Best Pokemon Tier List (March 2023) | Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV)

This is our tier list for the best Pokemon for competitive battles in Series 2 of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV). If you're planning to get into ranked battles but don't know which Pokemon to pick, this list will get you started on the right direction. Read on to find out which Pokemon are trainers using in online play.

Best Pokemon Tier List

Best Pokemon for Series 2, Season 4 Ranked Battles

Attention!	This Tier List has been updated to reflect the introduction of the Paradox Pokemon in Series 2 of Ranked Battle

Updated 3/8
Tier	Pokemon

Series 2, Season 3 Most Used Pokemon for Competitive Ranked Battles

Top 10 Most Used Pokemon, Tera Types, Abilities, Held Items and Moves

The following rankings are obtained from player data from Pokemon HOME. The list displays the most commonly-used Tera Types, Abilities, held items, and moves for the top 10 Pokemon in Single Battles during Series 2, Season 3 of Ranked Battles.

Rank	Pokemon, Ability, and Tera Type	Held Item and Moves
1	Flutter Mane Protosynthesis (100%) (59.9%)	Choice Specs (34.1%)
		・ Moonblast (93.6%) ・ Shadow Ball (93.3%) ・ Mystical Fire (69.4%) ・ Psyshock (42.0%)
2	Dragonite Multiscale (99.2%) (52.1%)	Rocky Helmet (30.4%)
		・ Earthquake (71.6%) ・ Extreme Speed (70.8%) ・ Roost (56.2%) ・ Dragon Dance (50.0%)
3	Baxcalibur Thermal Exchange (99.1%) (53.7%)	Assault Vest (46.0%)
		・ Ice Shard (90.5%) ・ Icicle Spear (86.2%) ・ Earthquake (85.6%) ・ Glaive Rush (75.9%)
4	Gholdengo Good as Gold (100%) (39.4%)	Covert Cloak (36.1%)
		・ Make It Rain (92.1%) ・ Shadow Ball (89.9%) ・ Nasty Plot (55.1%) ・ Recover (50.5%)
5	Iron Moth Quark Drive (100%) (44.7%)	Choice Specs (40.1%)
		・ Fiery Dance (87.9%) ・ Sludge Wave (87.5%) ・ Energy Ball (56.2%) ・ Overheat (45.9%)
6	Iron Bundle Quark Drive (100%) (55.6%)	Booster Energy (36.0%)
		・ Freeze-Dry (99.0%) ・ Hydro Pump (95.4%) ・ Flip Turn (52.8%) ・ Encore (43.4%)
7	Kingambit Supreme Overlord (72.6%) (61.9%)	Assault Vest (51.1%)
		・ Sucker Punch (96.0%) ・ Kowtow Cleave (95.7%) ・ Iron Head (84.7%) ・ Guillotine (32.8%)
8	Dondozo Unaware (98.7%) (33.5%)	Leftovers (69.2%)
		・ Yawn (75.5%) ・ Wave Crash (74.1%) ・ Fissure (66.0%) ・ Protect (58.0%)
9	Annihilape Vital Spirit (76.5%) (32.0%)	Leftovers (26.9%)
		・ Rage Fist (97.0%) ・ Drain Punch (69.5%) ・ Bulk Up (57.4%) ・ Taunt (50.4%)
10	Meowscarada Protean (61.3%) (51.7%)	Focus Sash (54.3%)
		・ Flower Trick (90.1%) ・ Knock Off (86.6%) ・ Sucker Punch (55.1%) ・ U-turn (37.6%)

Pokemon HOME Ranked Battle Data Feature Update Details

Best Pokemon Tier List Criteria

Best Pokemon for Series 2, Season 4 of Ranked Battles Considered

Start Date	February 1, 2023 (Wed) at 16:00 PST
End Date	March 31, 2023 (Fri) at 15:59 PST
Available Pokemon	・Paldea Pokedex ・Paradox Pokemon
Banned Pokemon	・Four Treasures of Ruin ・Koraidon and Miraidon ・Quagsire and Perserrker ・Charizard evolution line ・Cinderace evolution line ・Greninja evolution line

Ranked Battles Series 2 for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet runs from February 1, 2023 up until March 31, 2023. The Series 2 Regulations and rulesets allows most Pokemon in the Paldea Pokedex for competitive play, with just a few restrictions.

