approved by The Immortal
Welcome to the Random Battles Threatlist, which is a project that aims to categorize Pokemon found in the game mode and give some thoughtful insight when it comes to them. This is a relatively new project (WIP), and will be updated semi-regularly! You're also free to suggest Pokemon to be given a threatlist entry, and we'll try our best to see what we can come up with!
How will Pokemon be sorted out?
They'll be assigned to three categories: Offensive, Defensive, Utility, all of which are fairly self-explanatory and allows for quick analysis. There's also the Threat Level, which broadly assesses how dangerous a Pokemon is in a given match. The threat levels are: Low, Medium, High, and *, which is a special designation for certain Pokemon.
Threatlist Index (Updated 8/20/18)
#713 - Avalugg
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Avalanche, Recover, Toxic, Rapid Spin, Roar, Earthquake
Details: While Ice might not be a great defensive typing, Avalugg's phenomenal physical bulk allows it to be very effective in several matchups, and having access to Recover alongside the coveted Rapid Spin give this Ice-type tank a solid amount of value, despite its shortcomings. The weaknesses do hinder its overall viability, but it still remains a good option.
#242 - Blissey
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Toxic, Flamethrower, Seismic Toss, Soft-Boiled, Wish, Heal Bell, Protect, Thunder Wave, Stealth Rock
Details: Blissey is one of the best defensive Pokemon in the game mode, possessing phenomenal special bulk, reliable healing, and a great ability to boot. More often than not, Blissey can potentially win games outright if the opponent is lacking in physical attackers.
#386 - Deoxys-Defense
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Spikes, Stealth Rock, Recover, Taunt, Toxic, Seismic Toss, Knock Off
Details: With high defenses and decent Speed, Deoxys-D is a bulky entry hazard setter and Toxic staller with good recovery that can deal reliable damage with Seismic Toss and Knock Off.
#487 - Giratina
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Rest, Sleep Talk, Dragon Tail, Roar, Will-O-Wisp, Shadow Ball, Dragon Pulse
Details: Packing extremely high defensive stats, access to Will-o-Wisp and occasional recovery in Rest, Giratina-Altered is difficult for most team compositions to effectively handle. While its offensive presence leaves a lot to be desired, its titanic bulk can overwhelm most teams.
#377 - Regirock
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, Stone Edge, Drain Punch, Curse, Rest, Rock Slide, Toxic
Details: Regirock's phenomenal physical bulk and the looming threat of Curse can make it quite the nuisance for the opponent to handle! It also can utilize Thunder Wave and Toxic to stop Pokemon in their tracks.
#748 - Toxapex
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Toxic Spikes, Baneful Bunker, Recover, Scald, Haze
Details: Toxapex's high defensive stats, Regenerator and good defensive typing play a part on its effectiveness. Being able to not only set Toxic Spikes but absorb them as well gives it a huge niche in this regard. Baneful Bunker and Haze are also half-decent utility moves that can come up ever so often. In short, Toxapex's resilience is one of its key features.
#681 - Aegislash
Category : Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: King's Shield, Swords Dance, Shadow Claw, Sacred Sword, Iron Head, Shadow Sneak, Hidden Power Ice, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon
Details: Equipped with an extremely potent offensive and defensive typing, ability to change forms at the player's whim, high damage output as well as bulk, Aegislash is a major threat to deal with for any team.
#493 - Arceus
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Swords Dance, Extreme Speed, Shadow Claw, Earthquake, Recover
Details: Arceus has one of the strongest forms of priority in the format, and when coupled with Swords Dance and coverage for Steel- and Ghost-types, Extreme Killer is a definite threat for all teams that can quickly get out of hand.
#493 - Arceus-Bug
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Swords Dance, X-Scissor, Stone Edge, Recover, Earthquake, Iron Head
Details: Arceus-Bug may be the worst Arceus of them all, but with Swords Dance and EdgeQuake coverage, Arceus-Bug can still sweep through susceptible teams.
#493 - Arceus-Dark
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Fire Blast, Judgment, Recover, Thunderbolt
Details: Arceus-Dark is a potent threat due to its ability to set up with Calm Mind and use Judgment or one of the coverage moves it gets access to. Having Recover also aids it in late-game matchups where recovery is vital.
#493 - Arceus-Dragon
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Swords Dance, Outrage, Extreme Speed, Earthquake, Recover, Calm Mind, Judgment, Fire Blast, Earth Power
Details: Arceus-Dragon can sweep through teams with either a physical Swords Dance set or a special Calm Mind set, with incredible coverage options such as Fire Blast and Earth Power or Earthquake. Its typing gives some key resistances, allowing it to set up on common types like bulky Water- and Grass-Type Pokemon.
#493 - Arceus-Electric
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Recover, Ice Beam, Grass Knot, Fire Blast, Will-O-Wisp
Details: With just one or two boosts from Calm Mind, Arceus-Electric can quickly overpower teams with its powerful BoltBeam coverage. Complemented with Recover or Will-O-Wisp, this Pokemon can find itself setting up and sweeping relatively easily.
#493 - Arceus-Fairy
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Recover, Will-O-Wisp, Defog, Thunderbolt, Toxic, Fire Blast
Details: Arceus-Fairy is an incredible Defogger with its high Speed and great typing. With a Calm Mind boost, it can also tear through teams with Fire Blast and Judgement.
