802+ Pokemon Retrospective - Gen 6

The sixth generation was certainly a step in the right direction. In addition to all the fancy new features they introduced, the graphics upgraded to have three dimensions much like the Colosseum games... but on a handheld. There were small touches here and there, but the most important ones were Super Training, the PSS, Trainer Customization and so on.

Super Training allowed people to see the effort values of a Pokemon and participate in these neat little soccer ball mini games that raised a particular stat. Personally, I like the ones that give you evolution stones when you max out your stats. Then there was the PSS, the online service they introduced that was leagues better than whatever the DS games could have done due to the 3DS having a vastly better Wifi connection.

Trainer Customization is amazing because now player characters doesn't need to look the same. I got nuts for any game that does that, especially if they give you a wide variety of options. I do find it stupid how the dude doesn't get as much as the female options and how we can't really copy the styles of existing Pokemon characters... or even the trainer classes. Now that would be cool.

Pokemon Amie was another good one because we could actually play with our Pokemon instead of sending them out to fight endlessly against other similar creatures. The rainbows and the minigames were kind of doofy, but it was still super cute and served a valuable purpose as it was the only way to get Sylveon. (Also it gave you more critical hits and boosted your experience. It was kinda busted.)

The Experience Share effectively replacing the Exp. All (yes, there was a feature much like the modern Exp. Share but it was far more obscure and harder to get) and giving every member of the party a cut of the experience gained was... pretty busted.

I don't find an issue with it because you can turn it off and personally I despise grinding Pokemon one-by-one, but it I can also see why it would make the story mode super easy. (It doesn't help that X and Y are some of the easiest games in the series by default due to lackluster teams.)

The greatest thing they introduced (aside from Megas) was the Fairy type, the Pokemon universe's stand-in for a "Light" type and the ultimate counter to Dragon types. I feel it was one of the coolest things they could have brought to the table seeing as fae in mythology tended to range from cute little tricksters to terrifying.

Example: the infamous Dullahans from Irish Mythology are considered fae... on top of being Grim Reapers that use whips made out of spines. Makes you think, doesn't it?

I'll talk about Mega Evolution down the line, but I will say this about the Kalos Region - while I think it's neat that it serves as the France analogue of the Pokemon world with some cool places and characters, it still felt pretty underwhelming. I am not ashamed to say that Kalos is my least favorite generation of the bunch, although that's not saying much because I found quite a lot of enjoyment from my initial playthrough of it.

Team Flare is the center of this because the grunts were these generic fashion disaster dudes. The team didn't seem to do much in general until Lysandre came into the scene and revealed that he was psycho crazy to the point where he will gladly genocide everything out of reality just to preserve the beauty of things. That's some Yoshikage Kira shit.

The beginning and middle parts of X/Y were fairly standard and boring with not much happening aside from a remote demonstration of Mega Evolution, but it's the end-game where things go off the wall bonkers. Not only do you have Lysandre about to shoot an ancient doomsday weapon that will either kill everyone (Y) or make them immortal (X), but you also get one of the darkest backstories in all of Pokemon history: the war of 3000 years ago.

AZ's backstory is extremely tragic and the high point of X and Y due to how he went nuts over the death of his little Floette friend and created a doomsday weapon to bring her back... at the cost of thousands of lives. It's one of the most brutal stories to come out of Pokemon, let alone out of a Nintendo game. It was fantastic.

Aside from that, X and Y didn't have much to offer in the story department and that's just a shame. (There was the Looker sidequest, but I didn't know what to make of that until the Generations anime episode came out and cut it down to a reasonable length instead of having me backtrack to a bunch of places. I think it was a cool little sidequest.)

It feels like the game was sort of incomplete though, not helped by the disastrous Lumiose City crashes and the patches required to fix monochrome/glitchy Pokemon.

The theme for Gen 6 (and Kalos as a whole) is all about beauty and balance, although the mons themselves seem to follow their own individual dynamic that's harder to pin down. Xerneas and Yveltal govern over the balance of life and death, but that's all I got. It seems they went quality over quantity as Gen 6 has the least amount of Pokemon introduced - 71.

#650 - 652: Chesnaught Family
Type: / / (Chesnaught)
Ability: Overgrow / Bulletproof (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Chespin
• Quilladin (Level 16)
• Chesnaught (Level 36)

Stats of final evolution: 530 (88, 107, 122, 74, 75, 64)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• I adore these little guys even if they're the most vulnerable fighter out of the trio here. Chespin and Quilladin are super cute and dorky - hell, even Chesnaught is pretty charming despite all of the spikes covering their body.
• Spiky Shield is a Iron Barbs counterpart to Protect and I think it's cool even if Chesnaught gets ravaged by six common weaknesses and is more about hazard Spikes and Roar than anything else.
• Megaman's worst enemy right here, folks.

Overall rating: *******

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#653 - 655: Delphox Family
Type: / / (Delphox)
Ability: Blaze / Magician (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Fennekin
• Braixen (Level 16)
• Delphox (Level 36)

Stats of final evolution: 534 (75, 69, 72, 114, 100, 104)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• One of the coolest starters in a long time.
• Fennekin is cute, but Braixen is arguably my favorite middle evolution in the series because of how they look liked they jumped out of a magical girl anime. You know, the adorable little team pet with magic powers that always hang around the main heroes to give them stuff.
• The best part of the Delphox family, though, is that they subvert the whole "Fire/Fighting" gig that's been going on for three generations thanks to Fennekin becoming a badass flaming wizard.
• I adore Delphox's wizard look due to them looking like they're wearing long-sleeves robes - aka. a design choice that I'm personally fond of.
• Sadly, they're too squishy for my liking and could bear to learn better moves, but they're still one of my favorite starters.

Overall rating: *********

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#656 - 658: Greninja Family
Type: / / (Greninja)
Ability: Torrent / Protean (Hidden) / Battle Bond (Ash-Greninja)
Appearances:

• Froakie
• Frogadier (Level 16)
• Greninja (Level 36)
• Ash-Greninja (Battle Bond activates when a Pokemon is knocked out)

Stats of final evolution: 530 (72, 95, 67, 103, 71, 122)
Additional forms?: One

• Battle Bond (Introduced in Sun and Moon): +110 (72, 145(+50), 67, 153(+50), 71, 132(+10))

Thoughts:

• Chesnaught and Delphox may be cool designwise and have some viability, but they have nothing on ninja frog over here. Greninja is one of the most badass water types they've introduced so far, and considering what we've got, that's really saying something.
• Froakie and Frogadier are acceptable, but it's the final form that really wins me over. Not only do they have a cool ninja look, they also have a tongue scarf... just goes to show that even when they were designing a super serious character, they still had fun doing so.
• Greninja's viability exploded when it was revealed their hidden ability was Protean - aka. the ability that changes your type to whatever move you were using. Combine this with their wicked speed stat and good special attack and you had an assassin on your hands.
• Things only got better for the blue ninja frog when Gen 7 rolled around and combined some elements of the anime... for some reason, to create Ash-Greninja.
• While it's a badass redesign that makes it feel like a pseudo-mega evolution, I take major issue with them calling it "Ash-Greninja" instead of it being "[your name]-Greninja". Aren't you the one forming the Battle Bond with it? Whatever.
• It's an incredible substitute to Protean and comes with a ton of boosts that Greninja didn't honestly need, but okay that's what we're going with now. It does beg the question of where the hell Ash is in regards of the game universe, though, if it's not just a simple cameo.