Series 3 Regulations Announced

Series 3 Newly Legal Pokemon for Ranked Battle
Wo-Chien	Chien-Pao	Ting-Lu	Chi-Yu

In Series 3 the Treasures of Ruin will become legal for Online Ranked Battle. This is sure to shift the meta game again drastically, as the introduction of the Paradox Pokemon did.
How to Catch the Treasures of Ruin

Criteria for Tier Placings

The following are the criteria to be met when ranking Pokemon for Ranked Singles.

Tier	Criteria
	SS Tier Pokemon have great offensive stats and movepools, are easy to use, and can make any team they're part of stronger. These Pokemon are often setup sweepers that have an easy time setting up with their boosting moves.
	As the weeks go by and the metagame develops, Pokemon can go back and forth between SS and S Tier. These Pokemon are still solid additions to your team and are essential to Ranked Battle.
	Pokemon in A Tier are often the best of their type, but usually outclassed by Pokemon in the SS and S Tier. These Pokemon also often have great type matchups against SS and S Tier Pokemon.
	B Tier Pokemon are often versatile and have effective builds, but there are generally better options in the higher tiers.
	C Tier Pokemon are ones that offer good moves and stats but are often locked in specialized builds. These Pokemon have specific niches in the metagame and are outclassed by Pokemon in the higher tiers.
	UR (Unranked) Pokemon are not currently legal for ranked battle however may be valid in certain online competitions. When made available these Pokemon will surely shake up the meta game.

Contributions to a Battle

These Tiers are determine by how drastically a match is altered by a Pokemon being on the field. Whether it be Redirection, Support, a strong Offensive presence, a Pokemon's impactfulness determines its placement on our list.

Team Synergy is Taken into Account

The criteria for best Pokemon also takes into account team synergy or how well each Pokemon works in conjunction with its teammates.

Tera-Type Potential

The potential of Pokemon Terastallizing is also taken into account as this mechanic not only gives it an extra STAB of a different type, it can also remove its glaring weaknesses and give it new resistances.

Best Pokemon to Terastallize

Series 2, Season 4 Differences and Meta Movers

Paradox Pokemon Dominate the Metagame

Paradox Pokemon becoming legal in Ranked Battle Series 2 have reshaped the metagame, causing previously top SS Pokemon like Annihilape, Dragonite, and Garchomp down to the lower tiers due to the introduction of new threats such as Flutter Mane and Roaring Moon.

Paradox Pokemon Builds for Competitive Battles and Tera Raids

Hyper Offense is Still the Standard

Consequently, the introduction of Paradox Pokemon has increased the usage of hyper offensive teams and strategies due to the ease of these Pokemon to setup or check previously effective defensive Pokemon.

Balanced team compositions and strategies still have a place in the new metagame, but now need specific countermeasures against aggressive gameplay.

List of Paradox Pokemon

Top Pokemon Rankings Explained

Best Pokemon - SS Tier

Pokemon	Commentary
Flutter Mane	Stats: 55-55-55-135-135-135 ・Flutter Mane's high Special Attack, as well as its great typing make its STAB options difficult to tank. ・Outspeeds most of SS and S Tier. ▶️Flutter Mane Best Movesets
Gholdengo	Stats: 87-60-95-133-91-84 ・Is immune to Status Moves thanks to its Good as Gold Ability. ・Has great typing for Offense and Defense ・Powerful Spread Move in Make it Rain. ▶️Gholdengo Best Movesets
Dragonite	Stats: 91-134-95-100-100-80 ・Multiscale lets it easily survive a super effective hit at full health. ・Normal Tera-type gives it STAB Extreme Speed ・Can set up with Dragon Dance. ▶️ Dragonite Best Movesets

