What Makes Certain Pokemon Iconic?
There are a boatload of factors to consider when talking about what makes a Pokemon iconic. There’s color, design, type, or how you catch it in the games. Why not dip our toes in the Paldea region and explore some of the most iconic Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? Let’s go! Do note: we’ll only discuss new Pokemon introduced in Scarlet and Violet so no, Pikachu and Charizard don’t get to hog all the spotlight this time!
10. Maushold
HP: 74
Attack: 75
Defense: 70
Special Attack: 65
Special Defense: 75
Speed: 111
Maushold is the evolution of Tandemaus, and they’re on this list because of 2 things: they’re cute as all heck and their evolution method. These little cuties first start as a pair of Tandemaus, then once they reach level 25, there’s a random chance that they will gain some smaller companions. There’s a laughable 1% chance for your Maushold to have only 1 baby (labeled as a Family of Three) and a whopping 99% chance for them to have 2 babies (labeled as a Family of Four). The crazy thing is, no one knows how the babies got there, nor if any of the mice Pokemon are related to each other at all!
There’s also their signature move: Population Bomb. This silly move hits the target up to 10 times per use. Each of Population Bomb's hits has a separate accuracy check, so if any hit fails, the move ends. There’s a way to make this move go from crazy silly to absurdly broken.
You can give Maushold the Loaded Dice item and it will ensure that Population Bomb hits at least 4 times, with only 1 accuracy check when the move activates rather than individual checks every time it hits. This makes it a more potent multi-hit move that will deal some good damage, especially paired with its hidden ability Technician.
Why It’s Iconic
- They’re a family of cute mice! What’s more to say?
- The evolution is memorable and randomly happens after level 25
- Population Bomb, baby!
9. Pawmot
HP: 70
Attack: 115
Defense: 70
Special Attack: 70
Special Defense: 60
Speed: 105
And here’s our Pikachu clone for Generation 9: Pawmot! This huggable furball evolves from Pawmo when leveled up while outside of its Pokeball after the player walks 1000 steps using the Let's Go! Feature. If you’re wondering how to activate this Let's Go! Feature, it’s simple: just press the R or ZR button on your controller, and the first Pokemon in your party will pop out of its Pokeball to follow you!
Being this generation’s Pikachu clone has its challenges. Does it live up to the popularity of Pikachu or other Pikachu clones of past generations? Is it cute enough? Well, according to this poll, people think so! They even voted it higher than Pikachu! What a world we live in where Pikachu isn’t the most popular Pikachu clone!
Why It’s Iconic
- Another cute Pokemon, duh!
- Being a Pikachu clone helps with its popularity
- Great typing gives it good offensive prowess
8. Dachsbun
HP: 57
Attack: 80
Defense: 115
Special Attack: 50
Special Defense: 80
Speed: 95
Dachsbun is the evolution of Fidough and is based on baked bread. It evolves at level 26. This dog is nothing short of cuteness overload! This Pokemon is one of the most adorable dog Pokemon in the series; I welcome the debates because I will defend this cutie bun forever!
This toasty dog is iconic because of its appearance. I mean, the food-based dog Pokemon has been done before in Slurpuff, but Dachsbun outclasses it in stats and cuteness! The only thing Slurpuff has above Dachsbun is its HP stat, and that’s not saying too much considering Dachsbun’s defenses are better.
It also has pretty decent battling potential with either its main ability, Well-Baked Body, or its hidden ability, Aroma Veil. Well-Baked Body absorbs Fire-type attacks and instead of taking damage, it raises its Defense by 2 stages. Aroma Veil prevents itself and allies on the team from being affected by Taunt, Torment, Encore, Disable, Cursed Body, Heal Block, and Infatuation. This ability has more competitive undertones than its main ability, so there’s that going for it.
Why It’s Iconic
- Baked bread dog is the cutest dog design yet
- Great Fairy typing allows for little weakness and good offensive power
- Good abilities for combat and bolstering its defenses
7. Clodsire
HP: 130
Attack: 75
Defense: 60
Special Attack: 45
Special Defense: 100
Speed: 20
Clodsire is the Paldean version of Quagsire and evolves from Paldean Wooper at level 20. This goofball is another huggable, squeezable Pokemon that definitely makes for a good plushie! Have you noticed a pattern yet? Quagsire was already a silly, huggable Pokemon, but Game Freak decided to up its appeal to the max with Clodsire. Many Scarlet and Violet players I’ve talked to have unanimously said that Clodsire is too much for them to handle!
What also helps bolster its iconic status is it was the first Paldean variant shown in trailers. We all remember our firsts, and Clodsire was the first to debut in Paldea. Lucky us, huh?
Not only is its appearance iconic, but just look at those stats! It’s meant to be a Special wall with those huge HP and Special Defense stats. Its offenses aren’t anything special, though so don’t expect it to sweep any teams. Its typing is also a great pair that isn’t crazy but isn’t weak either, covering many of the most offensive types easily.
Why It’s Iconic
- Another cute, squishy, huggable, loveable Pokemon!
- Good typing and tanky stats allow it to eat Special hits
- The first Paldean variant to hit the stage
6. Armarouge/Ceruledge
Armarouge Ceruledge
HP: 85 HP: 75
Attack: 60 Attack: 125
Defense: 100 Defense: 80
Special Attack: 125 Special Attack: 60
Special Defense: 80 Special Defense: 100
Speed: 75 Speed: 85
Firstly, let me say these two knights are cool as hell! Armarouge evolves from Charcadet after using the Auspicious Armor on it. Ceruledge evolves from Charcadet after using the Malicious Armor on it.
