Hunter x Hunter is filled with countless characters of varying abilities. Whether it be enhanced strength, the ability to manipulate electricity, or the use of Bungee Gum, an understanding of aura and Nen abilities is essential for a Hunter's success after obtaining their license.
Even so, many Hunter candidates have little to no understanding of Nen prior to taking the licensure exam. Despite this lack of ability, most are able to prove themselves as capable warriors and strategists throughout the Exam's varying phases, while others lack the skills, strength, or motivation to be considered a serious threat.
10 Nicholas Gave Up Too Easily
Nicholas was contestant #187 of the 287th Hunter Exam. A genius and self-proclaimed top athlete among his social circle, Nicholas entered the Hunter Exam armed with his laptop computer; he used it to find information on the examiner, other applicants, and the Exam's first phase — an 80-km marathon.
Despite this, Nicholas still failed to reach the second phase of the Hunter Exam. Although he nearly managed to finish, he lacked endurance and quickly fell apart. After being taunted by the Amori brothers for failing to keep pace, Nicholas broke down and withdrew from the exam.
9 Todo Wasn't Willing To Take Risks
Todo was contestant #255 during the Hunter Exam. After managing to pass the first phase, Todo is permitted to attempt the second phase — a cooking contest judged by the world's best Gourmet Hunters. After failing to produce a dish to satisfy their tastes, Todo fails alongside all the other candidates and is permitted to try again.
However, after learning the candidates must jump into a mountain crevice to retrieve a Spider Eagle Egg, Todo refuses to participate due to the task's accompanying dangers. Following the end of the second phase, Todo admits he isn't ready to become a Hunter and withdraws from the exam.
8 Kyu Lacked Spatial & Combat Awareness
Kyu was examinee #105 and one of the 24 to enter the exam's fourth phase on Zevil Island, where each candidate is tasked with stealing another's badge number to pass. Kyu had some prowess with a sword, as it was his weapon of choice upon entering the Hunter Exam site.
Kyu's lack of basic awareness and favor for close combat became his undoing. Kyu failed to notice another candidate, Pokkle, was following him. Despite the distance between them and Pokkle's advantage with long-range weaponry, Kyu drew his sword and lost. After being struck with a poison-laced arrow, Kyu was incapacitated for the remainder of the Hunter Exam and failed.
7 The Amori Brothers Were Individually Weak
The Amori Brothers were a trio of siblings who participated in the Hunter Exam by acting as a single entity. During the exam, Amori was #197, Imori was #198, and Umori was #199. By taking the exam several times, the brothers managed to improve their collaboration and become a formidable team of Hunter candidates.
However, the Amori Brothers were relatively weak without each other for support as, during the fourth phase, Killua is able to locate Imori and overpower Amori despite their efforts to stop him. Once separated, the brother's reliance on each other proved to be their downfall; after each gives up his badges to save Amori's life, they fail as a result of Killua throwing the badges into the forest.
6 Ponzu Failed To Think Critically
Ponzu was contestant #246. She was one of the 24 candidates to make it to the exam's fourth phase, and one of the five remaining candidates to use chemical weapons. Utilizing paralytic bees as her weapon of choice, Ponzu houses them in her hat until shouting, which causes them to emerge and attack anyone without discrimination.
Ponzu's inability to control the wasps' actions, as well as her lack of planning, is what caused Ponzu to fail the Hunter Exam. She followed her target into a cave without considering if he had laid traps; she then becomes stuck when her bees, spurred on by her shouts, stung and killed her target before he could undo the traps.
5 Goz Proved Incapable Of Strategy
Goz was applicant #371 during the 287th Hunter Exam. Capable of intense feats of strength, Goz was a formidable opponent who favored fighting with a spear. Despite being mortally wounded, Goz was able to easily cut through a tree trunk with a single swing of his spear.
Goz sought out Hisoka and challenged him after learning that he was going to die as a result of his injuries. Despite wishing to die in battle, Goz was unable to land even one hit on Hisoka before being killed by Illumi. Had Goz prioritized evasion and covert tactics during the fourth phase, Goz might have lived to take the exam the following year.
4 Geretta Focused Too Much On Gon
Geretta was contestant #384 during the Hunter Exam. Tasked with stealing Gon's badge, Geretta observed him from the shadows during their week on Zevil Island. After waiting several days and observing him, Geretta managed to catch Gon by surprise and hit him with a blow dart laced with paralytics. After telling Gon he must be cautious as well as skillful, Geretta ran into the forest with Gon's badge.
However, Geretta failed to live by his own advice. Despite knowing that Hisoka was tailing Gon, Geretta did not leave immediately after acquiring Gon's badge. Instead, Geretta told Gon he'd had 7,000 chances to kill him. Geretta gloated about his own skills only to be killed by Hisoka shortly after.
3 Tonpa Lacked Motivation
Tonpa was examinee #16 during the 287th Hunter Exam. Known as the Rookie Crusher, Tonpa has entered the exam and failed it several times, as his only motivation is to prevent others from achieving their dreams of becoming Hunters. He befriended several rookie candidates in order to gain their trust before sabotaging them.
Despite Tonpa's ability to reach the end of the Hunter Exam several years in a row, Tonpa lacks any motivation to actually become a Hunter. This, coupled with his cowardice and lack of physical strength, prove that even if he did get to the final phase, Tonpa would not be able to hold his own in a duel against any of the other candidates.
2 Bodoro Underestimated His Opponents
Bodoro was contestant #191 and a renowned martial artist. After passing all four phases of the Hunter Exam, Bodoro manages to make it to the final: a one-on-one fight against the other candidates who managed to make it this far. In an interview with the chairman prior to the commencement of the final phase, Bodoro explains that he refuses to fight children.
It is precisely this that causes Bodoro to fail; although two of the nine candidates are children, Bodoro underestimates their abilities because of their age. Because of his martial arts training and advanced age, he does not consider Gon or Killua as threats. This is ironic as it is Killua who ultimately kills him during Bodoro's fight with Leorio.
1 Pokkle Lacked Power & Skill
Pokkle was examinee #53. He joined the other nine examinees at the final phase of the Hunter Exam. Despite his lack of physical strength and inability to use Nen, Pokkle relied on his tracking abilities and use of a bow and arrow to make it to the final phase of the exam. During his fight against Killua, the latter forfeited the match and Pokkle became a Hunter.
Although Pokkle technically passed the 287th Hunter exam, Pokkle won by default. Because Killua believed him too weak to put up any fight, Pokkle was awarded his license. Pokkle struggled even after becoming a Hunter, being the only one to struggle to learn Nen.