Pokémon GO Max Defenders Tier List (June 2026)

Explore our in-depth Tier List of best Max Defenders to use in Pokémon GO’s Max Battles. Our Max Defenders Tier List is sorted into five categories, starting from the top tier Defenders and moving downwards. Our Tier List takes many things into account including Defense, HP and longevity of usefulness. Hopefully this will help you to spend your precious resources in the right place!

We also have articles for top Attackers and Defenders:

• Max Attackers Tier List.
• Max Healers Tier List.

S Tier

Pokémon	Best Move and resistances
Registeel	Lock-On / Metal Claw Resistances:
Crowned Shield Zamazenta	Metal Claw Resistances:

Explanation

S Tier Max Defenders are the best Defenders that you can obtain and use in the game right now. These Pokemon have a combination of high Defence, high HP and an amazing range of resistances.

A Tier

Pokémon	Best Move and resistances
Crowned Sword Zacian	Metal Claw Resistances:
Regirock	Lock-On Resistances:
Metagross	Fury Cutter / Shadow Claw Resistances:
Regice	Lock-On Resistances:
Latias	Dragon Breath Resistances:

Explanation

A Tier Max Defenders are versatile replacements for S Tier Defenders when you are unable to obtain them. They can all hold their own when pitted against the right opponent having good Defence, HP and resistances. All of these options are well worth your time.

B Tier

Pokémon	Best Move and resistances
Corviknight	Sand Attack Resistances:
Suicune	Water Gun Resistances:
Duraludon	Metal Claw Resistances:
Omastar	Mud Shot/Water Gun Resistances:
Latios	Dragon Breath Resistances:

Explanation

B Tier Max Defenders are decent Defenders in their own right, but they are either highly situational or a better alternative exists in higher tiers.

C Tier

Pokémon	Best Move and resistances
Kabutops	Mud Shot / Fury Cutter Resistances:
Blissey	Pound Resistances:
Zapdos	Thunder Shock Resistances:
Blastoise	Bite/Water Gun Resistances:
Gigalith	Lock-On Resistances:
Excadrill	Metal Claw / Mud Shot Resistances:
Charizard	Dragon Breath Resistances:
Venusaur	Vine Whip Resistances:
Arcanine	Bite Resistances:
Raikou	Thunder Shock Resistances:
Urshifu Single Strike	Sucker Punch Resistances:
Vespiquen	Bug Bite / Fury Cutter / Poison Sting Resistances:
Cinderace	Tackle Resistances:
Vaporeon	Water Gun Resistances:

Explanation

C Tier Max Defenders are decent Defenders, but they are very situational and will become less useful as more options keep becoming available. They simply do not have the Defence and HP stats to rival the better tiers and their resistances are all covered by better options.

D Tier

Pokémon	Best Move and resistances
Toxtricity	Spark Resistances:
Rillaboom	Scratch Resistances:
Lapras	Water Gun/Psywave Resistances:
Snorlax	Lick Resistances:
Drampa	Dragon Breath Resistances:
Kingler	Metal Claw / Mud Shot Resistances:
Gallade	Low Kick/Psycho Cut Resistances:
Flygon	Mud Shot/Sand Attack Resistances:
Jolteon	Thunder Shock Resistances:
Dubwool	Tackle Resistances:
Hatterene	Psycho Cut Resistances:
Gengar	Sucker Punch / Shadow Claw / Lick Resistances:
Hitmonlee	Low Kick Resistances:

Explanation

D Tier Max Defenders are viable defenders but they have glaring weaknesses or a lack of resistances that mean other options up the tier list are far superior.

E Tier

Pokémon	Best Move and resistances
Electabuzz	Low Kick / Thunder Shock Resistances:
Grimmsnarl	Sucker Punch / Bite / Low Kick Resistances:
Darmanitan	Tackle Resistances:
Greedent	Tackle / Bite / Mud Shot Resistances:
Inteleon	Pound / Water Gun Resistances:
Malamar	Psycho Cut / Psywave Resistances:
Alakazam	Psycho Cut Resistances:
Raichu	Thunder Shock/Spark Resistances:
Butterfree	Bug Bite Resistances:
Wailord	Water Gun Resistances:
Sableye	Shadow Claw Resistances:
Pikachu	Thunder Shock Resistances:
Meowth	Scratch/Bite Resistances:

Explanation

E Tier Max Defenders are the remaining useful Defenders available however they are really not very useful and have awful stats, there are plenty of other better options further up the tier list.

F Tier

Explanation

F Tier Max Defenders unfortunately do not have any 0.5 second fast moves available which renders them useless in max battles as a charger. Check back in future however, if given an appropriate move some of these options might eventually become useful!