Pokemon Champions Tier List: Best Pokemon Ranked (M-C)
By GamsGo Team
2026/10/21
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Pokemon Champions is built around one thing: battling. There is no long adventure to work through first, so the question every new player hits on day one is a practical one. Which Pokemon are actually worth your time?
This Pokemon Champions tier list answers that for the current VGC 2026 Reg M-C meta. Singles and Doubles get separate rankings, because the two formats reward very different things. Every pick comes with a reason, a typical build, and the matchups that give it trouble.
If you would rather test these picks right away than build a roster from an empty box, a ready-to-play Pokemon Champions account from GamsGo gets you into ranked faster. If you prefer to build from scratch, the list works just as well as a roadmap for what to train first.
How This Pokemon Champions Tier List Works
Before you jump into the rankings, two things shape how you should read them.
The first is format. Singles is one-on-one, so bulk, raw stats and self-sufficiency matter most. Doubles is two-on-two, the format used at official VGC events, and it leans much harder on support moves and speed control. That is why the same Pokemon can sit at the top of one list and in the middle of the other.
The second is the regulation. The game runs on regulation sets, labelled M-A, M-B, M-C and so on, and each one changes which Pokemon and items are legal. In practice, that means the meta shifts every few weeks. This page is stamped Reg M-C and dated for that reason, and it gets reworked whenever a new set goes live.
The rankings themselves are based on current Reg M-C usage and on which Pokemon keep turning up on winning teams. One honest caveat: there is far less public tournament data for Singles than for Doubles, so the Singles list leans a little more on stats and role.
Here is what each tier means, so both lists read the same way:
S Tier - meta-defining. Strong, consistent, and easy to fit onto almost any team.
A Tier - excellent picks that carry teams, usually within a specific style or core.
B Tier - solid and competitive, but they want the right support or matchup to shine.
C Tier - situational. Fine in the right team, but outclassed by the options above most of the time.
Pokemon Champions Doubles (VGC) Tier List
Most of the competitive action happens in Doubles. It is the format behind VGC, and it has the deepest pool of tournament results, so its rankings are the most reliable on this page. If you only check one Pokemon Champions VGC tier list, make it this one.
How to read the list: each row shows the Pokemon's type, how its usage is trending this regulation, and our score out of 10. Tap a row for its role, ability, item, key moves, partners, weaknesses and how to beat it. Scores are our own rating, based on Reg M-C usage and results.
S
RillaboomTerrain supportGrass▼ Cooling9.5tap ▾
Role
Terrain support. Opens games with Fake Out and Grassy Terrain
Ability
Grassy Surge
Item
Sitrus Berry
Key moves
Fake Out
Grassy Glide
Wood Hammer
U-turn
Partners
Incineroar, slower attackers that want a safe first turn
Weak to
Fire
Flying
Ice
Poison
Bug
How to beat
Lead with a Fire or Flying attacker and keep your own Fake Out user ready.
Why S
Still the most-used Pokemon in the format, and it helps almost any team from turn one.
IncineroarPivot supportFireDark● Steady9.7tap ▾
Role
Pivot support. Weakens attackers and protects its partner
Ability
Intimidate
Item
Sitrus Berry
Key moves
Fake Out
Parting Shot
Flare Blitz
Knock Off
Partners
Physical attackers, Rillaboom, Kingambit
Weak to
Water
Ground
Rock
Fighting
How to beat
Use special attackers, which ignore Intimidate, and hit it with Water or Fighting moves.
Why S
Fits on nearly every team and is forgiving to play, which is why it is the safest first pick.
Use Dark and Bug moves, and Taunt it before it sets up.
Why B
Armor Tail blocks priority, but it is a narrow, team-specific pick.
TyranitarSand setter and heavy hitterRockDark● Steady7.1tap ▾
Role
Sand setter and heavy hitter
Ability
Sand Stream
Item
Tyranitarite
Key moves
Rock Slide
Knock Off
Low Kick
Protect
Partners
Hippowdon, Steel-type allies
Weak to
Fighting 4x
Ground
Grass
Water
Bug
Fairy
How to beat
Fighting moves deal 4x damage, and it has many other weaknesses.
