Meet the 60 Most Horrifying Pokémon of All Time

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Pokémon expert ThePokéRaf weighs in with some of the creepiest Pokémon designs

Co-authored by Devin McSween Reviewed by ThePokéRaf

Last Updated: December 7, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Scariest Pokédex Entries
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• Scariest Pokémon Designs
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• Scariest Types
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• Scariest Cries
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• Video

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Pokémon range from super cute to ultra-cool, but there’s also a subset of pocket monsters that are downright scary! The Pokémon universe is full of disturbing Pokédex entries that point to chilling and sinister behaviors from Pokémon, as well as terrifying designs and cries that put shivers down your spine when you imagine them in real life. If you’re feeling brave, keep reading—we’re going through all of the scariest-looking Pokémon, Pokédex entries, types, and cries in the Pokémon games, with insights from Pokémon experts Eriel Rivera and ThePokéRaf. While this is largely based on what you find scary, we think you’ll agree that these Pokémon are truly horrifying!

The Most Scary Pokémon Ever

Pokémon expert ThePokéRaf says Hypno is one of the scariest Pokémon due to its creepy design. Giratina and Gengar are also especially menacing. Some of our other favorite scary Pokémon include:

• Phantump
• Banette
• Froslass
• Gourgeist
• Sandygast

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Section 1 of 4:

Pokémon with the Scariest Pokédex Entries

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1. 
   1
   Phantump Phantump may be a cute, tree-like ghost Pokémon, but it has some of the most horrifying Pokédex entries. The Y Pokédex claims that Phantumps are tree stumps possessed by children who died after getting lost in the forest. Ultra Sun expands on this, saying that Phantump’s cries are meant to mimic a child’s voice, which it uses to lure people into the forest. While it only wants to make friends, it’s unclear what happens to these people—do they eventually become Phantumps?

   • Type: Ghost and Grass
   • Generation: 6

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Eriel Rivera is a Pokémon expert and creator of Munching Orange, a popular Pokémon-focused YouTube channel with 1.4 million subscribers.

   ThePokéRaf is a Pokémon and anime content creator based in the United Kingdom. He has over 12 years of experience creating content.
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   Banette It’s no coincidence that Banette looks a bit like a doll—it’s like the Chucky doll of the Pokémon universe. According to multiple Pokédex entries, Banette was once a doll that got thrown away and forgotten about. Its hatred turned it into a Pokémon, so now it spends its life searching for the kid who discarded it to get revenge. Combine a creepy doll with a huge grudge, and that’s pretty terrifying!

   • Type: Ghost
   • Generation: 3
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   Froslass Froslass exudes beauty and grace, but its lore is incredibly dark. The Sun Pokédex says, “When it finds humans or Pokémon it likes, it freezes them and takes them to its chilly den, where they become decorations.” So yeah, that’s pretty chilling! Other Pokédex entries claim Froslass is actually the soul of a woman who got lost on a mountain, and its icy breath can reach -60°F (-51°C).

   • Type: Ghost and Ice
   • Generation: 4
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   Gourgeist Gourgeist may look like an adorable jack-o-lantern, but it’s anything but cute. This sinister Pokémon “enwraps its prey in its hairlike arms” and “sings joyfully as it observes the suffering of its prey,” according to the Y pokédex. The Sword and Shield ‘dexes reveal that Gourgeist lures people into the afterlife, often by force, which it enjoys greatly.

   • Type: Ghost and Grass
   • Generation: 6
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   Sandygast/Palossand There’s nothing more fun than making a sand castle on the beach…and Sandygast definitely ruins that fun. The Moon Pokédex says that Sandygast “takes control of anyone who puts a hand in its mouth. And so it adds to the accumulation of its sand-mound body.” Sandygast’s evolution, Palossand, is even creepier. The Moon ‘dex says that “buried beneath the castle are masses of dried-up bones from those whose vitality it has drained.”

   • Type: Ghost and Ground
   • Generation: 7
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   Gengar According to Rivera, Gengar is one of the OG scary ghost Pokémon. ThePokéRaf says that, at best, Gengar merely likes to frighten people by hiding in their shadow, and at worst, steals unsuspecting people’s life forces. The Sun Pokédex has possibly one of the most chilling entries of all, reading “Should you feel yourself attacked by a sudden chill, it is evidence of an approaching Gengar. There is no escaping it. Give up.”