S Tier

Pokemon	Commentary
Iron Valiant	Stats: 74-130-90-120-60-116 ・Can hit with either physical or special moves ・Unpredictable and difficult to counter unless the moveset is revealed early ・Has great type matchup against majority of S Tier Pokemon ▶️Iron Valiant Best Movesets
Iron Moth	Stats: 80-70-60-140-110-110 ・Great special bulk and high Special Attack make it a powerful Special Attacker. ・Great dual STAB lets it function as an offensive pivot. ▶️Iron Moth Best Movesets
Iron Bundle	Stats: 56-80-114-124-60-136 ・High Special Attack and Speed allows it to function as a strong revenge killer. ・Can overpower Water-types with STAB Freeze-Dry. ▶️Iron Bundle Best Movesets
Baxcalibur	Stats: 115-145-92-75-86-87 ・Pseudo-legendary with 600 BST. ・Thermal Exchange Ability boosts its Attack when hit by a Fire-type moves and gives it immunity to burns. ・Can further boost its already high 145 Atk with Swords Dance or Dragon Dance. ▶️Baxcalibur Best Movesets
Garganacl	Stats: 100-100-130-45-90-35 ・Immune to status effects and takes half damage from Ghost moves ・Powerful combo in Iron Defense and Body Press ・Salt Cure damage drain is a menace. ▶️Garganacl Best Movesets

A Tier

Pokemon	Commentary
Dondozo	Stats: 150-100-115-65-65-35 ・Ignores opponents stat changes thanks to its Unaware Ability, making it resistant to sweepers. ・Has good Defense and Attack raising option with Curse ・Invaluable high durability Water Type pick. ▶️Dondozo Best Movesets
Roaring Moon	Stats: 105-139-71-55-101-119 ・High Attack and Speed make it very difficult to switch into once it gets a Dragon Dance boost. ・Protosynthesis boosts its already high Attack, making it difficult to wall unresisted. ▶️Roaring Moon Best Movesets
Garchomp	Stats: 108-130-95-80-85-102 ・Versatile physical attacker that can boost its Attack with Swords Dance. ・Water Tera-type gives it STAB Liquidation allowing it to take on bulky Ground-types like Hippowdon. ・Respectable natural bulk lets it set up Stealth Rock. ▶️Garchomp Best Movesets
Annihilape	Stats: 110-115-80-50-90-90 ・Rage Fist is a powerful STAB move that gives Annihilape viability as a sweeper ・Can use Final Gambit to easily KO an ace attacker ▶️Annihilape Best Movesets
Hydreigon	Stats: 92-105-90-125-90-98 ・Deals large damage with Dark Pulse ・Is a good switch-in thanks to its many resistances ・With a Steel Tera Type it can reverse its unfavorable matchups, making it more viable than ever. ▶️Hydreigon Best Movesets
Kingambit	Stats: 100-135-120-60-85-50 ・Can sweep unprepared teams once it gets Supreme Overlord boosts. ・Can shrug off special attacks with its great natural bulk when equipped with an Assault Vest. ▶️Kingambit Best Movesets
Volcarona	Stats: 85-60-65-135-105-100 ・Access to Quiver Dance makes it a bulky special sweeper ・Flame Body dissuades physical attackers from attacking it ▶️Volcarona Best Movesets
Wash Rotom	Stats: 50-65-107-105-107-86 ・Good defensive pivot with good damage output and decent bulk. ・Works as a good disruptor thanks to moves like Trick and Thunder Wave ・Only weakness is Grass type thanks to Levitate ▶️Wash Rotom Best Movesets
Great Tusk	Stats: 115-131-131-53-53-87 ・Strong coverage allows it to handle a variety of threats. ・Access to Headlong Rush and massive Attack make it hit like a truck. ▶️Great Tusk Best Movesets
Brute Bonnet	Stats: 111-127-99-79-99-55 ・High Attack stat lets it run an effective physical Growth build ・STAB Sucker Punch allows it to check faster Ghost-types such as Gholdengo and Dragapult ▶️Brute Bonnet Movesets

