The Pokémon GO meta is constantly changing. Here is the current tier list arranging the best of the best in order by CP and moveset.
You will inevitably invest in gym battles if you play the game long enough. These are where you pit your Pokémon in the battle against other players to secure ownership of gyms and then park your team to defend.
- Read more: Pokémon Unbound Cheat Codes
Raids are a similar challenge in which you pit Pokémon with other trainers in massive encounters, often against Legendaries, to receive the chance to catch the rarest monsters in the game, along with several other rewards.
The guide below includes a master tier list of the best Pokémon in GO for both attack and defense, including their ideal movesets.
Tier 1 Attackers
Groudon
- Optimal Attack: 270
- Max CP: 4652
- Ability 1: Mud Shot
- Ability 2: Solar Beam
Kyogre
- Optimal Attack: 270
- Max CP: 4652
- Ability 1: Waterfall
- Ability 2: Hydro Pump
Machamp
- Optimal Attack: 234
- Max CP: 3455
- Ability 1: Counter / Karate Chop
- Ability 2: Dynamic Punch
Mewtwo
- Optimal Attack: 300
- Max CP: 4724
- Ability 1: Psycho Cut
- Ability 2: Shadow Ball
Raikou
- Optimal Attack: 241
- Max CP: 3902
- Ability 1: Thunder Shock
- Ability 2: Wild Charge
Rayquaza
- Optimal Attack: 284
- Max CP: 4336
- Ability 1: Dragon Tail
- Ability 2: Outrage
Tyranitar
- Optimal Attack: 251
- Max CP: 4335
- Ability 1: Smack Down / Stone Edge
- Ability 2: Crunch
Tier 2 Attackers
Dragonite
- Optimal Attack: 263
- Max CP: 4287
- Ability 1: Dragon Tail / Dragon Breath
- Ability 2: Outrage
Entei
- Optimal Attack: 235
- Max CP: 3926
- Ability 1: Fire Spin
- Ability 2: Overheat
Exeggutor
- Optimal Attack: 233
- Max CP: 3408
- Ability 1: Confusion / Psychic
- Ability 2: Bullet Seed / Solar Beam
Gyarados
- Optimal Attack: 237
- Max CP: 3834
- Ability 1: Waterfall
- Ability 2: Hydro Pump
Hariyama
- Optimal Attack: 209
- Max CP: 4239
- Ability 1: Counter
- Ability 2: Dynamic Punch
Latios
- Optimal Attack: 268
- Max CP: 4310
- Ability 1: Dragon Breath
- Ability 2: Dragon Claw
Moltres
- Optimal Attack: 251
- Max CP: 3917
- Ability 1: Fire Spin
- Ability 2: Sky Attack
Salamence
- Optimal Attack: 277
- Max CP: 4239
- Ability 1: Dragon Tail
- Ability 2: Draco Meteor
Zapdos
- Optimal Attack: 253
- Max CP: 3987
- Ability 1: Thunder Shock
- Ability 2: Thunderbolt
Tier 3 Attackers
Alakazam
- Optimal Attack: 271
- Max CP: 3456
- Ability 1: Psycho Cut
- Ability 2: Future Sight
Articuno
- Optimal Attack: 192
- Max CP: 3590
- Ability 1: Frost Breath
- Ability 2: Ice Beam
Blaziken
- Optimal Attack: 240
- Max CP: 3219
- Ability 1: Counter
- Ability 2: Focus Blast
Espeon
- Optimal Attack: 261
- Max CP: 3583
- Ability 1: Confusion
- Ability 2: Future Sight
Flareon
- Optimal Attack: 246
- Max CP: 3029
- Ability 1: Fire Spin
- Ability 2: Overheat
Gardevoir
- Optimal Attack: 237
- Max CP: 3497
- Ability 1: Confusion
- Ability 2: Dazzling Gleam
