The 10 best Pokémon teams

The world of competitive Pokémon gets all the more exciting when you know which of these creatures together make the best teams. Have you mastered the skill of forming a squad that strikes fear into the hearts of opponents yet?

The iconic Pokémon gameplay puts players into the shoes of a Pokémon trainer and allows them to experience the Pokémon universe firsthand, just like our legendary trainer, Ash. Players have three primary goals in the game: Travel and explore the Pokémon world; complete their Pokédex by discovering and catching every Pokémon species; and train a team of up to six Pokémon at a time and have them engage in battles. 

Every polished player knows that the holy grail of Pokémon mastery is team building, which even our legendary trainers emphasize. Putting together a winning team is more of an art than a science, requiring careful consideration of how each member’s strengths and weaknesses will affect the group. To become an efficient trainer, it’s important to draw on the strengths of both legendary and unexpected Pokémon to unleash their full potential.

The best part of the gameplay is you never have to see any of the cute Pokémon die. When defeated in a battle, they only faint. On the other hand, the Pokémon receives experience points when it prevails in combat. Its stats increase and the Pokémon levels up after amassing a specific amount of points, while also gaining additional offensive and defensive moves to employ in future combat.

The best Pokémon teams, ranked

As of the latest, 1,025 Pokémon species have been introduced in the universe, making it quite a task to assemble the perfect winning team every time. But despite the competition, trainers fearlessly sail through the treacherous seas of the Pokémon World Championships and the digital halls of online battles. Throughout the years, some Pokémon teams have become more well-known than others.

The impact of perfect team-making on the competitive landscape has caused countless coaches to reevaluate their methods. Though there’s no such thing as a “perfect team,” the best Pokémon teams balance out the weaknesses and strengths of each member. And be careful, it may seem like an easy task at first glance, but ideal team-making requires in-depth knowledge of every Pokémon.

Now, whether you don’t want to put your brains into all the research or need inspiration from already proven teams to make one of your own, today, we explore the 10 best Pokémon teams, while shedding light on what makes them genuinely remarkable in the vast and ever-expanding universe.

10. Charizard, Electivire, Garchomp, Lapras, Tyranitar, Heracross

Charizard, Electivire, Garchomp, Lapras, Tyranitar, and Heracross make up a well-balanced, diverse, and powerful team drawn from several generations of Pokémon. Starting with Charizard, this fiery dragon emphasizes adaptability. Charizard can adapt to various battle circumstances, owing to its two potential Mega Evolutions. Next up, Electivire is a formidable Electric-type, that distinguishes itself by its ability to counter many threats. It can absorb Electric-type motions with a Motor Drive to increase its speed. 

Garchomp, with its Dragon/Ground typing, is both a threat and a staple in competitive play. Opponents fear the Pokémon due to its speed and hard-hitting moves like Dragon Claw and Earthquake. With utility and strength as its plus points, Lapras comes as an elegant behemoth of the ocean. Paired with the Rock/Dark behemoth, Tyranitar offers additional support for the team.

Tyranitar’s Sand Stream ability generates a sandstorm, offering a Special Defense boost to Rock-types and chipping away at non-resistant foes. Finally, Heracross, with its Fighting/Bug typing, acts as a counter to Dark, Psychic, and Normal-types. 

9. Venusaur, Lapras, Flareon, Pikachu, Articuno, Kadabra

Venusaur, Lapras, Flareon, Pikachu, Articuno, and Kadabra constitute a unified group of early-generation favorites who evoke nostalgia. Venusaur is a versatile Pokémon that evolved from one of the original starters. On the other hand, the lovely Water/Ice-type Pokémon, Lapras is essential to offensive and defensive tactics. Its high HP pool makes it a viable pick, while its move pool, of Ice Beam and Surf provides wide coverage.

Flareon acts as the team’s physical powerhouse, with its fiery appeal and astounding Attack stat. And Pikachu, the iconic mascot of the franchise, brings more to the table than just cuteness. When equipped with a Light Ball, offensive stats skyrocket, allowing moves like Thunderbolt or Volt Tackle to pack a surprising punch.

And if you include Articuno in the team, one of the legendary trio of birds, you get an elegant yet powerful Ice/Flying dynamic. Finally, Kadabra’s stellar Special Attack stat offers swift and devastating Psychic-type moves, making it an essential special attacker even before reaching its final form of Alakazam.

