the starters in Diamond and Pearl\u00a0are a hit for me. As you’ve read, Toreterra is my sleeper choice, Infernape was my initial choice, but Empoleon is my go-to favorite of the three. From its sharp design featuring a trident mask and\u00a0sharp edges on its wings and body to its typing of Water and Steel, the only Pok\u00e9mon of its kind,\u00a0Empoleon is a unique starter fitting of its kingly moniker.<\/p>\n
Empoleon is impressive in battle due to a wealth of resistance to over half of the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon types. Considering there are a total of seven types that can do normal or effective damage to it, Empoleon is a partner worth keeping by your side throughout the game.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
10<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRegigigas<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nColossal Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nGiven the moniker of the “Colossal Pok\u00e9mon,” I would have expected the 12-foot\u00a0tall Regigigas to be even taller. Its colossal nature may be more in its power than size, though. This Legendary Pok\u00e9mon has a massive Attack stat, making it one of the most powerful strikers in the game. However, this strength comes at a cost. Balancing its immense power is Regigigas’ ability Slow Start which halves both its attack and speed stats for the first five turns it’s in battle. This ability is cleverly shown in its Ghibliesque visual design by having moss growing from its feet and shoulders, a sign Regigigas has been dormant for a long time and is slowly waking up.<\/p>\n
Regigigas was the culmination of the elemental Regi Pok\u00e9mon cycle from Ruby and Sapphire. To even have a chance at obtaining this gargantuan, a trainer must have Regice, Registeel, and Regirock in their party when traveling to Snowpoint Temple. Once there, you have to adventure through a dungeon to find what looks like a statue of Regigigas, but having the appropriate Regi team will reveal the goliath is the real thing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
9<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRotom (and its many forms)<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nPlasma Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLong before their adorable addition to the Pok\u00e9dex or powered the Rotom Bike<\/span>\u00a0in Sword and Shield, Rotom was introduced as a quirky little electric Pok\u00e9mon capable of possessing household appliances. Depending on whether Rotom inhabits a fridge, washing machine, lawnmower, fan, or microwave, its secondary type will change based on the object. Having six forms, each with its own type combinations, makes Rotom a wonderful and flexible ally to add to your team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n8<\/h2>\n\n\n\nShaymin<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nGratitude Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nOne of the few Legendary Pok\u00e9mon only accessible through an event is the Grass hedgehog, Shaymin. Obtaining it requires a letter from Professor Oak which will grant a trainer access to the Flower Paradise. This shy bushel of flowers has the power to eliminate toxins from an area and allow plants to grow and thrive in desolate lands. Shaymin’s miraculous restoration extends to itself in the form of its ability, Natural Cure, which heals any status condition Shaymin may be afflicted with when it switches out for another Pok\u00e9mon. All of this may not sound exciting, and I guess it isn’t, but Shaymin holds a secret transformation that’s revealed when it touches the Gracidea flower during daytime hours.<\/p>\n\n
\nPurugly<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nTiger Cat Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nWhen I began researching for this list, Purugly wasn’t anywhere near making\u00a0the cut. Normal\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon usually don’t\u00a0pique my interest much in battle. However, once I started reading into the Pok\u00e9dex entries, it reminded me of my own cats. It also reminded me that Pok\u00e9mon aren’t just for battling and collecting, they’re also for friendship and having around as companions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hopefully\u00a0you have a Pok\u00e9mon somewhere that makes\u00a0you think of a pet you have or know\u00a0and makes you feel better just having that monster\u00a0on your team. These\u00a0may be reflective of a lot of cats, but the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex\u00a0entries for Purugly and Glameow\u00a0put a smile on my face and rocketed them onto my personal list:<\/p>\n
“It is a brazen brute that barges its way into another Pok\u00e9mon’s nest and claims it as its own.”<\/p>\n
“It hides its spiteful tendency of hooking its claws into the nose of its trainer if it isn’t fed.”<\/p>\n
“If it locks eyes, it will glare ceaselessly.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
22<\/h2>\n\n\n\nVespiquen<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBeehive Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<\/div>\nI was really into Beedrill as a kid. Compared to Butterfree, it was the coolest bug Pok\u00e9mon in the early game and an actual deciding factor when choosing between Red and Blue. After seeing what the rest of the world had to offer, though, the bee wasn’t stinging like it used to. Cue to Diamond and Pearl and what some consider the queen bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n
Vespiquen is not just the ruler of her hive; she\u00a0is<\/em> the hive. Hidden within the honeycomb-like lower half are grubs that will grow into her\u00a0Combee workers. Vespiquen also uses these grubs in combat with the moves Defense Order, Heal Order, and Attack Order, her signatures.\u00a0<\/p>\nYou’ll notice I keep mentioning Vespiquen as a “her.” That’s because only female Combee\u00a0inherit this monarchal evolution, while the males do not evolve at all and live to\u00a0serve the queen of all bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
21<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTorterra<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nContinent Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nOut of the three\u00a0starters’ final evolutions\u00a0from Diamond and Pearl, Torterra gets short shrift. Sure, it’s competing with a metal penguin and a flaming monkey, but this tortoise deserves respect for the work it puts in. Not only is it\u00a0the first Grass and Ground starter, but it’s the only Pok\u00e9mon with that combination type in existence. Torterra\u00a0embodies\u00a0those types so much that it’s literally a\u00a0landmass with trees growing on its back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You won’t go wrong choosing Torterra’s pre-evolution Turtwig at the start of the game. This Pok\u00e9mon makes a reliable\u00a0anchor while your team is coming together throughout your adventures in Sinnoh, and gives you an easy path through at least the first four Gym challenges, if not more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
20<\/h2>\n\n\n\nCroagunk<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nToxic Mouth Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nCroagunk and its evolution, Toxicroak, are rare breeds in the Pok\u00e9mon world. As the names imply<\/span>, these creatures deal in toxicity, being primarily Poison-types, but they’re\u00a0the only ones that share the\u00a0Fighting-type as well! Croagunk sports a cool purple and orange color scheme like the poison dart frogs they are inspired by, which drew me in before I even knew what it was capable of.<\/p>\nCroagunk is said to fight with underhanded tactics, which lines up with how its toxic attacks are administered. It can secrete\u00a0venom not only from poison sacs near the\u00a0mouth but also\u00a0from the tips of its fingers. While it wasn’t part of Croagunk’s potential abilities in the original Diamond and Pearl, its hidden ability is Poison Touch which, you guessed it, can poison enemies with physical attacks and is a perfect representation of its dangerous hands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
19<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAbomasnow<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFrost Tree Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nThe name says it all and is even confirmed in the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entry for Abomasnow, “it is the abominable snowman.”\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon games never had a distinctly snowy region before Diamond and Pearl. They may have had frosty\u00a0caverns where Ice\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon would roam, but never a snow-covered area out in the open. So its fitting the\u00a0<\/span>pre-evolution to this yeti-like creature can be found in the snow-covered terrain of Route 217, while Abomasnow itself lives atop Sinnoh’s highest point, the peak of Mt. Coronet.<\/p>\nDiverting from the typical ape-like design of sasquatches, Abomasnow is made to look like shrubbery that’s been through a bad snowstorm; its body is covered with branches weighed down with wet snow and ice. That’s not just a product of its environment, but its own doing. Abomasnow will kick up blizzards to stay hidden in the mountains, adding unneeded accumulation to the cold lands it likes to inhabit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
