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Of the 900+ Pokemon in existence, some are considerably faster than others. Even without taking Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax forms into account, these Pokemon are lightning-fast and will come out on top in most situations. Whether or not they have the offensive and defensive stats needed to back that Speed up, however, is an entirely different matter.
Updated November 24th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: The world of Pokemon continues to grow thanks to the release of Generation 9. Pokemon Scarlet & Violet has introduced a myriad of new and interesting Pokemon, with some of them featuring futuristic (and ancient) variants that are immensely powerful compared to their modern counterparts. Since Pokemon Scarlet & Violet has hit store shelves, we’ve seen new speedy Pokemon enter the battlefield. To better showcase the fastest Pokemon since the release of Gen 9, the following list has been updated and now includes a look at some of the fastest Pokemon found in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
32 Noivern – 123
There are a handful of great Flying/Dragon Pokemon around and some of them are pretty unique compared to others. Noivern is a great bat-like Flying/Dragon-type that is capable of dishing out decent damage thanks to its 97 Special Attack, especially since it will outspeed many Pokemon with its high 123 Speed stat.
Noivern doesn’t just look cool, it’s actually capable of dishing out some decent damage thanks to moves like Air Slash, Hurricane, and Boom Burst. It even comes equipped with Dragon Pulse and can learn moves like Dragon Rush (from an Egg).
31 Ribombee – 124
Those looking for a Fairy-type Pokemon with a solid Special Attack stat and the Speed to outshine slower ‘Mon should definitely consider Ribombee. This Cutiefly evolution has 464 total base stats and is capable of dishing out damage with a 95 SP attack rating. At higher levels, Ribombee is even capable of learning powerful Bug and Fairy-type moves with Bug Buzz and Dazzling Gleam.
It doesn’t have the best sustainability thanks to its middling HP and Defense stats but its 124 Speed will give it the opportunity to dish out powerful moves like Moonblast (which it can learn via Egg) before its opponent can react and TM-teachable moves like Draining Kiss can give it some extra survivability.
30 Swellow – 125
Blazing speed isn’t reserved just for “special Pokemon” or those that are third-stage evolutions. There are a handful of seemingly inconspicuous Pokemon that are just as fast as some of the strongest creatures in Pokemon lore. Take, for example, Swellow, the Normal/Flying stand-in for Generation 3. This bird-like Pokemon belongs to the long-running line of early-game birds, similar to ‘Mon like Pidgeot, Fletchinder, and Pidove.
Swellow may not be the best Pokemon from a competitive standpoint but its blazing speed will help it out-pace a lot of Pokemon in the early game.
29 Darkrai – 125
The “Pitch Black” Pokemon is just as speedy as it is imposing. Those who can get their hands on this elusive Dark-type will have a powerhouse Pokemon with 600 total base stats that’s capable of out-speeding much of the competition.
Darkrai has access to some solid moves (as well as an abundance of TMs) and can stun the opposition with a series of moves like Sucker Punch, Hypnosis, and Confuse Ray. Those that fall asleep around the creature will be susceptible to its hidden ability, Bad Dreams, which causes snoozing Pokemon to take 1/8th of their HP as damage each turn.
28 Marshadow – 125
First introduced in Pokemon Sun & Moon, Marshadow is a Mythical Pokemon with no other evolutionary forms. It’s classed as a Gloomdweller Pokemon in the Pokedex and boasts a somewhat unique type combination of Fighting and Ghost. It’s also one of the fastest Pokemon in the series.
Thanks to its 125 base Speed stat, it’s able to reach a total Speed of 383 once at max level. The same is true of its Physical Attack stat, meaning that the Pokemon is able to dish out some serious damage with moves like Close Combat and Spectral Thief while acting before the opposition in most situations.
27 Weavile – 125
Though it wasn’t possible to evolve Sneasel when it first made its debut in the Gen 2 Pokemon games, that all changed with the release of Pokemon Diamond & Pearl. Weavile, which can be obtained by leveling up a Sneasel at night while it’s holding a Razor Claw, builds upon its unevolved form’s already impressive high Speed to great effect and was definitely worth the wait.
Thanks to its 125 base Speed Stat, it’s able to reach a total Speed of 383 at level 100 and has a decent Physical Attack stat to back this up. When equipped with a Choice Band, the Pokemon can dish out a fair amount of damage and also has access to some great STAB moves like Knock Off and Pursuit.
