With every new generation of both Pokémon games and fans, there’s a lot of debate over what the best monsters actually are.
And sure, the series has evolved in fantastic (and occasionally predictable) ways over the years. But as someone who grew up with Pokémon Red & Blue, I tend to prefer those monsters from the original games.
Now, you might assume that the older generation is less balanced or powerful, but that’s where you’d be wrong. We’ve compiled a list of several incredible Pokémon that, despite being first-generation, are still competitive options in modern games.
Like some of my previous Pokémon lists, being competitive is largely factored by how many weaknesses the monsters have, how diverse their moveset is, and how incredible their potential stats may be. So let’s get ready to catch these epic monsters!
10 Scyther
Such Sharp Claws!
|
First Appears In |
Generation I |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Bug/Flying |
|
Cool TM Move |
Thief |
|
Final Move |
Swords Dance |
|
Weaknesses |
Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying, Rock |
Ever since I was a young child, I’ve adored Scyther’s general vibe. The whole angry praying mantis look just works, especially since it lends itself to a very aggressive Pokémon.
It even has useful Abilities like Swarm or Technician to further power up attacks. And while eventually Scyther got the ability to evolve into either Scizor or Kleavor, the first-generation version is still quite fun.
You can utilize a ton of physical attacks like Slash, X-Scissor, and Acrobatics to make your opponent’s life difficult.
Honestly, the main reason Scyther sits so low on this list is that it suffers from not just several regular weaknesses, but takes quadruple damage from Rock attacks. You’d better hope Scyther can outpace your opponent, otherwise this bug might get squashed.
9 Lapras
Good Ole Nessie
|
First Appears In |
Generation I |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Water/Ice |
|
Cool Level Up Move |
Perish Song |
|
Final Move |
Sheer Cold |
|
Weaknesses |
Grass, Electric, Fighting, Rock |
With all the speculation about the Loch Ness Monster, it just makes sense that one of the first-generation Pokémon was Lapras. Sure, this particular monster isn’t quite so legendary in Red & Blue, but it’s still a worthy addition to your team.
Unlike Scyther, Lapras is a much more defense-focused creature, with high Defense and Special Defense, and decent but not amazing Attack stats. But that’s okay, since that turtle shell can withstand a lot of abuse, especially with Abilities like Shell Armor to take away Critical hits.
While it might be tempting to go with all Special Attacks, Lapras generally does better playing the long game with the likes of Life Dew, Confuse Ray, Disarming Voice, and Brine. If nothing else, Lapras doesn’t suffer any quadruple weaknesses, though it does have to watch out for Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Rock attacks.
8 Gengar
A Haunting Presence
|
First Appears In |
Generation I |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Ghost/Poison |
|
Cool TM Move |
Fire Punch |
|
Final Move |
Dream Eater |
|
Weaknesses |
Ground, Psychic, Ghost, Dark |
I know, I’m a bit surprised Gengar is this far down the list as well. But consistency on my part demands that this Pokémon, albeit amazing, still gets somewhat benched due to suffering from 4 different weaknesses.
That said, Gengar is still a really powerful addition to any team. It has incredible Special Attack, solid Speed, and decent Defenses. It can also learn a lot of interesting moves, such as Brick Break, various elemental Punches, Dazzling Gleam, and Dark Pulse.
Meaning it can serve as a Swiss Army Knife-style creature (my favorite), or you can play the annoying Ghost route with moves to incapacitate your foes. Either way, this is one Ghost that’s sure to put the fright into your opponent!
7 Machamp
Four Arms, Zero Chill
|
First Appears In |
Generation I |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Fighting |
|
Cool Level Up Move |
Dual Chop |
|
Final Move |
Double-Edge |
|
Weaknesses |
Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
Not only is Machamp one of the first Fighting types, but it was also one of the first Pokémon that evolved via trading. As a result of that extra effort, even back in the day, Machamp was a champion of the ring.
With Abilities that either increase the heft of Machamp’s attacks or ensure they hit, you can go into battle with confidence. Especially when you factor in attacks like Vital Throw, Knock Off, Double-Edge, and Stone Edge.
The only real downsides to Machamp are the relatively low Speed stats as well as the lackluster Defenses. But if you put in the effort, this is one Pokémon that will find a way to shine.
6 Charizard
Everybody Loves Dragons
|
First Appears In |
Generation I |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Fire/Flying |
|
Cool TM Move |
Swift |
|
Final Move |
Flare Blitz |
|
Weaknesses |
Water, Electric, Rock |
Much like Gengar, I expected Charizard to fly higher on this list. The only problem is that, while Charizard is a fierce fighter, it also suffers from weaknesses to Water and Electric, and gets utterly walloped by Rock attacks.
On the plus side, Charizard is fast and strong, with an especially impressive Special Attack stat and a decent Attack stat. Meaning you can pretty much teach them whatever moves you want, including the likes of Fire Spin, Dragon Claw, Air Cutter, and even Shadow Claw.
