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Summary
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk DLC wraps up the main story told in the base games' Paldea region and gives players more reasons to keep adventuring in the three locations currently available thanks to BBQs, more returning critters, and item grinds. The overall Pokedex in Gen 9 now contains around 600 pocket monsters, and The Indigo Disk adds 8 new Pokemon total to the games, but not all of them are easily attainable. While Archaludon and Hydrapple can be obtained while still exploring the Terarium, Terapagos has its own story in Area Zero, and the remaining five critters are gated behind progression or an exclusivePokemon Scarlet and Violetevent. Still, not all of them were created equal.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetbrought some incredibly powerful critters to the series, with the likes of Paradox Pokemon and theTreasures of Ruin Legendary Pokemonwreaking havoc on the competitive metagame ever since their introduction. Even Dondozo and Tatsugiri dominated the VGC meta multiple times, winning tournaments left and right throughout the first year of the games' lifespan. Now, The Indigo Disk is adding even more Pokemon that are very powerful and, in some cases, straight-up OP. The new Pokemon in the DLC include:
S Tier
These Pokemon are much stronger than average, be it due to their stats, overall kit (including moves and Abilities), type combination, and potential to uproot the meta in significant ways - or a combination of these traits.
Terapagos
The signature Legendary of the DLC,The Indigo Disk’s Terapagos has three different forms: base form, Terastal Form, and Stellar Form. The former is only truly available out of battle, as when it enters the field it will change into Terastal Form immediately, and its Stellar Form is available upon Terastallizing. The Stellar Form is incredibly strong in this case, as it gives the pocket monster a Base Stat Total (BST) equal to 700, which is the second-highest in the game after Arceus. Terapagos also learns incredible moves, including its signature Tera Starstorm, and an Ability that removes all weather and terrain.
Raging Bolt
One of the bestnew Pokemon in The Indigo Disk,Pokemon Scarlet’s exclusive Raging Bolt has an incredibly high base Special Attack paired with an exceptional type combo of Electric/Dragon, and it can also access very strong moves like Thunderclap, Draco Meteor, Electroweb, and more. With Electric types often struggling to have good moves and good type combos, Raging Bolt is primed to enjoy its time in the limelight soon.
A Tier
These Pokemon are very strong and make for some of the best overall thanks to balanced stats and powerful movesets or Abilities, sometimes sporting great type combinations to boot.
Archaludon
Steel/Dragon is one of thebest type combinations inPokemongamesthanks to being strong against Fairy while also taking 1x damage from this type, making Archaludon start on the right foot. Combined with a good signature move (especially in Rain teams) and two very powerful Abilities in Stamina and Stalwart, Archaludon is one of the winners of Gen 9’s DLC number two.
Gouging Fire
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Paradox Enteiis a powerhouse thanks to its incredible type combo of Fire/Dragon as well as great stats and an incredibly strong signature move in Burning Bulwark. This move is like Protect, but it only works on attacks rather than also status moves; however, it Burns anyone who makes contact.
Iron Boulder
Paradox Terrakionmay not seem a big hitter at first, but its signature move is one of the strongest attacks introduced in Gen 9. Mighty Cleave is a Rock move with 95 Base Power and 100 accuracy tha t hits through Protect, making Iron Boulder a big menace. Although its type combo is not the best, its stats make Iron Boulder a very strong speedy attacker while still having decent bulk.
B Tier
These Pokemon are not bad, but they can be hampered by some of their characteristics, including low or mediocre stats or a particularly weak type combo.
Hydrapple
Dipplin’s evolution in The Indigo Diskwas not a surprise after the critter could wield the Eviolite in The Teal Mask, but it does come with some interesting upgrades, like better stats and a powerful signature move. However, this move (called Fickle Beam) relies on RNG to deal significant damage, and Hydrapple’s Grass/Dragon type still makes it 4x weak to Ice as well as types like Fairy, Flying, or Poison.
Iron Crown
Pokemon Violet’s exclusive Iron Crownhas some powerful moves and stats that would make it a top pick in competitive quite easily, but it is held back by its type combination of Steel and Psychic, which has been used to great success by Metagross in the past, but in the current format it’s hard to justify. Psychic is currently one of the least powerful types in the game, and with Incineroar soon dominatingPokemonVGC tournaments, Iron Crown is going to be weak to both Fire and Dark.
Pecharunt
While no official details are available aboutPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Mythical Pecharunt, datamines paint a bit of a bleak picture. Pecharunt is the first Ghost/Poison Pokemon after the Gengar line from Gen 1, and while it has a good Ability that confuses any critter it Poisons, its stats are subpar and its moves too. Having 88 in each stat but Defense, which is sitting at 160, Pecharunt doesn’t excel at anything but stall, and even then there could be better options.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you can join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
