The best Paldean Pokemon in Pokemon Go

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet introduced players to plenty of new creatures to catch, and Pokemon Go is constantly adding Gen 9 species for players to capture and train as they go. While some of them are stars in the main games and competitive scene, battles work differently in the mobile game and you have to be careful about which Pokémon you choose for PvE or PvP.

With no Paldean Legendaries in sight just yet, Trainers still have plenty of Gen 9 Pokémon to choose from to build powerful teams that successfully contend with Raids, Go Battle League, Team Go Rocket members, and more.

12

Revavroom

The placeholder for all of Team Star in Pokemon S&V is a powerful Poison-type attacker in Pokemon Go, but that's about it. With only two weaknesses, against fire and ground attacks, Multi-Cyl Pokémon boasts a lot of resistances that you can take advantage of with its mix of types.

However, the hard-to-get creature isn't recommended for raiding or defending Gyms, so its overall score isn't great. Since it takes a lot of effort to hatch a Varom and turn it into a Revavroom, it's not worth the effort.

11

Armarouge

Armarouge is a Pokemon Scarlet exclusive, but trainers can get both of Charcadet's evolutions in Pokemon Go. Getting them is quite a task since you can only get Charcadet by hatching eggs, but having these knights at your side can come in handy.

Armarouge has a lot of competition as both a Fire and Psychic type attacker, and you'll find much better options in more accessible Pokemon. But since not all trainers know Armarouge's type combination, you may catch some opponents off guard.

10

Oncologist (female)

Normal type Pokemon are usually underrated in most games, but PoGo players know that they can always find a good tank in their ranks. If you're sick of seeing Slaking, Snorlax, Blissey, or Ursaluna defending gyms, Oinkologne can mix things up a bit.

You can even teach her moves like Dig (ground) or Trailblaze (grass) to give her some variety and coverage to surprise other players, but her stats aren't very good overall. Outside of the gym, Oinkologne won't help you much.

9

Bellibolt

In the Gen 9 games, Bellibolt has great abilities like Electromorphosis and Static that can turn the tide of any battle. Abilities are nothing in Pokemon Go, so Bellibolt has to hold his own in battle.

Bellibolt can be an interesting Gym defender with his Stamina stat that won't pass out without going into battle, but that's about all he has to offer. You can have Water Gun as your Quick Move to destroy unknown Ground-type Pokémon, but you'll have better luck with other Electric-type attackers.

8

Ceruledge

Charcadet's second evolution has a more useful mix of types and overall better stats, but it can't reach the potential it has in the main games. Ceruledge, a Violet exclusive Pokemon, is an average Fire and Ghost type attacker. You'll find better options in all the other Gens, which leaves Ceruledge in a difficult position.

This is mainly because Pokemon Go didn't feature most of the typical Gen 9 attacks that make these creatures a powerhouse in the main games. As long as this is the case, Ceruledge will lack the power to defend gyms or deal with raids.

7

Meowscarade

The Gen 9 starter cat is a pretty decent Grass-type attacker in Pokemon Go, so you can surprise some opponents with Meowscarada even without its signature move, Flower Trick. It can still take a lot of damage because it has seven weaknesses, so you have to be careful where you place it.

If you have a good Sprigatito from special research, you'll be able to get a powerful Meowscarada, but having a Sceptile on your team might be a safer bet.

6

Quaquaval

As far as Paldean starters go, Quaquaval is the overall best choice as it can hold its own in both PvP and PvE. Like most Gen 9 Pokémon, it's not at the top of any rankings, and better Water-type Pokémon can be found in more accessible species, but Quaquaval can be an interesting wild card.

With a combination of Water, Fighting and Flying moves, you can surprise your opponents with unpredictable attacks that will throw them off guard and force them to rethink their strategies.

5

Clodsir

Clodsire is another species that cannot reach its maximum potential due to a lack of abilities in Pokemon Go. Without Poison Point or Water Absorb, Clodsire is reduced to a decent tank that can defend gyms and not much else.

As a Poison-type attacker, Clodsire is even outclassed by Revavroom, and as a Ground-type Pokemon, you have a wide range of better options that include Legendary and Iconic Starters. But with a Stamina stat of 277, you can leave Clodsire in gyms for a long time.

4

Cetitan

Cetitan ranks as one of the best Ice-type attackers in Pokemon Go, giving players a chance to easily take down a powerful Dragon-type Pokemon. What's more, with its incredible size, Cetitan is also a very reliable Gym defender that can often get you some PokeCoins.

Cetitan's main downside is that any good Fire-type attacker, of which there are too many, can decimate it with a super-effective Charge Move with STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus), so keep that in mind.

3

Annihilate

Primeape got a brand new evolution with Gen 9, and the powerful Fighting/Ghost-type Pokemon is the number one placeholder for Tera Raids, no matter what Pokemon you're facing. Annihilape isn't that great in Pokemon Go, but it can still hold its own in gyms due to its size.

As a Fighting type attacker, he's overshadowed by other top picks, but he can still deal a lot of damage with a variety of quick and charge moves. However, Annihilape is best used as a Ghost type attacker to easily take out both Psychic and other Ghost types.

2

Gholdengo

Gholdengo is a steel-type pokemon and boasts many resistances that make it a tough opponent. He has decent size and great defense, making him an interesting choice for gym defense.

However, Gholdengo excels as a Ghost-type attacker, outclassing Gengar, Trevenant, and many powerful Legendaries. With 252 ATK, you'll be able to easily destroy other Ghost-type Pokemon. You can also counter Dark-type Pokemon by teaching Gholdeng the Fairy move, increasing its versatility for any kind of battle.

1

Baxcalibur

If there are no Legendary Pokemon from Paldea in Pokemon Go, the next best thing should be a pseudo-legendary like Pokemon Ice Dragon. Baxcalibur is a force to be reckoned with and one of the best Ice attackers in the game.

And while there is fierce competition among Dragon-type attackers, Baxcalibur is also a great choice, bested only by Mega Evolutions and Legendaries. You can't go wrong with this powerhouse, but it can be difficult to get one that has decent stats in Pokemon Go.