![[EXCLUSIVE] Katsuhiro Harada Opens Up About VS Studio, SNK, and What Comes Next](https://cdn.gamerbraves.com/2026/05/Harada-VS-Studio_Interview_FI-1-360x180.jpg)
In our Guide to Pokémon GO Part 1, we shared with you a list about CP gains per Power Up for the strongest Pokémon in the game. Since Powering Up your Pokémon will require a hefty amount of Stardust and Candies, which we will share with you some tips to obtain them later, we hope this list will help you decide which Pokémon you want to train.
We’ll be listing out the best Pokémon for defending gyms and attacking gyms, as well as the strongest moves for each Pokémon type.
Best Pokémon for Defending Gyms
These Pokémon have high amounts of HP, making them the best in defending gyms.
| Tiers | Pokémon |
| S-TIER | Chansey, Wigglytuff, Lapras, Vaporeon, Snorlax |
| A-TIER | Gyarados, Slowbro, Muk, Rhydon, Clefable, Exeggutor, Kangaskhan, Dragonite |
| B-TIER | Arcanine, Dewgong, Lickitung, Machamp, Nidoqueen, Poliwrath, Hypno, Victreebel,Aerodactyl, Blastoise, Charizard, Nidoking, Venusaur, Tentacruel, Golem, Pidgeot, Vileplume, Flareon. Ninetales, Tauros. Venomoth, Scyther, Omastar |
| C-TIER | Golbat, Sandslash, Golduck, Seaking, Electabuzz, Fearow, Jolteon, Jynx, Magmar,Persian, Pinsir, Porygon, Primeape, Rapidash, Weezing, Arbok, Dodrio, Electrode, Gengar, Kabutops, Marowak, Parasect, Raichu, Starmie |
| F-TIER | Alakazam, Kingler, Raticate, Seadra, Cloyster, Farfetch’d, Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee,Magneton, Mr. Mime, Onix, Tangela, Butterfree, Beedrill, Dugtrio |
Best Pokémon for Attacking Gyms
These Pokémon’s high attack stats and max CP make them best for attacking gyms.
| Tiers | Pokemon |
| S-TIER | Dragonite, Arcanine, Victreebel, Exeggutor, Magmar, Flareon, Lapras, Vaporeon, Snorlax |
| A-TIER | Charizard, Raichu, Nidoking, Vileplume, Golduck, Machamp, Rapidash, Cloyster, Gengar, Weezing, Starmie, Electabuzz, Pinsir, Gyarados, Jolteon, Kabutops, Omastar, Aerodactyl |
| B-TIER | Slowbro, Venusaur, Blastoise, Nidoqueen, Clefable, Ninetales, Wigglytuff, Golbat, Parasect, Venomoth, Primeape, Poliwrath, Alakazam, Tentacruel, Golem, Magneton, Dodrio, Muk, Kingler, Rhydon, Seadra, Seaking, Scyther, Jynx |
| C-TIER | Pidgeot, Fearow, Arbok, Sandslash, Dugtrio, Persian, Dewgong, Hypno, Electrode, Marowak, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Tangela, Kangaskhan, Mr. Mime, Tauros, Porygon |
| F-TIER | Butterfree, Beedrill, Raticate, Farfetch’d, Onix, Lickitung, Chansey |
Strongest Moves for Each Type
| Pokémon Type | Primary Move | Secondary Move |
| NORMAL | Lick | Body Slam |
| POISON | Poison Jab | Sludge Wave |
| BUG | Bug Bite | X-Scissor |
| GRASS | Vine Whip | Petal Blizzard |
| WATER | Water Gun | Aqua Tail |
| GROUND | Mud Shot | Earthquake |
| FIRE | Ember | Flamethrower |
| FIGHTING | Karate Chop | Cross Chop |
| ROCK | Rock Throw | Stone Edge |
| FAIRY | Pound | Play Rough |
| FLYING | Wing Attack | Hurrincane |
| ELECTRIC | Spark | Thunder Punch |
| PSYCHIC | Psycho Cut | Psychic |
| GHOST | Shadow Claw | Shadow Ball |
| DRAGON | Dragon Breath | Dragon Claw |
| ICE | Frost Breath | Blizzard |
If you’re already decided which Pokémon you plan to Power Up, you’ll need to gather Stardust and Candies. It’s best if you took advantage of leveling up your trainer using Items.
To Get Candy
- When you catch a Pokémon, you will receive three Candies that corresponds to the specific Pokémon you just caught.
- You can transfer unwanted Pokémon to Professor Willow in exchange for Candy.
- Hatch Eggs to receive large amounts of Candy based on the Pokémon that hatched.
To Get Stardust
- When you catch Pokémon you receive 100 Stardust.
- Store Pokémon in Gyms and obtain Stardust (and PokéCoins) from the Shop in the main menu. The higher the number of undefeated Pokémon stored in your Gyms, the more Stardust you will receive. These bonuses are available approximately every 20 hours.
Leveling up is essential for you to be able to encounter Pokémon with higher CP. Here are some ways you can gain more XP:
| Activities | XP |
| Visiting a PokéStop | 50 |
| Visiting a large PokéStop | 100 |
| Evolving a Pokémon | 500 |
| Evolving a new Pokémon | 1000 |
| Hatching a Pokémon Egg (2KM) | 200 |
| Hatching a Pokémon Egg (5KM) | 500 |
| Hatching a Pokémon Egg (10KM) | 1000 |
| Hatching a new Pokémon | 500 |
| Training at friendly Gym | Varies |
| Winning a Gym battle against one Pokémon | 150 |
| Winning a Gym battle against two Pokémon | 250 |
| Winning a Gym battle against three Pokémon | 350 |
| Winning a Gym battle against four Pokémon | 450 |
| Catching a new Pokémon | 500 |
| Catching a Pokémon | 100 |
| Excellent throw | 100 |
| Great throw | 50 |
| Nice throw | 10 |
| Curve ball | 10 |
Another tip for leveling fast is using Items! The most important Item to have when leveling is the Lucky Egg. When activated, it will double all XP earned for 30 minutes. Combine this with Incense or a Lure Module and you’ll find yourself leveling up fast just by catching lots of Pokémon! (Remember to load your bag with Pokéballs)
P.S. Incense spawns roughly 1 Pokémon every 5 minutes while standing still, and every 1 minute for every 200 meters moved.
We’ll be covering on spawn locations in Part 3, and in case you missed out, here’s Part 1.
Have you joined in on the craze yet?!
[btnsx id=”321″]
Source: Ranked Boost
