Best Pokemon Tier List For Ranked Battle: May 2022 | Pokemon Sword and Shield

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.

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Singles Tier List		Best Builds		Series 12 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

Playable Legendary Pokemon in Series 12

Series 12 allows players to use two Legendary Pokemon per team for competitive play. These include the following:

Mewtwo	Lugia	Ho-oh	Kyogre
Groudon	Rayquaza	Dialga	Palkia
Giratina	Reshiram	Zekrom	Kyurem
Xerneas	Yveltal	Zygarde	Cosmog
Cosmoem	Solgaleo	Lunala	Necrozma
Zacian	Zamazenta	Eternatus	Calyrex

Ranked Battle Series 11 | Rules and Legal Pokemon

Tier List Updates as of 2022/5/24

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

Ranked Battle Series 12 | Rules and Legal Pokemon

Best Pokemon Tier List For Ranked Battle

This tier list is based on the Pokemon HOME Pokemon Rankings for Series 12, which began on February 1 and is ongoing. We update it daily, so check back for the best Pokemon in ranked battle as of May 2022!

Click a Pokemon to jump to their explanation.

Tier 1
Zacian	Zapdos	Landorus (Therian Forme)
Tier 2
Ditto	Kyogre	Yveltal
Calyrex (Shadow Rider)	Necrozma (Dusk Mane)	Tyranitar
Quagsire	Porygon2	Ferrothorn
Tier 3
Ho-Oh	Urshifu Single-Strike Style	Mimikyu
Cinderace	Hippowdon	Gastrodon
Seismitoad	Eternatus	Chansey
Tier 4
Xerneas	Zekrom	Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style
Grimmsnarl	Regieleki	Mamoswine
Incineroar	Celesteela	Dialga

Best Pokemon - Tier 1

Ranked Battle Series 12 is shaping out to be a hyper aggresive meta with the focus being on strong offensive legendary Pokemon as the main sweeper 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's Strong Points

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.

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' Strong Points

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.

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	Figy Berry Sitrus Berry Rocky Helmet
Moveset	・Earthquake ・Rock Tomb ・U-turn ・Stealth Rock

Landorus (Therian Forme)'s Strong Points

Landorus Therian Forme's flagship offensive pivot set remains its most effective set, and its reintroduction pushed several weaker physical sweepers off the Metagame. As the all-in-one check to physical sweepers, Landorus also fills the role of a hazard setter with Stealth Rock.

It can also go on the offensive, eschewing it's usually defensive set for a Swords Dance physical sweeper set. Landorus' versatiltiy means teams must always have a check or counter for Landorus.

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.

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's Strong Points

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.

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 Strong Points

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.

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's Strong Points

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.

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 Shadow Rider's Strong Points

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 (Dusk Mane)'s Strong Points

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.

Tyranitar

Moveset & Best Build for Tyranitar
Nature	Adamant
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 204 / Def 20 / Sp.Def 20 / Spd 12
Final Stat Values	HP 207 / Atk 198 / Def 133 / Sp.Def 123 / Spd 83
Ability	Sand Stream
Held Item	Weakness Policy
Moveset	・Stone Edge ・Crunch ・Iron Head ・Rock Blast

Tyranitar's Strong Points

Thanks to the Special Defense boost it gets from Sandstream, Tyranitar is an effective user of Weakness Policy - surviving a super effective special attack and getting the attack boost.

Tyranitar's natural bulk also makes it a good lead, especially in dedicated Sand teams. While it has to contend with stronger Pokemon reintroduced in the current metagame, The Armor Pokemon is still a competent sweeper if used in the right team.

Quagsire

Moveset & Best Build for Quagsire
Nature	Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def. 252 / Sp.Def. 4
Final Stat Values	HP 202 / Def. 150 / Sp.Def. 85 / Sp.Def. 86 / Spd. 55
Ability	Unaware
Held Item	Leftovers Rocky Helmet Kee Berry
Moveset	・Scald ・Recover ・Toxic ・Stockpile

Porygon2

Moveset & Best Build for Porygon2
Nature	Bold
EV Spread	HP 244 / Def 252 / Spd 12
Final Stat Values	HP 191 / Def 156 / Sp.Atk 125 / Sp.Def 115 / Spd 82
Ability	Trace
Held Item	Eviolite
Moveset	・Recover ・Ice Beam ・Tri-Attack ・Discharge

Porygon2's Strong Points

Porygon2's great natural bulk that's further boosted by Eviolite makes it a great defensive Pokemon in the current metagame. It's Trace Ability further boosts its defensive prowess, as it's able to copy an opposing Pokemon's Ability such as Heatran's Flash Fire.

