Every Pokemon generation has its stars, the ones plastered across box art in competitive posters. But for every Rayquaza and Metagross, there are plenty of Pokemon that fans dismiss as weak, forgettable, or downright terrible.
Yet in the world of Nuzlockes, where experimentation and survival matter more than stats, some of these so-called failures suddenly shine. Planning to do a Nuzlocke run soon? Then you might want to give these a second look.
What Is A Nuzlocke Run?
A Nuzlocke is a special self-imposed challenge where fainted Pokemon are considered “dead” and must be released and you can only catch the first encounter on each route.
What Are Terrible Pokemon That Are Actually Good In Nuzlockes?
Raticate with its early-game power, Noctowl with utility moves, or Camerupt with surprising coverage can all save a run when the odds are stacked against you. Let’s dive deeper and see which “terrible” Pokemon might actually become your MVP.
Raticate
On paper, it is just a Normal-type rodent with mediocre stats but in a Nuzlocke, this rat becomes a lifesaver. You can get Rattata very early and evolve it by Level 20, giving you a reliable fang-ster long before your team stabilizes.
With STAB Hyper Fang tearing through opponents and the Guts ability empowering it with status conditions, Raticate is more threatening than many mid-game foes. Slap on a Silk Scarf and this overlooked Pokemon is gnawing well above its weight class.
Noctowl
Sure, it is not sweeping through teams with raw power but in Nuzlockes, utility matters. Noctowl brings bulk, access to Roost for HP recovery and Hypnosis to make catching wild Pokemon much safer. When you only get one shot per route, putting enemies to sleep can be game-changing.
Its Flying typing also spares it from hazards like Spikes and Toxic Spikes, making it surprisingly reliable as a support option. While your heavy hitters dish out the damage, Noctowl makes sure your team survives.
Camerupt
On paper, it looks risky with its 4x weakness to Water but dig deeper and you will find a bulky wall that can take more hits than you’d expect. Its movepool is excellent with Fire, Ground, and Rock coverage that can counter a wide variety of threats.
In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, it even gets a Mega Evolution, turning into a volcanic powerhouse with terrifying Special Attack. When used wisely, Camerupt is not just viable in a Nuzlocke, it can be a genuine threat to your enemies.
Magcargo
It may be mocked for being painfully slow and frail against Water and Ground types but in Nuzlockes, it becomes a crafty pivot. Its absurd Defense stat makes it perfect for bait-and-switch strategies, soaking physical hits while you heal or reposition.
Add Recover, Protect, and diverse coverage to the mix, and you have a Pokemon that plays the long game. Magcargo might not dominate offensively, but as a durable utility wall, it can hold the line really well.
Slaking
With monstrous stats that rival legendaries, it looks like a titan but its Truant ability, which forces it to loaf around every other turn, often scares players away to use it. In casual play, losing a turn is unacceptable.
In Nuzlockes, however, smart switching already forms part of the strategy. Slaking can deliver devastating blows and then switch out on its “lazy” turn, turning Truant from a crippling flaw into a manageable quirk.
Glalie
Ice-types are notoriously limited competitively but Nuzlockes change that perception. Coverage is king and Glalie delivers. With moves like Ice Beam, Dark Pulse, Flamethrower, and even Aura Sphere in some generations, it can patch gaps in your team’s typing.
Add Nasty Plot for sweeping potential and this Pokemon goes from a simple ice face to a run-defining power train. Be careful though because if you face one instead of catching it, the battle could ruin your day!
Sunflora
Often considered as one of the weakest Pokemon ever created but it has a place in Nuzlockes. Its base stats are laughably low but evolving early with a Sun Stone gives you a surprisingly useful partner in the early to mid game.
With access to setup moves like Growth and support options like Ingrain and Grasswhistle, Sunflora can be more strategic than it first appears. Pair that with a decent Special Attack stat and you have a Pokemon that can still contribute when every slot counts.
So while some Pokemon look terrible in casual play or competitive, Nuzlockes flip the script. In a challenge where resources are limited and survival is everything, hidden talents are valued and put more into play.
That is the beauty of Nuzlockes because they can make you appreciate the underdogs and discover potential in the least likely situations. The next time you start a run, do not dismiss the quote-and-unquote terrible Pokemon. They might just save your entire run.