20 Best Pokémon To Step Up Your Competitive Play (2024)

One of the greatest aspects of Pokémon is that fans can approach it with different goals, especially when it comes to battling. Some play for the sense of adventure and story, while others play to catch 'em all and build an impressive shiny Pokémon collection. Meanwhile, other fans enjoy the thrill of competition and have worked tirelessly to build the perfect team.

The competitive side of Pokémon can be incredibly daunting, especially for those who don't know which species are good in a competitive setting. However, building the perfect team isn't as simple as loading up on the best of the best. There are other great Pokémon worth using for their skill set and how well they complement others in battle.

Updated on June 16th, 2024, by Guillermo Kurten: The competitive Pokémon scene fluctuates often. As new Generations and species are introduced and players experiment with builds, new creatures make their mark in the meta. This list has been updated to highlight more powerful species in Pokémon's ninth generation.

20 Hydreigon Offers Excellent Special Attack And Can Compensate For Its Weaknesses

Since its debut in Gen V, Hydreigon has been on a roller-coaster journey in its involvement in competitive Pokémon. The Dark/Dragon-type faces five overwhelming type weaknesses that can often counter with relative ease, but in the Gen IX meta, Hydreigon seems to belong once again.

Introducing the Terastal phenomenon in Gen IX means Pokémon can change their typing in an attacking or defensive sense. Many types can suit Hydreigon, from the solid Steel-type to Electric pairing nicely with its Levitate Ability to negate all weaknesses. Tailwind and Reflect can round out its usefulness beyond full-on offense.

19 Murkrow Is An Unexpected Hit In Competitive Settings

Murkrow is a surprising name that continues to appear in many competitive Gen IX teams. The Gen II Darkness Pokémon has always been a tricky encounter in the wild or trainer battles, but its inclusion in the Gen IX meta is unprecedented. Murkrow's Hidden Ability Prankster allows status moves to take priority, and it can't be overstated how much of an advantage that can be.

Many Pokémon rely on boosting stats, but Murkrow poses the threat of Haze that eliminates any stat changes. Murkrow can also double up as a Tailwind instigator, boosting its team's Speed. Moves like Foul Play, Brave Bird, and even Flatter can round out a surprisingly handy Pokémon that's among the best competitive Pokémon available.

18 Annihilape Has Solid Defense And Versatile Offenses

Annihilape is the long-awaited evolution of Primeape, and it doesn't disappoint. Annihilape brings the mysterious yet formidable Fighting/Ghost-type combination and adds some serious bulk to its previous form. Annihilape's interesting movepool offers intriguing possibilities and combinations, from Rage Fist, Shadow Claw, and Close Combat, to the various coverage moves.

Final Gambit is a terrific addition, as it causes the user to faint, but deals damage to its opponent equal to its substantial total HP. To cement Annihilape as one of the best competitive Pokémon available, it also has the Hidden Ability Defiant, an instant counter to Intimidate Pokémon or anything that tries to reduce the Rage Monkey Pokémon's Attack.

17 Maushold Is A Capable Support Pokémon

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Amoonguss continues to be the best competitive Pokémon in terms of usefulness, but in Scarlet & Violet, there is a new support Pokémon in town named Maushold. The adorable Family Pokémon comprises three or four mice acting together and shouldn't be underestimated.

Maushold can be set up with its Friend Guard Ability protecting its team in the doubles format, with moves like Encore, Helping Hand, Follow Me, and Tidy Up helping its team. However, if Maushold is set up with its Technician Ability, its signature move, Population Bomb, can hit up to 10 times and can only be halted if it misses. Regardless of the Ability used, Maushold can still be one of the best competitive Pokémon.

16 Iron Hands Is A Sturdy Physical Battler

Iron Hands may look like a futuristic relative of Hariyama at first glance, with a similar bulk and physical presence. Still, it can be a real nuisance for opponents as one of the best competitive Pokémon. Iron Hands is a powerful Fighting/Electric-type Paradox Pokémon with a promising movepool that various movesets can be used competitively.

