The top Pokémon of Generation 3

Create this ranking of the top gen 3 Pokémon isn't the simplest thing we've ever done, but it's really essential. Among the now-iconic mons that Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire debuted were a flaming chicken, a sand dragon, a metal meteor-masher, and, my personal favourite, a drowsy lad. A few years have passed since the remakes and even longer since the originals, so we've looked over the 135-strong roster and selected our favourites, the most recognisable, and the biggest fighters (in the unlikely event that these games are ever ported to the Switch).

Check out our list of the top players on Red & Blue's squad to see what we think of them all. Pokémon gen 1, Pokémon gen 2, Pokémon gen 4, Pokémon gen 5, Pokémon gen 6, Pokémon gen 7, , Pokémon gen 8, Pokémon , Gen 9. Alternately, if you're focused on the future, check out our guides to the next adventure, which includestarters,legendaries, andnew Pokémon for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Whatever the case, here are our selections for the top gen 3 Pokémon.

Flygon

Not only is Flygon, the aforementioned sand-dragon, one of the most often disregarded Pokémon in the third generation, but it's also in the ever-expanding list of dragon Pokémon. Flygon's distinctive type at the time made it a formidable opponent even without Salamence's searing attack power—that is, until the fairies showed along and destroyed everything. Nevertheless, Flygon's flawed design is why we like it. It may not be able to fight these days, but Route 111 will always be there.

Flygon is known by a several nicknames, including "The Elemental Spirit of the Desert" and "The Desert Spirit," since it can cause sandstorms, which it also likes to hide in, according to its many Pokédex entries. Because of this, it's really quite hard to detect one in the wild. You may assume that Flygon is within a sandstorm if you see one coming your way, but that doesn't guarantee you can see the'mon.

Dusclops

You may not be aware of this if you haven't played any competitive Pokémon at all, but the ghost Pokémon Dusclops can be considered a bit of a tank; in fact, it may be among the third-generation's most annoying tanks. I lost count of how many opponents I cheesed out of a win with an unstoppable Dusclops, and I still prefer adding the stocky ghoul to my party to its fourth-generation evolution, Dusknoir. Dusclops has matching 130 def and special def stats, plus a movepool that includes pain split.

Do you want to know something very unnerving? According to legend, Dusclops's body functions like a black hole, drawing unwary victims into the emptiness, and it is entirely empty on the inside. If this occurs to you, you should also kind of accept responsibility for it since you have to examine its body in order for the emptiness to take you. If it wasn't already terrible enough, Dusclops has the ability to hypnotise its opponent and make them follow its instructions. Before we go, let me just say this: if you watch Dusclops' odd hand gestures, it could even steal your soul. Leaving that happy note behind, let's go on.

Check out our tutorial onghost Pokémon weakness to get rid of this creepy'mon.

Spheal

Take a look at that boy. He is charming. He is spherical. He may be sprung up and down by you. He satisfies all of your desires. Spheal is by far the prettiest Pokémon in the third generation roster, and it's illegal that the Pokémon beauty pageants aren't all instantly forfeited to any Spheal who enters. Granted, Spheal won't win you any gym fights by the time you can add it to your squad.

Spheal's preference for rolling, which happens to be its quickest mode of mobility, is one of our favourite things about it. I always grin when I see at this cute ball of fat roll about. Oh, and just when you thought it couldn't be much cuter, it's covered with fur. If you're ever in doubt about Spheal's happiness, just watch for it to clap; if it does so, it's a very happy little mon.

Metagross

Metagross, the third-generation Pokémon's quasi-legendary, is a very popular monster that continues to be regarded as one of the greatest steel Pokémon to ever grace the game. Sure, it's about as helpful as a paper aircraft flying across the Atlantic if it comes into touch with any fire Pokémon special moves, but in practically any other matchup, Metagross is almost certain to Meteor Mash its opponent to smithereens.

Because of the many Metang that come together to become Metagross, this monster is not only a formidable opponent but also very clever. Because of this, Metagross is essentially a supercomputer as it has four brains. With this kind of intelligence, Metagross can analyse its foes very well.

With our tutorial on the steel Pokémon weakness, you can ensure that you're prepared to defeat Metagross.

Crime

Let's face it, everyone can identify with Slaking. There are moments when I wish I could just put things off when others ask me to do them. The story behind Slakoth's strange evolutionary path has, interestingly, come to light. It seems that the'mon returns to its drowsy ways after seeing the vibrancy of Vigorith because, as the creators put it, at least, it realises the effort isn't worth it. Thank you, Slaking.

Many members of the PT squad may also identify with Slaking because of its affinity for indulging in lazy cuisine. That means that when the youngster eventually runs out of grass to eat, it will consume all of the nearby grass without moving. I don't know anything better captures me on the sofa on a Friday night than that.

Check out our guide onnormal Pokémon weakness to learn how to defeat slaking.

Milotic

While Metagross is the recognised pseudo-legendary of Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, we kids used to whisper about Milotic on the playground. This notorious "mon" was the greatest source of pride for those who had it, and something of a myth to those who didn't, thanks to its absurd capturing technique and even more absurd evolving procedure. Even if Milotic isn't nearly the Pokémon master ID card that it once was, it's still one of the most exquisite, subtle designs we've seen in Hoenn, and it still looks great today.

You should definitely read our advice on water Pokémon weakness. We assure you that you need all assistance possible to vanquish Milotic.

Armaldo and Radily

I feel that Gold and Silver severely lack the fossil Pokémon gimmick from the first generation of Pokémon, which is why I had to bring up Cradily and Armaldo in the same sentence. Then the third generation of Pokémon appear, accompanied with these two amazing fossils with their unusual typings and elaborate decorations. To take both of the ancient'mons with me on my mission, I even went above and above by persuading a buddy to breed their fully matured Armaldo. Even if more formidable monsters that were assumed to be lost to history have surfaced in subsequent generations, these duo will always have a special place in Hoenn's history.

In order to vanquish the hybrid grass Pokémon and rock Pokémon See rock Pokémon weakness and grass Pokémon weakness in our guidebook, Cradily. Alternatively, read our bug Pokémon weakness article to defeat Pokémon Armaldo and overcome the rock.

Gardevoir

If you give a guy a Gardevoir, he will most likely defeat the elite four on his first try; but, if you give Wally a Gardevoir, there's no such luck. Gardevoir, the mascot of one of the wimpiest characters ever to grace the Pokémon series (I'm telling you, there are some real wimps in there), is still one of the most skilled pure psychic-type attackers and has one of the most elegant designs of all time, not just the third generation.

Are you curious about what is next in your conflict with Gardevoir? Check out our guide onpsychic Pokémon weakness. Alternatively, visit our Ralts evolution page to learn how to get a Gardevior; there, we also cover how to obtain the fighting Pokémon Gallade.