Appearances can be deceiving, and that's made clear in the world of Pokémon when it comes to base stats. The numbers behind the creatures reveal some startling facts that may make it difficult to see certain species the same way.

Creatures with daunting stats, like the mythical Arceus, are rather expected. However, there are plenty of comparatively unassuming Pokémon with surprisingly high base stats, either specific or total. Whether in casual story playthroughs or specific competitive formats, some of these more unsuspecting species — like Trapinch or Shuckle — could find a niche in battles.

Updated on January 24, 2024, by Guillermo Kurten: In its nearly 27 years in pop culture, the Pokémon franchise has spawned an overwhelming number of unique species. With the first pair of games ushering in Generation IX — Scarlet and Violet — that number has reached 1,025 after The Deal Mask and The Indigo Disk DLC expansions. This list is being updated to include more Pokémon species with surprising stats in one way or another.

25 Starmie Is Strong and Swift in Combat

Base Speed: 115

Though some longtime players might be used to Starmie's pace in battle since its debut in Red, Green, and Blue, its impressive Speed stat is still surprising given its design inspiration. Popularly known as one of Gym Leader Misty's signature Pokémon, this creature carries a threatening 115 base Speed stat.

Considering its real-world animal influence is a starfish — an animal that moves relatively slowly across the sea floor — Starmie is the polar opposite. Combined with its strong 100 Special Attack stat, Starmie can deal out quick and powerful attacks while also providing some support through moves like Rapid Spin, which clears stage hazards set by the opponent and inflicts minor damage.

24 Glaceon Boasts Impressive Defense Stats

Base Defense: 110 (Base Stat Total: 525)

While Glaceon's stat isn't as noteworthy as its regional counterpart's equivalent, the Ice-Type Eevee evolution is a sturdier species than one might think. Considering the Ice typing is notorious for having some promising Sp. Attack-focused moves but defenses that border on being liabilities, a base Physical Defense stats of 110 is impressive to see.

Glaceon's typing and low HP stat (65) might dampen some of its otherwise respectable defensive capabilities (95 Sp. Defense). However, Glaceon withstand a physical hit, even if in select situations, is welcome. This Ice-Type might not be the strongest in a class that already suffers from defensive frailties, but it still impresses in a couple of ways.

23 Pinsir's Defense Rivals Its Power Stats

Base Defense: 100, Base Attack: 125 (Base Defense in Mega Evolution: 120, Base Attack in Mega Evolution: 155)

Another typing not well known for being defensively robust, Pinsir is among the best representatives of the Bug-Type species. Bug Pokémon might even be more infamous for having frail defensive stats than Ice, which makes this Gen I creature's 100 Phys. Defense astonishing. Pinsir's Sp. Defense may leave a great deal to be desired, but when pit against some of the more physical-focused foes, this Pokémon can take a hit in stride.

Pinsir also has the offensive firepower to match, with a Phys. Attack stat of 125 to complement it. For those playing through the Gen VII Pokémon games through Let's Go, Pikachu! and Eevee!, things look even better when Pinsir Mega Evolves. It gains the dual Bug/Flying-Type for added versatility, and its Defense and Attack stats see major bumps to 120 and 155, respectively.

22 Onix Is Fast for its Size

Base Speed: 70

In a vacuum, Onix's overall stats of Speed stat, specifically, aren't impressive. But given the context of its evolutionary line and in-universe anatomy, it still qualifies as being surprisingly high. Onix is a bizarre case when it comes to overall stat distribution. The imposing creature has otherwise incredibly lackluster offensive and Sp. Defense stats, but its 70 in Speed is admirable.

Since the Pokémon is a towering rock serpent at 28 ft. and is made of heavy boulders, few would expect it to be as quick as it is. This is especially true for a first-stage species that has yet to max out its potential as a Steelix. So long as Onix's facing opponents that depend on physical moves to deal noticeable damage, players might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly it can strike during a story playthrough.

21 Abra Is Secretly Powerful

Base Special Attack: 105

Many veteran Pokémon players are fully aware of how formidable the Psychic-Type Alakazam can be in battle, but few know what the first-stage Abra is capable of. Context is once again important when considering why it's so surprisingly strong. A first-stage Pokémon in a three-stage evolutionary line that boasts a daunting 105 Sp. Attack is nearly unheard of.

Knowing this, it makes much more sense why Abra is so offensively toothless when it's found in early-game portions of several Pokémon games' stories. If it was any easier to catch and could learn even low-tier Psychic attacks like Confusion before evolving into Kabadra, Abra would drastically trivialize the early-game sections of Pokémon games like FireRed and Emerald​​​​​​.