The only thing that really hurts Charizard is that the Blaze Ability isn’t that amazing, and only really contributes to building your strategy solely around Fire attacks. This is a waste when it can learn such a staggering variety of powerful moves.
5 Alakazam
One Hell of a Houdini
|
First Appears In |
Generation I |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Psychic |
|
Cool TM Move |
Rain Dance |
|
Final Move |
Calm Mind |
|
Weaknesses |
Bug, Ghost, Dark |
Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam — words of magical power, and also a great line of Pokémon. Much like Machamp, Alakazam was one of the first trade evolution monsters and also an incredibly powerful Psychic fighter.
Whereas some Pokémon can lean into either physical or special attacks, you’ll only want to focus on Special for this Pokémon. With a staggering 130+ stat and equally impressive Speed, Alakazam will absolutely obliterate anything in its way.
You’ll want to focus on attacks like Psychic and Future Sight, while messing with your foe using moves like Reflect and Recover. Backed up with strong Abilities like Synchronize or Inner Focus, this is one magician that you don’t want to mess with.
4 Jolteon
Electric Eevee
|
First Appears In |
Generation I |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Electric |
|
Cool TM Move |
Stored Power |
|
Final Move |
Last Resort |
|
Weaknesses |
Ground |
I’ll just be honest — if this list were based on my personal favorites, Jolteon wouldn’t have made the cut. I much prefer Eevolutions like Vaporeon and Umbreon. And on paper, Jolteon doesn’t look that impressive. But with a little strategy and preparation, it can be a mighty contender.
Part of the challenge with this particular Pokémon is that Jolteon has a really strong Special stat, but inexplicably doesn’t naturally learn any Special Attacks. Which just means you’ll need to rely on Technical Machines to teach Jolteon the best possible moves.
Those include the likes of Mud-Slap, Volt Switch, Shadow Ball, and Hyper Beam. With a Speed stat of 130 or so, you can usually count on it going first, which does provide some great opportunities.
3 Arcanine
Mighty Fire Puppy
|
First Appears In |
Generation I |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Fire |
|
Cool Level Up Move |
Play Rough |
|
Final Move |
Flamethrower |
|
Weaknesses |
Water, Ground, Rock |
Not only is Arcanine one of the best examples of a fantastic Generation 1 Pokémon that’s still competitive today, but it’s also one of my all-time favorite monsters. Sure, some people prefer Rapidash, but I love how versatile and powerful Arcanine is.
Armed with Abilities like Intimidate and Flash Fire, you can be sure this fiery canine will get the drop on most foes, so long as they’re not Water, Ground, or Rock types.
But even if they are, it can surprise opponents with moves like Dig, Wild Charge, and Close Combat. That, on top of fiery moves like Flare Blitz and Heat Crash. With strong stats for both Physical and Special Attacks, you can count on this Pokémon to make the best of any encounter.
2 Gyarados
Unleash the Kraken!
|
First Appears In |
Generation I |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Water/Flying |
|
Cool TM Move |
Iron Head |
|
Final Move |
Hyper Beam |
|
Weaknesses |
Rock, Electric |
Let’s just be real — Gyarados is one of the coolest Generation I Pokémon out there. Which is especially impressive given their humble origins as a lousy flopping fish. Put in the effort and level up Magikarp, and you’re amply rewarded with a watery kraken.
Not only does Gyarados neuter foes with Intimidate, but it also has a very strong Physical Attack stat and impressive Speed and Special Defense. Meaning you can walk into battles knowing your opponent’s first attack likely won’t sink your monster, unless they’re an especially annoying Electric type.
Like many of my favorites, Gyarados can be an unpredictable and varied attacker, learning moves like Crunch, Aqua Tail, Earthquake, and Outrage. Maybe not a strategic fighter, but one that can steamroll unwary monsters.
1 Snorlax
Don’t Wake It Up…
|
First Appears In |
Generation I |
|---|---|
|
Type |
Normal |
|
Cool Level Up Move |
Heavy Slam |
|
Final Move |
Giga Impact |
|
Weaknesses |
Fighting |
I usually don’t get excited by Normal types, but Snorlax is a special case. This obese, sleepy titan can be a truly nightmarish threat to your opponent’s monsters. Especially with Abilities like Immunity and Thick Fat.
When you factor in how Snorlax is only weak to Fighting types and can shrug off any Ghost attacks, you start to realize how dangerous Snorlax can be. Especially with extremely high HP, Special Defense, and Attack stats.
Teach it brutal attacks like Hammer Arm and Stomping Tantrum, or be tricky and have it learn moves like Sleep Talk, Amnesia, and Belch. No matter how you look at it, Snorlax is one tough Pokémon.
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Author: 360 Technology Group
