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Best Pokemon Tier List For Ranked Battle

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This is our tier list for the strongest Pokemon for Ranked Battle in the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. If you're planning on getting into Ranked Battle, but don't know what Pokemon to start with, this list will get you started in the right direction. Read on for details about which Pokemon the strongest trainers are using in online play.

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Pokemon SWSH - Tier ListSingles Tier List Pokemon SWSH - Best BuildsBest Builds Pokemon Sword and Shield - Ranked Battle Series 10 Contenders.pngSeries 12 List of Contenders
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Playable Legendary Pokemon in Series 13

Series 13 allows players to use any number of Legendary Pokemon per team for competitive play. These include the following:

Pokemon SWSH - MewtwoMewtwo Pokemon SWSH - LugiaLugia Pokemon SWSH - Ho-ohHo-oh Pokemon SWSH - KyogreKyogre
Pokemon SWSH - GroudonGroudon Pokemon SWSH - RayquazaRayquaza Pokemon SWSH - DialgaDialga Pokemon SWSH - PalkiaPalkia
Pokemon SWSH - GiratinaGiratina Pokemon SWSH - ReshiramReshiram Pokemon SWSH - ZekromZekrom Pokemon SWSH - KyuremKyurem
Pokemon SWSH - XerneasXerneas Pokemon SWSH - YveltalYveltal Pokemon SWSH - ZygardeZygarde Pokemon SWSH - CosmogCosmog
Pokemon SWSH - CosmoemCosmoem Pokemon SWSH - SolgaleoSolgaleo Pokemon SWSH - LunalaLunala Pokemon SWSH - NecrozmaNecrozma
Pokemon SWSH - ZacianZacian Pokemon SWSH - ZamazentaZamazenta Pokemon SWSH - EternatusEternatus Pokemon SWSH - CalyrexCalyrex

Playable Mythical Pokemon in Series 13

For the first time ever, Mythical Pokemon can be used in Series 13. These include the following:

Pokemon SWSH - MewMew Pokemon SWSH - CelebiCelebi Pokemon SWSH - JirachiJirachi
Pokemon SWSH - VictiniVictini Pokemon SWSH - KeldeoKeldeo Pokemon SWSH - GenesectGenesect
Pokemon SWSH - DiancieDiancie Pokemon SWSH - VolcanionVolcanion Pokemon SWSH - MagearnaMagearna
Pokemon SWSH - MarshadowMarshadow Pokemon SWSH - ZeraoraZeraora Pokemon SWSH - MeltanMeltan
Pokemon SWSH - MelmetalMelmetal Pokemon SWSH - ZarudeZarude

Tier List Updates as of 2022/9/7

Tier Changes
Tier 1 No Changes
Tier 2 No Changes
Tier 3 No Changes
Tier 4 No Changes
Delisted No Changes

Ranked Battle Series 13 | Rules and Legal Pokemon

Best Pokemon Tier List For Ranked Battle

This tier list is based on the Pokemon HOME Pokemon Rankings for Series 13, which began on September 1 and is ongoing. We update it daily, so check back for the best Pokemon in ranked battle as of September 2022!

Click a Pokemon to jump to their explanation.

Tier 1
ZacianZacian YveltalYveltal KyogreKyogre
Tier 2
GroudonGroudon MarshadowMarshadow Calyrex (Shadow Rider)Calyrex (Shadow Rider)
WhimsicottNecrozma (Dusk Mane) ZekromZekrom EternatusEternatus
DialgaDialga Ho-ohHo-Oh Landorus (Therian Forme)Landorus (Therian Forme)
Tier 3
LugiaLugia XerneasXerneas White KyuremWhite Kyurem
DittoDitto HippowdownHippowdon ZygardeZygarde
MelmetalMelmetal PalkiaPalkia ZamazentaZamazenta
Tier 4
RegielekiRegieleki ZapdosZapdos JirachiJirachi
GrimmsnarlGrimmsnarl Calyrex (Ice Rider)Calyrex (Ice Rider) ChanseyChansey
MimikyuMimikyu ReshiramReshiram TyranitarTyranitar

Best Pokemon - Tier 1

Ranked Battle Series 13 is shaping out to be a hyper aggresive meta with the focus being on strong offensive legendary and mythical Pokemon as sweepers capable of Dynamaxing.