18<\/h2>\n\n\n\nProbopass<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nCompass Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLet’s cut to the chase:\u00a0Probopass makes this\u00a0list on looks alone. This cross-generation evolution to Nosepass from Ruby and Sapphire takes the Easter Island aesthetic of its younger self and pairs it with an incredible mustache. Upon evolving, Probopass’ inherent electromagnetism pulls iron shavings into clumps under its big red nose, creating what looks like an impressive set of lip bristles. Considering this Pok\u00e9mon’s magnetic personality, it does use several electric attacks even though Probopass is firmly made of Rock and Steel.<\/p>\n
Probopass has seen some competitive play due to its high defensive stats. One of its abilities, Magnet Pull, keeps Steel-type Pok\u00e9mon from switching out or running from battle. Depending on the meta, Probopass can trap its opponents while a teammate takes them out. Though it’s worth noting, this mustachioed wonder will fall victim to Ground and Fighting moves, which deal four times the damage.<\/p>\n
Here’s a\u00a0fun fact about this giant stone head\u00a0regarding\u00a0what I used to think were ears. Flanking\u00a0Probopass’ noggin are up to three “mini-noses,” little satellite creatures the big head commands to hunt for prey. This thing gets weirder and cooler by the minute!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
17<\/h2>\n\n\n\nGlaceon and Leafeon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFresh Snow Pok\u00e9mon and Verdant Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nDiscovering a new Eevee evolution in the world of\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon is a rare occurrence and celebrated by the fans when it does happen. Because they were introduced together and evolve\u00a0similarly, the Diamond and Pearl\u00a0additions to the Eeveelution\u00a0pack take this spot on the list together. Glaceon and Leafeon represent the Ice and Grass types,\u00a0respectively, of the eight elemental versions of Eevee that currently exist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nUnlocking the mysteries of turning an\u00a0Eevee<\/span>\u00a0into either of these\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon lies in their matching habitats. Unlike previous Eeveelutions that require special stones or befriending and leveling at certain times of day, Glaceon and Leafeon require the trainer to find a place in the world. Leveling an\u00a0Eevee next to a Moss Rock or an Ice Rock, usually deep in a forest or cave, will turn your unstable pet into one of these new forms.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n16<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTangrowth<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nVine Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nSome monsters get lost in the shuffle more than others when thinking of the standout Pok\u00e9mon from the original 151. One that I think got a raw deal was Tangela, the little bundle of vines that had quite the potential. However, Tangela was usually left off my teams because it didn’t evolve, and there were cooler options for the Grass slot on teams. Game Freak certainly didn’t forget about this bush with legs and gave it a much-deserved evolution in\u00a0Diamond and Pearl.<\/p>\n
Instead of exploring the mystery of what Tangela looks like under that veil of shrubbery, Tangrowth doubles down on its predecessor’s design by adding\u00a0an even bigger mess of vines. Due to the thickening of its exterior, Tangrowth is great on defense and can take plenty more damage than other Pok\u00e9mon. It’s not fancy,\u00a0but I’ll always celebrate monsters like Tangrowth\u00a0that get another chance to shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
15<\/h2>\n\n\n\nElectivire<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nThunderbolt Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nMoving from one of the Pok\u00e9mon I felt was left behind from the original 151 to one that really stood out, Electabuzz was a creature that certainly made a splash in Red and Blue. While I don’t believe it needed to be iterated on anymore, it too got a new evolution in Diamond and Pearl. Ditching its somewhat catlike features (or whatever Electabuzz was supposed to be), Electivire grows out some shaggier fur and takes on a\u00a0more ape-ish appearance, and sprouts a second tail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like Tangrowth, Electivire doubles down on its former design, opting to enhance the electricity-focused nature of this beast. When it shoves its tails into an enemy, it can unleash 20,000 volts of electricity. That’s enough power to kill just about anything, really. I’m certainly not an electrician, so\u00a0I’m not sure how Pok\u00e9mon actually withstand that kind of power. Regardless, the moral of the story is not to make an Electivire mad and stay away from it altogether to be safe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
14<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpiritomb<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nForbidden Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nSpiritomb is one of the stranger Pok\u00e9mon, not just in Diamond and Pearl, but in the entire series. Some work needs to be done to have the chance to catch this Ghost\/Dark entity. Diamond and Pearl have a semi-social space called The Underground where trainers can explore, collect items, set up Secret Bases, and connect with other players. The prerequisite to getting a Spiritomb to appear is interacting with 32 players in The Underground, a suitably communal task for a Pok\u00e9mon made from\u00a0108 individual spirits.<\/p>\n
Unlike other Ghost Pok\u00e9mon, Spiritomb is physically tethered to an item called an Odd Keystone. Using this rock as its base, Spiritomb projects its spectral form through the artifact. When it does appear from the keystone, it doesn’t really have a\u00a0body and instead looks\u00a0like a swirling vortex of souls with a face plastered somewhere in the middle.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
13<\/h2>\n\n\n\nDriftloon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBalloon Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAt first glance, Driftloon looks\u00a0like a cute Pok\u00e9mon to add to the collection. Just a harmless little ghost, right? That’s what it wants you to think. This terror uses its unsuspecting nature to spirit its victims away, and in doing so becomes one of the creepiest Pok\u00e9mon of all time. Let these Driftloon\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entries sink in:<\/p>\n
“Stories go that it grabs the hands of small children and drags them away to the afterlife. It dislikes heavy children.”<\/p>\n
“Its round body is stuffed with souls and expands each time it leads someone away.”<\/p>\n
“If for some reason its body bursts, its soul spills out with a screaming sound.”<\/p>\n
“These Pok\u00e9mon are called the ‘Signpost for Wandering Spirits.’\u00a0<\/span>Children holding them sometimes vanish.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n12<\/h2>\n\n\n\nInfernape<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFlame Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nFire starters are never a hard sell for me. I’ve always been drawn to their flashy designs, which\u00a0usually feature\u00a0some part of their body set ablaze.\u00a0But the idea of starting with\u00a0Chimchar,\u00a0a flaming\u00a0monkey of all things, was an instant sell. Even better, its final form is inspired by\u00a0Journey to the West’s<\/span><\/em> <\/span>\u00a0Son Wukong, complete with golden accents and\u00a0a fiery crown. There wasn’t a need to consider the other options my first time playing this generation.\u00a0In my book, there was nothing cooler than this starter, and I set firmly on the path to partnering with Infernape to take on the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon League’s greatest challenges.<\/p>\nInfernape makes an impression on the battlefield with its high speed\u00a0and great physical and special attacks. Because it’s also a Fighting Pok\u00e9mon, it has access to some devastating moves across both types. Whether it’s smashing foes in the face with Close Combat or burning up the competition with a move like Flare Blitz, this monkey king is a strong choice to take on your Diamond and Pearl adventure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
