Some things never change. While the introduction of mechanics like Terastalization inPokemon Scarlet and Violethas brought a new life to competitive battling, unique moves and abilities are still one of the most significant deciding factors when it comes to team building.
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One of the most common abilities seen on the ranked ladder is Levitate. This ability makesPokemonimmune to Ground-type moves, which can be criticalin a game flooded with earthquake users, such as Garchomp and Great Tusk. While it’s no surprise that this ability is fairly common, what is surprising is the Pokemon who DON’T get it.
8Rabsca
One of the most interesting new Pokemon we were introduced to in Paldea has to be Rabsca. This scarab sage is pretty unique, being one of two Pokemon with access to the niche ally reviving move, Revival blessing. Its design is one of the more noticeable in the Overworld since it’s literally a giant floating orb.
Despite this design, it does NOT get access to levitate, which makes little to no sense. Instead, it has Synchronize and Telepathy, both common abilities in Psychic-types. Rabsca is great, but it would have been much better with Levitate.
7Flapple
Another floating Pokemon that still takes Ground-Type damage is Flapple. This fruity friend is forever flapping for its life, but despite being always airborne, it does not get Levitate.
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Instead, it has access to a variety of “apple” themed abilities, such as Ripen or Gluttony. While these are clever and fun, Flapple would be a lot more useful in ranked battles with an ability like Levitate.
6Gengar
One particularly interesting situation in the case of the missing Levitate is Gengar. WhileGengar isn’t normally seen floating in battle, its entire evolutionary line does, and they all get ground immunity from it.
It’s a particularly frustrating situation for this Poison/Ghost-type. Gengar has a great move pool, but the fact that it can easily be taken out by one earthquake makes it hard to use in battles. It’s certainly one of the more disappointing examples of a Pokemon that SHOULD have Levitate.
5Glalie
Gamefreak really left Glalie out in the cold by not giving it Levitate. Known as “the face Pokemon” Glalie is literally just a floating head, so the fact that it doesn’t get this incredibly common ability is pretty puzzling.
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Its options for abilities are Ice Body, Inner Focus, and Moody. Inner Focus and Moody, in particular, seem like abilities you could give any Pokemon out there and don’t really seem to fit its design. Regardless, it’s still an Ice-type, so not having Ground immunity certainly isn’t the worst problem it could have.
4Glimmora
Another floating friend that feels left behind without Levitate is Glimmora. Despite the fact that this toxic rock floats all across area zero, it has nothing to show for it, as its options for abilities are Toxic Debris and Corrosion.
While both of these abilities have distinct competitive advantages, neither protects Glimmora from its critical four times weakness to Ground-type attacks. It’s one of the many mysteries surrounding this elusive creature, but certainly the most disappointing.
3Flutter Mane
Paradox Pokemon are great options for competitive players. They give trainers a revamped version of some of the best competitive Pokemon, but the fact that they lose critical abilities can be pretty disappointing.
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Misdreavus and Mismagius both get Levitate, so naturally, when players see Flutter Mane, it is pretty easy to forget that it has Protosynthesis instead. It also simply doesn’t make sense, given that it’s never seen touching the Ground. One day Flutter Mane will eventually learn to float, but until then, it’s going to have to take those Ground-type attacks.
2Roaring Moon
Another Paradox Pokemon that makes even less sense is Roaring Moon. While Salamence has ground immunity due to its typing, Roaring Moon is a Dark/Dragon-type, like Hydreigon. Despite having the same typing, Hydreigon actually gets Levitate, while this sinister sky flyer is forced to take Ground-type attacks due to its Protosynthesis ability.
This makes very little sense, as Roaring Moon is literally soaring over the field at all times. In fact,its most common Tera type is actually Flyingbecause it still has access to many of Salamence’s Flying-type moves, which seems like it should be necessary when Levitate is an option.
1Magnezone
Of all the Pokemon deserving of the levitate ability, Magnezone tops the list. It’s a Pokemon that most players would swear gets this incredibly common ability. Instead, it gets Sturdy, Magnet Pull, and Analytic to choose from ability-wise. This is incredibly frustrating for multiple reasons.
For starters, Magnezone has a four times weakness to Ground-type attacks, so it would get a lot of utility out of Levitate’s immunity. Secondly, – its entire evolutionary line floats. Magnezone can only be found in the wild, floating over great mountains, so they clearly “levitate” in the Pokemon world. Its exclusion as a levitate user is by far the most confusing of any Pokemon in the series.
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