Overview of Ash Ketchum’s Most Potent Pokémon
- Pikachu: Achieving an impressive battle win rate of 89% over 538 matches, Pikachu stands as Ash’s strongest Pokémon.
- Greninja: With an 87% win rate in 55 battles, Greninja utilizes its transformation into Ash-Greninja to secure victories.
- Goodra: Showcasing an 88% win rate from 16 battles, Goodra defeats adversaries using powerful Dragon-type moves.
Ash Ketchum, the iconic trainer from Pallet Town, has embarked on an extensive journey, traversing diverse regions and capturing a multitude of formidable Pokémon in his quest to become a Pokémon Master. Renowned for his ability to unlock the full potential of his partners, Ash has faced myriad challenges, battling against countless trainers and their Pokémon along the way.
His aspiration came to fruition when he clinched the top spot in the World Championships, defeating formidable trainers from various regions. As his journey concludes, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on Ash Ketchum’s strongest Pokémon and evaluate his most formidable partners, making him an almost unbeatable opponent.
Update as of March 5, 2025 by Ben Painter: Although Ash Ketchum is no longer the central character in the Pokémon anime, he remains a cherished figure among fans. The mantle has passed to Roy and Liko in Pokémon: Horizons. Starting in 1999, Ash has caught 59 Pokémon — a figure notable but still light years away from the pursuit of catching them all, a concept that was notably abandoned early in the series.
While Ash often opted not to fully evolve many of his Pokémon, he consistently demonstrated that evolution wasn’t mandatory for success in battle. This update reveals the addition of five more of Ash Ketchum’s top Pokémon to the roster.
35. Naganadel
Battle Win Rate: 50% (1/2)
- Defining Moment: Defeating Lucario in the climactic battle against Kukui during the Manalo Conference.
Introduced in Generation 7, Naganadel was a fitting addition to Ash’s roster in the Alola region, bringing its unique Poison/Dragon typing. While not a primary member of the team, it participated prominently in key battles, shining particularly during the Manalo Conference, where it triumphed over Professor Kukui’s Lucario but fell to Tapu Koko shortly after.
34. Talonflame
Battle Win Rate: 50% (9/18)
- Defining Moment: Evolving into Talonflame and bravely confronting a wild Moltres.
As the designated Flying-type for Ash in the Kalos region, Talonflame made its mark by challenging legendary Pokémon like Moltres. Despite this battle ending in defeat, Talonflame demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability.
33. Gible
Battle Win Rate: 50% (2/4)
- Defining Moment: Mastering Draco Meteor and achieving victory against Shuckle and Dusknoir during the Lily of the Valley Conference.
Although Gible underperformed in terms of evolution, it showcased tremendous strength as a Dragon-type Pokémon, capable of evolving into the legendary Garchomp. With its notable move, Draco Meteor, it delivered significant victories even without evolving, cementing its place among Ash’s strong contenders.
32. Glalie
Battle Win Rate: 50% (3/6)
- Defining Moment: Overcoming Morrison’s Metang in the Ever Grande Conference, allowing Ash to proceed.
Ash’s Glalie, originally captured as a Snorunt, became a formidable Ice-type despite Ash’s limited use of Ice Pokémon. Its underwhelming usage in major battles, however, makes Glalie an often understated member of Ash’s lineup.
31. Quilava
Battle Win Rate: 50% (9/18)
- Defining Moment: Evolving into Quilava and mastering the Eruption move to defeat Team Rocket.
Quilava stands out as a unique case, evolving after being caught, and demonstrated strong performance in major battles including those against significant Gym Leaders. Its evolution and the new abilities it acquired helped Ash in pivotal moments throughout the Sinnoh and Johto arcs.
30. Dragonite
Battle Win Rate: 50% (4/8)
- Defining Moment: Defeating Korrina’s Mega Lucario to elevate Ash in the Great Class.
With Ash’s Dragonite making its debut in the Pokémon Journeys series, it quickly established its fearsome combat capabilities, participating prominently in key battles and showcasing a powerful move set. However, the Pokémon’s full potential was often overshadowed by Ash’s other strong battlers.
29. Gengar
Battle Win Rate: 54% (7/14)
- Defining Moment: Overpowering Leon’s Inteleon in the Masters Tournament.
Joining Ash’s team in Pokémon Journeys, Gengar quickly became a fan favorite. After a rocky start, it turned its fortune around with notable victories against powerful trainers, blending offense and defense to become a critical component of Ash’s strategy.
28. Hawlucha
Battle Win Rate: 53% (9/17)
- Defining Moment: Earning victory over Allain’s Weavile during the Lumiose Conference.