#493 - Arceus-Fighting
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Stone Edge, Shadow Ball, Recover, Toxic, Defog
Details: Arceus-Fighting is a potent sweeper with a good typing, and it can boost up and deal significant damage to a team. It also has good utility options in Toxic and Defog, allowing it to support its teammates.
#493 - Arceus-Fire
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Grass Knot, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, Recover
Details: With a boost from Calm Mind, Arceus-Fire can run through teams with its powerful Judgement coupled with great coverage options in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt and Grass Knot. However, a Stealth Rock weakness can make this Pokemon easy to whittle down if it does not get Recover.
#493 - Arceus-Flying
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Earth Power, Fire Blast, Substitute, Recover
Details: Arceus-Flying is a threatening sweeper capable of cleaning through damaged teams with Calm Mind. It can use Substitute to avoid status moves like Toxic, which lets it set up on bulky walls.
#493 - Arceus-Ghost
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Focus Blast, Recover, Swords Dance, Shadow Force, Brick Break, Will-O-Wisp, Roar, Defog
Details: Arceus-Ghost is a menacing wallbreaker capable of breaking through susceptible teams after a Swords Dance or a Calm Mind using its powerful Ghost- and Fighting-type moves. Its good defensive typing allows it to set up on a significant portion of the metagame.
#493 - Arceus-Grass
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Judgment, Recover, Calm Mind, Ice Beam, Fire Blast
Details: Arceus-Grass is a capable sweeper after a Calm Mind boost with great coverage in Fire Blast and Ice Beam. Its Grass typing, however, leaves it weak to several common types, sometimes making it difficult for it to set up.
#493 - Arceus-Ground
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Swords Dance, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Recover, Extreme Speed, Ice Beam
Details: Arceus-Ground is powerful physical sweeper with Swords Dance capable of blowing holes in opposing teams with its strong EdgeQuake coverage.
#493 - Arceus-Ice
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Thunderbolt, Fire Blast, Recover
Details: After a boost from Calm Mind, Arceus-Ice's BoltBeam coverage allows it to clean through most of the metagame. However, its Ice typing leaves it weak to Stealth Rock and several common types, making it difficult for it to set up.
#493 - Arceus-Poison
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Defog, Fire Blast, Recover, Sludge Bomb, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp
Details: Arceus-Poison serves as a decent Calm Mind sweeper with access to two helpful status-inducing moves, Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp. This helps make up for its lack of attacking move availability.
#493 - Arceus-Psychic
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Defog, Focus Blast, Judgment, Recover, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp
Details: Arceus-Psychic serves as a reliable Calm Mind sweeper, with coverage in Focus Blast and Thunderbolt and access to Will-O-Wisp to aid in wearing down physical attackers.
#493 - Arceus-Rock
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Earthquake, Extreme Speed, Recover, Stone Edge, Swords Dance
Details: Arceus-Rock has very little variation in move availability, but it makes up for that by having a strong STAB Stone Edge and access to Swords Dance. Arceus-Rock is one of the Arceus formes that also has occasional access to its STAB Z-Move.
#493 - Arceus-Steel
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Earthquake, Iron Head, Judgment, Recover, Stone Edge, Swords Dance, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp
Details: Arceus-Steel's movepool and versatility allow it to be viable as both a physical and a special sweeper, and both versions are able to deal great amounts of damage. A large availability of moves allows Arceus-Steel to be more of a threat around the board.
#493 - Arceus-Water
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Recover, Substitute, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp
Details: Serving as a Calm Mind sweeper, Arceus-Water is able to do a great deal of damage with Judgment and has access to Thunderbolt for coverage. Will-O-Wisp is often helpful in late-game matchups and to put a dent in strong physical attackers.
#257 - Blaziken
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Blaze Kick, High Jump Kick, Protect, Swords Dance, Substitute, Stone Edge, Knock Off
Details: Blaziken is a very frightening Pokemon that is capable of steamrolling teams with Swords Dance and Speed Boost, though its middling bulk and initial speed may be cumbersome to work with.
#257 - Blaziken-Mega
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Flare Blitz, High Jump Kick, Protect, Swords Dance, Substitute, Stone Edge, Knock Off
Details: With the stat bonuses from Mega Evolving, Mega Blaziken maximizes its power with Swords Dance and, along with the ability Speed Boost, can sweep teams very easily.
#386 - Deoxys
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Psycho Boost, Stealth Rock, Spikes, Fire Punch, Superpower, Extreme Speed, Knock Off, Taunt
Details: Utilizing its great offensive stats and high Speed, Deoxys proves to be a strong hitter as well as a quick entry hazard setter. Access to Taunt and dual hazards give it some diverse options in a game.
#386 - Deoxys-Attack
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Psycho Boost, Superpower, Ice Beam, Knock Off, Extreme Speed, Fire Punch, Stealth Rock
Details: With its phenomenal mixed attacking stats often backed by Life Orb, Deoxys-Attack can rip through teams with its coverage and access to STAB Psycho Boost. It also sets up Stealth Rock and provides a lot of momentum.
#483 - Dialga
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Stealth Rock, Toxic, Draco Meteor, Fire Blast, Flash Cannon, Roar, Thunderbolt
Details: Dialga uses its strong Special Attack and decent bulk to beat many strong threats and reliably set Stealth Rock. Its great typing also allows it to exert a lot of immediate pressure onto the battlefield.