Iron Hands' Belly Drum tactics have value competitively beyond just being used in Tera Raids, as Drain Punch can simply heal back the sacrificed HP. Fake Out flinches an opponent when Iron Hands enters the battle, and Volt Switch can switch Iron Hands out of the battle while still dealing damage. Close Combat and Wild Charge are heavy-hitting moves for big STAB damage, while moves like Heavy Slam, Play Rough, Fire Punch, and Earthquake offer considerable type coverage.

15 Baxcalibur Is Worthy Of The Pseudo-Legendary Title

Although Pseudo-Legendary species don't have the same firepower in Gen IX as in prior games, like Hyrdeigon, Baxcalibur is still a menacing battler. The dual Ice/Dragon-type Pokémon is a powerful beast that fits well into teams focusing on all-out offensive tactics.

Baxcalibur helps buck the trend of fragile Ice species, backing its fearsome 145 Attack with 115 HP and 90 Defense for some respectable defensive bulk. The dragon can challenge Chien-Pao as a physical-focused attacker — albeit with some caveats. Icicle Spear and Glaive Rush can sweep opponents with Ice and Dragon damage, while Earthquake can cover its blind spots. What generally still gives Chien-Pao the edge is Baxcalibur's weaknesses (unless Terastallized) to Fairy and other Dragon Pokémon, which there are many more of by Gen IX.

14 Chien-Pao Uses The Tera Type Mechanic To Shore Up Its Weaknesses

Now that Legendary Pokémon species have entered the competitive fray, the Ruinous Chien-Pao has been unleashed on the competition. Chien-Pao has Ice Spinner on hand to get through Psychic Terrain and Taunt to counter any Trick Room users. Chien-Pao's Sword of Ruin Ability reduces the Defense of all Pokémon on the field, which can set the scene for it to run rampant with vicious offense.

Chien-Pao can either go with Dark Tera to give it further boosts to Sucker Punch, or it can go for Flying Tera, allowing it to work well with powerful Ground-type Pokémon like Great Tusk. Chien-Pao has six Type weaknesses when it hasn't Terastallized, which is why a Focus Sash is always welcome. This item prevents the holder from being struck with a one-hit knockout — so long as they have full HP to start.

13 Chi-Yu Has An Arsenal Of Fire Attacks

While Chien-Pao lowers everybody's Defense, its fellow Ruinous Legendary Pokémon, Chi-Yu, does the same with Special Defense. This allows the Legendary creature Chi-Yu to unleash relentless fiery offensive maneuvers on its opponents. These moves include Lava Plume, Heat Wave, and Overheat.

Chi-Yu can afford to sacrifice its Attack stat to bolster its more useful Speed while carrying Dark-type offense in Dark Pulse and Snarl. Chi-Yu is an ideal new Fire-Type Pokémon to let loose on the competitive scene, especially when given the Ghost Tera typing to make it defensively sturdier.

12 Dondozo & Tatsugiri Are A Unique Pairing In The Doubles Format

Scarlet & Violet have introduced some cool and creative Pokémon in design and concept, and Dondozo and Tatsugiri rank among their wackiest. The Big Catfish Pokémon Dondozo is a tank by itself, but in competitive doubles, it can pair up with the tricky Tatsugiri to become even stronger.

Tatsugiri can jump inside Dondozo's mouth thanks to the Commander Ability, hiding it from harm's way while boosting each of Dondozo's stats by two stages. There are creative ways to take this further, such as having Tatsugiri die while in Dondozo, giving it a boost and allowing another Pokémon to take the field. The concept is inventive and destructive, making Dondozo one of the best competitive Pokémon.

11 Gholdengo Is Well-Rounded In Both Singles And Doubles

Gholdengo may be one of the more bizarre ideas and designs in the new Gen IX roster, but it has quickly become a staple on the competitive scene. The Coin Entity Pokémon brings the exceptional Steel/Ghost-type combination with all its resistances and immunities while boasting a formidable Special Attack stat.