Zacian

Moveset & Best Build for Zacian
Nature Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread Atk 252 / Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 167 / Atk 182 / Def 136 / Sp.Def 135 / Spd 209
(Hero of Many Battles)
HP 168 / Atk 244 / Def 136 / Sp.Def 135 / Spd 209
(Crowned Sword)
Ability Intrepid Sword
Held Item Rusted Sword
Moveset Iron Head (Behemoth Blade)
Close Combat
Swords Dance
Play Rough

Zacian is one of the most powerful physical attackers in the game and is an oppresive force in competitive battle that pushed the metagame into its current state of hyper offense.

With the return of Dynamax, it will once again find a niche in offensive teams as the primary Dynamax counter, with its Behemoth Blade doing double damage against opposing Dynamax Pokemon.

Yveltal

Moveset & Best Build for Yveltal
Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread Sp.Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 201 / Def 115 / Sp.Atk 183 / Sp.Def 119 / Spd 166
Ability Dark Aura
Held Item Life Orb
Moveset Dark Pulse
Oblivion Wing
Heat Wave
Sucker Punch

Yveltal is a powerful special sweaper with access to great dual STAB and its signature move letting it stay in matches longer despite the recoil damage from Life Orb.

Kyogre

Moveset & Best Build for Kyogre
Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread Def 4 / Sp.Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 175 / Def 111 / Sp.Atk 202 / Sp.Def 160 / Spd 156
Ability Drizzle
Held Item Choice Scarf
Moveset Water Spout
Thunder
Ice Beam
Origin Pulse

Kyogre's flagship Choice Scarf set from the Advance Generation is still as potent as ever, and can now threaten opposing teams after getting worn down thanks to its Origin Pulse move.

It's best used as a lead Dynamax Pokemon so that it immediately sets up rain and can unleash powerful Water Spouts to sweep or severely weaken the opposing team right at the very beginning.

Best Pokemon - Tier 2

Although they can't top the Tier 1 Pokemon's elite status, the Pokemon in Tier 2 are essential to Ranked Battle.

Groudon

Nature Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread HP 252 / Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4
Final Stat Values HP 414 / Atk 222 / Def 160 / Sp. Def 111 / Spe 110
Ability Drought
Held Item Sitrus Berry
Moveset Precipice Blades
Rock Slide
Swords Dance
Protect

Groudon is a powerful Pokemon that is able to set up Sun as well as being able to hit really hard thanks to its monstrous Attack stat. Its natural defenses also provide Groudon with longevity in a match, allowing it to tank and dish out offense for as long as possible.

Marshadow

Moveset & Best Build for Marshadow
Nature Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread Atk 252 / Def 4 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values HP 165 / Atk 177 / Def 101 / Sp. Def 110 / Spe 194
Ability Technician
Held Item Focus Sash
Moveset Spectral Thief
Shadow Sneak
Close Combat
Protect

Marshadow boasts its access to Technician-boosted Shadow Sneak, being able to immediately threaten the likes of Calyrex (Shadow Rider). Its signature move, Spectral Thief is good for stealing an opposing Pokemon's stat boosts and using it against them.

Calyrex (Shadow Rider)

Moveset & Best Build for Calyrex (Shadow Rider)
Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread Def 4 / Sp.Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 175 / Def 101 / Sp.Atk 217 / Sp.Def 120 / Spd 222
Ability As One
Held Item Life Orb
Focus Sash
Moveset Astral Barrage
Psychic
Giga Drain
Nasty Plot

Calyrex's Shadow Rider form is one of the most threatening sweepers in the current metagame, capable of outrunning and knocking out many Pokemon with its STAB moves.

Necrozma (Dusk Mane)

Moveset & Best Build for Necrozma (Dusk Mane)
Nature Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread HP 252 / Atk 252 / Spd 4
Final Stat Values HP 204 / Atk 229 / Def 147 / Sp.Def 129 / Spd 98
Ability Prism Armor
Held Item Weakness Policy
Moveset Sunsteel Strike
Earthquake
Psychic Fangs
Rock Blast

Necrozma's Prism Armor works well with Weakness Policy in that it takes reduced damage from super effective moves, but still benefits from the boost.

