Weakest Pokemon in the Franchise Ranked!

Let's take a look at the weakest Pokemon in battle. With over 800 Pokémon released over many generations you’re bound to find some insanely powerful creatures, along with the opposite too! There are so many factors to consider when trying to draw up a list of weak Pokemon. In this article I will focus primarily on Pokémon that don't perform well in combat or in battle. It's really fun to consider the other talents they possess, as no Pokemon is truly weak in that they all seem to have special skills and unique traits to appreciate, but here are the worst Pokemon to have in battle. Which Pokemon are bad in battle? Let's read on to find out!

35. Zigzagoon

This little guy is so cute, a Normal type Raccoon like Pokemon from Generation 3, known as the Tiny Raccoon Pokemon. His evolution is great and he can be a fantastic HM user. In fact, I think you could fill up all four move slots with HMs! But in battle its stats aren't quite there... until he evolves into Linoone. 

34. Pikachu

Despite it being possibly the most famous and beloved Pokemon of all time, Pikachu's poor HP and Defense make it very, very fragile. The Light Orb item and Volt Tackle give it some niche viability as a glass cannon but it will eventually get outclassed. As a silver lining however, Pikachu evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone (unless you’re playing Pokémon Yellow), which will fare much better in battle. Nevertheless, we are still besotted with this adorable and iconic critter, it is very much a celebrity and a sure fire favourite of everyone, no matter its stats.

33. Ralts

Known as the Feeling Pokemon, Ralts is a first-stage, dual Psychic and Fairy-type Pokémon from Generation 3. Although it is incredibly perceptive, clever and empathetic, with horns on its head enabling it to sense the emotions of those around it, a little like Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy, it has a very low BST of 198. Its stat distribution favors its Special Attack and Speed values and gets balanced with low HP and Physical Defense. Ralts also has access to a fantastic learnset and TM/HM access. Although it looks so adorable and endearing, its final evolutions as Gardevoir or Gallade are well worth powering up your Ralts for.

32. Cosmog

Even though Cosmog is actually a Legendary Pokemon, it only comes with two moves, Splash and Teleport and it seems to suffer from the Magikarp syndrome but has a fascinating backstory. This extremely rare Pokémon is known to only a select few in Alola. At one time, it was known only by the kings of Alola and their heirs, and it was called the child of the stars. Known as the Nebula Pokemon, its design can only be described as adorable! Introduced in Generation 7, Cosmog is a Legendary Psychic-type Pokemon that evolves into Cosmeon at Level 43, then again at level 53 into either Solgaleo or Lunala, depending on Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon. These final evolutions make Cosmog worth the hassle in this ranking!

31. Ditto

Known for being particularly elusive, this unique blobby critter is known as the Transform Pokemon and first appeared in Generation 1. A Normal-type Pokemon, it starts with 48s in every stat, which means one could deem it one of the weaker Pokemon stat wise, plus it is known for being unremarkable in battle. Ditto has one move, Transform, that lets it transform in to its opponent and gain access to their moves. Although it makes for a good chameleon and Transform makes fielding this Pokémon interesting, fighting fire with fire isn’t necessarily an optimal situation either. It's still adorable in an endearing way and is so cool in that it can breed with any Pokémon in a Day Care Center regardless of its gender, except for another Ditto, Legendary Pokémon, Unown, Nidoqueen, Nidorina, and Baby Pokémon.

30. Smeargle

Also a Normal type Pokemon, although from Generation 2 this time, Smeargle is a lot like Ditto in its strengths and weaknesses. It appears as a bipedal sheep like creature and is known as the Painter Pokemon as it is able to secrete a special fluid from the tip of its tail that it can then use to mark its territory. In combat, Smeargle’s Sketch ability lets it permanently copy the last move its opponent used, so in theory it can potentially have access to ALL the Pokémon moves, which can be quite interesting to play around with. However, Smeargle lacks competitive qualities in battle, with a subpar starting BST at 250 and does not go on to evolve.