B Tier

Pokemon	Commentary
Skeledirge	Stats: 104-75-100-110-75-66 ・Its Hidden Ability Unaware lets it ignore setup sweepers. ・High Special Attack and great dual STAB make it a great bulky attacker. ▶️Skeledirge Best Movesets
Meowscarada	Stats: 76-110-70-81-70-123 ・Its Hidden Ability Protean lets it change types once without Terastallizing. ・High Speed and Attack make it one of the best physical Grass-types in competitive play. ▶️Meowscarada Best Movesets
Dragapult	Stats: 88-120-75-100-75-142 ・Well-rounded stats and wide movepool make it a versatile Pokemon that can attack or support its team. ・Tera Blast finally gives it a reliable physical Ghost-type move with Ghost Tera-type. ▶️Dragapult Best Moveset
Iron Hands	Stats: 154-140-108-50-68-50 ・High HP and Attack makes it a good offensive tank. ・Terastallizing to Steel gives it enough firepower against Psychic and Fairy Pokemon. ▶️ Iron Hands Best Movesets
Grimmsnarl	Stats: 95-120-65-95-75-60 ・Is able to set up Prankster Dual Screens and debuff opponents with Parting Shot and Spirit Break ▶️Grimmsnarl Best Moveset
Salamence	Stats: 95-135-80-110-80-100 ・Access to Moxie and Dragon Dance make it a powerful setup sweeper. ・Large physical and special movepool make it a versatile and unpredictable attacker with many build options. ▶️Salamence Best Movesets
Corviknight	Stats: 98-87-105-53-87-67 ・Part Steel Typing is invaluable in current meta. ・Can deal with walls thanks to access to Taunt, preventing them from building up their Defenses. ・Iron Defense + Body Press is a powerful combination ▶️Corviknight Best Movesets
Sandy Shocks	Stats: 85-81-97-121-85-101 ・Has a decent 101 Base Speed that allows it to outspeed notable Pokemon like Gholdengo and Hydreigon. ・Has a high Special Attack Stat and a modest movepool of coverage moves. ▶️Sandy Shocks Best Movesets
Glimmora	Stats: 83-55-90-130-81-86 ・Toxic Debris Ability scatters Toxic Spikes whenever it's hit by a physical attack. ・Has a wide support movepool that includes Stealth Rock, Mortal Spin, and Spiky Shield. ・Can also go full offensive with its high 130 Sp.Atk. ▶️Glimmora Best Movesets
Azumarill	Stats: 110-50-80-60-80-50 ・Water Tera-type further boosts the power of Aqua Jet. ・Huge Power and Play Rough lets it easily dispatch Dark, Fighting, and Dragon-types. ▶️Azumarill Best Movesets
Mimikyu	Stats: 55-90-80-50-100-96 ・Versatile physical attack that has plenty of Tera-type options. ・Can easily set up with Swords Dance thanks to Disguise and attack faster Pokemon with Shadow Sneak ▶️Mimikyu Best Moveset
Hippowdon	Stats: 108-112-118-68-72-47 ・High HP, Defense, and Slack Off lets it easily shrug off physical attacks ・Sand Stream Ability is invaluable at breaking Focus Sash and distrupting Koraidon's Orichalcum Pulse. ▶️Hippowdon Best Moveset