#94 - Gengar-Mega
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Shadow Ball, Sludge Wave, Focus Blast, Taunt, Destiny Bond, Disable, Perish Song, Protect
Details: Thanks to Shadow Tag, high Special Attack and Speed, coupled with its various utility moves, Gengar-Mega is a high priority threat that can essentially pick its own battles and systematically dismantle teams if played correctly.
#383 - Groudon-Primal
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Stealth Rock, Precipice Blades, Lava Plume, Stone Edge, Dragon Tail, Rock Polish, Swords Dance, Fire Punch
Details: Primal Groudon is one of the most threatening Pokemon in Random Battles thanks to its access to Swords Dance and Rock Polish, allowing for it to be a strong wallbreaker and sweeper. It's also incredibly hard to stop due to its gargantuan bulk and its only weakness being Ground.
#124 - Jynx
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Focus Blast, Ice Beam, Lovely Kiss, Nasty Plot, Psychic, Psyshock, Substitute, Trick
Details: Jynx's decent speed tier for its level and its infamous Lovely Kiss make it a versatile threat that can be quite oppressive to deal with. It also has possible sweeping capabilities and alongside its sleeping move, its utility moves give it some wiggle room to cause mayhem.
#798 - Kartana
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Leaf Blade, Sacred Sword, Smart Strike, Knock Off, Swords Dance
Details: With its enormous Attack, paired with Swords Dance and Beast Boost, Kartana can quickly get out of hand as a powerful wallbreaker that forces switches. It also packs great coverage between its STAB attacks and Sacred Sword.
#382 - (Primal) Kyogre
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Water Spout, Origin Pulse, Scald, Thunder, Ice Beam
Available Moves (Primal): Water Spout, Origin Pulse, Scald, Thunder, Ice Beam, Calm Mind, Rest, Sleep Talk
Details: Both standard and Blue Orb Kyogre are among the hardest offensive threats to stop in Randoms, with their extremely powerful Water-type STAB, good coverage, common Choice items (standard), and defensive presence moves (Blue Orb).
#645 - Landorus
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Rock Polish, Earth Power, Focus Blast, Psychic, Sludge Wave, Stealth Rock, Knock Off, Rock Slide
Details: Thanks to Sheer Force and a wide array of moves at its disposal, Landorus is a high priority threat that can overwhelm most Pokemon in the tier, and should be dealt with as soon as possible to prevent it spiraling out of control.
#774 - Minior
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: "shellsmash", "power gem", "acrobatics", "earthquake"
Details: Minior is primarily used as a late-game sweeper. Being able to set up and sweep with Meteor forme puts this Pokemon as a high priority threat. Save this mon to clean up for late game as with a good opportunity, will almost guarantee a win.
#800 - Necrozma-Dusk-Mane
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Autotomize, Earthquake, Knock Off, Photon Geyser, Sunsteel Strike, Swords Dance
Details: Great defensive typing, stats and ability which makes it difficult to deal with, Necrozma-DM is a force to be reckoned with and is a premier threat in the format. Armed with two powerful boosting moves, Dusk Mane has really high sweeping potential. The possibility to turn into Ultra Necrozma can also be quite the gamechanger as it completely flips the dynamic over and can result in a big tempo swing.
#53 - Persian-Alola
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Dark Pulse, Hidden Power Fighting, Hypnosis, Nasty Plot, Power Gem
Details: Persian-Alola is a surprisingly decent setup sweeper with the ability to somewhat supply its own free turns thanks to Hypnosis. Its good speed tier and access to Fur Coat also ease its opportunities to boost its Special Attack with Nasty Plot, and its coverage is quite passable.
#127 - Pinsir-Mega
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Close Combat, Earthquake, Quick Attack, Return, Swords Dance
Details: Pinsir-Mega's absurd raw attacking power coupled with its great speed can shred teams without much opposition. While it may suffer from a crippling Stealth Rock weakness, its initial switch-in is not as punishing and its access to Quick Attack also lets it contest faster Pokemon.
#409 - Rampardos
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Crunch, Earthquake, Fire Punch, Head Smash, Rock Polish, Rock Slide
Details: Possessing gargantuan attack to crush through opposition, Rampardos is a massive threat to slower teams or if faster threats have been crippled or eliminated. While it does have high potential to blitz through teams, its slow speed can prove to be quite the downfall, though Rock Polish somewhat remedies this issue.
#128 - Tauros
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: "rock climb", "earthquake", "zen headbutt", "rock slide", "double edge"
Details: Tauros is a strong offensive cleaner, with a great Speed tier and good Attack. Depending on the item you get, Tauros can knock out pokemon with its powerful STAB Double Edge or weaken Steel- types with Earthquake. Use this mon during early or mid-game to weaken the team to allow a sweeper to clean up.
#413 - Wormadam
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Giga Drain, Bug Buzz, Quiver Dance, Hidden Power Rock, Leaf Storm
Details: Wormadam might not seem much, but its decent bulk and access to Quiver Dance paired with either Leaf Storm for high damage output or Giga Drain for consistent recovery, it can make way for your teammates to do their thing.