11<\/h2>\n\n\n\nEmpoleon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nEmperor Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAll of the starters in Diamond and Pearl\u00a0are a hit for me. As you’ve read, Toreterra is my sleeper choice, Infernape was my initial choice, but Empoleon is my go-to favorite of the three. From its sharp design featuring a trident mask and\u00a0sharp edges on its wings and body to its typing of Water and Steel, the only Pok\u00e9mon of its kind,\u00a0Empoleon is a unique starter fitting of its kingly moniker.<\/p>\n
Empoleon is impressive in battle due to a wealth of resistance to over half of the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon types. Considering there are a total of seven types that can do normal or effective damage to it, Empoleon is a partner worth keeping by your side throughout the game.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
10<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRegigigas<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nColossal Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nGiven the moniker of the “Colossal Pok\u00e9mon,” I would have expected the 12-foot\u00a0tall Regigigas to be even taller. Its colossal nature may be more in its power than size, though. This Legendary Pok\u00e9mon has a massive Attack stat, making it one of the most powerful strikers in the game. However, this strength comes at a cost. Balancing its immense power is Regigigas’ ability Slow Start which halves both its attack and speed stats for the first five turns it’s in battle. This ability is cleverly shown in its Ghibliesque visual design by having moss growing from its feet and shoulders, a sign Regigigas has been dormant for a long time and is slowly waking up.<\/p>\n
Regigigas was the culmination of the elemental Regi Pok\u00e9mon cycle from Ruby and Sapphire. To even have a chance at obtaining this gargantuan, a trainer must have Regice, Registeel, and Regirock in their party when traveling to Snowpoint Temple. Once there, you have to adventure through a dungeon to find what looks like a statue of Regigigas, but having the appropriate Regi team will reveal the goliath is the real thing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
9<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRotom (and its many forms)<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nPlasma Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLong before their adorable addition to the Pok\u00e9dex or powered the Rotom Bike<\/span>\u00a0in Sword and Shield, Rotom was introduced as a quirky little electric Pok\u00e9mon capable of possessing household appliances. Depending on whether Rotom inhabits a fridge, washing machine, lawnmower, fan, or microwave, its secondary type will change based on the object. Having six forms, each with its own type combinations, makes Rotom a wonderful and flexible ally to add to your team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n8<\/h2>\n\n\n\nShaymin<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nGratitude Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nOne of the few Legendary Pok\u00e9mon only accessible through an event is the Grass hedgehog, Shaymin. Obtaining it requires a letter from Professor Oak which will grant a trainer access to the Flower Paradise. This shy bushel of flowers has the power to eliminate toxins from an area and allow plants to grow and thrive in desolate lands. Shaymin’s miraculous restoration extends to itself in the form of its ability, Natural Cure, which heals any status condition Shaymin may be afflicted with when it switches out for another Pok\u00e9mon. All of this may not sound exciting, and I guess it isn’t, but Shaymin holds a secret transformation that’s revealed when it touches the Gracidea flower during daytime hours.<\/p>\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nWhen I began researching for this list, Purugly wasn’t anywhere near making\u00a0the cut. Normal\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon usually don’t\u00a0pique my interest much in battle. However, once I started reading into the Pok\u00e9dex entries, it reminded me of my own cats. It also reminded me that Pok\u00e9mon aren’t just for battling and collecting, they’re also for friendship and having around as companions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hopefully\u00a0you have a Pok\u00e9mon somewhere that makes\u00a0you think of a pet you have or know\u00a0and makes you feel better just having that monster\u00a0on your team. These\u00a0may be reflective of a lot of cats, but the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex\u00a0entries for Purugly and Glameow\u00a0put a smile on my face and rocketed them onto my personal list:<\/p>\n
“It is a brazen brute that barges its way into another Pok\u00e9mon’s nest and claims it as its own.”<\/p>\n
“It hides its spiteful tendency of hooking its claws into the nose of its trainer if it isn’t fed.”<\/p>\n
“If it locks eyes, it will glare ceaselessly.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
22<\/h2>\n\n\n\nVespiquen<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBeehive Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<\/div>\nI was really into Beedrill as a kid. Compared to Butterfree, it was the coolest bug Pok\u00e9mon in the early game and an actual deciding factor when choosing between Red and Blue. After seeing what the rest of the world had to offer, though, the bee wasn’t stinging like it used to. Cue to Diamond and Pearl and what some consider the queen bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n
Vespiquen is not just the ruler of her hive; she\u00a0is<\/em> the hive. Hidden within the honeycomb-like lower half are grubs that will grow into her\u00a0Combee workers. Vespiquen also uses these grubs in combat with the moves Defense Order, Heal Order, and Attack Order, her signatures.\u00a0<\/p>\nYou’ll notice I keep mentioning Vespiquen as a “her.” That’s because only female Combee\u00a0inherit this monarchal evolution, while the males do not evolve at all and live to\u00a0serve the queen of all bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
21<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTorterra<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nContinent Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nOut of the three\u00a0starters’ final evolutions\u00a0from Diamond and Pearl, Torterra gets short shrift. Sure, it’s competing with a metal penguin and a flaming monkey, but this tortoise deserves respect for the work it puts in. Not only is it\u00a0the first Grass and Ground starter, but it’s the only Pok\u00e9mon with that combination type in existence. Torterra\u00a0embodies\u00a0those types so much that it’s literally a\u00a0landmass with trees growing on its back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You won’t go wrong choosing Torterra’s pre-evolution Turtwig at the start of the game. This Pok\u00e9mon makes a reliable\u00a0anchor while your team is coming together throughout your adventures in Sinnoh, and gives you an easy path through at least the first four Gym challenges, if not more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
20<\/h2>\n\n\n\nCroagunk<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nToxic Mouth Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nCroagunk and its evolution, Toxicroak, are rare breeds in the Pok\u00e9mon world. As the names imply<\/span>, these creatures deal in toxicity, being primarily Poison-types, but they’re\u00a0the only ones that share the\u00a0Fighting-type as well! Croagunk sports a cool purple and orange color scheme like the poison dart frogs they are inspired by, which drew me in before I even knew what it was capable of.<\/p>\nCroagunk is said to fight with underhanded tactics, which lines up with how its toxic attacks are administered. It can secrete\u00a0venom not only from poison sacs near the\u00a0mouth but also\u00a0from the tips of its fingers. While it wasn’t part of Croagunk’s potential abilities in the original Diamond and Pearl, its hidden ability is Poison Touch which, you guessed it, can poison enemies with physical attacks and is a perfect representation of its dangerous hands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
19<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAbomasnow<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFrost Tree Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nThe name says it all and is even confirmed in the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entry for Abomasnow, “it is the abominable snowman.”\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon games never had a distinctly snowy region before Diamond and Pearl. They may have had frosty\u00a0caverns where Ice\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon would roam, but never a snow-covered area out in the open. So its fitting the\u00a0<\/span>pre-evolution to this yeti-like creature can be found in the snow-covered terrain of Route 217, while Abomasnow itself lives atop Sinnoh’s highest point, the peak of Mt. Coronet.<\/p>\nDiverting from the typical ape-like design of sasquatches, Abomasnow is made to look like shrubbery that’s been through a bad snowstorm; its body is covered with branches weighed down with wet snow and ice. That’s not just a product of its environment, but its own doing. Abomasnow will kick up blizzards to stay hidden in the mountains, adding unneeded accumulation to the cold lands it likes to inhabit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
