Grass-Types are everywhere in the world of Pokémon, and even more so since the release of Scarlet and Violet. The first creature listed in the Pokédex is the Grass starter Bulbasaur, which cemented this typing’s importance in the series, namely in helping define the starter “Type triangle.”
Pure Grass species like Sceptile can be useful, though, not all of them are groundbreaking. Where this typing’s strengths lie is when complemented by secondary Types, including Bulbasaur’s final stage Venusaur and the defensive force Ferrothorn.
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15 Lurantis
Its base stat total may be far lower than that of many other pure Grass-Types, but Lurantis is capable in several different ways. Lurantis’s defensive stats are above average, which helps to make up for its unimpressive Speed stat. Its Attack stat is also fairly high, giving it a way to retaliate against foes that challenge it.
One of Lurantis’s biggest assets, however, is its Contrary Hidden Ability. When an opponent hits Lurantis with a stat-lowering move, the stat raises instead. This is helpful in a playthrough, where many NPC Pokémon use these moves in battle. Lurantis’s base stat total still limits it, however, making it a weaker option than many other Grass-Types.
14 Meganium
Meganium is not a popular Grass-Type. Its unfortunate stat spread puts it below most, if not all, other starters of this Type. Regardless, it is still a capable Pokémon and one of the better pure Grass-Types in the series. As a fully evolved starter, its base stat total is high, even if the values are not spread as well as they could be. Meganium is a bit of a tank, with capable defensive stats and decent HP.
Its Speed is not impressive, and its offensive stats are similarly underwhelming, but Meganium can withstand a variety of strikes before it goes down. Like its fellow Johto starters, Meganium deserves a Mega Evolution, which would likely boost its more mediocre stats.
13 Leafeon
Leafeon has the potential to be powerful, but it must get lucky. Its highest stats are its Defense and Attack, which can be useful in proper matchups. This Pokémon is fast, so it can often use Physical moves to defeat enemies, as long as these enemies do not have high Defense stats themselves.
Since Leafeon’s Defense is so high, it can take a solid amount of damage in this category, even though it has a fairly low HP stat. However, its Special Defense is also low, so if it faces a Special attacker and cannot defeat it in one strike, Leafeon is in trouble.
12 Serperior
Like Lurantis, Serperior can have the Contrary Hidden Ability, which can be similarly helpful in a playthrough. Regarding its stats, the Generation V Grass starter is in an interesting position. It is very fast, but its offensive stats are not impressive enough to capitalize on the speed with which it strikes.
Instead, its other high-stat values are assigned to its Defense and Special Defense, allowing it to withstand extensive damage. Although its Attack and Special Attack are only decent, Serperior can use many strong moves of both categories, allowing it to partially make up for its offensive shortcomings.
11 Ferrothorn
As far as sturdy Grass Pokémon go, the Unovan species Ferrothorn from Black and White is one of the best defensive members of its Type family. Steel is the best defensive Type in the series, so having that to complement its primary Grass classification bodes well for it from the get-go.
Physical Defense stands at 131 and Special Defense at 116, with a respectable 94 Attack. This kind of stat spread makes Ferrothorn especially useful in battles of attrition, thanks to hazard-setting moves like Spikes and Stealth Rocks; Leech Seed to sap its enemy’s health and restore its own; Thunder Wave to cripple its opponent, and more. Combine its battling prowess with inventive creature design, and it makes a case for being one of the best Grass-Type Pokémon in general.
10 Tangrowth
As one of the strongest Pokémon from the Sinnoh region, Tangrowth easily ranks among the best pure Grass-Types in the series. Its stat spread, however, is complicated. With fairly high HP and a fantastic Defense stat, Tangrowth excels against Physical attackers. On the other hand, its Special Defense is terrible and its HP is not high enough to make up for it.
Because Tangrowth is slow, trainers must hope that the opponent does not use a super-effective Special move, as this may strike the Pokémon down in one hit. If it can survive, though, this Tangrowth’s offensive stats let it defeat many opponents with ease.
9 Roserade
Diamond and Pearl are regarded as some of the best mainline Pokémon games, and with it introduced some of the most popularly used creatures. Roserade is one such Pokémon, with the dual Grass/Poison-Type making great work of that combination to be a Special Attack-focused threat in battle.
It has an impressive 125 Special Attack, 105 Special Defense, and a solid 90 Speed to round it out. This Type combination gives it excellent access to various useful attacks like Leaf Storm and Sludge Bomb, restorative moves like Synthesis, and hazard-setting moves like Spikes.
8 Tsareena
Tsareena has a fantastic Attack stat and a great signature move in Trop Kick, which lowers the opponent’s Attack. The Pokémon can learn this move upon evolving, which makes it potentially accessible for a large portion of a playthrough.
