In nearly every Pokémon game since the Kanto region, players have been able to choose from a small list of fossils to rejuvenate and transform back into living Pokémon. The originals were Omastar, Kabutops, and Aerodactyl, but since then, Game Freak has released 12 more, each based on ancient creatures (or living things in Cradily’s case).
While these Pokémon may be extinct in the every-day world, their unique designs and themes really let them all stand out. Mostly. There are a few fossil Pokémon that don’t really have much to offer and for those unlucky few, well, let’s just say they’re better off left in the rocks.
15 Armaldo
The unfortunate position of last on this list falls on Armaldo. First introduced as the claw fossil in the Gen 3 Hoenn Region, Armaldo and Anorith were fairly underwhelming. Anorith may be called the Old Shrimp Pokémon, but these two look more like creatures made straight out of Spore. Their designs just seem haphazard. Further, as rock and bug-types, they really just don’t bring much to the table, as bug was often seen as the worst type in the game before it’s buff in Gen 7.
14 Carracosta
The sea turtle from Gen 5’s Unova region just isn’t turtley enough for the turtle club. The Pokémon world is already full of turtles, and to take up a coveted fossil spot with another one just seems disappointing.
Stat-wise, Carracosta is just fine, with lots of power in its physical attack and defense, but unfortunately, everything else is downhill from there, culminating in a pitiful 32 speed. Decent abilities fall flat on this underwhelming design, which leads this unfortunate turtle to sink rather than swim.
13 Cradily
Classified as the Barnacle Pokémon, Cradily is Gen 3’s ancient plant Pokémon. An ancient tropical plant as one of the Hoenn region’s two fossils was excellent design and every time the strange plant makes its way onto the field trumpets blare. Unfortunately for Cradily, it just isn’t that powerful. All-around decent stats don’t hold Cradily back, but they don’t do it any favors either. Better defenses give Cradily the option of a stall Pokémon, but its miserable 43 speed stat leaves quite a lot to be desired.
12 Omastar
The Helix fossil has always been a staple among Pokémon fossils. Omastar is the classic killer sea-snail that is described as being so slow and weak that it went extinct because it couldn’t catch food. Despite this description, it actually has 55 speed which is faster than both Cradily and Carracosta (although it still has a long way to go). As a water and rock type with a powerful special attack stat of 115, If it manages to get an attack off, Omastar is sure to rock some boats.
11 Rampardos
The big strong boy of Gen 4, the pure rock-type, Rampardos. The Sinnoh Region was the first of any in the Pokémon world to finally give fans their first dinosaur fossils and truly, it was a little underwhelming. Rampardos is a pure rock-type, which has advantages, it can’t be hit by fighting or grass for 4x damage like some of the other fossils, but it also means it doesn’t have secondary typing to use as a threat. Compared to every other fossil, that just doesn’t hold up.
10 Arctovish
The new bulky ice fish abomination from the Galar Region, Arctovish is the combination of the fossilized fish and the fossilized dino brought to life by science! Overall, Arctovish is a decent but underwhelming Pokémon. With Galar fossils losing their rock typing, Arctovish is left as a water and ice-type, which isn’t exactly the best combination.
While its stats are just average, it does have access to the devastatingly powerful Fishious Rend attack, which is at least one good thing about it. The combo concept that the Galar fossils use is pretty cool, unfortunately, this big fish got the short end of the stick.
9 Aurorus
The ice and rock-type sauropod, Aurorus was first introduced in the Kalos Region of Gen 6. With fairly unique typing and an interesting design, the Sail fossil is one of the first that really might be worth using. A truly massive Pokemon, Aurorus has an incredibly high HP stat and a powerful ability in Refrigerate. Plus, Amaura is so ding-dang cute, it’s a blast to evolve! The Tundra Pokémon is definitely one worth considering for this reason alone, but for those min-maxing fans out there, it’s definitely not the best of the best.