#716 - Xerneas
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Geomancy, Moonblast, Focus Blast, Thunderbolt, Hidden Power Fire, Psyshock, Rock Slide, Close Combat
Details: Arguably the scariest Pokemon in the entire format, Xerneas is the biggest threat that any team can face in almost every situation, and its mere presence in the battlefield shakes the entire game altogether.
#807 - Zeraora
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Close Combat, Grass Knot, Hidden Power Ice, Knock Off, Plasma Fists, Volt Switch, Work Up
Details: Thanks to its blistering speed, Zeraora can naturally outspeed a majority of the threats found in the format and can use its wide variety of coverage moves to dispatch of them, but its average damage output means it requires some initial support before going in. It does work very well as a cleaner though.
#719 - Zygarde
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Dragon Dance, Extreme Speed, Iron Tail, Outrage, Thousand Arrows
Details: Zygarde has a lot of benefits that make it a high-priority threat, with the most notable one being Thousand Arrows with its near perfect coverage. The threat of Z-Move Dragon Dance and Choice Band, as well as the ease of triggering Power Construct makes it a dangerous threat on the board.
#591 - Amoonguss
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Clear Smog, Foul Play, Giga Drain, Hidden Power Fire, Sludge Bomb, Spore, Stun Spore, Synthesis
Details: Amoonguss gives a lot of nice utility with its coveted access to both Spore and Stun Spore, in addition to moves that punish setup sweepers, being Clear Smog and Foul Play. Its defensive typing and access to Regenerator alongside decent bulk give it good longevity, but only has modest offenses.
#36 - Clefable
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Fire Blast, Moonblast, Soft-Boiled, Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave
Details: Clefable's modest bulk is supplemented by its Fairy typing and its two incredible abilities that can shut down a lot of common strategies in Random Battles. Its ability to lay Stealth Rock, paralyze key threats, and even potentially set itself as a win condition gives Clefable a lot of value.
#386 - Deoxys-Speed
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Spikes, Stealth Rock, Superpower, Psycho Boost, Taunt, Magic Coat, Knock Off
Details: Deoxys-S is the fastest Pokemon in Random Battles, and it proves to be a great entry hazard setter alongside decent offensive stats. While its power output may be lacking at times, its speed is unmatched.
#132 - Ditto
Category: Utility
Threat Level: *
Available Moves: Transform
Details: Ditto is a unique tool in Random Battles, due to its ability to copy the opposing Pokemon and outpace it with Choice Scarf. It can also acquire information, or even potentially sweep on its own right. Underestimate at your own risk.
#383 - Groudon
Category: Utility
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Earthquake, Stealth Rock, Lava Plume, Stone Edge, Roar, Toxic, Thunder Wave, Dragon Claw, Fire Punch
Details: Possessing great overall bulk and high Attack, Groudon provides a plethora of supportive tools for any team, including Stealth Rock, and various forms of status to use against the opponent's team. It can also weaken Water-type threats as a bonus.
#707 - Klefki
Category: Utility
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Foul Play, Light Screen, Magnet Rise, Play Rough, Reflect, Spikes, Thunder Wave, Toxic
Details: Coveted access to powerful status moves in Toxic and Thunder Wave, and team support in Spikes, Reflect, and Light Screen make Klefki a powerful support toolkit for any team in Random Battles. It also has okay offensive presence thanks to STAB Play Rough or a moderately hard hitting Foul Play.
#486 - Regigigas
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Confuse Ray, Drain Punch, Knock Off, Return, Substitute, Thunder Wave
Details: Regigigas is an oddball that has great potential for a mid-late game win condition with its gargantuan bulk and access to status moves. It serves as a decent utility mon early on but its strengths shine in the late game, where it is most likely to trigger its ability.
#292 - Shedinja
Category: Utility
Threat Level: *
Available Moves: Swords Dance, X-Scissor, Shadow Claw, Shadow Sneak, Will-O-Wisp
Details: Most teams have at least one answer to Shedinja. Its utility, though, is as threatening a win condition once answers are scouted and eliminated. This threat looms over the opponent, giving easy chances for Shedinja to burn/pass Attack boosts/chip opponents or even sweep, and for Shedinja’s teammates to create pressure. It risks being neutered by hazards (if the team lacks removal) or untimely Toxic, however.
#413 - Wormadam-Sandy
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Stealth Rock, Toxic, Protect, Earthquake
Details: An interesting defensive typing with an immunity to Electric and some key resistances allow Wormadam-Trash to stand out and provide utility with Stealth Rock and Toxic.
#413 - Wormadam-Trash
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Stealth Rock, Toxic, Gyro Ball, Protect
Details: While only possessing modest bulk and a limited movepool, Wormadam-Trash's defensive typing and access to Stealth Rock and Toxic can make it difficult for your opponent's team if left unchecked.
#717 - Yveltal
Category: Utility
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Dark Pulse, Foul Play, Hurricane, Oblivion Wing, Roost, Sucker Punch, Taunt, Toxic, U-turn
Details: Yveltal offers both strong offense with its STAB attacks with Dark-type moves being boosted by its ability, but one of its major strengths revolves around its handy toolkit of utility options to disrupt the opponent. It can disrupt or punish setup strategies, maintain momentum, and even remove weakened threats in a pinch.