20 Palafin (Hero Form) Can Increase its Stats During Conflict

Base Stat Total: 650

The Gen IX games Scarlet and Violet have introduced some fun and exciting new gimmicks since their release, but the Dolphin Pokémon Palafin is something else. Palafin's Zero To Hero is one of the most useful Pokémon abilities in Scarlet and Violet, allowing it to transform into its Hero Form if switched out during a battle. This makes its base stat total skyrocket from 457 to 650.

Palafin even has the signature move, Jet Punch, which allows it to get off some priority offense with these new and improved stats. Just looking at Palafin in its Zero Form, nobody would ever expect it to transform into a Pokémon more powerful than pseudo-legendaries.

19 Electrode Is faster Than it Appears

Base Speed: 150

It may come as a surprise that Electrode's base Speed stat is 150, more than the seemingly faster Pokémon like Hawlucha, Greninja, and even Lucario — at least according to their respective character designs. Given that Electrode is essentially a living, sentient Poké Ball, its massive speed stat seems contradictory to its appearance.

Electrode's Pokémon Scarlet Pokédex entry explains its high Speed, stating that "The more energy it charges up, the faster it gets." Electrode initially had 140 Speed, but since Gen VII the increase to 150 has taken it up to a base stat total of 490.

18 Trapinch Packs a Punch

Base Attack: 100

Though understandably best known for its ironically underrated final form Flygon, Trapinch is an impressive Pokémon as far as base forms are concerned. While all its other stats are incredibly lackluster, especially with a terrible 10 Speed, it has a shockingly high Attack base stat of 100.

For being the first stage in a three-species evolutionary line, Trapinch can pack an impressive punch since it has moves like Crunch and Dig to complement its Attack. It won't be sweeping the competitive meta scene, but this Hoenn native can hold its own in a story playthrough before fulfilling its potential as a Flygon at Level 45.

17 Florges Has Serious Defense and Attack Stats

Base Special Defense: 154 (Base Stat Total: 552)

A native of Pokémon X and Y's region of Kalos, Florges is surprising on two fronts in terms of its high stat totals. The fairy- and flower-themed creature might not suggest impressive base stats based on its elegant and delicate design, but it boasts a sturdy 154 Special Defense and an overall total of 552.

Florges isn't far off the Pseudo-Legendary number (600) and combined with its similarly powerful 115 Special Attack, this Fairy-Type Pokémon could fill an offensive role similar to the Hoenn fan-favorite Gardevoir. These high stats could let it make use of some of the Pokemon games' best buff moves, like Calm Mind.

16 Cofagrigus Has a Formidable Defense

Base Defense: 145

Cofagrigus boasts a whopping 145 for base Defense, higher than Pokémon like Groudon, Salamence, and Skarmory. Its Special Defense isn't too far behind, at 105. This makes the Egyptian-themed coffin creature a relatively powerful tank in battle that's able to absorb even super-effective hits with relative ease.

Runerigus, Cofagrigus's Galarian counterpart from Sword and Shield, shares all the same stats except that it has a higher Attack, but Cofagrigus has a higher Special Attack. Given that the former Pokémon is also made from ancient rune stones, its appearance seems to support its massive bulk more than Cofagrigus's ornate casket design.

15 Swampert Boasts the Highest Base Stat Among Starter Pokémon

Base Stat Total: 535

Of all the starter Pokémon, Swampert's base stat total of 535 is the highest. Infernape and Delphox lag just behind at 534, while a ton of starters come in at 530, including those recently introduced in Scarlet and Violet. Swampert doesn't have the highest single stat of any starter, Pokémon. That honor goes to Primarina's Special Attack stat of 126.

Mudkip is certainly not the most menacing or promising looking of all the starters, but it rises above the rest by the time it is fully evolved. Swampert shares the high 535 base stat total with other fan-favorite Pokémon like Lapras, Crobat, Noivern, and the recently introduced Annihilape.

14 Leafeon's Defense Stats Compliment its Power and Speed

Base Defense: 130 (Base Stat Total: 525)

One of the two "Eeveelutions" introduced in Generation IV's Pokémon Diamond and Pearl for the Nintendo DS, Leafeon is bulkier than meets the eye. The Grass-Type evolution of Eevee, somewhat similar to Florges, surprises with high base stats and its total.

On the physically defensive front, Leafeon has a staggering 130 Defense and an overall 525. This creature also has an air of elegance to its creature design. Considering that Grass-Types aren't typically known as defensive stalwarts, these stats are welcome surprises. Complemented by a strong 110 Attack and a respectable 95 Speed, Leafeon can be a physical force in battles.

13 Purugly is Surprisingly Fast During Battle

Base Speed: 112

Purugly's rotund appearance might not scream Speed, but the Tiger Cat Pokémon boasts a 112 base Speed stat. That makes it faster than Lugia, Ho-oh, and Rayquaza, to name a few. While it may look like an overweight tabby cat — it even uses its tail like a corset to make itself look thinner — it can strike with deceptive Speed if threatened.

