For many players, a Flying type Pokemon was the first class they likely saw in the game, creating a lasting impression that likely stuck. Anything that’s been around for 8 generations is guaranteed to make some mistakes along the way, ones that leave fans wondering what’s going on in the skies of Kanto and beyond.
Even though mistakes are never intended, they often add some flavor to the series and make the series what it is today. Some Pokemon were destined to bear the joke target on their back, bringing smiles to players’ faces in more ways than one.
10 Pidgey’s Last Stand
Pidgeys have long been considered the Zubats of the tall grass, spamming players of the older generations until they couldn’t stand the little guy. They seem like the most low hanging fruit available, until someone wants to catch one.
Now, going by the regular Pokemon they aren’t especially hard or easy to catch but their weak demeanor gives some a false sense of security. Especially in Pokemon Go, where some could find themselves using 3+ balls to finally get the bird in the ball.
9 Horror Cab
Probably the first Pokemon many fans saw in the promotional material for the 8th generation, the intimidating raven definitely left a lasting image. When it comes down to its actual use, some of Corviknight’s terrifying aura gets knocked down a few pegs.
Anyone who’s tried to travel in Galar will recognize it as the main form of travel, essentially using this nightmare bird to hitch a ride. A classic lesson to never judge a book by its cover, it would probably still be a good idea to leave a 5 star rating at drop off.
8 Average Joe
Oh Farfetch’d, one of the first Pokemon that people started raising a monobrow at. Instead of the flair and attention to detail that the starters got, Farfetch’d seems to be the result of a tired artist who wanted to make it home in time for dinner.
Instead of carrying around the leek stalk, it might be wise for the stumpy duck to invest in some tweezers. Some of its only defining characteristics include a thick monobrow paired with a nutritious walking cane, not exactly the Charizard treatment.
7 Delayed Strength
Any fans that started out with game 1 will remember the agony of having to level up a Magikarp without any guarantee of reward. Having an impressive 2 move arsenal, the best this glorified goldfish could muster was a tackle attack at level 15.
That all changed once level 20 hit, evolving into one of the most iconic Pokemon to ever grace the screen. While it doesn’t boast the impressive wings of Ho-Oh or Pidgeot, Gyarados is a fully fledged member of the flight crew.
6 Liar, Liar
Another example of a wingless Flying type, Doduo somehow manages to pull off Flying worse than Gyarados. With no majesty or awesome mystique that players can pin it on in their head, Doduo is left using American Airlines or those legs are a lot stronger than they look.
While there seems to be a lot of leeway fans will allow in the typing realm, sometimes it just goes too far. To take it even further, Game Freak hasn’t even attempted a fantastical answer, instead leaving it on the cutting room floor and simply walking away, like Doduo.
5 The Swarm
Much like the previously mentioned Pidgey, Zubats have a knack for showing up at an alarming rate at just the wrong time. Trying to get to a Pokémon Center? Zubat. Mandatory cave route? 15 Zubats. This goes on and on until eventually players break and spend some coin on a repel to make the rush stop.
Up until the 2nd generation it didn’t even have the Pidgey luxury of having a great evolution to make up for it, giving the Pokemon a serious reputation as pests. Meaning finding a cave dwelling Pokemon or item required a stop at the local Poke Mart before walking into the swarm.
4 Anime Betrayal
Moving from the game into the animated series, a place where Pidgeot and its family tree are more respected. Being one of Ash’s original 6 Pokemon is enough to get the fan base behind you, especially with the loyalty Pidgeot showed in her short stay.
Leaving her in Viridian Forest to protect a flock of Pidgeys and Pidgeottos, Ash made a promise to return for Pidgeot and fans still haven’t forgotten it. Any major look into the past will always bring up the question of when he’s going to finally make good on his promise? Even all these years later.
3 Backfire
Cramorant is a great case of not judging a book by its cover, tricking many enemies into overlooking the dim-witted looking bird. Using its signature ability in Gulp Missile, Cramorant can basically set up a great counter attack if the enemy is feeling a little aggressive.
It actually comes in pretty handy in a battle, most players simply aren’t expecting the return fire and Cramorant isn’t exactly the cream of the crop when picking battle partners.
2 The Outsider
One of the biggest controversies in the Pokémon universe, leaving out Charizard in the Dragon type draw. It really doesn’t get much more Dragon than the fire breathing lizard with wings, left out by its own kind and left to walk the earth as a Flying type instead.
Making the fan favorite a Dragon type might make it the most offensive based starter known to the community and probably the reason they stuck with the original. Only recently semi-fixing the situation with its X Mega evolution, it only took 18 years and some serious nagging to fix it.
1 Sore Memories
One of the things that made the elite 4 so much more difficult than other battles up to that point was the insistent use of items. Taking their Pokemon all the way down to a near victory, only to be fully healed by the next turn.
It added to the challenge and mystique surrounding the tournament while also sending a big percentage of people into a seething rage. Making the usually friendly Dragonite’s response here almost seem deserved.
NEXT: The 8 Best Legendary Pokemon And The 7 Worst