Overall rating: **********

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#659 - 660: Diggersby Family
Type: / / (Diggersby)
Ability: Pickup (1st) / Cheek Pouch (2nd) / Huge Power (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Bunnelby
• Diggersby (Level 20)

Stats of final evolution: 423 (85, 56, 77, 50, 77, 78)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Bugs Bunny over here was originally a Pokemon I didn't think much of until I learned they had Huge Power as a hidden ability. Their unique Ground/Normal typing and access to Swords Dance make them incredibly powerful, making them the strongest early game fodder Normal type in the series.
• Even Mega Sableye would have some trouble fighting this scumbag bunny, although any ghost/levitate user or defensive Pokemon could really muck their day up.
• I like that the shiny version makes them gray just so that Bugs Bunny joke can come full circle.

Overall rating: *******

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#661 - 663: Talonflame Family
Type: / / / (Fletchinder and Talonflame)
Ability: Flame Body / Gale Wings (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Fletchling
• Fletchinder (Level 17)
• Talonflame (Level 35)

Stats of final evolution: 499 (78, 81, 71, 74, 69, 126)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• You know, before Talonflame was revealed, the early game bird Pokemon never really struck me as very powerful. (Barring Staraptor because damn they were tough)
• Enter this badass flaming falcon with a completely fair ability that wipes the floor with everyone that's weak to Flying and Fire types.
• Talonflame has a really cool design being a falcon with fire motifs - they already stood out due to their looks but then they revealed what Gale Wings actually did - it gives +1 priority to Flying moves.
• The ever-helpful recovery move known as Roost? Priority. The 120 power Brave Bird? Priority. It got so bad that they had to nerf Gale Wings in Sun and Moon to only work at full health.
• I mean christ on a bike, did they really need a priority ability when they already have 126 speed?
• Despite how annoying they are, Talonflame is a rad bird Pokemon.

Overall rating: *********

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#664 - 666: Vivillon Family
Type: (Scatterbug and Spewpa) / / (Vivillon)
Ability: Shield Dust (1st) / Compound Eyes (2nd) / Friend Guard (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Scatterbug
• Spewpa (Level 9)
• Meadow Vivillon (Level 12)
• Archipelago Pattern
• Continental Pattern
• Elegant Pattern
• Garden Pattern
• High Plains Pattern
• Icy Snow Pattern
• Jungle Pattern
• Marine Pattern
• Modern Pattern
• Ocean Pattern
• Polar Pattern
• River Pattern
• Sandstorm Pattern
• Savanna Pattern
• Sun Pattern
• Tundra Pattern
• Pokeball Pattern
• Fancy Pattern

Stats of final evolution: 411 (80, 52, 50, 90, 50, 89)
Additional forms?: 20

• Area-Based (Introduced in X and Y): Purely cosmetic difference based on the real-life geological area where Vivillon was located.

Thoughts:

• So... the 666th Pokemon is a butterfly. Interesting choice, especially when you realize that both it and Yveltal are part Flying type.
• Vivillon and its forms are cute and all, but the most impressive thing about them are all of the patterns. As it says above, the only way to get these patterns were to play in different parts of the real life world. For example, you'd have to go to a tundra to get the tundra pattern...
• It's like a collector's worst nightmare.
• Vivillon has a signature move called... Powder. No fancy name, just Powder. When you spray Powder on an opponent, they explode if they try to use a Fire move. Hilarious, but too gimmicky to actually use.

Overall rating: ******

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#667 - 668: Pyroar Family
Type: /
Ability: Rivalry (1st) / Unnerve (2nd) / Moxie (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Litleo
• Male and Female Pyroar (Level 35)

Stats of final evolution: 507 (86, 68, 72, 109, 66, 106)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• We have lions, everybody! (Well, a more straightforward example than Luxray who were based off of lynxes more than anything else)
• Litleo is... funny looking, but Pyroar is cool. I don't really understand the yellow stripe going through their mane, but the lionesses look pretty badass with their ponytail.
• Noble Roar is a cool-sounding move that lowers both Attack and Special Attack, but has -1 priority for some god forsaken reason. Sun and Moon gave it to more Pokemon - the Kommo-o Family and Solgaleo make sense, but then you have... Wailord?? Uh, okay then.
• The lions are neat but get phased out by entry hazards and water types rather easily. Oh well.

Overall rating: *******

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#669 - 671: Florges Family
Type:
Ability: Flower Veil / Symbiosis (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Flabebe - Yellow, Orange, Blue and White flowers
• Floette - Yellow, Orange, Blue and White flowers (Level 19)
• AZ's Floette (Unique entity)
• Florges - Yellow, Orange, Blue and White flowers (Shiny Stone)

Stats of final evolution: 552 (78, 65, 68, 112, 154, 75)
Stats of AZ's Floette: 551 (74, 65, 67, 125, 128, 92)
Additional forms?: Four per evolution

• Different flowers (Introduced in X and Y): Purely cosmetic difference based on which color flower patch they were first encountered in. Cannot be changed.

Thoughts:

• The first Fairy type in the series... Damn, they did a good job, even if I have some small complaints.
• Flabebe is alright, but Floette is just too cute, holy crap. They're like a little floating flower girl, and I like how their flower changes color if you find them in a different patch. The white flower variants are rare, but not "shiny" rare if that makes any sense.
• Florges is... well, gorgeous. They seem to have fused with the flower somehow (which makes me question why they're not Grass/Fairy, but alas) and have an elegant garden spirit vibe to them. Them being ridiculously durable special walls help quite a bit.
• They're one of the coolest new fairies (barring the old Pokemon that were retrofitted to become part Fairy) and serve as my Gardevoir for this generation.
• However... there's still the issue of AZ's Floette. She's the very same one that the backstory revolved around complete with her own insane flower design, but you don't even encounter her aside from seeing her return to AZ himself at your championship parade.
• Perhaps she was an event Pokemon that they never got to releasing... and seeing as Gen 7 is already underway, maybe they never will. Man, that's actually kind of a downer when you sit and think about it.
• AZ's Floette knows a badass-sounding signature move called Light of Ruin, a powerful fairy laser that does recoil damage. It's the only Special move in the series that does recoil damage, so does she shoot out her own life force to do the damage? That's stone cold.

