Kalos’s regional Pokédex is the smallest of any Pokémon game. With such a small sample size, just 72 new species, all these Pokémon should be winners. Unfortunately, because X and Y also introduced Fairy-types, Mega Evolution, and Pokémon-Amie, the design space suffered. Many strange Pokémon made the cut, and are still pegged as spectacular failures today. Others are criminally weak and require at least twenty Rare Candies to be viable in battle.
Catching them is not a priority, fighting with them is a joyless experience, and losing to them is straight-up embarrassing. This is Kalos’ short and unfortunate dishonor role.
10 Klefki
Many Fairy-type Pokémon have questionable designs, but Klefki’s the poster-child of this phenomenon. It’s a sentient key ring, but it’s missing the Ghost-typing! The choice to give it the Steel-typing might have been influenced by making an obvious pun. As the Pokedex entry from Pokémon Sun states, Klefki likes to steal keys. Not even the Pokédex entry from Pokémon Moon can say why other than: “for some reason, it collects keys.”
Despite its shortcomings, Klefki has a strong base stat of 470. It may be begrudgingly useable in matches, but that will never justify its existence.
9 Helioptile
Unlike its evolution, Heliolisk, Helioptile doesn’t quite get there in design. Supposedly an electric lizard, its floppy ears give it a more dog-like quality. The ability Dry Skin allows it to restore health from Water-type moves and rain, but it takes more damage from Fire-type attacks in sunny conditions. Usually its ability is a downside, since most trainers know better than to use a Water-type move on Electric-types.
The added Normal-typing makes it immune to Ghost-type moves, but extremely weak to Fighting-type moves. As for the cuteness argument, Dedenne’s a superior choice in stats and typings alone.
8 Diggersby
Diggersby is a plump smirking bunny that uses its floppy ears to dig holes. It has a “What’s Up, Doc?” expression, but lacks any of Bug’s Bunny’s charm. Considering its Shiny version is grey, white, and pink, it was possibly even inspired by the titular character. Its default colors are brown and grey, which means the Pokémon always looks really filthy.
This is another generic Normal-type Pokémon with a frankly unexciting twist. Its base stats are fine, but there are better options for Ground-types in Kalos.
7 Goomy
For the record, Goodra and Sligoo are both impressive Dragon-types with interesting designs. But Goomy? Goomy is about as minimalistic as Pokemon designs get. Calling it a Dragon-type diminishes the majestic nature of other Dragon-types.
They have a reputation for being powerful, fearsome creatures; sadly, Goomy just melts into the background. It looks more like a Water or Bug-type. Worst of all, it’s a liability. It evolves into Sligoo at level 40! Before that point it is virtually useless in battle, relegated to stay benched as it passively gains EXP from EXP All.
6 Swirlix
As the saying goes, you are what you eat and that’s exactly the case with Swirlix. Its fur is sticky like cotton candy because this Pokemon refuses to eat anything but sugar. Imagine how annoying it would be to continually feed this gluttonous cotton candy pup, drawing the ire of the other Pokemon in the party. And what does it give in return? A mediocre stat line of 341, an average move-set, and the narrow ability Sweet Veil to stop other Pokemon from falling asleep. Hardly worth it.
5 Aromatisse
Spritzee’s design is simple enough that it works. Aromatisse’s design is so bizarre, it’s hard to determine what the designers were going for. Its list of potential inspirations includes a perfume bottle, flamenco dancer, a flamingo, and a plague doctor; however, these disparate elements don’t really come together.
If that weren’t enough, Aromatisse carries a fragrance so overpowering that it upsets trainers, and Pokemon. Healer’s a fine ability, but it’s better to forgo this altruistic pink pal like the plague.
4 Noibat
Noibat is another severely underpowered pre-evolution, sharing the base stats of 245 with Togepi, Zubat, and Rookidee. Even though it is most definitely a bat and nothing else, it gets to claim the Dragon-typing by default. It has an even lower ATK stat than Goomy, which is just pathetic. With this Pokemon, the name of the game is grinding. With lots of effort, Noibat will evolve into the very powerful Noivern. Otherwise, keep it “safe” in its ball.
3 Slurpuff
Slurpuff is the meringue Pokemon, inspired by cupcakes and pastries and all things high-calorie. Ever since they were introduced, Fairy-types have been associated with candy and food, such as Galar’s Milcery and Alcremie.
But Slurpuff is a walking cupcake dog fit only for trainers obsessed with pink, flowers, and unicorns. What’s the real cherry on top? Swirlix needs to be traded with the Whipped Dream to evolve, and no one wants a Slurpuff that much. It’s definitely the worst looking Pokemon in Kalos.
2 Scatterbug
Scatterbug is the weakest Pokemon of Generation VI. It is tied with Magikarp, a Pokemon that is officially referred to in the Pokedex as “pathetic and weak.” It can only learn four moves by leveling up: Tackle, String Shot, Stun Spore, and Bug Bite. It is incapable of learning moves by TM, so there is no literally no hope of improving its chances of survival—just forget about winning battles entirely.
Its design is boring and uninspired. It’s literally a caterpillar. And it looks confused and terrified all the time, since anything in the wild could one-shot it, even a well-aimed Whirlwind.
1 Spewpa
Scatterbug isn’t the worst Pokemon in Kalos, only because its evolved form Spewpa is an even bigger letdown. Scatterbug has a base stat of 200. Spewpa should be a moderate upgrade from its scaredy-caterpillar precursor. Except Spewpa’s base stat is 213. 213!
Unfortunately, this makes sense. The only difference between the two forms is that Spewpa wears a furry coat and can learn Protect and Harden. Not that either these moves will keep this puny Pokemon alive. Stat-wise it’s better than Metapod, but that is a very low bar.
NEXT: Ranking All The Best Bug Pokémon From Worst To Best
