Doubles Tier List for Competitive and VGC (March 2023) | Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV)

This is our tier list for the best Pokemon for competitive Double Battles in 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

Series 2, Season 4 Ranked Battle Doubles Tier List

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

Updated 3/13
Tier	Pokemon

Series 2, Season 4 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 4 of Ranked Battles.

Rank	Pokemon, Ability, and Tera Type	Held Item and Moves
1	Flutter Mane Protosynthesis (100%) (70.2%)	Focus Sash (46.7%)
		・ Shadow Ball (95.1%) ・ Dazzling Gleam (71.3%) ・ Protect (64.4%) ・ Moonblast (60%)
2	Iron Bundle Quark Drive (100%) (46.2%)	Booster Energy (43.8%)
		・ Freeze-Dry (92.9%) ・ Hydro Pump (89.6%) ・ Protect (81.2%) ・ Icy Wind (80.8%)
3	Iron Hands Quark Drive (100%) (38.2%)	Assault Vest (72.6%)
		・ Fake Out (86.9%) ・ Drain Punch (85.2%) ・ Wild Charge (64.6%) ・ Thunder Punch (30.8%)
4	Great Tusk Protosynthesis (100%) (74.3%)	Focus Sash (58.9%)
		・ Headlong Rush (89%) ・ Close Combat (88.9%) ・ Protect (71.9%) ・ Earthquake (65.0%)
5	Amoonguss Regenerator (96.2%) (38.2%)	Rocky Helmet (37.0%)
		・ Spore (99.7%) ・ Rage Powder (98.1%) ・ Pollen Puff (79.3%) ・ Protect (54.1%)
6	Dragonite Multiscale (78.9%) (47.8%)	Choice Band (37.5%)
		・ Extreme Speed (96.1%) ・ Ice Spinner (60.5%) ・ Tera Blast (41.8%) ・ Dragon Claw (26.8%)
7	Arcanine Intimidate (98.9%) (29.6%)	Sitrus Berry (34.3%)
		・ Flare Blitz (87%) ・ Will-O-Wisp (77.2%) ・ Protect (75.6%) ・ Snarl (64.6%)
8	Indeedee (Female) Psychic Surge (99.6%) (47.4%)	Psychic Seed (56.0%)
		・ Follow Me (99.0%) ・ Helping Hand (72.4%) ・ Trick Room (63.0%) ・ Psychic (59.6%)
9	Armarouge Flash Fire (61.5%) (59.8%)	Weakness Policy (32.9%)
		・ Expanding Force (88.2%) ・ Armor Cannon (73%) ・ Protect (53.5%) ・ Trick Room (45.0%)
10	Gholdengo Good as Gold (100%) (70%)	Choice Specs (45.1%)
		・ Make It Rain (99.8%) ・ Shadow Ball (97.9%) ・ Protect (44.3%) ・ Thunderbolt (37%)

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 will reshape the metagame, causing previously top SS Pokemon like Annihilape, Hydreigon, and Gholdengo down to the lower tiers due to the introduction of new threats such as Iron Bundle and Iron Hands.

Paradox Pokemon Builds for Competitive Battles and Tera Raids

Hyper Offense is Still the Standard

Consequently, the introduction of Paradox Pokemon will further increase 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 will need specific countermeasures against aggressive gameplay.

List of Paradox Pokemon

Featured Pairs and Cores

Pokemon often have synergy with each other, which allow them to work together for good results. Featured below are some of these Pokemon and the teammates they would frequently have.

VGC Doubles Teambuilding

Good Stuff

Good Stuff
Pokemon	Flutter Mane	Iron Bundle	Iron Hands
Ability	Protosynthesis	Quark Drive	Quark Drive
Held Item	Choice Specs	Focus Sash	Assault Vest
Role	Special Attacker	Special Attacker	Physical Attacker

The easiest and most effective teams to build are Good Stuff teams. These teams vary depending on the available Pokemon in the format as they usually involve the best Pokemon available. They make use of only the most necessary and effective tools. Good Stuff teams don't aim to be creative; they aim to be effective.

Oftentimes, these teams also make use of the best support Pokemon available, in this case, they are Amoonguss and Arcanine.

Psy Spam

Indeedee-F and Armarouge
Pokemon	Indeedee (Female)	Armarouge
Ability	Psychic Surge	Flash Fire
Held Item	Psychic Seed	Life Orb
Role	Trick Room Setter / Redirection / Support	Trick Room Setter / Special Attacker

Indeedee-F and Armarouge are a dangerous duo to go up against on Ranked Battles, mainly because of their unpredictability. Both can have the move, Trick Room, leaving the opponents to guess which one will use it. Successfully setting up Trick Room usually guarantees a win for this duo, as Armarouge can sweep through teams with Helping Hand-boosted Expanding Force. Knocking one of these two out out will allow Torkoal to come in and click Eruption, which will also sweep through teams.

