Summary
In nearly everyPokemongame since the Kanto region, players have been able to choose from a small list ofFossilsto rejuvenate and transform back into living Pokemon. The originals were Omastar, Kabutops, and Aerodactyl, but since then, Game Freak has released 12 more, each based on ancient creatures (or living things in Cradily’s case).
While these Pokemon may be extinct in the everyday world, their unique designs and themes let them all stand out; often more than their actual strength. There are a few of these Pokemon that don’t have much to offer outside the novelty of being spawned from their ancient fossils.
Updated August 10, 2025 by Stephen LaGioia:With eachPokemonrelease, whether the charming anime or gripping video games, the lore continues to grow even more vast and rich. This has culminated with Violet & Scarlet (andsupplemental DLC The Teal Mask and Indigo Disk), which offers tons of compelling content.
Among this huge list of10,025Pokemon are the more exclusive and rare Fossil types, which number well over two dozen. In fact, these ancient Pokemon are so rare, that Scarlet and Violet players have no way to access them other than transferring them viaPokemon Home. Given their complexity and rarity, we thought we’d revisit and carve some more detail into this list highlighting eachFossil Pokemon, ranking them in terms of strength and usefulness.
What binds these Pokemon together and gives them the “Fossil” moniker is that they date from prehistoric times and can be obtained by collecting different Fossils to restore them. They also have the commonality of all beingat least partly of the Rock-type, aside from the Galar-region Fossil Pokemon.
While the evolved forms will be the focus here (as they are almost always stronger), this list will also touch on the unevolved forms.
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The unfortunate position of last (relatively speaking) falls on Armaldo, and particularly its meager unevolved form Anorith. First introduced as emerging from theClaw Fossilin theGen 3 Hoenn Region, Armaldo and Anorith were fairly underwhelming. Anorith may be calledthe Old Shrimp Pokemon, but these two look more like creatures made straight out of the space-simSpore.
To many, their designs come across as rather haphazard. Further, asRock and Bug-types,they don’t bring much to the table, as Bug was often seen as the worst type in the game before its buff in Gen 7.
There is no legitimate way to obtain, and thus regenerate, the Claw Fossil in the Cinnabar Lab in Gen 3, but players in Gen 4 may obtain them via trading.
The locations and Fossils needed to revive each evolved Pokemon listed will be mentioned corresponding to the Generations/games they areintroduced.
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While the large robotic insect may look pretty intimidating, it’s rather outmatched even by many in its own Fossil category, being of the fairly weakBug-type.It has few strong, specialized moves, and its base HP is on the low side.
Still, as far as Bug-types go, Genesect can pack a punch offensively, slotting in as a sort of beefier version of Scizor in many respects. It’s useful that Genesect is resistant to many types, though it’s alsovulnerableto more elements than the average Fossil.
The Pokemon is also quite exclusive, coming from an unknown Fossil and crafted by Team Plasma.
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The sea turtle from Gen 5’s Unova region can be described as a mega-charged, upright-standing turtle. The Pokemon world is already full of turtles, and to take up a coveted Fossil spot with another one just seems disappointing.
Stat-wise, Carracosta is just fine, with lots of power and indestructibility, though most everything else is downhill from there, culminating in a rough32 Speed.Decent abilities fall flat on this underwhelming design, which leads this unfortunate turtle to sink rather than swim.
The tank-like Carracosta can be revived by way of aCover Fossil, by visiting theNacrene Museum(Black and White version 2).
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Classified as the Barnacle Pokemon, Cradily is Gen 3’sancient plant Pokemon; and a stout one. The ancient tropical plant as one of the Hoenn region’s two Fossils was an excellent design and every time the strange plant makes its way onto the field trumpets blare.
Unfortunately for Cradily, it just isn’t that powerful. All-around decent stats don’t hold Cradily back, but they don’t do it any favors either. Better defenses give Cradily the option of a stall Pokemon, but its miserable43 Speed Statleaves quite a lot to be desired.
Players must revive it from theRoot Fossil, with the Devon CorporationinRuby, Sapphire, and Emerald.
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TheHelix Fossilhas always been a staple among Pokemon Fossils. Omastar is the classic killer sea snail that is described as being so slow and weak that it went extinct because it couldn’t catch food. Despite this description, it actually has55 Speedwhich is faster than both Cradily and Carracosta — although it still has a long way to go.
As a Water and Rock-type with a powerfulSpecial Attack stat of 115,If it manages to land an attack on a target, Omastar is sure to rock some boats.
Awaken this ancient Pokemon via theCinnabar LabinRed, Blue, and Yellow.
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This is thebig and stout fella of Gen 4; the pureRock-type, Rampardos. The Sinnoh Region was the first in the Pokemon world to finally give fans their first dinosaur Fossils and truly, it was a little underwhelming.
Rampardos is a pure Rock-type, which has advantages, it can’t be hit by Fighting or Grass for quadruple damage like some of the other Fossils, but it also means it doesn’t have secondary typing to use as a threat. Compared to every other Fossil, that just doesn’t hold up.
This spiked beast can be revived by using aSkull Fossil,and going to theOreburgh Mining MuseuminDiamond and Pearl, Platinum,as well asBrilliant Diamond and Pearl.
The relatively new bulky ice fish monster from the Galar Region, Arctovishcombines the Fossilized fish and the Fossilized Dinobrought to life by science! Overall, Arctovish is a decent but underwhelming Pokemon, at least more than its beastly appearance lets on. With Galar Fossils losing their Rock typing, Arctovish is left as aWater and Ice-type, which isn’t exactly the best combination.
While its stats are just average, it does have access to the devastatingly powerfulFishious Rendattack, which is at least one good aspect that it can boast. The combo concept that the Galar Fossils use is pretty cool, unfortunately, this big fish got the short end of the stick.
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TheIceandRock-typesauropod, Aurorus was first introduced in the Kalos Region of Gen 6. With fairly unique typing and an interesting design, the Sail Fossil is one of the first that really might be worth using.A truly massive Pokemon, Aurorus has an incredibly high HP stat and a powerful ability with its signature move,Refrigerate.
Plus, Amaura has one of the cuter aesthetics — and it’s a blast to evolve! The Tundra Pokemon is one worth considering for this reason alone, but for those min-maxing fans out there, it’s not the best of the best.
Aurorus can be revived from aSail Fossilby way of theAmbrette Town Fossil LabinPokemon X and Y.
This sniveling little velociraptorIcehybrid puts Pokemon design on a whole new level. While ice typing may not be of a huge benefit for thisElectric-type (as it doesn’t lose its Ground weakness and instead gains weakness to Fire, Fighting, and Rock-types) it does pose an excellent opportunity for this Pokemon’s icy-cool look.
Unfortunately for Arctozolt, it can’t monopolize on its signature move,Bolt Beak,as its base 55 Speed stat is “lukewarm” to say the least.
It’s only resurrected by combining aFossilized Bird and a Fossilized Dino.
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Archen and Archeops are theFlying Rock-type Fossils of the Unova Region. Based on the archeopteryx, these Pokemon are jam-packed with power. With a whopping140 Attack statand respectable112 Special Attack,this Pokemon can really pack a punch. Unfortunately, it’s majorly held back by its truly awful ability,Defeatist.
At half-health Archeops Attack and Special Attack, stats are cut in half, meaning its powerful offense becomes mediocre at best. This makes the colorful bird Fossil much more effective at hit-and-run tactics. It certainly has its place, but its strategy means other Pokemon are going to take a beating.
Use thePlume Fossilstarting at level 37 to get the hostile Archeops, from theNacrene Museum(Pokemon Black and White).
