Pokemon Champions Useful Pokemon

Browse practical Pokemon Champions build cards by team role: Mega Pokemon, utility picks, and other damage dealers.

Other Damage Dealers Recommendations

Damage dealers give the team a second win path through Trick Room, rain, priority, setup, field support, or late-game cleanup.

Torkoal artwork

Trick Room Fire attacker

Torkoal

Fire
Charcoal iconCharcoal

Moves

  • Eruption
  • Weather Ball
  • Heat Wave
  • Earth Power
Nature
Quiet
Ability
Drought

Base stats

HP
70
Atk
85
Def
140
SpA
85
SpD
70
Spe
20

EV spread

HP
252
Atk
0
Def
0
SpA
252
SpD
0
Spe
0

The eternal first-room attacker. If you play a Trick Room team, you almost never avoid Torkoal; it can use offensive glasses-style pressure or Charcoal protection.

Hatterene artwork

Trick Room attacker

Hatterene

PsychicFairy
Twisted Spoon iconTwisted Spoon

Moves

  • Protect
  • Trick Room
  • Expanding Force
  • Mystical Fire
Nature
Quiet
Ability
Magic Bounce

Base stats

HP
57
Atk
90
Def
95
SpA
136
SpD
103
Spe
29

EV spread

HP
252
Atk
0
Def
4
SpA
252
SpD
0
Spe
0

An important Trick Room setter that also attacks inside Trick Room. It must be paired with Indeedee; without Indeedee, the set is hard to play.

Indeedee artwork

Terrain enabler

Indeedee

PsychicNormal
Sitrus Berry iconSitrus Berry

Moves

  • Expanding Force
  • Follow Me
  • Helping Hand
  • Trick Room
Nature
Relaxed
Ability
Psychic Surge

Base stats

HP
70
Atk
55
Def
65
SpA
95
SpD
105
Spe
85

EV spread

HP
252
Atk
0
Def
252
SpA
0
SpD
4
Spe
0

As long as the game has Indeedee, it is extremely important. Everyone using Expanding Force wants it, and slower natures can avoid speed clashes with other terrain teams.

Ursaluna artwork

Physical Trick Room breaker

Ursaluna

GroundNormal
Soft Sand iconSoft Sand

Moves

  • Protect
  • Headlong Rush
  • Earthquake
  • Facade
Nature
Brave
Ability
Guts

Base stats

HP
130
Atk
140
Def
105
SpA
45
SpD
80
Spe
50

EV spread

HP
252
Atk
156
Def
0
SpA
0
SpD
100
Spe
0

Regular Ursaluna usually belongs to mixed Trick Room teams. If you also want Tailwind, use a Brave nature with some Speed so it can move under Tailwind too.

Ursaluna artwork

Bulky special breaker

Ursaluna

GroundNormal
Twisted Spoon iconTwisted Spoon

Moves

  • Protect
  • Blood Moon
  • Hyper Voice
  • Earth Power
Nature
Modest
Ability
Mind's Eye

Base stats

HP
113
Atk
70
Def
120
SpA
135
SpD
65
Spe
52

EV spread

HP
164
Atk
0
Def
4
SpA
196
SpD
52
Spe
92

Both bear forms are very strong. Bloodmoon often uses a bulk item, does not always need Trick Room, and can run enough Speed to pass modest Fire benchmarks.

Basculegion artwork

Rain physical attacker

Basculegion

WaterGhost
Mystic Water iconMystic Water

Moves

  • Protect
  • Wave Crash
  • Last Respects
  • Aqua Jet
Nature
Adamant
Ability
Adaptability

Base stats

HP
120
Atk
112
Def
65
SpA
80
SpD
75
Spe
78

EV spread

HP
4
Atk
252
Def
0
SpA
0
SpD
0
Spe
252

One of the rain brothers and a fierce attacker. If you bring Assault Vest-style bulk, use four attacks; otherwise Protect can become a fast pivot move.

Archaludon artwork

Rain special tank

Archaludon

SteelDragon
Metal Coat iconMetal Coat

Moves

  • Electro Shot
  • Snarl
  • Body Press
  • Dragon Pulse
Nature
Modest
Ability
Stamina

Base stats

HP
90
Atk
105
Def
130
SpA
125
SpD
65
Spe
85

EV spread

HP
252
Atk
0
Def
4
SpA
44
SpD
196
Spe
12

A rain brother with very high bridge-style durability, but without rain it must be careful into Charizard Y. Dragon Pulse can become Flash Cannon.

Archaludon artwork

Direct rain attacker

Archaludon

SteelDragon
White Herb iconWhite Herb

Moves

  • Electro Shot
  • Draco Meteor
  • Flash Cannon
  • Protect
Nature
Timid
Ability
Stamina

Base stats

HP
90
Atk
105
Def
130
SpA
125
SpD
65
Spe
85

EV spread

HP
4
Atk
0
Def
0
SpA
252
SpD
0
Spe
252

With White Herb, it can operate even when rain is stolen and still attack directly. This is the version that cares less about non-rain turns.