18<\/h2>\n\n\n\nProbopass<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nCompass Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLet’s cut to the chase:\u00a0Probopass makes this\u00a0list on looks alone. This cross-generation evolution to Nosepass from Ruby and Sapphire takes the Easter Island aesthetic of its younger self and pairs it with an incredible mustache. Upon evolving, Probopass’ inherent electromagnetism pulls iron shavings into clumps under its big red nose, creating what looks like an impressive set of lip bristles. Considering this Pok\u00e9mon’s magnetic personality, it does use several electric attacks even though Probopass is firmly made of Rock and Steel.<\/p>\n
Probopass has seen some competitive play due to its high defensive stats. One of its abilities, Magnet Pull, keeps Steel-type Pok\u00e9mon from switching out or running from battle. Depending on the meta, Probopass can trap its opponents while a teammate takes them out. Though it’s worth noting, this mustachioed wonder will fall victim to Ground and Fighting moves, which deal four times the damage.<\/p>\n
Here’s a\u00a0fun fact about this giant stone head\u00a0regarding\u00a0what I used to think were ears. Flanking\u00a0Probopass’ noggin are up to three “mini-noses,” little satellite creatures the big head commands to hunt for prey. This thing gets weirder and cooler by the minute!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
17<\/h2>\n\n\n\nGlaceon and Leafeon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFresh Snow Pok\u00e9mon and Verdant Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nDiscovering a new Eevee evolution in the world of\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon is a rare occurrence and celebrated by the fans when it does happen. Because they were introduced together and evolve\u00a0similarly, the Diamond and Pearl\u00a0additions to the Eeveelution\u00a0pack take this spot on the list together. Glaceon and Leafeon represent the Ice and Grass types,\u00a0respectively, of the eight elemental versions of Eevee that currently exist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nUnlocking the mysteries of turning an\u00a0Eevee<\/span>\u00a0into either of these\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon lies in their matching habitats. Unlike previous Eeveelutions that require special stones or befriending and leveling at certain times of day, Glaceon and Leafeon require the trainer to find a place in the world. Leveling an\u00a0Eevee next to a Moss Rock or an Ice Rock, usually deep in a forest or cave, will turn your unstable pet into one of these new forms.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n16<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTangrowth<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nVine Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nSome monsters get lost in the shuffle more than others when thinking of the standout Pok\u00e9mon from the original 151. One that I think got a raw deal was Tangela, the little bundle of vines that had quite the potential. However, Tangela was usually left off my teams because it didn’t evolve, and there were cooler options for the Grass slot on teams. Game Freak certainly didn’t forget about this bush with legs and gave it a much-deserved evolution in\u00a0Diamond and Pearl.<\/p>\n
Instead of exploring the mystery of what Tangela looks like under that veil of shrubbery, Tangrowth doubles down on its predecessor’s design by adding\u00a0an even bigger mess of vines. Due to the thickening of its exterior, Tangrowth is great on defense and can take plenty more damage than other Pok\u00e9mon. It’s not fancy,\u00a0but I’ll always celebrate monsters like Tangrowth\u00a0that get another chance to shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
15<\/h2>\n\n\n\nElectivire<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nThunderbolt Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nMoving from one of the Pok\u00e9mon I felt was left behind from the original 151 to one that really stood out, Electabuzz was a creature that certainly made a splash in Red and Blue. While I don’t believe it needed to be iterated on anymore, it too got a new evolution in Diamond and Pearl. Ditching its somewhat catlike features (or whatever Electabuzz was supposed to be), Electivire grows out some shaggier fur and takes on a\u00a0more ape-ish appearance, and sprouts a second tail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like Tangrowth, Electivire doubles down on its former design, opting to enhance the electricity-focused nature of this beast. When it shoves its tails into an enemy, it can unleash 20,000 volts of electricity. That’s enough power to kill just about anything, really. I’m certainly not an electrician, so\u00a0I’m not sure how Pok\u00e9mon actually withstand that kind of power. Regardless, the moral of the story is not to make an Electivire mad and stay away from it altogether to be safe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
14<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpiritomb<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nForbidden Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nSpiritomb is one of the stranger Pok\u00e9mon, not just in Diamond and Pearl, but in the entire series. Some work needs to be done to have the chance to catch this Ghost\/Dark entity. Diamond and Pearl have a semi-social space called The Underground where trainers can explore, collect items, set up Secret Bases, and connect with other players. The prerequisite to getting a Spiritomb to appear is interacting with 32 players in The Underground, a suitably communal task for a Pok\u00e9mon made from\u00a0108 individual spirits.<\/p>\n
Unlike other Ghost Pok\u00e9mon, Spiritomb is physically tethered to an item called an Odd Keystone. Using this rock as its base, Spiritomb projects its spectral form through the artifact. When it does appear from the keystone, it doesn’t really have a\u00a0body and instead looks\u00a0like a swirling vortex of souls with a face plastered somewhere in the middle.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
13<\/h2>\n\n\n\nDriftloon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBalloon Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAt first glance, Driftloon looks\u00a0like a cute Pok\u00e9mon to add to the collection. Just a harmless little ghost, right? That’s what it wants you to think. This terror uses its unsuspecting nature to spirit its victims away, and in doing so becomes one of the creepiest Pok\u00e9mon of all time. Let these Driftloon\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entries sink in:<\/p>\n
“Stories go that it grabs the hands of small children and drags them away to the afterlife. It dislikes heavy children.”<\/p>\n
“Its round body is stuffed with souls and expands each time it leads someone away.”<\/p>\n
“If for some reason its body bursts, its soul spills out with a screaming sound.”<\/p>\n
“These Pok\u00e9mon are called the ‘Signpost for Wandering Spirits.’\u00a0<\/span>Children holding them sometimes vanish.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n12<\/h2>\n\n\n\nInfernape<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFlame Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nFire starters are never a hard sell for me. I’ve always been drawn to their flashy designs, which\u00a0usually feature\u00a0some part of their body set ablaze.\u00a0But the idea of starting with\u00a0Chimchar,\u00a0a flaming\u00a0monkey of all things, was an instant sell. Even better, its final form is inspired by\u00a0Journey to the West’s<\/span><\/em> <\/span>\u00a0Son Wukong, complete with golden accents and\u00a0a fiery crown. There wasn’t a need to consider the other options my first time playing this generation.\u00a0In my book, there was nothing cooler than this starter, and I set firmly on the path to partnering with Infernape to take on the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon League’s greatest challenges.<\/p>\nInfernape makes an impression on the battlefield with its high speed\u00a0and great physical and special attacks. Because it’s also a Fighting Pok\u00e9mon, it has access to some devastating moves across both types. Whether it’s smashing foes in the face with Close Combat or burning up the competition with a move like Flare Blitz, this monkey king is a strong choice to take on your Diamond and Pearl adventure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
