Releasing two games at a time has been a staple of the Pokemon franchise since its inception, with the respective games in a pair (from Gold and Silver onwards) having different Legendary Pokemon featured on the cover. That "box Legendary" for each game will play a role in the story, so which game you choose determines which Legendary you'll catch.
Box Legendaries aren't the only things separating dual versions, though. Several other Pokemon are designed in pairs to become version-exclusive "counterpart Pokemon". While the counterpart status isn't entirely limited to version exclusives, and some Pokemon that started out split into versions are no longer exclusive, this is where the concept finds its origins. Here are the best pairings of Pokemon who, in one way or another, are each other's counterparts.
10 ☂ Karrablast And Shelmet 🎃
Karrablast and Shelmet, and their respective evolutions Escavalier and Accelgor, are a uniquely connected pair of counterparts. Not only are they version exclusives, they must be traded with each other in order to evolve. This one-of-a-kind spin on both counterpart pairings and trade evolutions really helps ♒to set the two bug-types apart.
Introduced in generation 5's Black and White, this pair's evolutions are formidable additions to any team. Accelgor is incredibly fast, and Escavalier is lucky enough to be bug/steel - 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:an exceptional dual typing.
9 𒈔 Braviary And Mandibuzz
Generation 5's Unova is Pokemon's 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:answer to the United States, so it seems only fitting that one of the new lines making up Black and White's Dexes was an eagle, in the form of Braviary. Vultures, represented by the Mandiuzz line, a🐈re also native to the US, so they make a great addition too.
Braviary and Mandibuzz tick all the boxes — cute pre-evolutions, good stats, great shinies and meaningful designs. It's no wonder this pair of version exclusives have been fan favourites since their unveiling.
8 ꧂ Tauros And Miltank ♉
Though these two were introduced in separate generations — Tauros was first seen in Red and Blue, while Miltank was a generation later in Gold and Silver — immediately upon seeing the latter, fans spotted the connections between the two; Miltank was the cow to Tauros's bull.
The connection is so apparent that many fans want a pre-evolution for both Pokemon to share, with which one it evolves into 🍒being determined by its gender. Even as things stand, with no evolutionary connection, Tauros and Miltank are undeniably an iconic pair𝓡.
7 Hatterene And Grimmsnarl 🐻 🦂
Introduced in generation 8's Sword and Shield as version exclusives, Hatterene and Grimmsnarl embody the term "counterparts" in numerous ways. Their t🙈ypings are the same, but opposite — while they share a fairy typing, their respective secondary types are the classic 𝔉rivalry of psychic and dark.
The inspirations behind their designs are also perfectly opposed — Hatterene is a mystical witch or fairy, while Grimmsnarl is a goblin or troll. The two fantasy-inspired Pokemon are both fan-favourites, and real standouts from 168澳洲幸�൩�运5开奖网:the already-fantastic generation 8 lineup.
6 Tyrunt And Am🌸aura
Almost every generation of Pokemon features a pair of counterpart fossil Pokemon, with players given a choice to take one or the other. Over the years, these pairings have featured many fantastic designs, but the ones that do it best are Kalos' Tyrunt and Amaura.
These adorable babies (and their formidable evolved forms) are exceptional — they resemble a tyrannosaurus rex and a diplodocus respectively, and manage to strike a perfect balance between cute and imposing. Add in their great typings (dragon and ice in addition to the fossil-standard rock) and you've got an outstanding pair on your hands.
5 Lota𒅌d And Seedot ൲
The grass-type duo of Lotad and Seedot (and their evolutions) are one of many version-exclusive counterpart pairs introduced in generation 3's Hoenn. Duality and balance were major themes in Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald,🧸 with the two evil teams facing off against each other as well as the player, and the introduction of double battles.
Lotad is a cute playpus-like creature with a lilypad on top, while Seedot is an adorable walking acorn. The two became beloved icons of the Hoenn region thanks to their iconic design, and they're one of the best examples of the duality Hoenn is known for.
4 🌸 Plusle And Minun 🃏
Just beating out Lotad and Seedot for the title of best Hoenn counterparts are Plusle and Minun; these two earn their spot thanks to how well their duality plays into their design. The two counterparts a💧re themed on♏ opposing electrical charges, which is even reflected in their names - "plus" and "minus".
That's not all — even their abilites (Plus and Minus) share this emphasis on the pairing. Put the two Pokemon on the field together and these abilities will give them an attack boost - truly capturing the spirit of counterpar♚t teamwork.
3 Phantump ꦿAnd Pumpkaboo 🌳
Phantump and Pumbkaboo are a pair of counterpart Pokemon introduced in X and Y's Kalos, and take the respective forms of a haunted tree stump and a haunted pumpkin. The ideas sound silly on paper, but the Pokemon manage to pull it off, appearing remarkably cute while still maintaining an eeriee aura.
Before Phantump and Pumpkaboo, and their evolutions Trevenant and Gourgeist, there were no Pokemon with the type combination of grass and ghost. These spooky cuties meant fans received not one, but two lines with the interesting typing, so it's easy to see why Phantump and Pumpkaboo became so beloved.
2 🐲 Vulpix And🐟 Growlithe
The original counterpart icons, Vulpix and Growlithe were verison exclusives all the way back in Red and Blue and have remained a famous pairing ever since. Vulpix takes the form of a fire-themed fox, while Growlithe is a dog with fire theming; the pair's popularity is likely owed largely to their cuteness.
Their evolutions, Ninetails and Arcanine, are also great. The adorable fire creatures evolve into an elegant kitsune and formidable hound respectively — a ꦦpair of powerful fighters that have been invaluable to many a Kanto playthrough.
1 𒈔 Espeon And Umbreon
Eevee was introduced in generation 1, and was notable for the fact it could evolve three different ways, in a time before mere two-way branching evolutions even existed. In generation 2, however, fans were amazed when Eevee got two more possible evolutions — the counterpart pairing of Espeon and Umbreon.
"Eeveelutions" are beloved across the board, but Espeon and Umbreon are invariably cited as two of the most adored among fans. Their designs reflect their power and grace, while still keeping the Eevee line's trademark cuteness, and their impressive stats make them excellent fighters. It's easy to see why so many trainers ended up with one of these amazing Pokemon on their Johto team.
