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Top 10 Pokemon in Gen 4 to Look For

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Introduction

Latios and Latias leave the Tier 5 raid spot on June 5th. Next up is presumably three months of the Regi-trio. We may even see a return of Ho-Oh like we did Lugia after that, but once that all is complete, Gen 4 should be the next release of Pokemon!

Pokemon GO generation releases are events that are always a major milestone. It's a huge attraction for anyone who is familiar with the Pokemon released, and the Diamond and Pearl generation is very well remembered. Having been the first Pokemon game on the insanely successful Nintendo DS, Gen 4 includes many new evolutions for previously released Pokemon and a bunch of new type combinations.

This list is of the ten Pokemon in the next release that will be most relevant to battling and raiding.

No. 10

Projected Base Stats (Post-nerf)

Base HP Base Attack Base Defense Max CP
200 287 210 4148

Projected Moves

Fast Move Mud Slap, Rock Smash, Zen Headbutt
Charge Move Hyper Beam, Ancient Power, Avalanche, Brick Break, Bulldoze, Earthquake, Fire Punch, Focus Blast, Heavy Slam, Ice Punch, Icy Wind, Iron Head, Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, Stomp, Stone Edge, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch

Projected DPS/TDO

PokemonFast MoveCharged MoveDPSTDO
Kyogre
Waterfall
Hydro Pump
15.786574.1
Regigigas
Zen Headbutt
Hyper Beam
15.483519.8
Espeon
Confusion
Future Sight
15.349322.8

Comments

Like Slaking, Regigigas has ridiculously high stats. Not only that, it also has access to a variety of charge moves. With its gargantuan stats, there will be some surprising niche for Regigigas. For example, a Rock Smash + Focus Blast Regigigas has higher DPS than Close Combat Machamp, and 50% more TDO than Hariyama, instantly making it a Fighting-type contender.

For all Regigigas has going for it, in the main series games it is held back by the ability “Slow Start.” Slow Start makes it that for the first 5 turns of battle, Regigigas attack and speed stats are halved. How this nerf would be conveyed in GO will have to be seen. Slaking’s nerfing ability “Truant” has been reflected with its “Yawn” attack. While Regigigas doesn’t learn Yawn in the main series games, Pokemon GO could implement something similar. Then again, Regigigas’s stat line is low enough where it my fly under the radar. We’ll have to see what happens come Gen 4!

No. 9

Projected Base Stats

Base HP Base Attack Base Defense Max CP
150 249 173 2904

Evolved from: Electabuzz

Projected Moves

Fast Move Charge Beam, Thunder Shock, Volt Switch, Counter, Iron Tail, Karate Chop, Low Kick, Mud Slap, Quick Attack, Rock Smash, Take Down
Charge Move Thunder, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Wild Charge, Body Slam, Brick Break, Bulldoze, Cross Chop, Dig, Discharge, Dynamic Punch, Earthquake, Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Focus Blast, Hyper Beam, Ice Punch, Low Sweep, Psychic, Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, Signal Beam, Submission, Swift

Projected DPS/TDO

PokemonFast MoveCharged MoveDPSTDO
Electivire
Thunder Shock
Wild Charge
16.539356
Raikou
Thunder Shock
Wild Charge
15.993487
Magnezone
Thunder Shock
Wild Charge
15.644390.4
Zapdos
Charge Beam
Thunderbolt
15.024412.7
Jolteon
Thunder Shock
Thunderbolt
14.262310

Comments

It has Thunder Shock, it has Wild Charge, and it has higher Attack than Raikou! And it’s a non-Legendary! Electivire will surely be a welcomed addition to the Electric-type family.

Should Niantic conspire against our yellow yeti and not give it Wild Charge, Electivire may fall into obscurity (the fate of all Pokemon who are too similar to others). In that case, we also have Magnezone to look forward too! Wild Charge or not, the Magnemite family sports a total of 12 resistances (the most amount of resistances in the whole franchise!) and Magnezone has the stat line to make use of them. Whatever happens, come Gen 4, we are for sure getting at least 1 exciting new Electric-type! (inb4 Zap Cannon, Flash Cannon, and Hyper Beam hold Magnezone back).

