With over 1000 Pokemon in existence, not all of them are meant to be heavy hitters, defensive tanks, or untouchable support. While a sizable group makes up what is considered viable for bothofficial, double battle competitive Pokemonand single battle competitive Pokemon inScarlet and Violet, there are definitely a few Pokemon that seem to fall just short of being good enough, or even just good.
Most Pokemon with poor stats were made with that intention if they evolve later, such as Pokemon like Venonat or Applin, or Pokemon have certain stats that are intentionally poor to be utilized in creative ways, such as Pokemon with awful speed being great in Trick Room, which reverses how speed stats work. The Pokemon ranked below, however, range from those needing a simple boost to be better to those needing drastic changes to simply be okay.
5Mimikyu
Awkward Stat Position
While having a great ability in Disguise, Mimikyudoesn’t quite have the stats to back up both this powerful ability and dual Ghost/Fairy typing. With a base stat total of 476, this Pikachu impostor isn’t too underpowered, but it definitely could use a boost.
Despite having access to incredible ghost and fairy-type moves like Shadow Claw, Play Rough, and more, Mimikyu doesn’t quite have the attack stat to back those up, with just 90 points. The Life Orb item may compensate for this subpar attack stat, but even just increasing the stat to 100 would do wonders for the Pokemon. Additionally, its speed stat isn’t quite fast enough to be a stable offensive threat and isn’t quite slow enough to use Trick Room well, and as such either increasing or decreasing it would be a boon for this disguised Pokemon.
4Tinkaton
The Giant Hammer Is Just For Show
Despite having a giant metal hammer made from scrap of various steel-type Pokemon along with a 160 base powersignature move featuring said hammer, Tinkatondoes not have a good attack stat. In theory, a Pokemon with a giant weapon would have a powerful attack stat, as seen with another Fairy/Steel Pokemon Zacian, and yet Tinkaton decides to subvert expectations, but not for the best.
The stats behind Tinkaton make it more of a defensive Pokemon, specifically specially defensive, but the addition of Gigaton Hammer makes it strange that its attack stat is only 75, with a base stat total of 506. Even if it can function okay on the more defensive side,Tinkaton being unable to use it’s hammerto the fullest definitely speaks to it deserving a stat boost.
3Vikavolt
Speedy In Theory Only
Even though its Pokedex entries speak to this Pokemon zipping around and using incredible aerial maneuvers, the actual speed stat of Vikavolt is appalling. Vikavolt has a wonderful special attack stat of 145, but with a speed stat of 43, not much damage can be done at all.
Despite the Pokedex suggesting Vikavoltcan fly around at higher speeds, and with an Electric typing suggesting similar quickness, the extreme lack of such is almost astounding. While it could be used in Trick Room, there are simply better options than the bug type. A drastic increase to its speed, perhaps taking points away from its unneeded attack stat, would be better fitting for this Pokemon with a solid 500 base stat total.
2Spidops
Good Moves, But Not The Stats To Use Them
Spidops, despite having a solid abilityand access to decent moves, is sadly little more than an early-game Bug type Pokemon. While it has a base stat total of over 400, which is better than most bug types can speak to, the distribution of its stats makes it hardly usable even in-game.
Although the Bug type has three extremely common weaknesses in the Fire, Flying, and Rock types, Spidops has most of its stats invested in both of its defenses. Along with this misalignment, it tragically has a horrific speed stat following Vikavolt’s lead, sitting just at 35 points. Spidops' ability of Stakeout may double its attack stat under certain conditions, but since its attack sits at just 79, a restructuring of stat totals is definitely what this Pokemon needs.
1Flareon
The Worst Eeveelution
Like all the Eeveelutions,Flareon has a base stat total of 525, with stats points that usually focus heavily on two stat categories. Unfortunately for Flareon, one of the original Eeveelutions and the Fire type representative of the group, its stats are not suited for a Fire type.
While having 130 points in the attack stat isn’t bad by any means, the lack of good physical Fire type moves makes Flareon far less desirable, since it cannot make the most out of powerful Fire type moves like Flamethrower and Lava Plume. Beyond that, Flareon’s other highest stat is its special defense, which also isn’t bad given the abundance of special attacking Water types, but since its speed stat sits at a middling 65, the points could be served better elsewhere.
