Pokemon Go Worth Powering Up

Although the highs of Summer '16 will likely never be surmounted, Pokémon GO is still going stiff with a cadre community of battlers. But if you're new to the game, or simply struggling to know which critter to power up, we've got a handy list of the best Pokémon in Pokémon Become.

Stardust – the in-game currency you'll utilise to power upwardly your Pokémon – is a precious commodity, and then exist careful how yous spend it. Your safest bets will exist on powerful Pokémon to employ when battling in raids or gyms, but you can also wait at more than unique monsters for PvP battles in the GO Battle League.

In that location are far more permutations and viable options in GO Battle League – as well as different recommended IV spreads if you lot want to go really technical. However, nosotros'll kick things off by looking at the well-nigh powerful Pokémon overall, the ones you lot'll want to be using in gyms and raids. Just make sure to check out our Pokémon type chart to make sure you're always dealing super-effective damage wherever possible.

For battling in gyms and raids you lot desire to power upwardly the Pokémon with the all-time Iv stats. To check this, hit the push button with three horizontal lines in the bottom-correct of your screen when looking at a Pokémon. Select 'assess' from the menu and check the stats – yous'll want all iii bars to exist as close to the end every bit possible, preferably red which means that stat is maxed out. You can't change these stats, so don't bother powering upwards a Pokémon that doesn't wait likewise great hither.

Look out for Pokémon in your box that know legacy moves – these are moves that tin only be accessed in certain events or with a rare Elite TM.

Nosotros'd like to thank this fan-maintained chart for all its data on Pokémon GO stat distributions, as it helps all players know what to look out for. Withal, we've done some digging to detect the all-time Pokémon based not only on their stats, merely also on their viability against common opponents and in diverse situations.

Best Pokémon GO attackers

(Shadow) Mewtwo

Put but, Mewtwo is the best Pokémon. With a CP that reaches over 4,000 and devastating legacy attacks in Psystrike and Shadow Ball, Mewtwo can bargain huge impairment fifty-fifty in neutral matchups. Running Defoliation and Psystrike is optimal, but other movesets even so deal massive damage – just set it up and then you're doing super-effective damage and sentry opponents fall. If you don't have access to legacy moves, Psychic will deal big STAB damage and Focus Blast tin can have out normal- or steel-types you come across.

Shadow Mewtwo is considerably harder to come by – especially if you want the all-time IVs – and costs considerably more stardust to power upwardly, but deals 20% more than damage. The Shadow bonus also means Mewtwo has 83% of its regular defence, but the assault boost is worth the debuff. Make sure to use a TM on Frustration during specific Team Rocket events which allow it, and and then apply an Aristocracy Charged TM to get a Shadow Mewtwo with Psystrike.

(Shadow) Metagross

Metagross is the best steel-type Pokémon GO attacker. Its legacy move Meteor Mash is probably the all-time steel-blazon move in the game, and Metagross has access to some great coverage moves such every bit Earthquake, likewise. Its majority will go on it in the battle for a while, allowing you to get off more charge moves.

The same goes for Shadow Metagross as Shadow Mewtwo: information technology's more powerful attacking, but more expensive to power upwardly and takes more damage. If you lot tin become your hands on one, though, it'due south worth it.

Read more: How to get all the Eevee evolutions in Pokémon GO

Machamp

Machamp is a powerful aggressor, although it is a lilliputian on the frail side. However, equally you'll come up to realise when y'all read on, many of the best defensive Pokémon are weak to fighting-type attacks, giving Machamp a singled-out advantage. We recommend running Counter/Dynamic Punch, although both Cross Chop and Close Combat will exercise well, too.

Rayquaza

Rayquaza, similar other legendary Pokémon, is now but bachelor through Legendary raids. You lot'll need a team of trainers to take it on, but if successful, yous'll be rewarded with one of the most powerful dragon-types in Pokémon GO. Make certain not to become up against any ice-types, considering Rayquaza has a double weakness, only other than that you'll be pretty much fine.

Kyogre

The best water-type currently available in Pokémon Go, Kyogre is regularly available in raids and boats a great defence stat as well as stiff attack. Use Hydro Pump or Surf to go past bulky stone- and footing-type defenders or raid bosses. Ice Beam is another option if yous're taking on a dragon or desire some coverage against grass-types who'll exist dealing super-effective damage in return.

