Top 12 Best Bat Pokémon - Bat-like Pokemon Guide

Over the years, many Pokémon designs have been inspired by real-life animals. Almost every generation introduces species based on dogs, birds, or butterflies, and, with the recent release of the trailer of DC’s “The Batman,” we thought that it was the perfect time to make a list of the best bat Pokémon.

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Best Bat Pokemon

12. Ultra Necrozma

The true form of the Light Trio’s final member, Ultra Necrozma is the form obtained by Necrozma when it’s in either its Dusk Mane or Dawn Wings form while holding an Ultranecronium Z. It reaches this form by going through a process called Ultra Bust, which is similar to Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion.

Once transformed, Necrozma’s appearance turns into that of a dragon-like creature with four wings that resemble a bat and can also learn the exclusive Z-move “Light That Burns the Sky.” It’s type combination changes to Psychic-Dragon, but this amazing form can only be activated once per battle.

11. Dawn Wings Necrozma

This form is the game mascot of Pokémon Ultra Moon and can be attained by Necrozma after fusing with Lunala through the use of the N-Lunarizer. It can learn Lunala’s signature move and its exclusive Z-move, and its type also changes from Psychic to Psychic-Ghost.

As it happens with Black and White 2, the plot of Ultra Moon goes around the fusion of two Legendary Pokémon, and, as its story develops, the player will have to face different forms of Necrozma up to three times, which is the most encounters against any Legendary Pokémon.

10. Lunala

In any other circumstance, Lunala would have been at the top of our list. But, despite trailing its Light Trio comrade, Lunala remains an incredible Pokémon that was also the first announced Legendary to be inspired by a bat.

Serving as the game mascot of Pokémon Moon, Lunala along with Solgaleo, became the first member of a Legendary trio to be obtainable through evolution, as it evolves from Cosmoem starting at level 53 and is one of Cosmog’s final forms.

9. Noivern

Introduced in Generation VI, the Flying-Dragon type is the final form of Noibat. Its appearance seems like a mixture of a bat and a dragon and seems inspired by a combination of different bats species.

It made a major appearance in the anime during the Kalos seasons as one of Ash’s Pokémon after being hatched from an egg and evolving from Noibat.

8. Gliscor

The Fang Scorpion Pokémon was introduced in Generation IV as the evolution of Gligar. Like most bat-inspired Pokémon, Gliscor is nocturnal and hangs upside down while sleeping. It’s also the Pokémon that can learn the most moves with a high critical-hit ratio, making him a great offensive threat for any trainer.

As well as Noivern, Gliscor had a major role in the anime series as one of Ash’s Pokémon. Initially caught as a Gligar, it evolves after facing its fear of battle and is arguably one of Ash’s most emotional Pokémon during the Sinnoh seasons.

7. Crobat

The final form of the original “Bat Pokémon” evolutionary family, Crobat evolves from Golbat after leveling up while having a high level of friendship with its trainer. Unlike its pre-evolutions, which debuted in Generation I, Crobat was introduced in Generation II.

Its additional set of wings help it improve its speed over its previous forms and, curiously, its color scheme is the reverse of Golbat’s.

6. Swoobat

Just like Crobat, Swoobat reaches its final form by leveling up with high a high friendship level. However, their appearances differ greatly. Swoobat is probably the cutest bat-inspired Pokémon, which is highlighted by its big eyes and its pink, heart-shaped snout.

It seems to be smiling at all times, which also gives it a much friendlier look than all other bat Pokémon.

5. Golbat

Based on a vampire bat, Golbat has a more cartoonish appearance than both its pre-evolution and its final form as it has a huge mouth that seems to be open at all times and very long feet, while also being the only form in its evolutionary family with legs and feet. Its wings also become much bigger than those of Zubat, and it gains eyes.

As a curious fact, Golbat and its evolutionary relatives are the only Pokémon with the Poison-Flying type combination.

4. Noibat

Introduced along with its final form in Generation VI, the Sound Wave Pokémon is the only in our list that’s capable of competing with Swoobat and Woobat when it comes to cuteness.

Its pale purple appearance and big, yellow eyes make it look mostly inoffensive and, curiously, despite its type combination, it can’t learn any dragon-type moves by leveling up.

Its base stats resemble those of Zubat and also give it the lowest base total among all dragon-type. However, its weaknesses are compensated when it reaches its final form.

3. Gligar

Gligar shares its category with Gliscor, and it’s probably the hardest Pokémon to evolve in our list. That doesn’t mean it is too difficult to do it, but it requires a more specific effort as Gligar needs to level up by night while holding a Razor Fang to be able to evolve.

Its type combination is one of the most unique in the franchise as, aside from it and Gliscor, Landorus is the only other Pokémon with the Ground-Flying type. This gives it a great advantage in battle as it makes it immune to Ground and Electric moves, though it must be careful against Ice and Water types.

2. Woobat

Along with the Zubat evolutionary family, Woobat is the only other Pokémon with the “Bat Pokémon” category. Its design, just like that of its final form, is one of the most adorable among all the bat-inspired species.

Aside from the heart-shaped nostril, it resembles a specific bat species in the real world: the Honduran White Bat.

Woobat and Swoobat share a move called “Simple Beam” that changes the target’s ability to “Simple” and became their signature move in Sword & Shield.

1. Zubat

The original Bat Pokémon made its debut among the first 151 Pokémon back in the late 90s. As a creature that lives in caves to hide from the sunlight, Zubat lacks eyes and nostrils and thus uses echolocation to move and locate its targets, just like real bats.

A curious fact is that it is said that Zubats hide from the daylight because it damages their skin.

Old-school fans will also remember Zubat as one of Brock’s Pokémon during the original series. Even though its capture took place offscreen, it became a fundamental part of his team to become a Crobat, after which it was lent to his younger brother Forrest to serve as a gym leader.

Final Thoughts

Despite not being among the most popular Pokémon in the franchise, the bat-inspired species have certainly earned a special place in it. They have often been used as part of the bad guys’ teams, becoming some of the most frequent adversaries to fight against.

However, not all of them have had the role of opponents. As we mentioned earlier, the real-world bats served as an inspiration to not only one, but to two main series game mascots in Pokémon Moon and Pokémon Ultra Moon, which gives them a place among the Pokémon elite.