G: TLDR: They're probably multitasking accounts, not for a friend, but for themselves—using two devices to control two different Pokémon GO accounts at once for maximum in-game efficiency (e.g., raids, trading, gym control, etc.).

Why Two Screens (or Devices)?

Most common reasons people individually play with two screens:

Multiple Accounts for Advantage:
- Catch rare Pokémon twice.
- Use two accounts in raids, making it easier to win without relying on strangers.
- Hold gyms longer by attacking with one account and immediately reinforcing with another.
- Trade rare Pokémon or lucky trades between their own accounts.
- Complete event research and tasks on two accounts to double rewards.
Speed and Efficiency:
- Easier to do side-by-side interactions (like battling, trading, gifting) than switching back and forth.
- Helps in community day farming—double spawns, double shinies.
Avoid Limitations:
- Some events or features (like daily incense spawns, unique quest rewards, etc.) are limited per account.
- Playing two lets them bypass that soft cap.

Why Not Just Switch Between Accounts on One Phone?

Pokémon GO doesn’t support quick account switching.
Logging in/out takes too long.
You can’t do real-time interactions (e.g., trading, battling) with yourself on one device.

They're Not Playing for a Friend If:

Both screens are moving in sync with their own steps.
They're actively managing both, not idling one.
They keep both devices visible and equally interactive (rather than tucked away or used passively).

Would you like to know the best legit way to run a second account or device without it becoming a Niantic ban risk?

G: That makes total sense. Here’s the quick, low-effort guide for a backup Pokémon GO account just for trading and light support, without making your life harder or risking your main:

Minimal Setup for a Backup Account

1. Use an Old/Spare Phone or Emulator

Ideal: Any Android/iPhone with GPS and camera still working.
Acceptable: An Android emulator (like Bluestacks), but do not spoof GPS—Niantic may detect that.
If only one phone: you can still switch accounts, just slower.

2. Create a New Google or Facebook Account

Keep it simple and separate from your real name.
Don’t tie it to the same login as your main account.

3. Use It Passively:

Let it walk with you in your pocket (Adventure Sync works in background).
Occasionally open it during events or raids.
Use it to gift your main account, or trade for lucky Pokémon or dex fillers.

4. Don't Multi-Box Aggressively

Don’t take over gyms with both.
Don’t do PvP or spoof.
Niantic is lenient with alt accounts if they’re casual and local.

Trade Use-Cases

Special Trades: If you find a shiny or rare but already caught it—your alt can receive it.
Lucky Trades: Send gifts daily between your accounts for potential lucky trades later.
Evolve for Free: Some Pokémon evolve for free after trading (like Machoke, Kadabra).

Shadow Raids Use-Case

Your main struggles with Tier 3+ Shadow Raids.
Your alt can join locally and help weaken the boss—especially useful for purified gem support.

Low-Effort Strategy

Keep the second account on a low-data phone or low-power mode.
Only log in when needed.
Don’t burn out trying to level it fast. Even a level 20 account helps.

If you later decide you're done with the alt, you can just let it go, no harm. But having it can unlock those few features that require a partner—without the social overhead.

G: Perfectly framed questions—here’s the concise breakdown:

Can Pokémon Be Traded Back?

No. Once traded, Pokémon cannot be traded back to the original account.
This prevents abuse of IV rerolling or lucky trade cycling.
Be very sure before trading anything valuable or unique.

Can I Use My Existing Facebook Account for the Alt?

No. You can't use the same login (Google or Facebook) for two accounts.
Pokémon GO logs you in via a single platform account.
Your existing Facebook is likely tied to your main account already (even if you don’t use it to log in).
You’ll need to create a new Facebook or Google account for the alt.

Suggestion: Create a throwaway Gmail for your alt—it’s easiest and keeps the accounts separated.

Cheapest Way to Get a Portable Second Device

Option 1: Wi-Fi Only Device + Tethering

Use your cheap Lenovo tablet, and tether Wi-Fi from your main phone when needed.
Only drawback: battery drain + slight GPS lag.

Option 2: Cheap Unlocked Android Phone

Look for: Used or refurbished phones ~$40–$80.
Android 9+ is ideal for compatibility.
Brands like Moto E, Samsung A-series, or older Pixels work well.
No SIM required if you're tethering.

Option 3: Prepaid Android with No Plan

Buy a prepaid phone from Walmart, Target, or Amazon (~$30–$60).
Example: Tracfone, Simple Mobile, Total Wireless.
You don’t have to activate cellular—just use Wi-Fi or tethering.
Some of these can be unlocked after a while, but for Pokémon GO, you can use them Wi-Fi-only immediately.

TLDR Setup Summary

Use your tablet + tethering if you want to try it now, no cost.
Create a new Google account for the alt.
Trade carefully—no take-backs.
If you like it and want portability, grab a cheap prepaid Android and don’t activate it—just tether.

Let me know if you want a live recommendation or links to specific cheap models.

G: To tether your iPhone 12 to your Lenovo tablet (Wi-Fi only), you’ll use Personal Hotspot. Here’s how:

Step-by-Step: Tethering iPhone 12 to Lenovo Tablet

On your iPhone:

Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot.
Turn on Allow Others to Join.
Note the Wi-Fi password shown.
Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled.

On your Lenovo tablet:

Open Wi-Fi settings.
Find your iPhone’s hotspot name (usually your device name).
Tap it and enter the password.
You’re now tethered.

Tips:

The connection might briefly lag in GPS-heavy apps like Pokémon GO, but it's playable.
Keep your iPhone plugged in or monitor battery drain—it can be heavy.

Let me know if you want to set it up over USB or Bluetooth instead (slightly less common).

G: Here’s how to set up a completely separate Google account with minimal tracking overlap, especially if you’re doing it on a device where you’re already logged in to your main account:

1. Use Incognito Mode or Separate Profile

On a browser (desktop or mobile):
- Open Incognito / Private Browsing mode.
- Go to https://accounts.google.com/signup.
- This avoids linking the new account to your existing sessions.
Or create a new browser profile in Chrome/Firefox with no cookies/extensions.

2. Don’t Use Your Real Name or Birthday

For alt accounts, you can use:
- A name like “GoAlt Trainer.”
- A birthday over 18 years old (e.g., Jan 1, 1990) so you’re not restricted by child account rules.
Use a separate recovery email, or skip it if you’re not worried about losing access.

3. Optional: Do It on the Tablet

If your Lenovo tablet doesn’t have your main Google account, that’s even better.
Create the new account from there.
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Google.
- Select Create account and walk through setup.

4. Log Into Pokémon GO With the New Account

Make sure you’re logged out of your main account.
Open Pokémon GO.
Tap Sign Up with Google and choose your new account.