Gholdengo's signature move, Make It Rain, is a Steel-type version of Overheat that packs a heavy punch on both opposing slots in the doubles format. Nasty Plot, Recover, and Shadow Ball flesh out an exceptional moveset that makes Gholdengo a menace and one of the best competitive Pokémon.

10 Ursaluna's Bloodmoon Form Is Defensively Sound And Hits Hard

The Normal/Ground-Type Ursaluna is the evolution of the Johto region's Ursaring, and it received a powerful buff in Scarlet and Violet. The Gen IX DLC expansion The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero introduced the new Bloodmoon form that elevates its competitive viability.

Ursaluna's base form was physically stout, but this variation shifts its stats to make it a physically defensive and hard-hitting Special attacker. With that tremendous bulk, Bloodmoon Ursaluna can trade punches with an astonishing number of Pokémon in the competitive scene. The devastating Normal attack Blood Moon and reliable Ground-type moves like Earth Power let it keep strong Steel species like Gholdengo at bay.

9 Palafin Is A Potential Powerhouse In Its Hero Form

Palafin is one of the more unique designs and concepts of the new Pokémon introduced in Gen IX. Palafin starts the battle as a seemingly mediocre battler, but if it switches out at any point, it returns in its Hero Form, which has almost 200 more in total base stats.

Flip Turn can get Palafin out of battle and trigger this miraculous transformation, but sometimes a manual switch is better. After the transformation, Palafian can show off its newfound power with priority moves like Aqua Jet and Jet Punch. Everybody who has tried competitive Pokémon in Gen IX knows about this transformation and can try to prevent it. Still, Hero Palafin hits extremely hard and will always be a threat.

8 Iron Bundle Is Fast And Hard-Hitting

While Delibird is often in the conversations about the most disappointing and useless Pokémon of all time, it has a relative from the distant future, the Paradox Pokémon Iron Bundle. Iron Bundle has alarming Speed at 136, with an impressive 124 Special Attack to make it a dangerous opponent and one of the best competitive Pokémon.

Iron Bundle can frustrate with moves like Protect, Encore, Substitute, and Taunt, or it can hit hard with STAB Hydro Pump and Blizzard. Yet the Ice/Water-type Paradox Pokémon excels when it hits moves with additional effects and value. Chilling Water can lower an opponent's Attack, and Icy Wind can do the same with Speed while hitting both opponents in a doubles format. Freeze-Dry even offers the possibility of freezing the target. Iron Bundle is quick and extremely dangerous, a must-have for a competitive team.

7 Flutter Mane Is A Special-Focused Powerhouse

Flutter Mane is the ancient past relative of Misdreavus and a Ghost/Fairy-type Paradox Pokémon. As soon as Paradox Pokémon were allowed in competitive Pokémon, players instantly turned to Flutter Mane. Most of Flutter Mane's 570 total base stats have been put into Speed, Special Defense, and Special Attack, making it extremely dangerous in battle.

Flutter Mane brings the usual Protect and Taunt to be a general nuisance in saving itself from certain moves, but it also possesses some terrifying special-offensive moves. Shadow Ball and Moonblast hit for devastating STAB damage, while Dazzling Gleam is always a good addition as it has spread damage, perfect for the doubles format. Flutter Mane is only weak to Ghost- and Steel-type moves and has three immunities, easily making it one of the best competitive Pokémon.

6 Dragonite Is A Powerful And Versatile Team Player

While most other Pseudo-Legendaries have dropped in the pecking order within the most recent meta, Dragonite has risen again. The Gen I Dragon Pokémon has always been on the edge of viability, but currently, it has enough versatility to be a utility player on any team.

The Multiscale Ability makes Dragonite take reduced damage while it has full HP, which should allow it to get rid of Psychic Terrain early on, thanks to Ice Spinner. Dragonite can then go Tera Flying and use Tera Blast for huge STAB damage, but an alternative is using Extreme Speed with the Normal Tera typing. Dragonite is the ideal answer to many strong Pokémon on the competitive circuit.

