MY favorite underrated Pokemon

Today I'm talking about some of my favorite underrated Pokemon. Well, let me rephrase. I indeed like these Pokemon, maybe not enough to consider them my favorite, and they're most definitely not fan favorites. Maybe they're Pokemon that are cool for specific aspects or design, theyre really good in battle but most fans arent aware or they're rather forgotten within the fanbase. Well, here's my top 10 underrated Pokemon

1. Cacturne

When I first set my eyes on Cacturne as a kid, I thought this thing was AWESOME! It's an evil cactus! To be technical, it's an evil scarecrow cactus which I think makes it even cooler. Not too long ago I was thinking that it'd be cool if there was a scarecrow Pokemon and little did I know this thing is actually a scarecrow. For how much love it's 1st stage, Cacnea, gets in the fanbase due to James owning one in the anime, it's rather surprising that Cacnea and Cacturn haven't made an appearance in any main games in YEARS. Its shiny is even better as it went from green to brown, further cementing that its a scarecrow. So yeah, Cacturn isn't my favorite, like at all, but I think it's design is great and I'd love to see it with an updated design in newer games in 3D rather its 2D origins.

2. Alolan Muk

I love Alolan Muk for many reasons. One of them being it was a powerhouse on one of my teams in Sun & Moon but also its design! I love how in the game Muk's almost rainbow colors CHANGE within battle. The longer Muk idles, it's colors shift giving us a genius sense of motion as its a moving pile of sludge. I've always loved Alolan Muk & so many people rip on this poor thing. Give it a try! Muk is much better than you think!

3. Galarian Zigzagoon

Galarian Zigzagoon, or more specifically it's entire line, are some of my all time favorite Pokemon & surprisingly not all that many people like them. They claim to not like this line as it isn't original/was inspired by Gene Simmons of the Rock band KISS. Well, I love this line MILES above their Hoenn counterparts. I didn't even care for this line until they got a regional variant. I think that they're awesome, end of Story. Taking a rockstar/UK Badger route with this line was genius. Their shinies are so god damned awesome too. I'm especially fond of Galar Zigzagoon, it's my baby!

4. Sawsbuck

Sawsbuck is sadly forgotten nowadays since the main Pokemon games have eliminated the use of seasons and thus Sawsbuck hasn't made an appearance in MAIN games since its debut in Black & White more than 10 years ago. The entire reason I love Sawsbuck is due to the fact that it's appearance changes depending on the season. I REALLY want Pokemon to bring back seasons in the main games because I miss Sawsbuck so much!!! I hacked my copy of Black/used cheat codes in order to change the seasons in game due to how much I love Sawsbuck's fall & summer forms.

5. Bisharp

Literally nobody can deny how awesome this Pokemon looks. Im especially fond of Bisharp's model when it debuted in 2D in Black & White. Bisharp is so cool looking and it's very good in battle. The only downside to it is how it's double weak to fighting type moves. I'm actually surprised Bisharp isn't a fan favorite.

6. Midnight Lycanroc

Much to my surprise, Midnight Lycanroc is the LEAST popular of the three Lycanroc forms. I honestly thought it was the complete opposite😅 Weird thing is, I cannot find any direct answers as to why it's not popular compared to its Dusk & Midday counterparts. I think they're bland compared to Midnight but oh well. Midnight Lycanroc is one of my all time favorite Pokemon. It's so dark and menacing looking yet you can tell its still a protective loyal dog at heart since it's 1st stage, Rockruff, was just a puppy. Unlike it's Midday & Dusk counterparts, Midnight takes after werewolves. From its glowing eyes to how it's a bipedal. Hence the name Lycanroc which has the term Lycan or Lycanthrope which is a term for werewolf. Also, did you know that Midnight Lycanroc has a different moveset from Dusk & Midday? Dusk & Midday learn more mouth or 'fang' moves like Ice, Fire, Electric Fang while Midnight, through TMs, can learn a larger variety of moves such as Brick Break or 'claw' moves like Shadow & Iron Claw especially since it has arms/hands unlike its quadruped counterparts. I love Lycanroc for its great design & personality, it's a beast in battle too! It's the perfect werewolf Pokemon!

7. Incineroar

Again, much to my surprise, Incineroar is one of the most despised starter Pokemon in existence. Because the Litten line went from quadrupeds only to become bipedal upon evolving into Incineroar, that's why it's so hated. I completely disagree! I think it's a dumb reason to hate a Pokemon. Incineroar is one of my favorite Pokemon in existence. I'll admit, I thought Incineroar's design was a bit uncanny at first but the longer I've used it on my team the more I've came to love it. The fire wrestling belt around its waist is genius design wise. I think it's the perfect wrestler Pokemon. Clearly I'm not alone as Incineroar was a featured fighter in the beloved Super Smash Bros series and I LOVE his model in this game the most. Not to forget, Incineroar is a beloved Pokemon in battle, in my opinion at least, due to how many types of moves it can learn. It can learn normal, fire, ghost, fighting, ground, dark, electric, psychic, bug, flying, dragon AND steel type moves!!! Incineroar is useful In any situation due to the sheer amount of type variety it has.

8. Vikavolt

This is a bit of a hot take lol. Everyone agrees Vikavolt is awesome design wise but never use it in game. Coming from someone who has used a Vikavolt in every single one of my playthroughs of Sun & Moon, this Pokemon is GREAT. Many people steer clear of Vikavolt due to how long/difficult it is the evolve. Grubbin, Vikavolt's 1st stage, is available at the very beginning of the game and after it becomes a Chargabug, it doesn't evolve till late game due to how Chargabug can only evolve into Vikavolt within a magnetic field/Poni Island. Therefore, you're stuck with a Grubbin/Chargabug for 80% of the game BUT let me tell you the pay off is worth it! Chargabug is very capable in battle due to its decent special attack & high defense so its useful the entire time until it can evolve. Upon becoming a Vikavolt, it becomes a force to be reconned with. It has scary speed & high special attack & it can learn the most powerful electric moves. As much as Vikavolt is cool, it's powerful & the payoff is worth it. Plus, Pokemon has eliminated the evolution method of magnetic fields so now Vikavolt is easier to evolve as of Sword & Shield as now it only requires an electric stone.

9. Salazzle

Okay, I have a lot of Alolan Pokemon in this list lol. Sadly, Salazzle is a victim of Rule 34 and that's the literal only reason it's remotely liked. Design wise, I love Salazzle! I think it's rather cool that only female Salandit's can evolve and that this line is reptilian in all the perfect ways. Salazzle is feminine without being too humanoid. That's the primary reason behind why I love it. It's dark, it's feminine, it's sleek & well designed. Not to forget, it's shiny is great!

10. Misdreavus

For a Pokemon that didn't get an evolution till more than five years after Misdreavus was introduced, it's surprisingly capable. I love Misdreavus design wise BUT I've actually tested out in battle simulators as well as Pokemon Stat comparison sites that Misdreavus is JUST AS capable as its evolution, Mismagius. I mean, I hope so since it was a stand alone Pokemon for 5+ years. The main difference between them Stat wise is that Mismagius is slightly better. But it's not enough of a difference that I firmly believe you aren't missing out if you choose not to evolve Misdreavus or you just dont have a Dusk stone to evolve it. Why do I know so much about them Stat wise? I like Misdreavus more design wise lol.

Who's your favorite underrated Pokemon? Did you learn something new today?