Introduction:
For decades, the Pokémon franchise has brought us a world of strategic battles where each creature has unique abilities, stats, and moves that shape the competitive landscape. However, in every generation, certain Pokémon emerge as just too strong, either by design or due to their overpowered moves and abilities. These creatures often break the game, leading to the creation of tier lists, bans, and adjustments to ensure a balanced competitive environment.
Some Pokémon have stats so high that they can easily sweep entire teams without breaking a sweat. Others are so versatile, with moves and abilities that allow them to dominate battles effortlessly. Whether it’s through sheer power, game-breaking abilities, or simply an unfair advantage in battle, these Pokémon are often too ridiculous for fair competitive play. Let’s dive into the top 10 most broken Pokémon that have made their mark on competitive play, often pushing the boundaries of what is considered fair in battle.
#10: Mega Rayquaza
Mega Rayquaza is often regarded as one of the most overpowered Pokémon ever created, and for good reason. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Rayquaza was given a Mega Evolution that completely shattered the competitive scene. What made Mega Rayquaza so ridiculous was its combination of unmatched base stats, an incredible movepool, and the ability to Mega Evolve without needing a Mega Stone. This meant that Mega Rayquaza could use its item slot for something else, adding an extra layer of versatility.
With a base stat total of 780, Mega Rayquaza’s attacking power and speed were through the roof. It had access to powerful moves like Dragon Ascent, a Flying-type move that not only dealt massive damage but also had no drawbacks, unlike most moves in its category. Rayquaza’s ability, Delta Stream, made it immune to most Flying-type moves, making it even more difficult to counter. Given its overwhelming stats, move variety, and lack of a Mega Stone requirement, Mega Rayquaza was deemed far too strong for competitive play and was subsequently banned from official tournaments.
#9: Arceus
Arceus, the “Original One” and the creator of the Pokémon universe, is another example of a Pokémon that can break the game. With its insane base stat total of 720, Arceus is one of the most versatile and powerful Pokémon ever created. What makes Arceus even more ridiculous is its ability to change its type with the use of Plate items, allowing it to adapt to nearly any situation.
This adaptability made Arceus almost impossible to counter, as it could fit almost any role: whether offensive, defensive, or supportive. Its signature move, Judgment, scales with the type of Plate Arceus holds, and it’s a powerful Special Attacking move that further highlights its offensive potential. Arceus was so dominant in competitive play that it was banned to the Ubers tier, a level reserved for the most broken Pokémon. The sheer flexibility of Arceus, combined with its top-tier stats and movepool, made it clear that this legendary deity was simply too strong for standard competitive play.
#8: Mega Mewtwo (X and Y)
Mewtwo was already a powerhouse in the Pokémon universe, but its Mega Evolutions in Pokémon X and Y took it to an entirely new level. Both Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y have insane base stat totals of 780, making them some of the highest-statted Pokémon in the entire series. What makes these two versions of Mewtwo so ridiculous is their ability to dominate in completely different ways depending on the evolution.
Mega Mewtwo X focuses on physical attacks and has access to powerful moves like Punch, while Mega Mewtwo Y maximizes Special Attack, giving it access to devastating moves like Psychic and Focus Blast. Both forms come with speed and offensive power that make them nearly unstoppable, and their stat distributions make them strong both offensively and defensively. These monstrous stats, combined with their wide movepools and access to potent Mega Evolutions, forced them to be banned from most competitive formats, ensuring that only the strongest players could use them in Ubers battles.
#7: Blaziken
Blaziken has been a staple of Pokémon’s overpowered characters ever since its introduction in Generation III. With its ability Speed Boost, Blaziken could instantly become faster every turn, allowing it to outspeed almost every other Pokémon in the game. Its high Attack and Special Attack stats made it an offensive juggernaut, capable of hitting hard with moves like Flare Blitz and High Jump Kick.
Blaziken’s presence in competitive play became so problematic that it was eventually banned to the Ubers tier in Generation VI. The combination of Speed Boost with a strong movepool made Blaziken a nightmare for almost every Pokémon it faced. Even when Blaziken wasn’t setting up for an all-out sweep, its combination of speed and power made it difficult for opponents to get a foothold in battle. Its dominance, especially with its hidden ability, led to it being restricted to the most competitive formats, where only the best players could use it effectively.
#6: Garchomp
Garchomp is another fan-favorite Pokémon that has become infamous for its dominance in competitive play. With its base stats reaching a total of 600, Garchomp boasts an impressive Speed and Attack stat, making it a highly versatile physical attacker. Its Sand Veil ability grants it evasiveness during sandstorms, making it even more difficult to hit.
However, it was Garchomp’s Dragon/Ground typing, combined with powerful moves like Earthquake, Outrage, and Stone Edge, that made it incredibly oppressive in battles. Garchomp’s ability to hit hard and outspeed a majority of Pokémon made it a prime choice for many competitive players. It had very few true counters, especially considering its incredible offensive and defensive potential. Garchomp’s dominance was so widespread that it was considered overpowered for standard competitive play, leading to it being relegated to Ubers in some competitive formats, especially in Generation IV.
