There are plenty of amazing Pokémon throughout the franchise. At this point, it is hard to like just a few because there are so many good options to choose from. It's also safe to say that there are some Pokémon who are less than appreciated. Typically this is because they either look weak, have forgettable designs, or they are not strong Pokémon.
Either way, it is important not to underestimate any Pokémon. Just because a Pokémon starts off especially true when factoring in evolution which has often transformed some of the worst Pokémon into some of the best. It truly is rewarding to see these Pokémon become the best that they can be and get the glow-up they deserve!
Toxel Into Toxtricity
The baby Pokémon, Toxel, is given to the player by the Pokémon Breeder in Route 5 of Sword & Shield. Like most baby Pokémon, Toxel is not very strong. Its design is also a little weird as it looks like it is wearing a diaper.
Using Toxel is worth it as it eventually evolves into Toxtricity. Regardless of whether the player gets the Amped Up or Low Key, this Pokémon is great. It learns several good moves that fits its typing as Electric/Poison-type, and its ability Punk Rock allows its sound-based moves to do extra damage.
Trapinch Into Flygon
Trapinch is a strange Pokémon. Its design is kind of interesting, but it is also a little bit off-putting at the same time. It is an okay Pokémon, but it does not attract attention in comparison to some of the others in Generation III.
Trapinch eventually evolves into Vibrava, and then Vibrava evolves into Flygon. It is a Ground/Dragon-type that is immune to Ground-type attacks and has good moves like Earthquake and Dragon Claw. Additionally, its design as a combination between a dragonfly and a dragon looks much better than its original form.
Wimpod Into Golosipod
Wimpod does not give a good impression considering the word “wimp” is in its name. There is not a lot about this Pokémon that bodes inspiration, and its ability in combat can be frustrating. It even has a signature ability called “Wimp Out” that results in it running away if it gets under half its HP.
When Wimpod evolves at level 30 it becomes Golosipod. Aside from a better-looking design, this Pokemon is an improvement on every level. Its Attack and Defense stats are strong and it learns good moves like Liquidation and X-scissor. While its ability is essentially the same, it at least has the more respectable name of “Emergency Retreat.”
Larvesta Into Volcarona
In general, Bug-types are not well-loved. They usually look weak and often end up being so due to a lack of good moves and having a lot of type weaknesses. Additionally, a lot of Bug-types do not get much better as they evolve and are likely to completely fall off later on in the game.
It is easy to believe Larvesta will suffer the fate as many of its Bug brethren, but it instead turns into Volcarona. As a Bug/Fire-type, This Pokémon is resistant to a lot of different types and can in turn do a lot of damage with its high Special Attack.
Feebas Into Milotic
Considered to be an ugly creature within the Pokémon world, Feebas lives a sad life. It comes across as a very generic fish Water-type and does not really have anything going for it in of combative ability.
When Feebas has a high beauty condition or is traded with a Prism Scale, it becomes the elegant and beautiful Milotic. Not only is Milotic better in appearance, but it's also good at fighting with it specializing as a tanky Pokémon.
Eevee Into Any Of Its Evolutions
Eevee is absolutely an iconic Pokémon, as its design is so simple but cute. However, unless the Eevee is from Let’s Go, Eevee!, it is not really a great Pokémon to use in battle as it is often weak and does not learn good moves.
But the great thing about Eevee is that it can evolve into 8 different Pokémon each with a different typing. While some of its evolutions are better than others, they are all an improvement in of ability.
Farfetch’d Into Sirfetch’d
For a while, Faretch’d was a bit of a joke Pokémon. It was most loved for its emotive facial expressions, and the leek it carries around. However, it was not worth keeping on a team as it had low stats and didn’t evolve into anything.
This changed in Generation VIII, as a Galarian Farfetch’d is able to evolve into the knightly Sirfetch’d. It has a confident and regal look on its face, and has a giant leak for a lance and a leaf for a shield. Sirfetch’d is also a Fighting-type instead of being Normal/Flying-type, and has a strong Attack stat.
Beldum Into Metagross
Beldum does not look like much when it is first given to players by Steven in Mossdeep City. It is also given to the player late in the game, which is unfortunate considering it is only level 5.
Training up Beldum is worth it, as it eventually evolves into Metagross. This Pokemon holds the status of pseudo-legendary, with a base stat of 600. Additionally, Metagross's typing as a Steel/Psychic-type also makes to be both a formidable tank and good offensive fighter.
Cosmog into Solgaleo or Lunala
It would be easy for most people to assume that there is not much special about Cosmog. It is a cute Pokémon, but it has low stats overall with a base stat of 200.
Of course, fans who have played the Pokémon: Sun & Moon games will know that Cosmog eventually evolves into Cosmeon and then into either the Psychic/Steel-type Solgaleo or the Pyschic/Ghost-type Lunala. Both are powerful legendaries with base stats of 680. It's not every day a Pokémon can evolve into a box cover legendary, but Cosmog is just that special.
Magikarp into Gyrados
This glow-up is likely the most well-known. Magikarp is easily one of the weakest Pokémon in all of the games. The only moves it learns are splash, which does nothing, and tackle, which is not very strong on it. Even Pokédex entries often critique Magikarp for being weak, unreliable, and pathetic.
However, with patience, easily one of the coolest Pokémon in Generation I.
