Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: The 8 Best Partner Pokemon In The Series (2024)

The Pokemon Mystery Dungeonspin-off series of games is known for its difficult dungeon-crawler gameplay and great storytelling. A central part of the narrative is that players are turned into Pokemon to save the world from a looming threat.

Whether that threat is a giant meteorite crashing into the Pokemon world in the series' first title, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Red and Blue Rescue Team, or saving time itself from a rampaging Primal Dialga, players have had their hands full of engaging narratives that have characterized the series.

Alongside engrossing storytelling, players are given a partner Pokemon as a trusty sidekick while investigating the series' many dungeons, with some of these being better partners than others.

8 Riolu

The Strongest Fighting-Type Partner

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time

Roguelike

Systems

Platform(s)

Nintendo DS

Released

April 20, 2008

Developer(s)

Spike Chunsoft

Publisher(s)

The Pokemon Company , Nintendo

Riolu, the pre-evolution of the infamous Lucario, was introduced in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky on the Nintendo DS. The coolest-looking partner Pokemon on this list, Riolu, is also one of the hardest Pokemon to obtain across the Mystery Dungeon series, and one of the game's most powerful to boot, evolving into Lucario and one of the series' best mega evolutions, Mega Lucario.

This Pocket Monster is unobtainable in the first entries in the series, and is a creature exclusive to Explorers of Sky in the second generation of Mystery Dungeon games. Riolu can learn powerful fighting-type moves, such as Force Palm, that other fighting partners like Machop cannot learn, making it the best Fighting-type Pokemon players can partner with.

7 Cyndaquil

The Best Fire-Type Partner

One of the original Johto starters, Cyndaquil, has been available throughout the Mystery Dungeon titles as a steadfast Fire-type that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Cyndaquil can learn ranged attacks, such as Ember, and powerful moves, like Flame Wheel, at relatively low levels.

Cyndaquil has the strongest move set of the fire partner Pokemon in the Mystery Dungeon games, with the ability to naturally learn moves such as Lava Plume and Eruption.

6 Skitty

The Best Normal-Type Partner

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team

Roguelike

Systems

Platform(s)

Nintendo Game Boy Advance

Released

September 18, 2006

Developer(s)

Spike Chunsoft

Publisher(s)

Nintendo , The Pokemon Company

A prominent partner Pokemon in the series, Skitty is known for its Normal typing and, thus, its ability to learn a wide variety of moves, such as Blizzard and Shockwave. For that reason, Skitty has been a powerhouse throughout the spin-off series, with players incorporating Skitty's move variety into their gameplay styles and tactics. Skitty also has the special ability Normalize, strengthing its moves further for additional damage.

While Skitty is often comparable to Munchlax with abilities like Thick Fat, Normalize is by far the better special ability, placing Skitty atop the pile of Normal-type partner Pokemon.

5 Pikachu

The Best Electric-Type Partner

Pikachu is, by default, the only electric partner Pokemon players can choose in the core Mystery Dungeon games.

The famous electric mouse Pokemon is known for being Ash Ketchum's sidekick in the anime. However, it is less known for its impressive move set and capacity as a worthy sidekick in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon.

Pikachu can naturally learn moves such as Thunder, Discharge, and Thunderbolt throughout its leveling cycle, making Pikachu a must-have companion in the game's many water-based dungeons. Pikachu also has the ability Static, paralyzing enemies as a useful status effect.

4 Chikorita

The Best Grass-Type Partner

Chikorita and Turtwig come close as the best Grass-type Pokemon in the spin-off series. Both possess the ability Overgrow, which increases the power of Grass-type moves when their health is low, and a strong move set to go with it, with the former learning Solar Beam and the latter Leaf Storm at level 45.

Despite this, Chikorita clinches the crown with appearances in every core Mystery Dungeon entry. Challenging dungeons like Stormy Sea in Red and Blue Rescue Team is far easier with Chikorita on the player's side.

3 Mudkip

The Best Water-Type Partner

The Johto starter Mudkip is the best Water-type Pokemon in the Mystery Dungeon series. Mudkip has powerful water-type moves such as Hydro Pump and Whirlpool, rivaling other partner Pokemon such as Piplup and Squirtle. However, its ability to learn Ground-type moves sets Mudkip apart from its counterparts.

Mudkip can learn moves such as Mud Slap, making it a versatile companion in the fight against electricity, fire, and other enemy types that are weak against it.

While Mudkip is weak to electric moves, its Ground-type move set can act as an effective counter against electric Pokemon. Mudkip can also learn rock moves like Rock Slide, and Ice-type attacks as well. Mudkip is the most versatile water partner Pokemon in the Mystery Dungeon games, with a varied move set ideal for a variety of encounters.

2 Cubone

The Best Ground-Type Partner

Introduced in the remakes of Pokemon Red and Blue Rescue Team: Mystery Dungeon DX, Cubone is the only Ground-type partner Pokemon available to players in the series. A strong companion, Cubone has a strong move set, learning moves such as Bone Rush naturally.

Cubone can also learn fire and ice moves, and is resistant to electric moves, which is handy when facing one of the game's main bosses — Zapdos.

1 Axew

The Most Powerful Partner

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity

Roguelike

Systems

Platform(s)

3DS

Released

November 23, 2012

Developer(s)

Spike Chunsoft

Axew is arguably the most powerful Mystery Dungeon Pokemon on this list due to its mix of naturally learned Dragon, Normal, and Dark-type moves.

Giga Impact and Dragon Pulse are two examples of attacks Axew can learn upon player progression. Axew is only available as a partner Pocket Monster in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity on the Nintendo 3DS.

While dragon-partner Pokemon in the Mystery Dungeon series are few and far between, Axew was a welcome addition, adding Dragon typing as a prominent type.