Welcome to the Random Battles Threatlist, which is a project that aims to categorize Pokemon found in the game mode and give some thoughtful insight when it comes to them. This is a relatively new project (WIP), and will be updated semi-regularly! You're also free to suggest Pokemon to be given a threatlist entry, and we'll try our best to see what we can come up with!
How will Pokemon be sorted out?
They'll be assigned to three categories: Offensive, Defensive, Utility, all of which are fairly self-explanatory and allows for quick analysis. There's also the Threat Level, which broadly assesses how dangerous a Pokemon is in a given match. The threat levels are: Low, Medium, High, and *, which is a special designation for certain Pokemon.
Threatlist Index (Updated 8/20/18)
#713 - Avalugg
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Avalanche, Recover, Toxic, Rapid Spin, Roar, Earthquake
Details: While Ice might not be a great defensive typing, Avalugg's phenomenal physical bulk allows it to be very effective in several matchups, and having access to Recover alongside the coveted Rapid Spin give this Ice-type tank a solid amount of value, despite its shortcomings. The weaknesses do hinder its overall viability, but it still remains a good option.
#242 - Blissey
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Toxic, Flamethrower, Seismic Toss, Soft-Boiled, Wish, Heal Bell, Protect, Thunder Wave, Stealth Rock
Details: Blissey is one of the best defensive Pokemon in the game mode, possessing phenomenal special bulk, reliable healing, and a great ability to boot. More often than not, Blissey can potentially win games outright if the opponent is lacking in physical attackers.
#386 - Deoxys-Defense
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Spikes, Stealth Rock, Recover, Taunt, Toxic, Seismic Toss, Knock Off
Details: With high defenses and decent Speed, Deoxys-D is a bulky entry hazard setter and Toxic staller with good recovery that can deal reliable damage with Seismic Toss and Knock Off.
#487 - Giratina
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Rest, Sleep Talk, Dragon Tail, Roar, Will-O-Wisp, Shadow Ball, Dragon Pulse
Details: Packing extremely high defensive stats, access to Will-o-Wisp and occasional recovery in Rest, Giratina-Altered is difficult for most team compositions to effectively handle. While its offensive presence leaves a lot to be desired, its titanic bulk can overwhelm most teams.
#377 - Regirock
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, Stone Edge, Drain Punch, Curse, Rest, Rock Slide, Toxic
Details: Regirock's phenomenal physical bulk and the looming threat of Curse can make it quite the nuisance for the opponent to handle! It also can utilize Thunder Wave and Toxic to stop Pokemon in their tracks.
#748 - Toxapex
Category: Defensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Toxic Spikes, Baneful Bunker, Recover, Scald, Haze
Details: Toxapex's high defensive stats, Regenerator and good defensive typing play a part on its effectiveness. Being able to not only set Toxic Spikes but absorb them as well gives it a huge niche in this regard. Baneful Bunker and Haze are also half-decent utility moves that can come up ever so often. In short, Toxapex's resilience is one of its key features.
#681 - Aegislash
Category : Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: King's Shield, Swords Dance, Shadow Claw, Sacred Sword, Iron Head, Shadow Sneak, Hidden Power Ice, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon
Details: Equipped with an extremely potent offensive and defensive typing, ability to change forms at the player's whim, high damage output as well as bulk, Aegislash is a major threat to deal with for any team.
#493 - Arceus
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Swords Dance, Extreme Speed, Shadow Claw, Earthquake, Recover
Details: Arceus has one of the strongest forms of priority in the format, and when coupled with Swords Dance and coverage for Steel- and Ghost-types, Extreme Killer is a definite threat for all teams that can quickly get out of hand.
#493 - Arceus-Bug
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Swords Dance, X-Scissor, Stone Edge, Recover, Earthquake, Iron Head
Details: Arceus-Bug may be the worst Arceus of them all, but with Swords Dance and EdgeQuake coverage, Arceus-Bug can still sweep through susceptible teams.
#493 - Arceus-Dark
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Fire Blast, Judgment, Recover, Thunderbolt
Details: Arceus-Dark is a potent threat due to its ability to set up with Calm Mind and use Judgment or one of the coverage moves it gets access to. Having Recover also aids it in late-game matchups where recovery is vital.
#493 - Arceus-Dragon
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Swords Dance, Outrage, Extreme Speed, Earthquake, Recover, Calm Mind, Judgment, Fire Blast, Earth Power
Details: Arceus-Dragon can sweep through teams with either a physical Swords Dance set or a special Calm Mind set, with incredible coverage options such as Fire Blast and Earth Power or Earthquake. Its typing gives some key resistances, allowing it to set up on common types like bulky Water- and Grass-Type Pokemon.
#493 - Arceus-Electric
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Recover, Ice Beam, Grass Knot, Fire Blast, Will-O-Wisp
Details: With just one or two boosts from Calm Mind, Arceus-Electric can quickly overpower teams with its powerful BoltBeam coverage. Complemented with Recover or Will-O-Wisp, this Pokemon can find itself setting up and sweeping relatively easily.
#493 - Arceus-Fairy
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Recover, Will-O-Wisp, Defog, Thunderbolt, Toxic, Fire Blast
Details: Arceus-Fairy is an incredible Defogger with its high Speed and great typing. With a Calm Mind boost, it can also tear through teams with Fire Blast and Judgement.