Groudon

Groudon unfortunately suffers from a double weakness to h2o, just its wealth of moves more than brand upward for the fact. We similar doubling up on Burn Dial and Convulsion, but if you haven't got 100 candy and 100,000 stardust to spend on a second charge motility, just one will do.

(Shadow) Salamence

If you're after a dragon-blazon, Salamence could be a slap-up option. Easier to come past than Rayquaza, Salamence tin deal some cracking impairment with its Dragon Tail/Draco Meteor combination.

As with Mewtwo and Metagross, the Shadow version of Salamence is a superior attacker – and so keep hold of whatsoever Shadow Bagons with a minimum of 3-star IVs.

Thundurus (Therian class)

Thundurus is the best Electric-type attacker thanks to its huge assault stat and decent defence. It is given a run for its money by Raikou in both its regular and shadow forms, too as Zekrom, only ultimately a combination of all three will do you well if y'all're taking on a Water or Flight-type raid dominate. Mega Manectric and Mega Ampharos will boost your Electrical-types' attacks, so it's worth adding one of those to your raid team, as well.

Lucario

Lucario is another fighting-type similar Machamp who can deal massive harm to common defenders. Machamp maxes out at 3056CP compared to Lucario's 2703CP, but the latter has access to Aureola Sphere – a improve fighting-type accuse move than Machamp has access to – and Power-upwards Punch, which boosts its attack stat by one stage each time it is used. Getting off a few of these tin rapidly make Lucario into a astounding assaulter.

Super-constructive: Make sure you know your Pokémon type nautical chart

Rampardos

Rampardos has the best attack stat out of any non-legendary Pokémon currently bachelor in Pokémon GO. All the same, it is an incredibly delicate monster, and will go down in just a few hits. Yet, if you want a glass cannon that you can utilize to go some big impairment off quickly, Rampardos is your best pick. Stick to rock-type moves and try to bargain super-effective damage confronting flying-, problems-, fire-, or water ice-types for best results.

Tyranitar

If you want a rock-type attacker who will stick around a scrap longer, Tyranitar is your best choice. Aim for the legacy fast move Smack Down combined with Stone Border, just Bite and Crisis volition do smashing damage confronting Psychic-types, besides. Rhyperior is another great choice for a powerful rock-blazon attacker, just Tyranitar's resistance to Mewtwo's psychic- and ghost-blazon moves puts information technology just ahead in our book.

Best Pokémon Get defenders

Blissey

Blissey has huge HP and defence stats, making it the perfect Pokémon to leave in a gym for a couple of hours to collect your daily coins. Information technology won't practice much damage in return to attackers, just its bulk will keep it there for a long time. If there'southward already a Blissey in the gym you desire to defend – utilise Chansey, Blissey'southward unevolved form. It's nearly every bit bulky and every bit abrasive to shift.

Snorlax

Snorlax is some other large bulky normal-blazon. Use in much the same way as you would Blissey – stick it in a gym and forget about information technology.

Slaking

Tin can you see a pattern emerging here? Slaking has the most CP out of whatever Pokémon in Pokémon Get and a good defense stat, too. Information technology's normal-typing means it is only weak to fighting-type attackers, and so Machamp or Lucario. Choice any of the "big 3" normal-types to agree a gym all twenty-four hour period, although it might exist worth calculation a Machamp counter to the roster if it looks a little weak to fighting-types.

Mewtwo

Speaking of fighting-type counters, Mewtwo will shut downwardly Machamp in an instant. Use Psystrike or Psychic to protect your normal-types. However, it is worth remembering that legendary Pokémon can't be put in gyms, so you'll have to discover some other psychic-type to fulfil that role. Mewtwo is best utilised as a defender in PvP Master League.

Metagross

If yous wanted a psychic-type to defend a gym, Metagross is the best pick. Give a defensive Metagross Psychic instead of Shooting star Mash or Earthquake to best bargain with those pesky Machamps.

Togekiss

Togekiss is a bulky fairy- and flying-type Pokémon whose best job is providing a hard counter to the dragon-types that dominate attackers. Amuse is a must-accept fast movement as it will chunk the wellness of any dragon-types and be constructive in most neutral matchups likewise. Dazzling Gleam as a charge motion will terminate off any dragons you lot might face. Machamps will also have no risk confronting a Togekiss.