11<\/h2>\n\n\n\nEmpoleon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nEmperor Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAll of the starters in Diamond and Pearl\u00a0are a hit for me. As you’ve read, Toreterra is my sleeper choice, Infernape was my initial choice, but Empoleon is my go-to favorite of the three. From its sharp design featuring a trident mask and\u00a0sharp edges on its wings and body to its typing of Water and Steel, the only Pok\u00e9mon of its kind,\u00a0Empoleon is a unique starter fitting of its kingly moniker.<\/p>\n
Empoleon is impressive in battle due to a wealth of resistance to over half of the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon types. Considering there are a total of seven types that can do normal or effective damage to it, Empoleon is a partner worth keeping by your side throughout the game.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
10<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRegigigas<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nColossal Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nGiven the moniker of the “Colossal Pok\u00e9mon,” I would have expected the 12-foot\u00a0tall Regigigas to be even taller. Its colossal nature may be more in its power than size, though. This Legendary Pok\u00e9mon has a massive Attack stat, making it one of the most powerful strikers in the game. However, this strength comes at a cost. Balancing its immense power is Regigigas’ ability Slow Start which halves both its attack and speed stats for the first five turns it’s in battle. This ability is cleverly shown in its Ghibliesque visual design by having moss growing from its feet and shoulders, a sign Regigigas has been dormant for a long time and is slowly waking up.<\/p>\n
Regigigas was the culmination of the elemental Regi Pok\u00e9mon cycle from Ruby and Sapphire. To even have a chance at obtaining this gargantuan, a trainer must have Regice, Registeel, and Regirock in their party when traveling to Snowpoint Temple. Once there, you have to adventure through a dungeon to find what looks like a statue of Regigigas, but having the appropriate Regi team will reveal the goliath is the real thing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
9<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRotom (and its many forms)<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nPlasma Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLong before their adorable addition to the Pok\u00e9dex or powered the Rotom Bike<\/span>\u00a0in Sword and Shield, Rotom was introduced as a quirky little electric Pok\u00e9mon capable of possessing household appliances. Depending on whether Rotom inhabits a fridge, washing machine, lawnmower, fan, or microwave, its secondary type will change based on the object. Having six forms, each with its own type combinations, makes Rotom a wonderful and flexible ally to add to your team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n8<\/h2>\n\n\n\nShaymin<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nGratitude Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nOne of the few Legendary Pok\u00e9mon only accessible through an event is the Grass hedgehog, Shaymin. Obtaining it requires a letter from Professor Oak which will grant a trainer access to the Flower Paradise. This shy bushel of flowers has the power to eliminate toxins from an area and allow plants to grow and thrive in desolate lands. Shaymin’s miraculous restoration extends to itself in the form of its ability, Natural Cure, which heals any status condition Shaymin may be afflicted with when it switches out for another Pok\u00e9mon. All of this may not sound exciting, and I guess it isn’t, but Shaymin holds a secret transformation that’s revealed when it touches the Gracidea flower during daytime hours.<\/p>\n\n
\nVespiquen<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBeehive Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<\/div>\nI was really into Beedrill as a kid. Compared to Butterfree, it was the coolest bug Pok\u00e9mon in the early game and an actual deciding factor when choosing between Red and Blue. After seeing what the rest of the world had to offer, though, the bee wasn’t stinging like it used to. Cue to Diamond and Pearl and what some consider the queen bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n
Vespiquen is not just the ruler of her hive; she\u00a0is<\/em> the hive. Hidden within the honeycomb-like lower half are grubs that will grow into her\u00a0Combee workers. Vespiquen also uses these grubs in combat with the moves Defense Order, Heal Order, and Attack Order, her signatures.\u00a0<\/p>\nYou’ll notice I keep mentioning Vespiquen as a “her.” That’s because only female Combee\u00a0inherit this monarchal evolution, while the males do not evolve at all and live to\u00a0serve the queen of all bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
21<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTorterra<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nContinent Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nOut of the three\u00a0starters’ final evolutions\u00a0from Diamond and Pearl, Torterra gets short shrift. Sure, it’s competing with a metal penguin and a flaming monkey, but this tortoise deserves respect for the work it puts in. Not only is it\u00a0the first Grass and Ground starter, but it’s the only Pok\u00e9mon with that combination type in existence. Torterra\u00a0embodies\u00a0those types so much that it’s literally a\u00a0landmass with trees growing on its back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You won’t go wrong choosing Torterra’s pre-evolution Turtwig at the start of the game. This Pok\u00e9mon makes a reliable\u00a0anchor while your team is coming together throughout your adventures in Sinnoh, and gives you an easy path through at least the first four Gym challenges, if not more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
20<\/h2>\n\n\n\nCroagunk<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nToxic Mouth Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nCroagunk and its evolution, Toxicroak, are rare breeds in the Pok\u00e9mon world. As the names imply<\/span>, these creatures deal in toxicity, being primarily Poison-types, but they’re\u00a0the only ones that share the\u00a0Fighting-type as well! Croagunk sports a cool purple and orange color scheme like the poison dart frogs they are inspired by, which drew me in before I even knew what it was capable of.<\/p>\nCroagunk is said to fight with underhanded tactics, which lines up with how its toxic attacks are administered. It can secrete\u00a0venom not only from poison sacs near the\u00a0mouth but also\u00a0from the tips of its fingers. While it wasn’t part of Croagunk’s potential abilities in the original Diamond and Pearl, its hidden ability is Poison Touch which, you guessed it, can poison enemies with physical attacks and is a perfect representation of its dangerous hands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
19<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAbomasnow<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFrost Tree Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nThe name says it all and is even confirmed in the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entry for Abomasnow, “it is the abominable snowman.”\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon games never had a distinctly snowy region before Diamond and Pearl. They may have had frosty\u00a0caverns where Ice\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon would roam, but never a snow-covered area out in the open. So its fitting the\u00a0<\/span>pre-evolution to this yeti-like creature can be found in the snow-covered terrain of Route 217, while Abomasnow itself lives atop Sinnoh’s highest point, the peak of Mt. Coronet.<\/p>\nDiverting from the typical ape-like design of sasquatches, Abomasnow is made to look like shrubbery that’s been through a bad snowstorm; its body is covered with branches weighed down with wet snow and ice. That’s not just a product of its environment, but its own doing. Abomasnow will kick up blizzards to stay hidden in the mountains, adding unneeded accumulation to the cold lands it likes to inhabit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
18<\/h2>\n\n\n\nProbopass<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nCompass Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLet’s cut to the chase:\u00a0Probopass makes this\u00a0list on looks alone. This cross-generation evolution to Nosepass from Ruby and Sapphire takes the Easter Island aesthetic of its younger self and pairs it with an incredible mustache. Upon evolving, Probopass’ inherent electromagnetism pulls iron shavings into clumps under its big red nose, creating what looks like an impressive set of lip bristles. Considering this Pok\u00e9mon’s magnetic personality, it does use several electric attacks even though Probopass is firmly made of Rock and Steel.<\/p>\n