Fortunately, that Speed doesn't prevent it from having the powerful Thick Fat Ability, shielding it from both Fire and Ice-type attacks. Purugly's total stats add up to 452, the same as Noctowl and Sliggoo.

12 Drifblim's Impressive Health Stats Make it a Great Support Pokémon

Base HP: 150

Being based on a blimp, the Sinnoh region's Drifblim doesn't look like something that could last long in a battle. However, despite being something that looks like it could be punctured relatively easily, this Pokémon has an incredibly high stat in HP.

Coming in at a formidable 150, Drifblim is a much bulkier species than one might expect. This lets the dual Ghost/Flying-Type Pokémon compensate for its poor defensive stats — 44 and 54 for Defense and Special Defense, respectively — relying almost exclusively on HP to outlast its opponent. If players use Drifblim wisely, this creature can be a valuable support Pokémon.

11 Rampardos Hides Powerful Attack Stats

Base Attack: 165

Looking at it, one might think of Rampardos as being more on the defensive side than the offensive, but its Attack stat stands at a mighty 165. That's the highest of any non-legendary Pokémon.

Rampardos' dome-shaped head is less for defense and more for its fierce headbutts, capable of knocking down almost anything with one hit. As a consequence, its other stats fall well below its Attack. Rampardos's base stat total is the same as that of other Fossil Pokémon such as Kabutops, Omastar, and Armaldo, clocking in at 495.

10 Cryogonal is Surprisingly Fast and Can Take a Hit

Base Speed: 105

The Ice-Type is one of the more polarizing typings in the Pokémon games. They have the firepower to check powerful Dragon- and Ground-Types, for instance, but are infamously slow and defensively vulnerable in one way or another. Cryogonal subverts at least one of these expectations because it has a surprisingly high base Speed stat (105).

Cryogonal doesn't look like a quick Pokémon — the exact opposite, even — and partly holds up in defense as well with a 135 Special Defense. So long as players avoid pitting it against physically offensive opponents, this Ice-Type could last long enough in battle to be another support teammate.

9 Flamigo Rivals Some of the Franchise's Notable Powerhouses

Base Stat Total: 500

Flamigo is another surprise package to come out of the Gen IX additions in Scarlet and Violet. The Synchronize Pokémon may suffer from the five Type weaknesses of its Flying/Fighting typing, but it boasts an impressive base stat total of 500.

As a part of those 500, Flamigo has an impressive physical Attack stat of 115, equal to powerhouses like Incineroar and Annihilape or Legendary Pokémon such as Entei and Eternamax Eternatus. Flamigo has further mystery and attraction from its Ability Costar, allowing it to copy an ally's stat changes upon its arrival. This has benefits and drawbacks, but makes Flamigo a fun Pokémon to try out in battle.

8 Jumpluff's Speed Comes in Handy

Base Speed: 110

Jumpluff looks so cute and innocent that it's hard to imagine it being particularly fast. Grass-Types aren't known for their speed, and Jumpluff doesn't exactly look like a speed demon. However, its base Speed stat stands at 110; that's more than Palkia and Dialga.

Jumpluff uses the power of the wind to gain immense speed, which is why it is also a Flying-Type. Jumpluff's Pokémon Gold Pokédex entry says: "Once it catches the wind, it deftly controls its cotton-puff spores to float, even around the world." Jumpluff even got a stat buff from Gen VII onwards, but despite the base stat total raising to 460, its Speed stayed the same.

7 Blissey Boasts the Highest Health Stats Among Attainable Pokémon

Base HP: 255

Blissey's HP stat stands at 255; that's the highest of any obtainable Pokémon by far, only rivaled by the end-game boss of Sword and Shield Eternamax Eternatus. The only Pokémon that come close are the Ultra Beast Guzzlord, the Legendary Pokémon Zygarde, and Chansey, Blissey's pre-evolved form.

Blissey's Attack and Defense are a paltry 10 each, but even so, Blissey's total stats — thanks to that hefty chunk of HP — come to 540, the same as Gyarados and Magmortar. Blissey's HP stat is so high that it surpasses Mewtwo and Mew combined. It comes as no surprise that this species is a popular pick for teams needing a defensive wall.

6 Chandelure Boasts Daunting Special Attack Stats

Base Special Attack: 145

The Ghost/Fire-type Pokémon Chandelure, introduced in Generation V, has a fun and subtly menacing design, but it hides a secret strength behind its unassuming exterior. Chandelure has a 145 Special Attack, putting it among the ranks of Legendary and Mega Pokémon.

Other Pokémon with this Special Attack include Spectrier, Thundurus' Therian Forme, and even Eternatus. Chandelure looks like it should be powerful, but ranking among Special Attacking Legendary Pokémon is a truly impressive feat. Its base stat total of 520 is also a shocking number, clocking in higher than powerhouses like Beartic and Gallade.