Important Separation Tips:

Avoid using the same recovery phone number or email as your main.
Don’t log into both accounts in the same browser unless it’s a browser that supports clear multi-profile separation.
Never switch accounts inside Pokémon GO itself—use full logouts and avoid overlap in play sessions.

Would you like a throwaway Gmail address suggestion format that’s easy to remember but not tied to you?

G: Google has been increasingly aggressive about forcing phone number verification for new accounts, especially from known devices or IPs that have already made other accounts. Even with a fresh browser, you may be hitting a quota flag. Here are your practical options:

Option 1: Use a Real Phone Number Once

You can reuse your own phone number briefly.
- One number can support multiple Google accounts.
- Just don’t add it as a recovery number later.
- After signup, you can go into the new account’s settings and remove the number.

Safe for alt Pokémon GO use.

Option 2: Use a Free or Temporary Number

Sites like TextNow or Google Voice (if you have access) can work.
- You may need to try a few numbers; some are blacklisted.
- Not all SMS services work with Google.

Warning: This can be hit-or-miss, and Google may still ask for a real number later.

Option 3: Set Up from a Fresh Device (Tablet)

If your Lenovo tablet hasn’t been used to create any Google accounts yet:
- Go to Settings > Users & Accounts > Add Account > Google > Create New.
- It’s more likely to let you skip the phone step on a clean device.

Why? Google trusts new Android setups more than browser signups.

Option 4: Wait and Retry

Google sometimes lets you bypass the phone check after 12–24 hours.
- It’s a rate-limiting issue.
- Try incognito or VPN from another IP if urgent.

Let me know if you want to try a TextNow number together or want a clean Gmail format suggestion for your alt.

G: It depends on what you want to get out of the second account. Here’s the breakdown:

Same Team as Main

Pros:

Easier Gym Defense: You can stack both accounts in the same gym, reinforcing with berries.
No accidental battling between accounts.
More natural if you're mostly using the alt for trades, support, or shadow raids.

Cons:

Can’t battle your own gyms to get coins.
Less flexibility in team-based events or tasks.

Different Team

Pros:

You can battle your main’s gyms with your alt to:
- Knock out enemy defenders.
- Lower prestige to add your main back in.
- Farm coins more reliably on your main.
Lets you complete “battle a team leader” or similar team-specific research from both angles.

Cons:

Can't put both accounts in the same gym.
Slightly harder to coordinate if you're defending or doing team-based bonuses.

TLDR Recommendation:

If your alt is pure support: go same team.
If you want some tactical flexibility or coin-farming potential: go different team.

Most serious dual-accounters go different teams, especially if they play gyms actively. But if you just want trade/lucky/filler support, same team is cleaner.

G: Yes—there is a mild meta-preference, though it's not critical unless you're optimizing for social overlap or raid invites:

Team Mystic (Blue) – Most Popular

Historically the largest team.
Easier to find friendly gyms and teammates.
More active gym presence = easier gym slots, but harder to stay in for 8h coins.
Default safe pick if you want less friction.

Team Valor (Red) – Aggressive Gym Players

Known for taking and retaking gyms more aggressively.
If you’re in an area with a lot of Mystic gyms, being Valor can help you knock them out.
Often seen as the underdog.

Team Instinct (Yellow) – Smallest Team

Fewest players = least gym presence.
Easiest to stay in gyms, especially rural or low-traffic areas.
Harder to get team-based bonuses or stack with others.

Strategic Choice for Alt:

If your main is Mystic, consider making your alt Instinct:
- You can battle your own gyms for coins.
- You’ll almost never clash with anyone else’s gyms.
If you want max synergy, just match your main.

No team gives actual stat bonuses anymore, so it’s all about logistics and local gym behavior.

G: 4 million Stardust is high, but not suspicious for a regular long-term player—especially one who’s been consistent, rural or urban. Here’s the context:

What’s “Normal” Stardust?

Casual players (mostly catching, not grinding): ~500K to 2M
Moderate grinders (7 years, some events): 2M–5M
Hardcore players (events, PvP, weather farming): 5M–20M+
Top PvP players: Often broke or hovering near zero from frequent spending

So 4M = steady, possibly conservative player.

How They Accumulate So Much Stardust:

1. Daily Grinds + Weather Farming

Catching 200–400 Pokémon a day adds up.
Weather-boosted catches = more Stardust.

2. Events With Bonuses

Double Stardust events (Community Days, Spotlight Hours).
They stock up on star pieces and grind nonstop.

3. PvP Rewards (GBL)

Winning PvP battles gives a ton of stardust at higher ranks.
Season-end rewards sometimes include hundreds of thousands.

4. Rocket Battles

Every Grunt gives 500 Stardust, and many players do dozens a day.

5. Adventure Sync Eggs

10km and 12km eggs can give large stardust drops when hatched with star pieces.

6. Gym Coins = Incubators = More Hatching

Active gym players can indirectly fuel Stardust via coins.

Are They Cheating or Spoofing?

GPS tethering (like a phone on a dog) is rare and risky—Niantic flags erratic GPS.
Most players with millions of dust are just super consistent, especially during events.
A few spoofers exist, but those players usually have dozens of millions, not just 4M.

TLDR:

Someone with 4M dust likely just played smart over time—event stacking, daily catches, PvP, and using star pieces well. No dog harness needed.

G: You're absolutely right that XL Candy and regular Candy accumulation can look absurd from the outside—especially when you’re returning after a 7-year break. But there is a breakdown that makes sense when you factor in gameplay style and event patterns. Let’s slice it up:

Regular Candy – What’s Normal?

Casual (1–2 years active):

100–400 candy per common species
10–30 for rares and raids
~20,000–50,000 total candy in storage

Moderate Grinders (3+ years):

800–1500 candy for commons (Pidgey, Swinub, Machop)
100–300 for legendaries (especially if raided heavily)
50,000–100,000+ candy total

Long-Term PvP/Grinder:

3K–8K for relevant PvP families (e.g., Meditite, Skarmory, Altaria)
300–1K for relevant legendaries
150K+ total isn’t rare

XL Candy – The Real Bottleneck

Casual Player:

0–20 XL for most things, unless they’ve focused
Will hit 296 XL (to max one mon) only if they grind one target hard or get lucky with trades

Moderate Grinders:

50–100+ XL for event-heavy or wild-spawned species
Usually can build 2–3 full maxed PvP Pokémon/year

PvP/Hardcore Raiders:

Prioritize XL farming during events (e.g., Community Days with double catch XL)
296 XL per species is common for key targets
Some PvP players run 10–20 maxed XL Pokémon across leagues

How They Get It Without Buying:

1. Trade Grind (Level 40+):

Every trade has a chance of yielding 1 XL Candy
Bulk trades of commons = massive free XL over time

2. Catch During Events:

Certain events give guaranteed XL candy from catches
Use Mega Evolutions to boost candy drops

3. Buddy Walking:

Best Buddies earn XL when walking, but only very slowly

4. Rare Candy + Rare XL:

PvP rewards and raid tiers give both
Rare XL is slow to accumulate, but Legendary players stockpile it

5. Hatch Strategy:

Some use Adventure Sync + 12km egg stacking to get lots of candy + some XL

6. Transfer Strategy:

Transferring Pokémon at Level 40+ can give XL back

TLDR Benchmarks:

Player Type	Candy (per species)	XL Candy (per species)
Casual	100–400	0–20
Moderate Grinder	500–1500	50–150
PvP/Hardcore	2K–10K	296 (fully maxed)

Seeing someone with 296 XL for Gible, Machop, or Eevee isn’t weird. Seeing it for Larvesta, Deino, or Axew is a hint they either spent big, spoofed, or played insane hours during events. You're not imagining it—some of those numbers do reflect borderline obsession or financial burn.