Hawlucha, known for its speed and agility, became an essential member of Ash’s Kalos team. Its defining moments in critical battles showcased both its fighting prowess and character development, cementing its legacy among Ash’s Pokémon.
27. Staraptor
Battle Win Rate: 55% (11/20)
- Defining Moment: Defeating Nando’s Roserade in the Lily of the Valley Conference.
Staraptor played a crucial role in Ash’s Sinnoh journey, holding its own in battles against powerful Pokémon despite being somewhat overshadowed by its teammates. Its steadfast commitment and battle capabilities earned it a dedicated following among fans.
26. Skeptics
Battle Win Rate: 55% (16/30)
- Defining Moment: Defeating Tobias’ Darkrai during the Lily of the Valley Conference.
Sceptile remains one of Ash’s most iconic Grass-types, showcasing extraordinary strength and skill throughout numerous battles. Its impressive stamina and diverse move set make it a formidable opponent, exemplified by its remarkable performance in high-stakes tournaments.
25. Dracovish
Battle Win Rate: 56% (5/9)
- Defining Moment: Defeating Leon’s Rillaboom during the Master’s Eight Tournament.
Brought to life from a fossil, Dracovish quickly became a powerful asset to Ash’s team, harnessing strong moves that showcased its formidable capabilities. As a result, Dracovish quickly proven its value in high-pressure situations, making it essential in Ash’s quest for victory.
24. Bayleef
Battle Win Rate: 56% (6/11)
- Defining Moment: Evolving from Chikorita to Bayleef to protect Ash from Team Rocket.
Not only was Bayleef a battle-ready Pokémon, but it also demonstrated a profound bond with Ash, showcasing its affectionate nature. With powerful techniques, it secured victories that demonstrated her worth as a valuable member of Ash’s Johto journey.
23. Palpitoad
Battle Win Rate: 58% (3/5)
- Defining Moment: Winning against Elesa’s Zebstrika for Ash in the Nimbasa Gym.
Ash’s Palpitoad proved its mettle early on in its battles, earning a key victory that contributed to Ash’s badge collection. Despite limited opportunities, it consistently demonstrated its ability to withstand powerful attacks and emerge victorious.
22. Pignite
Battle Win Rate: 58% (13/24)
- Defining Moment: Overcoming Cameron’s Hydreigon and Ferrothorn in the Vertress Conference.
Demonstrating resilience throughout 24 battles, Pignite firmly established itself as a key player in Ash’s Unova team, contributing valuable victories and showcasing impressive techniques that elevated its role in pivotal matches.
21. Squirtle
Battle Win Rate: 58% (7/12)
- Defining Moment: Learning Hydro Pump to defeat Rudy’s Starmie in the Orange Islands.
Despite being one of Ash’s very first Pokémon, Squirtle was underutilized early on in battles. Nevertheless, it delivered iconic performances during critical moments. Notably, Squirtle became known not just for fighting, but also for heroism outside battles as part of the Squirtle Squad.
20. Corphish
Battle Win Rate: 59% (16/29)
- Defining Moment: Defeating Flannery’s Magcargo and Torkoal to win the Heat Badge.
Corphish distinguished itself through a combination of friendly spirit and fierce battle tenacity. Across the Hoenn and Battle Frontier challenges, it consistently showcased its strength, earning impressive accolades despite never evolving into Crawdaunt.
19. Noctowl
Battle Win Rate: 60% (3/5)
- Defining Moment: Defeating Morty’s Haunter and Gengar in a gym battle, despite type disadvantages.
The only shiny Pokémon in Ash’s collection, Noctowl made significant contributions as a versatile Pokémon with a varied move set. Its performances were particularly notable during critical gym battles, where it tackled overwhelming odds with determination.
18. Melmetal
Battle Win Rate: 60% (3/5)
- Defining Moment: Summoning other Meltan to evolve, elevating Ash’s power.
A notable addition to Ash’s strong Alola team, Melmetal proved to be a potent asset, delivering key wins during its tenure. Though it saw limited use, its introduction represented a significant power increase for Ash.
17. Scraggy
Battle Win Rate: 61% (4/6)
- Defining Moment: Mastering Focus Blast to defeat Simisage in the Clubsplosion Tournament.
Despite a lesser presence in battles relative to other Pokémon, Scraggy has shown potential and fearlessness since its hatchling days, marking its place in Ash’s roster with a few memorable victories.
16. Swellow
Battle Win Rate: 63% (14/23)
- Defining Moment: Collaborating with Pikachu to create Thunder armor and successfully defeating Solrock and Lunatone.
Swellow has proven to be a remarkable Pokémon throughout Ash’s Hoenn journey, showcasing its resilience and creating memorable victories alongside its trainer. Its unique abilities allowed for powerful synergy in battles.
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