Maus Ape

Maus Ape
Pokemon	Annihilape	Maushold
Ability	Defiant	Friend Guard
Held Item	Leftovers	Wide Lens
Role	Offensive Tank	Support / Physical Attacker

Annihilape and Tera Ghost Maushold make for an unstoppable duo. Maushold can protect itself from Fake Out with Tera Ghost, while raising the power of Annihilape's Rage Fist with Beat Up.

Maushold can then protect Annihilape with Follow Me and give it some added bulk with its Friend Guard Ability.

This strategy may struggle against redirection, however, with Rage Fist being nullified by a Normal-type Follow Me user such as Indeedee-F or opposing Maushold.

Top Pokemon Rankings Explained

Best Pokemon- SS Tier Pokemon

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. ・Will usually get to attack first thanks to its blistering Speed. ▶️Flutter Mane Best Doubles Moveset
Iron Hands	Stats: 154-140-108-50-68-50 ・High HP and Attack makes it a good offensive tank. ▶️ Iron Hands Best Doubles Moveset
Iron Bundle	Stats: 56-80-114-124-60-136 ・High Sp. Atk and Speed stat makes it a devastating sweeper. ・Good dual typing with STAB Freeze-Dry makes it hard to counter. ・A decent Special Attacker that is naturally faster than Flutter Mane ▶️Iron Bundle Best Doubles Moveset

S Tier Pokemon

Pokemon	Commentary
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 makes it hit like a truck. ▶️Great Tusk Best Doubles Moveset
Amoonguss	Stats: 114-85-70-85-80-30 ・Impressive HP and Defensive Stats make it the best Redirection Pokemon in the format. ・Access to Spore and Rage Powder, which can be difficult to play around. ・Its support can consistently help a teammate set up, allowing for a player to execute their gameplan more effectively ▶️Amoonguss Best Doubles Moveset
Arcanine	Stats: 90-110-80-100-80-95 ・Besides great Defenses, Arcanine has effective ways to debuff opponents. Namely, its Intimidate Ability, and Moves like Snarl and Will-O-Wisp ・Great Attack and Speed stats that allow it to be a reliable back up attacker even without offensive EV investment. ▶️Arcanine Best Doubles Moveset
Gholdengo	Stats: 55-90-80-50-105-96 ・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 Doubles Moveset
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 Doubles Movesets
Dragonite	Stats: 91-134-95-100-100-80 ・Can deal huge damage with Tera Normal Extreme Speed. ・Difficult to wall because of its wide selection of coverage moves. ▶️Dragonite Best Doubles Moveset

A Tier Pokemon

Pokemon	Commentary
Indeedee (Female)	Stats: 60-65-55-105-95-95 ・Protects its team from Priority Moves with Psychic Surge. ・Can support its teammates with Follow Me and Helping Hand ▶️Indeedee-F Best Doubles Moveset
Armarouge	Stats: 85-60-100-125-80-75 ・The only Pokemon to have the move Expanding Force ・Has great natural synergy with Indeedee (Female). ▶️Armarouge Best Doubles Moveset
Roaring Moon	Stats: 105-139-71-55-101-119 ・High Attack and Speed make it very potent Physical Attacker. ・Protosynthesis can boost its Attack or Speed in Sun or with Booster Energy. ▶️Roaring Moon Best Doubles Movesets
Talonflame	Stats: 78-81-71-74-69-126 ・Can use Priority Tailwind and Brave Bird with Gale Wings. ・Fast Taunt and Will-O-Wisp user. ▶️Talonflame Best Doubles Moveset
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 Doubles Movesets
Torkoal	Stats: 70-85-140-85-70-20 ・Powerful boosted Eruptions can sweep through unprepared teams. ・Can set up Sun for Paradox Pokemon with Protosynthesis. ▶️Torkoal Best Doubles Moveset

