Before Pokemon’s fourth generation, the difference between attack and special attack was entirely dependent on the type of attack being used, with every Fighting-type attack being physical and every Psychic-type attack being special, for example. Once this was rectified in Diamond & Pearl, many older Pokemon were able to better use their respective movepools to line up with their highest damaging stat.
In the Galar region, this problem is almost nonexistent, as the majority of new Pokemon introduced are able to use either their attack or special attack to its fullest. While Sword & Shield has some heavy hitters in the physical department, those who rely on special attacks are no slouches either.
10 Duraludon
Easily one of the best new Pokemon to come out of the Galar region, despite the fact that it has now stolen a unique typing from Dialga, Duraludon’s Steel/Dragon-type combination means that it resists just about every attack out there, with the exception of Ground and Fighting-type attacks. However, it’s greatest strength is its special attack stat, which sits at a respectable 120 to put it on par with the likes of Giratina and Genesect. This stat, combined with its typing and relatively wide movepool, means that there is little that can stand in the way of Duraludon in battle.
9 Galarian Articuno
One of the more recent introductions in the series, Galarian Articuno did the impossible, turning what was once the worst of the Kanto legendary birds into arguably one of the best. While its base 125 special attack is shared with many, many other Pokemon, such as Magmortar, Reuniclus, and Hydreigon, it’s Psychic/Flying-typing alongside a great ability in Competitive, which acts like a special attack version of Defiant, means that Articuno is finally given its moment to shine, even if it is no longer an Ice-type.
8 Frosmoth
Frosmoth may be one of the strangest new Pokemon native to Galar. Aside from being the only Pokemon to have an Ice/Bug-typing, alongside its pre-evolution, Snom, it is significantly more powerful than most other Bug-types out there. While Volcarona is a force to be reckoned with, having 10 extra points in special attack, a base stat of 125 is nothing to scoff at.
While it does suffer from an unfortunate type combination that makes it incredibly weak to both Fire and Rock-type attacks, types that Bug-types already struggle with, it does have a unique ability in Ice Scales, which halves all damage taken from special attacks and makes it a decent special defense wall.
7 Inteleon
It’s always nice when a region’s starter Pokemon is one of its most powerful, and when it comes to special attack, Inteleon is up there as not only one of the stronger Galarian Pokemon, but one of the strongest starters altogether. Like Frosmoth and Galarian Articuno, Inteleon has a base special attack stat of 125, which, when combined with its great base 120 speed, means that it is moving before most other Pokemon in battle and will likely do a considerable amount of damage. While it is somewhat frail, only having a base defense and special defense stat of 65, it more than makes up for its weaknesses in its speed and power.
6 Polteageist
Polteageist is one of the weirdest Pokemon in Galar, which is saying something when there is also a sentient wedding cake. While Polteageist is a little slow, it can learn the incredible stat boosting move Shell Smash, which, when combined with its Weak Armor ability and a great 134 special attack stat, means that, if it is set up properly, it is likely going to sweep through teams with ease. Surprisingly, this special attack stat makes it more powerful than both Alakazam and Gengar, two of the most popular special attacking Pokemon in the game.
5 Hatterene
Not to be outdone by a pot of possessed tea, this hat stand has something to prove despite its overdone type combination and comes out a whole 2 points ahead of Polteageist in special attack with a base stat of 136. While this would normally not help a Fairy/Psychic-type Pokemon all that much, since its type combination is a dime a dozen, when combined with its slow speed, Trick Room, and Psychic Surge from Indeedee, it can be one of the most powerful Pokemon around.
4 Spectrier
Spectrier may look a little odd, especially when being ridden by a magical hare with delusions of grandeur, but it’s one of the hardest-hitting Pokemon in the Galar region. Although it suffers from the same shortcomings as Inteleon, having little in the way of defensive capabilities, its speed and power more than make up for it.
While its base 130 speed stat puts it in one of the higher speed tiers, only being outdone by a handful of Galarian Pokemon, its special attack is even more impressive at 145. While this is fantastic, Spectrier is let down by its poor movepool that focuses more on physical attacks and suffers from the Typhlosion problem as a result.
3 Eternatus
It should be no surprise that the Pokemon who began the Darkest Day would be a force to be reckoned with. While not as fast as many other legendary Pokemon in Galar, Eternatus hits very hard thanks to its base 145 special attack stat. Unlike Spectrier, which can’t make full use of its best stat, Eternatus’ movepool is much better suited to both its typing and stat distribution, having access to many strong special attacks like Draco Meteor and Sludge Bomb, as well as great coverage moves with the likes of Flamethrower and Meteor Beam.
2 Cursola
Coming completely out of left field and tieing for second place with two powerful legendary Pokemon is the undead coral that evolves from Galarian Corsola. Unlike its pre-evolution, which focuses on defense rather than offense, Cursola, while it does have decent special defense, has a ridiculous base 145 special attack stat to go along with it. Although its defense stat leaves little to be desired, being even lower than Inteleon’s at 50, combined with its many healing moves and the ability Perish Body, which acts like Perish Song when hit with a move that makes contact, means that it likely going to take something down before it is defeated.
1 Shadow Rider Calyrex
It shouldn’t be surprising that a legendary Pokemon has the highest base special attack stat in Galar, but that being said, Shadow Rider Calyrex is still very impressive. Its base 165 special attack is amazing and puts it higher than most other Pokemon, including Mewtwo, and is only outdone in the entire series by Kyurem White and Xurkitree. This stat, combined with its As One ability to not only have the Unnerve ability, but also Spectrier’s Grim Neigh ability to boost its special attack, means that Shadow Rider Calyrex is one of the hardest-hitting Pokemon in the Galar region.