Overall rating: **********

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#672 - 673: Gogoat Family
Type:
Ability: Sap Sipper / Grass Pelt (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Skiddo
• Gogoat (Level 32)

Stats of final evolution: 531 (123, 100, 62, 97, 81, 68)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• It was this generation that introduced Ride Pokemon as a thing even if it didn't become a full-fledged feature until Sun and Moon. Skiddo is a nice little goat and that's great, but Gogoat is rather badass-looking even if they're not very strong.
• The fact they can sense emotions and seem to be a full plant and animal fusion (as opposed to Sawsbuck which at least had a Normal typing) make them more intriguing than I originally expected.
• One thing about Gogoat is that they can use Milk Drink as a recovery move... that's gross, but it makes sense because even real life goats can lactate regardless of gender.

Overall rating: ******

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#674 - 675: Pangoro Family
Type: / / (Pangoro)
Ability: Iron Fist (1st) / Mold Breaker (2nd) / Scrappy (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Pancham
• Pangoro (Level 32 with a Dark type in the active party)

Stats of final evolution: 495 (95, 124, 78, 69, 71, 58)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Awww yeah, boy - panda time.
• Pancham is a precious little munchkin who only evolves into Pangoro when you have a Dark type in the party... I guess the reasoning is that they need that push to become a true delinquent.
• Pangoro has a rad-as-fuck design and the strength to boot - they are the physically stronger counterpart to Scrafty and come with the excellent Iron Fist ability.
• They also have a signature move (although it would later be used by Silvally and Alolan Persian) called Parting Shot. They make a threat that lowers the opponent's Attack and Special Attack before switching out with another Pokemon, which I find really badass.
• It's also true to real life - pandas may look cuddly, but they're still bears. They will maul you if you get on their bad side.

Overall rating: *********

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#676: Furfrou
Type:
Ability: Fur Coat
Appearances:

• Normal
• Star Trim
• Diamond Trim
• Heart Trim
• Pharaoh Trim
• Kabuki Trim
• La Reine Trim
• Matron Trim
• Dandy Trim
• Debutante Trim

Stats of final evolution: 472 (75, 80, 60, 65, 90, 102)
Additional forms?: Nine

• Trims (Introduced in X and Y): Purely cosmetic change. Goes away if you keep Furfrou out for a long time or if you place them into the PC.

Thoughts:

• Let's be real here - you know they had to put in a poodle Pokemon because it's the Pokemon equivalent to France.
• Furfrou is a wonderfully quirky dog Pokemon that you can customize the appearance of. Their natural looks are arguably the most graceful due to having a nice balance of fluff and coolness - like I'm perfectly fine with them never getting a fancy designer trim and just looking like that.
• The trims are Furfrou's gig and the first three are kind of... eh. I think they're kind of silly looking, especially the Heart one.
• Kabuki is the coolest out of the middle ones with Pharoah coming in second, mostly because of the red and the perfectly square cuts.
• The last three, Matron, Dandy and Debutante, are easily the best of the set due to how regal they look - the Matron look is far more dignified than the Heart trim while Dandy is too foppish for my blood.
• It would have been cool if each trim added a type or gave them a different move, but I guess that wouldn't make much sense seeing as they're just cosmetic changes.
• Fur Coat is Furfrou's signature ability and halves damage taken from physical moves. They also know Cotton Guard to bolster their tankiness even more... so just picture a giant living tank of fluff that barks at people.
• Still, it's more fun to play around with Furfrou than to throw them into battle.

Overall rating: ********

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#677 - 678: Meowstic Family
Type:
Ability: Keen Eye (1st) / Infiltrator (2nd) / Prankster (Male Hidden) / Competitive (Female Hidden)
Appearances:

• Espurr
• Male and Female Meowstic (Level 25)

Stats of final evolution: 466 (74, 48, 76, 83, 81, 104)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Those eyes. Poor Espurr has seen some shit.
• It's a psychic cat - a scottish fold to be precise. I never found Espurr to be creepy, actually - their eyes were more charming than creepy if I'm gonna be honest with you. Then again, I'm a weirdo so what can you do?
• I do find it disturbing how they're holding back their psychic power with their ears... even if the evolutions to Meowstic don't even have above-average Special Attack. That's disappointing.
• Male Meowstic is blue and looks cool, but the female has a fluffy white coat look and yellow eyes going for her. I... like her more than the guy, to be honest.
• However, the male Meowstic comes with the always-welcome Prankster as opposed to the more situational Competitive of the female... So there's that. Tough call.

Overall rating: ********

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#679 - 681: Aegislash Family
Type: /
Ability: No Guard -> Stance Change (Aegislash)
Appearances:

• Honedge
• Doublade (Level 35)
• Aegislash (Dusk Stone)

Stats of final evolution: 520 (60, 50, 150, 50, 150, 60)
Additional forms?: One

• Stance Change (Introduced in X and Y): Changes depending on what kind of move is used. Swaps stats around (60, 150(+100), 50(-100), 150(+100), 50(-100), 60)

Thoughts:

• Yeeeeeeaaaaaah boy! It's like the best Ghost Pokemon after Chandelure!
• This is a family where I simply adore every single member for one reason or another. Honedge is a living sword and is the most conventional design out of the three - I want to swing it around while taking poses with it like some JRPG protagonist.
• The shiny having a BLOOD RED blade is the best thing ever because you know red swords mean trouble.
• Doublade is a pair of Honedges. You can't go wrong with dual-wielding, especially when both of the swords are sentient.
• Then we have Aegislash, a sword and shield combo that not only looks amazing but wind ups being one of the most powerful Pokemon in the game. After going around shield-less for its first two evolutions, Aegislash dons their own Hylian Shield and gains Stance Change.
• Stance Change allows them to switch between their "defending" and "attacking" stances. As you can see there, the difference between both is staggering - fighting a Aegislash may be predictable, but the things they can do can really mess someone's day up if you know how to play your opponent.
• I distinctly remember going out of my way to get their shiny version because of how incredible this Pokemon was.
• I'll admit that Aegislash's pommel is pretty ridiculous/impractical looking, but it's a giant possessed sword. I'm not going to argue with that.

Overall rating: **********

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#682 - 683: Aromatisse Family
Type:
Ability: Healer / Aroma Veil (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Spritzee
• Aromatisse (Trade while holding a Satchet)

Stats of final evolution: 462 (101, 72, 72, 99, 89, 29)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Spritzee caught my attention when it first came up - it was this weird-yet-charming little bird creature that emits aromas and sort of looks to be based off of plague doctor masks.
• Then it evolves into Aromatisse and just... hmm. While I'm miffed that they didn't go down the plague doctor path, I can't help but like the weird flamenco dancer look they went with.
• I mean, fae in mythology didn't have a uniform appearance and this one is unique for being a perfume goblin thing. It's neat when you really look at it, but Florges completely outclasses them when it comes to battling.
• Uranium had the right idea with a more plague-doctor oriented Poison/Fairy evolution for Spritzee though, but that's a fangame so I can't really count it.

