In many aspects, these regional variations really thrived at their peak in the Galar region during the games Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Apart from introducing Dynamax and Max Raids, this area is also known for its unique regional variations of Pokémon seen in the primary game and additional downloadable content expansions.
In this region, Galar unveiled refreshing makeovers for famous pokémon such as Meowth and Farfetch’d, but it also created thrilling hybrid versions of legendary creatures. Regardless of personal preferences, every fan found something to cherish here.
Similar to past regional lists, this one emphasizes versatility and robustness above all. Additionally, it takes unique concepts and other relevant aspects into account when arranging these Pokémon in order of importance.
So let us all head back to the Galar region and check out some epic monsters!
26. Darmanitan (Zen Mode)
Icy Hot Pokémon
First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Ice / Fire |
Cool TM Move | Fire Spin |
Final Move | Superpower |
Weaknesses | Water, Fighting, Ground, Rock |
In its initial appearance, Darmanitan seemed quite peculiar, but in the Galar region, it took on an even more unusual character.
Typically, a Pokemon turns into a Fire-Psychic type when close to death, but in this case, surprisingly, it transforms from an Ice type into an Ice-Fire hybrid instead.
This looks great, but it’s particularly vulnerable to attacks like Water, Fighting, Ground, and especially Rock types.
Positively, Zen Mode significantly boosts its Attack power, allowing for optimal use of abilities such as Ice Punch, Superpower, Bulldoze, and Mystical Fire.
25. Zigzagoon
KISS And Tell

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Dark / Normal |
Cool Level Up Move | Scary Face |
Final Move | Double-Edge |
Weaknesses | Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
One of my all-time favorite Galarian makeovers was how Zigzagoon became a temporary member of KISS.
I don’t particularly favor the band myself, but their unique and attention-grabbing aesthetic is something to admire. Interestingly enough, Zigzagoon seems to have adopted a similar captivating visual approach too!
Initially, that Pokémon was quite cute, but now it has taken on a slightly aggressive demeanor. Moreover, its updated type makes it vulnerable only to Fighting moves, while it is not affected by Bug or Fairy-type attacks in the same way.
Even though Zigzagoon hasn’t fully realized its capabilities at this point, it is capable of employing a variety of attacks such as Baby-Doll Eyes, Pin Missile, Icy Wind, and Fake Tears.
24. Linoone
Rock And Roll All Nite!

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Dark / Normal |
Cool Egg Move | Simple Beam |
Final Move | Double-Edge |
Weaknesses | Fighting, Bug, Fairy |
In the course of its evolution, Zigzagoon truly unlocks its maximum abilities. Instead of maintaining a balance between its Attack and Special Attack capabilities, it now concentrates primarily on Attack, hinting at future developments.
In any other region besides Galar, this would signal the conclusion of an evolutionary tale. However, in a twist unique to this location, there is still one more evolutionary stage to unveil, and it’s nothing short of breathtaking.
As for Linoone, it has solid Attack, good Speed, and decent defenses.
Keeping this point in perspective, you should consider teaching it techniques such as Hone Claws, Counter Strike, Confidence Boost, and Shadow Claw.
23. Mr. Mime
Later, Skater!

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Ice / Psychic |
Cool Level Up Move | Freeze-Dry |
Final Move | Teeter Dance |
Weaknesses | Fire, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dark, Steel |
To put it straight from a gamer’s perspective, let’s call a spade a spade – Mr. Mime in the Galar region really leaned into his clownish side, amping up the absurdity, if you catch my drift.
Now, this goofy French icon slaps on ice skates and becomes an Ice / Psychic type!
Although having six weaknesses might not be ideal, the fact that none of them are four times as powerful against him offers some relief. With skills like Vital Spirit and Screen Cleaner at his disposal, Mr. Mime turns out to be quite robust.
Utilize a mix of abilities such as Confusion, Teeter Dance, and Icy Wind to significantly disrupt your opponent’s gameplay.
Or
Employ strategies combining Confusion, Teeter Dance, and Icy Wind to make your opponent’s experience less enjoyable.
Both versions convey the same meaning but with slight differences in tone and emphasis.
22. Yamask
Chunky Mummy

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
Type | Ground / Ghost |
Cool Egg Move | Poltergeist |
Final Move | Destiny Bond |
Weaknesses | Water, Grass, Ice, Ghost, Dark |
In the game Pokémon Sword and Shield, Yamask underwent quite an unusual transformation for its regional form. Instead of maintaining its majestic, ominous mummy appearance, it morphed into a peculiar jumble of hieroglyphics.
This entity, whether it’s Ground or Ghost, isn’t at all terrible, but it certainly feels odd. For the Pokémon Yamask, having five poor matchups isn’t fantastic.
The Ground/Ghost creature isn’t awful, just a bit peculiar. Unfortunately, for the Pokémon Yamask, it has five bad matchups, which isn’t ideal.
In this particular region, Yamask showcases a high Attack stat instead of its usual powerful Special Attack from other regions.
This means you can make the most of attacks like Earthquake, Facade, Rock Tomb, and Brutal Swing.
21. Runerigus
Chip Off The Really Old Block