Zekrom

Moveset & Best Build for Zekrom
Nature Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread Atk 252 / Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 175 / Atk 202 / Def 141 / Sp.Def 120 / Spd 156
Ability Teravolt
Held Item Life Orb
Weakness Policy
Moveset Bolt Strike
Outrage
Dual Wingbeat
Dragon Dance

Zekrom's unique dual typing makes it one of the more formidable physical attackers in Ranked Battle Series 8, and is one of the few that can threaten Lugia thanks to its Teravolt Ability.

Eternatus

Moveset & Best Build for Eternatus
Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread HP 4 / Sp.Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 216 / Def 115 / SpAtk 197 / SpDef 115 / Spd 200
Ability Pressure
Held Item Choice Specs
Moveset Dynamax Cannon
Sludge Bomb
Flamethrower
Shadow Ball

This build focuses on Eternatus' high Special Attack to take out its enemies. With its high speed it can easily get a headstart and hit its foes hard.

Dialga

Moveset & Best Build for Dialga
Nature Modest (+Sp.Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread HP 252 / Sp.Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4
Final Stat Values HP 207 / Def 140 / Sp.Atk 222 / Sp.Def 121 / Spd 110
Ability Pressure
Held Item Weakness Policy
Moveset Roar of Time
Flash Cannon
Earth Power
Trick Room

Dialga's great typing and mixed defenses make it a great user of Weakness Policy. Using Draco Meteor as an alternative to Roar of Time makes it so Dialga does not skip a turn, at the cost of a Special Attack drop. Its middling Speed makes it a great in Trick Room in metagames with plenty of fast Pokemon.

Ho-oh

Moveset & Best Build for Ho-oh
Nature Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread Atk 252 / Def 132 / Spd 124
Final Stat Values HP 181 / Atk 200 / Def 127 / Sp.Def 174 / Spd 126
Ability Regenerator
Held Item Life Orb
Moveset Sacred Fire
Brave Bird
Earthquake
Recover

Ho-Oh is a threatening physical attacker in the current metagame. While most physical attackers aim to outspeed and overpower the opposing team, the Rainbow Pokemon functions more as a bulky offensive pivot that can threaten opposing physical sweepers with a burn from Sacred Fire.

Landorus (Therian Forme)

Moveset & Best Build for Landorus (Therian Forme)
Nature Impish (+Def, -Sp Atk)
EV Spread HP 244 / Def 252 / Spd 12
Final Stat Value HP 195 / Atk 165 / Def 156 / Sp.Def 100 / Spd 113
Ability Intimidate
Held Item Life Orb
Moveset Earthquake
Rock Slide
Fly
Swords Dance

Landorus, while not as dominant as it once was, is still a potent threat. Thanks to its massive Attack stat and respectable speed, Landorus can pose a threat in or out of Dynamax.

Best Pokemon - Tier 3

The Pokemon in Tier 3 are used frequently as counters to those in Tiers 1 and 2.

Lugia

Moveset & Best Build for Lugia
Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread HP 252 / Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 213 / Def 151 / Sp.Atk 110 / Sp.Def 174 / Spd 178
Ability Multiscale
Held Item Weakness Policy
Moveset Aeroblast
Earth Power
Recover
Calm Mind

Lugia makes a great Dynamax lead thanks to its great bulk and ability to support its team with Max Airstream. Although this build focuses on getting Special Attack boosts, Lugia still functions more as a support Pokemon than the team's main attacker.

Xerneas

Moveset & Best Build for Xerneas
Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread Def 4 / Sp.Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 201 / Def 116 / Sp.Atk 183 / Sp.Def 118 / Spd 166
Ability Fairy Aura
Held Item Power Herb
Moveset Geomancy
Moonblast
Thunderbolt
Draining Kiss

Xerneas is easily one of the best Fairy-type Pokemon available. Without a secondary typing, Xerneas can take advantage of its immunity to Dragon-type moves without worrying about additional weaknesses other than the rare Poison and Steel-type moves.

White Kyurem

Moveset & Best Build for White Kyurem
Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread HP 4 / Sp.Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 201 / Def 110 / Sp.Atk 222 / Sp.Def 120 / Spd 161
Ability Turboblaze
Held Item Weakness Policy
Life Orb
Moveset Draco Meteor
Freeze-Dry
Earth Power
Fusion Flare

White Kyurem's great special coverage and ability to ignore opposing Pokemon's Abilities with Turboblaze makes it a powerful special attacker that can easily establish offensive momentum for the team.

