Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, despite some notable bugs and glitches that Nintendo is attempting to fix with an early update, has proven itself to be another rousing success in the franchise. The game's implementation of an open-world setting has received praise, and many of the new Pokémon have already proven quite popular with players.
While Scarlet and Violet have brought the total number of Pokémon to over 1,000, the number of new Ground types is surprisingly low. Only eight have been incorporated into the game, though each has merits, whether it be due to visual appeal, abilities, or base stats.
8 Paldean Wooper
An update on the ever-lovable Generation 2 Water and Ground-type, Paldean Wooper maintains the cute design of its Johto region cousin and gives it a slight makeover thanks to its poison-Ground-type pairing. This pairing, along with the Pokémon's ability to use mud shot and tail whip, make it a fairly unique early-game combatant.
Though Paldean Wooper boasts an appealing aesthetic and decent move selection, it's far from a go-to choice in battle. Its total base stats add up to a meager 210, and it has notoriously low speed, special attack, and special defense.
7 Toedscool
With a design based on one of Generation One's best Water types, it's easy for people to write off Toedscool as an uninspired Pokémon. There's little that distinguishes it from Tentacruel, save for its goofy walking animation, for which the comedic appeal may wear off quickly.
Despite Toedscool's rather subpar design and lack of resistance to most types, it does have some redeeming qualities. The Pokémon boasts some shockingly high special defense for a creature with only a base stat of 335, and it also moves fairly quickly in battle.
6 Clodsire
Though claims of Clodsire being one of the best Pokémon from Generation Nine border on hyperbole, the evolved form of Paldean Wooper is still a fun addition to the series. It features a charming design, can use both poison spikes and yawn and is quite bulky thanks to its 130 HP and 100 special defense.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of Closdire is that it has two extraordinary potential abilities, Poison Point and Water Absorb. The former allows it to poison any Pokémon that attacks it, while the latter essentially eliminates its water weakness. Throw in Clodsire’s hidden ability, and it's easy to see why people are gravitating toward the salamander.
5 Toedscruel
Toedscruel is the evolved form of Toedscool, and improves upon its predecessor in many ways. It's still notoriously weak to Ice-type moves, but its design is more palatable to audiences (even if it's just another giant mushroom), and Toedscruel's ability, Mycelium Might, ensures that its status moves are unaffected by whatever ability its opponent possesses.
Though Toedscruel is rather lacking in attack stats, it makes up for this weakness with its formidable 120 special defense and 100 speed. These factors, along with the Pokémon's silly walk animation, help make Toedscruel unique among Ground types.
4 Sandy Shocks
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Despite boasting one of the worst Pokémon designs ever, Sandy Shocks is one of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's better Pokémon. It's the ancient ancestor to Magneton, and as such, boasts the Protosynthesis ability which boosts its special attack.
Because Sandy Shocks' high special attack stat, the Pokémon can utilize moves like Earth Power to their fullest advantage. Were it not for the Pokémon's pesky weaknesses due to its stell-ground typing, it'd rank as one of Generation Nine's best.
3 Iron Treads
Exclusive to Pokémon Violet, Iron Treads is the descendant of fan-favorite Pokémon Donphan. Its design very much makes this clear considering the sleek sheen its steel secondary type gives it, and the pairing of ground with steel ensures that Iron Treads is a durable foe.
Beyond Iron Treads high defense stats, the Pokémon also boasts killer attack and speed, making it a triple threat on the battlefield. If that weren't enough to convince players to capture the creature, it also could learn a variety of moves that will keep opponents on their toes.
2 The Great Tusk
One of the greatest additions that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced to the franchise are the Paradox forms. There's been much debate as to which Paradox Pokémon form is best, but Donphan's prehistoric variant is arguably one of them.
Beyond the stellar mammoth design, The Great Tusk is a favorite due to how unruly of a beast it is in battle. It has some of the best stats for a non-legendary Pokémon, and will demolish most competitors thanks to its massive attack.
1 Ting-Lu
Though the legendary Pokémon might not be as impressive as Miradion or Koraidon, Ting-Lu is still an impressive beast. Its design, while certainly uncanny, is inspired given Ting-Lu's origins as a ritual doll that was brought to life.
Aside from the legendary's rich backstory, Ting-Lu also boasts crazy high HP and a unique type pairing that makes it a strong choice in battle. The gound-dark combo doesn't offer much resistance to other types, but it does allow the Pokémon to learn several moves that it can use to inflict severe damage on its opponents.
Source:gamerant.com