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A full storage of high-CP catches can still leave you unprepared when a raid boss hits hard, or a Gym battle turns into a slow, losing trade. The best mix of typing, moves, damage, and staying power is what gives the maximum strength. The best Pokémon in Pokémon Go aren't simply the rarest or highest on the CP screen – they're the ones that deliver when the matchup matters.

This guide sorts that difference out by isolating the best picks by type, highlighting the most battle-ready powerhouses as well as sharing usable catching advice so you can build a roster that not only looks good but performs consistently.

Part 1. Top Pokémon GO Picks for Every Type

A useful raid ranking should not reward damage alone. A Pokémon can hit very hard but faint before it uses enough Charged Attacks. Another may deal slightly less damage but stay active much longer.

For that reason, these picks consider both damage output and survival value. Type coverage also matters. Some Pokémon gain extra value because their second type gives useful resistance in real raid matchups.

Mega Pokémon need another consideration. You can normally use only one Mega Evolution at a time. So a strong Mega may still be a lower priority if its type already has a much better Mega option.

Here are the leading choices from the type rankings you provided.

The moves above reflect current PvE recommendations from the supplied ranking set and current attacker databases. For example, Mega Heracross performs best as a Bug attacker with Fury Cutter and Megahorn, while Mega Sceptile uses Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant. Primal Kyogre relies on Waterfall and Origin Pulse. Mega Diancie prefers Rock Throw and Rock Slide.

1.1. Which Types Deserve Your Stardust First?

Not every type gives the same return.

• Fighting is one of the easiest types to justify. It works against Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark Pokémon. That gives a good Fighting team frequent raid use.
• Rock also covers several useful targets. Mega Diancie, Shadow Rhyperior, Shadow Rampardos, Mega Tyranitar, and regular Rampardos give this type strong depth.
• Dragon is different. Dragons are especially useful against other Dragons. Many legendary Pokémon also carry Dragon typing. This keeps strong Dragon attackers relevant, even though Ice and Fairy offer safer answers in some battles.
• Ice becomes especially valuable when an opponent has a double weakness to it. White Kyurem leads the supplied Ice ranking, with Shadow Mamoswine still offering strong value below it.
• Dark and Ghost often compete for the same targets. Both punish Psychic and Ghost Pokémon. Dark attackers tend to offer safer defensive matchups, while the strongest Ghost attackers can produce very serious damage.
• Ground movement has very wide coverage and one unique advantage: it is the only type that hits Electric for super effective damage. Primal Groudon is the anchor of a strong team that also incorporates Shadow Garchomp, Shadow Excadrill, Landorus and Mega Garchomp.
• Grass, Electric, Fire, Water, Fairy, and Steel all have important uses too. Their value depends more on the boss in front of you.
• Bug and Poison sit lower on the investment list. They can work well in the right matchup, but other types often cover the same targets with stronger attackers.
• Normal sits in a category of its own. Normal damage does not hit any type for super-effective damage. Regigigas becomes interesting because Crush Grip is so powerful, not because Normal has useful raid coverage.

Part 2. 10 Strongest Pokemon Pokemon GO Players Can Still Build Around

The Pokémon below are not simply ordered by maximum CP. Their value comes from Attack, bulk, typing, moves, and how often they can fill a useful battle role.

New Mega, Shadow, Primal, and special forms have pushed several newer Pokémon higher in raw attacker rankings. Still, these ten remain important names because they offer serious damage, useful upgrades, or flexible team roles.

1. Mewtwo — Built Around an Enormous Attack Stat

Type: Psychic

Base stats: 300 Attack / 182 Defense / 214 Stamina

Best moveset: Psycho Cut + Psystrike

Best role: Psychic raid offense

Mewtwo's 300 Attack explains much of its lasting value. It can put heavy pressure on targets weak to Psychic without being as fragile as many pure damage specialists.

Psycho Cut generates energy quickly. Pair it with Psystrike for its main Psychic raid set. Confusion is another strong Fast Move if you want more direct Fast Attack damage.