G: That instinct is solid—powering up a small core of strong, re-usable monsters early is one of the most efficient ways to gain long-term traction, especially when you're short on consistent help or farming opportunities. Let’s break it down:

Is Maxing Hindi Shiny Dynamax Raikou Worth It?

Yes, with caveats.

Pros:

Raikou is excellent for Electric DPS—still among the top non-Shadow options.
Dynamax boost helps in raids both as attacker and support.
Electric is a very high-demand raid type (Kyogre, Yveltal, Flying/Water targets).
Hindi shiny means you’ll never transfer it—might as well make it useful.

Cons:

May eventually be outclassed by Shadow Zekrom, Therian Thundurus, or future fusion forms.
No PvP value—pure PvE investment.
XL Candy for it is very hard to come by unless you raid it relentlessly or dump Rare XL.

Verdict:
If you’re starved for good raid anchors, yes, max it—even 40 is solid. Especially if you can Dynamax it in raids, it’ll pull huge weight.

13-13-13 Black Kyurem – Good Investment?

Yes.

Even imperfect, Black Kyurem is one of the top Dragon and Ice attackers in the game. And it’s flexible:

With Outrage, it’s a top-tier Dragon DPS (behind Shadow Salamence/Rayquaza).
With Glaciate, it becomes a dominant Ice-type—an elite counter vs. Dragons and Flyers.

It’s also better supported long-term than many shadows or legendaries due to:

Easier XL farming if it returns
Move re-roll potential
Fusion hype keeping it relevant

Verdict:
13/13/13 is more than good enough to max unless you're a perfectionist. If you only have the one, it’s absolutely worth investing in.

TLDR:

Yes, build up Hindi Shiny Dynamax Raikou if you’re short on strong Electric types and want a raid staple.
Yes, invest in 13/13/13 Black Kyurem, especially with Glaciate.
You're doing the right thing: level your core team first, then build support around them.

If you do later recall the XL candy screenshot and want help sanity-checking it, definitely bring it back. Tens of thousands can happen, but it’s almost always for stuff like Swinub or Magikarp after literal years of grind.

G: Ah, got it—Hundo Shiny Dynamax Raikou? Then yes, that's a top-tier long-term investment, no hesitation.

Why It’s Worth It:

Perfect IV means you’re maximizing every Rare Candy and XL spent—no regrets.
Electric-type DPS is high value, with frequent raid targets (Kyogre, Lugia, Yveltal, Tornadus, Tapu Koko, Flying bosses).
Shiny + Hundo + Dynamax makes it futureproof as a flex/status mon in raids.

Even though it’s outclassed slightly by Shadow options and Zekrom in raw DPS, those are harder to max, especially without XL farming or Shadow Raikou returns. This one will perform in 99% of cases and looks amazing while doing it.

Recommendation:

Take it to level 40 now if you can.
Push to 50 over time if you commit to it as a staple.
Use Mega Ampharos or Manectric when farming Electric-types to build more candy over time.

Your Kyurem Black is still a great next target, but the Raikou is “keep forever” material.

G: Gigantamax Charizard with decent IVs (~37 total = around 12/12/13 or similar)? That’s still a viable upgrade, depending on your goals.

PvE (Raids, Dynamax Raids):

Mega Charizard Y is a top-tier Fire attacker—just under Primal Groudon and Reshiram.
Fire types are constantly useful: Regice, Genesect, Kartana, Ice/Grass/Steel bosses.
Even without perfect IVs, Mega bonuses boost the whole lobby, making it valuable as a team anchor.
You only need one good Charizard for massive impact.

Verdict: YES — worth powering up if you don't already have a strong Fire mega.

PvP (Great/Ultra League):

Charizard is extremely good in Ultra League with Wing Attack + Dragon Claw/Blast Burn.
In Great League it’s usable, but less consistent due to bulk issues.
G-Max form doesn't affect PvP, but the moveset does.
Slightly lower IVs are fine in PvP, sometimes even better for stat product.

Verdict: YES, especially for Ultra League. Even a ~12/12/13 Charizard can perform well.

Dynamax Raids (Specifically):

Fire is meta-relevant for many Dynamax targets, and Charizard stays alive longer thanks to high base stats and speed.
G-Max Wildfire burns bosses and chips shield phases, which helps solo play.

Verdict: YES. G-Max + decent moves + survivability = excellent for soloers.

TLDR:

Yes, your Gigantamax Charizard with ~37 IV is worth investing in.
Use it as a Mega anchor for raids, a solo carry in Dynamax, and a PvP beast in Ultra.
Don’t worry about the non-hundo IVs—it’ll still punch hard and flex beautifully.

2025-04-25 12:08:55 EDT

M: OK here I looked it up – I’m going to put in my top 15 creatures in CP. I know that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best investment, but they’re the closest to level 40 at least. How would you rank prioritizing their upgrades. I put their cp first, IV total next to them plus any modifiers 3921 Kyurem black, 39 3666 Garchomp 41 3515 Salamance 43 3511 Metagross 41 dynamax 3446 Rhyperior 41 3403 Raikou 45 Dynamax 3251 Reshirem 40 3123 Zekrom 39 3006 Slaking 40 3001 Alakazam 39 2946 Mamoswine 39 2927 Rillaboom 37 2915 Kyurem White 40 2871 Excadrill 39 2867 Arcanine hisui 38

G: Great list. Here's how I'd prioritize them for upgrade/focus, assuming your main goals are raids (solo-friendly), Dynamax raids, and some light PvP later. I’ll sort them into priority tiers and explain briefly:

Tier 1: Core Raid / Dynamax Anchors – Invest Immediately

These are powerful, versatile, and usable in multiple metas:

Raikou (3403, IV 45, Dynamax)
- Hundo + Dynamax = must-build. One of the most useful elements (Electric), high DPS, raid & solo value.
Black Kyurem (3921, IV 39)
- Raw power. Top Dragon/Ice attacker. Already high CP, worth maxing.
Metagross (3511, IV 41, Dynamax)
- Steel is one of the best raid types. Dynamax bonus + Meteor Mash = top-tier. Keep this forever.
Garchomp (3666, IV 41)
- Versatile as both Dragon and Ground. Sandstorm spammer in Dynamax raids. Strong PvP future if you want it.

