Pokemon I wished that could be better and how to improve them

With Pokemon Sword and Shield on the horizon, there are bound to be tons of new Pokemon introduced. Some of which could become fan favourites in many ways or happened to be top tier threats for Smogon’s competitive battling. But there are some that are mediocre in every way if they happen to have poor stats, out casted by better Pokemon or struggled to keep up with the power creep as the metagame goes by.

There are times when some Pokemon have been given a buff which can happen as each generations goes by including giving a Mega Evolution or a new evolution, a stat boost, earning new abilities including Hidden Abilities, earning new moves and other mechanics changes (including the physical and special split as of Generation 4 which I say it helped a lot of Pokemon).

Here are the Pokemon that I wished that were better for competitive battling including ways that could help to improve them:

Flareon and Glaceon

As a huge fan of the Eeveelutions, I thought I’ll start off with the two Eeveelutions. Flareon has always been considered to be the worst Eeveelution with its small movepool. Whilst it did gain Flare Blitz, the strong STAB she needs in Generation 6, it still has many issues including its low speed and defense and many weakness as a Fire type. By the time it has gained the aforementioned Flare Blitz, it already has a tough competition against other Fire types in lower tiers including Magmortar and Rapidash and even with Flare Blitz, its movepool is still narrow.

What could help Flareon is an ability that gives it a Speed boost when switch into Fire type moves (like Flash Fire but instead giving her a useful stats boost) which could not only help her Speed stat but an opportunity to switch in. The other alternative ability I can come up with could be Drought, reducing its weakness to Water types (least against specially based ones) and giving it some good synergy with Chlorophyll sweepers.

 Also, maybe its Special Defense stat could be switched with either it Speed stat. It Special Defense is nice and all but this stats swap would make it a strong, fragile speedster that would help it to wall break or even sweep.  As for it movepool, it could have Wild Charge for Water types. It’s not uncommon for other Fire types to have Electric type moves including Rapidash with Wild Charge and Magmortar with Thunderbolt.

The other ‘worst’ Eeveelution is Glaceon. Being an Ice type with a base 130 Special Attack to fire strong Ice Beam or Blizzard is nice but being an Ice type is also a hindrance with it being the worst typing defensively, doing Glaceon no favours when it comes to switching in and handling hits. Glaceon is also held back with her poor Speed, small movepool and competition with other Ice types with greater niches including Rotom-F and Aurorus.

To improve Glaceon, I would give it Slush Rush which could help to patch up its low Speed while in the Hail (and it would set apart from Alolan Sandslash and Beartic by being the specially inclined Slush Rush user, least at this time of writing). The other ability of choice could be Snow Warming, allowing it to fire its powerful accurate Blizzard. I would add Freeze Dry to it movepool to give it the courage against Water types. While we’re on the subject of Ice types, I would add resistance to Ground and Flying types. Ice types only resist one type which is...Ice and adding these two resistance to common attacking types could help them out defensively.

Arbok and Seviper

Whilst Arbok has gained some interesting changes over the years including Coil, they’re never quite enough for Arbok to break out of mediocrity. What could help out Arbok is a Mega Evolution that would give it the stat boosts its needs (using Intimidate prior to Mega Evolving). The Mega Evolution could also give him a Dragon typing, giving him more resistances to set up Coil.

The other mediocre Snake, Seviper has always been under the shadows with its rival Zangoose with its frail defensives and awkward Speed stat. I would not only give it a much needed Speed boost but also a Dark typing that gives him an immunity to Psychic types and a STAB Sucker Punch (that could be added to its level up movepool) which could help to give it an easier time against offensive threats or even set up Swords Dance and Coil .

Rapidash

I have mentioned Rapidash before but Rapidash is another Pokemon that would need improving. Whilst it have decent type coverage, it Attack and Speed aren’t that impressive and is outcasted by Combusken in PU, out of all things.

I have come up with a Mega Evolution that could give it more unicorn like features which could give it a Fairy typing, adding more resistances and an immunity. The new ability could be Speed Boost, making Rapidash even more fast as shown in its debut Pokemon Anime episode (which was one of my personal favourite). All of this could make Rapidash a faster, stronger threat.