Overall rating: ******

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#684 - 685: Slurpuff Family
Type:
Ability: Sweet Veil / Unburden (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Swirlix
• Slurpuff (Trade while holding a Whipped Dream)

Stats of final evolution: 480 (82, 80, 86, 85, 75, 72)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Slurpuff is super appealing regarding their appearance (due to it and Swirlix being fluffy cotton candy dogs) and is a far more capable fighter due to a combo of Belly Drum+Sitrus Berry+Unburden (double speed when an item is used).
• They can really do some damage if they can set up, plus... their shiny reminds me of a chocolate sundae. Bonus points for that.

Overall rating: ********

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#686 - 687: Malamar Family
Type: /
Ability: Suction Cups (1st) / Contrary (2nd) / Infiltrator (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Inkay
• Malamar (Level 30 while... holding the 3DS upside down??)

Stats of final evolution: 482 (86, 92, 88, 68, 75, 73)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• CTHULHU.
• Out of everything they could have introduced in this generation, I did not expect one of the Deep Ones. Inkay and Malamar are interesting in that they're squids, but emphasize more on the Cthulhu Mythos side of things due to being Dark/Psychic.
• The fact you have to evolve them by holding the 3DS upside down is mind-boggling, but it makes sense - you're turning their concept of morality upside down, hence the foreboding look.
• At first, I didn't understand how Malamar worked until someone used Contrary Superpower on me. That can be really dangerous, even if Malamar is super weak to bugs.
• They are an amazing concept that I never saw coming but am glad they made it in.

Overall rating: *********

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#688 - 689: Barbaracle Family
Type: /
Ability: Sniper (1st) / Tough Claws (2nd) / Pickpocket (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Binacle
• Barbaracle (Level 39)

Stats of final evolution: 500 (72, 105, 115, 54, 86, 68)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• This is another one that people find ugly and... well, I can't blame them. Barnacles in real life are serious eyesores and don't even look like they're alive most of the time.
• Binacle is a pair of claws with faces. Yeah, okay.
• Barbaracle, on the other hand, is so ridiculous that it rolls back into awesome again. It's a creature with hands pouring out of everywhere and even has one for a face.
• It's supposed to be a barbarian too, so it makes perfect sense why it looks so stupid - it just plain doesn't care that it looks like some kid's doodle monster. I can appreciate that.
• Shell Smash combined with that great attack make them dangerous, even if it's practically trivial to choke them out with a Grass type.

Overall rating: *******

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#690 - 691: Dragalge Family
Type: / / /
Ability: Poison Point (1st) / Poison Touch (2nd) / Adaptability (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Skrelp
• Dragalge (Level 48)

Stats of final evolution: 494 (65, 75, 90, 97, 123, 44)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• An evil counterpart to the Kingdra family? Fascinating.
• Dragalge is the first Poison/Dragon in the series and is frankly one of the cooler Poison Pokemon out there.
• They're mean and lean and come with an amazing, intimidating appearance that screams "do not mess with me".
• This is backed up by their sky-high special defense and access to Adapability, as it takes their normally lackluster 97 special attack and kicks it up a notch. I find it interesting that they were introduced in the same generation as the fairy type... a hard counter, perhaps?
• I mean, even Psychic types would have a hard time with this thing. When you're that bulky, you don't have much to worry about.

Overall rating: *********

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#692 - 693: Clawitzer Family
Type:
Ability: Mega Launcher
Appearances:

• Clauncher
• Clawitzer (Level 37)

Stats of final evolution: 500 (71, 73, 88, 120, 89, 59)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Let's take a small crab and give it a big claw. That's fine in of itself, but how about we take that same crab an give it an even bigger claw that can shoot death beams.
• Clawitzer is so outrageously cool that I don't really mind that it doesn't have much beyond the overwhelming nuclear arm cannon gimmick. It's blue too, so make your Megaman jokes now before I become sane.
• That Special Attack and Mega Launcher (powers up aura and pulse moves like Dark Pulse and Aura Sphere) make this thing a beast, even if they're a bit squishy at the end of the day.
• The big claw even looks like its own fish, almost as if Clawitzer is just carrying it along while the claw does all the real work.

Overall rating: *******

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#694 - 695: Heliolisk Family
Type: /
Ability: Dry Skin (1st) / Sand Veil (2nd) / Solar Power (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Helioptile
• Heliolisk (Sun Stone)

Stats of final evolution: 481 (62, 55, 52, 109, 94, 109)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Now here's a neat one.
• Helioptile and Heliolisk are frilled lizards that have a sun motif, thanks to their evolution through the Sun Stone and how their frill resembles the sun when viewed from the front. Their names are even references to this as Helios is the Titan that embodies the sun in Greek Mythology.
• Helioptile is adorable and Heliolisk is a rad sun-inspired Pokemon that isn't outright Fire type. Solar Power being the Hidden ability is there to hammer it in even more.
• Normal/Electric is... interesting, to say the least. Dry Skin is very useful for soaking up Water moves even if it means they are actually... weak under the sun. Delicious irony.
• They get slammed out by Fighting and Ground types, so that sucks. Oh well, they can't be perfect.

Overall rating: ********

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#696 - 697: Tyrantrum Family
Type: /
Ability: Strong Jaw / Rock Head (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Tyrunt
• Tyrantrum (Level 39 during the day)

Stats of final evolution: 521 (82, 121, 119, 69, 59, 71)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• I'm surprised it took them this long to include the T-Rex Pokemon.
• Tyrantrum is a wonderfully badass dinosaur Pokemon with intimidating abilities (these teeth aren't just for show!) and has a cool typing in being a rock dragon. That's how you know they were the apex predator of whatever prehistoric period they lived in.
• Tyrantrum is afraid of fairies, but at least they can reasonably fight back due to having the fearsome Head Smash under their belt. Rock Head prevents them from taking recoil damage, which is especially useful when you take a look at how much Head Smash cuts out of your own health.
• Then there's Ground, Steel and Fighting types... yeah, good luck, buddy.

Overall rating: ********

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#698 - 699: Aurorus Family
Type: /
Ability: Refrigerate / Snow Warning (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Amaura
• Aurorus (Level 39 at night)

Stats of final evolution: 521 (123, 77, 73, 99, 92, 58)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Amaura and Aurorus look pretty and are the only Rock/Ice types in the game. Refrigerate is a neat ability that wouldn't see actual use until Mega Glalie in ORAS and, truth be told, I don't think Aurorus is that great of a fighter.
• Especially if you compare them to their rad T-Rex counterpart. They're simply too vulnerable and aren't strong/fast enough to keep up with that kind of hassle.