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Ground / Ghost |
Cool TM Move | Bulldoze |
Final Move | Destiny Bond |
Weaknesses | Water, Grass, Ice, Ghost, Dark |
While Cofagrigus might be sexier looking, Runerigus could potentially be a stronger monster.
Beyond boasting an impressive Attack, Runerigus also boasts substantial defensive attributes and a robust Health Points (HP) level as well.
Even though it may not be swift, it can deliver powerful blows against surprised Pokemon using moves such as Earthquake, Toxic Spikes, Zen Headbutt, and Stone Edge.
A solid contender, but we have plenty more on this Galarian list.
20. Stunfisk
Caught In The Middle Of You

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Ground / Steel |
Cool TM Move | Ice Fang |
Final Move | Fissure |
Weaknesses | Fire, Water, Fighting, Ground |
One might ponder what type of evolutionary pressures could transform a Pokémon into an animal resembling a walking bear trap.
Previously, Stunfisk was quite peculiar, but it’s taken on a touch of aggression too. While its Attack capabilities might not leave a deep impression, it boasts an exceptionally robust Health Points (HP) and strong defensive barriers.
Still, Stunfisk only has a handful of weaknesses and can learn some neat attacks.
Some of my personal favorites include Metal Claw, Revenge, Payback, and Stomping Tantrum.
19. Articuno
Legendary Birdbrain

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Psychic / Flying |
Cool TM Move | Steel Wing |
Final Move | Trick Room |
Weaknesses | Electric, Ice, Rock, Ghost, Dark |
Generally, I’m open to experimentation. However, altering timeless, revered creatures like the legendary birds can lead to disastrous results, as seems to have been the case with Articuno. Put simply, it should have remained in its original glory.
As a devoted Pokémon enthusiast, I’d like to offer a balanced perspective on this form. While it’s true that Game Freak has eliminated one 4x weakness, the trade-off seems quite substantial. Instead of just one, this form now carries five distinct weaknesses, which is an enormous load for any Pokémon to manage in battle.
By all means, don’t miss out on utilizing this form, as it packs quite a punch with abilities such as Psycho Shift, Frozen Gaze, Aerial Cut, and Spectral Bombardment.
Fret not, the Legendaries only get better from here.
18. Zapdos
Swole Bird

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
Type | Fighting / Flying |
Cool TM Move | Stomping Tantrum |
Final Move | Reversal |
Weaknesses | Electric, Ice, Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
Despite losing its elemental concentration in Galar, Zapdos retains an eye-catching aesthetic that’s surprisingly appealing.
Truly captivating! It’s not just its legendary status that impresses me, but also its incredible strength as a blend of a fighter and a flyer. And when its Defiant ability kicks in, it’s nothing short of awe-inspiring!
As a devoted trainer, I can confidently leverage moves such as Ancient Power, Close Combat, Volt Switch, and Stomping Tantrum to maximize my Pokémon’s potential in battle!
17. Darumaka
Frosty The Shmo Man

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Ice |
Cool Egg Move | Extrasensory |
Final Move | Superpower |
Weaknesses | Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel |
I think we can all agree that Darumaka doesn’t look like it’s having a great time in Galar.
This pokémon used to be warm and comfortable, and now it is downright frigid!
Nevertheless, Darumaka boasts impressive statistics for its young age, and it’s capable of learning techniques such as Bite, Ice Fang, and Dig.
16. Darmanitan (Standard Mode)
Winter Couture

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Ice |
Cool Level Up Move | Belly Drum |
Final Move | Superpower |
Weaknesses | Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel |
Although Darmanitan (Standard Mode) might not impress you with a fresh appearance, it’s certainly more reliable compared to Zen Mode.
This newly introduced Ice-type has a knack for packing quite a punch with its physical assaults, but it lacks impressive speed and defense capabilities.
So pray you don’t melt, and use attacks like Avalanche, Thrash, Brick Break, and U-Turn.
15. Meowth
Such A Manly Beard

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Steel |
Cool TM Move | U-Turn |
Final Move | Thrash |
Weaknesses | Fire, Fighting, Ground |
While I enjoyed Meowth’s look in Alola, the Galarian form is even more iconic.
Weird, sure, but that bushy beard gets your attention, along with the new Steel typing.
Apart from its intimidating appearance, this variant of Meowth not only stands strong, but also boasts Tough Claws, allowing it to cause damage to opponents.
With robust Health Points (HP) and a strong attack capability, Meowth is well-equipped to maximize moves such as Thrash, Play Rough, Shadow Claw, and Swords Dance.
14. Ponyta
Sweet Psychic Pony