Why B
Hits very hard, but too many weaknesses keep it in B.
GlimmoraHazard leadRockPoison● Steady7.0tap ▾
Role
Hazard lead
Ability
Toxic Debris
Item
Focus Sash
Key moves
Power Gem
Sludge Bomb
Earth Power
Spiky Shield
Partners
Offensive teams that like early chip
Weak to
Ground 4x
Water
Psychic
Steel
How to beat
Ground moves deal 4x damage, and fast attackers break its Sash.
Why B
Good early pressure, but it is frail and easy to remove.
Pokemon Champions Singles Tier List
Singles plays out very differently. With no partner to cover for them, Pokemon have to hold their own one-on-one, so bulk, speed and the ability to win a fight alone count for more than support tools.
Because public Singles data is thinner, treat this list as slightly more of a judgment call than the Doubles one. The top picks, though, are the same names you will keep running into on the ladder.
Solid in Singles, but less dominant than in Doubles.
CharizardFast special attacker, best as MegaFireFlying▲ Rising7.4tap ▾
Role
Fast special attacker, best as Mega
Ability
Blaze
Item
Charizardite Y
Key moves
Flamethrower
Solar Beam
Air Slash
Roost
Partners
Stealth Rock removers
Weak to
Rock 4x
Water
Electric
How to beat
Stealth Rock and Rock moves deal 4x damage.
Why B
Hits hard, but Stealth Rock hurts it badly in Singles.
Best Pokemon in Pokemon Champions Right Now
Two lists and 35 Pokemon is a lot to take in at once. If you just want to know who to build first, start here.
If you mostly play Singles, build Garchomp first. The appeal is how little it asks of you: there is no weather, terrain or setup turn to juggle, so you simply pick the move that hits hardest and go. Where sweepers like Mimikyu or Dragonite need a free turn to get rolling, Garchomp threatens a knockout the moment it switches in.
For most players, the answer is Incineroar. It improves almost any Doubles team, it is forgiving when you misplay, and the habits it teaches carry over to everything else, such as when to switch in for Intimidate and when to spend Fake Out. Rillaboom is a close second, since it does useful work on turn one without asking much of you.
If you mostly play Singles, build Garchomp first. It hits hard, moves fast, and is straightforward to use while you are still learning matchups.
On a budget or playing free-to-start, Kingambit gives you the best return. It works in both formats and only gets more dangerous as a match goes on, so the time you put into it is never wasted.
Current Pokemon Champions Meta (Reg M-C)
Tier placements make more sense once you can see the bigger picture. The Pokemon Champions meta in Reg M-C revolves around a handful of team styles, and most of the Pokemon above slot into at least one of them:
Rain - Pelipper sets rain for five turns, which raises Water-move power by 50%, halves Fire damage, and lets Swift Swim users like Basculegion double their Speed.
Sun - Torkoal or Mega Charizard Y bring harsh sunlight for five turns, boosting Fire-move power by 50%, weakening Water attacks, and letting Venusaur double its Speed and fire Solar Beam with no charge turn.
Sand - Tyranitar and Hippowdon kick up a five-turn sandstorm that chips every Pokemon except Rock, Ground and Steel types for about 6% of its health each turn, grinding the other side down while bulky cores sit safely.
Tailwind and Trick Room - two forms of speed control. Tailwind doubles your team's Speed for four turns; Trick Room reverses the turn order for five, so your slowest Pokemon move first. Whimsicott is the most reliable Tailwind setter.
Most of the Pokemon in the tiers above are built to push one of these plans, which is why a single pick can swing a whole game once its style comes together. One choice shapes that plan more than any other: which Mega you bring.
Pokemon Champions Mega Tier List
Mega Evolution lets one Pokemon transform mid-battle into a much stronger form. The catch is that you only get one Mega per team, so picking it is a real commitment that shapes the rest of your six.
On winning Reg M-C teams, the Mega you will see most is Mega Charizard Y, which anchors a large share of sun and offense teams. Mega Garchomp, Mega Salamence and Mega Metagross are the other safe choices. Newer Megas such as Mega Raichu Y, Mega Dragonite and Mega Froslass are also turning up more often.