Overall rating: ******

-

#700: Sylveon

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the comically oversized Eevee family.

Additional thoughts:

• I know I've been calling a lot of Pokemon cute or precious so far, but Sylveon beats all of them by a mile. Every aspect of Sylveon's cuteness is so carefully calculated that I just have to applaud them for the end result.
• It's one thing to be adorable, but Sylveon is an absolute fae murderbeast. A Pixilated Hyper Voice from this thing can wipe out almost everything that isn't explicitly Special Defense-bolstered or Chansey. There's no strings attached - you just have a really powerful Fairy move that hits both opponents and has no friendly fire. It's almost too good to be true in a way.
• They're slow and get smashed by metal objects, but when you look this cute and strike the fear of god into every dragon in the room... you know you're doing something right.

Individual rating: **********

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#701: Hawlucha
Type: /
Ability: Limber (1st) / Unburden (2nd) / Mold Breaker (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Normal

Stats of final evolution: 500 (78, 92, 75, 74, 63, 118)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Hawlucha is my jam. How can you go wrong with masked luchador bird?!
• Admittedly, I am curious as to what a masked luchador bird is doing in France of all places. You could argue the same thing for the very Middle America-inspired Xatu appearing in Japan, but it's more glaring with Hawlucha appearing in Kalos. Short answer: Who cares?
• They have a rad appearance and a fantastic utility in Unburden (Acrobatics from this thing must hurt) but are weaker than I expected and can't really stomach any real super-effective move.
• Flying Press is an amusing move that does both Fighting and Flying damage at the same time - it's the only one that does this, and it makes sense because Hawlucha is literally flying to body slam you. It's great.

Overall rating: *********

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#702: Dedenne
Type: /
Ability: Cheek Pouch (1st) / Pickup (2nd) / Plus (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Normal

Stats of final evolution: 431 (67, 58, 57, 81, 67, 101)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Well, guys... We've finally reached it - Dedenne is one of the dumbest Pokemon they ever made.
• Let me just count the ways:
• #1 - It is the most blatant of the Pikaclones. They're literally just a copy of Pikachu's old fat design with spikier whiskers and a random Fairy type bolted on to them. It's so shameless I can't even defend it.
• #2 - Sure, it's cute, but there's already a million other Pokemon that can fill that quota and do it better. In fact, Pichu is way better than Dedenne in this regard because not only is Pichu precious, they can actually evolve to resolve the horrible stat distribution.
• #3 - They are absolutely horrendous when it comes to battling. Like they don't even have something that allows them to act as a surprise like Lightning Rod or Motor Drive. Cheek Pouch is a cool ability, though. It restores even more health if a berry's eaten, but that's about it. If you take the time to set up on it, not even the legendary Recycle + Sitrus Berry combo could save you there.
• It's such a stark contrast to the rest of this list too, seeing as Kalos generally has high quality mons.
• Maybe if they evolve into something cooler, I'll forgive them... but for now? Ugh.
• The only thing that's really saving them for me is that they are adorable little mouselings.

Overall rating: ****

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#703: Carbink
Type: /
Ability: Clear Body / Sturdy (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Normal

Stats of final evolution: 500 (50, 50, 150, 50, 150, 50)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Carbink is an adorable living gemstone fairy. I like my shiny rocks, even if Carbink isn't all that good for battle. Sure, 150 on both defenses is amazing, but a crippling weakness to machines and the common Rock checks whittles them down a bit.
• I'll leave Diancie as a seperate entry because there's a ton of stuff to talk about them.

Overall rating: ******

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#704 - 706: Goodra Family
Type:
Ability: Sap Sipper (1st) / Hydration (2nd) / Gooey (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Goomy
• Sliggoo (Level 40)
• Goodra (Level 50 when it's raining)

Stats of final evolution: 600 (90, 100, 70, 110, 150, 80)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• The pseudo-legendary for Kalos is very cuddly, but don't let that fool you - they're extremely dangerous. For what is essentially a precious slug dragon, they're very bulky and come with a ton of dangerous tools.
• Sap Sipper is there to swap in to Grass types and get a free attack boost while Goodra's signature ability, Gooey, slows down opponents that attack them directly.
• It's funny how they went back to a softer, more Dragonite-like approach for the design, but by virtue of being a dragon they're incredible badasses. It would have been even cooler if they were Water/Dragon (because you know, evolving in the rain) but sadly not much luck there.

Overall rating: *********

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#707: Klefki
Type: /
Ability: Prankster / Magician (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Normal

Stats of final evolution: 470 (57, 80, 91, 80, 87, 75)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• THIS LITTLE BASTARD.
• Klefki is one of the most annoying Pokemon to deal with, period. Prankster is a really cruel ability, especially when the person using it can survive longer than two turns thanks to an amazing combination of types. Dual Screens? Spikes? Thunder Wave-induced paralysis? They have it all.
• You'd think I hate it, but I actually love it. Klefki is adorable, seeing as it's based on a belief that fairies liked to steal tiny things like shoes or keys. (Its arms are always held together to form a keychain when it's actually not a keychain.)
• The fact it's part Steel may be a reference to a superstition. Iron charms were used to keep away fairies, which makes perfect sense in this universe too considering that's one of their main weaknesses.
• Prankster is a big part of this, plus I can't really hate a Pokemon that's only doing its job. That means I can get to utilize their powers myself.
• (Plus the shiny is gold, so there's the bling fascination going for it too.)

Overall rating: ********

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#708 - 709: Trevenant Family
Type: /
Ability: Natural Cure (1st) / Frisk (2nd) / Harvest (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Phantump
• Trevenant (Trade)

Stats of final evolution: 474 (85, 110, 76, 65, 82, 56)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Alright, you thought Yamask was bad? Check this out: Phantump are explicitly referred to as children that got lost in the forest. Yep - dead children. Holy shit, Game Freak - they did not hold back with these.
• Trevenant is badass because it's a haunted tree monster. They may not be fast and get out-spooked by Dark types, but if I'm going to level with you? If I saw this thing in the forest and I had only a weak/no Pokemon to protect myself with? I would die of fright.
• Good stuff.

Overall rating: *******

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#710 - 711: Gourgeist Family
Type: /
Ability: Pickup (1st) / Frisk (2nd) / Insomnia (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Pumpkaboo
• Gourgeist (Trade)

Stats of final evolution: 494 (65, 90, 122, 58, 75, 84)
Additional forms?: Three

• Different sizes (Introduced in X and Y): Stats swapped around
  • Small (55(-10), 85(-5), 122, 58, 75, 99(+15))
  • Large (75(+10), 95(+5), 122, 58, 75, 69(-15))
  • Super Size (85(+20), 100(+10), 122, 58, 75, 54(-30))

Thoughts:

• Trevenant is cool and all, but the Gourgeist family steal the show for me.
• First off, Pumpkaboo looks like a cat sticking out of a pumpkin. Adorable.
• Second, Gourgeist is really pretty despite it being described as a sadist that joyfully sings while torturing people. A near-constant reminder that Ghost types are spooky for a reason and you should never take them lightly.
• The size gimmick is cool in that each size has different attack, health and speed... but I just go with the Super Size because 99 Speed isn't all that great.
• They're like the perfect Halloween Pokemon too, seeing as they're the right colors and have a spooky face carved into their body already.

