With the release of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, players will now have access to an even wider variety of battle-ready species that fill unique niches. When it comes to "glass cannons," specifically, they are excellent at dealing massive damage at the expense of defensive frailty.
Given that the greater Pokémon franchise now spans nine generations' worth of these creatures, this class of battlers has depth to spare and choose from. Prospective trainers should be wary of how they go ing such defensively delicate species, but the likes of Alakazam and Lucario can offer great versatility in combat when used efficiently.
Sharpedo
The dual Water/Dark-Type Sharpedo fills the glass cannon role surprisingly well. It's extremely fragile in both of its defenses, but it has a great physical attack, solid special attack, and equally solid speed.
Its typing gives it a welcome immunity to Psychic attacks (and potentially other glass cannons), and it has access to a diverse movepool ranging from the reliable elemental fang attacks to heavy-hitting moves like Earthquake. Its Mega Evolution makes it a little more sturdy defensively while boosting its offenses and speed.
Blaziken
Often looked back on as one of the best Fire-Type Pokémon starters in the series, Blaziken packs an excellent punch in battle. As far as glass cannons go, this dual Fire/Fighting-Type doesn't have the worst defenses players will see, with both physical and special defenses settling at 70. Nonetheless, they're average enough to qualify as being "glassy," with the Pokémon's offenses more than making up for it.
Blaziken has fantastic physical and special offenses -- 120 and 110, respectively -- allowing it to be a versatile mixed attacker. It makes the best use of the movepools of both typings, as well as some welcome coverage. And in the games where Blaziken can Mega Evolve, it becomes near unbeatable with its daunting stat buffs and Speed Boost ability.
Espeon
The widely beloved "Eeveelutions" aren't all known for being defensive stalwarts -- aside from the likes of Umbreon -- and Espeon is arguably one of the best to lean into the glass cannon role. The Johto native Psychic-Type species have fairly sub-par stats all around until reaching the special stats and speed.
Espeon can make the most of hard-hitting STAB moves with the likes of Psychic, bolster its special stats even further with Calm Mind, and dabble into some much-appreciated coverage with attacks like Shadow Ball. And for a bit of extra longevity, Morning Sun is a great recovery move to keep Espeon kicking for longer.
Dragapult
On top of its inventive creature design, the Galar region's resident "Pseudo-Legendary" quickly became one of the new best Dragon-Type Pokémon. Its defenses aren't the worst around either -- both at 75 -- but average regardless and, like with Blaziken, both of its offenses and speed do excellent jobs at carrying it in battle.
The dual Dragon/Ghost-Type is rare to see, even if it adds quite a few weaknesses, but it certainly helps deepen its offensive viability along with 120 physical attack and 100 special attack. Reliable Ghost moves like Shadow Ball and devastating Dragon moves like Draco Meteor allow Dragapult to make a quick impression, especially with its blistering 142 speed for hit-and-run tactics.
Alakazam
Alakazam is a tried and true classic from the Kanto region that kicked off the Pokémon franchise, and it's aged well. This pure Psychic-Type was overpowered in the original games due to their buggy natures that were easily exploited.
And while there are certainly better checks now, Alakazam is still incredibly competent. It's a total liability on the physical side, but its specials and speed, along with its astounding diverse movepool for both STAB and coverage moves, allow it to fulfill several offensive situations. Just as well, its Mega Evolution bolsters those statistical strengths even more.
Weavile
Weavile is revered as one of the best physical attackers in the series. It has a base attack of 120, which, paired with STAB moves such as Icicle Crash and Knock-Off, make it a fearsome foe. A base speed of 125 also allows the sharp claw Pokémon to outspeed its opposition at will.
Players who plan on using Weavile will have to be very mindful of its unfortunate typing. Being a Dark/Ice-type Pokémon, Weavile has six different weaknesses, including a double weakness to the Fighting-Type. With a base stat of 65 for its physical defense, Weavile can go down to a physical Fighting-type move pretty easily.
Lucario
Lucario is arguably the most popular Pokémon in Gen IV, and he is also one of the most fun to use. Its base physical and special attack are 110 and 115, respectively, and it also has a very massive movepool. Aura Sphere, Meteor Mash, Psychic, and Earthquake are just some moves Lucario can use, along with a respectable 90 base speed.
That being said, Lucario's defenses aren't the best. The aura Pokémon has a base stat of 70 for both defenses, and spamming Close Combat, which is the best physical attacking move for Lucario, lowers the defenses. Mega Evolving into Mega Lucario may help matters, raising the physical defense some, but not as much.
Gengar
One of the more recognizable Ghost-type Pokémon, Gengar is a very useful special attacker. It has a base special attack of 130, along with a base speed of 110 to boot. It can use a variety of special moves such as Shadow Ball, Sludge Wave, and Focus Blast, not to mention a Levitate ability that nulls its Ground-type weakness.
No matter how many great moves Gengar can use, it still has a pretty susceptible defense. It has a base physical defense of 60, which can cause some problems when it comes to Dark-type physical moves such as Knock Off or Night Slash. A Mega Evolution into Mega Gengar can fix the Pokémon's defensive woes while also making it even more of an effective special attacker.
Mega Beedrill
Regular Beedrill is nothing to be afraid of, but Mega Beedrill is an absolute force to be reckoned with in the realm of Bug-Type Pokémon. The wasp-like Pokémon gets a major boost to its physical attack and speed, with its base attack and speed going from 90 and 75 to a blistering 150 and 140. Not only that, but it also gains a new ability, Adaptability, which doubles the effectiveness of STAB moves.
While Mega Evolution dramatically increases Mega Beedrill's physical attack and speed, its defenses are pretty much left untouched. Its physical defense remains the same at 45. Mega Beedrill can easily wreak havoc with its Adaptability-boosted Fell Stinger, but one powerful physical move can bring the poison bee's carnage to an end.
Zoroark
Zoroark is a stylish Pokémon, a special attacker with one of the best abilities in Illusion. This ability can allow Zoroark to take on the form of the last member in a player's party, which can lead to some fun mind games. Opponents might be befuddled by a Shuckle with a base speed of 110 using moves like Dark Pulse with a base 120 special attack power.
Even though it's one of the cooler to use, Zoroark is still very weak, with a base stat of 60 for both of its defenses. While using Illusion, Zoroark can survive if it takes not very effective hits. Players who plan to use this Pokémon ought to make the most of the Illusion ability and play mind games with their opponent as much as possible until Zoroark faints.