Dragonite

While it suffers from the same double weakness every bit Rayquaza, very few ice-types brand it into attacking teams. Dragonite also offers better defence force than Rayquaza – as well equally being easier to get hold of from 10km eggs – so tin can agree its own in a defensive position. A good assail stat and flying-typing makes it a prissy Machamp counter in a gym.

Registeel

Steel is a neat defensive typing with few weaknesses, and Registeel has the all-time combined stats out of all the steel-types in Pokémon GO. Again, as information technology is legendary, it can't be put into gyms, but information technology volition be found on a high percentage of Great League teams in GO Battle League.

Melmetal

Melmetal is the first and only Pokémon introduced by Pokémon Get rather than in a main series game. Information technology is also the merely mythical or legendary Pokémon that can exist left to defend a gym. This makes it the all-time steel-type to defend gyms, preferably using Superpower and/or Rock Slide to deal the most damage. As with all steel-types, watch out for Machamps.

Shuckle

Shuckle deserves a mention purely for its astonishing defense stat. At 396, the merely Pokémon to come up close is Deoxys Defense class at 330, and the closest non-fable is Bastiodon with 286. However, a poor HP stat and abysmal attack makes Shuckle practically useless. However, it's still fun to whack i in a gym and watch attackers struggle to beat the little bug.

All-time Pokémon for Pokémon Go PvP (GO Battle League)

There are three principal leagues for Become Battle League (GBL): Great League, Ultra League, and Master League. The former limits Pokémon CP at 1,500, Ultra League caps CP at 2,500 and Primary League is a free-for all. Each also sometimes offers a Premier Loving cup – the aforementioned limits apply, but no legendary Pokémon tin can be used.

Flavor 6 inverse the unabridged construction of GBL, but the basics remain the same, so if you haven't played since and then we'll get to the changes later. Equally of Season 7, Niantic has also removed the walking requirement that used to be necessary in club to unlock new battles, which had been temporarily paused during the pandemic. This has remained the case for Season 8.

The tactics for each league are roughly the aforementioned, option a Pokémon to transport out get-go – your opener, a defensive Pokémon to take hits – your safe switch, and a Pokémon to wrap things upward – your closer.

Generally, yous should make sure that no two Pokémon take similar weaknesses then yous aren't swept past one Pokémon you don't resist, but that rule can be bent and broken on occasion. To start with though, make certain your condom switch has a resistance to attacks that your opener is weak to. Flight-type Pokémon are often used equally a prophylactic switch due to their resistances, and information technology is e'er recommended to have a flyer on your team.

Get Battle League is a complicated beast, and you might soon notice yourself downward the rabbit hole of comparing matchups and IVs. We recommend checking out PvPoke for rankings of the best GO Battle League Pokémon based on the meta and GoStadium to check how practiced your Pokémon'south stats are for PvP (hint: max stats aren't always the best hither). We did say it was complicated…

We've gathered a tried and tested team for each league, but GO Boxing League is a identify to test different combinations, trial different Pokémon, and get against the grain more than when you lot're attacking gyms or defeating raid bosses.

Great League

Alolan Raichu – nosotros like opening with Alolan Raichu equally it's this calendar month's Research Breakthrough see and tin bargain huge damage to the flying- and water-types that are so pop in Great League. Exist sure to charge up two Wild Charges before pulling the trigger, so y'all can apply them back-to-back to bargain impairment (or trigger your opponent's shields) before switching out to mitigate the defense force drops.

Vigoroth – every bit a safety switch, Vigoroth is great. Nobody volition switch a fighting-type in against Alolan Raichu'due south psychic-blazon attacks, then Vigoroth won't be weak to anything your opponent has switched in to bargain with your opener. Body Slam does huge neutral damage to everything except ghost-types, and a fighting-blazon coverage move will exist useful too.

Altaria – we told you lot yous'd need a flyer. Altaria deals with a lot of common Cracking League threats, simply spotter out for Ice Axle which will deal doubly super effective damage. Try to save your shields to protect Altaria – or Alolan Raichu if it'southward still around – as Vigoroth can take a few hits.

Great League Remix

Xx Pokémon have been banned in the Great League Remix, which runs from July 12 until July 26. The 20 banned Pokémon are as follows:

Venusaur
Alolan Ninetales
Alolan Marowak
Meganium
Azumarill
Politoed
Umbreon
Skarmory
Swampert
Pelipper
Vigoroth
Medicham
Altaria
Defense Forme Deoxys
Bastiodon
Toxicroak
Scrafty
Galvantula
Galarian Stunfisk
Talonflame

This will undoubtedly shake upward the meta, so set up your underused or underloved Pokémon to reign supreme.