#5: Zygarde (Complete Form)
Zygarde’s Complete Form, with its staggering 708 base stat total, is a major contender for one of the most broken Pokémon in competitive play. In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Zygarde in its Complete Form became a massive threat, boasting the ability Power Construct, which allowed it to change into its Complete Form once its HP dropped below 50%. This form gave it an immense increase in stats, particularly in Defense and Special Defense, while maintaining an offensive presence.
Zygarde’s Thousand Arrows and Thousand Waves made it a highly potent offensive force, while its ability to tank hits and recover health with moves like Rest and Sleep Talk made it difficult to break through. This combination of offensive power, excellent defensive stats, and game-changing abilities made Zygarde a major threat in both singles and doubles battles. It was so strong that its power led to its eventual ban in several competitive formats, further solidifying its place as one of the most ridiculous Pokémon in Pokémon competitive history.
#4: Smeargle
Smeargle is arguably the most controversial “broken” Pokémon in competitive play, thanks to its insane ability to learn virtually every move in the Pokémon franchise. Through its signature move Sketch, Smeargle can copy any move that an opponent has, including some of the most devastating strategies in the game. This ability has led to Smeargle being used in numerous unexpected and often game-breaking setups, including using moves like Spore to put opponents to sleep and Transform to completely copy the opponent’s stats.
What makes Smeargle so overpowered is its ability to perform nearly any role, countering almost every strategy imaginable. While its stats are generally mediocre, its incredible versatility and sheer unpredictability have made it a nightmare for competitive players. Smeargle’s presence in high-level play has often resulted in bans or restrictions, as its potential to break the game with its versatility has been considered unfair in many tournaments.
#3: Shuckle
Shuckle’s ridiculously high Defense and Special Defense stats make it one of the most frustrating Pokémon to face in competitive play. With a base stat total of 250, Shuckle’s defensive capabilities are unmatched, allowing it to tank even the most powerful attacks. However, its true strength comes from its ability to disrupt opponents with its Toxic and Stealth Rock strategies, which slowly wear down any Pokémon unlucky enough to be forced into battle with it.
Shuckle’s ability to trap opponents with moves like Sticky Web and set up entry hazards made it one of the most annoying and game-breaking Pokémon in Generation II and beyond. It could also support its team with moves like Encore to lock opponents into non-effective moves. While Shuckle’s inability to deal damage might seem like a disadvantage, its ability to cripple teams and disrupt strategies made it too strong for many competitive settings. As a result, it became one of the most notorious “unfair” Pokémon in the competitive community.
#2: Mega Kangaskhan
Mega Kangaskhan in Pokémon X and Y quickly became infamous for its overwhelming power and ability to utterly dominate the competitive scene. With its Mega Evolution, Kangaskhan gained access to the ability Parental Bond, which allowed its attacks to hit twice—once for regular damage and again for a smaller portion of the damage. This allowed Kangaskhan to deal ridiculous damage in a single turn, often wiping out opposing Pokémon before they could even respond.
What made Mega Kangaskhan so overpowered was its combination of speed, power, and survivability. Fake Out allowed it to set up easy damage or status effects, while Power-Up Punch could boost its already high offensive capabilities. Combined with its incredible bulk and ability to outspeed most opponents, Mega Kangaskhan was one of the most feared creatures in the game, resulting in its eventual ban from standard competitive play.
#1: Mewtwo (Pokémon Red/Blue / Pokémon X/Y)
Mewtwo has been one of the most overpowered Pokémon since the very beginning of the franchise. As a Psychic-type with exceptional stats, Mewtwo dominated early Pokémon Red/Blue games, able to sweep entire teams with its devastating moves like Psychic and Ice Beam. It wasn’t just the sheer power that made Mewtwo so broken—it was its ability to outspeed and outlast most of its opponents, leaving them with no way to defend against its overwhelming strength.
Mewtwo’s versatility, combined with its near-perfect stats, made it a force to be reckoned with in competitive play. Even when introduced into Pokémon X/Y, Mewtwo’s Mega Evolutions—Mega Mewtwo X and Y—further pushed its dominance, making it one of the most game-breaking creatures in the series. Its ability to take down opponents with ease, combined with its incredible movepool, forced it to be banned from competitive formats multiple times. Mewtwo remains the most iconic and ridiculously powerful Pokémon, setting the standard for what it means to be overpowered in the competitive Pokémon world.
Conclusion:
From the legendary Mewtwo to the unpredictable Smeargle, these 10 Pokémon are some of the most overpowered creatures to ever appear in the competitive scene. Whether through broken moves, absurd stats, or game-changing abilities, these Pokémon have redefined what it means to dominate in battle. While some have been nerfed or banned, their legacy as broken Pokémon continues to influence the competitive community and ensure that players think twice before picking their next fighter. The ridiculous power of these Pokémon serves as a reminder of how certain creatures can break the balance of the game, creating unforgettable and frustrating moments in the history of competitive Pokémon play.