The better question is what’s not iconic about them? I mean, c’mon, look at them! Ghostly living armor? Sign me up! Not to mention they look like something straight out of Mega Man! Needless to say, many Pokemon fans took an instant liking to these hollowed armor Pokemon. The real question is: which is your favorite? (It’s Ceruledge, right? Right?)
Both are offensively focused, with one being Attack-oriented and the other being Special Attack-focused, essentially flip-flopping their stats to mirror one another. Their roles are also a dichotomy; Armarouge plays nicely in team compositions while Ceruledge favors more of a solo DPS role. Let the armor knight wars begin!
Why It’s Iconic
- Badass designs that appeal to anyone who likes fantasy or Mega Man
- Strong typing, offenses, and abilities to help them cut down their enemies easily
- Pokemon who have mirrored versions of themselves always tend to be highly iconic
5. Tinkaton
HP: 85
Attack: 75
Defense: 77
Special Attack: 70
Special Defense: 105
Speed: 94
This Fairy-type, hammer-wielding monster evolves from Tinkatuff at level 38. If you think about it, the whole small character wielding a giant weapon is a famous trope in anime and video games, so its iconic status speaks for itself. As far as stats go, Tinkaton isn’t a huge powerhouse but it can at least take a hit with its Special Defense. Its Fairy typing lends well to being resistant to many types while also being a good offensive typing.
It’s pink, it’s tiny, it’s cute, it has a giant hammer, what’s not to like here? The cool thing I like about Tinkaton is that its weapon slowly grows and grows from a small rattle or baton to a bigger hammer and finally a giant great hammer, reminiscent of something out of Dark Souls! And if you notice, its small baton is still present in its final giant hammer design! How cute!
Why It’s Iconic
- Small, cute Pokemon, giant hammer
- Fairy typing gives it a good advantage offensively and defensively
- Awesome design from the small baby to the still small child with its weapon growing more and more ridiculously huge with each evolution
4. Quaquaval
HP: 85
Attack: 120
Defense: 80
Special Attack: 85
Special Defense: 75
Speed: 85
The Water-type starter of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, this dancing peacock evolves from Quaxwell at level 36. It’s a no-brainer that Quaquaval is an iconic Pokemon being a starter in Paldea. Not to mention those dance moves! Look at that bird wiggle! Going from a cute sailor duck to a hippity-hoppity dancer caught me off guard when I first used Quaquaval for sure. It was an interesting angle that I hadn’t thought of before and that’s what helped cement it on this list.
Why It’s Iconic
- Being the Water-type starter for Scarlet and Violet
- Cool and fun design for its evolution line
- Those fancy feet!
3. Skeledirge
HP: 104
Attack: 75
Defense: 100
Special Attack: 110
Special Defense: 75
Speed: 66
Skeledirge evolves from Crocalor at level 36 and is the Fire-type starter for Scarlet and Violet. Being the Fire-type starter already gives it an edge above other Pokemon considered for this list. I mean, seriously, is fire ever not cool? Not to mention it's a crocodile, too! It’s an obvious choice to have a Water-type crocodile (Feraligator) but a Fire-type crocodile? I didn’t think they’d do something like that!
I love how the nest and bird motif is inspired by a Nile crocodile and its symbiosis with the Egyptian plover. Now, the fiery bird we see with Skeledirge doesn’t have that symbiotic relationship but it is a nice nod.
Why It’s Iconic
- Fire and Ghost crocodile? Mega cool
- Cute bird motif throughout the evolution line
- It’s the Fire-type starter for Scarlet and Violet
2. Meowscarada
HP: 76
Attack: 110
Defense: 70
Special Attack: 81
Special Defense: 70
Speed: 123
Meowscarada is this generation’s Grass starter and evolves from Floragato at level 36. One thing going for it is Meowscarada is a cat Pokemon, so there’s already going to be many fans of this Pokemon on that basis alone. There’s also the whole magician theming around this Pokemon which lures in other fans of that kind of appearance. The whole vibe surrounding Meowscarada is alluring and mysterious, which helps it be such an iconic Grass starter.
Why It’s Iconic
- It’s the Grass-type starter for Scarlet and Violet
- Cat Pokemon? Instant boost in its iconic status and cuteness
- Going from a quadruped to a bipedal cat is a common trope for Pokemon
1. Koraidon/Miraidon
Koraidon Miraidon
HP: 100 HP: 100
Attack: 135 Attack: 85
Defense: 115 Defense: 100
Special Attack: 85 Special Attack: 135
Special Defense: 100 Special Defense: 115
Speed: 135 Speed: 135
Coming in first place are the box legendaries. Was there any real competition? They’re on the front cover of the game! Of course they’re the most iconic Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet! Not only that, but you get them at the very beginning of the game rather than towards the end.
Both Koraidon and Miraidon are your traversal mounts to run, climb, fly, and swim around Paldea easily, so you’re going to be using them a ton. The entire story of the game revolves around these mysterious Legendaries and how they got here, what their purpose is, and how they are connected to you and the professor of your respective game.
Why It’s Iconic
- They’re the box art Legendaries
- You get them very early in the game as opposed to how you normally get the Legendary very late in the story
- They are the linchpin in your journey and become very important as you progress to the final chapter of the story
Here are all the most iconic Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet. If there’s any you think we should have gone over, let us know! What, in your opinion, are the most iconic Pokemon in Paldea? Maybe this list will elicit a newfound appreciation for a new Pokemon to use for your next adventure in the Paldea region!