26 Talonflame – 126
Talonflame was first introduced in Pokemon X & Y and is a Fire/Flying-type Pokemon. It evolves from Fletchinder from level 35 onward and is the final evolutionary form of Fletchling. All three forms excel when it comes to Speed, but neither Fletchling nor Fletchinder are anywhere near as fast as Talonflame. In fact, there really aren’t too many Pokemon that are.
Thanks to its impressive 126 Speed base stat, Talonflame’s total Speed can soar as high as 386 with the right training. Sadly, this is all the Pokemon really has going for it though, with none of its other base stats climbing past the 82 mark. Still, there are situations in which Talonflame can be useful; if not competitively, then during the main games themselves.
25 Meloetta (Pirouette Forme) – 28
Meloetta is a Normal/Psychic-type Mythical Pokemon that was first introduced in the fifth generation of Pokemon games. By using Relic Song, however, the Pokemon is able to switch to a Normal/Fighting-type Pokemon instead, at which point it becomes considerably faster than it was before the change.
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Its base Speed stat skyrockets from just 90 to 128, allowing for a total Speed of 390 at max level with the right EVs. Its Physical Attack stat gets an even bigger boost while it’s in its Pirouette Forme, though both increases do come at the expense of drastic deductions to its Special Attack and Special Defense stats.
24 Spectrier – 130
Spectrier is one of many Legendary Pokemon added in The Crown Tundra DLC expansion. This phantom steed is said to represent many things, but its title of the Swift Horse Pokemon is one that it certainly earns. Spectrier boasts an almighty 130 base Speed stat, galloping faster than any of its fellow horse-inspired Pokemon.
Spectrier is clearly designed as a glass cannon. Its bulk is extremely poor, especially for higher tiers, but it can outspeed many of the common threats and has a high enough Special Attack stat to make those hits count. Between the two equines to select for Calyrex, Spectrier is the one to pick for those looking to go as quickly as possible.
23 Eternatus – 130
Another Galarian legendary, Eternatus is a being of pure Dynamax energy. It’s an otherworldly abomination, with strange powers that alter the genetic makeup of Pokemon themselves. All of the Dynamax Dens across Galar have their connection to what originally was Eternatus during The Darkest Day.
Of course, Eternatus is also unusually fast for a beast of its size. It is tied in Speed with Spectrier (and others) at a base rating of 130. Its offensive stats are actually similar to those of Spectrier, with some additional bulk more fitting of a Legendary Pokemon. Most trainers likely used Eternatus to cheese Dynamax Raids in the post-game of Sword & Shield, but it’s clearly a threat in competitive battles as well.
22 Eiscue (NoIce Face) – 130
Eiscue is an interesting Pokemon. This single-stage evolution has an ability that gives it a free Substitute for physical-based attacks. Upon getting hit, it loses its slower, tankier form for a faster version of itself that can only kind of be considered offense-oriented. It lacks offense stats, but its Speed spikes to levels well above most other Pokemon.
This blockhead, upon losing its block head, gets a legendary-level base Speed of 130. However, while this is funny and NoIce Eiscue is pretty cute, the Speed seems to be for running away as quickly as possible rather than dishing out damage. It does have an okay Physical Attack stat and has access to boosting that with Belly Drum, but it’s still a very situational Pokemon, albeit a funny one.
21 Tapu Koko – 130
A relative newcomer to the series, Tapu Koko was first introduced in the Gen 7 Pokemon games. Tapu Koko is surrounded by a patterned yellow egg that it uses for protection. Trainers shouldn’t be fooled by the Pokemon’s bulky and misshaped appearance, however, as it is unbelievably fast.
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Tapu Koko has a base Speed stat of 130, meaning that players won’t encounter one in the wild with a lower Speed than 130. It has the potential to reach 394 Speed when it reaches level 100, making Tapu Koko one of the fastest Pokemon in existence.
20 Crobat – 130
Crobat is the final form of Zubat and evolves from a Golbat under certain circumstances. As a Poison/Flying-type Pokemon, Crobat is known to fly long distances by alternating between each wing. In the Pokemon anime, Brock eventually evolves his Zubat into a Crobat.
