ThePokemonseries has developed a reputation for inconsistency over the years. However, one aspect of the game where fans have come to expect consistency is within the rosters of new Pokemon introduced in each generation. Game Freak always does a tremendous job of offering new and exciting creatures for players to catch and train. That’s not to say that there are never any duds. Every rule has its exceptions. But overall, the Regional Dex of each generation is one of the highlights of the game.
When Gen 3 was introduced on the GameBoy Advance in 2003, it was throughPokemon Ruby and Sapphire, and the Regional Pokedex did not disappoint. Gen 3 gave fans some fantastic new Pokemon and brought back some of the strongest creatures from past generations.However, some are more powerful than others. Here arethe strongest Pokemon in the Ruby and Sapphire games, according to their stats.
Updated Aug 09, 2025, by Ben Painter:Generation 3 holds a special place in fan’s hearts and Ruby & Sapphire kicked off things in 2003. There are some insane Pokemon in those games. It is the only generation to have two pseudo-legendary Pokemon, along with a whole host of Legendary Pokemon for fans to catch and use against some of the hard fights in Hoenn. There are not just Generation 3 Pokemon on this list but Pokemon from the previous two generations that gamers can use during a playthrough of Pokemon Ruby or Sapphire.
27Altaria
Base Stat Total: 490
Altaria is a Dragon/Flying-type with a defensive focus in its stats. Dragon/Flying offers ahealthy amount of resistance at a total of 5 with immunity to Ground, but the combination does come with a scary 4x Ice weakness.
Altaria’s abilities aren’t particularly amazing, Natural Cure gets rid of status conditions when it’s switched out, and Cloud Nine removes the effects of weather conditions, although the actual weather still stays. Altaria’s pre-evolution, Swablu, can be found on Routes 114 and 115. But gamers can go ahead and catch Altaria at Sky Pillar, which is only available after the Elite Four.
75
70
90
105
80
490
26Exploud
Exploud is a pure Normal-type Pokemon and a mixed attacker with a high HP stat. As isthe tradition of a Normal-type, Exploud has a very wide movepool. It learns good attacking moves ranging from the Normal, Fire, Ice, Electric, Fighting, Ground, Ghost, and Psychic-types.
As for the abilities, they are again not outstanding.Soundproof makes Exploud immune to any sound-based attacks, which can be helpful, but not to an extreme degree. Scrappy allows Exploud to hit Ghost-type Pokemon with Normal moves. This effect is actually not bad, so this is definitely the better of the two abilities. Exploud’s base form of Whismur can be found at Route 116 or the Rusturf Tunnel.
104
91
63
68
25Armaldo
Base Stat Total: 495
Armaldo and Cradily are theFossil Pokemon of Generation 3. Armaldo is the more offensively focused one, asit has very high Attack and Defensewith poor Speed.
Its type combination of Rock/Bug gives it only two resistances, to Normal and Poison, but it balances this out with just three weaknesses: to Rock, Steel, and Water. It gets Battle Armor and Swift Swim as its abilities. Battle Armor blocks all Critical Hits and Swift Swim doubles Armaldo’s Speed stat in the Rain.
125
100
45
495
24Cradily
Cradily is one of the best examples of a “difficult to KO” Pokemon. It has middling attacking stats, but good HP, Defense, and Special Defense,at the cost of being very slow. Itsunique type combination of Rock/Grassgives it an odd mixture of weaknesses to Ice, Fighting, Steel, and Bug, with two resistances to Normal and Electric. Cradily also learns several moves to increase its lasting power, such as Leech Seed, Ingrain, Giga Drain, and Stockpile.
Finally, Cradily’s Abilities are Suction Cups and Storm Drain. Suction Cups prevent Cradily from being switched out for any reason. Useful for keeping your stat changes. Storm Drain not only gives Cradily immunity from Water moves, but it also redirects them in Double Battles and gives it a Special Attack boost whenever it’s hit by one.