Mewtwo has no evolution path, so Candy can be harder to build than it is for common Pokémon. Save Rare Candy and Stardust for a strong specimen. Psystrike is an Elite move, which also makes move access worth checking before you invest heavily.

2. Machamp — A Practical Fighting Team Workhorse

Type: Fighting

Base stats: 234 Attack / 159 Defense / 207 Stamina

Best moveset: Counter + Dynamic Punch

Best role: Fighting raid attacker

Machamp does not have the extreme Attack stat of Lucario or the power of newer Mega options. Its appeal is balance. Its 234 Attack is high enough for raids, while its 207 Stamina gives it useful staying power.

Counter and Dynamic Punch make it a strong, straightforward Fighting-type set. This makes Machamp useful against Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark targets.

Machop evolves into Machoke and then Machamp. The stages require 25 and 100 Candy in the standard evolution path. A good Machop is therefore a sensible project when you need several Fighting attackers rather than one expensive premium option.

3. Rayquaza — One Pokémon, Two Elite Attack Roles

Type: Dragon/Flying

Base stats: 284 Attack / 170 Defense / 213 Stamina

Best movesets: Air Slash + Dragon Ascent; Dragon Tail + Breaking Swipe

Best role: Flying and Dragon offense

Rayquaza combines a huge 284 Attack stat with two valuable offensive identities.

For Flying damage, Air Slash and Dragon Ascent are the pair to target. Dragon Ascent also plays a key role in accessing Mega Rayquaza. It requires a Meteorite rather than a normal TM.

For Dragon battles, Dragon Tail works with Breaking Swipe. Outrage is also a solid alternative.

Rayquaza has no normal evolution chain. That makes each good catch important. Before spending large amounts of Candy, check its IVs and decide whether you want to build it mainly for Flying or Dragon damage.

4. Tyranitar — Damage That Does Not Fold Easily

Type: Rock/Dark

Base stats: 251 Attack / 207 Defense / 225 Stamina

Best moveset: Bite + Brutal Swing

Best role: Dark raid attacker

Tyranitar has something many hard hitters lack: bulk.

Its 251 Attack supports serious damage, but 207 Defense and 225 Stamina also help it stay in battle. That makes it a useful Dark attacker when a raid lasts long enough for total damage to matter.

Bite and Brutal Swing are its main Dark combination. For Rock use, Smack Down and Stone Edge provide another option.

Larvitar needs 25 Candy to become Pupitar, followed by 100 Candy for Tyranitar. Keep strong Larvitar rather than evolving every high-CP catch. A good Tyranitar also has future value through Mega Tyranitar.

5. Salamence — Attack Comes First

Type: Dragon/Flying

Base stats: 277 Attack / 168 Defense / 216 Stamina

Best moveset: Dragon Tail + Outrage

Best role: Dragon raid offense

Salamence leans much harder toward Attack than Defense. Its 277 Attack makes that clear.

Dragon Tail is the Fast Move to use for Dragon damage. Outrage gives dependable Charged Move performance. Draco Meteor hits harder on paper, but its higher energy cost can make it less convenient in real raids.

Bagon evolves into Shelgon with 25 Candy. Another 100 Candy gives you Salamence.

That makes Bagon Candy valuable. Focus on a strong Bagon instead of rushing the first evolution you can afford. Mega Salamence also gives a good specimen, another reason to keep it in your collection.

6. Rampardos — Huge Attack With a Clear Trade-Off

Type: Rock

Base stats: 295 Attack / 109 Defense / 219 Stamina

Best moveset: Smack Down + Rock Slide

Best role: High-damage Rock attacker

Few stat lines explain a Pokémon as clearly as Rampardos.

Its Attack reaches 295. Its Defense is only 109.

The result is explosive Rock damage with limited room for mistakes. Smack Down and Rock Slide make full use of that Attack stat. Rampardos can be excellent when you need to deal damage quickly, but it cannot absorb hits like Tyranitar.

