Introduction
Welcome, Pokémon GO trainers! Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting your journey, the thrill of catching, training, and battling your favorite Pokémon is undeniable. But to truly excel in Pokémon GO, you need more than just a powerful Pokémon collection; you need a deep understanding of the game’s intricacies, especially its battle mechanics. One of the most critical aspects of success in Pokémon GO is choosing the right Pokémon attackers for different situations, be it taking down a formidable Raid Boss or battling in the Trainer Battles. Understanding which Pokémon deal the most damage and when to use them is the key to victory.
This article serves as your comprehensive guide to mastering Pokémon GO’s battle system. We’ll delve into the best Pokémon attackers in the game, meticulously categorized by their types. We’ll unravel the strengths and weaknesses of each type, examine optimal movesets, and guide you on how to build the ultimate attacking teams. Prepare to level up your battle strategies and dominate your opponents.
Introduction to Type Effectiveness
At the heart of Pokémon GO’s battle system lies the concept of type matchups. This mechanic is fundamental to both offensive and defensive strategies, determining how much damage a Pokémon deals or receives. Understanding type matchups is not just important; it’s essential for success.
Each Pokémon in the game has one or two types, and each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Fire-type Pokémon deal extra damage against Grass-type Pokémon. They are *super effective* against them. Similarly, a Water-type attack will devastate a Fire-type Pokémon. These are just a few examples of the intricate web of type relationships in Pokémon GO.
The opposite is also true: if a Pokémon attacks a type that it is weak against, the damage is significantly reduced. For example, a Water-type attack would deal very little damage to a Water-type Pokémon. Understanding these interactions is critical. Knowing which types are super effective against your target, and which to avoid, will significantly boost your chances of winning battles and conquering raids. A single type disadvantage can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Mastery of type matchups is a journey, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
The Best Attackers: A General Overview
Before we dive into specific Pokémon types, let’s discuss the general factors that make an attacker powerful. Several elements contribute to a Pokémon’s effectiveness in battle, and understanding these will help you make informed choices.
Damage Per Second (DPS) is a crucial metric. It tells you how much damage a Pokémon can deal over time. However, it’s not the only consideration. Total Damage Output (TDO) is also vital, as it measures how much total damage a Pokémon can deal before fainting. Some Pokémon might have high DPS but low TDO, making them less effective in longer battles. Other factors, like the movesets a Pokémon can learn, are also significant. Some moves are naturally more powerful than others. The availability of a Pokémon can also be a factor. Some Pokémon are rarer than others and harder to obtain and power up.
Beyond these considerations, you should also factor in the Pokémon’s base stats, including Attack, Defense, and Stamina. Attack IVs, which represent hidden values that determine a Pokémon’s attack power, have a significant impact on the damage output. A Pokémon with a high Attack IV will deal more damage than one with a low Attack IV.
Let’s also acknowledge some Pokémon that often top the “best attackers” lists across the board. Shadow Mewtwo, for instance, is often considered the single most powerful attacker in the game, owing to its immense damage output and the Shadow boost. Mega Rayquaza is also a titan in the sky, boasting incredible power when in its Mega form. These are examples of Pokémon that are universally considered incredibly strong, but the specific context of a battle, especially the type of your opponent, can change your best selection.
Normal Type Attackers
Normal-type attacks, while generally not super effective against any type, can still be valuable. They’re neutral against most types, making them reliable in a pinch.
Top Tier: The Heavy Hitters
Slaking: With its high attack stat and access to powerful moves, Slaking can be a solid choice. It’s best when you have a fast move like Yawn paired with a powerful charged move, and can dish out considerable damage when unburdened by the effects of abilities.
Solid Choices
Blissey/Chansey: Primarily used for tanking due to their high HP, they can still be effective in some situations.
Viable Options
Staraptor: Offers good DPS.
Porygon-Z: A great option for the Normal type, with high Attack stats and varied move options.
Moveset Recommendation
Slaking: Fast move: Yawn. Charged move: Play Rough.
Staraptor: Fast Move: Gust. Charged Move: Brave Bird.
Fire Type Attackers
Fire-type Pokémon are devastating attackers against Grass, Bug, Ice, and Steel-type opponents. They are a cornerstone of raid teams against those types.
Top Tier: The Fiery Elite
Mega Charizard Y: The undisputed king of Fire-type attackers, Mega Charizard Y boosts the power of all Fire-type moves while in battle, resulting in devastating attacks.