   • Type: Ghost and Poison
   • Generation: 1
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   Sliggoo The mucus Sliggoo secretes is pretty horrifying on its own, as it can dissolve anything. Apparently, Sliggoo sprays its prey with mucus and slurps them up when they’ve become mush. The scary part, though, is that this Pokémon has a hard time telling friends and food apart because it can’t see. So, according to the Sun ‘dex, “it will calmly try to melt and eat even those it gets along well with.” Whether this is purposeful or accidental is up for debate!

   • Type: Dragon
   • Generation: 6
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   Bewear Bewear looks like a cuddly pink bear, so there couldn’t possibly be anything scary about it, right? Unfortunately, Bewear’s cuddliness is what makes it terrifying! This Pokémon loves to hug its trainers, but doesn’t know its own strength. So, multiple Pokédex entries reference the fact that Bewear has shattered its trainer’s spines, killing them instantly.

   • Type: Normal and Fighting
   • Generation: 7
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   Hypno Hypno might not look too scary, but it’s notorious for having one of the creepiest Pokédex entries. ThePokéRaf says, according to the FireRed entry, “There once was an incident in which it took away a child it hypnotized.” While Hypno usually just hypnotizes humans and prey to feast on their dreams—which is pretty terrifying by itself!—it might just steal people away once they’re under its control.

   • Type: Psychic
   • Generation: 1
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    Mimikyu Mimikyu definitely rides the line between creepy and cute. It’s just a lonely Pokémon that wants to make friends, so it wears a rag to make itself look like Pikachu. Unfortunately, what’s under the rag makes Mimikyu pretty terrifying. Multiple Pokédex entries explain that people who’ve seen Mimikyu’s true form have immediately died. Plus, it becomes ruthless if you damage its rag or reveal that it’s trying to mimic Pikachu.

    • Type: Ghost and Fairy
    • Generation: 7
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    Drifloon Drifloon’s another cutesy Pokémon that’s hiding a dark, sinister story. This balloon Pokémon “grabs the hands of small children and drags them away to the afterlife,” according to the Sun Pokédex. Other Pokédex entries confirm that children who grab onto it often go missing. Plus, the Diamond ‘dex says that Drifloon is “formed by the spirits of people and Pokémon,” which is pretty freaky all by itself!

    • Type: Ghost and Flying
    • Generation: 4
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    Yamask Yamask is a shadowy Pokémon that carries a creepy, human-like mask on its tail. What’s even creepier is the story behind the mask. The Black Pokédex explains that the mask used to be Yamask’s face when it was a human. Apparently, it’ll look at the mask and cry. This points to an even more disturbing fact—that humans can become Pokémon and remember their past lives.

    • Type: Ghost
    • Generation: 5
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    Houndoom Houndoom already looks super intimidating, with its red eyes, sharp horns, and bits of exposed skeleton. You definitely don’t want to get too close to it, either! Several Pokédex entries explain that if you get burned by Houndoom’s flames, the pain will never go away.

    • Type: Dark and Fire
    • Generation: 1
    • Mega Houndoom’s Pokédex entry is perhaps even scarier! According to the Ultra Sun ‘dex, Houndoom’s “red claws and the tips of its tail are melting from high internal temperatures that are painful to Houndoom itself.”
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    Shedinja Shedinja is one of the strangest Pokémon: it’s a hard and hollow bug shell (resembling a cicada shell) that randomly appears inside a Poké Ball when you evolve Nincada. It also somehow floats in the air without moving. While that’s pretty creepy, its Pokédex entries are even more unsettling. According to the Ruby ‘dex, Shedinja steals the spirit of anyone who looks inside its hollow body from the back.

    • Type: Bug and Ghost
    • Generation: 3
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    Litwick You might not think that this tiny candle Pokémon is scary, but its Pokédex entries reveal the truth. The little blue flame that Litwick shines can absorb people and Pokémon's life forces, which it then uses to fuel itself. The Sword and Shield Pokédexes even claim that Litwick targets children because younger people give it better fuel!

    • Type: Ghost and Fire
    • Generation: 5
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    Dusclops Dusclops is as scary as it looks. This mummy Pokémon's body is hollow and like a black hole, according to the Ruby Pokédex. It can absorb anything into its body, but nothing can get out. If you somehow don’t get sucked into Dusclop’s body, simply peering into it can steal your soul. Basically, say as far away as you can from Dusclops!

    • Type: Ghost
    • Generation: 3
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    Sinistea Enjoying a simple cup of tea isn’t so pleasant when Sinistea is around. This ghost Pokémon possesses tea cups and waits patiently for someone to sip it so it can steal their life force. Luckily, Sinistea doesn’t taste great, so most people spit it out and aren’t harmed. The thought of dying because you accidentally drank some Sinistea is pretty frightening, though!