Dewgong and Walrein

Dewgong belongs in the overcrowded Water types who doesn’t stand out much with it mediocre stats, outcasted by nearly every other Water types in every way. What could give it a niche is the ability Prankster, giving her a priority Perish Song and making it one of the few Prankster users of it alongside Murkow. This could put set up sweeping opponents to a halt, forcing them to switch out (unless it happens to trap them with Whirlpool). Encore and Disable are other disruptive moves that could be used with Prankster. The other new ability it could have is Technician to make use of Ice Shard and Aqua Jet though that isn’t everything when you have a low Attack stat unlike Scizor and Breloom.

Dewgong’s cousin Walrein did have a niche with Stallrein sets with Hail back in the day but without the permanent Hail, there are less reasons to use Walrein. What could help to make it useable again is its own ability to summon Hail with Snow Warming and unlike Auroros and Abomasnow, it doesn’t have as much weakness. It can also use its STAB Water type moves to handle Fire types that would give Hail teams some trouble. It supporting moves including Encore, Yawn and Roar could help to provide further support. It may not be the same as Stallrein but probably enough to give it a new niche for Hail teams.

Tauros

Was once a top tier threat has greatly fallen with the power creep from many stronger threats which make its offensive stats look unimpressive by today’s standards.  This also gives it difficulties against newer defensive threats that walls its easily.A boost to his Attack and Speed stat would help Tauros to keep up with the power creep, along with a few additions to its movepool including Swords Dance to give it a much needed Attack boost (since Bouffalent has it too) and Close Combat to give him a stronger move against Rock and Steel types. They may not be enough to make Tauros a top tier threat like it once was but enough to keep it with many other wallbreakers.

Ledian

Ledian does have an interesting movepool yet is held back by its terrible stats barring Special Defense and typing, often considered a joke Pokemon because of it. It would be another Mega Evolution candidate if one were to improve it. Psychic could replace its Flying typing, giving it a unique typing (since its Pokedex entries suggest that it have connections with the stars). Its ability could be Magic Guard, removing its Stealth Rocks weakness and with boosted stats including its defensives and Speed, it would have more potential with supporting its teams with Dual Screens, Encore and Baton Pass.

Ariados

Ariados have gained some interesting changes in the past few generations but due to being a mediocre Bug types, it falls short of using them effectively, making him outcasted by other leads including Qwlifish and Froslass. I have come up with a Mega Evolution based on a Black Widow Spider, replacing its Poison type with a Dark type. The Dark typing would remove its Psychic weakness and add a resistance to Ghost and Dark type that could help him to set up Sticky Web and Toxic Spikes. The Mega Evolution could also give him a much needed speed boost (since Spiders are supposedly fast) and its new ability; Adaptability would make his STAB Megahorn and Sucker Punch more threatening (I did originally came up with Shadow Tag but it would make it banned). This would help Ariados to do what an Ariados can.

Girafarig

The main things that makes Girafarig stands out is its typing and having a Chain Chomp head like tail. Other than that, it is overshadowed by other Psychic and Normal types due to its mediocre stats.

What Girafarig needs is a boost for its offensive and Speed stats to make it more threatening (either with a Mega Evolution or just those stats alone). To make it more unique, it could have an ability that allows its to hit twice (with its Tail doing the second strike) though this could work too well and make it the next Mega Kangakhan.

Magcargo

Magcargo may have a good utility for a defensive Pokemon, it is held back by his x4 weakness to Water and Ground type among other problems including its low Speed and HP stat. There are some Pokedex entries that says Water becomes vaporised upon contact so let’s make this true for battling by giving it a new ability Storm Drain which removes one of his major weakness. His new immunity to give him more opportunities to set up Stealth Rock and spread stats plus the added boost to its Special Attack with Storm Drain could help it to hit harder so he could even use Shell Smash if one were to go for that role.

Corsola

Corsola does have a few nice traits including her recovery moves yet is let down by its stats and typing, making all the other Water and Rock types better than it in every way. As coral are classed as invertebrates, I would swap its Rock type with a Bug type since Bug types are invertebrates. This would give Corsola resistances to Fighting and Ground types which are common attacking stats. With boosted defensives and Special Attack to hit hard (either by Mega Evolution or just the stats themselves) plus Recover and Regenerator (which would make up for the added Stealth Rock weakness), this would make Corsola a sturdier Bulky Water with the resistances and longevity. 