Ferrothorn

Moveset & Best Build for Ferrothorn
Nature	Relaxed (+Def, -Spd)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 252 / Sp.Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 181 / Atk 114 / Def 201 / Sp.Def 137 / Spd 36
Ability	Iron Barbs
Held Item	Leftovers Rocky Helmet
Moveset	・Gyro Ball ・Leech Seed ・Bullet Seed ・Protect

Ferrothorn's Strong Points

Ferrothorn's strongest suit lies in its ability to absorb physical hits. Combined with Leech Seed, it can stack up massive total damage, so in a switch-heavy battle, Ferrothorn proves to be an invaluable asset.

With only two weaknesses in Fire and Fighting, Ferrothorn's excellent Grass/Steel typing goes a long way in making it a defensive powerhouse.

Best Pokemon - Tier 3

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

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's Strong Points

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.

Urshifu Single-Strike Style

Moveset & Best Build for Urshifu Single-Strike Style
Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 175 / Atk 182 / Def 120 / Sp.Def 80 / Spd 163
Ability	Unseen Fist
Held Item	Life Orb
Moveset	・Wicked Blow ・Close Combat ・Iron Head ・Aerial Ace

Urshifu Single-Strike Style's Strong Points

Single-Strike Style Urshifu has great neutral coverage with its dual STAB, allowing it to hit the Ghost-type Pokemon common in the current metagame.

Mimikyu

Moveset & Best Build for Mimikyu
Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Atk. 252 / Spd. 252
Final Stat Values	HP 130 / Atk 142 / Def 100 / Sp.Def 126 / Spd 162
Ability	Disguise
Held Item	Life Orb
Moveset	・Swords Dance ・Play Rough ・Shadow Sneak ・Shadow Claw

Mimikyu's Strong Points

With its Ability Disguise, Mimikyu is able to take one attack with damage equal to just 10% of its maximum HP. This ensures that Mimikyu can use at least one move in any situation, allowing it to pull off a Swords Dance without fail.

Mimikyu remains at the top of the metagame despite the reintroduction of several powerhouses in previous generations. The reintroduction of several pseudo-legendary Dragon-types mean that Mimikyu can now fill the role of Dragon counter - switching into a predicted Outrage or Draco Meteor and setting up with Swords Dance..

Cinderace

Moveset & Best Build for Cinderace
Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 156 / Atk 168 / Def 95 / Sp.Def 95 / Spd 188
Ability	Libero
Held Item	Life Orb
Moveset	・Pyro Ball ・High Jump Kick ・Sucker Punch ・Bounce

Cinderace's Strong Points

With its new Hidden Ability Libero, Cinderace is now able to use every attack with STAB, giving 1.5x boost to all its attacks. In essence, this liberates it from STAB, as per its name - Cinderace has no incentive to use Fire-type moves over other types, as it can gain the same bonus with any type. This makes Cinderace equally threatening no matter what type of move throws out.

On top of that, it benefits from a wide movepool to counter a variety of potential opponents.

Its exclusive attack Pyro Ball is also a potent threat that's kept it in the metagame since before Libero. A 120-power Physical Fire move, it's a perfect fit for Cinderace's stat makeup to form a highly threatening fast attacker.

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's Strong Points

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.

Gastrodon

Moveset & Best Build for Gastrodon
Nature	Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 244 / Def. 228 / Sp.Def. 36
Final Stat Values	HP 217 / Def. 128 / Sp.Atk. 112 / Sp.Def. 107 / Spd. 59
Ability	Storm Drain
Held Item	Sitrus Berry Rocky Helmet Rindo Berry Leftovers
Moveset	・Scald ・Clear Smog ・Recover ・Yawn

Gastrodon's Strong Points

A build which takes advantage of Gastrodon's high defensive stats and its lone weakness to Grass. While forcing difficult opponents to switch with Yawn, it can use its damaging attacks together with Recover to hold on and continue the fight.

Seismitoad

Moveset & Best Build for Seismitoad
Nature	Modest (+Sp.Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Sp.Atk. 252 / Spd. 252
Final Stat Values	HP 181 / Def. 95 / Sp.Atk. 150 / Sp.Def. 95 / Spd. 126
Ability	Swift Swim
Held Item	Life Orb Expert Belt
Moveset	・Hydro Pump ・Grass Knot ・Earth Power ・Flash Cannon

Seismitoad's Strong Points

Seismitoad's destructive power comes from its quick special attacks and giving it a Life Orb will boost its overall attack power.

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 Life Orb
Moveset	・Draco Meteor ・Sludge Wave ・Flamethrower ・Shadow Ball

Eternatus' Strong Points

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.

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

Chansey's Strong Points

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.

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.

