Pokémon began as a simple Gameboy cartridge game by a bug-loving individual and spawned an entire universe of over 809 creatures. From the original Kanto regions all the way to Galar and beyond, its fantasy realm is immense. Of these regions however, only a few Pokémon spring to mind as ones with surprising potential that exceeds even the most powerful or potent.

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Out of all the regions, and with Mega Evolutions ignored, there are still many Pokémon who may surprise you. Some may either appear absolutely harmless and pack amazing hidden potential, while others may have such limitless powers that even their legendary status downplays their world-changing power.

10 Magikarp

Magikarp were once known to be stronger than Gyarados, yes that giant blue super dragon thing. The Pokédex entry in Pokémon Red even stated that 'before the species multiplied, it is believed that the ancestors of Magikarp were actually much stronger than the Magikarp seen today.'

In fact, because Magikarp evolves into the ferocious Gyarados this belief has led scientists to research this species. Even in the card game, Giovanni's Magikarp had a special move called Ancestral Memory which cost only one energy and did 40 damage. Still more fascinating are that other Pokédex entries also establish that long-lived Magikarp are able to utilize their immense splashing power to leap high enough to jump mountains. Lebron James can barely jump over a few cars. Verdict? Magikarp's hidden potential is exceptional.

9 Unown

Unown are an enigma in the Pokémon universe. Nobody knows where they came from and their appearance only comes in specific temples dedicated to them after the player completes a specific puzzle.

In the lore of the game, great numbers of Unown are capable of distorting reality to suit the dreams and wishes of whoever is in control of the Unown. However, they can only do this when more Unown are present. Some evidence suggests that they come from their own dimension, giving them limitless potential as a dimension-hopping reality-distorting super swarm.

8 Heatran

Pokémon's weaknesses are generally the quickest way to plan a good strategy in the game. In the case of legendary Pokémon Heatran, the potential is in the fact that it has almost no weakness. Heatran is a Fire/Steel type, an oxymoron in a way because Fire was the only element Steel was weak against back in the good old days.

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But with Steel being resistant to multiple types, including Water, it is amazing in and of itself. As a result, Heatran owners can run around with this flaming tank of a Pokémon and be victorious. In addition, this legendary Pokémon is the only one capable of using the devastating Magma Storm attack.

7 Sableye

Sableye from Pokemon leaping from a boulder

Sableye was kind of a cheat-code for many Pokémon owners in Generation 3. A Dark/Ghost type, it literally had no weaknesses until Gamefreak got tired of it and invented the Fairy type class.

Granted almost all Ghost type Pokémon are an especially powerful class of their own, but Sableye's ability to Mega Evolve makes its potential truly fearsome. Mega Sableye almost always goes first thanks to its Prankster ability, and it has multiple invulnerability skills to handle even Fairy types.

6 Eelektross

pokemon eelektross

Pokémon's hidden abilities and skills have been used effectively since their introduction in Generation 3 created a lot of mismatches for trainers. In this, Eelektross is probably one of the more unfair types. It is an Electric-type, but it also has levitate, eliminating its only weakness in Ground-type.

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If taught the right move-set, an Eelektross owner can cheese their opponent until they run out of PP and slowly Struggle themselves to death. In addition, as a handful of one-hit KO moves are ground type, it remains weakness-proof against even the best groups. With the right strategy, Eelektross is like living lightning... uncontainable!

5 Mew

Mew was the forerunner of Pokémon back in the old days. The first special-event legendary, and the dreams of many an elementary school child in the late 90s. He was a Pokémon whose lore made Cinnabar Mansion the internet fodder for Mega Evolution 'Angel Stone' myths of old. Indeed many a Pokémon trainer would try to find all the logs about Mew to trigger an appearance of the great one.

Mew was a fantastic Pokémon capable of shifting its DNA using Transform and learning any HM or TM seamlessly. Its potential is in its limitless versatility. You could just replace moves and shift them for a battle. In one battle Mew could have multiple one-hit KO moves, another could be for HM functionality. The possibilities are endless, this potential led it to be cloned to...

4 Mewtwo

Mewtwo Pokemon

What do you get when you try to play god with Pokémon? Why this genetic monstrosity! The main source of power in multiple Pokémon movies from Detective Pikachu to two Pokémon anime movies, Mewtwo is science's ultimate Pokémon creation.

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Mewtwo's Psychic powers range from transferring consciousness from a human to a Pikachu to crushing Gary's six Pokémon without breaking a sweat. In the game Mewtwo could learn Blizzard, and its power would defeat many an opponent if it hit them. Add the fact that it has two Mega Evolutions and its potential skyrockets.

3 Jirachi

Jirachi is another legendary, but one whose special abilities makes it more than just any old legendary. Jirachi makes wishes come true. Out of all the Pokémon in the universe there are probably only two other Pokémon with more amazing powers, but a genie is pretty much one of the most powerful things in all of fiction.

Look at Aladdin, the guy gets one genie, and then he has four movies made about him. All because of a genie's wish-granting power. Whoever has Jirachi is granted the same level of power, and can go on to literally do whatever they want.

2 Arceus

Arceus is the Pokémon's answer to God. When the Pikachus and Ratatas sit down to eat some Poké-lunch they pray to the great Arceus, and boy oh boy is he a megalithic power. How can one consider the hidden potential of God? Well, not only can this Pokémon change its type with scales that attach to it, it's GOD. In the Pokemon world, Arceus created the entire universe.

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There is no question to its potential because it created the universe, then had the humility to be captured by a mere human. And while we should praise the great Pokémon God, like all monotheistic religions, there is only one... unless you have a Gameshark.

1 Delibird

Delibird giving gifts to Totodile and Cyndaquil, Pokemon

If Arceus is the God of Pokémon, and Jirachi is a Genie, then Delibird is good old Saint Nick. Delibird's potential is literally pulled out of his magic bag. In the game its only learned move, present either damaged the enemy or healed it. However, its ability to throw gifts has unique properties. In the Pokémon world of Lt. Surge, Pokémon were used as weapons. Delibird is essentially the Amazon of exploding delivery and would be a huge boon to any Pokémon warmonger.

In addition, Delibird's connection to Mystery Gift only makes it an alternate version of Jirachi, and because you can catch many... well. If one is like the Amazon of exploding delivery gifts, then many can literally become like the Amazon of gifts for the whole WORLD. Imagine the actual powers of Santa Claus multiplied by ridiculously gross consumerist levels. Delibird sweatshops are just a dystopian example of this Pokémon's exceptional potential.

NEXT: 10 Greatest Pokémon Battles In The Anime