Tsareena is decently fast, but it does not always act before opponents. This is not a problem, though, because it has commendable defensive stats as well. Its biggest drawback is its poor Special Attack, which limits it in matchups where it cannot effectively use its much higher Attack stat. Aside from these instances, though, Tsareena can be incredible.
7 Rillaboom
Like Tsareena, Rillaboom has an unfortunate Special Attack stat. While this is limiting in the same way, Rillaboom can still hold its own with the rest of its stats. Its Speed is decent, and its signature move Drum Beating lowers the enemy’s Speed stat, making Rillaboom faster by comparison. This move also utilizes the Pokémon’s very high Attack.
Before its first move in a matchup, Rillaboom may have to withstand a strike, but it can do so fairly well with its reasonable bulk. It may not be the most popular fully evolved Grass starter in the series, but Rillaboom is very powerful.
6 Gogoat
The Generation VI “Mount Pokémon” Gogoat may not be well known as a powerful combatant, but it is strong nonetheless. Its Speed is lackluster, but its other stats are relatively well-rounded, letting it take strikes and deal them back effectively.
While its Attack and Special Attack are not stellar, they are reasonable, and Gogoat’s access to great Physical moves gives it an additional offensive boost. Its HP is great, which helps to make up for its poor Defense and only decent Special Defense. As the ace Pokémon of Ramos, one of the weaker Grass-Type gym leaders, Gogoat may appear unimpressive, but its true battling capabilities say otherwise.
5 Venusaur
Undoubtedly one of the most beloved Grass-Type starter Pokémon, there are reasons why picking up Bulbasaur in the Kanto games is considered “easy mode.” It has an incredible advantage over the first two Gyms right off the bat, as well as having an edge over the Team Rocket boss and certain Elite Four members.
On top of having the Special-focused powerhouse Grass/Poison typing, Venusaur has an even 100 in both Special Attack and Special Defense, with everything else in the low 80s for respectable bulk. Attacks like Giga Drain are excellent for damage/restoration, Sludge Bomb for Poison damage and potential status afflictions, plus a Mega Evolution (where applicable) to make it an even more imposing combatant.
4 Sceptile
As one of the better final forms of a Grass starter, Sceptile can defeat a sizable number of opponents with relative ease. This is largely due to its great Speed stat. By moving faster than most foes and using moves that benefit from its high Special Attack, Sceptile can strike quickly and decisively.
Its defensive stats are sub-par, especially for a fully evolved starter, but it can hold its own without them, especially when throwing its Mega Evolution into the mix. This Pokémon accesses excellent Special Grass-Type moves like Leaf Storm, Giga Drain, and Energy Ball, making Sceptile terrifying to face. As long as it can out-speed enemies, it can dominate.
3 Kartana
Outside of outright Legendary/Mythical species, the Alolan Ultra Beast Pokémon dubbed Kartana is arguably one of the most capable Grass creatures in battle. With a superb stat total of 570, this Pokémon has a beastly 181 Physical Attack, 131 Physical Defense, and 109 Speed. Kartana is an immense Physical force in combat, with the caveats being its abysmal Special Defense and subpar HP.
But if players keep it away from Special Attack-focused opponents, the Grass/Steel-Type Kartana is a speedy heavy-hitter with attacks like Leaf Blade and Smart Strike at its disposal. Assuming players use it carefully, moves like Iron Defense and Swords Dance could boost its staying power.
2 Shaymin (Land Forme)
The Land Forme of Shaymin may look harmless, but enemies should not underestimate this Mythical Pokémon. Its stats all have the same value, which is better than average. While this means Shaymin does not excel in any one area, it also means that it is not as vulnerable as many other Pokémon. It can take both Physical and Special attacks equally well and deal damage effectively, regardless of the category.
It does not have access to many moves through leveling up, but if trainers are willing to use TMs, they can remedy this lack of options. With the right attacks, Shaymin can show the true strength it possesses.
1 Celebi
Another Legendary — and specifically Mythical — Pokémon, the time-traveling Celebi from the Johto region is a force to be reckoned with in a battle. It’s no surprise, like with Shaymin, as merely being classified as such a rare Pokémon ensures that its stats and movepool will back that reputation up in some form.
Celebi is perfectly rounded in that statistical department, with straight 100s in every one of its stats. Mix that in with its Special-oriented Psychic/Grass dual type, its Natural Cure ability to wipe away any status afflictions, and access to a moveset that offers equal parts offense, stat boosters, and restorative moves, and its no wonder Celebi is a star among its Grass-Type piers.