Tier 2: Strong Raid Contributors – Build as Needed

These are less versatile or slightly outclassed, but still excellent:

Reshiram (3251, IV 40)
- Top Fire attacker. A+ raid performer. Best friend with Kyurem Black.
Zekrom (3123, IV 39)
- Similar to Raikou but lower IV. Still good Electric/Dragon hybrid.
Salamence (3515, IV 43)
- Good stats, but Shadow Salamence exists and it lacks utility outside Dragon raids.
Mamoswine (2946, IV 39)
- Ice and Ground coverage, very relevant in raids. Slightly lower value without Shadow or PvP role.

Tier 3: Niche or Backup Use – Low Investment

Not bad, just less urgent.

Rhyperior (3446, IV 41)
- Useful in Rock and Ground matchups, but outclassed in both now. Still good in limited metas.
Kyurem White (2915, IV 40)

Great Ice DPS but lacks long-term staying power vs others. Use while it's strong.

Excadrill (2871, IV 39)

Glassy but solid Ground/Steel attacker. Helps in some raid matchups.

Hisui Arcanine (2867, IV 38)

Cool typing, useful in Dynamax raids with Fire/Rock coverage. Still a bit underwhelming.

Tier 4: Do Not Invest Unless for Meme or Specific Use

These are inefficient power sinks or limited-use cases.

Slaking (3006, IV 40)

High CP but horrible DPS. Only good for gym defense if you care. Don't power more.

Alakazam (3001, IV 39)

Low durability, hard to use outside legacy PvP or solo strats. Shadow Zam is better.

Rillaboom (2927, IV 37)

Grass type is weak overall in PvE. Even with Drum Beating, this is not a priority mon.

TLDR Order (Upgrade Priority):

Raikou > Black Kyurem > Metagross > Garchomp > Reshiram > Zekrom > Salamence > Mamoswine > Rhyperior > White Kyurem > Excadrill > Hisui Arcanine > Slaking > Alakazam > Rillaboom

Let me know if you're leaning more into PvP or Dynamax soloing later—some of these shift a bit in that context.

2025-04-25 12:23:59 EDT

M: Same analysis for my perfect iv set, please. So all have a 45 total iv. 3403 Raikou dynamax 2765 Snorlax gigantamax 2651 Quaquaval 2200 Ampharos 2042 Kyurem 2035 Armaldo purified 1966 Crobat 1943 Venusaur 1854 Cinderace 1736 Victreebel 1681 Barbaracle 1544 Bisharp 1331 Darmanitan Galar 1281 Centiskorch 1268 Arboliva 1226 Fearow 1170 Meowscarada 1104 Sudowoodo 1010 Shiinotic 1009 Parasect 1008 Sylveon 905 Furfrou 855 Eldegoss 754 Horsea purified 183 Ferroseed 75 Shuppet

G: Perfect. This list includes a mix of meta anchors, niche PvP picks, novelty, and some outright junk. I'll categorize and rank these based on overall usefulness, assuming your main goals are solo-friendly raiding, Dynamax raids, future PvP potential, and resource efficiency.

Tier 1: Top Priority – Actively Invest

Raikou (3403, Dynamax)
- Already covered: Hundo Electric-type + Dynamax = top PvE and Dynamax asset.
Kyurem (2042)
- This is base Kyurem, but still valuable: gets Glaciate, a powerful Ice move.
- Once you get Black or White Kyurem forms again, this hundo will shine.
Ampharos (2200)
- Not top-tier DPS, but as a Mega Electric it’s highly useful for team support and XL farming. Easy to Mega repeatedly.

Tier 2: Conditional Investments – Future PvP, Niche PvE

Snorlax (2765, Gigantamax)
- Strong for Gym defense.
- Giga form doesn't help in PvP/PvE, but Snorlax is very tanky and PvP-viable in Master League if you ever go that route.
Quaquaval (2651)
- Good PvP potential in Ultra League, and PvE Water DPS is decent.
- Worth leveling if you're short on Water types or lean into PvP.
Venusaur (1943)
- Mega Venusaur is solid and frequently useful in raids. Also excellent in Ultra League.
- Hundo = safe long-term investment.
Crobat (1966)
- Ultra League potential with Poison Fang spam. Situational PvE usage vs Fairy-types.

Tier 3: Interesting, but Niche or Replaceable

Armaldo (2035, Purified)
- Decent Rock/Bug type, but not good enough to warrant XL investment. Purified means lower power ceiling anyway.
Cinderace (1854)
- Future Libero ability might give it a boost, but right now it's mostly cosmetic. PvE Fire DPS is just okay.
Meowscarada (1170)
- PvP novelty in Great League. Fun but fragile. Grass-type PvE value is low.
Darmanitan Galar (1331)
- If you evolve to G-Darm Zen, becomes top-tier Ice DPS. Watch for that option to return.
Bisharp (1544)
- Weak PvE, but some PvP potential if the right Cup shows up. Hundo is just a collection piece for now.
Barbaracle (1681)
- Niche PvP play. Not PvE-worthy, but could be funny in some formats.

Tier 4: Mostly Collection or Meme Tier

Victreebel (1736)
- Legacy Acid Spray sets can cheese PvP, but not reliable anymore.
Fearow (1226)
- Just old-school flavor. No real use.
Centiskorch (1281)
- Good Ultra League spice, very weak PvE.
Arboliva (1268)
- Pretty but PvP only. PvE value near zero.
Sudowoodo (1104)
- Meme-tier PvP pick. Tree jokes aside, no major meta use.
Sylveon (1008)
- Actually solid in Master League and raid fairy attacker. Deserves more respect. Could be Tier 2 depending on PvP focus.
Shiinotic (1010)
- Joke-tier, no practical use yet.
Parasect (1009)
- Even in Little Cup it’s niche. Major weaknesses.
Eldegoss (855)
- Fringe PvP at best. Cute but weak.
Furfrou (905)
- Cosmetic only. No PvP or PvE value.
Horsea Purified (754)
- Little Cup novelty. Otherwise trash stats.
Ferroseed (183)
- Can evolve to Ferrothorn, which is solid in Great League. Worth saving but not investing yet.
Shuppet (75)
- Pure dex filler. Banette is weak in every format.