InRuby and Sapphire, only1 of either Cradily or Armaldo can be picked from on Route 111. It is possible to get both in Emerald, but the game must be beaten first.
86
81
97
107
43
23Claydol
Base Stat Total: 500
Claydol is a Ground/Psychic-type Pokemon withvery high defensive statsand average offensive ones. Ground/Psychic is very a “give and take” combination, as it comes with six weaknesses, but with four resistances and two immunity.
In addition, Claydol’s only ability is Levitate, giving it another immunity to Ground. Claydol makes for a good Reflect and Light Screen setter thanks to its defenses, not only increasing the survivability of itself but its combat partners also. Claydol’s first form of Baltoy can be found on Route 111.
60
120
500
22Wailord
Wailord is a pure Water-type Pokemon. It has tremendous HP, and solid attacking stats,but poor defenses and Speed. Pure Water is a very good type, as it comes with only two weaknesses and four resistances. Wailord has 3 abilities; Water Veil, Oblivious, and Pressure.
To start off, Pressure isn’t very helpful. All it does is make its opponent use two Power Points (PP) instead of one when they attack. Water Veil prevents Wailord from getting a burn, useful for allowing it to keep using itsPhysical moves at full power. Oblivious blocks Infatuation, Intimidate, and Taunt, which are all useful effects to avoid. Wild Wailmer can be found just about anywhere there is water via fishing.
170
21Tentacruel
Base Stat Total: 515
Created in Generation 1, Tentacruel is a Water/Poison-type Pokemonthat has a base stat total of 515. It hasexceptionally high Speed and Special Defense stats, which complement its amazing defensive-type combination. This combines to make Tentacruel a tough opponent, as it can take a ton of Special Attack hits with little to no issues. Tentacruel is a very strong Pokemon despite how common it is, and makes a great addition to almost any lineup.
Tentacruel can be found by surfing or using the Super Rod in the Abandoned Ship, but its pre-evolution Tentacool can be found basically anywhere there’s water, using surfing or fishing.
65
515
20Gardevoir
Base Stat Total: 518
Introduced in Generation 3, Gardevoir is a pure Psychic-type Pokemon with abase stat total of 518. It is decently fast withamazing Special Attack and Defense, making it quite a heavy hitter. It is a very difficult Pokemon to use inRuby and Sapphire, as it can only be found on one route in its earliest evolution, and its encounter rate is very low. On top of that, the line is incredibly weak until it hits the Gardevoir evolution at level 30. Your time is far from wasted though, as Gardevoir is a solid Pokemon.
The only way to get a Gardevoir is to fully evolve its base form, Ralts, which only shows up on Route 102 in the grass. It only spawns 4% of the time, making catching one quite the hunt.
115
518
19Flygon
Base Stat Total: 520
Flygon is a Ground/Dragon-type Pokemon with abase stat total of 520. The stats are balanced overall, excluding its physical Attack and Speed, which are a lot higher than the rest.Ground/Dragon is an excellent type combination offensively, but this does come at the cost of Flygon not being the easiest Pokemon to use.
It doesn’t become its final form until level 45, and the second evolution of this line, Vibrava, is middling compared to the base and final forms, so it is a hurdle you have to surmount. Flygon is only usable by fully evolving a Trapinch, which can be found on Route 111 35% of the time. If playing theEmeraldversion specifically, it can also show up in the Mirage Tower with a 50% spawn rate.
520
18Aggron
Base Stat Total: 530
The Iron Armor Pokemon, Aggron is a Steel/Rock-type, with abase stat total of 530,with a physical focus. Aggron excels in defense and attack. It can hit hard but also take attacks well. This comes in handy as this Pokemon has two 4x weaknesses to both Ground and Fighting. Being Steel-type it has a lot of resistances, seven in Generation 3.
Both pre-evolutions of Aggroncan be found at Victory Road, although it’s not recommended to catch them there due to how late in the game that location is. It’s better to catch an Aron in Granite Cave and evolve it from there. It can be found early on but will need to be level 42 to reach its final form.
110
180
50
530