Cranidos needs only 50 Candy to evolve into Rampardos. Prioritize Attack and a useful IV spread. In difficult raids, dodging strong Charged Attacks can help Rampardos stay active long enough to use more of its offensive power.

7. Metagross — Strong Stats Across the Board

Type: Steel/Psychic

Base stats: 257 Attack / 228 Defense / 190 Stamina

Best moveset: Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash

Best role: Steel raid attacker

Metagross doesn't rely on one extreme stat. Its 257 Attack and 228 Defense give it a much more complete battle profile.

Its real breakthrough comes from Meteor Mash. Pair it with Bullet Punch and Metagross becomes a serious Steel attacker against Fairy, Ice, and Rock targets.

Beldum takes 25 Candy to evolve into Metang, then another 100 Candy to reach Metagross.

Meteor Mash is an Elite move, so do not spend valuable resources without checking the moveset first. A high-quality Beldum is worth saving, especially because Shadow and Mega versions can push the same species further.

8. Lucario — Fast Fighting Damage in a Fragile Package

Type: Fighting/Steel

Base stats: 236 Attack / 144 Defense / 172 Stamina

Best moveset: Force Palm + Aura Sphere

Best role: Fighting raid offense

Lucario's stats show why it should be treated as an attacker, not a damage sponge.

Its 236 Attack is supported by an excellent Fighting moveset. Its 144 Defense and 172 Stamina are much less impressive.

Force Palm and Aura Sphere give Lucario its strongest Fighting combination. Counter is a good alternative if Force Palm is unavailable. Lucario can also use Steel moves, but Fighting is its stronger offensive identity.

Riolu needs 50 Candy to evolve into Lucario. Because its bulk is limited, investing in a strong one makes more sense than spreading Candy across several average copies. Mega Lucario adds even more value to the species.

9. Garchomp — A Rare Two-Type Investment That Pays Off

Type: Dragon/Ground

Base stats: 261 Attack / 193 Defense / 239 Stamina

Best movesets: Dragon Tail + Breaking Swipe; Mud Shot + Earth Power

Best role: Dragon or Ground attacker

Garchomp gives you two useful raid roles without sacrificing much bulk.

Its 261 Attack handles offense. Meanwhile, 193 Defense and 239 Stamina help it stay active longer than many attack-heavy rivals.

For Dragon battles, use Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe. For Ground damage, switch to Mud Shot and Earth Power. Earth Power is limited, so check the moveset before using an Elite TM.

Gible evolves into Gabite for 25 Candy and then Garchomp for 100. Since Mega Garchomp can also serve both Dragon and Ground teams, a strong Gible can become a long-term investment.

10. Mamoswine — An Ice Specialist With a Useful Second Job

Type: Ice/Ground

Base stats: 247 Attack / 146 Defense / 242 Stamina

Best movesets: Powder Snow + Avalanche; Mud-Slap + High Horsepower

Best role: Ice attacker with Ground coverage

Mamoswine is valuable because Ice damage solves some very specific raid problems.

Its 247 Attack gives it enough force to punish Pokémon weak to Ice. Its 242 Stamina also prevents it from being as fragile as pure damage specialists such as Rampardos.

Powder Snow and Avalanche form its main Ice set. Mud-Slap and High Horsepower let it work as a Ground attacker too.

Swinub evolves into Piloswine for 25 Candy. Reaching Mamoswine then requires 100 Candy and a Sinnoh Stone. Shadow Mamoswine raises its offensive ceiling further, so a strong Shadow Swinub is also worth checking before you spend resources.

2.1. Which of These Ten Should You Build First?

No sensible answer exists based on CP alone. Need Fighting coverage? Machamp and Lucario solve that problem.

Need Rock damage? Rampardos attacks harder, while Tyranitar gives you more durability.

Need Dragon coverage? Rayquaza, Salamence, and Garchomp all work, but Rayquaza also brings elite Flying damage, and Garchomp doubles as a Ground attacker.