Ultra League

This team works in both Ultra League and the Ultra League Premier Cup, every bit it doesn't have any legendaries. Nevertheless, both Togekiss and Snorlax are hard counters to Giratina, which won't feature in the Premier Cup – so y'all may want to swap i of them out.

Togekiss – opening with Togekiss immediately scares out any dragon-types or Machamps, which are common at this level. When any fighting-types have been taken down or switched out, move to your safe switch.

Snorlax – now you see why your want Togekiss to scare out any fighting-types. Beware of hidden fighting-types in the dorsum, but if your opponent led with a fighting Pokémon, Snorlax will be prophylactic to striking Body Slams or Superpowers to deal big impairment. Snorlax with this moveset also beats pop closers such every bit Giratina and Registeel comfortably.

Charizard – as a closer, Charizard is a peachy choice. Dragon Claw can deal with whatsoever dragon-types, sometimes taking them by surprise, and legacy motion Blast Burn will bargain huge damage to whatever types that don't resist fire. Ensure you have Fire Spin as a fast move to accuse upwards energy quickly.

Enjoying GBL? Why not try Pokémon Sword and Shield ranked?

Ultra League Remix

As with the Great League Remix, the 20 near-used Ultra League Pokémon are banned in the Ultra League Remix. The banned Pokémon are as follows:

Venusaur
Charizard
Clefable
Poliwrath
Alolan Muk
Gyarados
Lapras
Articuno
Umbreon
Scizor
Swampert
Registeel
Empoleon
Togekiss
Contradistinct Forme Giratina
Cresselia
Escavalier
Talonflame
Melmetal
Obstagoon

Are there whatsoever Pokémom left to choose? You lot'll have to exist creative with your teams if y'all take on the Ultra League Remix, but information technology runs alongside the regular Ultra League from July 26 until Baronial 9.

Primary League Classic

Giratina (Origin Forme) – Master League is the home of legendary Pokémon, and Giratina is one of the best. It deals big damage even in neutral matchups and hits big threats such as other dragon-types for super constructive damage.

Groudon – as a rubber switch, Groudon offers unparalleled coverage. Safe switches work slightly differently in Master League, as you need to embrace the biggest legendary threats more than the weaknesses of your opener. Groudon can use Burn Punch, Earthquake, and Grass Knot to encompass all way of switch-ins.

Gyarados – and then long as you've eliminated any opposing rock-types, Gyarados will destroy your opponent's backline. Dragon Breath is a powerful fast motility that can wreak havoc on opposing dragons (in that location are a lot upward hither), Aqua Tail deals powerful STAB, and Crunch hits ghost- and psychic-type Pokémon super-effectively (that'due south most often Giratina and Mewtwo).

Master League is full of XL Pokémon, which are banned in the Principal League Classic. Stock upwards on 40 candy if you want to challenge in this format.

Pokémon GO Battle League Flavour 8

Pokémon Become Battle League Season 8 kicks off on May 31 with a agglomeration of new cups and exciting rewards. Call back when Season half dozen nerfed a agglomeration of moves? Well, Season 8 has buffed a few – mostly Toxicant-type – moves in order to rebalance the meta. Warning: Flavor 8 doesn't expect great for Fairy-types.

Hither are the full dates and rewards for GO Battle League Season eight:

The Great League will run from Monday, May 31 at 13:00 PDT (21:00 GMT) to Monday, June xiv at 13:00 PDT (21:00 GMT)
The Ultra League and its Premier Cup will run from Monday, June xiv at 13:00 PDT (21:00 GMT) to Monday, June 28 at 13:00 PDT (xx:00 GMT)
The Principal League, Master League Classic, and the Element Cup will run from Mon, June 28 at 13:00 PDT (twenty:00 GMT) to Monday, July 12 at xiii:00 PDT (20:00 GMT). During this time, battling will reward twice every bit much Stardust
- Only Pokémon that can evolve and that are the first in their Evolutionary line will be eligible for this cup. True to its name, only Fire, H2o, and Grass-type Pokémon are allowed. Pokémon of multiple types are allowed and so long equally one of their types is Burn, Water, or Grass. The CP limit will be 500
The Great League and Great League Remix will run from Monday, July 12 at 13:00 PDT (20:00 GMT) to Monday, July 26 at 13:00 PDT (twenty:00 GMT)
The Ultra League and Ultra League Remix will run from Mon, July 26 at 13:00 PDT (20:00 GMT) to Monday, August 9 at 13:00 PDT (twenty:00 GMT)
The Principal League, Master League Classic, and the Ultra League Premier Loving cup will run from Monday, Baronial 9 at thirteen:00 PDT (20:00 GMT) to Monday, August 23 at thirteen:00 PDT (20:00 GMT). During this time, contesting volition advantage twice every bit much Stardust
The Great League, Ultra League, and Main League will run from Monday, Baronial 23 at 13:00 PDT (20:00 GMT) to Monday, Baronial 30 at 13:00 PDT (20:00 GMT)

