Preparing for 5-star and Mega Raids can be challenging, but this guide seeks to pinpoint the best Pokemon in Pokemon GO so you can be ready for any raids, no matter your opponent. Here are the strongest Pokemon in Pokemon GO, ranked.
Contents
Best Pokemon for PvE & Raids Tier List
Before we get into this list, players need to understand that these Pokemon are the absolute best of their class, and you won’t be able to find the vast majority of them in the wild. They’re Lgenedaries, event-exclusive mythical, mega-evolved behemoths, and shadow Pokemon. Later in the article, we’ll go over tips and tricks for finding and capturing the strongest Pokemon.
Without further ado, here are the best Pokemon in Pokemon GO for Raids:
S-Tier
| Pokemon | Moves |
|---|---|
 Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash  Dragon Ascent |
 Primal Groudon | Mud Shot  Precipice Blades |
 Primal Kyogre | Waterfall  Origin Pulse |
A-Tier
| Pokemon | Moves |
|---|---|
 Mega Garchomp | Dragon Tail  Outrage |
 Mega Blaziken | Counter  Blast Burn  |
 Mega Charizard Y | Fire Spin Blast Burn |
 Mega Rayquza | Dragon Tail Outrage |
 Rayquaza | Dragon Tail Outrage |
 Shadow Kyogre | Waterfall Origin Pulse |
 Mega Swampert | Mud Shot Hydro Cannon |
 Mega Blastoise | Water Gun Hydro Cannon |
 Shadow Mewtwo | Confusion  Psystrike  |
 Mega Gengar | Lick  Shadow Ball |
 Mega Gardevoir | Confusion Psychic |
 Mega Tyranitar | Bite  Brutal Swing – Smack Down  Stone Edge |
 Shadow Mamoswine | Powder Snow  Avalanche – Mud-Slap High Horsepower |
 Mega Alakazam | Confusion Psychic |
B-Tier
| Pokemon | Moves |
|---|---|
 Terrakion | Double Kick Sacred Sword |
 Shadow Garchomp | Dragon Tail Outrage |
 Reshiram | Fire Fang Fusion Flare |
 Shadow Salamence | Dragon Tail Draco Meteor |
 Shadow Metagross | Bullet Punch  Meteor Mash |
 Shadow Moltres | Fire Spin Sky Attack |
 Yveltal | Gust Hurricane |
 Kartana | Razor Leaf  Leaf Blade |
 Shadow Swampert | Mud Shot  Hydro Cannon  |
 Shadow Raikou | Volt Switch  Wild Charge |
 Xurkitree | Thunder Shock Discharge |
 Mewtwo | Confusion Psystrike |
 Mega Banette | Shadow Claw Shadow Ball |
 Shadow Chandelure | Fire Spin Shadow Ball |
 Shadow Gardevoir | Confusion Psychic |
 Shadow Rampardos | Smack Down Rock Slide |
 Shadow Tyranitar | Smack Down Stone Edge |
 Mega Pinsir | Bug Bite  X-Scissor |
 Pheromosa | Bug Bite Focus Blast |
 Volcarona | Bug Bite Overheat |
C-Tier (Budget Pokemon – No Shadows or Legendaries)
| Pokemon | Moves |
|---|---|
 Gyarados | Waterfall Hydro Pump |
 Delphox | Fire Spin Fire Blast |
 Espeon | Confusion Psychic |
 Hariyama | Counter Dynamic Punch |
 Machamp | Counter Dynamic Punch |
 Excadrill | Mud-Slap Earthquake |
 Rhyperior | Mud-Slap Stone Edge |
 Staraptor | Wing Attack Brave Bird |
Mamoswine | Powder Snow Avalanche |
 Hydreigon | Bite Dark Pulse |
How To Get Raid-Worthy Pokemon in Pokemon GO
When it comes to obtaining the strongest Pokemon for Pokemon GO raids, it all comes down to habits and best practices. Instead of mindlessly capturing everything or only catching Shiny Pokemon, you need to target specific Pokemon. That’s where the list above comes in handy.
Of course, the majority of Pokemon on the list are exclusive to raids or need to be obtained after fighting Team Rocket Grunts or Leaders. For the Legendary or Mega Pokemon, check out our regularly updated Raid schedule to see if your target is coming to raids soon.
Lastly, don’t skip Team GO Rocket battles. These pests can be annoying and easy to pass by, but we encourage you to engage with every Team Rocket member you encounter. Tap every balloon. Spin every dark Pokestop. You never know which grunt will have the Shadow Pokemon you’re looking for or if, this time around, it will have perfect IVs.