Pelipper artwork

Rain setter

Pelipper

WaterFlying
Sharp Beak iconSharp Beak

Moves

  • Hurricane
  • Weather Ball
  • Tailwind
  • Protect
Nature
Modest
Ability
Drizzle

Base stats

HP
60
Atk
50
Def
100
SpA
95
SpD
70
Spe
65

EV spread

HP
4
Atk
0
Def
0
SpA
252
SpD
0
Spe
252

The rain team captain brings the weather. It is not fast, so when teammates add Speed you must consider whether to outrun it; bulky Pelipper can also be used.

Politoed artwork

Bulky rain setter

Politoed

Water
Sitrus Berry iconSitrus Berry

Moves

  • Muddy Water
  • Helping Hand
  • Perish Song
  • Protect
Nature
Calm
Ability
Drizzle

Base stats

HP
90
Atk
75
Def
75
SpA
90
SpD
100
Spe
70

EV spread

HP
252
Atk
0
Def
220
SpA
0
SpD
36
Spe
0

Politoed plays differently from Pelipper. It is mostly a rain team member rather than a damage dealer, especially now that it cannot carry Scald.

Dragonite artwork

Priority physical attacker

Dragonite

DragonFlying
Dragon Fang iconDragon Fang

Moves

  • Protect
  • Scale Shot
  • Tailwind
  • Iron Head
Nature
Adamant
Ability
Multiscale

Base stats

HP
91
Atk
134
Def
95
SpA
100
SpD
100
Spe
80

EV spread

HP
4
Atk
252
Def
0
SpA
0
SpD
0
Spe
252

It can send a fast Dragon boost, so Dragon Dance is not required. If you play fast Dragonite, Scale Shot and Iron Head are recommended.

Armarouge artwork

Expanding Force attacker

Armarouge

FirePsychic
Twisted Spoon iconTwisted Spoon

Moves

  • Expanding Force
  • Meteor Beam
  • Armor Cannon
  • Trick Room
Nature
Modest
Ability
Flash Fire

Base stats

HP
85
Atk
60
Def
100
SpA
125
SpD
80
Spe
75

EV spread

HP
252
Atk
0
Def
0
SpA
252
SpD
4
Spe
0

Items are usually strong special-attack boosters. Speed can be added, or Trick Room can be skipped, but this configuration depends strongly on Indeedee.

Armarouge artwork

Weak Armor special attacker

Armarouge

FirePsychic
Charcoal iconCharcoal

Moves

  • Expanding Force
  • Heat Wave
  • Aura Sphere
  • Endure
Nature
Modest
Ability
Weak Armor

Base stats

HP
85
Atk
60
Def
100
SpA
125
SpD
80
Spe
75

EV spread

HP
4
Atk
0
Def
0
SpA
252
SpD
0
Spe
252

The partner must use a quick pivot hit to trigger Weak Armor and double Speed while activating a weakness-risk line. High-speed partners are preferred.

Dondozo artwork

Bulky Water attacker

Dondozo

Water
Sitrus Berry iconSitrus Berry

Moves

  • Protect
  • Order Up
  • Earthquake
  • Wave Crash
Nature
Adamant
Ability
Unaware

Base stats

HP
150
Atk
100
Def
115
SpA
65
SpD
65
Spe
35

EV spread

HP
164
Atk
76
Def
4
SpA
0
SpD
252
Spe
12

Dondozo can simply eat damage and clear the board. It is mostly a standing-board piece, and teammates often carry field control for it.

Dondozo artwork

Aggressive Water sweeper

Dondozo

Water
Mystic Water iconMystic Water

Moves

  • Protect
  • Order Up
  • Earthquake
  • Wave Crash
Nature
Jolly
Ability
Oblivious

Base stats

HP
150
Atk
100
Def
115
SpA
65
SpD
65
Spe
35

EV spread

HP
4
Atk
252
Def
0
SpA
0
SpD
0
Spe
252

The aggressive Dondozo is not afraid of fainting; each KO is value. At max Speed it passes many important lines, so use a firm Speed plan.

Tatsugiri artwork

Special rain partner

Tatsugiri

DragonWater
Mystic Water iconMystic Water

Moves

  • Muddy Water
  • Draco Meteor
  • Hydro Pump
  • Icy Wind
Nature
Timid
Ability
Commander

Base stats

HP
68
Atk
50
Def
60
SpA
120
SpD
95
Spe
82

EV spread

HP
4
Atk
0
Def
0
SpA
252
SpD
0
Spe
252

The common Tatsugiri is four attacks. When paired with Dondozo, red forms usually add Attack, pink forms add Defense, and yellow forms add Speed.