Ditto

Moveset & Best Build for Ditto
Nature Relaxed (+Def, -Spd)
EV Spread HP 252 / Atk 4 / Def 252
Final Stat Values HP 252 / Atk 69 / Def 110 / Sp.Atk 58 / Sp.Def 68 / Spd 47
Ability Imposter
Held Item Choice Scarf
Moveset Transform

These values are from base stats with 0 Speed IVs, excluding external factors.

Ditto is a versatile Pokemon that is used as a clutch teammate, allowing you to copy an opposing sweeper and potentially turn the tide of the battle in your favor. As a result, it enjoys widespread usage in both offensive and defensive-oriented teams.

Hippowdon

Moveset & Best Build for Hippowdon
Nature Impish (+Def, -SpAtk)
EV Spread HP 252 / Def. 252 / Sp.Def. 4
Final Stat Values HP 215 / Atk 132 / Def 152 / Sp.Def 124 / Spd 67
Ability Sand Stream
Held Item Rocky Helmet
Moveset Slack Off
Yawn
Earthquake
Rock Tomb

Hippowdon can use Yawn to force a switch, which can be an opportunity to set up Stealth Rock.

With its high Defense, it's also capable of taking hits from the variety of Physical attackers in the metagame.

Zygarde

Moveset & Best Build for Zygarde
Nature Careful (+Sp.Def, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread HP 236 / Sp.Def 60 / Spd 212
Final Stat Values 50% Forme
HP 213 / Atk 120 / Def 141 / Sp.Def 135 / Spd 142
Complete Forme
HP 321 / Atk 120 / Def 141 / Sp.Def 135 / Spd 132
Ability Power Construct
Held Item Leftovers
Moveset Thousand Arrows
Coil
Glare
Substitute

At first glance, Zygarde appears like any bully attacking Pokemon in the metagame. What separates itself from other bulky attackers is its ability to change into an even bulkier forme with its Power Construct Ability.

Melmetal

Moveset & Best Build for Melmetal
Nature Brave (+Atk, -Spe)
EV Spread HP 252 / Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4
Final Stat Values HP 242 / Atk 214 / Def 163 / Sp. Def 86 / Spe 48
Ability Iron Fist
Held Item Assault Vest
Moveset Double Iron Bash
Thunder Punch
Ice Punch
High Horsepower

Iron Fist gives Melmetal's elemental punches a damage boost. With High Horsepower giving Melmetal Ground-type coverage, and Double Iron Bash giving it Steel-type coverage, Melmetal is also an excellent Dynamax Pokemon thanks to its wide coverage of move types.

Palkia

Nature Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread HP 252 / 4 Def / Sp. Atk 252
Final Stat Values HP 197 / Def 121 / Sp. Atk 222 / Sp. Def 140 / Spe 120
Ability Pressure
Held Item Life Orb
Moveset Spacial Rend
Hydro Pump
Earth Power
Protect

Palkia matches up favorably against other popular restricted Pokemon such as Groudon, Kyogre, and Zacian. Ideally, Palkia gets to Dynamax and take 3 KO's in 3 turns, but if not, increasing its team's Special Defense with Max Quake is still a great help for its team.

Zamazenta

Nature Jolly (+Spe, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread HP 252 / Atk 4 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values HP 199 / Atk 151 / Def 165 / Sp. Def 165 / Spe 198
Ability Dauntless Shield
Held Item Rusted Shield
Moveset Behemoth Bash
Close Combat
Coaching
Wide Guard

Zamazenta effectively fulfills a supportive role thanks to a great selection of support moves, good defenses and an Ability that complements these defenses. This Pokemon is an excellent fit for defensive teams.

Best Pokemon - Tier 4

When Tier 4 Pokemon come out, we can start to see a bit of individuality in each team. The presence of these Pokemon shows what Tier 1 or 2 Pokemon the user is afraid of. Tier 4 boasts Pokemon who are strong on their own, those who are strong against those in Tiers 1 to 3, and those who are a pain to deal with for all other Pokemon.