#493 - Arceus-Fighting
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Stone Edge, Shadow Ball, Recover, Toxic, Defog
Details: Arceus-Fighting is a potent sweeper with a good typing, and it can boost up and deal significant damage to a team. It also has good utility options in Toxic and Defog, allowing it to support its teammates.
#493 - Arceus-Fire
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Grass Knot, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, Recover
Details: With a boost from Calm Mind, Arceus-Fire can run through teams with its powerful Judgement coupled with great coverage options in Ice Beam, Thunderbolt and Grass Knot. However, a Stealth Rock weakness can make this Pokemon easy to whittle down if it does not get Recover.
#493 - Arceus-Flying
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Earth Power, Fire Blast, Substitute, Recover
Details: Arceus-Flying is a threatening sweeper capable of cleaning through damaged teams with Calm Mind. It can use Substitute to avoid status moves like Toxic, which lets it set up on bulky walls.
#493 - Arceus-Ghost
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Focus Blast, Recover, Swords Dance, Shadow Force, Brick Break, Will-O-Wisp, Roar, Defog
Details: Arceus-Ghost is a menacing wallbreaker capable of breaking through susceptible teams after a Swords Dance or a Calm Mind using its powerful Ghost- and Fighting-type moves. Its good defensive typing allows it to set up on a significant portion of the metagame.
#493 - Arceus-Grass
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Judgment, Recover, Calm Mind, Ice Beam, Fire Blast
Details: Arceus-Grass is a capable sweeper after a Calm Mind boost with great coverage in Fire Blast and Ice Beam. Its Grass typing, however, leaves it weak to several common types, sometimes making it difficult for it to set up.
#493 - Arceus-Ground
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Swords Dance, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Recover, Extreme Speed, Ice Beam
Details: Arceus-Ground is powerful physical sweeper with Swords Dance capable of blowing holes in opposing teams with its strong EdgeQuake coverage.
#493 - Arceus-Ice
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Thunderbolt, Fire Blast, Recover
Details: After a boost from Calm Mind, Arceus-Ice's BoltBeam coverage allows it to clean through most of the metagame. However, its Ice typing leaves it weak to Stealth Rock and several common types, making it difficult for it to set up.
#493 - Arceus-Poison
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Defog, Fire Blast, Recover, Sludge Bomb, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp
Details: Arceus-Poison serves as a decent Calm Mind sweeper with access to two helpful status-inducing moves, Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp. This helps make up for its lack of attacking move availability.
#493 - Arceus-Psychic
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Defog, Focus Blast, Judgment, Recover, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp
Details: Arceus-Psychic serves as a reliable Calm Mind sweeper, with coverage in Focus Blast and Thunderbolt and access to Will-O-Wisp to aid in wearing down physical attackers.
#493 - Arceus-Rock
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Earthquake, Extreme Speed, Recover, Stone Edge, Swords Dance
Details: Arceus-Rock has very little variation in move availability, but it makes up for that by having a strong STAB Stone Edge and access to Swords Dance. Arceus-Rock is one of the Arceus formes that also has occasional access to its STAB Z-Move.
#493 - Arceus-Steel
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Earthquake, Iron Head, Judgment, Recover, Stone Edge, Swords Dance, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp
Details: Arceus-Steel's movepool and versatility allow it to be viable as both a physical and a special sweeper, and both versions are able to deal great amounts of damage. A large availability of moves allows Arceus-Steel to be more of a threat around the board.
#493 - Arceus-Water
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Judgment, Recover, Substitute, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp
Details: Serving as a Calm Mind sweeper, Arceus-Water is able to do a great deal of damage with Judgment and has access to Thunderbolt for coverage. Will-O-Wisp is often helpful in late-game matchups and to put a dent in strong physical attackers.
#257 - Blaziken
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Blaze Kick, High Jump Kick, Protect, Swords Dance, Substitute, Stone Edge, Knock Off
Details: Blaziken is a very frightening Pokemon that is capable of steamrolling teams with Swords Dance and Speed Boost, though its middling bulk and initial speed may be cumbersome to work with.
#257 - Blaziken-Mega
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Flare Blitz, High Jump Kick, Protect, Swords Dance, Substitute, Stone Edge, Knock Off
Details: With the stat bonuses from Mega Evolving, Mega Blaziken maximizes its power with Swords Dance and, along with the ability Speed Boost, can sweep teams very easily.
#386 - Deoxys
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Psycho Boost, Stealth Rock, Spikes, Fire Punch, Superpower, Extreme Speed, Knock Off, Taunt
Details: Utilizing its great offensive stats and high Speed, Deoxys proves to be a strong hitter as well as a quick entry hazard setter. Access to Taunt and dual hazards give it some diverse options in a game.
#386 - Deoxys-Attack
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Psycho Boost, Superpower, Ice Beam, Knock Off, Extreme Speed, Fire Punch, Stealth Rock
Details: With its phenomenal mixed attacking stats often backed by Life Orb, Deoxys-Attack can rip through teams with its coverage and access to STAB Psycho Boost. It also sets up Stealth Rock and provides a lot of momentum.
#483 - Dialga
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Stealth Rock, Toxic, Draco Meteor, Fire Blast, Flash Cannon, Roar, Thunderbolt
Details: Dialga uses its strong Special Attack and decent bulk to beat many strong threats and reliably set Stealth Rock. Its great typing also allows it to exert a lot of immediate pressure onto the battlefield.