    • Type: Ghost
    • Generation: 8
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    Honedge Honedge is a sentient sword, which you might find pretty scary by itself! The story of how it came to be is even more frightening, though. Apparently, Honedge is a spirit inhabiting a sword. If you grab its hilt, it drains your entire life force. In some cases, it attaches itself to people on purpose to absorb their energy.

    • Type: Ghost and Steel
    • Generation: 6
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    Tsareena Tsareena is an elegant, proud, and extremely aggressive Pokémon that loves to kick. Its legs are serious weapons, and according to the Shield ‘dex, they can leave “a wound in the opponent’s body and soul that will never heal.” Tsareena kicks its opponent even when they’re defeated, making it a bit sadistic and totally scary.

    • Type: Grass
    • Generation: 7
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    Jellicent Jellicent is another cutesy Pokémon that conceals a sinister story. According to the Black Pokédex, all ships that enter Jellicent’s habitat sink, and the crews go missing. Apparently, this jellyfish Pokémon’s favorite food is life energy, so it’s more than likely that they feed off of the people they sink!

    • Type: Ghost and Water
    • Generation: 5
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    Yveltal Most legendary Pokémon possess terrifying powers, so almost all of them could be on this list. However, Yveltal’s Pokédex entries from X and Y are some of the scariest. According to the X Pokédex, Yveltal absorbs the life force of living creatures whenever its tail glows red. The Y Pokédex claims that when it starts to die, it absorbs the life force of every living thing and goes into a cocoon. So basically, it’s difficult to survive when Yveltal is around.

    • Type: Dark and Flying
    • Generation: 6
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    Parasect Parasect is like something out of The Last of Us. According to the Red, Blue, and Yellow Pokédex entries, the mushroom on the bug’s back is a parasite. It’s drained all of the bug’s energy and is actually the one responsible for controlling the Pokémon’s movements. Basically, Parasect is a zombie!

    • Type: Bug and Grass
    • Generation: 1
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    Malamar Malamar is a vaguely squid-like Pokémon, which is scary all by itself. Multiple Pokédex entries reference Malamar’s terrifying hypnotic powers, which can force people to do whatever it wants. The Omega Ruby ‘dex even claims Malamar has the most compelling psychic powers of any Pokémon. People have apparently used Malamar to shape history and complete nefarious deeds.

    • Type: Dark and Psychic
    • Generation: 6
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    Cubone Cubone’s story is equal parts sad and creepy. Apparently, this Pokémon’s mother dies soon after it’s born. So, it puts the skull of its mother over its head to remember her. According to most Pokédex entries, Cubone cries and weeps loudly whenever they think of or are reminded of their mother. Like we said, it's equal parts sad and creepy.

    • Type: Ground
    • Generation: 1
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    Gorebyss Gorebyss may be beautiful and elegant, but it’s really a ruthless Pokémon; the reality is all in its name. Apparently, Gorebyss spears its prey with its mouth and drains all of their bodily fluids. Yeah, that’s a pretty awful way to go! Its pretty pink exterior definitely hides its inner cruelty.

    • Type: Water
    • Generation: 3
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Section 2 of 4:

Scariest Looking Pokémon

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1. 
   1
   Guzzlord While all of the Ultra Beast Pokémon introduced in the Sun and Moon games are genuinely terrifying, Guzzlord has to be the scariest looking. This 18-foot (5 m) alien Pokémon is a monster from a horror movie come to life, complete with 4 clawed arms, 4 glowing, sinister eyes, and a wide, gaping mouth. Like its name suggests, it eats everything in its path—including mountains—which is extremely scary.

   • Type: Dragon and Dark
   • Generation: 7
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   Naganadel If you’re already not a huge fan of wasps, Naganadel might just be the scariest-looking Pokémon you’ve seen. Naganadel is another huge Ultra Beast Pokémon (11 feet tall, or 3 m) whose bright purple body vaguely resembles an insect. What makes it truly horrifying is the giant needle at the end of its body, which is full of venom.

   • Type: Dragon and Poison
   • Generation: 7
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   Garchomp Sharks are already pretty scary in the water, and Garchomp just confirms that they’d be absolutely terrifying if they could walk on land and fly. Besides its ruthless-looking gaze, Garchomp is covered in sharp spikes, while its wings double as blades that can cut down trees. Plus, it’s said to fly at sonic speed, rivaling jet planes, and never allows its prey to escape.