Probopass has seen some competitive play due to its high defensive stats. One of its abilities, Magnet Pull, keeps Steel-type Pok\u00e9mon from switching out or running from battle. Depending on the meta, Probopass can trap its opponents while a teammate takes them out. Though it’s worth noting, this mustachioed wonder will fall victim to Ground and Fighting moves, which deal four times the damage.<\/p>\n
Here’s a\u00a0fun fact about this giant stone head\u00a0regarding\u00a0what I used to think were ears. Flanking\u00a0Probopass’ noggin are up to three “mini-noses,” little satellite creatures the big head commands to hunt for prey. This thing gets weirder and cooler by the minute!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
17<\/h2>\n\n\n\nGlaceon and Leafeon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFresh Snow Pok\u00e9mon and Verdant Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nDiscovering a new Eevee evolution in the world of\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon is a rare occurrence and celebrated by the fans when it does happen. Because they were introduced together and evolve\u00a0similarly, the Diamond and Pearl\u00a0additions to the Eeveelution\u00a0pack take this spot on the list together. Glaceon and Leafeon represent the Ice and Grass types,\u00a0respectively, of the eight elemental versions of Eevee that currently exist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nUnlocking the mysteries of turning an\u00a0Eevee<\/span>\u00a0into either of these\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon lies in their matching habitats. Unlike previous Eeveelutions that require special stones or befriending and leveling at certain times of day, Glaceon and Leafeon require the trainer to find a place in the world. Leveling an\u00a0Eevee next to a Moss Rock or an Ice Rock, usually deep in a forest or cave, will turn your unstable pet into one of these new forms.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n16<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTangrowth<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nVine Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nSome monsters get lost in the shuffle more than others when thinking of the standout Pok\u00e9mon from the original 151. One that I think got a raw deal was Tangela, the little bundle of vines that had quite the potential. However, Tangela was usually left off my teams because it didn’t evolve, and there were cooler options for the Grass slot on teams. Game Freak certainly didn’t forget about this bush with legs and gave it a much-deserved evolution in\u00a0Diamond and Pearl.<\/p>\n
Instead of exploring the mystery of what Tangela looks like under that veil of shrubbery, Tangrowth doubles down on its predecessor’s design by adding\u00a0an even bigger mess of vines. Due to the thickening of its exterior, Tangrowth is great on defense and can take plenty more damage than other Pok\u00e9mon. It’s not fancy,\u00a0but I’ll always celebrate monsters like Tangrowth\u00a0that get another chance to shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
15<\/h2>\n\n\n\nElectivire<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nThunderbolt Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nMoving from one of the Pok\u00e9mon I felt was left behind from the original 151 to one that really stood out, Electabuzz was a creature that certainly made a splash in Red and Blue. While I don’t believe it needed to be iterated on anymore, it too got a new evolution in Diamond and Pearl. Ditching its somewhat catlike features (or whatever Electabuzz was supposed to be), Electivire grows out some shaggier fur and takes on a\u00a0more ape-ish appearance, and sprouts a second tail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like Tangrowth, Electivire doubles down on its former design, opting to enhance the electricity-focused nature of this beast. When it shoves its tails into an enemy, it can unleash 20,000 volts of electricity. That’s enough power to kill just about anything, really. I’m certainly not an electrician, so\u00a0I’m not sure how Pok\u00e9mon actually withstand that kind of power. Regardless, the moral of the story is not to make an Electivire mad and stay away from it altogether to be safe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
14<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpiritomb<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nForbidden Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nSpiritomb is one of the stranger Pok\u00e9mon, not just in Diamond and Pearl, but in the entire series. Some work needs to be done to have the chance to catch this Ghost\/Dark entity. Diamond and Pearl have a semi-social space called The Underground where trainers can explore, collect items, set up Secret Bases, and connect with other players. The prerequisite to getting a Spiritomb to appear is interacting with 32 players in The Underground, a suitably communal task for a Pok\u00e9mon made from\u00a0108 individual spirits.<\/p>\n
Unlike other Ghost Pok\u00e9mon, Spiritomb is physically tethered to an item called an Odd Keystone. Using this rock as its base, Spiritomb projects its spectral form through the artifact. When it does appear from the keystone, it doesn’t really have a\u00a0body and instead looks\u00a0like a swirling vortex of souls with a face plastered somewhere in the middle.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
13<\/h2>\n\n\n\nDriftloon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nBalloon Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAt first glance, Driftloon looks\u00a0like a cute Pok\u00e9mon to add to the collection. Just a harmless little ghost, right? That’s what it wants you to think. This terror uses its unsuspecting nature to spirit its victims away, and in doing so becomes one of the creepiest Pok\u00e9mon of all time. Let these Driftloon\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entries sink in:<\/p>\n
“Stories go that it grabs the hands of small children and drags them away to the afterlife. It dislikes heavy children.”<\/p>\n
“Its round body is stuffed with souls and expands each time it leads someone away.”<\/p>\n
“If for some reason its body bursts, its soul spills out with a screaming sound.”<\/p>\n
“These Pok\u00e9mon are called the ‘Signpost for Wandering Spirits.’\u00a0<\/span>Children holding them sometimes vanish.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n12<\/h2>\n\n\n\nInfernape<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nFlame Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nFire starters are never a hard sell for me. I’ve always been drawn to their flashy designs, which\u00a0usually feature\u00a0some part of their body set ablaze.\u00a0But the idea of starting with\u00a0Chimchar,\u00a0a flaming\u00a0monkey of all things, was an instant sell. Even better, its final form is inspired by\u00a0Journey to the West’s<\/span><\/em> <\/span>\u00a0Son Wukong, complete with golden accents and\u00a0a fiery crown. There wasn’t a need to consider the other options my first time playing this generation.\u00a0In my book, there was nothing cooler than this starter, and I set firmly on the path to partnering with Infernape to take on the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon League’s greatest challenges.<\/p>\nInfernape makes an impression on the battlefield with its high speed\u00a0and great physical and special attacks. Because it’s also a Fighting Pok\u00e9mon, it has access to some devastating moves across both types. Whether it’s smashing foes in the face with Close Combat or burning up the competition with a move like Flare Blitz, this monkey king is a strong choice to take on your Diamond and Pearl adventure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
11<\/h2>\n\n\n\nEmpoleon<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nEmperor Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\nAll of the starters in Diamond and Pearl\u00a0are a hit for me. As you’ve read, Toreterra is my sleeper choice, Infernape was my initial choice, but Empoleon is my go-to favorite of the three. From its sharp design featuring a trident mask and\u00a0sharp edges on its wings and body to its typing of Water and Steel, the only Pok\u00e9mon of its kind,\u00a0Empoleon is a unique starter fitting of its kingly moniker.<\/p>\n
Empoleon is impressive in battle due to a wealth of resistance to over half of the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon types. Considering there are a total of seven types that can do normal or effective damage to it, Empoleon is a partner worth keeping by your side throughout the game.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