B Tier Pokemon

Pokemon	Commentary
Annihilape	Stats: 110-115-80-50-90-90 ・Can consistently take out an opposing Pokemon with Final Gambit. ・Has an excellent Ability in Defiant ▶️Annihilape Best Doubles Moveset
Tyranitar	Stats: 100-134-110-95-100-61 ・Great all around stats. ・Reliable Weather setter. ▶️Tyranitar Best Doubles Moveset
Dondozo	Stats: 225-120-135-85-85-55 ・Great bulk and decent offense ・Powerful synergy with Tatsugiri's Commander boosting all its Stats. ▶️Dondozo Best Doubles Moveset
Baxcalibur	Stats: 95-65-65-110-130-60 ・Huge attack of 145 with a BST of 600 ・Ability gives it immunity to getting burned. ▶️Baxcalibur Best Doubles Movesets
Brute Bonnet	Stats: 111-127-99-79-99-55 ・Has a high Attack Stat which lets it contribute offensively to a battle. ・Has access to both [Spore and Rage Powder like Amoonguss, which lets it be a nuisance on the field. ▶️Brute Bonnet Best Doubles Moveset
Maushold	Stats: 74-75-70-65-75-111 ・Has access to a very powerful move in Population Bomb. ・Has very useful Utility Moves in Follow Me, Encore and Helping Hand. ▶️Maushold Best Doubles Moveset
Garganacl	Stats: 100-100-130-45-90-35 ・Immune to status effects and takes half damage from Ghost moves ・Works as a win condition against unprepared teams. ・Salt Cure damage drain is a menace. ▶️Garganacl Best Doubles Moveset
Tatsugiri	Stats: 68-50-60-120-95-82 ・Its Commander Ability makes it a great partner for Dondozo, boosting its offenses and allowing it to sweep. ▶️Tatsugiri Best Doubles Moveset
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 Doubles Moveset
Garchomp	Stats: 108-130-95-80-85-102 ・Decent bulk, and above average Speed and Attack, Garchomp is a force to be reckoned with in formats where few Pokemon outspeed it. ▶️Garchomp Best Doubles Moveset
Volcarona	Stats: 85-60-65-135-105-100 ・Matches up favorably against Gholdengo thanks to its Fire typing and natural Special Defense. ▶️Volcarona Best Movesets
Iron Moth	Stats: 80-70-60-140-110-110 ・Great special bulk and high Special Attack make it a powerful Special Attacker.▶️Iron Moth Best Doubles Movesets

C Tier Pokemon

Pokemon	Commentary
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 Doubles Moveset
Murkrow	Stats: 60-85-42-85-42-91 ・Has access to Prankster Tailwind and Haze. ▶️Murkrow Best Doubles Moveset
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 Doubles Moveset
Sylveon	Stats: 95-65-65-110-130-60 ・Has access to powerful Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice and Quick Attack. ▶️Sylveon Best Doubles Moveset
Glimmora	Stats: 83-55-90-130-81-86 ・Reliable entry hazard setter ・Can work as a Special Attacker disguised as a hazard setter ▶️Glimmora Best Doubles Movesets
Ceruledge	Stats: 75-125-80-60-100-85 ・Access to Swords Dance and powerful dual STAB make it a formidable physical attacker. ・Learns great coverage moves, such as Close Combat. ▶️Ceruledge Best Doubles Movesets
Iron Jugulis	Stats: 94-80-86-122-80-108 ・High Sp. Atk and Speed stat makes it a good Late Game Sweeper. ・Wide Special movepool and has better coverage than Hydreigon ▶️Iron Jugulis Best Doubles Movesets
Scream Tail	Stats: 115-65-99-65-115-111 ・Very tanky or fastunder Harsh Sunlight thanks to Protosynthesis. ・Deals decent damage even if EVs are invested in its defenses. ▶️Scream Tail Best Doubles Movesets
Gastrodon (West Sea)	Stats: 111-83-68-92-92-39 ・Can support Water-weak teammates with its Storm Drain Ability. ・Matches up favorably against top Pokemon like Iron Bundle, Iron Hands, and Garganacl thanks to its natural typing and Tera type. ▶️Gastrodon Best Doubles Movesets
Corviknight	Stats: 98-87-105-53-85-67 ・Unbreakable Late Game Wall. ・Hard to take down after a single Bulk Up. ・Can bounce Intimidate back with its Mirror Armor Ability, making it a solid matchup against Arcanine despite its Steel typing. ▶️Corviknight Best Doubles Moveset
Hatterene	Stats:57-90-95-136-103-29 ・Is a consistent Trick Room setter and Sweeper. ・Has built-in protection in Magic Bounce ▶️Hatterene Best Doubles Moveset
Meowscarada	Stats: 76-110-70-81-70-123 ・Its signature move, Flower Trick is great for damaging Pokemon like Dondozo. ▶️Meowscarada Best Doubles Moveset
Farigiraf	Stats: 120-90-70-110-70-60 ・Reliable Trick Room setter with an immunity to priority moves thanks to its Armor Tail Ability. ▶️Farigiraf Best Doubles Moveset
Scizor	Stats: 70-130-100-55-80-65 ・Massive Bullet Punch damage through Technician ・Can remove 4x Fire Weakness by Terastallizing ▶️Scizor Best Doubles Moveset
Mimikyu	Stats: 55-90-80-50-105-96 ・Its Disguise Ability gives Mimikyu added durability, allowing it to set up more consistently. ▶️Mimikyu Best Doubles 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 Doubles Moveset
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 Doubles Moveset
Wo-Chien	Stats: 85-85-100-95-135-70 ・Tablets of Ruin lowers opposing Pokemon's Attack stat by 25%. ・Can support special-oriented offensive teams with Leech Seed and Knock Off. ▶️Wo-Chien Best Doubles Moveset
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 Doubles 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 Doubles 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 Doubles 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 Doubles Moveset
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 Doubles 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 Doubles 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 Doubles 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 Doubles 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 Doubles 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 Doubles Movesets

Movesets & Best Builds for Competitive Battle

Off-Meta Pokemon

List of Off-Meta Pokemon

Off-Meta Pokemon

These Pokemon are viable 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

Related Guides

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