Generation III of Pokémon introduced the concept of abilities to the games, which changed several Pokémon's battle functions. While the mechanic's diversity grew alongside the number of Pokémon with each generation, all starter Pokémon received the same abilities that powered up their primary type whenever their HP got low. Few, if any, starters could benefit from these abilities, but players had little choice.
Generation V introduced the concept of hidden abilities, and each starter Pokémon acquired something different. This change bolstered some starters' battle potential, while others received the short end of the stick and dwindled further in terms of usage.
10 Charizard's Solar Power Cuts Its Longevity
Since Generation I, Charizard has always been hyped up as a monstrous opponent and seen as a prominent figurehead of the Pokémon franchise. However, its Stealth Rock weakness and other Fire types limited Charizard's use.
Generation V gave Charizard the ability, Solar Power. This ability increased its already daunting Special Attack in sunlight in exchange for cutting 12.5% of its HP each turn. With Charizard having an abundance of common weaknesses, poor defenses, and Solar Power's drawbacks, it is an easy Pokémon to take out. Charizard requires hefty team support, and while that support has gotten easier over the years, its shortcomings always find a way back to it.
9 Blastoise Can't Use Rain Dish As Much As Players Would Like
Blastoise is a Water-type with decent bulk but little to no recovery. This shortcoming was one of many hurdles that left Blastoise outclassed by several other bulky and offensively-inclined Water types the games had to offer. Generation V gave it Rain Dish to somewhat alleviate this issue by restoring 1/16th of its HP every turn.
Unfortunately, Blastoise requires the rain to be in effect for the ability to work. Rain teams primarily benefit from far more offensive allies. Blastoise has to either set up the weather itself and waste a valuable moveslot, or rely on a teammate, both of which are too much support for not much reward.
8 Leaf Guard Doesn't Do Meganium Any Favors
In its debut, Meganium was cast aside in favor of Typhlosion and Feraligatr, both of whom had far more intimidating designs and better in-game advantages in Gold and Silver. Although Meganium had decent support moves and Defenses, it was severely lacking offensively due to lackluster Attack and Special Attack. It also possessed a shallow movepool outside of STAB (same type attack bonus) moves. As the generations progressed, other Pokémon could better fulfill Meganium's roles.
Generation V gave Meganium Leaf Guard to protect it from status effects in sunny weather. Alas, it did little to compensate for Meganium's shortcomings. Like Blastoise, the ability is heavily dependent, and sun-based teams acquire far more mileage from other Pokémon.
7 Swampert's Hidden Ability Is One Of Its Lowest Points
Swampert was arguably one of the better starters even before hidden abilities entered the picture. It had potent bulk and a defensive typing that granted it one major weakness but four resistances and an immunity.
Unfortunately, neither of Swampert's abilities helps its strong points. Torrent requires its HP to fall low, which is counterintuitive for a bulky Pokémon. Swampert's hidden ability Damp prevents the use of the moves Explosion and Self-Destruct. These moves already saw little action, but Swampert received the ability in a time when they got nerfed. Damp can stop a few self-sacrificing leads, but even that hardly justifies its use.
6 Shell Armor Doesn't Provide Torterra With Much Protection
Torterra packs formidable bulk and moderately useful recovery options with Leech Seed and Synthesis. As the cherry on top, it possesses stellar offensive coverage. However, low speed, a defensive typing that leaves it with common weaknesses, and an inability to fit its best options into one moveset undermine these aspects.
Torterra received Shell Armor as its hidden ability in Generation V to protect it from critical hits. Critical hits are already luck based. Therefore, it's unlikely the ability will commonly save Torterra. Although it's rare that its regular ability, Overgrow, will see much usage, it is far more dependable than Shell Armor.
5 Defiant Doesn't Suit Empoleon
Empoleon carries a unique typing that grants it a handful of resistances. Aside from its speed, it has suitable stats and moves, allowing it to function passably as a utility Pokémon or, in some cases, a strong Special attacker.
Generation V saw Empoleon receive Defiant as a hidden ability, which raises its attack by two stages whenever one of its stats gets lowered. In an age where abilities like Intimidate or moves like Defog are widespread, it would seem like a godsend. Unfortunately, while Empoleon's Attack stat is decent, it isn't impressive, and Empoleon doesn't have the best physical coverage.
4 Samurott's Hidden Ability Furthered Its Woes
Samurott is sadly the outcast of the Unova starters. Despite a usable Attack and Special Attack and a wide movepool on both ends of the spectrum, it hasn't seen a good day in the competitive scene since its debut.
Samurott has low speed, and its bulk does not make up for this hurdle. Like Torterra, Samurott received Shell Armor for a hidden ability, which does not prevent it from taking significant damage from anything considered super effective, and subsequent generations have done nothing to remedy these problems. Overall, far more versatile Water types outclass Samurott during and beyond its debut generation.
3 Magician Doesn't Give Delphox Any New Tricks
Delphox was already considered the weakest of the Kalos starters partly due to its poor offensive movepool. Although it broke the dual Fire and Fighting Type starter streak, it didn't do much else worthy of note. It had a decent support movepool, but its shaky defensive typing and bulk made it wasted potential.
Both Chesnaught and Greninja received hidden abilities that were consistently beneficial. Delphox received Magician, which allows it to steal an opponent's item by attacking, provided Delphox is not holding one. The lack of an item deters Delphox. Even then, there's no chance Delphox will steal something beneficial.
2 Primarina's Merits Don't Come From Liquid Voice
While the Alola starters weren't as competitively viable as players were hoping, they still carved out some unique uses. The Water starter, Primarina, had a fascinating movepool, a solid dual typing, and suitable special bulk.
Primarina also received a hidden ability unique to its line called Liquid Voice, which turned all of its sound-based moves into Water-type moves. Unfortunately, unlike similar abilities such as Pixilate and Aerilate, Liquid Voice does not give these attacks a power boost, thus limiting its use. It can serve some purpose in double battles, but Primarina's best movesets don't usually benefit from its hidden ability.
1 Sniper Has Poor Synergy With Inteleon
While Rillaboom and Cinderace shook up the metagame with hidden abilities that complemented their movepools and stats, Inteleon could not do the same. It held stellar Special Attack and Speed but lacked a good movepool.
Inteleon received Sniper, which powered up critical hits. This ability worked well alongside its signature move, Snipe Shot, but not much more. For Inteleon to consistently score critical hits, it needed Focus Energy, which requires a turn of setup Inteleon can't afford due to its frailty. It also needs to hold a Scope Lens. In an age when Knock Off is prevalent, being too reliant on an item is somewhat risky.