TLDR – Best to Focus On:

Immediate Top: Raikou, Ampharos (Mega), Kyurem
Good PvP/Future Potential: Quaquaval, Venusaur, Snorlax, Crobat
Niche but OK: Sylveon, Meowscarada, Darmanitan Galar, Armaldo
Ignore/Keep for Collection: Most of the bottom 15

Let me know if you want me to build an investment plan that prioritizes XP, resources, and accessibility over raw power.

2025-04-25 12:34:28 EDT

M: A couple follow ups. First, I think kingambit is released soon - do you think that’ll make a change in bisharps usefulness? Similar note, you took into account that I’ll be evolving everything, right? Maybe if I get a family duplicate I’ll worry about putting it in a niche, but ideally, I’m trying to maximize all of these eventually, even the jokes. It’s why I’m trying to create a priority list so I don’t get over distracted by small things and can budget myself to enjoy the collection while increasing ability to collect with the less entertaining aspects. Is there a pattern to mega energy collection outside of raids? Like, for fun, I’d like to megavolve my pidgey - but with the crew random set up, I haven’t been able to get more than 60. Is there a way to increase this that doesn’t involve waiting for a raid?

G:

1. Bisharp → Kingambit Relevance

Yes, Kingambit will significantly increase the line’s value:

In PvP, it’s bulky, has strong typing (Dark/Steel), and a good moveset.
In PvE, still not top-tier, but better than Bisharp by far—especially with a hundo.
Once released (and if they don’t gate it too hard behind PvP wins), evolving your Bisharp will be a solid investment. Worth holding Rare Candy and XLs for.

2. Evolving Everything Assumed

Got it—yes, I’ll treat all hundo/family entries as destined for full evolution (unless already maxed or otherwise noted). I’ll still flag if the final evolution is weak or situational, so you know whether to prioritize or bench the project for later. That should help keep the big picture focused and reduce detours.

3. Mega Energy Without Raids

Yes, there’s a pattern, but it's gated:

Buddy Walking (after one Mega):
Once you’ve Mega Evolved any species in a line at least once, walking that Pokémon as your buddy earns energy:
- 5 km per 15 Mega Energy (reduced at higher Mega levels).
- Pidgey must evolve to Pidgeot and be Mega Evolved once before this becomes available.
Field Research:
Sometimes gives 25–70 energy for a specific family (very rare).
Daily Pokémon Spawns (Crew System):
Yes, the energy from "crewed" spawns is very random and often low. There’s no known way to manipulate which energy drops beyond changing the mega you’ve most recently evolved—it biases the crew drop direction slightly.
Special Events:
Mega Energy is often distributed more freely during themed weeks (e.g., Flying week = more Pidgeot energy), but outside events, it’s stingy.

Bottom line:
If you want to Mega a Pidgeot for fun, evolve it, Mega it once, then set it as a buddy and walk it. That's your only reliable non-raid path. Crew drops are just bonus trickle.

2025-04-25 12:36:40 EDT

M: Crew drops? I think I’ve ever seen mega energy drop outside of a raid.

G: Yup—crew drops are what Niantic now calls the bonus loot you sometimes get from catching Pokémon while walking with your buddy. It can include:

Berries
Stardust
Poké Balls
Mega Energy (rare)

To get Mega Energy from crew drops, you must:

Have Mega Evolved a Pokémon in that line at least once.
Have a buddy from that evolutionary line.
Catch any Pokémon (not just that type) while walking—it’s a background bonus like “your buddy helped catch this.”

If you haven’t seen it, it's either:

You haven’t Mega Evolved that line yet.
The buddy wasn’t one eligible for drops.
You just got unlucky—energy drops are super inconsistent.

Example:
If you’ve Mega Evolved Pidgeot once, set it as a buddy, and then go catching, it’ll occasionally toss you Pidgeot Mega Energy—maybe 5 or 10 at a time. Still not enough to plan around, but it slowly builds if you rotate your Megas strategically.

It’s mostly visible in the catch summary screen (“Your buddy helped!”), or buried in the journal.

2025-04-25 16:36:19 EDT

M: Did your previous analysis take into account the Return move the purified creatures have? I’ve seen contradictory things about whether that’s worthwhile or not.

G: Great follow-up. Short version:
No, my previous rankings didn’t factor in Return, but I can give a clean breakdown now.

What is Return?

A 3-bar Normal-type move exclusive to Purified Pokémon.
PvP context only—doesn’t matter in Raids.
Can only be kept if you don’t TM it away. Once gone, it’s gone for good (unless Niantic brings it back somehow).

When Return is Good

PvP bulk tanks with bad move coverage sometimes benefit from Return as a neutral hit option (e.g., Umbreon).
Shadow-suppressed stat lines: If you wanted the Pokémon to have better bulk (from Purified bonus), and Return plugs a neutral hole, it can be worth it.

Examples where Return might be good:

Umbreon
Wobbuffet (PvP XL memes)
Lickitung (pre-XL days)
Sableye (less common now)

When Return is Bad

Most cases. It takes a Charged Move slot and deals unimpressive Normal damage.
Your purified Armaldo, Horsea, etc.—Return is basically a waste compared to better charged attacks they can learn.

What You Should Do

If a purified Pokémon has niche PvP potential, keep Return until you’re sure.
Otherwise, don’t factor Return into your investment plan—almost all top-tier builds use something else.
If you evolve something with Return (like a purified Horsea to Kingdra), the move carries through unless replaced, so you can test it later.

Bottom line:
Return is almost never a reason to prioritize a purified Pokémon. It’s an edge case move useful for PvP tanks or neutral bait coverage—but it doesn’t generally boost value.

2025-04-25 16:56:10 EDT

M: What are the strongest fast combinations you know for the great league

G: Here’s a list of the strongest and most oppressive fast move combinations in Great League—whether for raw pressure, energy gain, or synergy with charged moves. These are the ones that regularly tilt matchups or force shields.

High Pressure (Damage-Heavy)

These chew through HP fast—even without charged moves:

Counter + STAB
e.g., Medicham, Scrafty, Toxicroak, Sirfetch’d
- Great typing coverage, especially against Steel, Ice, Dark.
Shadow Claw + High Attack
e.g., Trevenant, Cofagrigus, Golurk
- Fast, ghost-type move with great neutral coverage and synergy with spammy charge moves.
Dragon Breath
e.g., Altaria, Dragonair, Goodra
- No energy gain edge, but oppressive raw damage and great neutral pressure.
Poison Jab (with STAB)
e.g., Toxapex, Skuntank, Drapion
- Fast, great against Fairies and Grasses, decent energy too.

