Right now, there are 1,008Pokemonavailable. Each one of them, according to their respective games, has its own set of stats. This is a mixture of Attack, Defense, Special Attack, HP, Speed, and Special Defense.
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Special Defense is a stat that determines how much damage aPokemonreceives when hit with a special move. And special moves themselves are (usually) determined by Special Attack. Typically, Special Attacks do not make physical contact with the Pokemon, and so Special Defense absorbs or bounces these moves as much as possible.
Updated June 15, 2025, by Ashely Claudino:With the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet competitive scene gaining more traction, it’s time to update this guide while keeping in mind all the changes made recently. Unfortunately, although a significant amount of Pokemon were added to the franchise with the discovery of the Paldea region, none of them were able to make it onto this list.
Nevertheless, a few extra entries were added to the article to make it even more interesting. Zamazenta was added to this list but just barely as it was recently nerfed which decreased its base Special Defense stat from 145 to 140; this change also made it, so it had to be ranked below Toxapex.
13Zamazenta (Crowned Shield)
According toPokemon Shield, “Now that it’s equipped with its shield, it can shrug off impressive blows, including the attacks of Dynamax Pokémon.”
Zamazenta is known as the Warrior Pokemon and its body appears to look just like a shield which is exactly why it’sPokemon Shield’s signature legendary Pokemon.
Even though Zamazenta was recently nerfed, a shield-like Pokemon has to have good defensive stats; its base Defense and Special Defense stats are the same and sit at 140. These numbers are quite impressive, especially since both defenses are equally as good. To make this Pokemon even more viable defense-wise, it’s got thebest defensive type in the game: Steel.
12Toxapex
According toUltra Moon, “With its 12 legs, it creates a dome to shelter within. The flow of the tides doesn’t affect Toxapex in there, so it’s very comfortable.”
Toxapex is underrated when it comes to its defensive stats. This Pokemonevolves from Mareanieand afterward, it perpetually defends its body with its own 12 legs, so it’s constantly protected. This is why Toxapex has a base Special Defense stat of 142, and on top of that, its base Defense stat of 152 is even more impressive.
Although its other stats aren’t that great, if trained in the right stats, it can be a difficult wall to get throw and can cause a lot of damage. Toxapex has access to threatening stats moves such as Snore and Toxic Spikes, and other moves commonly used in the competitive Pokemon scene such as Icy Wind, for example.
11Diancie
According toPokemon Alpha Sapphire,“It can instantly create many diamonds by compressing the carbon in the air between its hands.”
Not only are Diancie’s hands made of diamonds, but its whole body as well; so it would make sense for it to have a base Special Defense stat of 150, diamonds are an impressive, high-quality form of protection and defense.
Origin-wise, Diancie is based on the mythical creature called Carbuncle. The name itself is a combination of “diamond” and “fancy.” Supposedly, Diancie originates from a Carbink that suffers a mutation, this is somewhat odd since this creature is much stronger than Carbink but its Special Defense stat is slightly lower.
10Probopass
According toPokemon Moon,“The main body controls three mobile units called Mini-Noses, which it maneuvers to catch prey.”
These three mobile units…or, Mini-Noses…put together make Probopass whole, and whole enough to have a base Special Defense stat of 150. Just like Registeel, it has the highest when it comes to Steel-type Pokemon.
Design-wise, Probopass is based on the Easter Island statues. Its name is a combination of “proboscis” (an elongated nose in vertebrates) and “compass.”
9Registeel
According toPokemon Sword,“Registeel’s body is made of a strange material that is flexible enough to stretch and shrink but also more durable than any metal.”
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Whatever this strange material is, it works because Registeel has a base Special Defense stat of 150. Just like Probopass, it has the highest among all Steel-type Pokemon.
Self-explanatory, but Registeel is like a golem yet also a robot. Regarding its name, it is a combination of “regis” (Latin for “royal”) and “steel.”
8Goodra
According toPokemon Ultra Moon,“Underneath its slimy skin is a thick layer of fat, and the combination of the twomakes enemies' attacks slide right off.”
This slimy skin backed by a thick layer of fat allows Goodra to achieve a base Special Defense stat of 150. Of all the pseudo-Legendaries, it has the highest amount.
There is a mythical creature in French folklore that looks like half-serpent, half-mollusk that Goodra could be created after. The name, though, is a combination of “goo” and “hydra,” of course.
7Carbink
According toPokemon Sun, “Born from the high temperatures and pressures deep underground, it defends itself by firing beams from the jewel part of its body.”
Carbink’s origin makes it especially tough when it comes to defending itself from Special Attacks, that’s why it has an astonishing base Special Defense stat of 150. The jewels that compose its body provide a lot of protection, making it more defensively viable than Diancie, a mythical Pokemon that derived from a mutated Carbink.
Its ability Clear Body also prevents other Pokemon from ever decreasing its stats. Carbink is the only one that can do this to itself by using stat-lowering moves.
6Florges
According toPokemon Ultra Moon,“Its life can span several hundred years. It’s said to devote its entire life to protecting gardens.”
While living forever protecting gardens, Florges is posted up with a base Special Defense stat of 154. This is the highest amount regarding all the Fairy-type Pokemon out there.
Clearly, its design is inspired by fairies and nymphs. And Florges’s name is a combination of “flora” and “gorgeous.”
5Ho-Oh
According toPokemon X,“A legend says that its body glows in seven colors. A rainbow is said to form behind it when it flies.”
Not only does Ho-Oh’s body glow like a rainbow, but it also boasts a base Special Defense stat of 154. It sits at the top of all Fire-type Pokemon regarding this amount too.
Ho-Oh is obviously based on a phoenix, more specifically the Fenghuang from Chinese culture. The name itself, which is a palindrome, is either taken directly from “Hoo,” which is Japanese for the Chinese phoenix, or a combination of “hono” (flame) and “ou” (emperor).
4Lugia
According toPokemon Emerald,“Lugia is so powerful even a light fluttering of its wings can blow apart houses. As a result, it chooses to live out of sight deep under the sea.”
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These wings are strong, strong enough for Lugia to enjoy a base Special Defense stat of 154. Along with Ho-Oh, this is the highest amount for all Flying-type Pokemon.
It takes inspiration from plesiosaurs, in regards to design, or perhaps Ryujin from Japanese mythology. Lugia’s name though is believed to be derived from lutetium (an element that is silver), or Lugeo (Latin for “lie dormant). Maybe it is a combination of “luna” and “beluga whale”?
