Updated on August 16, 2020
Pokémon GO’s Tier List
If not the global phenomenon it once was, Pokémon GO! still enjoys a dedicated fanbase, and its mechanics and roster have gradually evolved; as of this writing, the game incorporates creatures through generation 4.
With new combatants and game modes, champions come and go with each update. So whether you’re team Valor, Mystic, or Instinct, watch out for today’s meta-dominating powerhouses—which reign supreme? These are the ten best Pokémon in Pokémon GO!
10. Moltres
Type: Fire/Flying
Max CP (Combat Power): 3465
Fire isn’t currently one of the game’s best types, but it’s useful in sunny weather conditions, and Moltres offers its best attacker. Rivaled only by Entei, Moltres excels at DPS (damage per second), quickly piling on the hurt. And he’s particularly strong against Bug and Grass enemies thanks to his double resistance.
Moltres’s dual types also let him utilize STAB (same-type attack bonus) with both Fire Spin and Sky Attack, two of the best moves in their respective elements.
9. Mamoswine
Type: Ground/Ice
Max CP: 3328
Ice lacked a big champion until Mamoswine, offering a great counter to threats like Dragonite, Salamence, Garchomp, and Rayquaza. Mamoswine enjoys a sweet stamina stat, giving him plenty of tanking power, and Powder Snow and Avalanche let him dish out damage as well as he soaks it up.
While Mamoswine is mostly used as an Ice-Type Dragon counter, he can also serve as a formidable Ground sweeper using Mud Slap and Bulldoze.
8. Rampardos
Type: Rock
Max CP: 3298
Rampardos is a bit of a glass cannon, but his strikes are undeniably deadly. You can find bulkier Rock-Types in Tyranitar and Rhyperior, but you’ll lose out on some speed, and Rampardos enjoys the dream Rock-DPS combo of Smack Down and Rock Slide.
A beast in PvE, Rampardos occasionally struggles in PvP, but his hard-hitting attacks may justify his risk if you’re skilled at dodging.
7. Tyranitar
Type: Rock/Dark
Max CP: 3834
If nothing else, Tyranitar has one of the game’s best combat ratings plus a unique type combination with nice coverage. Smack Down and Stone Edge score formidable Rock damage while Crunch works well against foes vulnerable to Dark.
Tyranitar is slower than many of his peers, and he’ll quickly fall against Fighting opponents, but otherwise, he can challenge any foe (even ones he can’t type-trump) with his sheer girth.
6. Metagross
Type: Steel/Psychic
Max CP: 3791
This pseudo-legendary has a rare type blend and strong CP with a particularly impressive defense stat. And Metagross is no slouch on offense thanks to Meteor Mash, one of the best charge moves in the game (comparable to Grass’s Frenzy Plant).
Meanwhile, Bullet Punch offers a useful Steel fast attack while Zen Headbutt does the same for Psychic, making Metagross a fantastic all-around fighter.
5. Salamence
Type: Dragon/Flying
Max CP: 3749
Salamence’s advanced offensive potential slightly outperforms Dragonite for best non-legendary Dragon. He’s got a dominating attack stat and plenty of coverage, learning Dragon, Dark, Water, and Fire moves—particularly appreciated against Ice threats.
Delve into other elements when you need specific counters, but for pure-Dragon STAB, stick with Dragon Tail and Outrage as your primary attacks.
4. Kyogre
Type: Water
Max CP: 4115
Outshining Gyarados as the best Water Pokemon, Kyogre boasts a massive CP total. While he only has STAB with Water, Kyogre accesses two of its best moves: Waterfall and Hydro Pump.
Other attack elements are available, bu they’re not the best moves of their type; thus, Kyogre can struggle against foes resistant to Water. But what he lacks in versatility, he compensates for with monstrous size, and there aren’t presently many big Grass threats anyway.
3. Machamp
Type: Fighting
Max CP: 3056
At first glance, Machamp doesn’t seem like the outstanding warrior he is. His CP is rather low for a tier 1 unit, and he disappointed upon debut thanks to poor Fighting moves and different stats.
But now, he’s the Fighting-Type poster boy, smashing through Rock, Dark, Ice, and Normal foes with Counter and Dynamic Punch. While more situational than other top-tier Pokemon, Machamp’s an important counter to threats like Dialga, whose Steel type resists many of today’s other champions.
2. Rayquaza
Type: Dragon/Flying
Max CP: 3835
Rayquaza carries a fierce CP rating that favors attack, making him the best Flying and Dragon sweeper in the game. Dragon Tail and Outrage provide superb Dragon techniques, and you can switch out the latter for Aerial Ace when you need some Flying coverage.
With Mamoswine’s introduction, Rayquaza now has a fierce check, but there still aren’t many notable Ice-types to curb his lethal offensive.
1. Mewtwo
Type: Psychic
Max CP: 4178
Mewtwo’s unholy stats remain king, even after the 9% nerf they suffered. For fast attacks, you can pick between either Confusion (more damage) or Psycho Cut (more charging), both top-rated techniques with Psychic STAB. For coverage, you’ll often want Shadow Ball as your charge move, though Focus Blast offers a useful Fighting technique for Ghost-resistant Normal types.
Ice Beam and Thunderbolt further expand your arsenal, letting Mewtwo potentially counter nearly any threat in the game. Dominating in both PvE and PvP, Mewtwo more than lives up to his legendary reputation.
More of the Best Pokémon in Pokémon GO
Remember that movesets and matchups are just as important as CP, and to help round out your team, here are honorary mentions for types that didn’t see the spotlight today:
- Ghost: Gengar
- Electric: Raikou
- Grass: Sceptile
With new monsters, attacks, and playstyles on the horizon, we’ll inevitably see more top-tier creatures in future updates. But before you continue raiding and collecting today’s aces, vote for your favorite Pokemon and I’ll see you at our next gaming countdown!