Series 6 Pokemon Buffs

With the banning of common top-tier Pokemon in competitive play, the metagame of Ranked Battle is set for an overhaul in the new Series 6. Learn what Pokemon have been boosted and are ready to leave their mark in competitive play!

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

Buffed Pokemon Tier List

The announcement of Ranked Battle Series 6 came with a change in ruleset, excluding 16 top-tier Pokemon from being used in Ranked Battles.

The ban is set to increase the viability of certain Pokemon now that their main competitors are unavailable in the current Metagame!

S Tier (!)
Dracozolt	Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style	Snorlax	Amoonguss
A Tier
Durant	Azumarill	Fan Rotom	Urshifu Single-Strike Style
B Tier
Pelipper	Kingdra	Blastoise	Volcarona
Hydreigon	Ferrothorn	Arcanine	Alolan Ninetales

S-Tier Pokemon Reviews

Dracozolt

Dracozolt - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Dracozolt is shaping up to become one of the top-tier Pokemon in Series 6 Ranked Battles. It's the most frequently Dynamax Pokemon since it eliminates the accuracy drop of its best ability, Hustle, while keeping the attack boost.

It's often equipped with a Choice Band to further boost the power of its strong physical attacks, such as Max Lightning and Max Wyrmwind. Alternatively. it's sometimes equipped with Choice Scarf so it can guarantee the damage boost from Bolt Beak.

Urshifu (Rapid-Strike Style)

Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Rapid-Strike Urshifu remains one of the most formidable sweepers in both the Singles and Doubles format thanks to its Unseen Fist ability, which allows it to hit Pokemon even if they use Protect or Detect.

It's also the best answer to stall teams since its signature move, Surging Strikes, always deals a critical hit, allowing it to bypass defensive stat boosts!

Snorlax

Snorlax - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Snorlax is a versatile Pokemon that can function as a bulky wall with its ability Gluttony and the move Recycle, or go on the offensive with Assault Vest boosting its already great Special Defense.

It's also a capable Dynamax Pokemon, boosting its already impressive HP and giving it more bulk to shrug off attacks!

Amoonguss

Amoonguss - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Although Amoonguss was already a common sight in Singles, the banning of Togekiss and Indeedee make it the new go-to Redirection Support in Doubles.

Access to the coveted move Spore, Rage Powder, and support moves such as Pollen Puff and Clear Smog make it a formidable wall to contend with in the Doubles Metagame!

A-Tier Pokemon Reviews

Durant

Durant - Best Build for Ranked Battle

The lack of Cinderace in the new Ranked Battle Meta means Durant can now function as a formidable physical sweeper without fear of getting revenge killed.

Much like Dracozolt, it's a popular Dynamax Pokemon thanks to its ability Hustle and access to powerfull Steel-type STAB that can punish or even outright KO common Fairy-type Pokemon.

Azumarill

Azumarill - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Without Rillaboom threatening to KO it with Grassy Glide, Azumarill can now function as a proper Belly Drum sweeper in both the Singles and Doubles format.

It's Huge Power boosted moves such as Waterfall, Aqua Jet, and Play Rough can easily make short work of unprepared teams!

Fan Rotom

Fan Rotom - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Access to a great dual offensive Electric and Flying-type STAB, as well as access to Max Airstream when Dynamaxed will make Fan Rotom a popular lead in the new Series 6.

What sets it apart from other leads is that it can also function as a support Pokemon with Will-O-Wisp and Defog.

Urshifu (Single-Strike Style)

Urshifu Single-Strike Style - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Single-Strike Urshifu, much like its counterpart, is a formidable sweeper in both Singles and Doubles. It's Unseen Fist ability allows it to hit Pokemon even if they use Protect or Detect.

It's signature move, Wicked Blow, also always deals a critical hit, making it a great choice for any team in need of a powerful wallbreaker.

B-Tier Pokemon Reviews

Pelipper

Pelipper - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Without Torkoal to set up opposing weather, Pelipper is shaping up to once more dominate this Generation's "'Weather Wars'" with its Rain.

Despite well-known as the fastest Weather Setter in the Metagame with Choice Scarf, Pelipper does more than just set up weather. It can use Defog to get rid of Entry Hazards or use U-Turn to activate the Weakness Policy of its partner Pokemon in Doubles.

Kingdra

Kingdra - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Although often used as a Choice Specs sweeper, Kingdra can now fill the same role as the recently banned Gyarados - that of a powerful Dragon Dance physical sweeper.

Access to powerful STAB moves such as Liquidation and Outrage, as well as new move Flip Turn make it an unpredictable sweeper that ever team needs to be prepared for!

Blastoise

Blastoise - Best Build for Ranked Battle

With the changes in the Series 6 Metagame, Blastoise can now forgo its usual defensive sets and fill the role of a surprisingly fast and powerful Shell Smash sweeper.

With its impressive movepool filled with moves such as Earthquake, Hydro Pump, and Liquidation, Blastoise can fill the role of a physical sweeper, special sweeper, or even a mixed sweeper!

Volcarona

Volcarona - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Without Tyranitar and Hippowdon to directly counter it, Volcarona is back to terrorize the Metagame with its powerful STAB moves.

Although it misses Torkoal to boost its Fire-type Moves, Volcarona can function well without support and outside of Sun Teams thanks to Quiver Dance - boosting the power of its Bug Buzz and Fiery Dance to dangerous levels!

Hydreigon

Hydreigon - Best Build for Ranked Battle

As the quintessential special attacker, Hydreigon can now freely fire off its powerful Choice Specs boosted Draco Meteor and Dark Pulse now that Togekiss and Mimikyu are out of the way.

Even Pokemon that resist its dual STAB moves need to be wary, as this menacing dragon can always hit its resists with Fire Blast or Flash Cannon!

Ferrothorn

Ferrothorn - Best Build for Ranked Battle

With Torkoal out of the way, Rain Teams are going to become more common. As a result, Ferrothorn will see increase in usage as its the quintessential counter to Water-type Sweepers.

It's Iron Barbs ability as well as access to support moves like Leech Seed and Knock Off make it a great defensive wall and even a surprisingly powerful physical attacker with Gyro Ball!

Arcanine

Arcanine - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Lack of Cinderace means many players are turning to Arcanine for a Fire-type physical sweeper. Access to the coveted move Extreme Speed make it an unpredictable revenge killer!

Although it doesn't have the same offensive presence as its exiled bretheren, Arcanine is a versatile Pokemon that fit in many teams and even go on the defensive as well.

Alolan Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales - Best Build for Ranked Battle

Lack of Torkoal and the rarity of Sun Teams in the new Metagame mean Alolan Ninetales can now function as a viable weather lead, setting up Hail for its team and boosting their defense with Aurora Veil.

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