Octillery

Whilst Octillery have the wide movepool and decent attacking stats, it is held back by its poor speed stat and only ok defensives, making it outcasted by other Water types. I would give him a Mega Evolution with boosted defensives to handle hits better and the ability Anlyatic which would benefit Octillery striking last. It would also have the type coverage to force switches, making Octillery a formidable wall breaker with its new Mega Evolution.

Hitmontop

Back in the days, Hitmontop used to be the most used Hitmon with his niche involving Rapid Spin with Foresight to bypass Ghost types and various utilities in double battles. Now it’s usage has been plummeted with the stronger metagame, better Rapid Spinners and Fighting types and only decent stats catching up to it. I have come up with move additions that could give it more utility including Drain Punch that gives him some recovery (a move that has a rather poor distribution and something that other bulky Fighting types including Throh and Poliwrath would benefit from), Circle Throw to phase out opponents that might try to use Hitmontop as a set up fodder and U-Turn for momentum (and I’m sure both of those moves would fit in with his Capoeria style). As its Attack and Defense stat are not that great (well mainly its Attack stat), I would give them an increase by five to ten points (and a Speed stat increase for Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan as it wouldn’t make sense to leave them out), allowing it to hit harder (especially if one were to use its Technician set) and handle hits more.

Swalot

Among the most forgettable Poison type with its so-so stats and little much to stand out. I have come up with a few ways to make it stand out including buff defensives and offensives to handle hits better and hit harder with his good type coverage. I would give it Toxic Spikes and Prankster ability which makes it one of the few Prankster Pokemon with entry hazards and with Yawn and Encore, this would cause more disruption to the opposing team, providing plenty of opportunities for setting up Toxic Spikes. A better recovery move would also help it as it only have Swallow and Rest, neither of which are ideal.

Grumpig

Grumpig is a rather odd case here. It has been a top tier Psychic type in PU though at this time of writing, it has competition with Musharna and Mesprit who outcast him. Whenever if it’ll regain its glory in lower tiers is remain to be seen but reguardless, he could receive some stat buffs for its Special Attack and Speed as they’re rather average at base, enabling it to hit faster and harder. Thick Fat is a great niche with his Special Defense though it could also have Magic Bounce since Grumpig is a bouncing Pokemon after all and a way to further support its team mates. The one thing that it would really need is Recover, gratefully helping out with its walling duties. Nasty Plot could also be added for ones who would use it offensively.

Lunatone and Solrock

Some have speculated the two Hoenn meteorite duo to be given some special treatment for Pokemon Sun and Moon including Mega Evolution. If this were to be true, then this would give them much needed stat boost. Levitate is a great ability for them but maybe their Mega Evolution could have a newer playstyle with their own unique abilities like Sunlight Glow and Moonlight Glow which could help them to handle hits. That would help them to give them the offensive or defensive capabilities they need. Also, Moonlight and Morning Sun could be added to their natural movepool for those who missed out on getting them from the Dream World.

Whiscash

Under the shadows with all the other Water/Ground types with its poor stats even with Dragon Dance, this could be reified by giving it a Mega Evolution. With boosted defensives, it could give Whiscash an easier time to set up a Dragon Dance and the boosted offensives would enable him to hit harder. As far as abilities concerned, one could be Huge Power to make him a physical threat or Adaptability to hit hard with his STABs that provide a good coverage, as long as they’re not Grass types but that’s what Bounce or Ice Beam are there for.

Tropius

Tropius’ mediocre stats would prevent it from shining even with a nice movepool. I remembered coming up with a new evolution that could swap out his Flying typing with a Dragon type, gaining Draco Meteor and Flamethrower to it movepool. This would make it a formidable sweeper under the Sun.  All of this could now be implemented as a Mega Evolution, giving Mega Sceptile a run for money, least with the Sun on its side.