   • Type: Dragon and Ground
   • Generation: 4
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   Beedrill Beedrill is a wasp-like Pokémon complete with stingers for hands and another stinger at the end of its body, just for good measure. That’s plenty scary for insectophobes, but it’s important to remember that Beedrill is canonically 3 feet (1 m) tall! It also commonly flies in swarms, so imagine taking a relaxing walk through the forest when you’re greeted with an army of child-sized wasps. No, thank you.

   • Type: Bug and Poison
   • Generation: 1
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   Pinsir Pinsir is another bug Pokémon that becomes truly terrifying when you realize how huge it is. This beetle-like Pokémon stands at almost 5 feet (1.5 m) tall, so it can look most people directly in the eye. Oh, and we almost forgot—it also has giant pincers on its head that can shatter tree trunks and a wood chipper for a mouth that’s full of sharp teeth.

   • Type: Bug
   • Generation: 1
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   Cacturne Cacturne has got to be one of the most malicious-looking Pokémon, resembling a cactus turned into a terrifying scarecrow. Its beady yellow eyes and sinister grin perfectly complement its thorn-covered body. Plus, Cacturne is said to slowly stalk their prey—humans and Pokémon alike—through the desert, waiting for nightfall to pounce. Just imagine seeing Cacturne slowly creeping over the dunes in the dead of night while you’re trying to rest.

   • Type: Grass and Dark
   • Generation: 3
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   Claydol Claydol is one of the most bizarre-looking Pokémon, which turns it from strange to downright scary. Its pink eyes wrap around its whole entire head, with beak-like protrusions between each eye—it’s unclear whether these are mouths or not. Claydol’s psychic powers also allow it to levitate, and it's said to come from an ancient civilization 20,000 years ago, which is pretty spooky, too.

   • Type: Ground and Psychic
   • Generation: 3
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   Skeledirge If you’re not a fan of crocodiles, Skeledirge probably isn’t the Pokémon for you. Skeledirge is super intimidating-looking, with its red skin, razor-sharp teeth, 5-foot (1.6 m) long body, and fierce flames streaming from its mouth. Apparently, those flames can reach 4,500°F (2,480°C), so there’s good reason to be scared of Skeledirge.

   • Type: Fire and Ghost
   • Generation: 9
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   Hydreigon What’s scarier than a dragon with 1 head? Well, a dragon with 3 heads, of course! Hydreigon looks like something pulled from a nightmare, with its haunting eyes, gaping mouths, and frayed, black wings. It’s also a brutal Pokémon that attacks anything that moves and consumes everything in its path.

   • Type: Dragon and Dark
   • Generation: 5
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    Eternatus/Eternamax Eternatus Eternatus combines some of the scariest-looking features a monster can have: it’s an alien that looks like the skeleton of a dragon. Plus, it's massive, standing at 65 feet (20 m) tall. Its powered-up form, Eternamax Eternatus, is simply incomprehensible. It turns it into a 300-foot (100 m) snake-like creature with a giant hand at the end. Plus, it’s known to casually warp space and time.

    • Type: Dragon and Poison
    • Generation: 8
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    Necrozma Necrozma is another alien Pokémon originating from the Sun and Moon games. It looks like a giant black crystal, with huge, sharp claws and spikes protruding from its body. Necrozma’s face is a prism full of colorful eyes, which is pretty creepy, too.

    • Type: Psychic
    • Generation: 7
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    Galvantula Even if you don’t have arachnophobia, Galvantula is a pretty terrifying Pokémon. This spider Pokémon is over 2 feet (0.8 m) tall, so it’d definitely be freaky to come across it while taking a stroll outside. Galvantula also weaves an electrified web, which it uses to shock its prey so it can leisurely consume them while they’re still alive. Yeah, that’s scary.

    • Type: Bug and Electric
    • Generation: 5
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    Blacephalon Blacephalon is not only weird-looking, it’s downright terrifying. Its colorful, clown-like appearance can definitely trigger coulrophobia (the fear of clowns). Like other Ultra Beasts, Blacephalon appears to be faceless at first glance, but its eyes are actually on either side of its floating head. It’s known to slither toward its prey and then blow up its own head, which is shiver-inducing.

    • Type: Ghost and Fire
    • Generation: 7
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    Darkrai Darkrai is a nightmare-inducing Pokémon, resembling a ghostly shadow. Its black body is all sharp angles and spikes, while its piercing blue eyes have a menacing look. It can also grow stilt-like legs, which is pretty creepy. Plus, its power is to make people see terrifying nightmares when they sleep.

    • Type: Dark
    • Generation: 4
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    Mr. Mime Mr. Mime is one of the most human-looking Pokémon, which puts it firmly in uncanny valley territory. Its clown-like appearance, permanent smile, and eerie mime movements are unquestionably terrifying. Plus, it's known to con people with its powers, or slap them if they interrupt its mime performance.