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' Strong Points

While it has to watch out for Zacian, Xerneas is a capable setup sweeper that has the potential to sweep unprepared teams thanks to Geomancy. With a plethora of powerful STAB and coverage moves, the Life Pokemon is very difficult to switch into once it gets a boost.

Zekrom

Moveset & Best Build for Zygarde
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.

Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style

Moveset & Best Build for Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style
Nature	Jolly
EV Spread	Atk 252 / Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 175 / Atk 182 / Def 121 / SpDef 80 / Spd 163
Ability	Unseen Fist
Held Item	Choice Band
Moveset	・Surging Strikes ・Close Combat ・Aerial Ace ・U-turn

Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style's Strong Points

Urshifu in its Rapid-Strike Style can break through Focus Sash and Mimikyu's Disguise with its multi-hit Surging Strikes, a hugely powerful move in its own right.

Grimmsnarl

Moveset & Best Build for 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 ・Taunt ・Spirit Break

Grimmsnarl's Strong Points

This set is built around setting up Reflect or Light Screen before its opponent can attack.

Taunt helps prevent the opponent from using their own status moves, while Spirit Break is a damage dealing move that reduces the special attack of its target too. This, together with Light Screen, will make it harder for Special Attackers to plow through Grimmsnarl's team.

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 ・Thunder Cage ・Volt Switch ・Ancient Power

Regieleki's Strong Points

Regieleki is a formidable mono-type sweeper in Doubles. When partnered with a Pokemon that can instantly set up Electric Terrain, it can fire Transistor boosted Rising Voltage at the opposing team - knocking out anyone that doesn't resist or is immune to Electric-type moves.

Mamoswine

Moveset & Best Build for Mamoswine
Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 186 / Atk 182 / Def 100 / Sp.Def 80 / Spd 145
Ability	Thick Fat
Held Item	Choice Scarf
Moveset	・Icicle Crash ・Earthquake ・Stone Edge ・Superpower

Mamoswine's Strong Points

Mamoswine is a great revenge killer in the current metagame - boasting high attack, an Ice-type STAB to handle Dragons and fellow Ground-types, as well as great neutral coverage in Earthquake and Stone Edge.

Incineroar

Moveset & Best Build for Incineroar
Nature	Impish (+Def, -Sp.Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 148 / Sp.Def 108
Final Stat Values	HP 202 / Atk 135 / Def 141 / Sp.Def 108 / Spd 80
Ability	Intimidate
Held Item	Safety Goggles
Moveset	・Fake Out ・Flare Blitz ・Darkest Lariat ・Parting Shot

Incineroar's Strong Points

Incineroar is a great offensive pivot and lead in the Doubles Metagame thanks to its great mixed bulk and ability Intimidate.

As the quintessential pivot, it can scout teams with Fake Out and cripple sweepers with Parting Shot.

Incineroar is one of the few support Pokemon that can threaten walls thanks to its naturally high attack stat using its powerful STAB moves, Flare Blitz and Darkest Lariat.

Celesteela

Moveset & Best Build for Celesteela
Nature	Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 244 / Def 4 / Sp.Atk 4 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 203 / Def 123 / Sp.Atk 127 / Sp.Def 121 / Spd 124
Ability	Beast Boost
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・Air Slash ・Protect ・Substitute ・Leech Seed

Access to speed boost via Max Airstream makes Celesteela's Leech Seed stall even more difficult to overcome and allows it to stall even more Pokemon.

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 Life Orb Assault Vest
Moveset	・Roar of Time ・Flash Cannon ・Earth Power ・Fire Blast

Dialga's great typing and mixed defenses make it a great candidate for Dynamaxing. With Dynamax boosting its HP, the Temporal Pokemon can further boost its team's natural bulk with Max Steelspike and Max Wyrmwind.

How to Make the Best Team

There is no unbeatable team

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

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 Restricted Pairs

Series 12 gives players the opportunity to bring two restricted Pokemon to the team, which is one more compared to the previous season and opens up more possibilities for team synergy.

In the previous season, players would have to think twice sending out a restricted Pokemon to a match-up or risk losing them. Conversely, not having access to one of the restricted Pokemon puts the entire team at a disadvantage since most teams are built around it.

With Series 12, your second restricted Pokemon can assist the first one against poor match-ups. Not only can it fill the role of a solid defensive switch-in, it may also serve as a direct counter to the other restricted Pokemon's difficult matchups.

There is now more team variety with so many restricted pair combinations to choose from, although it's still important to consider both Pokemon's strengths and weaknesses when choosing pairs.

Teams Need a Zacian Check

Zacian is quite possibly the breakout star of Series 12, 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 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 12 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

Best Pokemon Builds for Ranked Battle

Other Competitive Guides

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Singles Tier List		Best Builds		Series 12 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams