8 min read · Dec 28, 2022
Welcome to our list of the top 10 best Pokemon for competitive play in Pokemon Showdown! Whether you’re new to the world of competitive Pokemon or a seasoned veteran looking to improve your team, it’s important to know which Pokemon are the most effective in the current metagame. Having a strong understanding of the top-performing Pokemon can give you a significant advantage in battles, as you’ll be able to select the right Pokemon for different match-ups and team compositions. In this blog post, we’ll be counting down the top 10 Pokemon that you should consider using in your competitive teams, based on their overall usefulness and versatility in different situations.
We’ll provide an overview of each Pokemon’s strengths, as well as relevant stats, moves, and abilities, to give you a better understanding of why they are so effective in the metagame. So without further ado, let’s dive into the top 10 best Pokemon for competitive play in Pokemon Showdown!
II. Criteria for selecting the top 10 Pokemon
When it comes to selecting the top 10 best Pokemon for competitive play in Pokemon Showdown, there are a few key criteria that we considered. First and foremost, we looked at the overall usefulness of each Pokemon in different team compositions. This means that the Pokemon had to be able to fit into a variety of team types and playstyles, and be able to contribute to the team’s success in different ways. Additionally, we considered the versatility of each Pokemon, as those that are able to perform well in a variety of different roles and match-ups are generally more valuable in competitive play.
Finally, we took into account the strength of each Pokemon in certain match-ups, as certain Pokemon may excel against specific types or playstyles, but may not perform as well against others. Overall, the Pokemon on this list are those that we believe are the most effective and valuable in the current metagame, based on their overall usefulness, versatility, and strength in certain match-ups.
III. The top 10 Pokemon
10. Palkia
- Palkia is a Dragon/Water-type Pokemon that is known for its high Special Attack stat and its ability to create rain, which boosts the power of its Water-type moves. Palkia is often used as a sweeper or wall breaker, thanks to its powerful STAB moves like Spacial Rend and Surf, as well as its ability to boost its stats with moves like Dragon Dance.
- Stats: 90 HP / 120 Attack / 100 Defense / 150 Special Attack / 120 Special Defense / 100 Speed
- Ability: Pressure
- Moves: Spacial Rend, Surf, Fire Blast, Dragon Dance
9. Landorus-Therian
- Landorus-Therian is a Ground/Flying-type Pokemon that is known for its high Attack and Speed stats. Its Intimidate ability allows it to lower the Attack of opposing Pokemon, making it easier for it to take them down. Landorus-Therian is often used as a sweeper or wall breaker, and it has access to a wide range of powerful moves, including its STAB moves Earthquake and Stone Edge.
- Stats: 89 HP / 145 Attack / 90 Defense / 105 Special Attack / 80 Special Defense / 91 Speed
- Ability: Intimidate
- Moves: Earthquake, Stone Edge, U-turn, Knock Off
8. Kyogre
- Kyogre is a Water-type Legendary Pokemon that is known for its high Special Attack stat and its ability to create rain, which boosts the power of its Water-type moves. Kyogre is often used as a sweeper or wall breaker, thanks to its powerful STAB moves like Water Spout and Surf, as well as its ability to boost its stats with moves like Calm Mind.
- Stats: 100 HP / 100 Attack / 90 Defense / 150 Special Attack / 140 Special Defense / 90 Speed
- Ability: Drizzle
- Moves: Water Spout, Surf, Ice Beam, Calm Mind
7. Giratina
- Giratina is a Ghost/Dragon-type Pokemon that is known for its high Defense and Special Defense stats, as well as its ability to switch between its Altered and Origin Formes. In its Altered Forme, Giratina has access to the ability Levitate, which allows it to dodge Ground-type moves, making it a formidable opponent in certain match-ups. Giratina is often used as a wall or support Pokemon, thanks to its wide range of support moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave.
- Stats (Altered Forme): 150 HP / 100 Attack / 120 Defense / 100 Special Attack / 120 Special Defense / 90 Speed
- Ability (Altered Forme): Levitate
- Moves: Shadow Claw, Dragon Claw, Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave
6. Deoxys-Attack
- Deoxys-Attack is a Psychic-type Pokemon that is known for its incredibly high Speed and Special Attack stats. Its base 180 Special Attack stat is the highest of any non-Mega Pokemon, making it a formidable opponent in most match-ups. Deoxys-Attack is typically used as a sweeper or wall breaker, and it has access to a wide range of powerful moves, including its STAB moves Psycho Boost and Hyper Beam. Its ability, Pressure, increases the amount of PP that opposing Pokemon use when attacking, which can be useful in long battles.
