Strategic guide to the top 10 Pokemon missing from Scarlet & Violet that deserve inclusion in the Teal Mask and Indigo Disk DLC
Introduction to DLC Pokemon Returns
Trainers anticipating Pokemon Scarlet & Violet‘s upcoming expansions have received exciting news: over 230 Pokemon from previous generations will be returning through The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk DLC episodes. This substantial addition to the Paldean Pokedex raises the crucial question: which specific creatures should make the cut?
The Pokemon Company’s confirmation of 230+ returning species creates both excitement and strategic considerations for competitive and casual players alike. This guide identifies 10 Pokemon that deserve priority inclusion based on type diversity, competitive viability, and fan nostalgia.
Scheduled for release in late 2023, the two DLC chapters offer distinct experiences. The Teal Mask transports trainers to Kitakami, a region inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics featuring three new Pokemon in this cultural setting. Meanwhile, The Indigo Disk focuses on battle-centric gameplay through an exchange program with Blueberry Academy.
The restoration of hundreds of previously unavailable Pokemon fundamentally changes team-building possibilities in Generation 9. Our curated selection prioritizes creatures that fill strategic gaps in Paldea’s current roster while honoring fan-favorite species with rich histories across the franchise.
Important limitation: This analysis excludes Legendary and Mythical Pokemon, as their typical rarity and acquisition methods would disproportionately dominate any priority list. We focus instead on species that would enhance everyday gameplay for most trainers.
10. Shuckle: The Ultimate Defensive Wall
While some may question Shuckle‘s inclusion, this deceptively simple Pokemon offers unique strategic value. As a Bug/Rock type, it addresses two of Paldea’s most underrepresented type combinations. Beyond type coverage, Shuckle possesses one of the most extreme stat distributions in the entire Pokedex.
Practical Tip: Shuckle excels as a dedicated hazard setter in competitive play. With access to Stealth Rock, Sticky Web, and Infestation, it can control battlefield conditions despite its minimal offensive presence. Its colossal Defense and Special Defense stats (both base 230) allow it to survive attacks that would eliminate most other Pokemon.
Common Mistake: Beginners often misuse Shuckle as an attacker rather than recognizing its specialized role. Its abysmal HP (base 20) means it’s vulnerable to indirect damage from weather, status conditions, and entry hazards. Proper use requires pairing it with Rapid Spin or Defog support to maintain its longevity.
For trainers needing a nearly indestructible wall that can establish battlefield control, Shuckle provides capabilities few other Pokemon can replicate. Its return would offer Paldean teams a defensive cornerstone currently absent from the regional Pokedex.
9. Zubat & Crobat: Poison/Flying Revival
Exploring Paldea’s caves felt oddly incomplete without encountering swarms of Generation 1’s ubiquitous Zubat. Beyond nostalgia, this lineage offers the exclusive Poison/Flying type combination, providing unique offensive and defensive coverage options.
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The evolutionary progression to Crobat transforms this early-game nuisance into a late-game threat. With base 130 Speed, Crobat outpaces most unboosted opponents, while its base 90 Attack allows it to utilize physical moves effectively. Its typing grants valuable resistances to Fighting, Bug, Grass, and Fairy attacks.
Optimization Tip: Advanced players can leverage Crobat’s Infiltrator ability to bypass Substitute and Reflect, making it an excellent choice against defensive teams. Pairing it with Choice Band or utilizing its access to U-turn creates momentum-shifting opportunities during battles.
The Zubat family’s journey from cave-filling annoyance to competitively viable speedster represents one of Pokemon’s most satisfying evolutionary arcs. Its absence from Paldea diminishes both the region’s ecological authenticity and competitive diversity.
8. Sandshrew: Regional Form Diversity
Sandshrew‘s evolutionary line gained fascinating complexity with Generation 7’s introduction of Alolan Sandshrew. This Ice/Steel regional variant addresses one of the most common criticisms of Generation 9: the limited inclusion of regional forms beyond a few exceptions.
Strategic Advantage: Including both Kantonian and Alolan variants would provide trainers with two distinct evolutionary paths from a single Pokemon. Kantonian Sandslash offers Ground-type coverage, while Alolan Sandslash provides rare Ice/Steel typing with different defensive profiles and movepool options.
The precedent exists for non-Paldean regional forms appearing in Scarlet and Violet, as demonstrated by Galarian Meowth’s inclusion. Adding both Sandshrew variants would enrich team-building possibilities while addressing fan demand for greater regional form representation.