    • Type: Psychic (post Gen 6, it’s also a Fairy type)
    • Generation: 1
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    Carnivine Carnivine is a Venus flytrap turned monster. It's huge, standing at 4 feet (1.4 m) tall, and has a giant head with a mouth full of sharp teeth. Carnivine’s expression is also sinister, with its unblinking eyes and arms that seem to lure you into its jaws. Apparently, it emits a sweet-smelling saliva to attract prey and gulp them down.

    • Type: Grass
    • Generation: 4
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    Grimmsnarl Grimmsnarl is truly a monster to behold, making it equal parts scary and ugly. It resembles a troll or ogre, with its large, muscular body, green skin, and purple hair. What makes it truly menacing-looking is its sharp teeth, upturned nose, and fierce expression.

    • Type: Dark and Fairy
    • Generation: 8
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    Steelix Snakes can already be pretty scary, but when you cover them in steel, they become utterly frightening. Steelix is a huge Pokémon, coming in at 30 feet (9 m) long. Its jaws are massive and its body is as impenetrable as a diamond, so it can basically crush anything in its path. It slithers deep underground, so just think about that as you’re walking around!

    • Type: Steel and Ground
    • Generation: 2
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    Gyarados No list is complete without Gyarados, which is one of the most intimidating-looking Pokémon. This snake-like water dragon has a permanent glare on its face, with its red eyes and wide-open mouth pointed at whatever is enraging it. Gyarados’ temper is also legendary. It’s known for viciously destroying villages, not calming down until every last thing is burned down.

    • Type: Water and Flying
    • Generation: 1
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    Dusknoir Dusknoir is another Pokémon ripped straight from a horror movie. It resembles a cyclops, with one red, beady eye constantly staring down its prey. Dusknoir’s mouth is also located on its belly, which is pretty freaky. Apparently, it swallows their prey whole, but only eats their soul.

    • Type: Ghost
    • Generation: 4
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    Tentacruel The deep sea is already pretty scary, but it gets downright terrifying when you consider Tentacruel lurking in the depths. This squid-like Pokémon is over 5 feet (1.6 m) tall, which is scary enough. But, Tentacruel also has 2 long beaks and 80 tentacles. It’s completely camouflaged in the water, so you won’t know it's there until its tentacles grab you.

    • Type: Water and Poison
    • Generation: 1
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    Ditto Ditto’s appearance isn’t really scary on its own—it’s more about what it can turn into. Canonically, Ditto is able to perfectly transform into Pokémon, people, and objects. You’d never know you’re looking at a Ditto unless it makes its cry or transforms back into pink goo. Ditto in the shows, movies, and manga might be scarier, as it can’t get people's and Pokémon’s faces right. The body looks correct, but the faces are always Ditto’s dot-like eyes and goofy smile.

    • Type: Normal
    • Generation: 1
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Section 3 of 4:

Scariest Pokémon Types

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1. Ghost and Psychic are some of the scariest Pokémon types. While it's pretty scary to imagine creatures having elemental powers like fire, ice, and electricity, the Ghost and Psychic-types have got to be the most terrifying. Ghost-type Pokémon use supernatural moves and canonically curse people, haunt them, and steal their life force! Psychic-type Pokémon are equally terrifying, as the sheer power of their minds allows them to attack and hypnotize opponents. According to the Pokédex, lots of Psychic-type Pokémon can control people’s minds and warp space and time.

   • For instance, Mismagius, a Ghost-type Pokémon, can curse people and inflict them with terrifying hallucinations.
   • Gardevoir, a Psychic-type Pokémon, casually creates black holes to protect its trainer and can see the future.
   • Hoopa is one of the only Ghost and Psychic-type Pokémon (besides Lunala), and is super powerful. It carries a hoop that can warp space, allowing it to teleport anything it likes through it.

Section 4 of 4:

Scariest Sounding Pokémon

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1. Froslass, Kricketune, and Cetitan have some of the scariest cries. Pokémon not only have scary lore and appearances, but they can sound terrifying, too. Plenty of Pokémon have super haunting and eerie cries, which only sound more chilling if you imagine them in the dead of night while alone. Check out some of the scariest-sounding Pokémon and their cries below!

   • Froslass
   • Kricketune
   • Cetitan
   • Spiritomb
   • Milotic
   • Lumineon
   • Gothitelle
   • Dusknoir
   • Skeledirge
   • Regigigas
   • Parasect
   • Hatterene
   • Chandelure
   • Klawf
   • Hypno
   • Giratina
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