Chimecho

Whilst Chimecho have a nice supporting movepool and some buffs for its defensives, they’re not enough to make it worth using. I would give it a Fairy typing with gives it an extra immunity to Dragon types as well as a neutralising its Dark and Bug weakness and an extra resistance to Fighting types. Give it more Special Attack and Defensives, then it would give it the tools it needs to support its team mates with moves including Healing Wish, Thunder Wave and Taunt while staying alive with Recover.

Deoxys

I’ve been mentioning the Pokemon that are in lower tiers but here’s a Pokemon that has always been Uber yet is considered a bad one; Deoxys normal form. The reason being is due to it being completely outcasted by the other forms. I would help that by not necessary making it ‘better’ but to give it a niche by changing its ability from the generic Pressure to Psychic Surge. With its automatic  Psychic Terrian set up, this would make Deoxys harder to revenge kill and hit harder with its STAB Psychic Boost as it sweeps or supports its teams. Of course, it would make sense if I give the other forms their own abilities with the Attack form Adaptability, Defense form Regenerator and Speed form Speed Boost. Still with this change, it would give regular Deoxys a chance to shine by differing from its forms.

Luxray

Luxray have little much to stand out against other Electric types in lower tiers including Eelecktross, The Raichus, Electivire, Zebstrika and Manectric who are all faster, stronger or have greater niches. With it average Speed stat and only ok defensives, I don’t think it would have as much justified usage anytime soon (as much as its design is quite cool) unless it could have some additions that could help it to stand out. Firstly, it could have Tapu Koko’s signature ability Electric Surge. With the support provided from its automatic Electric Terrian, it could help Luxray to give it a niche. Maybe it could also have a boosting move involving his Attack and Speed, helping it to wall break or even sweep effectively.

Vespiquen

Vespiquen stands out among the Bug/Flying types by having good defensives but is also held back by being a Bug/Flying type with multiple weakness including Stealth Rock. On the top with its small movepool, Vespiquen is unfortunately destined to be on the same ledge as forgettable Bug types. Let’s come up with ways to help the queen to gain its glory. Firstly, its typing could be changed to a Bug/Steel type which is a much better typing with only one weakness and more resistances. Secondly, I’ve come up with a unique ability for it; Hive Guard which protects it from indirect damage like Magic Guard which would allow it to improve it walling capabilities (even if it did not gain a type change). It could also have more supporting moves including Stealth Rocks, Taunt, Heal Bell and Thunder Wave. All of this would make the queen to watch out for.

Ambipom

Ambipom is a rather divisive Pokemon who only real use is to hit hard with a STAB Technician Fake Out and not much else. It’s usage have often continued to rise in RU which prevent it from remaining in NU where its arguably more variable. I don’t have anything against Ambipom itself but I guess I can see why with its faults including predictable movepool, easily walled, poor bulk and competition with stronger Normal types and more specialise offensive Pokemon. One way that could help to improve Ambipom is to give it a Fighting type, a typing that allows it to break through Rock and Steel types better with its STAB Low Kick or even Close Combat (it could use its tails to do the beating). A bit more Attack probably wouldn’t hurt either. With these improvements, this could give Ambipom a bit more love or at least some more viability.

Purugly

The other Gen 4 Normal type Purugly has always been held back with its mediocre Attack, low defensives and small movepool. It does have a niche with Defiant for Sticky Web and Defog teams in lower tiers but it’s still held back by its own problems. I’ve thought of a Mega Evolution that could give it a buff with its Attack stat, potentially using Defiant prior to Mega Evolving. Its new abilities could be Intimidate or Fur Coat to help it defensively (especially in double battles with Fake Out for the former) or Tough Claws to help it offensively. A better move for it to cover Rock and Steel types could be Close Combat (referring to cat fight), making Purugly more menacing as it looks.  

Lumineon

Lumineon looks pretty but that it’s pretty much all it has to offer with its poor stats and movepool, making it among the most forgettable Water type. It did have a small niche with Defog and Storm Drain but only just as it’s still outcasted by other Water types and Defoggers including Swanna and Silvally-W. I remembered a Smogon article about Pokemon that could gain Mega Evolutions prior to the release of Pokemon X and Y and Lumineon was the among the suggested Pokemon. Using their idea, it’s Mega Evolution could have Drizzle to give it a niche. Maybe it could also gain a Fairy type and Quiver Dance and/or Tail Glow which all could make Lumineon more threatening with its newfound Mega Evolution.