Common Mistake: Players often underestimate Alolan Sandslash’s defensive capabilities. Its Ice/Steel typing, while giving it several weaknesses, also provides valuable resistances to Ice, Flying, Psychic, Dragon, and Fairy attacks. Proper team composition can mitigate its vulnerabilities while maximizing its unique defensive utility.
7. Togepi: Fairy/Flying Powerhouse
The absence of Togepi from Scarlet and Violet’s initial roster surprised many fans, given its iconic status from the anime and its competitive viability. Its final evolution, Togekiss, shares the rare Fairy/Flying type combination with only the Legendary Enamorus.
As a Special Attacking powerhouse, Togekiss boasts impressive base 120 Special Attack complemented by solid Speed (base 80) and defensive stats (85/95/115). Its movepool includes devastating options like Air Slash, Moonblast, and Aura Sphere, while its Serene Grace ability doubles secondary effect chances.
Optimization Tip: Advanced players can utilize Togekiss’s Nasty Plot set to boost its Special Attack to overwhelming levels. Alternatively, its ParaFlinch combination (Thunder Wave + Air Slash) with Serene Grace creates frustratingly effective disruption against opponents.
Beyond competitive considerations, Togepi represents a beloved piece of Pokemon history for fans who grew up with the original series. Its return would satisfy both strategic needs and nostalgic desires within the player community.
6. Tyrogue: Triple Evolution Options
Tyrogue represents one of the most unique evolutionary mechanics in the franchise: a branching evolution with three distinct outcomes. This “Scuffle Pokemon” can evolve into Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, or Hitmontop, each specializing in different Fighting-type approaches.
Strategic Diversity: Each Hitmon offers distinct advantages. Hitmonlee boasts the highest Attack (base 120) with Unburden for speed control. Hitmonchan provides elemental punch coverage with Iron Fist-boosted attacks. Hitmontop offers Intimidate support with Technician-boosted priority moves.
Practical Tip: Breeding Tyrogue with different stats determines its evolution path. Defense higher than Attack yields Hitmontop, Attack higher than Defense yields Hitmonlee, and equal stats yield Hitmonchan. This mechanic allows trainers to intentionally breed for their preferred evolution.
The inclusion of Tyrogue and its evolutionary family would provide Paldean trainers with unprecedented flexibility in their Fighting-type selections, allowing team customization based on specific battle needs rather than limited availability.
5. Mamoswine: Unique Ice/Ground Attacker
Introduced in Generation 4, Mamoswine remains the only Pokemon with the Ice/Ground type combination. This unique typing would significantly bolster Paldea’s limited Ice-type roster while providing valuable offensive coverage against common defensive types.
As a physical powerhouse, Mamoswine commands impressive base 130 Attack complemented by respectable base 110 HP. Its movepool has expanded considerably since its debut, now including powerful STAB options like Icicle Crash and Earthquake, plus coverage moves like Stone Edge and Knock Off.
Common Mistake: Players often overlook Mamoswine’s Thick Fat ability, which halves damage from Fire and Ice attacks. This ability mitigates two of its four type weaknesses, significantly improving its defensive profile against common offensive types.
Optimization Tip: In competitive doubles, Mamoswine functions excellently as a spread damage dealer with access to Icicle Crash and Earthquake. Pairing it with Pokemon holding Protective Pads or using it alongside Flying-type teammates maximizes its battlefield impact while minimizing collateral damage to allies.
4. Onix & Steelix: Rock-Type Representation
As one of Generation 1’s most memorable Pokemon, Onix‘s absence from Paldea feels particularly noticeable. Rock-type remains the least-represented type in the region, making Onix’s inclusion strategically valuable regardless of its unconventional stat distribution.
While Onix itself emphasizes Defense (base 160) with surprisingly high Speed (base 70), its evolution Steelix transforms into a defensive juggernaut. With monstrous base 200 Defense and solid base 85 HP, Steelix can withstand physical assaults that would cripple most other Pokemon.
Practical Tip: Steelix’s Steel/Ground typing provides valuable resistances to Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Steel, Psychic, Dragon, and Fairy attacks while being immune to Poison and Electric moves. This makes it an excellent switch-in against many common offensive threats.
