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The new Indigo Disk DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet adds eight new creatures to finish off the main series Gen 9 game. Most of the new additions are Paradox Pokemon, but there are some completely original additions and a new evolution, as well. Some of these will very likely be seeing a lot of competitive play in the future and others might be dead on arrival.
The ranking for this list will be based on both the stats/battle viability of these Pokemon as well as their designs.
8. Hydrapple
Hydrapple benefits from being another original design in the hilarious Applin line. Why exactly Game Freak chose this Pokemon to give four different apple-themed evolutions that are all identically Grass-Dragon type is unknown, but there are certainly some charming compositions in the bunch.
Stat-wise, it’s also one of the more competent of its line, with some capable moves like Dragon Cheer, but Hydrapple is far from anything any player would consider OP, and the confusion about the ever-multiplying numbers of Applin evolutions continues.
7. Pecharunt
Pecharunt hasn’t been officially released, but many details about the new Mythical Pokemon have already been revealed leading up to its planned January event where players will be able to obtain it. Its Poison/Ghost typing will naturally result in battle enthusiasts comparing it to Gengar, but one of the primary advantages boosting Pecharunt’s profile is its unique Poison Puppeteer ability. The ability means any Pokemon poisoned by Pecharunt will also become confused.
Other than that, its design is nothing to write home about and is surprisingly reminiscent of the Gen 6 Mythical Pokemon Hoopa. It’s a little tough to judge it before its official release, but many meta players aren’t hyping up Pecharunt’s potential too much as of right now.
6. Terapagos
Terapagos was the Pokemon every player was curious about going into the Indigo Disk DLC. Its previously mysterious mechanic allowing it to Terastylize into seemingly every type at once (Stellar Terastylization) made it seem like a potentially broken competitive choice. In reality, it can work in team comps built around its niche battle style, but it is a fairly strange Pokemon to plan around considering its strange mechanics and default Normal typing.
It does have a beautiful and striking design, however, something that will make most players want to catch and show off this interesting new Legendary.
5. Iron Crown
Unfortunately for Pokemon Violet players, the future Paradox Pokemon suffer from a repetitive design motif that feels far less creative than the ancient Paradox Pokemon of Pokemon Scarlet. Most future Paradox Pokemon are just “X Pokemon… but now it’s a cyborg.”
Where it suffers from a bland design, Iron Crown benefits from solid typing in Steel-Psychic and a solid signature move in Tachyon Cutter. It may not wind up seeing much meta play due to a lot of hard counters, but it’ll certainly be a fun addition to the average player’s party.
4. Iron Boulder
Iron Boulder suffers from essentially the same design monotony as Iron Crown. It’s a cyborg version of Terrakion and that’s about it.
Iron Boulder’s Rock-Psychic typing also makes it seem incredibly underwhelming at first glance. Its signature move is really what brings it to the forefront of many players’ attention, though. Mighty Cleave is a 95-base power attack that can hit through Protect. That move alone cements Iron Boulder as a major threat in any battle and makes it one of the strongest new additions to the Indigo Disk.
3. Archaludon
It’s pretty surprising that a Gen 8 Pokemon has already received a cross-generational evolution, but it’s certainly not an unwelcome surprise. Archaludon takes Duraludon’s already formidable Steel-Dragon typing and makes it that much more intimidating with better stats and some great moves like Electro Shot.
Its design isn’t necessarily better than Duraludon’s, but it doesn’t have to be since they’re both great-looking Pokemon.
2. Raging Bolt
Raging Bolt was instantly one of the most… confusing Paradox Pokemon revealed by Game Freak in the lead-up to the Indigo Disk’s release. Whether or not this is considered a good design will largely come down to individual preference.
What’s undeniable, though, is that Raging Bolt is one of the strongest battlers added to Scarlet and Violet. Its powerful Electric-Dragon typing combined with high base stats and the Thunderclap signature move, which is essentially just Electric-type Sucker Punch, all come together to make Raging Bolt very intimidating in a fight.
1. Gouging Fire
Gouging Fire is a pure-Fire type, which may seem a little underwhelming for the top spot on this list, but its solid stats and signature move are where it shines. Burning Bulwark makes Gouging Fire a major threat to any physical attacker since the move is effectively Protect with the added bonus that it burns any Pokemon that uses a physical move against it.
Combine its huge battle potential with a flashy design and Gouging Fire edges its way above the other new Indigo Disk Pokemon to the top of the pile.