Dusknoir

The generations are becoming less kinder to Dusknoir with newer Ghost types to give it a run for money among other problems holding it back including having no powerful STAB move and low HP. The only thing that it has gained is Frisk and that’s about it. I remembered my Brother suggesting that it could gain a Mega Evolution with the ability Iron Fist with Shadow Punch and the elemental punches to take advantage of it which could make him an offensive tank.  I’ve come up with a stronger physical Ghost type STAB Shadow Grip at a base 85 or more base power that have a chance to flinch (which would be realistic) and Dusknoir would benefit gaining that (even if he’s too slow for the flinch chance unless he happened to be used for Trick Room teams).

Phione

Infamous for being an inferior Manaphy and not much else, I’ve come up with a Z Move that could give Phione a niche. The Z Move could not only summon the Rain but also give it a boost for all of its stats. This combined with Hydration would make Phione difficult to stop with status, turning Phione from a waste of space to a deadly threat.

Maractus

A lot of Gen 5 Pokemon tends to be very good in their own ways. Maractus is however not one of them with its poor stats and movepool, making it one of the most forgettable Grass types. It could be a candidate for a Gen 5 Mega Evolution (considering that we only have one which is Audino, out of all things), using Storm Drain or Water Absorb prior to Mega Evolution. Its Mega Evolution could give it a Fairy typing to gain some resistances and an immunity, more defensives and a new ability Spiky Body which damages the opponent upon contact (just like Iron Babs and Rough Skin). This could help Maractus in its new Mega Evolution to set up Spikes. More supporting moves including Taunt, Encore and Aromatherapy could be added for more defensive capabilities. It probably won’t be enough to make Maractus the new Ferrothorn but enough to make it viable.

  

Scrafty

Back in the early 5^th gen metagame, Scrafty was hyped for its typing and defensives. However, his low Attack and Speed makes it difficult for Scrafty to keep up with the fast paced Metagame along with other stronger, faster Fighting types that gives it a run for money. The 6^th gen made things worst for it with Fairy types preying on it. As suggested by my Brother, Scrafty could be another candidate for a 5^th gen Mega Evolution to give it a much needed boost for its Attack and Speed stat, using Intimidate prior to Mega Evolving for it to sweep with Dragon Dance and Bulk Up more effectively and its newly gained ability could be Filter to make harder to take it down. Sucker Punch could also help with its Speed issues.

Beheeyem

Whilst Beheeyem does have a niche with Trick Room and Nasty Plot, it still have its issues with its low Speed outside Trick Room, middling defensives, poor match ups against Dark types and outcasted by Musharna, Mespirt and in higher tiers, Reuniclus. What could help Beheeyem to stand out among them is a secondary typing which could be Steel to give it a bit more resistances and an immunity. More bulk could more useful to handle hits with its low Speed and the addition of Focus Blast to hit Dark and Steel types better.

Heatmor

Much like Seviper with Zangoose, Heatmor is outcasted by Durant in terms of competitive battling with his low Speed and defensives along with many other better fire types. I’ve come up with a Mega Evolution for it which have buffed Attacking and Defensive stats and the ability No Guard. With No Guard, this allows it to fire accurate Inferno; burning the Pokemon while hitting hard with its powerful STAB which a niche that other Pokemon have yet to have. On the top with its good type coverage moves including Focus Blast (which also benefits from No Guard), this would make Heatmor in its new Mega Evolution a deadly threat to switch into.

Kyurem and Kyurem-B

Poor Kyurem, having the not so distinct honour of being one of the few legendary Pokemon not being classed as an Uber and falling short of being an OU due to a number of reasons including his Ice typing giving him many weakness, middling Speed stat and small movepool. Whilst Kyrem White is an Uber, Kyurem-B has received the short end of the stick with having the same issues as regular Kyurem but also by having a poor Physical movepool to make use of his large Attack stat with no good physical Ice type STAB (Freeze Shock is a two turn move which is not ideal with Icium Z the closest thing to it but it’s a one off move at best).