Fast Energy Gain (Spammy Setups)

These generate charge moves fast enough to bait or control pacing:

Shadow Claw / Hex
e.g., Trevenant, Cofagrigus, Jellicent
- Both are very fast energy gain moves with decent damage and strong synergy with bait + nuke setups.
Snarl
e.g., Mandibuzz, Alolan Muk, Umbreon
- Rapid energy gain, pairs well with heavy charge moves like Dark Pulse or Sludge Wave.
Thunder Shock
e.g., Lanturn, Alolan Graveler
- Low damage but ultra-fast charge cycling. Allows frequent baits and nukes.
Mud Shot / Vine Whip
e.g., Whiscash, Quagsire, Venusaur
- Both are fast energy gain with very good charge move synergy (like Blizzard or Frenzy Plant).

Synergistic & Meta-Breaker Picks

When the fast move perfectly complements the typing and charge options:

Powder Snow + Weather Ball (Ice)
e.g., Alolan Ninetales, Abomasnow
- Constant shield pressure, low energy cost.
Razor Leaf / Charm
e.g., Shadow Victreebel, Wigglytuff
- Extreme fast move damage, used as closers or shield burners. Limited energy gain, but pure terror if unchecked.
Incinerate
e.g., Talonflame
- Slow startup, but huge energy per turn and high payoff with Flame Charge/Brave Bird.

TL;DR

Counter, Shadow Claw, and Dragon Breath are top for pressure.
Snarl, Thunder Shock, and Mud Shot dominate in energy efficiency.
Powder Snow and Incinerate offer strong synergy.
Charm and Razor Leaf are niche but game-breaking in the right comps.

Let me know if you want combos for specific team styles (like lead, closer, or switch).

2025-04-25 18:37:21 EDT

M: New list: I got pokegenie to draw up my list of 95% or better iv creatures, then sorted by max cp. I’m going to feed you in the top entries for each type – I’d like you to judge them in subjective terms, in the same order as they were entered, assuming I’m going to level them up to 50 and evolve to their strongest form, with light commentary. Garchomp Tyranitar Beldum Salamance Thundurus Therian Bisharp Kyurem Meltan Zapdos Goodra Raikou dynamax Archeops Piloswine Rillaboom dynamax Kommo-o Snorlax gigantamax Excadrill Magnezone Wimpod Eevee Arcanine hisui Magmar Tyrunt Vikavolt Darmanitan Galar Darmanitan dynamax Heracross Cetitan Sylveon Gallade Alakazam Cursola Delphox Sandile Arcanine Cinderace Quaquavale Passimian Crocalor Flareon Centiskorch Roselia Arboliva Pignite Bounsweet Inteleon Golem Reuniclus Escavalier Prinplup Gengar Ampharos Armaldo Feraligatr Meowscarada Herdier Mr. Mime Galar Vanillite Cryogonal Aurorus Omanyte Noivern Decidueye Pyroar Sceptile Rockruff Pidove Venusaur Druddigon Sealeo Mienfoo Honchkrow Barbaracle That’s all I have in those that can get up to 3000 or more. Once you’ve done the list, I already asked for, can you please put together a list of 13 optimal choices that, with a third move, added, should be able to handle most raid weaknesses with minimal vulnerabilities

G: Got it—73 Pokémon to evaluate. I’ll now go through them in order, giving a quick subjective analysis assuming max level, full evolution, and usefulness across PvE and PvP. After that, I’ll build the 13-member raid coverage squad with minimal overlap in weaknesses. Let’s begin.

2025-04-25 18:38:19 EDT

M: Go, cool

G:

Subjective Analysis: Maxed 95%+ IV Pokémon (73 total)

Assuming fully evolved, level 50, and third charge move unlocked. Focus is PvE utility first, then PvP if relevant.

Top Tier – Highly Useful Across Modes

Garchomp – Excellent raid and PvP monster. Ground/Dragon covers a lot. Versatile with Mud Shot + Earth Power or Dragon Tail + Outrage.
Tyranitar – Still useful with Smack Down for Rock-type raids and Crunch for Dark. Weak to Fighting/Fairy.
Beldum (Metagross) – One of the best PvE Steel attackers. Meteor Mash essential.
Salamence – Strong Dragon with high DPS, low bulk. Outclassed but still solid.
Thundurus Therian – Great Electric attacker for raids. Useful if you’re short on Zekrom.
Raikou Dynamax – Excellent Electric with good bulk. Shadow or Dynamax version is raid-viable.
Excadrill – Cheap and excellent Ground/Steel type. Fast, raid-reliable.
Magnezone – Dual Electric/Steel makes it versatile. PvP use limited by fragility.
Rillaboom Dynamax – Decent Grass, better than it used to be. High potential in raids.
Snorlax Gigantamax – Tanky for PvP, mostly a Master League option.
Sylveon – Great Fairy with PvP viability and raid flexibility.
Gallade – Niche but powerful in Ultra League. Psychic/Leaf Blade combo can surprise.
Gengar – Glass cannon. Shadow Ball/Sludge Bomb is lethal. PvE staple.
Venusaur – Classic pick, especially with Frenzy Plant. Great for PvP and some PvE.
Honchkrow – Fragile, but hits like a truck. Dark Flying combo good for raids and Rocket leaders.

Mid Tier – Niche or Emerging Utility

Kyurem – Decent Dragon/Ice hybrid but generally outclassed.
Zapdos – PvE viable but not top-tier. PvP use is niche.
Goodra – Bulky Dragon, but no standout moves.
Archeops – High DPS, terrible bulk. Mostly for memes or flavor.
Piloswine (Mamoswine) – Excellent Ice/Ground attacker. Priority build.
Kommo-o – Good moveset, viable in PvP if hard to get Candy.
Heracross – Decent Fighting/Bug. Good against Dark/Psychic.
Cetitan – New Ice option, but bulky and slow.
Alakazam – Fragile, Psychic-type redundancy. Shadow version better.
Delphox – Useful in PvE and limited PvP. Mystical Fire helps.
Arcanine Hisui – Stylish, niche Rock/Fire pick. PvP spice.
Cinderace – PvE only right now, PvP potential if Libero ever activates.
Quaquaval – Uncommon, versatile attacker. PvP-ready.
Crocalor (Skeledirge) – Once evolved, PvP staple in some formats.
Centiskorch – Useful for Fire/bug raids, niche but decent.
Arboliva – PvP niche. Unusual stat spread.
Inteleon – PvE-only. Squishy, but fun to use.
Golem – Legacy Rock Throw variant is decent for budget Rock.
Escavalier – Ultra League staple. Excellent Bug/Steel combo.
Ampharos – Needs Dragon Pulse and/or Focus Blast. PvP edge case.
Feraligatr – PvP only with Hydro Cannon. Decent budget Water attacker.
Meowscarada – PvP niche, good speed and move diversity.
Mr. Mime Galar – PvP spice pick. Not very useful PvE.
Cryogonal – Bulky Ice-type. PvP only.
Aurorus – PvP-only due to Powder Snow + Meteor Beam.
Noivern – Weak stats. Fun, not optimal.
Decidueye – PvE niche. PvP in themed formats only.
Sceptile – Great Grass attacker with Frenzy Plant.
Venusaur – Already covered but worth repeating: still excellent.
Druddigon – Mostly dex filler. PvP spice.
Sealeo (Walrein) – Very viable in PvP with Icicle Spear. Must evolve.

