RELATED: Pokemon: Every Generation’s Starter Trio, Ranked
Attack is how much damage a Pokemon does to another when using a physical move. Whereas Special Attack means attacking from a distance typically, not quite making physical contact with the other Pokemon, Attack refers to the physical attacks. These are the moves that see Pokemon punching and kicking or slicing and dicing each other.
Updated June 6th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Pokemon continues to be one of the most widely-known and sucessful video game franchises ever created. Game Freak has upped the ante by releasing both a remake of the Diamond and Pearl games, as well as a new adventure in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, rather close to one another. Pokemon fans have a ton to be excited about in the modern age, and the upcoming release of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet promises to bring even more unique pocket monsters to the roster. But which Pokemon are the strongest in terms of physical attack? To better answer that question, the following list has been updated with even more entries. It now features even more of the highest attack Pokemon in the series.
13 Necrozma
Easily one of the most unique Pokemon ever designed, Necrozma is a Psychic-type with the ability to transform into something rather powerful via its different forms. Those looking for a physical attacker can opt for the Dusk Mane form, which gives it a whopping 157 Attack, while still maintaining a solid defense. Although Necrozma’s Speed is a bit low, those that can manage to take a few hits from speedier Pokemon can really dish out the damage with an array of punishing moves.
Ultra Burst Necrozma amps things up even further, adding a lot of Speed and a bit more Attack to bring the total base to 167.
12 Groudon
According to Pokemon Emerald, “Groudon has appeared in mythology as the creator of the land. It sleeps in magma underground and is said to make volcanoes erupt on awakening.”
When Groudon awakens, it is no wonder volcanoes just straight-up erupt because it has a base Attack stat of 150. Groudon is the core of all Ground-type Pokemon, with the highest amount in this regard. (It is also the heaviest!)
The origin of Groudon is a Behemoth except mixed together with a dinosaur. Its name is a combination of “ground” and perhaps “don” (Spanish for “lord).
11 Zekrom
According to Pokemon Shield, “Mythology tells us that if people lose the righteousness in their hearts, their kingdoms will be razed by Zekrom’s lightning.”
While lightning is deadly enough on its own, Zekrom’s lightning in particular is even worse since it holds a base Attack stat of 150. It is the god of all Electric-type Pokemon when it comes to Attack. (And, Zekrom is the heaviest Electric-type Pokemon!)
Reshiram is based on the “yang” of yin and yang so Zekrom is the “yang.” The name itself is actually derived from “kuro,” which means “black” in Japanese.
10 Rayquaza
According to Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, “It has lived for hundreds of millions of years in the ozone layer. Its flying form looks like a meteor.”
RELATED: 10 Things Banned From Competitive Pokemon Battles
Rayquaza boasts a base Attack of 150 so this is one powerful meteor. Of all the Dragon-type and Flying-type Pokemon, it is the best here.
Rayquaza resembles the traditional Chinese Dragon, as well as the Lindworm (ancient Swedish dragon snake). Its name probably is a combination of “ray” and “quasar” (a celestial object).
9 Regigigas
According to Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, “It is believed to have shaped Regirock, Regice, and Registeel out of clay, ice, and magma.”
Besides the power to literally create Pokemon, Regigigas has a base Attack stat of 160. It is one of the greats in this area of all the Normal-type Pokemon that exist.
Regigigas is a golem, of course. The name even is a combination of “regis” (Latin for “royal”) and “gigas” (Greek for “giant”).
8 Slaking
According to Pokemon Omega Ruby, “Slaking spends all day lying down and lolling about. It eats grass growing within its reach. If it eats all the grass it can reach, this Pokemon reluctantly moves to another spot.”
Somehow, Slaking is able to convert the food and laziness into muscle because it has a base Attack stat of 160. Among all Normal-type Pokemon, Slaking has the highest amount for Attack.
Origin-wise, it is based on a sloth, of course. The name relates too, as it is a combination of “slack” and “king.”
7 Garchomp
Garchomp is easily one of the most iconic Pokemon ever released, thanks to the absolutely punishing battle that players had to go through with Champion Cynthia in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. The Ground and Dragon-type already had an immense amount of power with a base attack of 130 but Game Freak supercharged the beast by giving it a Mega Evolution. This new-and-improved Garchomp was capable of outputting some serious physical attack damage thanks to its 170 base attack. Depending on nature and other variables, players could increase that number to a downright scary 482.
6 Rampardos
According to Pokemon Y, “Its skull is as hard as iron, it is a brute that tears down jungle trees while catching prey.”
While stupid, Rampardos relies on its brawn which allows it a base Attack stat of 165. Rampardos is the king of all Rock-type Pokemon when it comes to this stat.
Obviously, it is a dinosaur, but more specifically a Stegoceras. Rampardos’s name is derived from “ram” or possibly “rampage.”
5 Calyrex
According to Pokemon Sword, “According to lore, this Pokémon showed no mercy to those who got in its way, yet it would heal its opponents’ wounds after battle.”
RELATED: 10 Pokemon With Types That Make No Sense
No mercy indeed as Ice Rider Calyrex beholds a base Attack stat of 165. Of all the Ice-type Pokemon, it reigns supreme with this amount.
Design-wise, Calyrex is based on an artic hare mixed with a crown; whereas Glastrier is an ice horse. The name for Calyrex is a combination of “calyx” (Latin for “bud”) and “rex) (Latin for “king); whereas Glastrier is a combination of “glacier” and “destrier” (a medieval war horse).
4 Zacian
According to Pokemon Sword, “Now armed with a weapon it used in ancient times, this Pokémon needs only a single strike to fell even Gigantamax Pokémon.”
Even though it is the Crowned Sword form in question here, Zacian will destroy any Pokemon (Gigantamax or not) that messes with Galar. When it comes to Fairy-type and Steel-type Pokemon, it sits on a throne at the top. (Also, Zacian is the heaviest Fairy-type Pokemon!)
Besides being a wolf, perhaps the design of it is based on King Arthur and the sword Excalibur. As for the name, however, that may be derived from simply “the cyan.”
3 Deoxys
According to Pokemon FireRed, “This Deoxys has transformed into its aggressive guise. It can fool enemies by altering its appearance.”
To no one’s surprise, Attack Forme Deoxys has an aggressively astronomical base Attack stat of 180. It is the best of the best for this stat of all Psychic-type Pokemon.
In case it was not obvious already, Deoxys is an alien mixed with the nucleic acid double helix or a chromosome package. The name itself even is a straight-up abbreviation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
2 Kartana
According to Pokemon Moon, “One of the Ultra Beast life-forms, it was observed cutting down a gigantic steel tower with one stroke of its blade.”
With the ability to chop down an entire building in one swing, Kartana has a base Attack stat of 181. Besides holding the title of most powerful Grass-type and Steel-type Pokemon (in terms of Attack), it maintains the highest base Attack stat of all Pokemon.
The reason Kartana looks the way it does is that it is based on origami and samurai. Its name even is a combination of “katana” and “card.”
1 Heracross
Heracross is a Pokemon that is often forgotten by many characters. The large beetle is more than capable of dishing out some serious damage and has decent base stats. It’s definitely an all-out attacker, with middling HP and Speed, and a low Sp. Attack. It’s regular attack stat, however, sits at a base of 125. With a dual-typing of Bug and Flying, it’s capable of dealing with most Pokemon in a 1-on-1 situation, although it will find itself hopelessly outmatched by Flying-types.
What makes Heracross even more impressive is its Mega Evolution. This form pushes its base attack to an immense 185.
NEXT: 7 Recently Discovered Species That Are Named After Pokemon