Metagross is the clear Steel specialist in this group. Mamoswine fills the Ice role. Mewtwo gives the list its premium Psychic attacker.

That is the better way to judge the best Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Build a roster where each investment fills a real weakness in your raid team instead of simply powering up whichever Pokémon shows the largest CP number.

[Bonus Tip] Catch the Best Pokémon in Pokémon GO Without Going Outside

Building the right attackers is only half the job. You still need access to the Pokémon, Candy, raids, and locations that can strengthen that team. This becomes harder when useful spawns or active game areas are far from where you live.

For users who want more control over the GPS location reported by their phone, Dr.Fone - Virtual Location offers a desktop-based location changer for iOS and Android. Instead of staying fixed at your real position, you can select another point on its map. You can also create virtual movement rather than making only a single location change.

Wondershare Dr.Fone - Virtual Location

The Safest 1-Click Location Changer for iOS & Android

• Set your map route to simulate GPS movement.
• Set your wanted movement speed.
• HD and large map view to check location.
• Fake GPS location to anywhere.

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Its main controls include:

• Teleport Mode: Move the reported GPS position to a selected location.
• Adjustable simulated speed: Set virtual movement along a route and control how fast the position moves.
• 360° joystick: Move the virtual position manually and change direction as needed.

Route simulation also supports one-stop and multi-stop movement. This gives more control when a fixed teleport is not enough.

How to Catch More Pokémon with Dr.Fone – Virtual Location

The basic setup takes five steps:

1. Step 1 Install Dr.Fone – Virtual Location

   Download Dr.Fone on your Windows PC or Mac. Launch the program and open the Virtual Location feature.

2. Step 2 Connect Your Phone

   Connect your iPhone or Android phone to the computer and let Dr.Fone recognise the device. Once connected, the Virtual Location interface will show the current GPS position on its map.

3. Step 3 Choose Teleport Mode

   Select Teleport Mode from the controls at the top of the map. This mode lets you change the reported GPS location directly instead of following a route first.

   

4. Step 4 Search for Your Target Location

   Use the search box to enter the place you want to reach virtually. Search for a destination and confirm the correct point on the map.

   Click Move Here once you have selected it. Dr.Fone then changes the phone's reported GPS position to that location.

   

5. Step 5 Open Pokémon GO and Explore the New Area

   Check the location on your phone, then open Pokémon GO to see what is available around that area. A changed location does not guarantee a rare spawn. Pokémon, raids, and other game activity still depend on what is active there at that time.

   You are also not limited to one virtual spot. Dr.Fone's route modes let you set movement between locations. The speed slider controls the pace, while the built-in joystick lets you move manually. You can pause the simulation or change how the virtual position travels across the map.

Note: The desktop Virtual Location tool supports iOS and Android, and Dr.Fone's Android app also includes a Change Location feature to modify the device's GPS position. One point to know before using it with Pokémon GO: Niantic classifies falsifying or spoofing GPS location as cheating under its gameplay rules. Its enforcement policy can include warnings, account restrictions, suspension, or termination. Location-changing features should therefore be used with full awareness of Pokémon GO's current terms and account risk.

Conclusion

A strong Pokémon GO roster is not built by chasing the largest CP number. The best Pokémon in Pokémon GO earn their value through the right mix of typing, moves, damage, and battle role. Mewtwo brings huge Psychic power. Rayquaza, Salamence, and Garchomp strengthen Dragon coverage. Lucario and Machamp handle Fighting duties, while Tyranitar, Rampardos, Metagross, and Mamoswine cover other important raid matchups.

Catching and training these Pokémon can be harder when useful game locations are far away. Dr.Fone - Virtual Location offers teleporting, route simulation, adjustable speed, and joystick control for changing a phone's reported GPS location. Just consider Pokémon GO's rules before using location spoofing with an active account.

Free Download

Windows 11/10/8/7

Free Download

macOS 10.14 or later