Reshiram: A legendary Fire-type with high DPS, Reshiram boasts a fantastic moveset.
Great Choices
Shadow Moltres: Shadow Moltres is a high-damage option, at the cost of increased fragility.
Flareon: A solid, accessible Fire-type attacker.
Viable Options
Darmanitan: Another fast and aggressive Fire-type.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Charizard Y: Fast move: Fire Spin. Charged Move: Blast Burn.
Reshiram: Fast move: Fire Fang. Charged move: Overheat.
Mega Evolution
Mega Charizard Y is the optimal choice.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Moltres offers the highest damage output at the cost of increased fragility.
Examples of Usage
Excellent against Ice-type Raid Bosses like Regice, and against Grass-types like Sceptile.
Water Type Attackers
Water-type Pokémon are incredibly useful. They dominate Fire, Ground, and Rock-type enemies.
Top Tier: The Aquatic Aces
Mega Blastoise: A devastating Water-type powerhouse.
Kyogre: Offers high DPS and TDO, making it a reliable choice.
Great Choices
Shadow Swampert: A powerful Shadow Pokémon with great moves.
Gyarados: A strong and more accessible option.
Viable Options
Vaporeon: Easy to obtain and provides a good balance.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Blastoise: Fast move: Water Gun. Charged move: Hydro Cannon.
Kyogre: Fast move: Waterfall. Charged move: Hydro Pump.
Mega Evolution
Mega Blastoise is the best option.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Swampert provides a significant damage boost.
Examples of Usage
Excellent for taking down Ground-type Pokémon like Groudon.
Grass Type Attackers
Grass-type Pokémon are essential for taking down Water, Ground, and Rock-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Plant Powerhouses
Mega Venusaur: A top-tier choice with excellent damage output.
Kartana: A powerful Grass-type.
Great Choices
Shadow Victreebel: High damage output.
Sceptile: With the move Frenzy Plant.
Viable Options
Leafeon: A good alternative.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Venusaur: Fast move: Razor Leaf. Charged move: Frenzy Plant.
Kartana: Fast move: Razor Leaf. Charged move: Leaf Blade.
Mega Evolution
Mega Venusaur is the best choice.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Victreebel provides exceptional damage.
Examples of Usage
Great for taking down Ground-type Pokemon.
Electric Type Attackers
Electric-type Pokémon excel against Water and Flying-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Lightning Lords
Mega Manectric: A formidable Electric-type attacker.
Zekrom: Delivers strong DPS.
Great Choices
Shadow Electivire: A great Shadow Pokémon.
Raikou: Provides a reliable attack option.
Viable Options
Electrode: Can be a good choice in certain scenarios.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Manectric: Fast move: Charge Beam. Charged move: Wild Charge.
Zekrom: Fast move: Charge Beam. Charged move: Wild Charge.
Mega Evolution
Mega Manectric is a powerful Mega attacker.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Electivire offers high damage potential.
Examples of Usage
Effective against Water-type Raid Bosses.
Ice Type Attackers
Ice-type Pokémon are vital for taking down Dragon and Flying-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Icy Emperors
Mega Glalie: A great ice attacker.
Mamoswine: High DPS.
Great Choices
Shadow Mamoswine: Incredible damage output.
Glaceon: A solid choice.
Viable Options
Weavile: Good DPS.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Glalie: Fast move: Frost Breath. Charged move: Avalanche.
Mamoswine: Fast move: Powder Snow. Charged move: Avalanche.
Mega Evolution
Mega Glalie is a strong option.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Mamoswine offers the highest DPS.
Examples of Usage
Essential for battling Dragon-type Raid Bosses.
Fighting Type Attackers
Fighting-type Pokémon excel against Normal, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Dark-type Pokémon.
Top Tier: The Battle Masters
Mega Heracross: With access to fast moves and great stats.
Lucario: A strong Fighting-type option.
Great Choices
Shadow Machamp: Great damage.
Conkeldurr: Good attack stats.
Viable Options
Hariyama: A solid option.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Heracross: Fast move: Counter. Charged move: Dynamic Punch.
Lucario: Fast move: Counter. Charged move: Aura Sphere.
Mega Evolution
Mega Heracross is a powerhouse.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Machamp provides the highest DPS.
Examples of Usage
Effective against Rock and Steel-type Raid Bosses.
Poison Type Attackers
Poison-type Pokémon are effective against Grass and Fairy-type Pokémon.