What Kyurem-B really needs is Icicle Crash, a strong physical STAB to make use of his Attack attack along with other physical attacking movepool including Earthquake or Super Power for more coverage. As for regular Kyurem, maybe he could have Snow Warming or Slush Rush instead of the generic Pressure to make him stand out a bit. The former could allow him to fire powerful, accurate Blizzards to make him a fearsome special attacker along with Draco Meteor while the latter could make him a Hail sweeper. As for their Speed issues, they could gain Dragon Dance for more sweeping potential (it wouldn’t hurt to give it to Reshiram and Zekrom while we’re at it).

Talonflame

Now here’s a Pokemon that was a top tier due to its ability Gale Wings but with the said ability being nerfed, Talonflame have now fallen from a grace. While I do understand that it helps to balance Talonflame for a number of reasons, I do feel that it nerfs Talonflame a bit too much with Gale Wings will only activate at a full health yet Talonflame relies on Brave Bird which have the recoil and have weakness to Stealth Rock (and frankly, alternatives to Brave Bird pales in comparison with their low base power, especially considering Talonflame’s mediocre Attack stat). This makes Talonflame more difficult to use though I did have some success with its new set involving Swords Dance, Flame Charge and Flyinium Z. I would give it a more balanced nerf with Gale Wings activating at around 50% of its HP which would allow it to use Gale Wings at least once or twice. It’s that or give it Reckless for a newer playstyle.

Gogoat

Whilst Gogoat does have a niche as a Bulk Up user, it still has competition against most other Grass types with his mostly middling stats and four moveslot syndrome. If more Kalos Pokemon were to get Mega Evolutions, then Gogoat could be one of them, giving him the ability Speed Boost, potentially using Sap Sipper prior to Mega Evolving. This could make Gogoat difficult to stop as a speedy, Bulk Up user. Maybe it could also gain Swords Dance to make him a more threatening sweeper.

Meowstic –F

Whilst the male form have a niche with Prankster, the female form have received the short end of the stick with mediocre stats barring stats and competition with other offensive Psychic types. Even with Competitive for Defoggers, it is still have competition with other Defog switch ins. Having buff Special Attack and Defensives would help both Meowstic forms. For Meowstic-F itself, it could have Focus Blast to hit Dark and Steel types better and Nasty Plot for a stronger sweeper move. With a new ability in mind Magic Guard, this would enable Meowstic-F to hit harder with Life Orb without the recoil. The other idea is the improved Keen Eye which could give it perfect accuracy (just like in the Anime episode with Ash’s 7^th Kalos Gym Leader battle). With the aforementioned Focus Blast, this could give Meowstic-F a niche to fire accurate Focus Blast.

Trevenant

Back in the early days of the 6^th gen Metagame, Trevenant was an OU (if I remembered correctly, I think it was to serve as a counter to Starmie and Mega Kangakhan), only for it to plummet down since then. It’s not hard to see why with its not so impressive stats barring Attack, leaving it in the dust in favour of Gourgiest and most other Grass and Ghost types. A buff to its defensives (as well as a bit more Attack) would benefit Trevenaut to help it to Wall Break effectively with Choice Band or if it happens to use its Harvest sets. It could also gain Shadow Sneak to compensate its low Speed. Natural Cure is a good ability but maybe it could have Regenerator. That combined with Horn Leech, its buff defensives, Leech Seed and Synthesis which it could also gain could make it trickier to take down Trevenant.

Avalugg

As much as I like Avalugg, Avalugg is basically a rehash of Cryogonal; defensive Ice types with Rapid Spin and Recover but is ultimately let down by its Ice typing with bearing any resistance and a whole lot of weakness including Stealth Rock and no immunities (which is at least something that Cryogonal has with Levitate). Firstly, the main change that Avalugg needs is a better ice type STAB to make use of its Attack stat and that is Icicle Crash, something that is more reliable than Avalanche. As for its typing, the new additional type it could gain is a Ground type. Now it may would give it more exposable weakness against Water and Grass types but at the same time, it would gain it an immunity to Electric types while neutralising it’s weakness to Rock types. This would also gain it an STAB Earthquake. To compensate its added weakness, I would give it Filter ability (as much as Sturdy is a great ability to have).  With Icicle Crash, Earthquake, Recover and Rapid Spin (and maybe even its own Stealth Rocks), it would give him all it needs to tank opponents while hitting hard with its excellent offensive STABs. 