10<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRegigigas<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nColossal Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nGiven the moniker of the “Colossal Pok\u00e9mon,” I would have expected the 12-foot\u00a0tall Regigigas to be even taller. Its colossal nature may be more in its power than size, though. This Legendary Pok\u00e9mon has a massive Attack stat, making it one of the most powerful strikers in the game. However, this strength comes at a cost. Balancing its immense power is Regigigas’ ability Slow Start which halves both its attack and speed stats for the first five turns it’s in battle. This ability is cleverly shown in its Ghibliesque visual design by having moss growing from its feet and shoulders, a sign Regigigas has been dormant for a long time and is slowly waking up.<\/p>\n
Regigigas was the culmination of the elemental Regi Pok\u00e9mon cycle from Ruby and Sapphire. To even have a chance at obtaining this gargantuan, a trainer must have Regice, Registeel, and Regirock in their party when traveling to Snowpoint Temple. Once there, you have to adventure through a dungeon to find what looks like a statue of Regigigas, but having the appropriate Regi team will reveal the goliath is the real thing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
9<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRotom (and its many forms)<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nPlasma Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nLong before their adorable addition to the Pok\u00e9dex or powered the Rotom Bike<\/span>\u00a0in Sword and Shield, Rotom was introduced as a quirky little electric Pok\u00e9mon capable of possessing household appliances. Depending on whether Rotom inhabits a fridge, washing machine, lawnmower, fan, or microwave, its secondary type will change based on the object. Having six forms, each with its own type combinations, makes Rotom a wonderful and flexible ally to add to your team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n8<\/h2>\n\n\n\nShaymin<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n\nGratitude Pok\u00e9mon<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nOne of the few Legendary Pok\u00e9mon only accessible through an event is the Grass hedgehog, Shaymin. Obtaining it requires a letter from Professor Oak which will grant a trainer access to the Flower Paradise. This shy bushel of flowers has the power to eliminate toxins from an area and allow plants to grow and thrive in desolate lands. Shaymin’s miraculous restoration extends to itself in the form of its ability, Natural Cure, which heals any status condition Shaymin may be afflicted with when it switches out for another Pok\u00e9mon. All of this may not sound exciting, and I guess it isn’t, but Shaymin holds a secret transformation that’s revealed when it touches the Gracidea flower during daytime hours.<\/p>\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<\/div>\nI was really into Beedrill as a kid. Compared to Butterfree, it was the coolest bug Pok\u00e9mon in the early game and an actual deciding factor when choosing between Red and Blue. After seeing what the rest of the world had to offer, though, the bee wasn’t stinging like it used to. Cue to Diamond and Pearl and what some consider the queen bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n
Vespiquen is not just the ruler of her hive; she\u00a0is<\/em> the hive. Hidden within the honeycomb-like lower half are grubs that will grow into her\u00a0Combee workers. Vespiquen also uses these grubs in combat with the moves Defense Order, Heal Order, and Attack Order, her signatures.\u00a0<\/p>\n You’ll notice I keep mentioning Vespiquen as a “her.” That’s because only female Combee\u00a0inherit this monarchal evolution, while the males do not evolve at all and live to\u00a0serve the queen of all bee Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Out of the three\u00a0starters’ final evolutions\u00a0from Diamond and Pearl, Torterra gets short shrift. Sure, it’s competing with a metal penguin and a flaming monkey, but this tortoise deserves respect for the work it puts in. Not only is it\u00a0the first Grass and Ground starter, but it’s the only Pok\u00e9mon with that combination type in existence. Torterra\u00a0embodies\u00a0those types so much that it’s literally a\u00a0landmass with trees growing on its back.\u00a0<\/p>\n You won’t go wrong choosing Torterra’s pre-evolution Turtwig at the start of the game. This Pok\u00e9mon makes a reliable\u00a0anchor while your team is coming together throughout your adventures in Sinnoh, and gives you an easy path through at least the first four Gym challenges, if not more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Croagunk and its evolution, Toxicroak, are rare breeds in the Pok\u00e9mon world. As the names imply<\/span>, these creatures deal in toxicity, being primarily Poison-types, but they’re\u00a0the only ones that share the\u00a0Fighting-type as well! Croagunk sports a cool purple and orange color scheme like the poison dart frogs they are inspired by, which drew me in before I even knew what it was capable of.<\/p>\n Croagunk is said to fight with underhanded tactics, which lines up with how its toxic attacks are administered. It can secrete\u00a0venom not only from poison sacs near the\u00a0mouth but also\u00a0from the tips of its fingers. While it wasn’t part of Croagunk’s potential abilities in the original Diamond and Pearl, its hidden ability is Poison Touch which, you guessed it, can poison enemies with physical attacks and is a perfect representation of its dangerous hands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The name says it all and is even confirmed in the\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entry for Abomasnow, “it is the abominable snowman.”\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon games never had a distinctly snowy region before Diamond and Pearl. They may have had frosty\u00a0caverns where Ice\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon would roam, but never a snow-covered area out in the open. So its fitting the\u00a0<\/span>pre-evolution to this yeti-like creature can be found in the snow-covered terrain of Route 217, while Abomasnow itself lives atop Sinnoh’s highest point, the peak of Mt. Coronet.<\/p>\n Diverting from the typical ape-like design of sasquatches, Abomasnow is made to look like shrubbery that’s been through a bad snowstorm; its body is covered with branches weighed down with wet snow and ice. That’s not just a product of its environment, but its own doing. Abomasnow will kick up blizzards to stay hidden in the mountains, adding unneeded accumulation to the cold lands it likes to inhabit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Let’s cut to the chase:\u00a0Probopass makes this\u00a0list on looks alone. This cross-generation evolution to Nosepass from Ruby and Sapphire takes the Easter Island aesthetic of its younger self and pairs it with an incredible mustache. Upon evolving, Probopass’ inherent electromagnetism pulls iron shavings into clumps under its big red nose, creating what looks like an impressive set of lip bristles. Considering this Pok\u00e9mon’s magnetic personality, it does use several electric attacks even though Probopass is firmly made of Rock and Steel.<\/p>\n Probopass has seen some competitive play due to its high defensive stats. One of its abilities, Magnet Pull, keeps Steel-type Pok\u00e9mon from switching out or running from battle. Depending on the meta, Probopass can trap its opponents while a teammate takes them out. Though it’s worth noting, this mustachioed wonder will fall victim to Ground and Fighting moves, which deal four times the damage.<\/p>\n Here’s a\u00a0fun fact about this giant stone head\u00a0regarding\u00a0what I used to think were ears. Flanking\u00a0Probopass’ noggin are up to three “mini-noses,” little satellite creatures the big head commands to hunt for prey. This thing gets weirder and cooler by the minute!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Discovering a new Eevee evolution in the world of\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon is a rare occurrence and celebrated by the fans when it does happen. Because they were introduced together and evolve\u00a0similarly, the Diamond and Pearl\u00a0additions to the Eeveelution\u00a0pack take this spot on the list together. Glaceon and Leafeon represent the Ice and Grass types,\u00a0respectively, of the eight elemental versions of Eevee that currently exist.\u00a0<\/p>\n Unlocking the mysteries of turning an\u00a0Eevee<\/span>\u00a0into either of these\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon lies in their matching habitats. Unlike previous Eeveelutions that require special stones or befriending and leveling at certain times of day, Glaceon and Leafeon require the trainer to find a place in the world. Leveling an\u00a0Eevee next to a Moss Rock or an Ice Rock, usually deep in a forest or cave, will turn your unstable pet into one of these new forms.