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.
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.
Cutiefly
Dewpider
Diglett
Fletchling
Gastly (Gengar)
Grimer
Growlithe
Lunala
Magby (Magmortar)
Makuhita
Mankey
Mudbray
Munchlax
Poliwag (Politoed)
Poliwag (Poliwrath)
Popplio
Psyduck
Salandit
Solgaleo
Staryu
Stufful
Tentacool
Wishiwashi
Zubat
Zygarde (50%)
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
Sandshrew
Sandygast
Skarmory
Spearow
Slowpoke
Surskit
Tauros
Tirtouga
Torkoal
Togedemaru
Turtonator
Trapinch
Zygarde (10% Form)
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.
![[IMG]](http://serebii.net/sunmoon/pokemon/129.png)
![[IMG]](http://serebii.net/sunmoon/pokemon/081.png)
![[IMG]](http://serebii.net/sunmoon/pokemon/278.png)