- Stats: 50 HP / 180 Attack / 20 Defense / 180 Special Attack / 20 Special Defense / 150 Speed
- Ability: Pressure
- Moves: Psycho Boost, Hyper Beam, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt
5. Zekrom
- Zekrom is a Dragon/Electric-type Pokemon that is known for its high Attack and Special Attack stats. Its ability, Teravolt, allows it to bypass any moves that would otherwise negate its attacks, making it a formidable opponent. Zekrom is typically used as a sweeper or wall breaker, and it has access to a wide range of powerful moves, including its STAB moves Fusion Bolt and Outrage.
- Stats: 100 HP / 150 Attack / 120 Defense / 120 Special Attack / 100 Special Defense / 90 Speed
- Ability: Teravolt
- Moves: Fusion Bolt, Outrage, Draco Meteor, Thunderbolt
4. Garchomp
- Garchomp is a Dragon/Ground-type Pokemon that is known for its high Speed and Attack stats. Its Sand Veil ability allows it to dodge attacks more easily in sandstorm weather, making it a formidable opponent in those conditions. Garchomp is typically used as a sweeper or wall breaker, and it has access to a wide range of powerful moves, including its STAB moves Earthquake and Dragon Claw.
- Stats: 108 HP / 130 Attack / 95 Defense / 80 Special Attack / 85 Special Defense / 102 Speed
- Ability: Sand Veil
- Moves: Earthquake, Dragon Claw, Fire Blast, Swords Dance
3. Salamence
- Salamence is a Dragon/Flying-type Pokemon that is often used as a sweeper or wall breaker due to its high Attack and Special Attack stats. Its Intimidate ability allows it to lower the Attack of opposing Pokemon, making it easier for it to take them down. Salamence is also known for its versatility, as it has access to a wide range of moves, including powerful STAB moves like Draco Meteor and Outrage.
- Stats: 95 HP / 135 Attack / 80 Defense / 110 Special Attack / 80 Special Defense / 100 Speed
- Ability: Intimidate
- Moves: Draco Meteor, Outrage, Earthquake, Fire Blast
2. Kyurem-Black
- Kyurem-Black is a Dragon/Ice-type Pokemon that is known for its incredible offensive power. Its Fusion Flare and Fusion Bolt STAB moves pack a serious punch, and its base 170 Attack stat is the highest of any non-Mega Pokemon. Kyurem-Black is typically used as a sweeper or wall breaker, and its ability, Teravolt, allows it to bypass any moves that would otherwise negate its attacks.
- Stats: 125 HP / 170 Attack / 100 Defense / 120 Special Attack / 90 Special Defense / 95 Speed
- Ability: Teravolt
- Moves: Fusion Flare, Fusion Bolt, Outrage, Ice Beam
1. Arceus
- Arceus is a Legendary Pokemon that can be used in almost any team composition thanks to its ability to change its type to match the plate it is holding. Its stats are well-balanced, making it a formidable opponent in most match-ups. Arceus is often used as a wall breaker or sweeper, thanks to its powerful STAB moves and wide movepool.
- Stats: 120 HP / 120 Attack / 120 Defense / 120 Special Attack / 120 Special Defense / 120 Speed
- Ability: Multitype
- Moves: Judgment, Earthquake, Ice Beam, Extreme Speed
IV. Conclusion
In conclusion, the top 10 best Pokemon for competitive play in Pokemon Showdown are Arceus, Kyurem-Black, Salamence, Garchomp, Zekrom, Deoxys-Attack, Giratina, Kyogre, Landorus-Therian, and Palkia. These Pokemon are all highly effective and versatile in different team compositions and match-ups, and they can give players a significant advantage in battles.
We hope that this list has provided you with some useful information and inspiration for building your own competitive teams in Pokemon Showdown. If you’re looking to improve your competitive skills, remember to always keep an eye on the current metagame and consider how different Pokemon and strategies may perform against different opponents. Building a balanced and effective team is key to success in competitive play, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try out different combinations of Pokemon and moves. Good luck, and happy battling!
Disclosure: Some of the links on this site are amazon affiliate links, meaning that if you click on one of the links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the operation of this site. Thank you for your support!