8 Arctozolt
This sniveling little velociraptor ice hybrid really puts Pokémon design on a whole new level. While ice typing may not be of a huge benefit for this electric type (as it doesn’t lose its ground weakness and instead gains weakness to fire, fighting, and rock-types) it does pose an excellent opportunity for this Pokémon’s “brr”-fect look. Unfortunately for Arctozolt, it can’t really monopolize on its signature move, Bolt Beak, as its base 55 speed stat is fairly laughable.
7 Archeops
Archen and Archeops are the flying rock-type fossils of the Unova Region. Based on the archeopteryx, these Pokémon are jam-packed with power. With a whopping 140 attack stat and respectable 112 special attack, this Pokémon can really pack a punch. Unfortunately, it’s majorly held back by its truly awful ability, Defeatist. At half health Archeops attack and special attack, stats are cut in half, meaning its powerful offense becomes mediocre at best. This makes the colorful bird fossil much more effective at hit and run tactics. It certainly has its place, but its strategy means other Pokémon are going to take a beating.
6 Dracozolt
Another Galar fossil with the wonderfully designed raptor head. This electric and dragon-type, unfortunately, suffers from the same poor statistical design that plagues Arctozolt. With only a base 75 speed stat, the only Pokémon Dracozolt can outspeed to use its powerful Beak bolt attack are slow and bulky rock, ground, and steel types, all of which resist electric damage. This means Dracozolt is basically dead in the water when it comes to outspeeding and getting some serious damage.
5 Kabutops
This horseshoe crab made scythe-wielding monster is one of the original fossils, but unlike Omastar, it has some serious staying power. Kabutops’ very cool design is enough to keep it around, but it also shines in battle. With access to two great abilities in battle armor and weak armor, this Pokémon is ready for a fight. Kabutops shines because unlike many Weak Armor Pokémon, it actually has the Defense to survive a couple of hits if it’s set up properly. Kabutops may be an oldie, but it is certainly a goodie.
4 Bastiodon
The Sinnoh Regions rock and steel-type, Bastiodon, is one of the Pokémon game’s first actual dinosaur fossils. Bastiodon is a Ceratopsid (a fancy triceratops), and as such has high defenses befitting the large shield plastered to its face. Its design might be a little silly, but a good triceratops is hard to come by. With powerful defensive typing in rock and steel and a stat block that could stop even the most powerful hits, this is a Pokémon that is sure to stick around for a while (which is ironic because it’s a fossil Pokémon).
3 Aerodactyl
The original and only speed demon fossil Pokémon. With an unmatched speed stat amongst the fossils and attacks that make its enemies tremble, Aerodactyl is a monster in the air. With the ability Rock Head and the transfer only move Double Edge, Aerodactyl packs a punch to go along with its monstrous speed. This is a Pokémon that has been good for a long long time. It’s a wonder how it ever went extinct. In fact, its presence as a fossil suggests that this alpha hunter was forced extinct by some cataclysmic event… What is Game Freak hiding from us?
2 Tyrantrum
The Strong Jawed bitey boy of the ancient Kalos Region made a big dent in the meta as an alternative dragon-type. With Strong Jaw and access to every fang attack in the game (besides Psychic Fangs and Fishious Rend), Tyrantrum brings a lot of move set diversity and power to the fossil lineup. Alternatively, with Rock Head and the Head Smash attack, Tyrantrum has access to a very powerful STAB rock-type attack with no drawbacks. Throw in its whopping 121 attack and 119 defense and fAns have a physical wall that brings down the house.
1 Dracovish
Tyrantrum isn’t the only dragon-type fossil with the introduction of Dracovish in the Galar Region. This fish and drake monstrosity tears into the competition with its use of Fishious Rend, Strong Jaw, and a speed-boosting held item. Literally establishing the meta at the early stages of the Sword and Shield competitive scene, this fish dragon fossil is an abomination that fans just can’t get enough of. Its ridiculous upside-down fish head on top of a twisted and contorted dragon tail is truly something out of a horror movie. Unfortunately, this terrible thing is one of the most powerful Pokémon in the Galar Region, so players are sure to encounter it eventually.
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