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Some monsters get lost in the shuffle more than others when thinking of the standout Pok\u00e9mon from the original 151. One that I think got a raw deal was Tangela, the little bundle of vines that had quite the potential. However, Tangela was usually left off my teams because it didn’t evolve, and there were cooler options for the Grass slot on teams. Game Freak certainly didn’t forget about this bush with legs and gave it a much-deserved evolution in\u00a0Diamond and Pearl.<\/p>\n Instead of exploring the mystery of what Tangela looks like under that veil of shrubbery, Tangrowth doubles down on its predecessor’s design by adding\u00a0an even bigger mess of vines. Due to the thickening of its exterior, Tangrowth is great on defense and can take plenty more damage than other Pok\u00e9mon. It’s not fancy,\u00a0but I’ll always celebrate monsters like Tangrowth\u00a0that get another chance to shine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Moving from one of the Pok\u00e9mon I felt was left behind from the original 151 to one that really stood out, Electabuzz was a creature that certainly made a splash in Red and Blue. While I don’t believe it needed to be iterated on anymore, it too got a new evolution in Diamond and Pearl. Ditching its somewhat catlike features (or whatever Electabuzz was supposed to be), Electivire grows out some shaggier fur and takes on a\u00a0more ape-ish appearance, and sprouts a second tail.\u00a0<\/p>\n Like Tangrowth, Electivire doubles down on its former design, opting to enhance the electricity-focused nature of this beast. When it shoves its tails into an enemy, it can unleash 20,000 volts of electricity. That’s enough power to kill just about anything, really. I’m certainly not an electrician, so\u00a0I’m not sure how Pok\u00e9mon actually withstand that kind of power. Regardless, the moral of the story is not to make an Electivire mad and stay away from it altogether to be safe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Spiritomb is one of the stranger Pok\u00e9mon, not just in Diamond and Pearl, but in the entire series. Some work needs to be done to have the chance to catch this Ghost\/Dark entity. Diamond and Pearl have a semi-social space called The Underground where trainers can explore, collect items, set up Secret Bases, and connect with other players. The prerequisite to getting a Spiritomb to appear is interacting with 32 players in The Underground, a suitably communal task for a Pok\u00e9mon made from\u00a0108 individual spirits.<\/p>\n Unlike other Ghost Pok\u00e9mon, Spiritomb is physically tethered to an item called an Odd Keystone. Using this rock as its base, Spiritomb projects its spectral form through the artifact. When it does appear from the keystone, it doesn’t really have a\u00a0body and instead looks\u00a0like a swirling vortex of souls with a face plastered somewhere in the middle.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n At first glance, Driftloon looks\u00a0like a cute Pok\u00e9mon to add to the collection. Just a harmless little ghost, right? That’s what it wants you to think. This terror uses its unsuspecting nature to spirit its victims away, and in doing so becomes one of the creepiest Pok\u00e9mon of all time. Let these Driftloon\u00a0Pok\u00e9dex entries sink in:<\/p>\n “Stories go that it grabs the hands of small children and drags them away to the afterlife. It dislikes heavy children.”<\/p>\n “Its round body is stuffed with souls and expands each time it leads someone away.”<\/p>\n “If for some reason its body bursts, its soul spills out with a screaming sound.”<\/p>\n “These Pok\u00e9mon are called the ‘Signpost for Wandering Spirits.’\u00a0<\/span>Children holding them sometimes vanish.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Fire starters are never a hard sell for me. I’ve always been drawn to their flashy designs, which\u00a0usually feature\u00a0some part of their body set ablaze.\u00a0But the idea of starting with\u00a0Chimchar,\u00a0a flaming\u00a0monkey of all things, was an instant sell. Even better, its final form is inspired by\u00a0Journey to the West’s<\/span><\/em> <\/span>\u00a0Son Wukong, complete with golden accents and\u00a0a fiery crown. There wasn’t a need to consider the other options my first time playing this generation.\u00a0In my book, there was nothing cooler than this starter, and I set firmly on the path to partnering with Infernape to take on the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon League’s greatest challenges.<\/p>\n Infernape makes an impression on the battlefield with its high speed\u00a0and great physical and special attacks. Because it’s also a Fighting Pok\u00e9mon, it has access to some devastating moves across both types. Whether it’s smashing foes in the face with Close Combat or burning up the competition with a move like Flare Blitz, this monkey king is a strong choice to take on your Diamond and Pearl adventure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n All of the starters in Diamond and Pearl\u00a0are a hit for me. As you’ve read, Toreterra is my sleeper choice, Infernape was my initial choice, but Empoleon is my go-to favorite of the three. From its sharp design featuring a trident mask and\u00a0sharp edges on its wings and body to its typing of Water and Steel, the only Pok\u00e9mon of its kind,\u00a0Empoleon is a unique starter fitting of its kingly moniker.<\/p>\n Empoleon is impressive in battle due to a wealth of resistance to over half of the\u00a0Pok\u00e9mon types. Considering there are a total of seven types that can do normal or effective damage to it, Empoleon is a partner worth keeping by your side throughout the game.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Given the moniker of the “Colossal Pok\u00e9mon,” I would have expected the 12-foot\u00a0tall Regigigas to be even taller. Its colossal nature may be more in its power than size, though. This Legendary Pok\u00e9mon has a massive Attack stat, making it one of the most powerful strikers in the game. However, this strength comes at a cost. Balancing its immense power is Regigigas’ ability Slow Start which halves both its attack and speed stats for the first five turns it’s in battle. This ability is cleverly shown in its Ghibliesque visual design by having moss growing from its feet and shoulders, a sign Regigigas has been dormant for a long time and is slowly waking up.<\/p>\n Regigigas was the culmination of the elemental Regi Pok\u00e9mon cycle from Ruby and Sapphire. To even have a chance at obtaining this gargantuan, a trainer must have Regice, Registeel, and Regirock in their party when traveling to Snowpoint Temple. Once there, you have to adventure through a dungeon to find what looks like a statue of Regigigas, but having the appropriate Regi team will reveal the goliath is the real thing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Long before their adorable addition to the Pok\u00e9dex or powered the Rotom Bike<\/span>\u00a0in Sword and Shield, Rotom was introduced as a quirky little electric Pok\u00e9mon capable of possessing household appliances. Depending on whether Rotom inhabits a fridge, washing machine, lawnmower, fan, or microwave, its secondary type will change based on the object. Having six forms, each with its own type combinations, makes Rotom a wonderful and flexible ally to add to your team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n One of the few Legendary Pok\u00e9mon only accessible through an event is the Grass hedgehog, Shaymin. Obtaining it requires a letter from Professor Oak which will grant a trainer access to the Flower Paradise. This shy bushel of flowers has the power to eliminate toxins from an area and allow plants to grow and thrive in desolate lands. Shaymin’s miraculous restoration extends to itself in the form of its ability, Natural Cure, which heals any status condition Shaymin may be afflicted with when it switches out for another Pok\u00e9mon. All of this may not sound exciting, and I guess it isn’t, but Shaymin holds a secret transformation that’s revealed when it touches the Gracidea flower during daytime hours.<\/p>\n21<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n20<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n19<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n18<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n17<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n16<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n15<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n14<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n13<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n12<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n11<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article><\/div>\n10<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n9<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n8<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n