Low Tier / Joke Tier / Flavor Only

Meltan – Not viable until Melmetal. Then it’s PvP beast with super fast moves.
Wimpod (Golisopod) – Underwhelming. PvE and PvP both poor.
Eevee – Only Sylveon, Umbreon, and Espeon matter in serious play.
Magmar – Outclassed.
Tyrunt (Tyrantrum) – Cool but niche. PvP spice only.
Vikavolt – Fragile. Not optimal.
Darmanitan Galar – Excellent Ice attacker.
Darmanitan Dynamax – Same, just better. High priority.
Cursola – PvP meme. Fragile.
Sandile (Krookodile) – PvE Dark/Ground. Rare but not meta.
Passimian – PvP spice.
Flareon – Too many Fire-types outclass it.
Roselia (Roserade) – Fast, viable Grass/Poison attacker.
Pignite (Emboar) – Decent with Blast Burn. Budget Fire.
Bounsweet (Tsareena) – PvP spice only.
Reuniclus – PvP gimmick.
Prinplup (Empoleon) – Great in PvP. Steel/Water combo very useful.
Armaldo – Outclassed in every category.
Herdier (Stoutland) – Joke tier.
Vanillite (Vanilluxe) – Ice option but not top tier.
Omanyte (Omastar) – PvP spice pick with legacy moves.
Pyroar – Fire/Normal is awkward. PvE only.
Rockruff (Lycanroc) – PvP spice.
Pidove (Unfezant) – Joke tier.
Mienfoo (Mienshao) – PvP-only but meh.
Barbaracle – PvP spice.
Fearow, Shiinotic, Sudowoodo, Eldegoss, Horsea, Ferroseed, Shuppet – Almost entirely flavor/meme unless extremely niche.

Up Next: 13-Raid Coverage Squad (Minimal Overlap, High Utility)

Give me 2 mins to finalize and I’ll hand you the optimized team.

2025-04-25 18:43:50 EDT

M: K

G: Here’s your optimized 13-Pokémon Raid Squad—focused on full raid-type coverage, minimal overlap in weaknesses, strong DPS, and value with third charge move unlocked. Most are from your 95%+ pool or easy upgrades.

Universal Coverage Squad (All Types Countered)

Pokémon	Type(s)	Role	Notes
Garchomp	Ground/Dragon	Anti-Electric, Steel, Rock, Fire	Mud Shot + Earth Power / Outrage
Metagross (Beldum)	Steel/Psychic	Anti-Fairy, Ice, Rock	Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash
Darmanitan (Galar)	Ice	Anti-Dragon, Flying, Grass	Ice Fang + Avalanche
Excadrill	Ground/Steel	Fast Ground, Anti-Electric	Mud-Slap + Drill Run
Chandelure (if evolved from Litwick)	Ghost/Fire	Anti-Grass, Ice, Bug	Incinerate + Overheat / Shadow Ball
Roserade (from Roselia)	Grass/Poison	Anti-Water, Ground	Razor Leaf + Grass Knot / Sludge Bomb
Raikou (Dynamax)	Electric	Anti-Flying, Water	Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
Gallade	Psychic/Fighting	Anti-Dark, Normal, Poison	Confusion + Close Combat / Leaf Blade
Gengar	Ghost/Poison	Anti-Psychic, Ghost	Lick + Shadow Ball / Sludge Bomb
Tyranitar	Rock/Dark	Anti-Flying, Fire, Ghost	Smack Down + Crunch / Stone Edge
Salamence	Dragon/Flying	Anti-Dragon, Grass	Dragon Tail + Outrage
Arcanine (Hisui)	Rock/Fire	Anti-Bug, Ice	Snarl + Rock Slide / Flamethrower
Magnezone	Electric/Steel	Anti-Fairy, Water, Flying	Spark + Wild Charge / Flash Cannon

Why These?

No major overlapping weaknesses.
Covers all raid-weak types: Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Rock, Ice, Steel, Dragon, Flying, Fairy, Dark, Psychic, Ghost, Bug, Ground, Normal, Poison.
Most already on your list or easy to level/evolve.
Optional alternates: Swap in Mamoswine, Heracross, or Sylveon depending on availability or move options.

Let me know if you want a PvP equivalent squad next or a version tailored to limited availability/meta.

2025-04-25 20:16:31 EDT

M: All of these are in my collection and have a final potential CP above 3000. Compare the fully evolved level 50 form of each of these. Rank in order by usefulness. If necessary, specify if IV level matters. If there are any duplicate entries, merge them. Only keep the shadow versions as separate if it makes a difference in how they’re ranked. Indicate if the charge move is crucial to usefulness - such as, I believe, it is with Genesect. If there is a branching evolution, consider both, like Charcadet. Be sure to hit every one, even the junk/jokes. Variations are indicated in parentheses after each entry. If no shadow form is mentioned, I haven’t got one - so don’t mention any “if you have a shadow” analyses. Don’t worry about megavolutions in your rankings, mention usefulness in the analysis. Do not mention the leagues. If there’s an evolution currently not used in Pokemon Go, please note that. Kyurem Black Kyurem White Slaking Regigigas (shadow) Zekrom Reshiram Groudon Cosmoem Garchomp Hoopa (unbound) Landorus (therian) Meloetta (aria) Tyranitar Ursaluna Beldum Palkia (shadow) Dragonite Salamance Yveltal Heatran Rhyperior Xerneas Thundurus (therian) Ursaluna (shadow) Zygarde (complete) Heatran (shadow) Terrakion Bisharp Hydreigon Kyurem Meltan Rhydon (shadow) Larvesta Shaymin Kubfu Axew Dratini (shadow) Arctibax Zapdos Goodra Articuno (galar) Dreepy Tapu Lele Raikou Moltres Avalugg (hisui) Magikarp Archeops Genesect Piloswine Rillaboom Enamorus (incarnate) Togetic Kommo-o Conkeldurr Rampardos Tornadus Stakataka Mankey Blacephalon Celebi Mew Snorlax Archen (shadow) Excadrill Chandelure Porygon Gigalith Gyrados Victini Florges Charcadet Jirachi Magnezone Primarina Sneasler Golispod Eevee Tornadus (therian) Mankey (shadow) Bergmite Tapu Koko Drilbur (shadow) Magmar Tyrunt Vikavolt Darmanitan (galar) Naganadel Kleavor Stufful Darmanitan Scyther Heracross Cetitan Arcanine (hisui) Timburr (shadow) Gallade Ralts Roggenrola (shadow) Elekid Alakazam Rufflet Cursola Delphox Hippopotas Magnemite (shadow) Machamp Sandile Arcanine Sneasel (hisui, shadow) Cinderace Sinistea Quaquaval Passimian Crocalor Articuno Cubchoo Tangela Centiskorch Cobalion Sneasel Exeggutor (alola) Feebas Scyther (shadow) Phanpy Aron Arboliva Exeggutor Bounsweet Basculin (hisui) Inteleon Virizion Litten Roserade Marshtomp Sirfetch’d Golem Pinsir Qwilfish (hisui) Reuniclus Typhlosion (hisui) Torterra Chespin Yanma Golem (alola) Tepig (shadow) Escavalier Prinplup Varoom Machop Gengar Crabrawler Charizard Luxio Pinsir Ampharos Drampa Decidueye (hisui) Armaldo Feraligatr Pangoro Dhelmise Typhlosion Graveler (alola) (shadow) Meowscarada Crocalor Herdier Makuhita Mr. Mime (galar) Torchic (shadow) Tauros (aqua) Oshawott Cresselia Cetitan Braviary (hisui) Blaziken Hatenna Cryogonal Vanilluxe Krabby Golett Aurorus Staraptor Tauros (blaze) Omanyte Bouffalant Girafarig Staraptor (shadow) Cyndaquil (shadow) Hippopotas Aerodactyl Pyroar Sceptile Clawitzer Muk Machop (shadow) Blissey Pidove Venusaur Sawk Druddigon Eelektrik Sealeo Muk (alola) Solosis (shadow) Dunsparce Elgyem Kabuto Mienfoo Honchkrow Muk (alola) (shadow) Munna Slowking (galar) Barbaracle Wyrdeer Gliscor Karrablast (shadow) Anorith (shadow) Pikipek