8. Arceus, Dragonite, Gengar, Palkia, Dialga, Giratina

The Arceus, Dragonite, Gengar, Palkia, Dialga, and Giratina team is legendary in Pokémon fights, combining raw power, variety, and strategic depth in ways few teams can. This gathering is a monument to the marriage of lore significance and fighting prowess. Arceus, often known as the “Original One” or the deity of the Pokémon universe, is an unrivaled source of flexibility. While Dragonite, a popular Dragon/Flying pseudo-legendary, is known for its balanced stat distribution. 

The Shadow Pokémon Gengar has an incredible Special Attack that allows it to operate as a powerful special sweeper. Dialga and Palkia, time and space controllers, respectively, bring enormous power and unusual type combinations to the team. Dialga’s Roar of Time and Steel/Dragon typing, combined with Palkia’s Spacial Rend and Water/Dragon typing, gives both offensive firepower and balanced type coverage, making them formidable opponents when combined.

At last, Giratina, the Distortion World’s king, has unrivaled bulk and adaptability in its two forms: Altered and Origin. Its Dragon/Ghost type is uncommon and moves like Shadow Force make it a formidable offensive threat.

7. Venusaur, Lapras, Flareon, Pikachu, Articuno, Kadabra

Venusaur, Lapras, Flareon, Pikachu, Articuno, and Kadabra stand out not only for their throwback charm, harkening back to earlier generations of Pokémon, but also for their impressive blend of power, type coverage, and strategic versatility, making them a formidable battle ensemble.

This Grass/Poison-type powerhouse, led by Venusaur, benefits from its dual typing, which combines offensive and defensive qualities. To complement it, the oceanic giant Lapras has a dual type of Water and Ice. And if you don’t already know it, the Eeveelution Flareon is among the most dangerous due to its high Attack stat.

Now, Pikachu may look innocent, but he packs quite a punch. The fabled bird Articuno possesses both beauty and strength. Its Ice/Flying typing and techniques like Ice Beam and Hurricane make it effective against Grass, Bug, and Flying types, among others. To polish the team off, we advise including Kadabra, a tough Psychic-type Pokémon with a high Special Attack.

6. Arceus, Lugia, Mewtwo, Mew, Dialga, Palkia

Arceus, Lugia, Mewtwo, Mew, Dialga, and Palkia aren’t just a team; they’re a constellation of some of the most potent and diverse legends. Each member exemplifies strategic superiority, and when combined, they provide an almost impossible task to any foe. Arceus, the “Original One” or the god of Pokémon, is at the helm. Its signature ability, Multitype, claims unrivaled flexibility by allowing it to assume any type dependent on the Plate or Z-Crystal it possesses.

Meanwhile, Lugia is more than just a fortress guarding the oceans. Its pressure ability quickly depletes the PP of its foe’s move, making it possible to wear down threats strategically. To withstand tough opponents, Mewtwo makes a perfect member with his Special Attack and Speed which makes him bulletproof.

Mew, commonly considered the Pokémon species’ original member, exemplifies adaptability and can face tough battles with any opponent. Squaring off with the masters of time and space, Dialga and Palkia, provide the team with distinct typings and destructive signature attacks. 

5. Arceus, Mewtwo, Mew, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina

Arceus, Mewtwo, Mew, Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina represent an extraordinary assemblage of power and versatility, making one of the strongest conceivable teams in the Pokémon universe. Collectively, they embody an unprecedented range of capabilities. With such dynamic members, this team expertly harmonizes raw power with vast adaptability.

First up, Mew’s genetic makeup allows it to learn virtually any move, granting the team exceptional flexibility in battles. Mewtwo, often considered one of the most potent psychic Pokémon, then brings immense offensive prowess to the frontline. And the best part? their combined psychic capabilities can outmaneuver and decimate opponents even before the battle truly commences.

And if you include the Sinnoh trio—Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina—it guarantees dominion over time, space, and antimatter, respectively. Dialga’s control over time can help the squad by stalling or accelerating battle phases. Palkia, the master of space, may change the dimensions of the battlefield, disrupting opponents’ strategy.

The third Sinnoh and the ruler of the Distortion World, Giratina can throw unpredictable aspects into battle, further frightening opponents. Finally, due to its Plate or Z-Crystal, Arceus’s diverse nature allows it to adapt its kind and movements to nearly any situation, lending an upper hand to the team.

4. Blaziken, Tyranitar, Pidgeot, Gardevoir, Flygon, Manectric

The Blaziken, Tyranitar, Pidgeot, Gardevoir, Flygon, and Manectric team illustrates balanced type coverage, tactical versatility, and efficient power distribution. The Fire/Fighting type Blaziken and its Hidden Ability, Speed Boost, make it a challenging foe. Each turn increases Blaziken’s speed, allowing it to outrun its rivals quickly.