Crobat’s only stat that is exceptionally high is Speed. With a base Speed stat of 130, few Pokemon are able to act more quickly. According to Ash’s Pokedex in the anime, its two additional wings allow Crobat to fly much faster than Golbat, which explains why its Speed stat is so much higher.
19 Jolteon – 130
Jolteon is the one and only Electric-type evolution of Eevee. Observant players will have already realized that the fastest Pokemon tend to be Electric or Flying-types and Jolteon is no exception. With a body made out of lightning and its cheetah-like appearance, it’s perhaps no wonder that Jolteon is so quick.
Jolteon’s base Speed stat is 130, making it the joint-fastest Gen 1 Pokemon. Once it reaches level 100, it is capable of having a Speed stat of 394. Joleteon’s high Speed usually means that it attacks first in Pokemon battles, giving it the upper hand in most clashes.
18 Aerodactyl – 130
Aerodactyl is an ancient Pokemon that was thought to have gone extinct, but its high Speed proves that the Pokemon is still very much alive and kicking. It’s a Flying/Rock dual-type Pokemon and can reach high speeds, which it uses to its advantage in Pokemon battles.
Its base Speed stat is 130 and it’s capable of reaching a score of 394 once it attains level 100. According to Aerodactyl’s Pokemon Ultra Moon Pokedex entry, it flew through the open skies over the ancient continent as if they were its own, though when it touched the ground, its walk was weak and slow.
17 Mewtwo – 130
Portrayed as an evil Pokemon in Pokemon: The First Movie, there is a lot more than meets the eye to Mewtwo. Born in a laboratory, Mewtwo is the product of science, the greed of its creators, and an ill-conceived scheme to clone one of the world’s first Legendary Pokemon, Mew.
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Mewtwo’s stats are exceptionally high, including its Speed stat. Despite being one of the fastest Pokemon in existence though, Speed is not Mewtwo’s greatest asset. Its base Speed stat of 130 is dwarfed by its 154 Special Attack. Given Mewtwo’s dominant nature, it is a good fit for any experienced trainer’s lineup.
16 Koraidon – 135
Players spend a ton of time with Koraidon from the start of their Pokemon Scarlet adventure but they won’t be able to actually use the creature in battle until the later parts of the game. Once players get access to Koraidon, they’ll realize just how speedy and powerful the creature really is. With 670 total base stats, it boasts an impressive 135 Speed, which will help it outpace most Pokemon. It should make short work of them with its 135 Base Attack stat, which actually gets boosted by its Orichalcum Pulse ability, which turns the sunlight harsh when the Pokemon enters battle, giving it access to even stronger Physical moves.
15 Miraidon – 135
The Pokemon Violet counterpart is just as powerful as its Scarlet cousin. Miraidon drops the Fighting-type in favor of Electric and boasts the same impressive 135 Base Speed. This futuristic Dragon is a Special Attacker’s dream, with plenty of Speed to set up its incredibly powerful signature move, Electro Drift. Not only does this move do massive damage, it sees a 30% increase if its super effective against an opponent. Much like Koraidon, Miraidon also has a special ability to further increase its Special Attack stat. Hadron Engine will cause an Electric Terrain to pop up whenever the Pokemon enters battle.
14 Galarian Darmanitan (Zen Mode) – 135
Darmanitan is one of several older Pokemon to receive Galarian forms in Gen 8. Given that the Pokemon already had two forms prior to Sword & Shield, it now technically has four, one of which allows the Pokemon’s total Speed stat to rise to an incredibly impressive 405 once it reaches level 100.
While in Zen Mode, Galarian Darmanitan’s base Speed stat leaps to 135, placing it just outside the top ten when it comes to the fastest Pokemon in the series. Its dual typing of Fire and Ice also makes it incredibly unique, as it’s the only Pokemon to date that boasts this type combination.
13 Barraskewda – 136
The pride of Water-type Pokemon everywhere, Barraskewda’s Pokedex entry suggests that it can swim at a rate of over 100 knots before ramming prey and spearing into them. This is in line with its amazing base Speed stat of 136, which can be EV trained for a maximum of 408.
Besides being the fastest Water-type Pokemon in the series, Barraskewda also has a good base Attack stat of 123 and is just over four feet tall. According to the Pokedex, they’re also quite tasty to eat, despite them not looking all that appetizing at first glance.