Overall rating: *********

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#712 - 713: Avalugg Family
Type:
Ability: Own Tempo (1st) / Ice Body (2nd) / Sturdy (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Bergmite
• Avalugg (Level 37)

Stats of final evolution: 514 (95, 117, 184, 44, 46, 28)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• I find Bergmite charming, but at the same time it reminds me of the annoying frozen enemies from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
• Avalugg is... okay? The top part of them is completely flat and they have great Defense, but bad Special Defense and speed. It's supposed to be a glacier beast, but I don't find it too terribly interesting.

Overall rating: ****

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#714 - 715: Noivern Family
Type: /
Ability: Frisk (1st) / Infiltrator (2nd) / Telepathy (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Noibat
• Noivern (Level 48)

Stats of final evolution: 535 (85, 70, 80, 97, 80, 123)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Boombox fruit bat dragon. Only in Pokemon, I swear...
• In all seriousness, Noivern is fantastic. Goodra may be the real pseudo-legendary of this region, but Noivern comes in a close second. Their impeccable speed and cool fruit bat wyvern design are big reasons why I like them, even if... well, they're not super good for battling.
• Tailwind is nice and Boomburst from this thing really hurts, but they also have a life-threatening vulnerability to Ice and Stealth Rocks... Oh, and Salamence exists.
• How unfortunate.

Overall rating: ********

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[Theme for this bit: Vs. Xerneas / Yveltal or The Super Mystery Dungeon counterpart to their themes]

#716: Xerneas
Type:
Ability: Fairy Aura
Appearances:

• Normal

Stats of final evolution: 680 (126, 131, 95, 131, 98, 99)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Xerneas is possibly the best box-art legendary they've concieved so far. They are an absolutely gorgeous deer that controls the very essence of life itself. Their sleek black and blue color scheme along with the multi-colored gems growing out of their antlers give them a mythical quality that very few Pokemon possess.
• They're practically a force of nature when it comes to battles due to their signature skill: Geomancy. What it does is that it gives Xerneas a 2x boost in Special Attack, Defense and Speed. When you take Xerneas's already high Special Attack and Fairy Aura into the equation, there's almost nothing you can do to stop such a majestic beast.
• Too bad Xerneas doesn't seem to get more screentime - the most I've seen of them are either getting imprisoned by Team Flare and turning into a tree (both in the Diancie Movie and Super Mystery Dungeon). You'd think they would do a lot more with the master of life themselves.

Overall rating: **********

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#717: Yveltal
Type: /
Ability: Dark Aura
Appearances:

• Normal

Stats of final evolution: 680 (126, 131, 95, 131, 98, 99)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• The Grim Reaper in the form of a badass bird of prey... Yveltal is incredible. When they show up, they cause so much destruction and mayhem that it's amazing, and it's unapologetic about it too - it feeds on the life force of everything around it to power itself up, which forces Xerneas to stand in.
• Oblivion Wing is a Flying type move for some reason, but it's still a death beam that drains the life out of whatever it hits. (It also reminds me of a Cero from Bleach due to how it is colored.)
• It may not have something like Geomancy, but it's still a fearsome opponent and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Overall rating: **********

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#718: Zygarde
Type: /
Ability: Aura Break / Power Construct
Appearances:

• Zygarde Cell
• Zygarde Core
• 10% Form (Compile 10 Zygarde Cells)
• 50% Form (Compile 50 Zygarde Cells)
• Complete Form (Compile 100 Zygarde Cells)

Stats of 50% Form: 600 (108, 100, 121, 81, 95, 95)
Additional forms?: One

• Compiled Forms (Introduced in Sun and Moon): You get a different Zygarde form based on how many cells you put together. Zygarde Cores teach the Zygardes unique moves like Thousand Arrows, Thousand Waves, Dragon Dance, Extremespeed and Core Enforcer.
  • 10% Form: -114 (54(-54), 100, 71(-50), 61(-20), 85(-10), 115(+20))
  • Complete Form: +108 (216(+108), 100, 121, 91(+10), 95, 85(-10))

Thoughts:

• Whoa, hey, what have we got here?
• The trio of Legendaries for Kalos are so interesting that it's actually hard to pin down how cool they actually are. Prime example: Zygarde. In X and Y, it was this weird dragon that lived in Terminous Cave - didn't seem to have a reason behind its existence other than serving as a foil to Xerneas and Yveltal with its Aura Break ability.
• It didn't seem to have much going for it beyond its amazing alien worm design and generally seemed outclassed by Garchomp... until Sun and Moon rolled along and introduced that Zygarde serves as the protector of the land in many places, with their cells scattered around the Alola region for you to collect.
• The Zygarde Cells and Cores are cute, but it's what they add up to that really make a difference.
• 10% Zygarde is literally a doberman with gemstones for eyes and a scarf. It looks really cool, but it trades HP and Defense for Speed... That seems like a problem until you realize this thing is still just as strong and comes with strong unique moves that can hit Flying types.
• The complete form, Zygarde 100%, is extremely badass as it turns into this Godzilla Cell uber-beast that looks absolutely amazing. The fact it's the bulkiest of the forms is proof that this is Zygarde at their A-Game, even if the 10% Form is cheaper to produce and better suited for quick battles.
• Yeah, when you think about it, Zygarde is pretty much Cell from Dragon Ball Z complete with the whole "looking more badass the more powerful he gets" thing.
• I love the Norse mythology attached to the Kalos legendaries, by the way:
• Xerneas is Yggdrasil, the world tree...
• Yveltal is Hraesvelgr, the eagle that sits at the end of the world...
• And finally, Zygarde is Jormugandr and Fenrir at once - a sea serpent that encircles the planet and a monstrous wolf (referenced in the 10% form for Zygarde.)