Gengar
- Optimal Attack: 261
- Max CP: 2878
- Ability 1: Shadow Ball
- Ability 2: Shadow Claw
Golem
- Optimal Attack: 211
- Max CP: 3334
- Ability 1: Stone Edge
- Ability 2: Rock Blast
Heracross
- Optimal Attack: 234
- Max CP: 3506
- Ability 1: Counter
- Ability 2: Close Combat
Lugia
- Optimal Attack: 193
- Max CP: 4186
- Ability 1: Extrasensory
- Ability 2: Sky Attack
Metagross
- Optimal Attack: 257
- Max CP: 4286
- Ability 1: Bullet Punch
- Ability 2: Flash Cannon
Vaporeon
- Optimal Attack: 205
- Max CP: 3521
- Ability 1: Water Gun
- Ability 2: Hydro Pump
Tier 4 Attackers
Breloom
- Optimal Attack: 241
- Max CP: 2971
- Ability 1: Counter
- Ability 2: Dynamic Punch
Charizard
- Optimal Attack: 223
- Max CP: 3266
- Ability 1: Fire Spin
- Ability 2: Blast Burn
Ho-Oh
- Optimal Attack: 239
- Max CP: 4367
- Ability 1: Brave Bird
- Ability 2: Solar Beam
Houndoom
- Optimal Attack: 224
- Max CP: 2979
- Ability 1: Snarl
- Ability 2: Foul Play
Jynx
- Optimal Attack: 223
- Max CP: 2888
- Ability 1: Frost Breath
- Ability 2: Avalance
Latias
- Optimal Attack: 228
- Max CP: 3968
- Ability 1: Dragon Breath
- Ability 2: Outrage
Pinsir
- Optimal Attack: 238
- Max CP: 3345
- Ability 1: Bug Bite
- Ability 2: X-Scissor
Sceptile
- Optimal Attack: 223
- Max CP: 2757
- Ability 1: Bullet Seed
- Ability 2: Leaf Blade
Scizor
- Optimal Attack: 236
- Max CP: 3393
- Ability 1: Bullet Punch
- Ability 2: X-Scissor
Swampert
- Optimal Attack: 208
- Max CP: 3362
- Ability 1: Water Gun
- Ability 2: Surf
Venusaur
- Optimal Attack: 198
- Max CP: 3075
- Ability 1: Vine Whip
- Ability 2: Frenzy Plant
Tier 5 Attackers
Absol
- Optimal Attack: 246
- Max CP: 2856
- Ability 1: Snarl
- Ability 2: Dark Pulse
Arcanine
- Optimal Attack: 227
- Max CP: 3425
- Ability 1: Snarl
- Ability 2: Wild Charge
Banette
- Optimal Attack: 218
- Max CP: 2599
- Ability 1: Shadow Claw
- Ability 2: Shadow Ball
Milotic
- Optimal Attack: 192
- Max CP: 3005
- Ability 1: Waterfall
- Ability 2: Surf
Piloswine
- Optimal Attack: 181
- Max CP: 2652
- Ability 1: Ice Shard
- Ability 2: Avalanche
Poliwrath
- Optimal Attack: 182
- Max CP: 2923
- Ability 1: Rock Smash
- Ability 2: Dynamic Punch
Rhydon
- Optimal Attack: 222
- Max CP: 3594
- Ability 1: Mud Slap
- Ability 2: Earthquake
Shiftry
- Optimal Attack: 200
- Max CP: 2637
- Ability 1: Razor Leaf
- Ability 2: Leaf Blade
Ursaring
- Optimal Attack: 236
- Max CP: 3329
- Ability 1: Counter
- Ability 2: Close Combat
Victreebel
- Optimal Attack: 207
- Max CP: 2748
- Ability 1: Razor Leaf
- Ability 2: Leaf Blade
Best Defenders
Chansey
- Optimal Defense: 176
- Optimal Stamina: 500
- Max CP: 1255
- Ability 1: Zen Headbutt
- Ability 2: Dazzling Gleam
Blissey
- Optimal Defense: 229
- Optimal Stamina: 510
- Max CP: 2757
- Ability 1: Zen Headbutt
- Ability 2: Dazzling Gleam
Pokémon GO is an augmented reality (AR) game developed by Niantic and released worldwide in 2016 for iOS and Android mobile devices.
