What are the best gen 8 Pokémon? Picking out our favorite gen 8 Pokémon is no easy task, but consider the fact that Pokémon don’t disappear with the end of each generational era. We think you need to get your head around these creatures. Even if you don’t plan to revisit the wild area any time soon, it’s good to know what powerful Galarian creatures are out there.
For more best-of-the-generation picks, check out our lists of gen 1 Pokémon, gen 2 Pokémon, gen 3 Pokémon, gen 4 Pokémon, gen 5 Pokémon, gen 6 Pokémon, gen 7 Pokémon, gen 9 Pokémon. That’s right, we have rankings for each generation.
So this list doesn’t just end up as all the gen eight legendaries and starters, we’ve decided to exclude them from this list (not that Inteleon would have made it anyway). So, with that caveat out of the way, let’s get into the best gen eight Pokémon.
Appletun
Remember I mentioned that granny smith dragon? Well, it’s Appletun, the peculiar dragon and apple crossover with its customary helmet. Sure, it’s one of the few flightless dragon Pokémon in the franchise’s long history, but it makes up for that with species-unique typing of grass and dragon, as well as its generous all round stats (except for speed, but look at the thing, do you really expect it to run?).
In the Pokédex, Appletun comes in at number 842, requiring you to get Applin a sweet apple to get this dragon on your team. As its appearance may indicate, Appletun has quite a sweet aroma, luring in various creatures, which it soon turns into its prey. Mostly it feeds on sweet apples, but small bug Pokémon who get too close are also on the menu.
To mow down this grassy dragon, get some tips from our grass Pokémon weakness article. Maybe even look at our grass Pokémon to see how it fares against other members of that type.
Barraskewda
Barraskewda belongs to that classic category of Pokémon that don’t look nearly as threatening as they are. With incredible attack and speed stats, access to the swift swim ability that doubles speed in the rain, and a surprisingly diverse movepool, Barraskewda is a competitive beast who makes up in ability for what they lack in imaginative design.
Claiming the number 847 spot in the Pokédex, Barraskewda evolves from Arrokuda when it reaches level 26. The fierce-looking creature has a jaw as sharp as a spear, causing maximum damage when it charges into its prey and traveling at more than 100 knots.
If you want to reel in Barraskewda, you should see what the water Pokémon weakness is.
Obstagoon
If you’re anything like me, before journeying into Galar you could take one look at a Linoone and say “perfect, no notes”. Then Obstagoon arrived, the mafioso-looking badger-mon with a new dark Pokémon typing and some incredibly sharp claws to slash away with, and suddenly Linoone just seems a little boring. Better still, Obstagoon’s shiny alternative is a wash of white, blue, and pink, and is one of the most exciting palette swaps across the entire roster of 1,000+ Pokémon.
Obstagoon is a fearsome foe, and while we advocate making it a member of your team, we still need to point you in the direction of our dark Pokémon weakness guide should you be unfortunate enough to face one, and considering the fact that Piers, the seventh gym leader in Sword and Shield does use one, this is a guarantee. Actually, he only uses dark-type creatures (makes sense being the dark-type leader).
Corviknight
For the longest time, Skarmory was the only steel bird Pokémon in the skies of the Pokémon world. Then came Pokémon Sword and Shield, with its route one flying-type Rookidee. Rookidee itself isn’t much to write
