With 156 Unova residents to choose from, there are a lot of candidates for the best gen 5 Pokémon. Well, it’s a tough job, but we’re up to the task. We’ve sifted through, looking at every Pokémon from Archen to Zoroark, and picked the best ‘mon from the batch, alongside a couple of staff favourites, to help you on your journey. So whether you want to beat the Pokémon League again or just uncover the secrets of the mysterious N, these creatures can help you on your journey.
Like our other guides, we won’t include any starter Pokémon, legendary Pokémon, or mythical Pokémon, as they have their own guides, and it gives the unsung heroes a moment in the spotlight. For even more great guides, be sure to read our articles covering the best dog pokémon, cat Pokémon, best gen 1 Pokémon, and the best gen 8 Pokémon.