Tatsugiri artwork

Defensive rain partner

Tatsugiri

DragonWater
Focus Sash iconFocus Sash

Moves

  • Muddy Water
  • Draco Meteor
  • Protect
  • Helping Hand
Nature
Timid
Ability
Commander

Base stats

HP
68
Atk
50
Def
60
SpA
120
SpD
95
Spe
82

EV spread

HP
4
Atk
0
Def
0
SpA
252
SpD
0
Spe
252

The source cannot confirm Mega Tatsugiri's ability or effect, so it does not recommend that route. Helping Hand can become Icy Wind when the team needs Speed control.

Tatsugiri artwork

Bulky Dondozo partner

Tatsugiri

DragonWater
Sitrus Berry iconSitrus Berry

Moves

  • Muddy Water
  • Draco Meteor
  • Protect
  • Helping Hand
Nature
Modest
Ability
Commander

Base stats

HP
68
Atk
50
Def
60
SpA
120
SpD
95
Spe
82

EV spread

HP
252
Atk
0
Def
140
SpA
76
SpD
4
Spe
36

The bulky Tatsugiri can continue supporting teammates after Dondozo leaves the field. It is not focused on immediate damage.

Maushold artwork

Population Bomb attacker

Maushold

Normal
Silk Scarf iconSilk Scarf

Moves

  • Protect
  • Population Bomb
  • Encore
  • Follow Me
Nature
Jolly
Ability
Technician

Base stats

HP
74
Atk
75
Def
70
SpA
65
SpD
75
Spe
111

EV spread

HP
4
Atk
252
Def
0
SpA
0
SpD
0
Spe
252

Offensive Maushold has extremely high multi-hit damage and can delete many targets, but Intimidate and Rocky Helmet-style punishment are major concerns.

Maushold artwork

Friend Guard support

Maushold

Normal
Sitrus Berry iconSitrus Berry

Moves

  • Protect
  • Follow Me
  • Super Fang
  • Helping Hand
Nature
Impish
Ability
Friend Guard

Base stats

HP
74
Atk
75
Def
70
SpA
65
SpD
75
Spe
111

EV spread

HP
252
Atk
0
Def
156
SpA
0
SpD
100
Spe
0

Support Maushold uses Friend Guard to protect teammates and can still bring Super Fang, Helping Hand, Encore-style disruption, and Follow Me.

Alcremie artwork

Bulky support

Alcremie

Fairy
Fairy Feather iconFairy Feather

Moves

  • Trick Room
  • Rage Powder
  • Decorate
  • Giga Drain
Nature
Bold
Ability
Sweet Veil

Base stats

HP
65
Atk
60
Def
75
SpA
110
SpD
121
Spe
64

EV spread

HP
244
Atk
0
Def
188
SpA
4
SpD
76
Spe
0

For a physical-defense set, use a 244 HP / 188 Defense / 76 Special Defense style spread. Alcremie is mainly a durable support piece.

Kingambit artwork

Physical endgame attacker

Kingambit

DarkSteel
Black Glasses iconBlack Glasses

Moves

  • Protect
  • Swords Dance
  • Kowtow Cleave
  • Sucker Punch
Nature
Adamant
Ability
Defiant

Base stats

HP
100
Atk
135
Def
120
SpA
60
SpD
85
Spe
50

EV spread

HP
252
Atk
252
Def
0
SpA
0
SpD
4
Spe
0

Kingambit is a fierce anti-Intimidate general. Fighting types hold it in check, but Swords Dance and Sucker Punch are uniquely threatening.

Kingambit artwork

Slow wallbreaker

Kingambit

DarkSteel
Black Glasses iconBlack Glasses

Moves

  • Brick Break
  • Iron Head
  • Kowtow Cleave
  • Sucker Punch
Nature
Adamant
Ability
Defiant

Base stats

HP
100
Atk
135
Def
120
SpA
60
SpD
85
Spe
50

EV spread

HP
244
Atk
212
Def
0
SpA
0
SpD
52
Spe
0

This version carries Sucker Punch for the four-attack plan. The non-STAB coverage is not amazing, and it still does not have explosive Flying-style burst.

Alolan Ninetales artwork

Snow support attacker

Alolan Ninetales

IceFairy
Never-Melt Ice iconNever-Melt Ice

Moves

  • Blizzard
  • Aurora Veil
  • Moonblast
  • Icy Wind
Nature
Timid
Ability
Snow Warning

Base stats

HP
73
Atk
67
Def
75
SpA
81
SpD
100
Spe
109

EV spread

HP
4
Atk
0
Def
20
SpA
4
SpD
60
Spe
204

The common Ice Ninetales spread uses max Special Attack and enough Speed. If you want Light Clay-style Aurora Veil support, it becomes bulkier and more supportive.