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[Ranked] Pokémon GO Tier List: Best Attacker and Best Defenders

author Muhammad Adnan Update on September 26, 2025

Searching for which Pokémon can be best used in raids, PVP, and defending gyms? A tier list comes in handy. Knowing the ranked attackers for Raids and PvP, and the toughest defenders for Gyms, Trainers can focus on Pokémon that truly matter in 2025.

This guide highlights the top performers and explains why they deserve your investment. So you can dominate Raids, protect Gyms, or climb the PvP ladder.

pokemon-go-tier-list

Part 1: The Role of Tier Lists in Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO tier lists help trainers to decide where to invest their hard-earned Stardust and Candy. Tier lists are roadmaps that guide Trainers toward the most effective Pokémon in different scenarios. Each tier shows how strong or useful a Pokémon is in battles, raids, or gyms:

  • S Tier: The absolute best. These Pokémon dominate in their roles. They offer unmatched power, efficiency, or versatility.
  • A Tier: Very strong and reliable, just slightly below the top tier. Great choices when you do not have S-Tier options.
  • B Tier: Solid picks. They can perform well but may have limitations or stronger counters.
  • C Tier: Average. Usable, but usually outclassed by higher-tier Pokémon.

If you are focusing on raw damage in Raids or holding down a Gym for hours, knowing which Pokémon belong in the S Tier, B, or C Tiers can change your success rate.

What Makes an Attacker vs. a Defender?

  • Attackers: These Pokémon are rated primarily on their damage output. Their versatility across Raids and PvP, and synergy with different typing matchups, also count. Shadow and Mega evolutions are mostly included because they provide boosted stats and extra firepower.
  • Defenders: Defenders are valued for their bulk, high stamina, and defense that forces opponents to spend time and resources. Pokémon like Blissey and Snorlax have long reigned supreme because of their ability to stall attackers.

Part 2: Top Pokémon GO Attackers for Raids & PvP

Attackers are the lifeblood of Raids and PvP wins. Below is the breakdown of the strongest damage-dealers based on current meta rankings.

S-Tier Attackers

Pokémon Type(s) Best Moveset
Primal Groudon Ground / Fire Mud Shot + Precipice Blades / Fire Punch
Mega Rayquaza Dragon / Flying Dragon Tail + Dragon Ascent / Outrage
Shadow Mewtwo Psychic Psycho Cut + Psystrike / Shadow Ball
Eternatus Dragon / Poison Dragon Tail + Dynamax Cannon / Sludge Bomb
Black Kyurem Dragon / Ice Dragon Tail + Blizzard / Outrage
Primal Kyogre Water Waterfall + Origin Pulse / Surf
Shadow Salamence Dragon / Flying Dragon Tail + Outrage / Draco Meteor
Dawn Wings Necrozma Psychic / Ghost Confusion + Shadow Ball / Psychic
Zacian (Crowned Sword) Fairy / Steel Snarl + Play Rough / Close Combat
Mega Blaziken Fire / Fighting Counter + Blast Burn / Focus Blast

A-Tier Attackers

Pokémon Type(s) Best Moveset
Mewtwo Psychic Confusion + Psystrike
Rayquaza Dragon / Flying Dragon Tail + Outrage
Salamence Dragon / Flying Dragon Tail + Draco Meteor
Zekrom Dragon / Electric Charge Beam + Wild Charge
Kyogre Water Waterfall + Surf
Reshiram Dragon / Fire Fire Fang + Fusion Flare
Chandelure Ghost / Fire Hex + Shadow Ball
Darkrai Dark Snarl + Dark Pulse
Machamp Fighting Counter + Dynamic Punch
Excadrill Ground / Steel Mud-Slap + Drill Run

B-Tier Attackers

Pokémon Type(s) Best Moveset
Shadow Aggron Steel / Rock Iron Tail + Heavy Slam
Mega Scizor Bug / Steel Bullet Punch + Iron Head
Shadow Archeops Rock / Flying Wing Attack + Rock Slide
Dialga Steel / Dragon Dragon Breath + Draco Meteor
Conkeldurr Fighting Counter + Dynamic Punch
Electivire Electric Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
Moltres Fire / Flying Fire Spin + Overheat
Weavile Dark / Ice Snarl + Avalanche
Galarian Darmanitan Ice Ice Fang + Avalanche
Heatran Fire / Steel Fire Spin + Flamethrower
Magnezone Electric / Steel Spark + Wild Charge
Nihilego Rock / Poison Poison Jab + Rock Slide

C-Tier Attackers

Pokémon Type(s) Best Moveset
Giratina (Origin Forme) Ghost / Dragon Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball
Kyurem Dragon / Ice Dragon Breath + Glaciate
Palkia Water / Dragon Dragon Tail + Aqua Tail
Latios Dragon / Psychic Dragon Breath + Psychic
Gengar Ghost / Poison Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball
Glaceon Ice Frost Breath + Avalanche
Primarina Water / Fairy Charm + Moonblast
Haxorus Dragon Counter + Dragon Claw
Greninja Water / Dark Water Shuriken + Hydro Cannon
Incineroar Fire / Dark Snarl + Dark Pulse

Part 3: Best Defender Pokémon for Gyms & PvP

Defenders have a different metric: bulk. The longer they last, the more frustrating they become for opponents trying to take a Gym or sweep a PvP team.