For another advantage, the pseudo-legendary Rock/Dark behemoth Tyranitar’s Sand Stream ability, which calls forth a sandstorm to increase the Special Defense of all Rock-type Pokémon, naturally alters the battlefield dynamics. The third member Pidgeot, with the Mega Stone in its possession, evolves into Mega Pidgeot, which has the No Guard ability and always scores a direct hit.

For excellent ground-type coverage, Dragon/Ground-type Flygon will keep the team covered while also staying safe from attacks of the same kind due to its Levitate ability. Lastly, Manectric is an Electric nightmare on the battlefield when it reaches its Mega-Evolved form. With its Intimidate ability, which lowers the opponent’s Attack stat when switched in, the battle’s tide turns with a single tactical move.

3. Dragonite, Blastoise, Umbreon, Metagross, Charizard, Jolteon

Dragonite, Blastoise, Umbreon, Metagross, Charizard, and Jolteon represent the ultimate blend of strength, adaptability, and durability on the battlefield. This team is among the top because of the strategic insight with which it operates. Dragonite, the first Dragon-type pseudo-legendary, has a diverse set of techniques and the Multiscale ability, which decreases the impact of a single strike when the user is fully healed.

Blastoise, a popular choice since Generation I, can use the might of its Mega Evolution to transform into a fearsome tank with Mega Launcher, increasing the strength of pulse abilities like Aura Sphere and Water Pulse. Then there’s Umbreon, the personification of resilience. With its high defensive numbers and access to moves like Foul Play and Wish, this Dark-type Eeveelution can effectively stall opponents while offering critical healing support to teammates.

Another pseudo-legendary, Metagross, shines brightly with its Steel/Psychic typing, providing inherent resistance against various types. With its dual Mega Evolutions, Charizard delivers versatility. It may be a linchpin in numerous strategies, whether it is harnessing the sun’s strength as Mega Charizard Y with Drought or showing its Dragon prowess as Mega Charizard X. And of course, Jolteon, with its lightning-fast speed and Volt Absorb ability, rounds out the team’s elemental coverage.

2. Magneton, Eevee, Nosepass

Although it may seem challenging to make a case for a team consisting of Magneton, Eevee, and Nosepass as one of the greatest, there is always a way to investigate the possible dynamics and benefits that this unusual combination may offer. The three Magnemites that fuse to form a Magneton are like an electric/steel supercomputer. Because of its type, it has access to various resistances that make it a reliable combatant.

Magnet Pull, one of its abilities, allows it to trap and prevent Steel-type foes from switching out, giving trainers a tactical advantage or allowing them to wear down more formidable opponents. However, Eevee’s regular typing and lack of evolutions may make it seem like an odd pick in this team setting. Its STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) techniques are twice as powerful, but its ” Adaptability ” ability allows it to switch between types easily.

As a result, Eevee’s Tackle or Return is quite effective for such a low-level Pokémon. Although the Rock-type Pokémon Nosepass’s magnetic nose, which constantly points north, may seem out of place, it serves an essential purpose. Its Sturdy ability makes it impossible for a full HP opponent to take it out in a single blow, making it an excellent choice as a lead in setting up Stealth Rocks or using Thunder Wave to paralyze foes. 

1. Dialga, Palkia, Arceus, Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza

Dialga, Palkia, Arceus, Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza constitute a fearsome squad, and rightfully so; these Pokémon are no mere mortals but legendary and mythical behemoths, each having control over important portions of the Pokémon universe.

Time master Dialga is immune to many types thanks to its unique typing of Steel/Dragon, and it can deal with plenty of damage thanks to its deadly Roar of Time. Spatial ruler Palkia has the unusual typing combination of Water/Dragon, making it resistant to Dragon, Ground, and Fire-type attacks. Depending on the Plate or Z-crystal it possesses, Arceus can change its kind and become resilient against various foes.

Land and water titans Groudon and Kyogre have their Primal forms that are extremely powerful. When Primal Groudon uses its Desolate Land ability, it ushers in bright sunlight, amplifying its Fire-type attacks. When Primal Kyogre uses its Primordial Sea ability, it lets down torrential rain that does the same for its Water-type attacks. And as a plus point, the Dragon/Flying Pokémon Rayquaza can Mega Evolve without needing a Mega Stone.