Every Snake Pokemon, Ranked

All Pokemon are based on something, whether it be an animal, an object, an element, or even an abstract concept.

This gives the design teams plenty to work with; for instance, you can base a Pokemon on an animal, then use that same animal again for another by combining it with an object or element.

One such animal that gets a decent amount of replay in the Pokemon world is the snake. You can find snake-y Pokemon in most generations, probably because they’re not hard to design.

To clarify, we’re specifically talking about actual snakes, not mythical serpents or snake-like dragons. With that in mind, here’s where each of these Pokemon noodles sit in our estimates.

10 Ekans

Literally Just A Snake

Back when Pokemon was first finding its footing in Gen 1, the designers had to take a few experimental swings to see what stuck.

One of those swings was Ekans, one of the simplest Pokemon ever made. It’s literally just a snake: it’s about as big as a snake, it’s got regular snake features, and its name is just “snake” spelled backward. The only really unusual thing about it is that it’s purple, and even that doesn’t stick since it turns green when shiny.

Its sheer simplicity is entertaining, but as far as distinct features or combat viability, Ekans doesn’t bring a whole lot to the table.

9 Silicobra

A Slightly Chubbier Snake

There are a lot of different species of snake in the world, which is why we have different varieties of snake Pokemon.

For instance, Silicobra is thought to be based on the spitting cobra. Of course, instead of hocking venomous loogies, Silicobra sprays bursts of sand from its nose.

Silicobra’s hood can store large quantities of sand, giving it a cute and pudgy appearance. Besides the sand element, though, it doesn’t do much to differentiate itself. It does have good defense, though it needs to evolve before it can really hold its own.

8 Seviper

Basically A Regional Ekans

Regional Pokemon variants and evolutions have been around since Gen 2, though they sometimes don’t crop up when you’d expect them to.

Gen 3’s Seviper, for instance, feels like it should be an evolution or offshoot of Ekans, but it’s a completely solo Pokemon. Kind of feels like a wasted opportunity, honestly.

That aside, Seviper does have higher attack and sp. attack stats than its contemporaries. It’s easy to see why, with those sharp fangs and tail. It could definitely find a place as a Poison-type attacker, it’s just not the most aesthetically interesting Pokemon.

7 Snivy

Small Now, But Room To Grow

Here’s a fun fact: prior to the release of the Gen 5 games, an image of Snivy leaked online without its name. The online community nicknamed it “Smugleaf,” a nickname that stuck around for a good while, even after the official name was released.

No matter what you call it, Snivy is a solid choice of starter Pokemon. It’s a deceptively quick Pokemon despite its adorably stubby limbs, which means more first moves in combat so put your Quick Claws away.

Like any starter Pokemon, Snivy needs room to grow to reach its potential, not to mention shed those little hands and feet to become a proper snake.

6 Servine

Not Quite There Yet

It’s pretty much a rule of the franchise that all starter Pokemon have awkward middle phases before reaching their peak evolutions. Service is definitely one of the more awkward ones, closer to perfection than its predecessor, but definitely not there yet.

Servine still has arms and legs, small as they are, but its body is starting to reach its proper serpentine shape. It also has a smug disposition, whether or not it deserves it, which can make caring for them a bit of a chore.

Servine carries on Snivy’s high speed stat, but it still has a ways to go before it can reach the pinnacle of its abilities.

5 Onix

Brock’s Favorite

For those who have been around since Gen 1, Onix should be a familiar sight. It was Brock’s favorite Pokemon both in the games and anime, letting loose a distinctive bellow whenever Brock sent it out.

Onix is a bit… biologically confusing, as the large stones that make it up all seem to have the ability to spin and roll independently. That does make it quite good at digging, though, and goodness knows you wouldn’t want this thing digging beneath you.

Stat-wise, Onix has impressive defenses, able to endure even super effective attacks when it’s in peak form.

4 Sandaconda

Fear The Snotgun

Some Pokemon have abilities that sound silly on paper, but would be terrifying to actually encounter. Sandaconda, for instance, can launch saliva-hardened sand from its nose as sharpened gravel in a shotgun blast. A “snotgun,” if you will.

Not only does its larger pouch allow it to store more sand for this attack, but in its inflated state, it’s so thick that even a predator’s jaws can’t pierce it.

Befitting these qualities, Sandaconda has respectable attack and defense stats, which are boosted further in its unique Gigantamax form. Load it up with Ground and Rock moves, and you’ve got a solid vanguard.

3 Arbok

A Giant, Fearsome Cobra

Where Ekans is a fairly ordinary snake, Arbok turns up the fantastical element a bit that it was originally missing (even if the name is just “cobra” spelled backward with “K”).

For one thing, Arbok is huge, easily standing at or above its trainer’s height when fully reared. The distinctive face-like pattern on its large hood also makes it more intimidating, which is probably why it usually has the Intimidate ability.

Arbok’s stats are fairly standard, with a slant toward attack and speed, but it can boost its parameters with its signature move, Coil. It can also use most biting-style moves like Fire Fang or Ice Fang, which gives it extra type coverage.

2 Steelix

A Diamond In The Rough

You know how when coal is subjected to intense heat and pressure, it can be compressed into diamond? Well, that’s how an Onix evolves into a Steelix, and it’s just as tough as you’d expect.

Steelix’s massive head and jaws allow it to burrow down to the deepest depths of the Earth, chomping right through solid stone as it goes. It’s a favorite of Steel-type trainers, with the most prominent one being Jasmine’s Steelix.

Steelix’s base defense stat is absolutely ridiculous, ensuring all but the strongest super-effective moves won’t even dent it. If you need to play the long game in a battle, Steelix can endure with the best of them.

1 Serperior

The Epitome Of Snake-Hood

In its fully-evolved state, Snivy has finally reached the pinnacle of its potential. No longer does it need to walk around on stubby legs, instead slithering its majestic body around the forest.

Serperior has a royal disposition, driving away predators with nothing but a steely gaze and an upright, regal posture. There’s a reason this Pokemon is known as “The Lord of the Forest.”

While Serperior’s base attack stat is nothing special compared to the other Unovan starters, its speed is where it really shines, easily outpacing its contemporaries.

It might not hit the hardest, but it almost always gets the first move in, and with the right typing advantage, that’s often enough.