Most fans know how the story started, with having to pick one of the starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle, but who in the original Red & Blue game were the Pokémon who could dish out the damage? We are going to have a look-back and see who, out of the original 151 Pokémon, were the creatures who were the most powerful in-game based on their base attack stats. The results will probably surprise you (hint: It isn’t Mewtwo).

10. Arcanine

Base Attack: 110

Arcanine is the evolved form of Growlithe, which can be found on routes connecting Celadon City and Lavender Town with Saffron City. Combined with its special attacks, it does make for a formidable opponent but is easily countered.

Kanto Pokédex #059

9. Kabutops

Base Attack: 115

This fossil Pokémon is the evolved form of Kabuto and is said to be the most useful of the fossils (the others from Red & Blue are Omanyte, Omastar, and Aerodactyl). It is fragile against Ground and Electric attacks but does make for a good team, and it is useful against sleeping Pokémon as it can utilise free turns for its Sword Dance ability.

Kanto Pokédex #141

8. Hitmonlee

Base Attack: 120

In the original Red & Blue, Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan are stand-alone Pokémon. They are not evolved from anyone however in Gold & Silver it was revealed that they are evolved from Tyrogue (along with a third Hitmontop). The rest of Hitmonlee’s stats aren’t brilliant but with his high attack and high speed, he can make a difference. Hitmonlee is the only Fighting-type, which gets the ability High Jump Kick, which does 85 base damage on its own.

Kanto Pokédex #106

7. Gyarados

Base Attack: 125

For those of you manage to stick with your Magikarp enough to get it to evolve will know that Gyarados is a pretty good Pokémon. He has pretty decent attack stats as well as having enough defensive capability to make a difference. Although it benefits from having Thunderbolt in its move pool, players must be wary of the fact that it takes x 4 damage from other Electric-type attacks as well.

Kanto Pokédex #130

6. Pinsir

Base Attack: 125

Even though this Bug-type Pokémon has pretty good attack stats, it is fragile against special attacks. It’s own special attacks aren’t very good either but the Swords Dance ability will cause a lot of damage when used in the right circumstances.

Kanto Pokédex #127

5. Flareon

Base Attack: 130

Flareon is one of Eevee’s evolved forms (the others in Red & Blue are Jolteon and Vaporeon). This little Fire-type Pokémon does pack some power. It doesn’t have much speed or defense, but that doesn’t matter too much when you are bashing out hard hitting attacks. It is, however, always effected by Water- and Rock-type Pokémon.

Kanto Pokédex #136

4. Rhydon

Base Attack: 130

Rhydon is the evolved form of Rhyhorn. It is a pretty hard hitter and has the defense to back it up, but it doesn’t have good special stats and has a fair few number of weaknesses, being as it is a Ground- and Rock-type pokémon. Rhydon and others of his type are the only true counters to Zapdos.

Kanto Pokédex #112

3. Kingler

Base Attack: 130

To be honest, the only thing which makes Kingler stand out is his attack. The rest of his stats aren’t great, he is relatively slow, and his Special is, well, not that Special. Most other favoured Pokémon will kill him with two special attacks.

Kanto Pokédex #099

2. Machamp

Base Attack: 130

Overall Machamp is a good pokémon. Even though it has low defense and speed, if it attacks another while they are paralyzed then Machamp can certainly cause a lot of damage. It does, however, have a bit of a hard time against Psychics.

Kanto Pokédex #068

1. Dragonite

Base Attack: 134

Dragonite, the evolved form of Dragonair, may look like it is all lovely and happy but do not mistake it for being a push over. It is incredibly strong and has an amazing move pool. Dragonite was the main goal of any Pokémon Master until they found Mewtwo (who could only be found deep in Cerulean Cave and only if you defeated the Elite Four).

Kanto Pokédex #149

Honorable mentions

A list of strong Pokémon couldn’t go without mentioning Mewtwo. While he does have very impressive Special Attack / Def stats, his Base Attack is on 110 which puts him a lot further down the list sitting with the likes of Snorlax, Golem, Dodrio, and Scyther. If I were to make a list of overall strongest, then Mewtwo would certainly be at the top.

Is your favourite Pokémon on the list? How do you think they would fair against those mentioned here?

All images are from http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/

Pokémon statistics from http://www.smogon.com