Top Tier: The Venomous Vanguards
Mega Beedrill: The best Poison Mega.
Shadow Victreebel: A great attacker.
Great Choices
Roserade: A solid choice.
Toedscruel: Excellent attack.
Viable Options
Gengar: A very fast attacker.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Beedrill: Fast move: Poison Jab. Charged move: Sludge Bomb.
Roserade: Fast move: Poison Jab. Charged move: Sludge Bomb.
Mega Evolution
Mega Beedrill is a top pick.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Victreebel for high damage.
Examples of Usage
Useful against Fairy-type Raid Bosses.
Ground Type Attackers
Ground-type Pokémon are effective against Electric, Poison, Rock, Steel, and Fire-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Earthshakers
Groudon: A legendary Ground-type attacker.
Excadrill: A great attacker.
Great Choices
Shadow Golem: A high-damage option.
Golurk: A solid choice.
Viable Options
Rhyperior: A good, readily available option.
Moveset Recommendation
Groudon: Fast move: Mud Shot. Charged move: Earthquake.
Excadrill: Fast move: Mud Slap. Charged move: Earthquake.
Mega Evolution
No Mega Evolution for now, but the best options are Groudon and Excadrill.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Golem and Excadrill deliver high damage.
Examples of Usage
Highly effective against Electric-type Raid Bosses.
Flying Type Attackers
Flying-type Pokémon are effective against Bug, Fighting, and Grass-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Aerial Aces
Mega Pidgeot: A powerful Flying-type.
Staraptor: With high DPS.
Great Choices
Moltres: A good choice.
Honchkrow: A solid choice.
Viable Options
Tornadus: Good option for quick battles.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Pidgeot: Fast move: Wing Attack. Charged move: Brave Bird.
Staraptor: Fast move: Gust. Charged move: Brave Bird.
Mega Evolution
Mega Pidgeot is a fantastic Mega option.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Moltres.
Examples of Usage
Effective against Fighting and Bug-type Raid Bosses.
Psychic Type Attackers
Psychic-type Pokémon are effective against Fighting and Poison-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Mind Masters
Mega Alakazam: Good damage output.
Shadow Mewtwo: The ultimate Psychic attacker.
Great Choices
Espeon: Reliable damage output.
Metagross: Good damage output.
Viable Options
Gallade: A good option.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Alakazam: Fast move: Confusion. Charged move: Psychic.
Shadow Mewtwo: Fast move: Confusion. Charged move: Psystrike.
Mega Evolution
Mega Alakazam is the best Psychic Mega.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Mewtwo.
Examples of Usage
Good against Fighting and Poison-type Pokémon.
Bug Type Attackers
Bug-type Pokémon excel against Dark, Grass, and Psychic-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Insect Emperors
Mega Scizor: A top-tier Bug-type.
Mega Beedrill: A great Bug attacker.
Great Choices
Genesect: With good stats.
Scizor: A strong option.
Viable Options
Pinsir: Can be good in some situations.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Scizor: Fast move: Fury Cutter. Charged move: X-Scissor.
Genesect: Fast move: Fury Cutter. Charged move: X-Scissor.
Mega Evolution
Mega Scizor is the best.
Shadow Pokémon
The shadow options deliver high damage output.
Examples of Usage
Excellent against Psychic-type Pokémon.
Rock Type Attackers
Rock-type Pokémon are effective against Fire, Flying, Ice, and Bug-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Stone Stalwarts
Mega Aerodactyl: A great choice.
Rampardos: A high damage option.
Great Choices
Tyranitar: Provides great attack.
Shadow Rhyperior: Provides high damage.
Viable Options
Gigalith: A solid option.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Aerodactyl: Fast move: Rock Throw. Charged move: Stone Edge.
Rampardos: Fast move: Smack Down. Charged move: Rock Slide.
Mega Evolution
Mega Aerodactyl is an amazing choice.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Rhyperior will deliver high damage.
Examples of Usage
Effective against Fire and Flying-type Raid Bosses.
Ghost Type Attackers
Ghost-type Pokémon are effective against Ghost and Psychic-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Spectral Specters
Mega Gengar: A high damage option.
Giratina (Origin Forme): Delivers a great damage output.
Great Choices
Shadow Ball Mewtwo: High damage output.
Chandelure: High DPS.
Viable Options
Gengar: Fast and agile.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Gengar: Fast move: Shadow Claw. Charged move: Shadow Ball.