#94 - Gengar-Mega
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Shadow Ball, Sludge Wave, Focus Blast, Taunt, Destiny Bond, Disable, Perish Song, Protect
Details: Thanks to Shadow Tag, high Special Attack and Speed, coupled with its various utility moves, Gengar-Mega is a high priority threat that can essentially pick its own battles and systematically dismantle teams if played correctly.
#383 - Groudon-Primal
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Stealth Rock, Precipice Blades, Lava Plume, Stone Edge, Dragon Tail, Rock Polish, Swords Dance, Fire Punch
Details: Primal Groudon is one of the most threatening Pokemon in Random Battles thanks to its access to Swords Dance and Rock Polish, allowing for it to be a strong wallbreaker and sweeper. It's also incredibly hard to stop due to its gargantuan bulk and its only weakness being Ground.
#124 - Jynx
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Focus Blast, Ice Beam, Lovely Kiss, Nasty Plot, Psychic, Psyshock, Substitute, Trick
Details: Jynx's decent speed tier for its level and its infamous Lovely Kiss make it a versatile threat that can be quite oppressive to deal with. It also has possible sweeping capabilities and alongside its sleeping move, its utility moves give it some wiggle room to cause mayhem.
#798 - Kartana
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Leaf Blade, Sacred Sword, Smart Strike, Knock Off, Swords Dance
Details: With its enormous Attack, paired with Swords Dance and Beast Boost, Kartana can quickly get out of hand as a powerful wallbreaker that forces switches. It also packs great coverage between its STAB attacks and Sacred Sword.
#382 - (Primal) Kyogre
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Water Spout, Origin Pulse, Scald, Thunder, Ice Beam
Available Moves (Primal): Water Spout, Origin Pulse, Scald, Thunder, Ice Beam, Calm Mind, Rest, Sleep Talk
Details: Both standard and Blue Orb Kyogre are among the hardest offensive threats to stop in Randoms, with their extremely powerful Water-type STAB, good coverage, common Choice items (standard), and defensive presence moves (Blue Orb).
#645 - Landorus
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Rock Polish, Earth Power, Focus Blast, Psychic, Sludge Wave, Stealth Rock, Knock Off, Rock Slide
Details: Thanks to Sheer Force and a wide array of moves at its disposal, Landorus is a high priority threat that can overwhelm most Pokemon in the tier, and should be dealt with as soon as possible to prevent it spiraling out of control.
#774 - Minior
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: "shellsmash", "power gem", "acrobatics", "earthquake"
Details: Minior is primarily used as a late-game sweeper. Being able to set up and sweep with Meteor forme puts this Pokemon as a high priority threat. Save this mon to clean up for late game as with a good opportunity, will almost guarantee a win.
#800 - Necrozma-Dusk-Mane
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Autotomize, Earthquake, Knock Off, Photon Geyser, Sunsteel Strike, Swords Dance
Details: Great defensive typing, stats and ability which makes it difficult to deal with, Necrozma-DM is a force to be reckoned with and is a premier threat in the format. Armed with two powerful boosting moves, Dusk Mane has really high sweeping potential. The possibility to turn into Ultra Necrozma can also be quite the gamechanger as it completely flips the dynamic over and can result in a big tempo swing.
#53 - Persian-Alola
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Dark Pulse, Hidden Power Fighting, Hypnosis, Nasty Plot, Power Gem
Details: Persian-Alola is a surprisingly decent setup sweeper with the ability to somewhat supply its own free turns thanks to Hypnosis. Its good speed tier and access to Fur Coat also ease its opportunities to boost its Special Attack with Nasty Plot, and its coverage is quite passable.
#127 - Pinsir-Mega
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Close Combat, Earthquake, Quick Attack, Return, Swords Dance
Details: Pinsir-Mega's absurd raw attacking power coupled with its great speed can shred teams without much opposition. While it may suffer from a crippling Stealth Rock weakness, its initial switch-in is not as punishing and its access to Quick Attack also lets it contest faster Pokemon.
#409 - Rampardos
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Crunch, Earthquake, Fire Punch, Head Smash, Rock Polish, Rock Slide
Details: Possessing gargantuan attack to crush through opposition, Rampardos is a massive threat to slower teams or if faster threats have been crippled or eliminated. While it does have high potential to blitz through teams, its slow speed can prove to be quite the downfall, though Rock Polish somewhat remedies this issue.
#128 - Tauros
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: "rock climb", "earthquake", "zen headbutt", "rock slide", "double edge"
Details: Tauros is a strong offensive cleaner, with a great Speed tier and good Attack. Depending on the item you get, Tauros can knock out pokemon with its powerful STAB Double Edge or weaken Steel- types with Earthquake. Use this mon during early or mid-game to weaken the team to allow a sweeper to clean up.
#413 - Wormadam
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Giga Drain, Bug Buzz, Quiver Dance, Hidden Power Rock, Leaf Storm
Details: Wormadam might not seem much, but its decent bulk and access to Quiver Dance paired with either Leaf Storm for high damage output or Giga Drain for consistent recovery, it can make way for your teammates to do their thing.