Regieleki

Moveset & Best Build for Regieleki
Nature Modest (+Sp.Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread Sp.Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 155 / Def 70 / Sp.Atk 167 / Sp.Def 71 / Spd 252
Ability Transistor
Held Item Life Orb
Moveset Rising Voltage
Electroweb
Volt Switch
Protect

Regieleki is a potent Dynamax sweeper especially if the opposing team does not have any Ground type Pokemon to resist its boosted Electric-type moves. It also finds a place in many teams because it is often the fastest Pokemon on the field and can reliably set up Electroweb.

Zapdos

Moveset & Best Build for Zapdos
Nature Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread Sp.Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values HP 165 / Def 105 / Sp.Atk 177 / Sp.Def 111 / Spd 167
Ability Static
Held Item Life Orb
Moveset Rising Voltage
Hurricane
Heat Wave
Roost

Zapdos' flagship defensive set makes a return in Sword & Shield. A combination of good dual typing, excellent support moves, and great abilities make it an excellent check to Fighting-type Pokemon and physical sweepers in general. It's also the best answer to its Galarian counterpart, who can't do much against it with its STAB moves.

Jirachi

Moveset & Best Build for Jirachi
Nature Jolly (+Spe, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values HP 175 / Atk 152 / Def 120 / Sp. Def 121 / Spe 167 (250 with Choice Scarf)
Ability Serene Grace
Held Item Choice Scarf
Moveset Iron Head
U-Turn
Trick
Wish

Choice Scarf-Serene Grace-Iron Head will leave your opponents scratching their heads with all the flinches that Jirachi can get. With access to Trick, this Pokemon can be a real nuisance on the field.

Grimmsnarl

Nature Impish (+Def, -Sp.Atk)
EVs HP 252 / Def 252 / SpDef 4
Final Stat Values HP 202 / Atk 140 /Def 128 / Sp.Def. 96 / Spd 80
Ability Prankster
Held Item Light Clay
Moveset Reflect
Light Screen
Thunder Wave
Spirit Break

Grimmsnarl is one of the format's premiere support Pokemon, elevating a team's bulk with its Dual Screens and reliable speed control with Thunder Wave or Scary Face. With no Attack EV investment, it can still deal decent damage with Spirit Break, which more importantly can drop an opposing Pokemon's Special Attack stat.

Calyrex (Ice Rider)

Moveset & Best Build for Calyrex (Ice Rider)
Nature Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread HP 252 / Atk 252 / Def 4
Final Stat Values HP 207 / Atk 238 / Def 170 / Sp.Def 151 / Spd 70
Ability As One
Held Item Weakness Policy
Moveset Glacial Lance
High Horsepower
Protect
Trick Room

Calyrex (Ice Rider) thrives in Trick Room, often needing a teammate to set it up for it, or setting it up itself. Once in Trick Room, not too many Pokemon will want to take Glacial Lances or High Horsepowers uncontested.

Chansey

Moveset & Best Build for Chansey
Nature Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EV Spread Def 252 / Sp.Def 252 / Spd 4
Final Stat Values HP 325 / Def 62 / Sp. Def 157 / Spd 71
Ability Natural Cure
Held Item Eviolite
Moveset Seismic Toss
Stealth Rock
Thunder Wave
Soft-Boiled

This moveset is an extremely tanky one, especially with the Eviolite in tow. And while Chansey has a low base Defense stat, you can make up for it with 252 EVs in Defense and the Eviolite.

Mimikyu

Moveset & Best Build for Mimikyu
Nature Jolly (+Spd, -SpA)
EV Spread HP 252 Atk / 4 Sp. Def / 252 Spe
Final Stat Values HP 130 / Atk 142 / Def 100 / Sp.Def 126 / Spd 162
Ability Disguise
Held Item Mental Herb
Moveset Trick Room
Will-o-Wisp
Play Rough
Shadow Sneak

Mimikyu's Disguise Ability makes it a great choice for main or secondary Trick Room setter for a dedicated Trick Room team. On top of its great dual Ghost and Fairy typing, it can further support its team with Taunt and Will-O-Wisp.
This lets Mimikyu cripple both defensive and physically offensive Pokemon. Shadow Sneak is good for activating a teammate's Weakness Policy as well as getting cheeky KO's on Pokemon who have used up their Focus Sash

Reshiram

Moveset & Best Build for Reshiram
Nature Modest (+Sp.Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread HP 252 / Sp.Atk 188 / Sp.Def 68
Final Stat Values HP 207 / Def 120 / Sp.Atk 213 / Sp.Def 149 / Spd 110
Ability Turboblaze
Held Item Expert Belt
Moveset Blue Flare
Draco Meteor
Solar Beam
Earth Power

Reshiram's great Dragon/Fire dual typing makes it one of the few Dragon-type Pokemon that don't fear Fairy and Ice-types, allowing it to freely switch into common Dragon counters and threaten them with its powerful moves.

