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

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.
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 |
Sylveon | Fairy | Bulky with Charm, punishes Dragon/Fighting attackers |
Alomomola | Water | Super high stamina, classic staller |
Lickilicky | Normal | Huge HP pool, tricky to counter |
Metagross | Steel / Psychic | Resists many types, tough wall |
Togekiss | Fairy / Flying | Charm pressure + Dragon immunity |
Kommo-o | Dragon / Fighting | Great coverage, resists common types |
Aurorus | Rock / Ice | Walls Flyers, unique typing |
Annihilape | Fighting / Ghost | Annoying coverage, punishes Normals |
Dragonite | Dragon / Flying | Classic bulky all-rounder |
Clodsire | Poison / Ground | Absorbs Electric, huge bulk |
B-Tier Defenders
Pokémon | Type | Strengths as a Defender |
Galarian Stunfisk | Ground / Steel | Extremely tanky, resists common counters |
Wobbuffet | Psychic | Absurd HP, surprisingly annoying |
Stonjourner | Rock | Pure bulk, walls Normal/Flying attackers |
Gliscor | Ground / Flying | Hard to counter, good bulk |
Muk (Alolan) | Poison / Dark | Handles Fairies + Psychic threats |
Jellicent | Ghost / Water | Bulky, punishes Fighters and Normals |
Ferrothorn | Grass / Steel | Walls Water + Fairy attackers |
Gyarados | Water / Flying | Resist spam, strong anti-Fighting |
Carbink | Rock / Fairy | Tiny tank, stalls attackers |
Swampert | Water / Ground | Bulky with spammy moves |
C-Tier Defenders
Pokémon | Type | Strengths as a Defender |
Skarmory | Steel / Flying | Great resistance stalls attackers |
Primarina | Water / Fairy | Charm pressure, punishes Dragons |
Nidoqueen | Poison / Ground | Tanky, spreads chip damage |
Empoleon | Water / Steel | Resists a ton of types, decent bulk |
Lanturn | Water / Electric | Shuts down Flyers, bulky option |
Tropius | Grass / Flying | Tanky spice defender |
Cofagrigus | Ghost | Walls Normal/Fighting attackers |
Clefable | Fairy | Charm spam, decent gym annoyance |
Mamoswine | Ice / Ground | High 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.
168,282 people have downloaded it.
- Fly Anywhere with Bluetooth: No Cracked Apps!
- Best Pokemon Go spoofer on Android/iOS devices.
- Simulate GPS movement with customized speeds.
- Import popular GPX route files for next use.
- Support GPS joystick to play AR game on PC.
- Compatible with iOS 26 & Android 16.
How to Use MocPOGO on iOS
Step 1 Download and install the MocPOGO iOS app and open it.
Step 2 Type the location address or GPS coordinates in the search box and tap the search icon, and then select “Teleport.”
Step 3 Select “Configure VPN” to change location.
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.
Step 2 Turn on the Pokémon Go game mode by selecting the Pikachu icon from the right side of the screen. Tap on “OK.”
Step 3 To change location, enter the new location address in the search box and select “Teleport.”
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.