29. Stunfisk

This quirky dual Ground and Electric type Pokemon looks a little like a melted bird and it kind of looks equal parts adorable, terrifying, and very, very strange indeed. It first appeared in Generation 5 and is commonly known as the Trap Pokemon. It is a very peculiar critter in that it has a strange set of weaknesses. Despite its typing, it is weak to Ground moves and it is afraid of water, being an Electric-type. It is a Pokémon with no evolutions and has middle-of-the-pack stats with a focus on bulk in exchange for its offensive stats and an utterly tanked speed. This mix of typing and subpar stats makes it hard to figure out when Stunfisk would come in handy in combat, but it does have a special skill. Thanks to bacteria that lived in the mud flats with it, this Pokémon developed the organs it uses to generate electricity, which makes it an eco friendly source of energy and an excellent friend of the planet, not to mention infinitely useful in a powercut!

28. Shedinja

A ninja that lives in a shed? This quirky critter does look like it evolved in a shed, as it is a pale, cicada like creature in appearance and first appeared in Generation 3 as a dual Bug and Ghost type Pokemon. You can acquire it only when you evolve a Nincada with an extra space in your roster (and a Poké Ball in your inventory, if playing any of the Generation III games). It is known as the Shed Pokemon and is a little creepy as it can fly without moving its wings, has a hollow shell of a body and does not breathe. Kind of like a ghost insect! It is said that Nincada sheds its exoskeleton, which then can turn into a Pokémon of its own. It's such a cool concept and unique, although scary, critter, although it has a lower BST than Nincada and only 1 HP.

27. Luvdisc

Known as the Rendezvous Pokemon, this pink heart shaped critter possesses one of the cutest designs ever seen in the Pokemon universe! This Water-type Pokémon appeared in Generation 3 and was quickly spotted and named by swimming couples in the shallow seas of the tropics - it has a reputation for following after them! In the games, it serves as a source for heart scales, which you’ll need to use Move Reminders, but is not the greatest in combat. Luvdisc’s subpar moveset and mediocre stat spread (at a low BST of 330) mean that it very underwhelming for a Pokémon with no evolutions. Happily though, who would want to evolve this cutest Pokemon critter with its heart shaped design and kissy mouth!

26. Delibird

Known as the Delivery Pokemon, this critter looks a little a penguin and an owl! This dual Ice and Flying Type Pokemon first appeared in Generation 2 and is another one of those Pokemon who do not evolve. This would be fine but this bird starts with a low BST and a terrible stat spread. Delibird’s learnset doesn’t offer much with just Present and Drill Peck - Present being a move that deals a random amount of damage, so it's a bit of pot luck whether it will beat the opposing Pokémon. Additionally, It has a 20% chance of restoring a quarter of the opposing Pokémon’s max HP, which... is very kind of Delibird to want to heal it back up again, but also very bad in combat! Its dual-typing makes it extra susceptible to Rock-type moves.

25. Wimpod

A dual type Bug and Water Pokemon from Generation 7, known as the Turn Tail Pokemon, with an unfortunate ability that makes it flee or switch out if it takes any damage. Perhaps it is suggested in the name, but there's nothing wrong with being a wimp! It is just not so helpful in combat. Wimpod doesn’t have any great moves either, and with a 230 BST, its stats are very low, aside from its Speed. Happily, at level 30, Wimpod will evolve into Golisopod, who will fare a bit better, although we would miss this little critter and its cute expressions, which grow on you after a while.

24. Slakoth

A funny, lazy sloth Pokemon, this little critter doesn't quite look like it's ready for battle. This Normal-type has a decent BST (280) for a first-stage Pokémon and arrived in Generation 3. Unsurprisingly, with its name being the Slacker Pokemon, Slakoth has low Speed but has usable Attack and physical bulk. Its main undesirable trait is its one particularly crippling Ability: Truant. This means that every other turn, Slakoth will just freeze on the spot and refuse to move. Imagine fighting a battle and your Pokémon just stops! In life it may be our spirit animal but in battle it is just pure angsty frustration waiting to happen.