Crabominable

Crabominable have never quite live up to the hype of Crabrawler due to being another slow Ice typing with frail defensives. It can only really shine in Trick Room teams but even so, it does deserve to have more potential. Mach Punch and Ice Shard would really help with its really low Speed. Iron Fist is a pretty solid ability though why not give it Technician. This would turn Crabominable into a solid revenge killer with its excellent offensive STAB combination. It also would appreciate buff defensives along the way.

Lycanroc Midnight

Lycanroc Midnight form is considered the worst Lycanroc form with its lower Speed stat which is redistributed into its defensives which are not really that great (especially considered its typing) and gets no Accelerock. Maybe it could gain a Mega Evolution that could give it a much needed buffed Speed stat along with better defensives stats. This would help Lycanroc Midnight to have a much better time taking down teams with its No Guard (that could be retained) Stone Edge. Stronger type coverage moves including Earthquake and Super Power would benefit it too.

Lurantis

Lurantis didn’t have an easy start in life with a lot of people giving it a flax for its low Speed, movepool issues and Attack and Defensives are just about average. It did gained a niche in PU as a Contrary Defogger with Leaf Storm and Super Power (and a Trick Room attacker for Double Battle formats). Still, Lurantis could be a 7^th gen candidate for an even better Mega Evolution. The Mega Evolution I’ve come up with involves giving it a Fighting type for STAB Super Power or even Close Combat and retaining its Contrary ability. Give it a huge boost in its Speed stat and Lurantis in its newfound Mega Evolution which would make it a deadly Contrary sweeper. 

Guzzlord

The worst ultra beast who is the only one who is unviable higher tiers and have no usage in VGC tournaments due to its x4 Fairy weakness, low Speed and defensives and only decent Attacking stats. It does shine well in lower tiers as a Wall Breaking but let’s give Guzzlord some more love by buffing its defensive and offensive stats for it to handle hits better and hit harder. It could have Sucker Punch to compensate its low Speed and a better recovery that isn’t the gimmicky Swallow. Some more defensive moves including Taunt and Stealth Rocks could be added for Guzzlord to perform better as a wall. 

 To round off this article, the following are quick fire honourable mentions:

Cruised with one of the worst typing in the game, how about give Parascet a Ghost or Dark typing (referring to the fact that it's a bug in control with a zombie parasite). Some more Attack and defensives would help it too. 

Golduck does have some potential in the rain but otherwise have little much to stand out against other Water types. The only thing it really needs are stat buffs for its Special Attack and Speed. Maybe a Psychic type would help it to stand out more (since its Pokedex entries would suggest that).

Dodrio has received a lot of buffs in Gen 7 with more Speed, Swords Dance and Jump Kick. All it needs is a better ability which could be Speed Boost which could make it even more threatening.

All of Aerodactyl’s abilities are pretty much worthless so could gain Head Smash and Brave Bird to make use of his long neglected Rock Head ability. It would also benefit its Mega Evolution for much needed STABs to make use of Tough Claws.

Sunflora would be my other Gen 2 candidate in mind though I’ve actually found a Smogon article that suggests that it could gain a Mega Evolution (which also have Dewgong, Seviper and Heatmor) with a Fire type, Overheat and Contrary. Needless to say that the idea is so good that I can’t think of anything else without stealing their idea.

Umbreon is one of the many Eeveelutions that have declined in usage with the power creep (especially with newer Fighting types) and gained little much else (asides from Foul Play which is unreliable at best). It could have Poison Heal ability for constant healing (since the Pokedex have always been mentioning about having some Poison abilities of somekind).

Dunsparce could get a Mega Evolution for some stat buffs. And I’m sure we all know what it can already do here.

Breloom could have a Speed buff as its Speed stat is not very impressive outside Mach Punch. A bit more defensives would also help it out.

