Let’s Hear It for the Whole Team
Pokémon history is packed with stars and competitive favorites, but plenty of solid designs get left behind while bigger names claim the spotlight. Not anymore! We’re tired (and heartbroken) of seeing how some of these Pokémon suffer, even though they’re just as awesome as your big whigs. If you’ve ever wanted to give some overlooked species a second look, these are 20 forgotten Pokémon that deserve some legitimate loving.
1. Maractus
Maractus always disappears in conversations about Grass-types simply because it arrived in a generation crowded with flashier options. Then people ignore that it can still use abilities like Water Absorb and Storm Drain! Even if it never became a major favorite, its design and unusual support options make it cooler than most people remember.
2. Lumineon
Lumineon is one of those Pokémon you’ve probably seen and then immediately forgotten, which is a little unfair. There’s so much to indulge in! Its sleek appearance is genuinely elegant, and it can actually fill support roles with moves that help a team rather than trying to overpower everything.
3. Beheeyem
Okay, amazing name aside, Beheeyem doesn’t get much love despite its strange alien theme giving it one of the more distinctive concepts in the series. It can hit surprisingly hard with Psychic-type attacks, and its movepool gives it enough coverage to feel more flexible than people expect. All you need to do is look past the weird design.
4. Cryogonal
Cryogonal does more than just exist as another fragile snow-themed Pokémon—but those nasty assumptions are why it’s so often left out of Ice-type discussions. Well, no more! Its high Special Defense and access to utility moves let it function as a fast support pick that can annoy opponents in ways bulkier Ice-types usually can’t. On top of that, its geometric design gives it a clean identity that still feels unique.
5. Bruxish
People never warmed to Bruxish’s appearance, so it got left in the dust pretty quickly. But a weird look never scares us away, and it certainly didn’t overshadow what it actually brings to a battle. Even if you never use it yourself, it deserves some credit for having personality and a battle gimmick that isn’t boring.
6. Relicanth
You know, Relicanth is the kind of Pokémon players only remember when an old side quest brings it up. But why is that? Its Rock and Water typing gives it a sturdy identity, and its ancient fish concept still fits the world without trying too hard. Show Relicanth some respect!
7. Carnivine
Despite Carnivine having a little anime exposure, it still never became a Pokémon players cared about. It’s a shame when you think about it—its design is lively, its face has real character, and Levitate gives it a useful twist that separates it from many other Grass-types.
8. Eelektross
Eelektross should be talked about way more often! It doesn’t need to be your favorite, but we should acknowledge that its ability removes one of its biggest natural weaknesses. With Levitate, it becomes a pure Electric-type, and that alone makes it interesting. Add in its broad movepool, and you’ve got a Pokémon that’s way more threatening and creative than its popularity implies.
Vincent M.A. Janssen on Pexels
9. Musharna
Musharna usually gets passed over when people rank Psychic-types, but we don’t think that’s fair. It has a strong visual identity and a very specific dream-based theme. It can function as a bulky support Pokémon. Not to mention, that slower, steadier style gives it a role that doesn’t copy more aggressive choices.
10. Swalot
Swalot is rarely anybody’s first pick, but could we perhaps redirect your attention back? Don’t forget that it can soak up hits, spread status, and act like a stubborn roadblock, which gives it a useful niche…even if it never felt especially glamorous.
11. Sigilyph
Sigilyph has one of the strangest designs in the franchise, and that may be part of why it never connected with a wider audience. Not us, though! In battle, it can be surprisingly annoying and effective thanks to its speed, typing, and disruptive strategies. Once you spend a little time with it, you’ll notice that its weirdness is exactly what makes it so appealing.
12. Minior
Minior is one of those Pokémon that many players genuinely forget exists—despite having an excellent concept! Shields Down lets it change form in a way that affects both its appearance and how it performs, giving it more personality than a lot of single-stage Pokémon ever get. It’s a compact idea executed well, and that alone should’ve earned it a higher spot on the podium.
13. Dragalge
Dragalge doesn’t get the same recognition as many Dragon-types, largely because it isn’t built like a headliner. But, may we remind you that its Poison and Dragon typing is genuinely useful, and it can hit hard from the special side. You might not celebrate it often, but that doesn’t negate its respectable identity.
Konstantinos Papadopoulos on Unsplash
14. Komala
Komala is remembered mostly as “the sleepy one,” which undersells the very thing that makes it stand out. Its Comatose ability gives it a built-in status-related gimmick, and to us, that instantly makes it different from most Normal-types. Okay, sure, it’s simple on the surface, but the concept is tight.
15. Grapploct
Even though Grapploct arrived with a cool premise, it still never became a Pokémon people talked about—until today. Its octopus-inspired fighting style gives it strong character, and moves like Octolock help it pressure opponents in a pretty distinct way. If you want a Fighting-type with a little more personality, this one deserves better than being forgotten.
16. Eldegoss
Eldegoss is often overshadowed by newer Grass-types with bigger personalities, but not to us. We recognize its pleasant design, solid support value, and a gentle visual style. Look, not every Pokémon needs to be dramatic to be worthwhile, and Eldegoss proves that to a T.
17. Falinks
Falinks never really broke into the larger fan conversation the way it should’ve, which is why we’re here to pay it some attention! No Retreat gives it a signature move with a lot of style, and the idea of a single Pokémon made up of coordinated units is legitimately creative.
18. Clawitzer
Clawitzer not only has a cool name, but it also has a strong mechanical identity that deserves more love. Mega Launcher boosts several pulse-based moves, giving it a clear specialty that feels plenty satisfying, and it also looks like a Pokémon that knows exactly what it’s about.
19. Oricorio
Oricorio is one of the more inventive regional-style concepts in the series, and that still wasn’t enough for the everyday player! Its different forms gave it variety without making the idea messy or overdesigned, and there’s real charm in a Pokémon that changes so much while still keeping a consistent identity.
20. Shiinotic
Shiinotic lives in the shadow of more famous Fairy-types and more intimidating Grass-types—which basically made it moot. Not to us, of course. What makes it worth remembering is its strange mushroom-fairy aesthetic, plus the useful tools that let it disrupt opponents in a surprisingly controlled way. Just give Shiinotic a chance!