5 Great Tusk Thrives With All-Out Offense

When Paradox Pokémon were first introduced to competitive play, Great Tusk was often overlooked for the other options. However, the ancient past relative of Donphan now finds itself on almost every team in the current meta. Great Tusk is an offensive powerhouse, especially with an Adamant nature focusing on its Attack stat.

A Steel Tera gives Great Tusk more Types to resistance and more reliable defensive abilities, while it brings an attacking moveset. Headlong Rush, Earthquake, Close Combat, and Rock Slide are all aggressive moves that establish Great Tusk as one of the best offensive options in competitive Pokémon.

4 Amoonguss Has Been Consistently Strong Since Gen V

Amoonguss continues to be the unlikeliest of powerhouses on the competitive scene, but it still exists on most people's teams. An Amoonguss with the Regenerator Ability can regain some of its HP when switched out, which is perfect for the latter stages of a battle. However, Amoonguss' real value comes in its movepool. Protect, Pollen Puff, and Substitute can frustrate opponents, while Clear Smog is similar to a focused form of Haze in eliminating a sole target's stat buffs.

However, Amoonguss thrives on putting foes to sleep with Spore and commanding attention with Rage Powder. Then, if it ever comes up against another Amoonguss, the foe's Spore and Rage Powder will not affect it, adding to its value in making predictions with switch-ins. The Paradox Pokémon Brute Bonnet also has a place on the competitive scene as an ancient past relative of Amoonguss, with the bonus of having STAB Dark-type moves.

3 Miraidon Represents Violet Version Well In Competitive Formats

As is tradition, the latest generation introduced two new mascot Legendary species, and Pokémon Violet's Miraidon arguably has the edge over its counterpart. The dual Electric/Dragon-type Pokémon is one of the most potent special attackers in Scarlet and Violet's meta. Miraidon can break down a diverse set of opponents thanks to its fantastic 135 Sp. Attack and Speed.

With Electric attacks like its signature Electro Drift and high-damage Dragon moves like Draco Meteor or Dragon Pulse (for more reliable accuracy), Miraidon can sweep defensive Pokémon. Meanwhile, Overheat and U-Turn let it cover its weaknesses and pivot away from dangerous situations. While it's not an outright counter to it, Miraidon can even hold its own against Zacian's Crowned Form with this coverage.

2 Zacian In Its Crowned Form Is A Physical Terror

The Legendary Zacian was the flagship for Nintendo Switch's Pokémon Sword during Generation VIII, but it returned to plant its flag in Gen IX's competitive rankings. The dual Fairy/Steel-type beast was already imposing in its native Galar region and retained its physical strengths and monstrous stats.

Fairy and Steel are already superb typings, and combining them gives Zacian incredible offensive and defensive assets. Its Speed and Physical Attack see massive buffs in its Crowned Form (150 and 148 respectively), letting it tear through the most stubborn defenses with attacks like Behemoth Blade for Steel damage and Play Rough for Fairy damage. Zacian even outspeeds the Legendary Chien-Pao in this state.

1 Terapagos Brings A Legendary Shakeup To Competitive Pokémon

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's final expansion, The Indigo Disk, introduced a new Legendary species in Terapagos. The Normal-Type creature instantly impacted the competitive scene thanks to its gimmick related to Terastallized Pokémon. Combined with the new conditional typings — Stellar-type — Terapagos uses its alternate form, stat buffs, and diverse moveset to counter defensive opponents.

In its Stellar form, it can exploit its impressive Special Attack stat to tear through bulky Pokémon with Tera Starstorm. It will still need teammates to check opponents that otherwise resist Terapagos Normal-type attacks, like Steel creatures. But with its overwhelming Special Attack, versatile coverage options (Flamethrower, Ice Beam, etc.), and ability to inflict super-effective damage on Terastallized Pokemon, it's easy to see how this Legendary catapulted into the competitive format's highest tier.