Introduction
Last December, Pokemon GO gave trainers the opportunity to obtain past Community Day attacks during its Community Day Celebration Event. While an encore event hasn’t been announced yet for 2019, many are hopeful that Pokemon GO would have this same event again. Rather than waiting for the announcement to act, it could be beneficial to start preparing your Pokemon now for 2019’s Community Day Celebration.
This Tier List focuses on Pokemon that are particularly useful for Raids. If you’re interested in a PvP/Trainer Battles Tier List, click here.
Tier 1
Must-haves.
Best Moveset: Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash*
Meteor Mash Metagross is indisputably the most powerful Steel-type in all of Pokemon GO. Meteor Mash Metagross also has great utility in Gym Offense and Rocket Battles. If you don’t already have a team of 6 Meteor Mash Metagross prepared, make sure to seize the opportunity to get more. Of all the Pokemon on this Tier List, Metagross is the only one that isn't outdone by something else.
Tier 2
Useful if lacking premium options.
Best Moveset: Smack Down* + Stone Edge & Crunch
Great Moveset: Smack Down* + Stone Edge
While Rampardos is the go-to glass cannon for Rock-type damage, it’s always nice to have a more bulky option waiting in the wings. Most players also won't have enough resources to build a team of 6. It’s also worth noting that Smack Down Tyranitar has utility in Rocket Battles that Rampardos cannot compete with. With that said, however, Tyranitar hasn't aged all that well, being outshined by Smack Down Terrakion and Community Day Rhyperior, in addition to Tyranitar's own Shadow form. It can still perform well, but is no longer the Rock-type king like it once was.
Best Moveset: Counter or Fire Spin + Blaze Kick & Blast Burn*
Great Moveset: Counter or Fire Spin + Blast Burn*
Blaziken faces competition from Chandelure, Moltres, Darmanitan, Volcarona, and Reshiram as a Fire-type attacker. What Blaziken has above these attackers is it is much more easily obtained and actually in the game right now. While better options exist now and more competition is coming in the future, Blaziken gets the Fire-type job done well. On top of that, because Blaziken has access to Counter as a Fast Move and benefits from the dual Blaze Kick + Blast Burn moveset, it can pull ahead of the other Fire-types in a few scenarios. Overall, Blast Burn Blaziken is not the best, but it is easy to power up and is far from mediocre.
Tier 3
Not bad, but better options are as obtainable.
Best Moveset: Vine Whip + Frenzy Plant*
Roserade is the greatest Grass-type in Pokemon GO; however, Sinnoh Stones aren’t as readily available as Bulbasaur and Treecko are. Furthermore, Community Day evolved Sceptile and Venusaur are guaranteed their best Charge Move where each Roserade may cost you several Charge Move TMs. There are also cases where Sceptile’s pure Grass-type and/or Venusaur’s higher bulk allow them to outlast Roserade in raids. If you don’t already have a team of 6 Roserade at the ready, it could be worthwhile to pick up Frenzy Plant Sceptile and Venusaur.
Tier 4
PokeDrafter territory.
Best Moveset: Fire Spin + Blast Burn*
If you’re into Pokedraft or only power up one of each species, Feraligatr and Charizard are both very ok Pokemon for their types. If you missed out on getting their exclusive Community Day attacks before, then don’t miss out on getting them this December!
Best Moveset: Waterfall + Hydro Cannon*
If you’re into Pokedraft or only power up one of each species, Feraligatr and Charizard are both very ok Pokemon for their types. If you missed out on getting their exclusive Community Day attacks before, then don’t miss out on getting them this December!
Best Moveset: Razor Leaf + Frenzy Plant*
Believe it or not but Torterra’s DPS^3*TDO (a simple metric to determine a Pokemon’s overall raid goodness) is competitive with other Grass-type Pokemon. Should a Grass-weak Raid Boss emerge that uses Electric and/or Rock-type attacks, Torterra could be an impressive tank. If you took a nap on Torterra’s Community Day, it may be worthwhile to prepare at least one raid ready Torterra this December.
