With over 1,000 Pokemon added to the Pocket Monster pantheon (1025 at the time of writing), it’s safe to say that not every ‘mon was created equal. Sure, a Caterpie won’t ever be as strong as an Arceus, but even the so-called ‘Legendary‘ entries occasionally let the team down.
If anyone is qualified to talk about the strengths of Pokemon, previous World Championship winner Wolfe Glick is top of the list. In a video, the VGC champion and content creator ranked the worst Legendary Pokemon of them all, and one trio got hit hard.
While the recent addition Munkidori — from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s Teal Mask DLC — won the ultimate prize, two of the top ten (or should that be worst ten) entries were Mesprit and Uxie. Alongside Azelf, which just escaped the ire of Glick, these Pokemon make up Pokemon Diamond and Pearl‘s Lake Trio.
The Lake Trio are Psychic-type Pokemon, with similar designs and move sets, only separated by their difference in stats. Sadly, as Wolfe Glick explains, each one is outclassed by better Pokemon like Cresselia, which also possesses the mono Psychic-type but with better stats and Ability.
The good news, however, is that Legendary Pokemon are undergoing something of a renaissance as both Pokemon Sword & Shield and Pokemon Scarlet & Violet introduce better forms for existing creatures.
Everyone’s favorite elemental birds — Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres — got an effective makeover in Sword & Shield’s Isle of Armor DLC. Then, Scarlet & Violet introduced the idea of Paradox Pokemon, giving new versions of Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Virizion, Cobalion, and Terrakion.
One thing all of these reimaginings have in common is a change to the previous Pokemon’s typing, and this is one area where the Lake Trio is sorely lacking. All three of the trio are only Psychic-type, leaving them vulnerable to many threats like Dark and Ghost-type Pokemon. They also lack versatility.
Thankfully there is an upcoming game that could help give this tragic triumvirate some hope, with Pokemon Legends Z-A currently slated for 2025. This could be the perfect chance to give the Lake Trio the Queer Eye treatment and help make them the best versions of themselves.
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A few type collections make up a nice ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ style triangle, such as the Grass, Fire, and Water-type starter Pokemon normally use. Similarly, Ghost, Dark, and Fighting also have a nice synchronicity.
For this frustrating threesome, the best option can work alongside their existing designs. Each of them looks destined to be a Fairy-type anyway, so alongside their Psychic origins, they can also gain Fairy, Steel, and Poison typing.
Uxie is all about bulk, with 130 in both Defense and Sp. Defense, meaning it lends itself well to the secondary type of Steel. It would sit well alongside the Psychic/Steel Pokemon like Metagross, and Bronzong. Then, like the latter, Levitate as an ability gives immunity to Ground.
Mesprit is the awkward middle child, with balanced stats. This makes it a great candidate for Psychic and Poison-typing, using status effects and moves like Toxic to bolster its existing attributes.
Finally, Azelf is the powerhouse of the pack, with 125 in both Attack and Sp. Attack. So, it’s the perfect candidate for the offensive promise of Psychic and Fairy. These Sp. Attack-focused types have plenty of amazing moves to utilize these stats. However, it would be weak to both Poison and Steel.
Whatever happens when eager Trainers finally see the Pokemon Legends Z-A release date, one thing is for sure, there will be plenty of new Pokemon and interesting new combinations to explore. If you want to play something while you wait, be sure to check out Pokemon Go’s new season Shared Skies.