For trainers who began their journey with Brock’s Onix as their first Gym challenge, this Pokemon carries significant nostalgic weight. Its return would honor that legacy while providing Paldean teams with a physically defensive option currently lacking in the regional Pokedex.
3. Absol: Dark-Type Classic
Renowned for its striking design and disaster-themed lore, Absol maintains immense popularity despite its simple Dark typing. In battle, it functions as a potent physical attacker with base 130 Attack supported by a diverse movepool designed to exploit that offensive power.
Absol learns numerous high-powered Physical attacks including Night Slash, Psycho Cut, Stone Edge, and Megahorn. Its Super Luck ability increases critical hit ratios, while its Mega Evolution (if included) provides even greater offensive potential with Magic Bounce for utility.
Common Mistake: Many players focus exclusively on Absol’s offensive capabilities while neglecting its utility options. With access to moves like Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, and Thunder Wave, it can disrupt opponents while setting up for its own attacks or supporting teammates.
While Paldea offers several impressive Dark-type options, Absol represents a classic design that has maintained fan appreciation across multiple generations. Its return would provide both competitive utility and satisfy long-time enthusiasts of this fan-favorite creature.
2. Snorlax: Iconic Roadblock Returns
Arguably one of the most recognizable Pokemon from the original 151, Snorlax achieved iconic status through both its distinctive design and its memorable role as a roadblock in Generation 1’s Kanto region. This “Sleeping Pokemon” remains a fan favorite decades after its introduction.
Beyond nostalgia, Snorlax functions as a formidable tank in battle. With massive base 160 HP complemented by base 110 in both Attack and Special Defense, it can absorb Special attacks while retaliating with substantial damage. Its Normal typing provides only one weakness while granting valuable STAB on Body Slam and Return.
Optimization Tip: Advanced players utilize Snorlax as a Curse sweeper, boosting its Attack and Defense while reducing Speed. With Rest and Sleep Talk, it becomes nearly unstoppable once set up, capable of sweeping entire teams despite its low Speed stat.
The impending release of Pokemon Sleep creates additional synergy for Snorlax’s inclusion. As a sleep-focused mobile app launches, having the franchise’s most famous sleeping Pokemon available in the current mainline games represents perfect cross-promotional timing.
1. Remaining Starter Pokemon
This top position admittedly encompasses multiple Pokemon, but the absence of numerous starter species from Scarlet and Violet represents a noticeable gap. While some starters like Chesnaught, Decidueye, and Inteleon have arrived via Tera Raid events, most remain unavailable.
Currently missing starters include: Venusaur, Blastoise, Meganium, Feraligatr, Sceptile, Blaziken, Torterra, Infernape, Empoleon, Serperior, Emboar, Incineroar, and Primarina. Notably, no Generation 4 starter has appeared in Paldea yet, with Empoleon deserving special mention for its unique Water/Steel typing.
Strategic Consideration: Starter Pokemon typically possess balanced stat distributions and versatile movepools, making them excellent choices for both casual playthroughs and competitive teams. Their inclusion would significantly expand team-building options while satisfying fan attachments to their first-partner Pokemon from previous adventures.
The DLC expansions provide ideal opportunities to introduce these missing starters, either through special encounters in Kitakami or as exchange program rewards at Blueberry Academy. Their return would complete the set of available starter Pokemon across generations.
Confirmed Exclusions & Final Thoughts
To maintain focus on truly missing Pokemon, several species already confirmed for DLC return have been excluded from this analysis. These include: Vulpix, Ninetales, Seel, Dewgong, Yanma, Yanmega, Beldum, Metang, Metagross, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry, Feebas, Milotic, Chingling, Chimecho, Blitzle, Zebstrika, Cottonee, Whimsicott, Grubbin, Chargabug, Vikavolt, Espurr, Meowstic, Milcery, and Alcremie.
And there you have it! That’s our comprehensive analysis of 10 Pokemon lineages that deserve inclusion in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s upcoming DLC expansions. While you’re here, check out some of our Scarlet & Violet guides below:
Paldea Pokedex | Best starter Pokemon | How to get Marks in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Unlocking 5 & 6-star Tera Raids in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to unlock Rotom Phone cases in Scarlet & Violet | How to change clothes in Scarlet & Violet | How to co-op with friends in Scarlet & Violet | All Shiny forms in Scarlet & Violet | Sandwich recipes in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Pokemon Scarlet & Violet egg breeding guide | How to get Rare Candy in Scarlet & Violet
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