G: Certainly! Here's a comprehensive ranking of your Pokémon with a potential CP over 3000 when fully evolved and leveled to 50. This list evaluates each Pokémon's overall usefulness across various aspects of Pokémon GO, such as raids, gym battles, and general utility. Shadow forms are considered separately only when their performance significantly differs. Exclusive or legacy moves are noted when they are crucial to a Pokémon's effectiveness.

🔝 Top Tier: Core Meta Staples

These Pokémon are among the most valuable investments due to their exceptional performance in multiple areas of the game.

Groudon – Ground: A top-tier Ground-type attacker, especially with Precipice Blades.
Reshiram – Fire/Dragon: One of the best Fire-type attackers, particularly with Fusion Flare.
Zekrom – Electric/Dragon: An elite Electric-type attacker, especially with Fusion Bolt.
Garchomp – Dragon/Ground: Versatile attacker with strong Ground and Dragon movesets.
Rampardos – Rock: Exceptional Rock-type attacker with high DPS.
Kyurem (Black) – Dragon/Ice: Powerful Dragon-type attacker; Ice typing adds versatility.
Kyurem (White) – Dragon/Ice: Similar to Black Kyurem; strong Dragon-type moves.
Hydreigon – Dark/Dragon: Top Dark-type attacker, especially with Brutal Swing.
Terrakion – Rock/Fighting: Excellent for both Rock and Fighting-type roles.
Conkeldurr – Fighting: Strong Fighting-type attacker; reliable and bulky.

🥈 High Tier: Strong and Reliable

These Pokémon are strong choices and can perform well in various scenarios.

Salamence – Dragon/Flying: High DPS Dragon-type attacker; benefits from Outrage.
Dragonite – Dragon/Flying: Versatile with strong Dragon-type moves; useful in multiple roles.
Palkia (Shadow) – Water/Dragon: Shadow boost enhances its already strong performance.
Rhyperior – Ground/Rock: Solid choice for both Ground and Rock-type roles.
Yveltal – Dark/Flying: Strong Dark-type attacker with good bulk.
Excadrill – Ground/Steel: Useful in various scenarios; benefits from high attack stat.
Chandelure – Ghost/Fire: Versatile attacker with strong Ghost and Fire-type moves.
Magnezone – Electric/Steel: Good Electric-type attacker with unique typing.
Gyarados – Water/Flying: Versatile with access to both Water and Dark-type moves.
Metagross (from Beldum) – Steel/Psychic: Top Steel-type attacker, especially with Meteor Mash.

🥉 Mid Tier: Situationally Useful

These Pokémon have specific uses or require certain conditions to shine.

Tyranitar – Rock/Dark: Useful as a Dark-type attacker; benefits from Smack Down for Rock-type roles.
Snorlax – Normal: Bulky and versatile; not top-tier but reliable.
Ursaluna – Ground/Normal: Decent Ground-type attacker; benefits from High Horsepower.
Thundurus (Therian) – Electric/Flying: Strong Electric-type attacker; benefits from Wild Charge.
Landorus (Therian) – Ground/Flying: Useful Ground-type attacker; benefits from Earth Power.
Heatran – Fire/Steel: Niche Fire-type attacker; benefits from Flamethrower.
Zapdos – Electric/Flying: Decent Electric-type attacker; benefits from Thunderbolt.
Raikou – Electric: Strong Electric-type attacker; benefits from Wild Charge.
Moltres – Fire/Flying: Good Fire-type attacker; benefits from Overheat.
Genesect – Bug/Steel: Situationally useful; benefits from Techno Blast (type varies).

⚙️ Niche Tier: Limited Use Cases

These Pokémon have limited applications or are outclassed by others.

Goodra – Dragon: Bulky but lacks strong moveset.
Kommo-o – Dragon/Fighting: Interesting typing but limited by movepool.
Gallade – Psychic/Fighting: Useful in specific scenarios; benefits from Leaf Blade.
Alakazam – Psychic: High attack but frail; benefits from Psychic.
Heracross – Bug/Fighting: Useful in certain regions; benefits from Close Combat.
Arcanine (Hisui) – Fire/Rock: Unique typing; limited by movepool.
Rillaboom – Grass: Decent Grass-type attacker; benefits from Drum Beating.
Cinderace – Fire: Strong Fire-type attacker; benefits from Pyro Ball.
Inteleon – Water: High attack but frail; benefits from Hydro Cannon.
Delphox – Fire/Psychic: Limited by movepool; benefits from Mystical Fire.

🧪 Experimental Tier: For Fun or Future Potential

These Pokémon are not currently optimal but may have future potential or are fun to use.

Mew – Psychic: Versatile movepool; not optimal in current meta.
Celebi – Psychic/Grass: Limited by movepool; more of a collector's item.
Jirachi – Steel/Psychic: Useful in specific scenarios