10 best signature abilities in Pokemon, ranked

Although signature abilities in Pokemon were intially exclusive to special Legendaries or creatures with certain gimmicks, many other monsters have received signature abilities as the series evolved. Added in the third generation of the Pokemon franchise, abilities are passive traits that can affect how each creature plays in a battle.

Some of these abilities are minor, only boosting damage under certain circumstances or nullifying a status effect, but others have the potential to completely define a creature's identity. Here are the 10 best signature abilities in the franchise.

Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer.

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Top 10 best signature abilities in the Pokemon franchise

Deciding on the 10 best signature abilities for Pokemon is not an easy task, however, here are some of the best ones in the franchise:

10) Battle Bond

Battle Bond is Greninja's signature ability (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Battle Bond was once a powerful ability that allowed Greninja to essentially Mega Evolve when defeating an enemy, but now it just boosts Greninja's attack, special attack, and speed. It also only activates once per battle. Nevertheless, the ability was easily the best in the game at one point.

Read More - Best Pokemon with unique ablities

9) Imposter

Imposter is Ditto's signature ability (Image via Game Freak)

This ability allows the user to transform into the opponent upon entering battle. This is a massive improvement for Ditto, its only user, as it allows Ditto to skip wasting a turn with Transform, instantly copying an opponent. Transforming also copies the target's stat changes, so a well-timed Ditto could easily sweep an opponent.

8) Neutralizing Gas

Neutralizing Gas is the signature ability of the Koffing family (Image via Game Freak)

Neutralizing Gas has the power to nullify the abilities of every creature on the field. This ability has only gotten better since its introduction, and many modern Pokemon like Rillaboom, Urshifu, Tornadus, and the Treasures of Ruin rely heavily on their abilities to be competitively viable. This ability makes Weezing the perfect anti-meta pick.

7) Wonder Guard

Wonder Guard is Shedinja's signature ability (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Wonder Guard is an incredibly good ability balanced out by being given to one of the weakest monsters in the franchise. Wonder Guard only allows its user to be hit by super-effective moves, status conditions, or entry hazards. This ability would be incredibly overpowered if its only wielder was not Shedinja, a monster with only one point of health.

Read more -10 Powerful Legendary Pokemon

6) Toxic Boost

Toxic Boost is Zangoose's signature ability (Image via Game Freak)

Toxic Boost greatly increases the user's attacking stat when they are poisoned. This can be self-inflicted with the Toxic Orb held item. This ability is great for Zangoose as it gains access to and receives the same-type attack bonus from Facade, a move that is powered up when the holder is inflicted with a status ailment like Poison.

5) Gorilla Tactics

Gorilla Tactics is the signature ability of Galarian Darmanitan (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Gorilla Tactics increases the user's attack power by 50% but limits them to only using one move, similar to the Choice Band item. This meant Galarian Darmanitan could be paired with the Choice Band item to receive a massive boost to its attack stat without the need to waste turns for set-up.

4) Mega Launcher

Mega Launcher is Clawitzer and Mega Blastoise's signature ability (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Mega Launcher used to not be a signature ability, but with Game Freak removing Pokemon Mega Evolutions, Mega Launcher only belongs to Clawitzer and its pre-evolved form. This ability boosts the power of Pulse and Aura moves, which features a surprisingly beneficial catalog of varying attacks.

3) Supreme Overlord

Supreme Overlord is Kingambit's signature ability (Image via Game Freak)

Supreme Overlord grants Kingambit a 10% increase to its attack's power for every fainted ally in the trainer's party. This effect can stack up to five times, resulting in a 50% increase in power without impacting Kingambit's attack stat, meaning it can still use Swords Dance up to three times to maximize its damage capacity.

2) Good as Gold

Good as Gold is Gholdengo's signature ability (Image via Game Freak)

Good as Gold protects Gholdengo from every status move that targets it. This includes moves like Toxic and Will-o-Wisp that inflict status conditions, as well as moves like Leer or Charm which lower its stats. However, this ability also blocks ally Helping Hands, Life Dew, and other similar beneficial status moves.

1) Poison Puppeteer

Poison Puppeteer is Pecharunt's signature ability (Image via Game Freak)

Pecharunt easily has the best ability in the Pokemon franchise. Poison Pupeteer allows Pecharunt to inflict foes with confusion whenever it poisons them. This is incredibly easy to do on Pecharunt as its signature attack always poisons the target. Thankfully, Pecharunt will never be legal for competitive play because it is a Mythical Pokemon.

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Edited by Siddharth Satish