When it comes to Pokémon, there aregreatones, and then there aregreat lookingones. Unfortunately, these two categories don’t always cross over. The mostcharming designsoften end upnever getting usedbecause they’re just, you know,bad.
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But that doesn’t mean awesome Pokémon designs don’t deserve recognition! Good or bad in battle, sometimes it’s more important to go for theaesthetics. And when it comes to aesthetics, mega evolved Pokémon are way over the top, in an awesome way. Feast your eyes on this list of not necessarily thestrongestmega-evolved Pokémon, but some ofthe best, most eye-catching mega designsin the series.
10Mega Medicham
Mega Medicham’s design is fairly minimal, adding only a few basic elements, but it just comes together well. It feels likethat extra somethingnormal Medicham was missing, which is arguably what all mega designs should strive for. Most notable are its manyfloating arms, which give the design a nice sense of balance.
The arms seem to imply that Medicham has finally reached the enlightened state it’s been striving toward. Mega Medicham not only looks great, but it’s also an incredible offensive Pokémon thanks to its abilityPure Power. Plus, it has good coverage with moves likeIce PunchandThunder Punch.
9Mega Pinsir
The only thing scarier than a giant beetle is aflying giant beetle. The designers at Game Freak seem to understand this. For its mega evolution, Mega Pinsir sprouts wings and takes off into the air. Also, its eyes go a bit wild, as do the barbs on its horns. It’s one of the moreterrifyingmega designs, but it’s verycool looking, and it feelsappropriate. Maybe Pinsir has always had these wings tucked away, it’s just beenwaiting for the opportunity to use them.
Offensively, Mega Pinsir gets a lot of help from the abilityAerilate, as well as the movesSwords DanceandReturn. However, its quadruple weakness to the Rock type is a major setback. Overall it’s not bad, butfar from great.
8Mega Altaria
Mega Altaria takes the mediocre Altaria and turns it into a strong contender with an extremely unique typing:Dragon/Fairy. Its design features white, puffy tufts of feathers. The mega design retains what makes Altariacutewhile enhancing itscool factor. Normal Altaria arguably looks a bit silly, but Mega Altaria looks like adragon surrounded by billowing clouds.
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Also of note is its tail, which looks an awful lot likeArticuno’s tail. Maybe these two Pokémon have a shared ancestor? While it’s not amazingly powerful, Mega Altaria is still agood choice in battle. That Dragon/Fairy typing isextremely solid. It also gets access to some great moves, includingDragon DanceandRoost.
7Mega Mawile
Even without the evolution, a standard Mawile is prettycool looking. From the front it has a cute bipedal appearance. It uses this form to hide the gigantic slavering maw sprouting from the back of its head. The way Mawile looks back at the viewer is reminiscent of a cool samurai pose, and its hakama-like pants seem to support this. If Mawile is a samurai, Mega Mawile is a grizzled dual-wielding veteran. Its giant, ragged mouths just look socool.
Mega Mawile is notable. Not only is its design incredibly cool, it’s an absolutepowerhousein battle, among the strongest Pokémon on this list. This is mainly thanks to its ability,Huge Power, coupled with the moveSwords Dance.
6Mega Beedrill
Mega Beedrill improves on a design that was alreadyexcellent and iconic. With its mega form, its wings become more streamlined, and start to look likeactual wasp wings. Its arm drills become larger and scarier, and it gains an extra set of drills at its sides. Finally, its main stinger becomes much larger, taking on the appearance of apower drill. Overall, the design is very intimidating, but also has a surprisingly pleasant sense ofsymmetry.
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Normal Beedrill is anextemelypoor choice in battle. Mega Beedrill isbetter, but stillnot amazing. It gets the excellentAdaptabilityability, vastly improving its damage output. Plus, it getsU-turnandToxic Spikes, along with the necessarySpeedto take advantage of these moves.
5Mega Diancie
Rock/Fairy is a weird type combination, but Diancie wears it well. Mega Diancie takes the design andgoes all out with it. Its rock turns into a set of bigpink crystalswhich resemble a dress. The floating crystals beneath her body look like jewelry. To complete the design, Mega Diancie’s flowing white sashes give it a beautiful, elegant appearance, like acrystaline goddess.
It’s a very nice design thatperfectly exemplifies the Fairy type. Mega Diancie is also a very strong Pokémon with a sound type combination, a high base power, coverage, and utility to boot. In particular, its moveStealth Rockmakes it a valuable addition to any team.
4Mega Slowbro
When looking at Mega Slowbro, one might think “wow, that ice cream cone thing looks pretty stupid”. And while itis indeed stupid, it’s alsocharming and hilarious. For its mega evolution, the Shellder on Slowbro’s tail grows large enough that Slowbro can climb inside, giving it a suit ofarmor. It’s a fun relationship. It feels like Slowbro still doesn’t care, even thoughnow its entire body is being eaten. Instead, it’susing the situation to its advantage.
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Sadly, while Mega Slowbro is more viable than Slowbro itself, it’s just not in the same league as the other megas. Its abilityShell Armormakes sense thematically, but frankly, it’s not the best ability.Regeneratoris arguably much better, but Mega Slowbro doesn’t get it, only regular Slowbro.
3Mega Banette
Banette is thecreepy marionettePokémon. Mega Banette iseven creepier, with a more intense color scheme. Its zipper mouth multiplies intomany zippers, pulling back to make its gray skin look more like an open robe. This hints at Banette’s true form, which it keeps hidden behind a voodoo-doll exterior. The robe makes it look sort of like apowerful witch. And of course, its signaturecreepy smileis even wider in its mega form.
Though it’s one of the coolest mega designs, Mega Banette isnot particularly viablecompetitively. It does have an interesting ability inPrankster, but it’s otherwise held back by its mediocreSpeed. Beyond that, it just doesn’t have the power it needs, and ends up relying onDestiny Bondto KO opponents.
2Mega Absol
Absol has always had a cool design. It’s unmistakablygoth, but also calls to mindyin and yangwith its swirling black and white look. Thered eyesare a great accent, making use of aniconic color scheme. Mega Absol goes way over the top with this look, in a good way. It has a wider stance, looking ready topouncewith itscatlike hind legs. It gains a more impressivehair swoop, and a more furry appearance overall.
Oh, and it sproutsmajestic eagle wings, big enough to make us wonder why it’s not a Dark/Flying type. Mega Absol isfar from a great choicecompetitively, but it does have a few things going for it.Swords DanceandSuperpoweralways go well together, andMagic Bounceis a very fun ability.
1Mega Ampharos
Obviously, design is subjective, but it’s hard to argue that Mega Ampharos' design is anything butamazing. Its flowing wooly locks conjure up images ofhair metal. Its long tail sprouts wool as well, giving it a more cohesivesheep-likeappearance. These changes represent the energy of mega evolution, but they’re also a manifestation of Ampharos' new second typing: theDragon-type. All in all, Ampharos might have the coolest, mosteye-catchingmega design of all.
Despite all that, it’s also one of the weakest Megas to use in battle. It’s incrediblyslow, withalmostnothing to compensate. It can be hard to justify using theonly mega slot on a partyfor Mega Ampharos, especially since it’soutclassed by Mega Manectric.