C Tier

Pokemon	Commentary
Espathra	Stats: 95-60-60-101-60-105 ・High Speed and Speed Boost Ability makes it difficult to outrun if it gets a boos. ・Lumina Crash allows it to check defensive Pokemon and prevent them from staying on the field. ▶️Espathra Best Movesets
Iron Treads	Stats: 90-112-120-72-70-106 ・Great physical bulk and defensive typing. ・Access to key support moves such as Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin. ▶️Iron Treads Best Movesets
Ceruledge	Stats: 75-125-80-60-100-85 ・Has excellent compatibility with its Hidden Ability Weak Armor, which raises its Speed by 2 stages, while lowering its Defense 1 stage when it is hit by an attack. ・Has a wide variety of Fire and Ghost Type moves. ・Bitter Blade's healing effect is very strong. ▶️Ceruledge Best Movesets
Scizor	Stats: 70-130-100-55-80-65 ・Steel Tera-type further boosts its already strong Technician-boosted Bullet Punch. ・Can Terastallize to remove its 4x weakness to Fire-type moves. ▶️Scizor Best Movesets
Breloom	Stats: 60-130-80-60-60-70 ・Can put slower Pokemon to sleep with 100% accurate Spore. ・Technician boosts the power of moves such as Mach Punch, Bullet Seed, and Rock Tomb. ・Loaded Dice guarantees Bullet Seed hits 5 times. ▶️Breloom Best Movesets
Gyarados	Stats: 95-125-79-60-100-81 ・Large damage output with Water Tera Type and Moxie Ability. ・Defensive boost this generation thanks to Tera Type allowing it to lose 4x Electric weakness ・Versatile Pokemon with lots of Type coverage, Ability and mode options. ▶️Gyarados Best Movesets
Clodsire	Stats: 130-75-60-45-100-20 ・Access to some of the best support moves like Toxic, Yawn, and Stealth Rock ・Great typing, defensive stats, and abilities in Water Absorb and Unaware. ▶️Clodsire Best Movesets
Palafin	Stats: 100-70-72-53-62-100 ・In its Hero Form, Palafin gains increased stats, that make it an offensive powerhouse against Pokemon who don't resist it ▶️Palafin Best Movesets
Pelipper	Stats: 60-50-100-95-70-65 ・Can set up Rain with its Drizzle Ability. ・Pelipper's STAB Moves have natural synergy with its Weather. ▶️Pelipper Best Movesets
Heat Rotom	Stats: 50-65-107-105-107-86 ・Good disruptor thanks to Choice Scarf and Trick. ・Excellent pivot thanks to its unique dual typing and access to Volt Switch. ▶️Heat Rotom Best Movesets
Tyranitar	Stats: 100-134-110-95-100-61 ・Sand Stream Ability and access to Stealth Rock makes it one of the premier weather setters for dedicated Sand teams. ・Can also function as a surprisingly effective Dragon Dance user with its high powered moves. ▶️Tyranitar Best Movesets
Gengar	Stats: 60-65-60-130-75-110 ・Multiple build options make it an upredictable Pokemon that's hard to predict. ・Has great utility options such as Encore and Will-O-Wisp. ▶️Gengar Best Movesets
Grafaiai	Stats: 63-95-65-80-72-110 ・Can function as an offensive lead with Prankster-boosted Taunt and Parting Shot. ▶️Grafaiai Best Movesets
Cloyster	Stats: 50-95-180-85-45-70 ・Rock Tera-type gives it STAB Rock Blast. ・Skill Link Ability guarantees that Icicle Spear hit 5 times. ▶️Cloyster Best Movesets