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Psychic |
Cool Egg Move | Horn Drill |
Final Move | Healing Wish |
Weaknesses | Bug, Ghost, Dark |
It seems quite plausible that someone at Game Freak is a fan of My Little Pony, as the character Ponyta appears to have been significantly influenced by it in the Galar region.
To put it simply, this shape retains a good deal of strength, boasting impressive Speed and Power. Notably, it faces issues against just three types of opponents, which is quite advantageous.
This means you’ll want to capitalize on attacks such as Stomp, Solar Blade, Bounce, and Facade.
13. Rapidash
Pure Horsepower

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Psychic / Fairy |
Cool TM Move | Will-O-Wisp |
Final Move | Healing Wish |
Weaknesses | Poison, Ghost, Steel |
Though I strongly lean towards Rapidash’s classic appearance, I must acknowledge that its new Psychic/Fairy type is quite intriguing.
One thing both forms have in common is that they’re fast and hit hard.
One unique feature that sets this apart is the Pastel Veil, a defensive mechanism that shields it from potential harmful substances or poisoning.
Focus on your Pokémon’s strong points using attacks like Psycho Cut, Megahorn, Smart Strike, and Psychic Terrain.
12. Slowpoke
Isle Of Armor Refugee

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Psychic |
Cool Egg Move | Belch |
Final Move | Heal Pulse |
Weaknesses | Bug, Ghost, Dark |
Although the unusual hue of its head might give the impression that a Galarian Slowpook is unwell, this Psychic-type Pokemon is surprisingly robust.
Apart from shedding some of its Water type vulnerabilities, Slowpoke has similar stat attributes as its initial form.
This means you’ll want to use attacks like Yawn, Zen Headbutt, Slack Off, and Disable.
11. Slowbro
Poisonous Infection

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Poison / Psychic |
Cool Technical Record Move | Grass Knot |
Final Move | Heal Pulse |
Weaknesses | Ground, Ghost, Dark |
In the Isle of Armor expansion, Slowbro is finding life quite challenging due to his Shellder’s persistent hunger. Whenever it gets peckish, it nibbles, transforming Slowbro from a Water/Psychic type Pokémon into a Poison/Psychic one.
To put it simply, that’s quite a powerful typestyle you’ve got there, and interestingly enough, the Attack and Special Attack abilities of this Slowbro remain unchanged.
Make the most of this to unleash attacks like Shell Side Arm, Zen Headbutt, Ice Punch, and Brine.
10. Slowking
His Toxic Eminence

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Poison / Psychic |
Cool TM Move | Icy Wind |
Final Move | Heal Pulse |
Weaknesses | Ground, Ghost, Dark |
Given the amount of effort required to obtain a Galarian Slowking, it’s fitting that it proves to be an extraordinary Pokémon.
Apart from its robust mixed typing, it exhibits a slightly more potent Special Attack compared to its initial form.
Mix that with powerful abilities like Curious Medicine and Own Tempo, and you have a real threat.
These spells indeed hold significant weight, as they prove to be particularly influential when taken into account, alongside attacks such as Eerie Charm, Gems of Power, Venomous Shock, and Psychic Phenomena.
9. Farfetch’d
Samurai Duck

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Fighting |
Cool Level Up Move | Leaf Blade |
Final Move | Brave Bird |
Weaknesses | Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
Back then, I used to adore Farfetch’d. When I caught sight of its new Galarian appearance, it sparked a sense of anticipation within me – as if we were about to witness something extraordinary.
Equipped with both resilience (Steadfast) and resourcefulness (Scrappy), this fighter exhibits remarkable adaptability, making them highly effective in diverse combat scenarios.
To obtain the evolved form, it would be beneficial to employ potent actions that could result in Critical strikes.
As a gamer, I can’t wait to unleash my arsenal of moves! From Defogging my enemies to slicing them with Leaf Blade, whirling through the air with Air Cutter, and charging up Focus Energy – it’s going to be an exciting battle! Trust me, the payoff will be worth every second of effort.
8. Weezing
The Virulent Gentleman

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Poison / Fairy |
Cool Egg Move | Psybeam |
Final Move | Misty Terrain |
Weaknesses | Ground, Psychic, Steel |
Occasionally, we encounter a Pokemon that leaves me questioning whether to laugh or shed tears. This was exactly the case with Galarian Weezing.
Apart from donning a noble fez or chimney-like structure, this beloved character also grows shaggy, gas-emitting whiskers – an eccentricity that is delightfully ridiculous in every sense.
Keep your opponent guessing with attacks like Strange Steam, Thief, Payback, and Gyro Ball.
7. Mr. Rime
Chilly Chaplin

First Appears In | Generation VIII |
---|---|
Type | Ice / Psychic |
Cool TM Move | Ally Switch |
Final Move | Teeter Dance |
Weaknesses | Fire, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dark, Steel |
Mr. Rime has been the long-awaited evolution I’ve been craving, with Mr. Mime being a good start, but needing that extra step to reach its full potential.
Now, not only do we have that, but we get another Galarian pokémon with nifty facial hair!
Mr. Rime has strong Special Attack and defenses, and can learn a ton of irritating moves.
Some of my favorites include Mimic, Confusion, Freeze-Dry, and Thunderbolt.
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2025-04-18 18:13