23. Zubat

Zubat is a super cute critter with teeny tiny fangs and gets a special feature in Best Bat Pokemon, well, for being a bat and being adorable (plus it is known widely as the Bat Pokemon). Some may argue it was one of the most annoying releases as Zubats are commonly known to fly in your face when you least want them to in caves. Zubat has a decent BST for a pre-evolved Pokémon at 245 with its highest stats being Attack and Speed. Unfortunately, Zubat (and even its first evolution, Golbat) felt weak even for their time. They are not designed for combat but are fascinating in other ways.

21. Rattata

Introduced in Generation 1, this Normal type Pokemom is known as the Mouse Pokemon, even though it is named after a rat! A newer Alolan variant was also introduced in Generation 7. For a pre evolved Pokémon, Rattata has an okay BST total of 250, but has a bit of an unbalanced stat spread which makes it frail in battle. Its heavy reliance on Hustle makes Rattata an unoptimal breaker, as it depends on accuracy to land some blows on opponents.

20. Bidoof

A normal type Pokemon from Generation 4 that appears as a Beaver like Pokemon. Similar to Rattata stat wise, it’s probably one of the first Pokémon you’ll catch in the fourth-generation games’ starter areas. For a pre-evolution Pokémon, its BST is slightly lower than Rattata’s, and it has an underwhelming moveset that makes us think it would probably be far more comfortable building its den than appearing confrontational in battle. Funnily it is named as the Plump Mouse Pokemon, despite its beaverish looks!

19. Cleffa

An adorable little baby that tends to appear where shooting stars have fallen, could this beloved critter get any cuter? This Fairy-type Pokémon is Clefairy’s pre evolved form. As a baby, it will only evolve with a strong enough bond, which won't be hard to achieve as it is so darn cute, you just want to give it some loving. Even though Clefairy and its final form, Clefable, have reputations for being relatively good Pokémon in combat, Cleffa might not be quite ready for battle yet with its low BST of 218 and stat values that leave it vulnerable to any physical attacks, alongside the fact that it is a slow Pokemon. It first appeared in Generation 2 and we have been wanting to fiercely protect it ever since. We don't have favourites, swears!

18. Burmy

A small larval Pokemon that looks super unique, known as the Bagworm Pokemon and appearing as a tiny insect larvae like creature covered in leaves. It is a Bug type Pokemon that first appeared in Generation 4 and although it may be an expert in camoflage, with its little leafy disguise, Burmy’s low 224 BST means that it doesn't really offer any specialities in combat. While its stat line favors HP, Defense, and Special Defense, those numbers are very low, and its offensive values are even worse. It only seems to know Protect until level 10 at least, where it can learn Tackle and Bug Bite, which makes it a little more powerful than the Cocoon Pokémon, but only a little.

17. Spewpa

This little owl like cutie looks straight out of Star Wars! The evolved form of Scatterbug, Spewpa is able to access its Harden and Protect abilities but its BST stats are little better than the Cocoon Pokemon. Spewpa’s stats focus on physical bulk (HP/Defense) at the expense of pretty much all offensive capability. It's okay because we just want to protect it anyway. 

16. Silcoon/Cascoon

These two little Bug type Pokemon are tied for this spot, as they both evolve from Wurmple at level 7, although it's kind of a mixed bag as to which one you'll get as it is totally random. At level 10, Silcoon turns into Beautifly while Cascoon evolves into a Dustox. Although they can access Harden and possess a defense-focused stat spread, they share the 205 BST of the other Cocoon Pokémon, which is very low.

15. Kakuna

A dual Bug and Poison type Pokemon introduced in Generation 1, it is known as the Cocoon Pokemon and appears as like a yellow pupa that can move only very slightly. As you can imagine, this might not be handy in battle, as most of Kakuna's energy goes in to its transformation process, to later emerge as Beedrill. Kakuna belongs in the group of three Cocoon Pokémon. It evolves from Weedle at level 7 and its BST is not much better than its first stage. It possesses a poor focused defensive spread, making it very underwhelming when attacking.

14. Pichu

Oh hello baby Pikachu! This adorable little baby is known as the Tiny Mouse Pokemon, introduced in Generation 2. It is an Electric type Pokemon baby and Electric seems to fare better in the typing wars as, although small, it can release intense bursts of electricity that can shock even humans, with some decent speed too. With enough friendship, Pichu could evolve into the iconic Pikachu. However, being a first stage Pokémon, Pichu has a very low starting BST at 205. It's okay because we just want to protect it and love it.