UR Tier

Pokemon	Commentary
Koraidon	Stats: 100-135-115-85-100-135 ・Great Ability in Orichalcum Pulse which sets Sun and boost Koraidon's Attack. ▶️Koraidon Best Movesets
Miraidon	Stats: 100-85-100-135-115-135 ・Great Ability in Hadron Engine which sets Electric Terrain and boost Koraidon's Special Attack. ▶️Miraidon Best Movesets
Walking Wake	Stats: 99-83-91-125-83-109 ・Excellent signature move in Hydro Steam. ・Great for Sun or Rain teams. ▶️Walking Wake Best Movesets
Iron Leaves	Stats: 90-130-88-70-108-104 ・Has a decent movepool and respectable stats. ・Has good signature move in Psyblade. ▶️Iron Leaves Best Movesets
Wo-Chien	Stats: 85-85-100-95-135-70 ・Tablets of Ruin lowers opposing Pokemon's Attack stat by 25%. ・Can function as a physically defensive wall or a specially defensive pivot. ▶️Wo-Chien Best Movesets
Ting-Lu	Stats: 155-110-125-55-80-45 ・High base stats and ability make it a powerful tank. ・Supporter which doesn't slouch with its physical attacks. ▶️Ting-Lu Best Movesets
Chien-Pao	Stats: 80-120-80-90-65-135 ・High Attack and Speed and great dual STAB make it a formidable lead attacker. ・Sword of Ruin makes it hard to wall as the Ability lowers the Defense of all Pokemon on the field when it switches in. ▶️Chien-Pao Best Movesets
Chi-Yu	Stats: 55-80-80-135-120-100 ・High Special Attack and Beads of Ruin debuffing opponents' Special Defense make Chi-Yu an offensive powerhouse. ▶️Chi-Yu Best Movesets
Decidueye	Stats: 78-107-75-100-100-70 ・Has access to Swords Dance and Roost, making it a reliable set up sweeper with a reliable recovery option. ▶️Decidueye Best Movesets
Greninja	Stats: 72-95-67-103-71-122 ・Greninja is a potent Mixed Attacker that can be tailored to fit teams and take care of specific threats. ▶️Greninja Best Movesets
Cinderace	Stats: 80-116-75-65-75-119 ・High Base Attack and Speed Stats that make it a great Physical Attacker. ・Excellent Ability in Libero which allows it to change its typing. ▶️Cinderace Best Movesets
Charizard	Stats: 78-84-78-109-85-100 ・Massive damage with STAB Fire Tera sun Solar Power boost. ・Defensive boost this generation thanks to Tera Type allowing it to lose 4x Rock weakness ・Great compatibility with Koraidon and the Ancient Paradox Pokemon ▶️Charizard Best Movesets
Hisuian Zoroark	Stats: 55-100-60-125-60-110 ・Access to both Nasty Plot and Swords Dance makes it an offensive threat that can deliver Physical or Special damage. ▶️Hisuian Zoroark Best Movesets

Movesets & Best Builds for Competitive Battle

Off-Meta Pokemon

List of Off-Meta Pokemon

Off-Meta Pokemon

These Pokemon are both viable and legal in Ranked Battles but are outclassed by most of the Pokemon in the tier list or have a specific niche that require proper team building.

Check Pokemon Rankings in Pokemon HOME

Pokemon HOME Version 2.1.0

Pokemon HOME's latest updated added several new features such as the Ranked Battles Information in the Battle Data feature. Similar to how it worked in Pokemon Sword and Shield, this feature shows Pokemon usage in the current battle series.

Pokemon HOME Update Details

Best Pokemon by Stat

Pokemon with Highest Base Stat Total

Rank	Pokemon	Base Stat Total
1	Miraidon	670
2	Koraidon	670
3	Slaking	670
4	Palafin (Hero Form)	650
5	Pseudo Legendaries	600

List of Pokemon by Base Stats

Pokemon with Highest HP Stat

Rank	Pokemon	HP
1	Blissey	255
2	Chansey	250
3	Cetitan	170
4	Alomomola	165
5	Ting-Lu	155

Pokemon with Highest Attack Stat

Rank	Pokemon	Attack
1	Palafin (Hero Form)	160
2	Slaking	160
3	Haxorus	147
4	Baxcalibur	145
5	Iron Hands	140

Pokemon with Highest Defense Stat

Rank	Pokemon	Defense
1	Avalugg	184
2	Cloyster	180
3	Toxapex	152
4	Orthworm	145
5	Forretress	140

Pokemon with Highest Sp. Attack Stat

Rank	Pokemon	Sp. Attack
1	Iron Moth	140
2	Hatterene	136
3	Miraidon	135
3	Chi-Yu	135
3	Flutter Mane	135
3	Volcarona	135

Pokemon with Highest Sp. Def Stat

Rank	Pokemon	Sp. Defense
1	Florges	154
2	Goodra	150
3	Toxapex	142
4	Blissey	135
5	Wo-Chien	135
5	Flutter Mane	135
5	Cryogonal	135

Pokemon with Highest Speed Stat

Rank	Pokemon	Speed
1	Electrode	150
2	Dragapult	142
3	Iron Bundle	136
4	Barraskewda	136
5	Miraidon	135
5	Koraidon	135
5	Chien-Pao	135
5	Flutter Mane	135

List of Pokemon by Speed

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Related Guides

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