S-Tier Defenders

Pokémon Type Strength as Defender
Blissey Normal The tankiest gym defender in the game; an enormous HP pool makes it a nightmare to remove.
Chansey Normal Even bulkier than Blissey in raw defense, though with lower CP. Great for stalling.

A-Tier Defenders

Pokémon Type Strengths as a Defender
SylveonFairyBulky with Charm, punishes Dragon/Fighting attackers
AlomomolaWaterSuper high stamina, classic staller
LickilickyNormalHuge HP pool, tricky to counter
MetagrossSteel / PsychicResists many types, tough wall
TogekissFairy / FlyingCharm pressure + Dragon immunity
Kommo-oDragon / FightingGreat coverage, resists common types
AurorusRock / IceWalls Flyers, unique typing
AnnihilapeFighting / GhostAnnoying coverage, punishes Normals
DragoniteDragon / FlyingClassic bulky all-rounder
ClodsirePoison / GroundAbsorbs Electric, huge bulk

B-Tier Defenders

Pokémon Type Strengths as a Defender
Galarian StunfiskGround / SteelExtremely tanky, resists common counters
WobbuffetPsychicAbsurd HP, surprisingly annoying
StonjournerRockPure bulk, walls Normal/Flying attackers
GliscorGround / FlyingHard to counter, good bulk
Muk (Alolan)Poison / DarkHandles Fairies + Psychic threats
JellicentGhost / WaterBulky, punishes Fighters and Normals
FerrothornGrass / SteelWalls Water + Fairy attackers
GyaradosWater / FlyingResist spam, strong anti-Fighting
CarbinkRock / FairyTiny tank, stalls attackers
SwampertWater / GroundBulky with spammy moves

C-Tier Defenders

Pokémon Type Strengths as a Defender
SkarmorySteel / FlyingGreat resistance stalls attackers
PrimarinaWater / FairyCharm pressure, punishes Dragons
NidoqueenPoison / GroundTanky, spreads chip damage
EmpoleonWater / SteelResists a ton of types, decent bulk
LanturnWater / ElectricShuts down Flyers, bulky option
TropiusGrass / FlyingTanky spice defender
CofagrigusGhostWalls Normal/Fighting attackers
ClefableFairyCharm spam, decent gym annoyance
MamoswineIce / GroundHigh damage output, bulky enough

Part 4: Pro Player’s Secret for Winning More Battles in Pokémon GO

Even with the strongest tier list Pokémon, success in Pokémon GO is not guaranteed. The secret of pro players is using external tools to streamline gameplay. One standout is MocPOGO, a spoofing and utility tool designed specifically for Trainers.

With MocPOGO, you can:

  • Teleport to Raid hotspots instantly.
  • Join legendary battles without waiting for local spawns.
  • Use auto-catching features to farm Candy and Stardust effortlessly.
  • Hatch eggs faster by simulating walking distances.
  • Organize Gym rotations more efficiently by scouting defender placements.

These features are game-changing, especially for players in rural areas or those who want to compete at a higher level without being limited to a region.

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MocPOGO
Secret Tips for Winning More Battles in Pokémon GO
Available for:

168,282 people have downloaded it.

  • Fly Anywhere with Bluetooth: No Cracked Apps!
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  • Simulate GPS movement with customized speeds.
  • Import popular GPX route files for next use.
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  • Compatible with iOS 26 & Android 16.

How to Use MocPOGO on iOS

Step 1 Download and install the MocPOGO iOS app and open it.

Download mocpogo ios app

Step 2 Type the location address or GPS coordinates in the search box and tap the search icon, and then select “Teleport.”

type the location address

Step 3 Select “Configure VPN” to change location.

Select vpn

Your iPhone location will be changed completely. Start catching Pokémon where you want.

How to Use MocPOGO on Android

Step 1 Download the MocPOGO Android app from the Google Play Store and open it.

Download mocpogo android app

Step 2 Turn on the Pokémon Go game mode by selecting the Pikachu icon from the right side of the screen. Tap on “OK.”

Pokémon go game mode

Step 3 To change location, enter the new location address in the search box and select “Teleport.”

change location

Final Thought

Tier lists in Pokémon GO are not static. They evolve with every balance update, new Legendary release, or Mega form. Still, certain Pokémon like Blissey for defense and Primal Groudon for offense remain timeless staples. Investing in the right Pokémon from these rankings ensures your resources do not go to waste. And if you are aiming to stay ahead of the curve, tools like MocPOGO help you dominate in Gyms and Raids.

Muhammad Adnan

Muhammad Adnan is an experienced writer with 8 years of work in creating interesting and useful content in different areas. He focuses on writing clear and easy-to-understand articles, including guides, solutions, and helpful tips. With almost a decade of experience, he makes sure every article is trustworthy and easy for readers to follow, turning even complicated topics into simple and understandable content.

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