Tyranitar

Moveset & Best Build for Tyranitar
Nature Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread HP 252 / Atk 148 / Def 76 / Sp.Def 20 / Spd 12
Final Stat Values HP 207 / Atk 190 / Def 140 / Sp.Def 123 / Spd 83
Ability Sand Stream
Held Item Weakness Policy
Moveset Stone Edge
Crunch
Ice Punch
Earthquake

Tyranitar's great mixed bulk and boosted special defense in Sandstorm make it one of the better Weakness Policy users in the metagame.

How to Make the Best Team

There is no unbeatable team

Groudon Precipice Blades.jpeg
Unlike in previous Pokemon metagames, there is no party or Pokemon that can defeat anything used against it. However, there are teams which can win consistently, as long as the right Pokemon are chosen for the battle.

Party composition is key

Solgaleo Max Steelspike.jpeg
Battles are not won by individual Pokemon. The team as a whole must be constructed to balance type strengths and weaknesses, and have built-in strategies to defeat opponents. In the current metagame, crafting a party that works together is more essential than ever.

Start off with a Rental Party

It's no easy feat to make a killer team from scratch. It can be a good idea to start off with rental teams, which any player can download and use in Ranked Battle. This can help to understand how a team is built, how to select which Pokemon to use in a battle, and how to use the party's built-in strategies in battle to rack up wins.

Our Best Teams guide has all teams available for rental, so you can try out your favorites to get a feel for some of the most popular Pokemon and strategies in the metagame!
Best Teams for Ranked Battle

Trends of the Current Metagame

Powerful Mythical Pokemon

Dynamax Zeraora.png
Series 13 gives players the opportunity to bring any number of Mythical or Legendary Pokemon to the team, which is way more compared to previous seasons and opens up more possibilities for team synergy.

With Series 13, your Mythical or Legendary Pokemon can comprise your entire team. This has never been done in competitive Pokemon before!

Teams Need a Zacian Check

Zacian Behemoth Blade.jpg
Zacian is still the top dog in the new season, fitting nicely into most teams thanks to its monstrous damage output. Having Pokemon that can take a +1 Behemoth Blade or reduce its damage output with Intimidate or Will-O-Wisp will help your team survive Zacian's onslaught.

Of course, outright knocking it out with a powerful super-effective move is also a good option. Do remember that not too many Pokemon can outspeed Zacian so positioning is important.

A Focus on Hyper Offense

With so many powerful Mythicals and Legendaries now available to use, there's a shift to a more aggressive playstyle. Even defensive teams need a powerful and fast sweeper in the team to keep up in this increasingly hyper offensive metagame!

Summary

And that's our latest Tier List of the current Best Pokemon for Ranked Battle. With Series 13 having just been released for Ranked Battle, we're excited to see how the metagame continues to reshape in the weeks to come.

If you're thinking of getting into competitive play, or if you're having trouble winning online, some of the Pokemon in this article might be just what your team needs.

Here's hoping you can have as much fun playing online as we have. Check back soon as we continue updating with tier upsets, new additions and more individual Build pages!

Pokemon Sword and Shield Related Guides

Pokemon Sword and Shield - Competitive Guides and Best Builds for Ranked Battle

Best Pokemon Builds for Ranked Battle

Other Competitive Guides

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Pokemon SWSH - Tier ListSingles Tier List Pokemon SWSH - Best BuildsBest Builds Pokemon Sword and Shield - Ranked Battle Series 10 Contenders.pngSeries 12 List of Contenders
Pokemon SWSH - Doubles Tier ListDoubles Tier List Pokemon SWSH - Competitive Team BuildingTeam Building Pokemon SWSH - Rental TeamsRental Teams

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