13. Scatterbug

A bug type Pokemon introduced in Generation 6, this critter is known as the Scatterdust Pokemon and appears as a black larval Pokémon with a relatively large head. Its head is bisected by a line that runs from the forehead to the mouth and it resides mostly in forests and wild plains. It is a first-stage Pokémon that stands just a cut above the Worm Pokémon in terms of BST, which is 200, and although it has access to Stun Spore, which can be useful, its stat distribution doesn’t afford it many notable strengths. This aside, you only need to train it up to level 9 to get it to evolve into Spewpa, and then up to level 12 for Vivillon.

12. Wurmple

A bug type Pokemon from Generation 3, Wurmple is a a small and larval caterpillar-like Pokémon. The top part of its long body is bright scarlet red, while its segmented underbelly is cream-colored and it goes on to evolve in to either Silcoon or Cascoon, who knows which one you will get! Then, at level 10, you could end up with Beautifly or Dustox. In its current form it shares the same BST as Weedle and Caterpie but boasts the highest Attack and physical bulk of the three, while also being the slowest.

11. Weedle

A familiar face to all Pokemon Go players, Weedle always looks a little like it is on its way to some kind of celebration, as its horn resembles a party hat! Though it is actually a conical, two inch venomous stinger, with another one on its tail! Another Worm Pokémon, Weedle is known as the Hairy Bug Pokemon from Generation 1 and has a very low BST at 195, the same as Caterpie and Wurmple. It is a dual Bug and Poison-type which happily gives it some more favorable resistances and access to a few more moves before it evolves, but it will still perform as very weak in battle. It much prefers to spend time hiding in grass and bushes where it loves eating leaves all day.

10. Caterpie

The third unofficial member of the Worm Pokemon, Caterpie has the same incredibly low BST as Weedle and Wurmple, although its stats have a more defensive spread than the others that make it the less resourceful of the trio in combat. Caterpie can try to defend itself with Tackle, but this does not go very far in battle, even against brand new trainers just starting in combat. It will eventually go to evolve into Butterfree at level 10.

9. Kricketot

A bug type Pokemon from Generation 4 and found in the Sinnoh region, also known as the Cricket Pokemon, Kricketot possesses the lowest BST of any Bug-type with a grand total of 194, even undercutting the Worm Pokémon. It has a limited moveset and no TM/HM moves, along with a defensive stat spread that makes it very weak in combat. Its design is very unique and interesting though, even if it isn't intimidating.

8. Feebas

A water type Pokemon from Generation 3, there is more to Fish Pokemon Feebas than meets the eye, for example, it is one of the most resilient species of the Hoenn region as it can eat everything and anything, meaning it can even live and survive happily in polluted streams and lakes. In combat, however, Feebas is very similar to Magikarp but with just a few differences. Its stat line focuses more on Special Defense and, while it knows the famously useless Splash, Feebas can actually learn other moves through TMs/HMs. Also unlike Magikarp, Feebas requires specific conditions to evolve. Then it is possible to score a Milotic (think a more Special Attack/Special Defense-oriented Gyarados).

7. Azurill

Known as the Polka Dot Pokemon, Azurill is a dual Normal and Fairy type baby Pokémon from Generation 3 who appears a little like a mouse - or more so than Pichu! It has small round ears and is a lot like a blue doormouse in appearance. Happily, its typing gives it access to good movesets but being a first-stage Pokémon that can only evolve with friendship means its stats are very low (190 BST). Eventually, it will evolve into Marill and then into Azumarill but it is a pretty weak start to a good evolution lineup.

6. Igglybuff

With a soft and plushy body that is said to resemble a marshmallow, this Pokemon's strengths tend to reside outside of combat. It is the baby and pre evolved stage of Jigglypuff/Wigglytuff and this dual Normal and Fairy-type Pokemon baby from Generation 2 has a starting 210 BST, which doesn’t seem all that bad for a first-stage Pokémon until you realize that 90 of it goes into HP. With low Speed, Defense, and Special Defense and its access to so few moves, Igglybuff is the weakest of the baby Pokémon. It doesn't stop it being adorable though and one of the cutest Pokemon of all time! Just for the fact that it's a baby, is known as the Balloon Pokemon for its small, round body, that it loves to sing and it gives off a special, sweet, soothing scent to calm others emotions. Someone rescue that baby from the battlefield!