Overall rating: **********

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#719: Diancie
Type: /
Ability: Clear Body / Magic Bounce (Hidden)
Appearances:

• Normal
• Mega Diancie

Stats of final evolution: 600 (50, 100, 150, 100, 150, 50)
Additional forms?: One

• Mega (Introduced in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire): +100 (50, 160(+60), 110(-40), 160(+60), 110(-40), 110(+60))

Thoughts:

• Man, imagine if Diancie was an evolution of Carbink and wasn't just a stupid event legendary that I can't even nickname. That'd be amazing.
• But nope, they are a sudden mutation of a Carbink that turns them into a magical girl. Diancie is competing with Meloetta and the next one on here on the first place spot on my "cute legendaries" list - they're just that good.
• By themselves, Diancie is a precious gemstone princess that is only really a more powerful version of Carbink. However, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire rolled around and gave them their Mega Evolution...
• Mega Diancie is simply stunning in every aspect - the beautiful gem queen dress made out of pink crystals and ribbons is only one part of it. They are wicked strong and fast in this form - like there's no contest compared to base Diancie.
• The best part about Mega Diancie is Magic Bounce - hell, it and Mega Sableye would probably get marry each other for this alone.
• So not only do you have a stupidly powerful gem fairy princess that would give everything but the toughest Steel and Water types problems... they're immune to status effects unless it's indirectly applied to them through an attack.
• Holy shit, dude. What makes it worse is that Shiny Diancie is black and pink... how can I not love this stupid fairy gem princess thing?

Overall rating: **********

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#720: Hoopa
Type: / (Confined) / / (Unbound)
Ability: Magician
Appearances:

• Confined
• Unbound (Use Prison Bottle)

Stats of Confined Hoopa: 600 (80, 110, 60, 150, 130, 70)
Additional forms?: One

• Unbound (Introduced in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire): +80, reverts back to normal if three days pass or if deposited in the PC (80, 160(+50), 60, 170(+20), 130, 80(+10))

Thoughts:

• Base Hoopa concerned me initially - Ghost/Psychic is very vulnerable to Ghost and Dark, plus that speed and defense were not very flattering. Still, I thought their trickster genie that plays with hyperspace hoops motif was adorable.
• Then ORAS rolled around and introduced their unbelievably badass Unbound form. Like no joke, I thought it was the single coolest alternate form a Pokemon could ever get that wasn't a Mega Evolution. They change from a tiny little trickster into a hulking dark genie monster that's like 20 feet tall - like holy shit!
• The Unbound form is also really good for fights as evidenced by their sky-high attack stats and a slight speed boost. Their type has also changed for the better because ghosts and Dark types are common enough to the point where it would have been an issue.
• Phenomenal Pokemon all around, no real complaints here.

Overall rating: **********

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#721: Volcanion
Type: /
Ability: Water Absorb
Appearances:

• Normal

Stats of final evolution: 600 (80, 110, 120, 130, 90, 70)
Additional forms?: N/A
Thoughts:

• Volcanion is... well, based off of a shisa in the same way as Arcanine. They're a volcano geyser lion that shoots ultra-hot water spouts strong enough to blow away mountains.
• That's true in gameplay too because Steam Eruption is goddamn blistering to the point where even if you only take neutral damage, it will probably one-shot you.
• The Fire/Water typing is something I hoped they would do sooner, and I feel Volcanion is a super cool concept for a Pokemon.... just not enough to justify being an event legendary. You know?

Overall rating: ********

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Among the sea of improvements came Mega Evolution, a pivotal mechanic that gave a lot of old Pokemon a new leash on life.

I can understand why people wouldn't like it- it's this strange new power-up that came with some weird designs for previously established favorites on top of feeling like some tacked on feature designed to get people's attention...

But when I first saw it? I thought it was the raddest thing to ever come out of a new generation. I would look up all the Pokemon that got Mega Evolutions and hunt for Mega Stones even if I didn't own or won't own the Pokemon in question - it's such a fascinating concept to me because it reminds me of super forms in other anime shows and video games.

I'm a sucker for theatrics, alright?

(Plus, I love how the non-standard format of Mega Evolutions means that Pokemon can still get new designs without having to create a new generation's worth of Pokemon. That way, buying a remake like ORAS can still surprise people.)

-

#003 - 009: Mega Kanto Starters

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variants.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• Not much I haven't already said. I do like how Mega Venusaur is the most humble of the three due to not having some crazy appendage or blue fire pouring out of them.

Individual ratings:

• M-Venusaur: ********
• M-Charizard-X: *********
• M-Charizard-Y: *********
• M-Blastoise: ********

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#015: Mega Beedrill

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• Beedrill desperately needed a power-up like Mega Evolution, and boy howdy was it effective.

Individual rating: *********

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#018: Mega Pidgeot

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• I can go around making Dragon Ball Z jokes all day with hair like that.

Individual rating: ********

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#065: Mega Alakazam

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• I thought it was messed up how Sun and Moon described Mega Alakazam's body as simply an ethereal substance due to pouring all of their strength into psychic powers.

Individual rating: *********

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#080: Mega Slowbro

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• I find it amusing how the "Shellder" is what went Mega while the Slowbro themselves just uses it as a shield.

Individual rating: *******

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#095: Mega Gengar

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• After Gengar's nerf in Sun and Moon, Mega Gengar is looking far more appealing to use... The power you get is practically criminal, even if you don't go for the scumbag Protect+Perish Song playstyle.

Individual rating: **********

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#115: Mega Kangaskhan (and bab)

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• It's one thing to make me feel bad about turning my Pokemon into a heartless murderbeast, Rotom-Dex, but did you really have to tell me that I'm ruining this kid's future? That's harsh, dude.

Individual rating: ********

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#127: Mega Pinsir

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• Reliable, badass, and effective. Not much else to say here.

Individual rating: *********

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#130: Mega Gyarados

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• In hindsight, Water/Dragon would make this thing unstoppable because by that point only fairies and other dragons would be able to stop it.
• It is already super-strong, so imagine if that's what they went with.

Individual rating: ********

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#142: Mega Aerodactyl

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• This thing is wicked fast, although I did learn lately that Rock does not have a resistance against itself... as baffling as that sounds.

Individual rating: *******

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#150: Mega Mewtwo X and Y

Already covered in Gen 1 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• A legendary getting two megas because they're popular? Who could have guessed? Mewtwo is already super strong to begin with, so... Yikes.

Individual rating:

• M-Mewtwo-X: *********
• M-Mewtwo-Y: *********

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#181: Mega Ampharos

Already covered in Gen 2 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Gold, Silver, Crystal
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• Hair that luscious on Ampharos is a sight to behold.

Individual rating: ********

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#208: Mega Steelix

Already covered in Gen 2 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Gold, Silver, Crystal
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• You know... I am wondering why Steelix was the one to get a Mega Evolution, but I'm also not curious enough to come up with a reason against it.

Individual rating: ********

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#212: Mega Scizor

Already covered in Gen 2 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Gold, Silver, Crystal
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• Its claws are like those weird fanged office supplies that you use to remove staples from paper. I can't help but think of that every time I see them.

Individual rating: *********

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#214: Mega Heracross

Already covered in Gen 2 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Gold, Silver, Crystal
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• *Makes gun noises and pictures Mega Heracross shooting down planes*

Individual rating: ********

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#229: Mega Houndoom

Already covered in Gen 2 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Gold, Silver, Crystal
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• Houndoom, Giratina, Absol and Yveltal should form a black metal band. It would be metal.