Flygon did gained Dragon Dance though maybe it could gain a buff for its Attack and/or Speed stat as they're only average at best. Also, Flygon did intended to get a Mega Evolution, only for Game Freak to have a creator's block. If it did gained a Mega Evolution, maybe it could have the playstyles as suggested by Smogon here

Huntail and Gorebyss do have niches with Shell Smash (and Baton Pass barring bans) though still have some rough competition. Maybe they could gain Mega Evolutions and secondary typings including Dark and Psychic respectively (and the abilities Intimidate and Magic Bounce) to make them stand out.

Salamence is an odd case here who has been good, then got nerfed by Fairy types, received a Mega Evolution that became banned in Uber and now it’s currently in the limbo of UUBL being outcasted by Garchomp and Dragonite and fares poorly in the Fairy type metagame. Whilst I wouldn’t say it’s ‘bad’, maybe it could gain some new toys for a second chance in life including a new priority move Dragon Strike (which could also be given to Mega Garchomp who needs more love, Haxorus and Guzzlord) as it deserves better. Speaking of Mega Garchomp, it could have Sand Rush instead of Sand Force to fix its speed issues.

Mothim needs more speed for it to wall break with Choice Specs or even sweep with Choice Specs more effectively. Also, why not give it (along with Yanmega) Hurricane  while we're at it?

Mismagius does have some decent niches in lower tiers though its best stats are just about average at best outside of Nasty Plot which all could be buffed by a Mega Evolution. A Fairy type could help it too, giving it even more immunities.

Drapion's Attack and Speed are not very impressive. A boost to those stats would be well appreciated, along with some better abilities including Intimidate defensively, Moxie for offensive sets. 

Give Carnivine more Attack, defensives, elemental fangs and Strong Jaw and it'll make it stand out as a Grass type with a wide wall breaking coverage. 

Rotom Fan (aka Rotom-S) needs a better ability including Prankster as Levitate on a Flying type is redundant.

Darkrai’s controversial move Dark Void have given a huge nerf though the blame is more to do with Smeragle for VGC tournaments. Dark Void can no longer be sketched but now also have a 50% accurately which hits Darkrai itself wheras it’s Smeragle the one to blame with. I would just leave it with Dark Void unable to be Sketched and change it back to 80% (as it’s accuracy wasn’t that great to begin with) in exchange of only hitting a single target per turn.

What Unfezent really needs is Brave Bird as it have no good physical Flying STAB that would make good use of its great Attack stat.

Whilst Zebstrika have a niche as a fast Electric type in lower tiers, it really needs a boost to its mediocre Special Attack and more physical Attacking moves including Super Power to make good use of its otherwise better Attack stat.

Seismitoed does have some decent niches in lower tiers as a Stealth Rock setter though most of its stats are not that impressive that best. Some more defensives wouldn’t hurt for it to function as a bulky water type better along with a Special Attack buff since it have a Special orientated movepool yet it have a higher Attack stat but with a worse physical attacking movepool. Ice Beam could be added too since he doesn’t get it for some reason. On a similar subject, Gabodor have a great niche in NU as a Spiker though it could have better stats in the long run.

Haxorus could gain a Mega Evolution to give it a much needed buff for its Speed and Defensives stats. Fighting type could be added and before you say there’s Fairy types, he could have an ability that bypass Fairy’s immunities to Dragon.

Pyroar would really need a better ability like Intimidate or Solar Power. Having Moxie on a Special Attacker is a joke.

Goodra is currently lagging behind with all the other Psuedo Legendaries. Having Recover would change everything.

Currently the weakest Island Guardians, Tapu Fini would benefit from a recovery move including Moonlight to improve its bulky water capabilities. 

Necroma Dawn Wings received the short end of the stick comparing to the Dusk Mane counterpart with it being outcasted by Lunala with its better Speed and movepool and typing that makes poor use of Prism Armor. Maybe it could have a better ability to make it stand out like an ability that gives it a boost for its STAB moves, making it more difficult to switch in and for it to wall break effectively. 

So there you have it there are many Pokemon that are not very good from the start or some that used to be top tier threats that have fallen by the wayside. But as shown before, there are many ways that can help to make them more viable or to keep up with newer Metagames and with Sword and Shield on their way with a whole new Metagame, possibilities are endless.