Summary
Johto, often considered Kanto 2.0, iterated on the previous game in many ways (literally for a fewPokemon). It expanded the series by adding two new types, Steel and Dark, as well as type combos that had never been seen before.
Despite this focus on new player options, several Pokemon have typings that don’t entirely match their lore and abilities. Interestingly, over half of Johto’s Pokedex only have one type, while several could benefit from a second one. Surely, if Game Freak was given a second opportunity, these Pokemon would have slightly different typings.
Updated June 15, 2025 by Ben Painter: There are some Pokemon in the franchise that feel like they should be a different type. A big example of this is Gyarados, who should be a Dragon-type. This is more prevalent in the older generations, and Generation 2 is no exception.
There are several Pokemon who feel like they should be a different type in appearance and give them a needed boost for use in the games. This update addsfive more Johto Pokemon who have the wrong type.
1Ledian
The Five Star Pokemon
Considering this Pokemon is categorized as the Five Star Pokemon, it is anything but. In fact, it is very average.Ledian’sstats are terrible for a fully evolved Pokemon, and it doesn’t last long after the second gym, as it just cannot keep up.
Bug/Fighting makes a lot more senseas it can learn a lot of Fighting-type moves, such as Mach Punch, Focus Punch, and Brick Break. It looks something like a superhero and Game Freak should have played up to that fact. Its hidden ability is Iron Fist, which powers up punching-based moves. With the change of type, it should also be able to learn the elemental punches, giving this Pokemon an extra dimension. There are so many Bug/Flying types, so some variation would be nice.
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2Yanma
The Clear Wing Pokemon
As previously stated, there are a lot of Bug/Flying types in the game, so there is a cry to change a few of these types and one of these isYanma. As it is based on a dragonfly, it makes sense to give this Pokemon a Dragon typing, as it is right there in the name.
Yanma received a new evolution in Generation 4, Yanmega, but it was still not given a Dragon typing. There is actually no Pokemon that has this type in the game and Yanmega and Flygon are certainly two Pokemon who should be given it. Perhaps inPokemon Legends Z-A, these Pokemon will receive a Mega Evolution that will finally give them the typing they deserve.
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3Bellossom
The Flower Pokemon
Back in Generation 2,Bellossomwas introduced as a new branched evolution from Gloom, a Grass/Poison type Pokemon. But Bellossom became just a Grass-type, the only Pokemon in the franchise to just lose a type upon evolution.
If the Fairy-type was around in Gen 2, Bellossom would certainly have become Grass/Fairy. When it was introduced in Generation 6,past Pokemon changed types to receive the Fairy type, but Bellossom was left waiting. This ‘mon just has a Fairy feel to it, a little dancing creature with a grass skirt. Bellossom is an underused Pokemon and adding this extra element to it would make it stand out.
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4Ampharos
The Light Pokemon
WhenPokemon Gold & Silverwere in development,Ampharoswas designed as a Dragon-type, hence why it looks very different from its sheep-based pre-evolutions. Its name in Japanese is Denryu, which means “electric dragon.”
This change of typing did happen inPokemon X & Ywith the Pokemon’s Mega Evolution, which became a Dragon with its long fluffy locks. There is no explanation why Ampharos lost its typing when the full games were released. Due to the distinct lack of Dragons in Generation 2, it should have kept this type.
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5Sudowoodo
The Imitation Pokemon
This Pokemon’s whole gimmick is that it is a rock that disguises itself like a tree, which blocks the path for a player in the Generation 2 games. Although that is very much the point,Sudowoodojust looks more like a tree than a rock, so it should have been given at least a part Grass typing.
It can learn the Grass moves Wood Hammer, Trailblaze, and Grass Knot, which makes sense, although it may take away the point of this Pokemon. It tricks players into attacking it with Bug, Flying, or Fire moves, all of which it resists and can counter with Rock moves.
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6Umbreon
The Moonlight Pokemon
Umbreonis perhaps one of the strangest of the “Eeveelutions.” While all the others clearly stay on theme for their respective types, Umbreon veers into the Poison category. While most of its Pokedex entries focus on the Pokemon’s connection to the moon, a few highlight its ability to spray poisonous spores as a defense mechanism.
Unfortunately, changing Umbreon’s typing to Poison would mess up the sun and moon aspect it has with Espeon (and take away one of the Dark-type’sbest designs). The best-case scenario would be a Dark/Poison type if Game Freak would allow a dual-type Eeveelution. As is, it looks like Umbreon’s typing will always conflict with its lore.
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7Meganium
The Herb Pokemon
Of all the starters,Meganiumis probably one of theworst ones. While it’s often viewed as nothing more than a dinosaur with a flower slapped on it, its Pokedex entries reveal it has abilities fitting to the Fairy-type. It has the ability to calm aggressive feelings with its aroma (an ability similar to another Fairy-type, Comfey).
Not only that, but it blunts its opponent’s “fighting spirit,” so it would be fitting for Meganium to be super-effective against Fighting types. Unfortunately, Meganium does not learn many Fairy-type moves, which makes this suggestion unlikely. Hopefully, Game Freak remembers this starter and gives it a regional form sometime in the future.
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8Politoed
The Frog Pokemon
Politoedis probably one of the weirder suggestions, as Normal-type Pokemon typically weren’t Dual-typed until later generations. This trend could easily be retroactively applied to Politoed in future games. This new typing would emphasize Politoed’s powerful voice, as nearly every Pokedex entry makes sure to mention it, and the Normal-type is the closest thing Pokemon has to a Sound-type.
Giving it a second typing would at least put it on the same playing field as Poliwrath. After all, why pick this Pokemon if it’s still a mono-type? Giving it the Normal-type is the least Game Freak could do for Politoed.
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9Blissey
The Happiness Pokemon
Blissey’snew typing is fairly obvious. After Audino got a mega evolution in the Hoenn remakes and became a Fairy-type, it became clear how weird it was that Blissey wasn’t a Fairy-type. Audino was essentially a Chansey replacement for the anime, and Blissey is basically mega Chansey, so shouldn’t they both be Fairy-type?
If anything, it almost seems disrespectful to the original healer Pokemon that its replacement has gotten more special treatment than the original. While Blissey will always be one of thebest tanksin the game, making it a fairy would cover its one weakness, so keeping it Normal-type might be for the best.
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10Ariados
The Long Leg Pokemon
It’s kind of crazy that it took until the 9th generation of Pokemon to get the first Bug/Dark type, especially whenAriadoswas released in Gen 2 with itsterrifying design. While some spiders are venomous, Ariados’s Pokedex entries don’t reference its poison typing at all.
Instead, they emphasize its cruel nature and tendency to follow its prey back to its home/nest and hunt its friends. It seems like something an evil or Dark Pokemon would do. Combine that with its fearsome appearance, and the Dark typing seems much more fitting (and unique) for the first spider Pokemon.
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