Pokémon GO Battle League Flavour 8 rank rewards

Trainers who accomplish rank five volition receive Pikachu Libre avatar items, and trainers who reach Ace rank will earn rewards inspired by Korrina who appeared in Pokémon X & Y
- Ace rank: Korrina-style gloves
- Veteran rank: Korrina-fashion shoes
- Expert rank: Korrina-style outfit, Korrina-style pants, Korrina-style top
- Legend rank: Korrina pose
Rank one: You'll exist guaranteed to encounter Machamp once
Rank i and up: Y'all'll be able to encounter Pokémon such as Machoke, Ariados, Sableye, Snover, and more than
Rank 5: You'll exist guaranteed to encounter Mienfoo once
Rank five and upwards: You'll be able to see Mienfoo, plus all the Pokémon available at previous ranks
Rank 10 and up: Y'all'll be able to encounter Pokémon such as Toxicroak, Stunfisk, and male Frillish, in addition to all Pokémon available at previous ranks
Rank 15 and up: You'll exist able to encounter Pokémon such as Skarmory, Scraggy, and Rufflet, in addition to all Pokémon available at previous ranks
From rank 20 and up: You'll exist able to run into the Legendary Pokémon that is appearing in five-star raids at that time, in addition to all Pokémon bachelor at previous ranks
Veteran rank and up: You lot'll be guaranteed to encounter Gible once, so you'll take a chance of encountering Gible alongside the previous come across puddle
Ace rank and upwardly: You'll be guaranteed to encounter Deino in one case, and then you'll have a chance of encountering Deino alongside the previous encounter pool
Legend rank: Yous'll be guaranteed to run into a Pikachu Libre. This volition be the but time you'll be able to meet a Pikachu Libre during the season

Flavor 8 attack updates

The following attacks take been added to Pokémon GO:

Stone-blazon Atmospheric condition Ball: This powerful Rock-type version of Atmospheric condition Brawl is now available in Pokémon GO. Hippowdon will be able to larn this set on
Feather Dance: This elegant Flying-type Charged Attack volition sharply decrease the opponent'due south Assail stat. Pidgeot will exist able to learn this attack

The following attacks volition exist updated for trainer battles:

Acrid Spray: This Poisonous substance-type charged assail will now require less energy to apply
Poison Jab: This Toxicant-type fast attack now deals more impairment
Poison Sting: This Poison-type fast attack now generates more energy
Cantankerous Toxicant: This Poisonous substance-type charged attack now deals more damage and has a higher chance of sharply increasing your Pokémon's Assault stat
Poison Fang: This Poisonous substance-type charged attack now has a 100% adventure to decrease the opposing Pokémon's Defense stat
Dragon Tail: This Dragon-blazon fast assault at present deals more damage but generates less free energy
Focus Blast: This Fighting-type charged attack now deals more than damage

The following attacks will exist available to Pokémon that couldn't learn them before:

Lunge: Ariados volition now be able to learn this Bug-type charged attack
Poisonous substance Fang: Nidoqueen and Crobat volition at present be able to larn this updated Poison-type charged assault
Cantankerous Poison: Crobat will now exist able to learn this updated Poison-blazon charged attack

We're currently seeing the introduction of Mega Pokémon to Pokémon GO. While none of the currently available Megas pause into these lists – and none tin can be used in Go Boxing League at the moment – there are some to expect out for:

Mega Aggron volition exist a defensive beast, while Mega Mewtwo, Mega Garchomp, Mega Gengar, and Mega Rayquaza will all be huge attacking threats.