5. Magikarp

Magikarp is pretty much the most famous “bad” Pokémon in the franchise. It's also quite endearing because of it, plus the fact that it appears as a startled fish flapping about on its side, wanting to be rescued. Probably not the most flattering portrayal of this whiskered fish, but the most endearing. This Water-type fish Pokemon from Generation 1 looks very much like a koi fish, which may have something to do with the fact that Japanese fans know it as “Koiking.” Magikarp’s very low 200 BST allocates most of its stats to Defense and Speed. It knows only a single move: the iconic, albeit not useful at all, Splash, although it can learn Tackle at level 15, which only improves things slightly. The only reason Magikarp doesn’t appear further down this list is because it has one of the most sought-after evolutions: Gyarados, but it can be a painful road to get there. This doesn't stop Pokemon fans creating all kinds of fan art of Magikarp, it's fair to say it's ended up as one of the most endearing critters somehow of the Pokemon Franchise.

4. Wishiwashi

This little sad looking fish Pokemon holds the title for the lowest BST of any Pokémon in the franchise at a grand total of 175. It also has no evolutions, which puts it in a difficult position competitively and makes it seems a little like a hopeless protagonist in an anime, just with no magic transformation at the end. However, it does have the unique ability to change forms via Schooling starting at level 20. Training is just a long and tiresome experience until then. It may not one of the best Pokemon to train because of its uber low stats, but cleverly has a special technique that helps it to combat enemies in the Pokemon world, it is able to come together with other Wishiwashi to create incredible formations and has even earned the nickname 'Demon of the Sea', alongside its usual name, the Small Fry Pokemon. Because of this amazing talent it gains a special feature in Best Water Pokemon in the Franchise!

3. Metapod

A green chrysalis Pokemon that is widely known as the Cocoon Pokemon, this Bug-type Pokémon from Generation 1 has spawned its fair share of Internet Pokemon memes. Catching one in the wild means you only have a single, often underwhelming defensive move, so smart trainers should catch a Caterpie and evolve that to a Metapod at level 7 instead. Like other Cocoon Pokémon, Metapod sports a mediocre BST at 205 and a dedicated focus on physical bulk. A good thing is that it doesn’t take too long to get this Pokémon to evolve into your Butterfree at level 10.

2. Sunkern

Sunkern has the second lowest BST of any known Pokémon, after Wishiwashi, ever since it appeared in Generation 2. It is shaped like an adorable little sunflower seed, with a sprout growing on top, such a cute little plant Pokemon! A Grass type, it is also known as the Seed Pokemon. Although it is cute, it must be protected from battle as it will not fare well in that environment. All its stat values start off at an very weak 30, despite access to some good Grass-type moves. Rather than evolving through levels, Sunkern evolves once exposed to a Sun Stone. Unfortunately, the evolution is also a little anticlimatic and Sunflora is pretty offensively weak also, although makes for the most beautiful flower transformation!

1. Unown

The weakest Pokémon of all time that we can find is Unown! It's definitely quirky, shaped like a letter or punctuation mark. It wasn't a bad concept at the time Generation 2 rolled out as imagine all the stuff you could spell if you got all 28 different types of Unown! Let's take a closer look at this curious Psychic type Pokemon. For a critter with no evolutions, it has terrible stats all around. Its subpar offensive capabilities are especially crippling when all it can ever do is use the Hidden Power move. It's fair to say, although quirky and endearing, this critter does not belong in battle, unless you’re doing some meme-y game run! It is known as the Symbol Pokemon and folk are still trying to figure out its capabilities today. True to name, it's a bit of a mystery.

If you loved this definitely also check out these Ugliest Pokemon in the Franchise (but we love them!), the Cutest Pokemon of all time, Best Cat Pokemon and Best Dog Pokemon!