Mega Charizard Y
Mega Garchomp
Mega Salamence
Mega Metagross
Mega Raichu Y
Mega Dragonite
Mega Froslass
If you are torn between them, pick the Mega that suits the style you already enjoy rather than the biggest name. The strongest option changes with each regulation, so being flexible pays off more than sticking with one favorite.
How to Turn This Tier List Into a Team
Knowing which Pokemon are strong is only half the job, especially in Doubles. A team works when its members cover for each other, and most solid teams fill three roles: a support that disrupts the opponent, a main attacker that does the damage, and some form of speed control so you move first when it matters. A common Reg M-C starting core, for example, pairs Incineroar, a hard-hitting Garchomp or Sneasler, and Whimsicott for Tailwind.
One habit wins a lot of early games: give most of your team Protect. It lets you stall a turn, dodge a double-target, or wait out a dangerous move. Once those basics are in place, the lower-tier picks start to make sense as answers to specific threats. We cover full team cores and the best comps in a separate guide.
Latest Pokemon Champions Update (Reg M-C)
A quick snapshot of how the meta has shifted most recently. We refresh this section whenever the ladder moves or a new regulation goes live.
Last updated: 20 October 2026 - Regulation M-C
Garchomp has surged from about a quarter of teams to more than a third, and is now one of the most-used Pokemon in the format.
Sun teams are on the rise, pulling Charizard and Venusaur up with them.
Rillaboom, Gholdengo and Salamence are being played less than earlier in the season, though all three are still strong picks.
Final Thoughts
Step back from the individual rankings and the whole guide points one way. Across Singles and Doubles alike, games are won by a clear plan - a disruptive support, a reliable attacker, and the speed control to move first - far more than by stacking six big names. Build from the S and A tiers, pick around the style you enjoy, and the lower tiers start to read as answers to specific threats rather than filler.
Just remember that a tier list is a snapshot, not a verdict. Champions resets with every regulation, and the players who climb fastest are the ones who understand why a Pokemon sits where it does, not just the letter beside its name. Learn the reasons here, and you will be ready to adjust the moment the next update reshuffles the board.
Who is the best Pokemon in Pokemon Champions right now?
In Doubles, it is Incineroar, thanks to the support it brings to almost any team. In Singles, Garchomp is the strongest all-round pick. Both are safe first builds while you learn the game.
Is the tier list different for Singles and Doubles?
Yes, and the gap is big. Singles rewards strong, self-sufficient Pokemon, while Doubles rewards support and speed control. Several top Doubles picks are only average in Singles, which is why this guide ranks them separately.
Which Pokemon should a beginner build first?
Start with Incineroar for Doubles or Garchomp for Singles. Both are strong, easy to use, and teach habits that carry over to the rest of your team. Kingambit is a great third choice because it works in either format.
How often does the meta change, and is this list current?
The meta resets with each new regulation, roughly every few weeks, when the legal Pokemon and items change. This list reflects the current Reg M-C meta and is updated each time a new regulation goes live.
Do the top Pokemon need Mega Stones to be good?
No. Most S-tier picks, including Incineroar, Rillaboom and Kingambit, do their job without a Mega Stone. You only get one Mega per team, so most of your Pokemon will run regular items anyway.
What are the best picks if I am playing free-to-start or on a budget?
Kingambit gives you the most value for your time, since it is strong in both formats and scales into the late game. Pair it with a reliable support like Incineroar and you already have two of the three team roles covered.
The GamsGo Team covers competitive and casual gaming across PC, console and mobile, from tier lists and meta breakdowns to beginner guides and money-saving tips. We track what is strong, what is worth your time, and how to spend less on the games you love.
Rillaboom
Incineroar
Sneasler
Kingambit
Garchomp
Charizard
Gholdengo
Whimsicott
Basculegion
Raichu
Salamence
Venusaur
Archaludon
Pelipper
Sylveon
Dragonite
Sinistcha
Floette (Eternal)
Indeedee (F)
Farigiraf
Tyranitar
Glimmora
Primarina
Hippowdon
Golisopod
Mimikyu
Metagross
Corviknight