#716 - Xerneas
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Geomancy, Moonblast, Focus Blast, Thunderbolt, Hidden Power Fire, Psyshock, Rock Slide, Close Combat
Details: Arguably the scariest Pokemon in the entire format, Xerneas is the biggest threat that any team can face in almost every situation, and its mere presence in the battlefield shakes the entire game altogether.
#807 - Zeraora
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Close Combat, Grass Knot, Hidden Power Ice, Knock Off, Plasma Fists, Volt Switch, Work Up
Details: Thanks to its blistering speed, Zeraora can naturally outspeed a majority of the threats found in the format and can use its wide variety of coverage moves to dispatch of them, but its average damage output means it requires some initial support before going in. It does work very well as a cleaner though.
#719 - Zygarde
Category: Offensive
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Dragon Dance, Extreme Speed, Iron Tail, Outrage, Thousand Arrows
Details: Zygarde has a lot of benefits that make it a high-priority threat, with the most notable one being Thousand Arrows with its near perfect coverage. The threat of Z-Move Dragon Dance and Choice Band, as well as the ease of triggering Power Construct makes it a dangerous threat on the board.
#591 - Amoonguss
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Clear Smog, Foul Play, Giga Drain, Hidden Power Fire, Sludge Bomb, Spore, Stun Spore, Synthesis
Details: Amoonguss gives a lot of nice utility with its coveted access to both Spore and Stun Spore, in addition to moves that punish setup sweepers, being Clear Smog and Foul Play. Its defensive typing and access to Regenerator alongside decent bulk give it good longevity, but only has modest offenses.
#36 - Clefable
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Calm Mind, Fire Blast, Moonblast, Soft-Boiled, Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave
Details: Clefable's modest bulk is supplemented by its Fairy typing and its two incredible abilities that can shut down a lot of common strategies in Random Battles. Its ability to lay Stealth Rock, paralyze key threats, and even potentially set itself as a win condition gives Clefable a lot of value.
#386 - Deoxys-Speed
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Spikes, Stealth Rock, Superpower, Psycho Boost, Taunt, Magic Coat, Knock Off
Details: Deoxys-S is the fastest Pokemon in Random Battles, and it proves to be a great entry hazard setter alongside decent offensive stats. While its power output may be lacking at times, its speed is unmatched.
#132 - Ditto
Category: Utility
Threat Level: *
Available Moves: Transform
Details: Ditto is a unique tool in Random Battles, due to its ability to copy the opposing Pokemon and outpace it with Choice Scarf. It can also acquire information, or even potentially sweep on its own right. Underestimate at your own risk.
#383 - Groudon
Category: Utility
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Earthquake, Stealth Rock, Lava Plume, Stone Edge, Roar, Toxic, Thunder Wave, Dragon Claw, Fire Punch
Details: Possessing great overall bulk and high Attack, Groudon provides a plethora of supportive tools for any team, including Stealth Rock, and various forms of status to use against the opponent's team. It can also weaken Water-type threats as a bonus.
#707 - Klefki
Category: Utility
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Foul Play, Light Screen, Magnet Rise, Play Rough, Reflect, Spikes, Thunder Wave, Toxic
Details: Coveted access to powerful status moves in Toxic and Thunder Wave, and team support in Spikes, Reflect, and Light Screen make Klefki a powerful support toolkit for any team in Random Battles. It also has okay offensive presence thanks to STAB Play Rough or a moderately hard hitting Foul Play.
#486 - Regigigas
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Confuse Ray, Drain Punch, Knock Off, Return, Substitute, Thunder Wave
Details: Regigigas is an oddball that has great potential for a mid-late game win condition with its gargantuan bulk and access to status moves. It serves as a decent utility mon early on but its strengths shine in the late game, where it is most likely to trigger its ability.
#292 - Shedinja
Category: Utility
Threat Level: *
Available Moves: Swords Dance, X-Scissor, Shadow Claw, Shadow Sneak, Will-O-Wisp
Details: Most teams have at least one answer to Shedinja. Its utility, though, is as threatening a win condition once answers are scouted and eliminated. This threat looms over the opponent, giving easy chances for Shedinja to burn/pass Attack boosts/chip opponents or even sweep, and for Shedinja’s teammates to create pressure. It risks being neutered by hazards (if the team lacks removal) or untimely Toxic, however.
#413 - Wormadam-Sandy
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Stealth Rock, Toxic, Protect, Earthquake
Details: An interesting defensive typing with an immunity to Electric and some key resistances allow Wormadam-Trash to stand out and provide utility with Stealth Rock and Toxic.
#413 - Wormadam-Trash
Category: Utility
Threat Level: Medium
Available Moves: Stealth Rock, Toxic, Gyro Ball, Protect
Details: While only possessing modest bulk and a limited movepool, Wormadam-Trash's defensive typing and access to Stealth Rock and Toxic can make it difficult for your opponent's team if left unchecked.
#717 - Yveltal
Category: Utility
Threat Level: High
Available Moves: Dark Pulse, Foul Play, Hurricane, Oblivion Wing, Roost, Sucker Punch, Taunt, Toxic, U-turn
Details: Yveltal offers both strong offense with its STAB attacks with Dark-type moves being boosted by its ability, but one of its major strengths revolves around its handy toolkit of utility options to disrupt the opponent. It can disrupt or punish setup strategies, maintain momentum, and even remove weakened threats in a pinch.
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