Normal Pokemon are often regarded as a little bland. They’re not defined by the typical elemental powers of Fire, Water, Ice, Electric, or any other. Normal-type attacks aren’t Super Effective on any other type, either, and defensively these Pokemon have no typical resistances. Normal, in short, is sometimes disregarded by team-builders considering their precious six slots.
Just as with any other type, though, there are some fantastic Pokemon among the Normal ranks. The Legendary Arceus itself is a Normal-type, but Normals need not be Legendary to be formidable. The mighty Slaking, for instance, would be among the strongest Pokemon ever if not held back by its terrible Truant Ability. This is enough of a liability to prevent Slaking from being included in this list, but it does include a range of other exceptional Normal-types, from Generation I mainstays to the latest additions to the roster.
10 Kangaskhan
Kangaskhan boasts a lot of the typical virtues of an original Normal-type Pokemon. Its stats are generally solid, and its movepool is ludicrously wide for no particular reason. Surf, Ice Beam, Flamethrower and so on are all mostly useless with its meager Special Attack, but it learns them nonetheless.
Kangaskhan was thrust into the spotlight several generations later, with the arrival of its monstrous Mega Evolution. Its Parental Bond Ability (the second hit of which used to do half damage again before it was later nerfed to one-fourth) was enough to make it the most overused and overpowered Pokemon in the competitive scene. That double-hitting Fake Out and Power-Up Punch combination was the stuff of legend, though Mega Kangaskhan may never return to the series.
9 Oranguru
Oranguru doesn’t have stellar stats in any area, but is also an all-around rather defensive Pokemon. Added in Generation VII, this curious critter attracted the attention of the competitive crowd for its potential in a rather specific role.
Not many Normal-types gain access to the Speed-reversing move Trick Room, but as a secondary-Psychic Pokemon, it’s not so surprising that Oranguru does.
As a bulky setter, it’s a solid pick, but it also has an even rarer talent: the exclusive Instruct. This unique move allows Oranguru to order its ally to repeat the last action they made. There’s a lot of utility to this, particularly as that ally acts immediately after Oranguru moves.
8 Indeedee
Indeedee male and Indeedee female have slightly different designs and stat distribution. In both guises, though, it has the Hidden Ability Psychic Surge. Tapu Lele is the only other Pokemon that has access to this Ability, which sets Psychic Terrain automatically.
The specially-oriented Indeedee takes advantage of this, in tandem with the move Expanding Force (which is powered up and hits both opponents in Doubles Battles while the terrain is active) to be an excellent support Pokemon with surprising damage output too. Ultimately, though, it isn’t as potent in either role as some of its Psychic-type peers.
7 Grafaiai
The first Normal- and Poison-type in the series, Grafaiai joined the roster with the launch of NIntendo Switch’s Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The evolved form of the strangely adorable Shroodle, Grafaiai is a small, sneaky, and tricky design, which perfectly suits its real-world inspiration, the Aye Aye.
Its highest stat is its Speed at base 110, and its offenses (95 Attack and 80 Special Attack) are usable if not stellar. The main assets this tricky little Pokemon has on its side are its Hidden Ability, Prankster, and a lot of sneaky Status moves to pair with it. Doodle (an exclusive move that copies the opponent’s Ability), Switcheroo, Taunt, Helping Hand, Rain Dance and Sunny Day are just some of the highlights of its repertoire. It won’t be the primary attacking force on a team, and it’s very frail, but it can be a very unpredictable support Pokemon.
6 Ditto
This gelatinous little blob is an easy Pokemon to disregard. Its stats are awful, and it can only learn Transform. Until acquiring the exclusive Ability Imposter, it didn’t even automatically transform into its target either. Nonetheless, it still has a history of finding its way into competitive teams.
The thing about Ditto is that it’s only as good as the Pokemon that it transforms into. It has lower PP on its moves and its own meager 48 base HP, but it’s otherwise a carbon copy of its opponent. In a meta dominated by Pokemon that set up with the likes of Dragon Dance and Quiver Dance, it copies any boosts its target may have accrued as well. On the other hand, if swapping in against a defensive target, things may not go so well.
5 Chansey
For some, it’s Chansey that’s the real menace of its evolution line. Though its stats don’t compare to those of its evolved form, the critical factor here is Eviolite. With this item, Chansey’s Special Defense and HP remain very high, but it can also somewhat take a physical attack or two to boot (which Blissey certainly can’t).
Needless to say, Chansey doesn’t have a usable Special Attack stat (base 35 is barely denting anything), but it can stand right there, and possibly Minimize, to its heart’s content. There are few more formidable walls in the series, and it’s a relief that Toxic’s availability has been reduced so much as of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
4 Porygon2
Like Chansey, Porygon2 is another Pokemon that gets a fantastic benefit from the Eviolite item. At base 85 HP, 90 Defense, and 95 Special Defense, it’s very average in terms of defenses, but the held item provides an enormous boost. Simply equipping it makes this little bobbing duck a hit-taking monster.
With base 105 Special Attack, Porygon2 can actually return some damage as well, particularly with its wide movepool containing the likes of Ice Beam and Thunderbolt. Another key thing that Porygon2 has access to is the invaluable Trick Room. It’s one of the trustiest Trick Room setters of all, in fact, but its vulnerability to status, Knock Off and being outsped outside of twisted dimensions can hold it back.
3 Staraptor
Normal/Flying types are hardly uncommon, and they tend to be distinctly average. There’s a reason the likes of Unfeasant are never really seen in competitive play. Staraptor, however, is a fantastic offensive Pokemon.
With base 120 Attack and 100 Speed, it’s got just the stats it needs to sweep through teams, and Double-Edge and the formidable Brave Bird are an excellent pair of STAB moves. It also has STAB priority in Quick Attack, and, for the players willing to further cut its longevity in exchange for power, the Reckless Hidden Ability. Its primary issue is that it’s frail, and is very vulnerable to Stealth Rock.
2 Obstagoon
Obstagoon joined the party with Pokemon Sword and Shield, and was generally well received. After all, it’s always great to see a sorely underappreciated Pokemon get some attention, and a Galarian form and a new evolution were just what Zigzagoon needed.
Obstagoon is a Dark- and Normal-type, and an imposing presence on the battlefield. Its signature move, Obstruct, allows it to sharply drop the Defense of an unsuspecting foe that attacks with a move that makes contact. With access to sneaky support moves like Helping Hand, Parting Shot, and Fake Tears, as well as powerful STAB moves like Knock Off and Double-Edge, it can be difficult to predict what Obstagoon has up its sleeves. Its choices of Abilities includes Guts and Defiant, so it can get a surprising damage buff.
1 Snorlax
Snorlax’s standout stats are its HP (base 160), Attack (base 110), and Special Defense (base 110). This makes it the very definition of a tank, rather than simply a passive wall. With the power of STAB Body Slam (and its high Paralysis chance helping to offset its meager Speed), a movepool containing the devastating likes of Earthquake and the potential to hold an Assault Vest to bolster its special bulk even further, Snorlax can be a menace.
It also has the choice of Immunity to prevent it being worn down by Toxic and Thick Fat to give it two further resistances. It can also serve as a Trick Room attacker or set up with Curse, meaning it has a selection of powerful sets and options.