The world of Pokémon is an incredible, impossible place. A place where 2’07” fiery snail-creatures have body temperatures that supposedly reach 18,000 degrees F. Where Larvitar must eat an entire mountain’s worth of soil in order to evolve. Some of these critters are just absurdly powerful, without even getting into the feats that Legendary Pokémon are capable of. Meanwhile, Farfetch’d also exists.
This feeble little Pokémon has been the subject of snarky jokes since the series began for its rather pitiful stats. It was finally given a morsel of hope in Pokémon Sword & Shield in the form of a regional variant, Galarian Farfetch’d. Is this version of the critter better than the original, or is it also doomed to be the butt of all the jokes? Let’s compare Kantonian and Galarian Farfetch’d on a number of different categories and find out!
10 Design: Galarian Farfetch’d
Firstly, we’ve got to compare both variants of the critter on the most superficial element of all: their looks. After all, the design of a Pokémon is the first thing fans notice when a given creature is announced, and it has a huge influence on whether they become attached to it or not (this is especially the case when it comes to starter Pokémon).
On pure visuals alone, without any nostalgia creeping in, we’d argue that Galarian Farfetch’d wins this one. It’s more unique, with that larger and more formidable-looking vegetable at its side. Does this little critter get its greens? You’re darn right it does. It’s an all-around more appealing (and even slightly powerful-looking) design.
9 Iconic Qualities: Kantonian Farfetch’d
Though Galarian Farfetch’d does look stronger and more fearsome than its original counterpart, there’s no denying the influence of any of the classic Kanto 151. Farfetch’d may be a weakling, but it’s as iconic as any other Pokémon that made its debut in the very first games.
If you made that trade for the Farfetch’d named DUX in Vermillion City back in the late nineties, Kantonian Farfetch’d will probably have a special place in your heart. In that sense, its new Galarian form really can’t compete.
8 Typing: Galarian Farfetch’d
As fans will know, Kanto’s Farfetch’d is a Normal/Flying Pokémon. While this isn’t the worst typing in the series, it’s just super overused at this point. It’s the combination that most early-game bird Pokémon have, not resisting one of the main types that Flying critters are supposed to counter: Fighting.
Speaking of Fighting-types, Galarian Farfetch’d adopts this type instead, which matches its aggressive nature very well (more on that later). Fighting Pokémon often hold vital roles on teams, usually offering physical power and/or tankiness. Flying/Normal Pokémon, meanwhile, don’t tend to stand out.
7 Ability Selection: Galarian Farfetch’d
In terms of default Abilities, neither variant of Farfetch’d really brings a lot to the table. Its Kantonian form has either Inner Focus (which prevents flinching) or Keen Eye (which prevents its accuracy from being lowered). Meanwhile, Galarian Farfetch’d only has Steadfast (boosting its Speed when it flinches) by default.
When it comes to Hidden Abilities, though, they both get much better choices. Defiant, which offers +2 in Attack whenever its stats are dropped, is very nice for Kanto’s Farfetch’d. The Farfetch’d of Galar instead get Scrappy, which allows them to hit Ghost-types with their Fighting STAB (and Normal moves were applicable). Very few Fighting-types have this luxury (Sirfetch’d is also blessed with it), which just tops Defiant because it’s a little less situational in our book.
6 Stats: Kantonian And Galarian Farfetch’d
Our only tied category on this list, there was really no choosing between the variants on this one. In terms of stats, both Pokémon have the exact same base total: a meager 377. All that sets them apart is that they’re distributed slightly differently.
Kantonian Farfetch’d has a base 52 HP, 90 Attack, 55 Defense, 58 Special Attack, 62 Special Defense and 60 Speed. The regional variant has the exact same stats, with just five points allocated differently: it has 5 more base Attack points in exchange for 5 less Speed. Neither’s really “better’“in any significant way, so we’re going to go with a draw here.
5 Ease Of Finding One: Kantonian Farfetch’d
While Farfetch’d was originally only available from an NPC trade (that Vermillion City trainer again), it became much more commonplace in subsequent games (Routes 12 and 13 in Pokémon Yellow, Routes 38, 39, 47, 48 and the Safari Zone in Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver, for instance). Galarian Farfetch’d perhaps isn’t so willing to be caught.
The swinger of bigger leeks can only be found in Pokémon Sword, making rare appearances on Route 5 (5% chance) or Giant’s Mirror in the Wild Area (in cloudy weather). Outside of this, lucky Max Raids are your only way to get one, making it much rarer in the series overall.
4 Pokédex Entries: Kantonian Farfetch’d
Of course, with Galarian Farfetch’d being introduced with Pokémon Sword & Shield, it has only two Pokédex entries. They speak of this Farfetch’d variant’s bravery in battle, as well as the unusual nature of the leek it wields. While this is unique in its own way, Kantonian Farfetch’d has a whole range of interesting Pokédex entries to its name.
Pokémon Red & Blue’s entry for the critter, “the sprig of green onions it holds is its weapon. It is used much like a metal sword,” is just a classic. Pokémon Shield adds, “they use a plant stalk as a weapon, but not all of them use it in the same way. Several distinct styles of stalk fighting have been observed.” It’s just fantastic and super funny lore all around, which the new regional variant just can’t compete with.
3 Movepool: Galarian Farfetch’d
Over the generations, Farfetch’d has been lucky enough to receive a range of new tools. From Leaf Blade to First Impression, all of these additions to its moveset has given it at least some variety to its game plan. Should players ever see it in battle, that is.
While Kanto’s Farfetch’d has STAB on some powerful Flying moves like Brave Bird, its regional variant also boasts Close Combat, a particularly frightening offensive tool with the Scrappy Ability. There’s also the totally impractical but super strong Fighting move Meteor Assault, a two-turn attack exclusive to Sirfetch’d.
2 Potential: Galarian Farfetch’d
Now, nobody’s claiming that Galarian Farfetch’d is tearing things up in the competitive scene. What we will say, however, is that there’s a clear winner between the two forms where battling potential is concerned.
Statistically, as we’ve seen, there’s little to choose between the two themselves. Galarian Farfetch’d has an ace up its feathery sleeve, however: its evolved form, Sirfetch’d. With base 135 Attack and a solid suite of strong recovery moves, this thing can be a real powerhouse. Its mediocre Speed and average defenses let it down, but you’d be surprised by the carnage it can cause if played to its strengths.
1 Overall Winner: Galarian Farfetch’d
All in all, Sirfetch’d is the evolution that Farfetch’d has deserved for over two decades. It’s not exactly a common sight in competitive play, but it’s at least rather powerful and can serve teams well. Simply on the strength of this evolution alone, Galar’s leek-wielders were all but destined to win here.
Having said that, there are some qualities of Kanto’s Farfetch’d that the new variant just doesn’t possess. It’ll always hold a special place in nostalgic fans’ hearts, a beloved (if often mocked) icon of the series.
NEXT: Pokémon: Ranking The 10 Most Underrated Galar Pokémon