Individual rating: *********

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#248: Mega Tyranitar

Already covered in Gen 2 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Gold, Silver, Crystal
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• Run, it's Godzilla!

Individual rating: *********

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#254 - 260: Mega Hoenn Starters

Already covered in Gen 3 along with their normal variants.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: X and Y (Blaziken) / Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (Sceptile and Swampert)
Additional thoughts:

• Sceptile and Swampert are mad that Blaziken got their Mega before they did.

Individual rating:

• M-Sceptile: ********
• M-Blaziken: ********
• M-Swampert: *********

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#282 / #475: Mega Gardevoir / Gallade

Already covered in Gen 3 along with the normal variants.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald (Gardevoir) / Diamond, Pearl, Platinum (Gallade)
Mega debut: X and Y (Gardevoir)/ Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (Gallade)
Additional thoughts:

• I originally had a joke here but it got lost in translation.
• I do find it interesting how both the original Pokemon and their Mega forms arrived a game apart from each other.

Individual rating:

• M-Gardevoir: *********
• M-Gallade: *******

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#302: Mega Sableye

Already covered in Gen 3 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• You slimy little bastard.

Individual rating: *******

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#303: Mega Mawile

Already covered in Gen 3 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• My queen. (Wait, Mawile can be dudes too - My emperor.)

Individual rating: **********

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#306: Mega Aggron

Already covered in Gen 3 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• They may be silly looking due to their bulkiness, but they'll also survive things that would kill lesser Pokemon.

Individual rating: ********

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#308: Mega Medicham

Already covered in Gen 3 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• Shiva but as a yoga instructor.

Individual rating: ********

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#310: Mega Manectric

Already covered in Gen 3 along with the normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• Never forget the Super Saiyan 3 hair.

Individual rating: ********

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#319 - 323: Mega Sharpedo / Camerupt

Already covered in Gen 3 along with their normal variants.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• I find it hilariously appropriate that you get a free Sharpedo and Camerupt from the Aqua and Magma grunts you encounter in the Battle Resort.

Individual rating:

• M-Sharpedo: ********
• M-Camerupt: ********

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#334: Mega Altaria

Already covered in Gen 3 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• Poofy yet extremely dangerous. Interesting... Honestly, I'm just glad they didn't give Mega Altaria Fur Coat or something stupid like that.

Individual rating: ********

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#354: Mega Banette

Already covered in Gen 3 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• More attack is good, but what I want is SPEED.

Individual rating: ********

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#359: Mega Absol

Already covered in Gen 3 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• They're fabulous for what are essentially disaster wolves.

Individual rating: *********

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#362: Mega Glalie

Already covered in Gen 3 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• It is really messed up how their jaw is explicitly described as broken... and then you make them explode with enough potency to ice ghosts over. What a concept.

Individual rating: ********

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#373: Mega Salamence

Already covered in Gen 3 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• Blood-soaked crescent... This edgelord, I swear. They get so clouded by their power that they just straight up slice through the trainer if they so much as get in the way.

Individual rating: **********

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#376: Mega Metagross

Already covered in Gen 3 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• You know how to make a computer more efficient? Stack more on top of each other! Give them giant claws so they can be this insanely creepy metal spider that annihilate normal people in a snap.

Individual rating: *********

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#380 - 381: Mega Lati Twins

Already covered in Gen 3 along with their normal variants.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• They're practically indistinguishable in their Mega forms. I don't quite like it.
• Soul Dew got super nerfed in Sun and Moon, so I can definitely see the Megas being used more.

Rating for both because there is practically no difference aside from stats: ********

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#384: Mega Rayquaza
Already covered in Gen 3 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• Yeah, Primals fall under their own thing and not Mega Evolution, hence why only Rayquaza is being counted here.
• This is like the single most overpowered Pokemon in the game and it knows it.

Individual rating: *********

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#428: Mega Lopunny

Already covered in Gen 4 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• Imagine how uncool it would have been if they gave Mega Lopunny a different ability than Scrappy. They wouldn't have made such a difference then.

Individual rating: *********

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#445: Mega Garchomp

Already covered in Gen 4 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• ... When you step back and look at this thing, you're going to wonder what science has done. It is a mantis landshark dragon with scythes for hands.
• That is amazing.

Individual rating: **********

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#448: Mega Lucario

Already covered in Gen 4 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• The hair things are oddly Rastafarian to me.
• Mega Lucario going berserk in the anime was simultaneously epic and terrifying due to how they just lose their shit.

Individual rating: ********

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#460: Mega Abomasnow

Already covered in Gen 4 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mega debut: X and Y
Additional thoughts:

• Instant hail just from going out. It really is the abominable snowman.

Individual rating: ********

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#531: Mega Audino

Already covered in Gen 5 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: Black and White
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• I feel so bad for Gen 5 because this is their only Mega Pokemon. They deserve a lot more.

Individual rating: *******

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#719: Mega Diancie
Already covered in Gen 6 along with their normal variant.

Initial Pokemon debut: X and Y
Mega debut: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Additional thoughts:

• We... just finished talking about this one not too long ago.
• One thing I really liked from the animated trailer for Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is that Mega Diancie could form a gemstone rapier?? Dude, imagine if that was an actual attack they could do.

Individual rating: **********

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There goes Mega Evolution and the Kalos region as a whole. I wish we could have gotten a more fleshed out experience from Kalos, really, but Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were more than enough to compensate.

If I had to pick a list of hopefuls for who should get a mega evolution in the future, this would be it:

#1: Mega Johto Trio (They've been hit with it pretty bad)

#2: Mega Sinnoh Trio (They could do with cooler forms)

#3: Mega Unova Trio (Emboar and Samurott in particular)

#4: Mega Delphox (Needs more speed and Sp. Attack)

#5: Mega Chesnaught (Needs more buff)

#6: Mega Slowking (To compliment Slowbro)

#7: Mega Flygon (Bug/Dragon if you would please)

#8: Mega Zangoose (Super Toxic Boost)

#9: Mega Seviper (To compliment Zangoose)

#10: Mega Mismagius (Witchy needs some firepower)

#11: Mega Froslass (To compliment Glalie)

#12: Mega Maractus (To help people remember it)

#13: Mega Zoroark (Super Kabuki Fox)

#14: Mega Haxorus/Hydreigon (Though to be fair, these two are already wicked powerful...)

#15: Mega Emolga (To outperform Raichu)

#16: Mega Meloetta (More boosts wouldn't hurt)

#17: Mega Hawlucha (LUCHAAAAAAAA~)

#18: Mega Noivern (Boomburst, baby)

#19: Mega Alola Trio (Doubtful, but I want to see it.)

#20: Mega Ribombee (I dunno why.)