As of the debut of Melmetal, there are now 809 distinct Pocket Monsters. This doesn’t alternate forms, Mega Evolutions or other weird side ventures into the Pokedex. Needless to say, with a roster that big, some Pokemon will get the short end of the stick. On the dawn of a new generation with Pokemon Sword and Shield, we felt the need to look back at some of the monsters that deserve a little more love. This could come in the form of a new evolution, new signature moves or another slight tweak. Whatever the case, these 10 abandoned Pokemon need more support.
The fourth Generation of Pokemon might be one of the best ones. Its roster of new creatures split pretty evenly between new monsters and new evolutions for old favorites. Sure, some of them didn’t work out, but it showed a willingness to keep the roster fresh. That’s way better than just adding in more clones. Do we really need another rock trio? Another pair of rats? Around 10 more distinct fish types that no one cares about because who wants to pick up the fishing rod? Additions like Electivire and Blissey make your old Pokemon new again. They also promote the inter-game connectivity that’s so key to this franchise.
We’d love to see Pokemon Sword and Shield (or really any future release) take advantage of the series’ long history. Sun and Moon was a fun side story, but we need more than that. Maybe the jump to the Switch will bring some new features, but the initial presentation makes it seem like more of the same for the new console’s first outing. With the Let’s Go games providing a great starting point for younger trainers, how much longer will it be before the mainline games cater to an older audience? Maybe we’ll see what the demographics of that Dectective Pikachu movie end up being and circle back. Until then, we’re off to exercise with our PokeWalkers.
Abandoned Pokemon
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10 Abandoned Monsters That Need Help in Pokemon Sword and Shield
There are a lot of Pokemon. Each generation brings around 100 new ones while also maintaining the massive number of returning favorites. Some are bound to be left by the wayside, but it doesn't have to be this way. Here are 10 Pokemon that deserve support in Pokemon Sword and Shield -
Alomomola
Some Pokemon landed on this list because of untapped potential. Alomomola landed on this list because it needs a purpose. It's one of the dozens of water types that never get any attention, it can't evolve, and there's nothing else notable about it. You'd think it would be an evolution to Luvdisc, but it instead just feels like 'dex filler. -
Carbink
Carbink has a cool design and a relation to the Mythical Pokemon Diancie. Sadly, because Mythical Pokemon can't evolve, they have no gameplay relation, just a lore one. Carbink is just left alone as a neat design with neat typing and nothing else going for it. -
Carnivine
Carnivine basically serves a second stab at the Venus Fly Trap Pokemon concept after the Bellsprout line. Despite having a much better design than its Gen 1 compatriots, it gets no love and no support. It's time to see what Carnivine could do with a bigger set of jaws. -
Castform
One of the many gimmick Pokemon that could fill this list, Castform changes into one of several different elemental forms in weather. Despite that being its gimmick, Castform hasn't gotten updated forms as the games have gone on. There are way more than Sunny Day and Hail in Pokemon now, but Castform is trapped in the past. -
Fearow
Some Generation 1 favorites get all the luck. Sure, we probably don't need more birds, but Fearow is an old school favorite that has needed a boost since the original games. The design is there, and some fans still hold out hope for a third evolution whenever a new game emerges from Game Freak. -
Inkay
Inkay has one of the most obtuse and silly evolution requirements of any Pokemon. It requires you to hold your system upside down in order to reach its evolved form. It's cute exactly once, and then it becomes a burden. Will this weird requirement work on future systems? Or will future games have the "Upside Down Chamber" to go with the everpresent Moss Rock? -
Shuckle
When Gold and Silver introduced Shuckle's ability to create Berry Juice by holding a Berry, it was pretty clever. However, besides that and its bizarre stats, there hasn't been much to go around for this classic turtle friend especially since Berries aren't really a thing anymore. -
Stunfisk
Stunfisk got a bum rap going into the previous generation. One of its signature abilities prevented it from being Paralyzed, which is now a standard feature of all Electric types. That means that half of all Stunfisk now have a distinct disadvantage over other members of its species. A Pokemon with such weird typing deserves better. -
Zangoose
Look at Zangoose. In any other monster-driven RPG, Zangoose would be right near the top of the list in terms of sheer cool factor. Because this is Pokemon, it's a crowded field, and this cat ferret Pokemon only gets a rivalry with a similarly overlooked poison snake. Justice for Zangoose. -
Farfetch'd
If I had to rank all these Pokemon, I think Farfetch'd would take the top spot. He's has a great look, his name is fun to say, he has a stick, and yet he has no support. Probably one of the least usable Pokemon out of Generation 1, Farfetch'd deserves way better than he got.