Giratina (Origin Forme): Fast move: Shadow Claw. Charged move: Shadow Ball.
Mega Evolution
Mega Gengar is a top choice.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Ball Mewtwo and Gengar will deliver the highest damage.
Examples of Usage
Excellent against Psychic-type Pokémon.
Dragon Type Attackers
Dragon-type Pokémon are effective against Dragon-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Dragon Dynasties
Mega Rayquaza: An awesome option.
Rayquaza: A great damage dealer.
Great Choices
Palkia: Great move-set.
Giratina (Origin Forme): Good damage output.
Viable Options
Dragonite: Still a good option.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Rayquaza: Fast move: Dragon Tail. Charged move: Dragon Ascent.
Rayquaza: Fast move: Dragon Tail. Charged move: Outrage.
Mega Evolution
Mega Rayquaza is the top choice.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Dragonite and Shadow Salamence deliver high damage.
Examples of Usage
Highly effective against Dragon-type Pokémon.
Steel Type Attackers
Steel-type Pokémon are effective against Ice, Rock, and Fairy-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Steel Sentinels
Mega Metagross: A great option.
Metagross: Great attack and DPS.
Great Choices
Shadow Metagross: Incredible damage output.
Dialga: Strong in battle.
Viable Options
Melmetal: A good, accessible option.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Metagross: Fast move: Bullet Punch. Charged move: Meteor Mash.
Metagross: Fast move: Bullet Punch. Charged move: Meteor Mash.
Mega Evolution
Mega Metagross.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Metagross is a top performer.
Examples of Usage
Useful against Fairy-type Raid Bosses.
Dark Type Attackers
Dark-type Pokémon are effective against Ghost and Psychic-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Shadow Strikers
Mega Houndoom: A great option.
Darkrai: Great attack and DPS.
Great Choices
Hydreigon: Great stats.
Tyranitar: Good Damage.
Viable Options
Weavile: Decent attack and speed.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Houndoom: Fast move: Snarl. Charged move: Foul Play.
Darkrai: Fast move: Snarl. Charged move: Shadow Ball.
Mega Evolution
Mega Houndoom is a great Dark Mega.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Tyranitar.
Examples of Usage
Great against Ghost-type Raid Bosses.
Fairy Type Attackers
Fairy-type Pokémon are effective against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-type opponents.
Top Tier: The Enchanted Enforcers
Mega Gardevoir: A powerful option.
Shadow Gardevoir: A high damage option.
Great Choices
Sylveon: A good option.
Togekiss: High DPS.
Viable Options
Granbull: A decent choice.
Moveset Recommendation
Mega Gardevoir: Fast move: Charm. Charged move: Dazzling Gleam.
Shadow Gardevoir: Fast move: Charm. Charged move: Dazzling Gleam.
Mega Evolution
Mega Gardevoir is a great option.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Gardevoir.
Examples of Usage
Great against Dragon-type Raid Bosses.
Considerations For Choosing Attackers
Choosing the “best” attackers isn’t always straightforward. Several other factors can significantly influence your decision.
Weather Boosts: The weather in Pokémon GO affects the power of moves. For example, Sunny weather boosts Fire, Grass, and Ground-type attacks. Snowy weather boosts Ice and Steel. Understanding weather boosts allows you to capitalize on environmental advantages.
Team Composition: A well-rounded team is crucial. Don’t focus solely on raw power; consider the coverage your team provides. You want attackers that can handle multiple types of threats.
Resource Management: Powering up Pokémon requires Stardust and Candy. Prioritize Pokémon that are useful across different types, and make sure you have the resources to invest in them.
Personal Preference: While we have discussed the best, remember that Pokémon Go is about having fun. If you love a certain Pokémon, then feel free to use it!
The Future of Attackers
Pokémon GO is a constantly evolving game. New Pokémon, new moves, and balance changes are regularly introduced, which can shift the meta. Upcoming releases and periodic updates will always reshape the landscape of what is considered “best.” Keep an eye on Pokémon GO news and tier lists. Stay informed, and be prepared to adapt your teams as needed.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Pokémon attackers is paramount to succeeding in battles and raids in Pokémon GO. This comprehensive guide has provided you with a deep dive into the best attackers by type, detailing their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal movesets. Remember that mastering type matchups and understanding the factors that contribute to a Pokémon’s power is a continuous process.
Now go forth, train your Pokémon, and dominate the world of Pokémon GO!
