Pokémon Sun and Moon Tier List
In-game tier lists rank Pokemon based on effectiveness and usefulness throughout an entire playthrough. An entire playthrough, in the case of Sun and Moon, is classified from the very start of the game until you defeat the Elite Four and Champion. This guide is courtesy of Smogon.
Tier Rank Criteria and Tiers explained
| Tier |
Description |
| Top |
a Pokémon with the fewest flaws in a playthrough |
| High |
a Pokémon with some flaws but very appealing tools to utilize. |
| Upper Mid |
a Pokémon with flaws with some appealing tools to utilize. |
| Mid |
a Pokémon with a bit more flaws with some appealing tools to utilize. |
| Lower Mid |
a Pokémon with a lot of flaws with some appealing tools to utilize. |
| Low |
a Pokémon with a lot of flaws and few appealing tools to utilize. |
| Bottom |
a Pokémon with a lot of flaws and no appealing tools to utilize |
| Not Available |
a Pokémon that cannot be caught or obtained until Post-game |
| Criteria |
Description |
| Availability |
Based on how early and probable that the Pokemon is found in the game. A Pokemon found earlier and with little effort is often better than those found later in the game. |
| Typing |
A Pokemon’s typing can be critical for an efficient playthrough. How does the typing match-up work against the entire game? |
| Stats |
If a Pokemon has a Stat distribution that favors it’s Typing and Movepool it will often be higher on this tier list. |
| Movepool |
A Pokemon’s movepool (both Level-up and TMs) are crucial for a Pokemon. |
| Major Battles |
Major battles consist of Totem Pokemon, Kahunas, Team Skull, Aether Paradise, Rival encounters, and the Elite 4. A Pokemon that contributes to many major battles will often be seen higher than those that do not. |
Top Tier Pokémon
These Pokémon are to be considered the best catch in Sun and Moon due to their great typing, move and uses.
![[IMG]](http://serebii.net/sunmoon/pokemon/129.png) |
![[IMG]](http://serebii.net/sunmoon/pokemon/081.png) |
![[IMG]](http://serebii.net/sunmoon/pokemon/278.png) |
| Magikarp |
Magnemite |
Wingull |
High Tier Pokémon
These Pokémon are very useful and versatile and often are the core of every Pokémon team in Sun and Moon.
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| Cutiefly |
Dewpider |
Diglett |
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| Fletchling |
Gastly (Gengar) |
Grimer |
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| Growlithe |
Lunala |
Magby (Magmortar) |
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| Makuhita |
Mankey |
Mudbray |
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| Munchlax |
Poliwag (Politoed) |
Poliwag (Poliwrath) |
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| Popplio |
Psyduck |
Salandit |
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| Solgaleo |
Staryu |
Stufful |
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| Tentacool |
Wishiwashi |
Zubat |
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| Zygarde (50%) |
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Mid Tier Pokémon
These Pokémon are interesting but unfortunately easily replaceable by a Pokémon from upper tier. As expected, this Tier has a lot of entries.
| Upper Mid |
Mid |
Lower Mid |
| Abra |
Aerodactyl |
Absol |
| Comfey |
Archen |
Bagon |
| Drifloon |
Bonsly |
Barboach |
| Eevee (Espeon) |
Bounsweet |
Beldum |
| Eevee (Vaporeon) |
Caterpie |
Cubone |
| Elekid (Electivire) |
Chinchou |
Dhelmise |
| Elekid (No Trade) |
Cranidos |
Drampa |
| Geodude (Golem) |
Drowzee |
Eevee (Leafeon) |
| Kangaskhan |
Eevee (Flareon) |
Exeggcute |
| Litten |
Eevee (Jolteon) |
Granbull |
| Machop (Trade) |
Eevee (Sylveon) |
Grubbin |
| Magby (No Trade) |
Eevee (Umbreon) |
Jangmo-o |
| Meowth |
Gabite |
Morelull |
| Miltank |
Gastly (No Trade) |
Murkrow |
| Mimikyu |
Klefki |
Oricorio |
| Minior |
Komala |
Paras |
| Misdreavous |
Lapras |
Rattata |
| Vulpix |
Lillipup |
Sableye |
| Pichu |
Machop (No Trade) |
Sharpedo |
| Pancham |
Oranguru |
Shellder |
| Passimian |
Petilil |
Shieldon |
| Pikipek |
Phantump (Trade) |
Wimpod |
| Rowlett |
Pinsir |
Yungoos |
| Sandile |
Rockruff |
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| Sandshrew |
Sandygast |
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| Skarmory |
Spearow |
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| Slowpoke |
Surskit |
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| Tauros |
Tirtouga |
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| Torkoal |
Togedemaru |
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| Turtonator |
Trapinch |
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| Zygarde (10% Form) |
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Low, Bottom and Not Available Tier
The worst of the worst, in terms of efficiency. You want to stay clear from these Pokémon in the wild and waste close to zero Pokéballs on them.
| Low Tier |
Bottom Tier |
Not Available |
| Alomomola |
Delibird |
Buzzwole |
| Boldore |
Ditto |
Celesteela |
| Bruxish |
Eevee (Glaceon) |
Emolga |
| Carbink |
Feebas |
Guzzlord |
| Castform |
Happiny |
Kartana |
| Cleffa |
Ledyba |
Magearna |
| Corsola |
Luvdisc |
Necrozma |
| Cottonee |
Pyukumuku |
Nihilego |
| Crabrawler |
Smeargle |
Pheromosa |
| Dratini |
Spinda |
Porygon |
| Finneon |
|
Riolu |
| Fomantis |
|
Scyther |
| Gastrodon |
|
Scyther |
| Goldeen |
|
Snorunt (Froslass) |
| Goomy |
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Tapu Bulu |
| Igglybuff |
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Tapu Fini |
| Mareanie |
|
Tapu Koko |
| Nosepass |
|
Tapu Lele |
| Phantump (No Trade) |
|
Type: Null |
| Relicanth |
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Xurkitree |
| Rufflet |
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| Sneasel |
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| Snorunt |
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| Spinarak |
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| Trubbish |
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| Vanillite |
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| Vullaby |
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| Wailmer |
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