No. 8

Projected Base Stats

Base HP Base Attack Base Defense Max CP
230 241 224 3869

Evolved from: Rhydon

Projected Moves

Fast Move Mud Slap, Smack Down*, Counter, Cut, Dragon Tail, Fire Fang, Fury Cutter, Iron Tail, Poison Jab, Rock Smash, Shadow Claw, Take Down
Charge Move Bulldoze, Dig, Drill Run, Earthquake, Rock Blast, Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, Stone Edge, Aqua Tail, Avalanche, Blizzard, Body Slam, Brick Break, Crunch, Dragon Pulse, Dynamic Punch, Fire Blast, Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Flash Cannon, Focus Blast, Horn Attack, Hyper Beam, Ice Beam, Ice Punch, Icy Wind, Iron Head, Megahorn, Outrage, Stomp, Surf, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch

*Smack Down will be projected with the same parameters as Rock Throw in this guide

Projected DPS/TDO

PokemonFast MoveCharged MoveDPSTDO
Groudon
Mud Shot
Earthquake
13.867504.3
Rhyperior
Mud Slap
Drill Run
13.641554.3
Mamoswine
Mud Slap
Bulldoze
13.021365.2
Rhydon
Mud Slap
Earthquake
11.619400.9
Swampert
Mud Shot
Earthquake
11.081314.1
Rhyperior
Smack Down
Rock Slide
14.985608.9
Omastar
Rock Throw
Rock Slide
12.885335.4
Golem
Rock Throw
Stone Edge
12.569372.4

Comments

Rhyperior is very strong and bulky. With very balanced base stats and gargantuan CP, it has more bulk than the Legendary Groudon. It also has the potential to receive better Ground and Rock move options such as Drill Run and the yet-to-come Smack Down. As a result, despite its mediocre attack, it will have amazing TDO fitting as both a Ground and a Rock attacker.

Interestingly, Rhyperior could potentially learn Counter and Dynamic Punch as well, becoming a Fighting-type contender.

No. 7

Projected Base Stats

Base HP Base Attack Base Defense Max CP
220 247 157 3289

Evolved from: Piloswine

Projected Moves

Fast Move Powder Snow, Ice Shard, Mud Slap, Mud Shot, Peck, Bite
Charge Move Blizzard, Ice Beam, Avalanche, Icy Wind, Earthquake, Bulldoze, Ancient Power, Hyper Beam, Rock Tomb, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Body Slam, Iron Head

Projected DPS/TDO

PokemonFast MoveCharged MoveDPSTDO
Mamoswine
Powder Snow
Avalanche
15.858444.8
Weavile
Ice Shard
Avalanche
15.119320.4
Glaceon
Frost Breath
Avalanche
14.907340.5
Jynx
Frost Breath
Avalanche
14.153280.6

Comments

Mamoswine will easily be the new best Ice-type of the game if it gets Avalanche and any Ice-type Fast Move. Raikou-tier DPS, ideal E-shaped stats distribution (high Attack and HP, low Defense) and unique typing make Mamoswine excel in many matchups, including Zapdos and Rayquaza should they ever return.

No. 6

Projected Base Stats

Base HP Base Attack Base Defense Max CP
194 295 114 3179

Projected Moves

Fast Move Smack Down, Take Down, Zen Headbutt, Dragon Tail, Iron Tail, Mud Slap
Charge Move Ancient Power, Stone Edge, Rock Tomb, Rock Slide, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Hyper Beam, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Earthquake, Brick Break, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Focus Blast, Bulldoze, Surf, Crunch, Iron Head, Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch

Projected DPS/TDO

PokemonFast MoveCharged MoveDPSTDO
Rampardos
Smack Down
Rock Slide
18.729350.4
Rayquaza
Dragon Tail
Outrage
18.616492.3
Rampardos
Dragon Tail
Rock Slide
17.709331.3
Rhyperior
Smack Down
Rock Slide
14.985608.9
Omastar
Rock Throw
Rock Slide
12.885335.4
Golem
Rock Throw
Stone Edge
12.569372.4

Comments

Rampardos has a monstrous 295 base Atk, higher than Rayquaza’s 284 and only 5 points short of Mewtwo’s. It also has a perfect E-shaped stats distribution. Give it any decent Rock-type charge move and it will be DPS king of Rock-types regardless of the fast move. Give it Smack Down and Rock Slide, its DPS could even surpass Rayquaza! The only shortcoming is its bulk, which is comparable to that of Alakazam.

No. 5

Projected Base Stats

Base HP Base Attack Base Defense Max CP
140 285 198 3404

Projected Moves

Fast Move Feint Attack, Snarl, Sucker Punch, Charge Beam, Cut, Mud Slap, Poison Jab, Quick Attack, Rock Smash, Shadow Claw
Charge Move Dark Pulse, Foul Play, Blizzard, Brick Break, Focus Blast, Hyper Beam, Ice Beam, Icy Wind, Night Shade, Ominous Wind, Psychic, Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, Swift, Thunder, Thunderbolt

Projected DPS/TDO

PokemonFast MoveCharged MoveDPSTDO
Gengar
Shadow Claw
Shadow Ball
17.749284.3
Darkrai
Snarl
Foul Play
17.379398.2
Dragonite
Dragon Tail
Outrage
17.148506.4
Weavile
Bite
Foul Play
15.081319.6
Tyranitar
Bite
Crunch
14.236482.2

Comments

Darkrai will be a massive DPS upgrade to Tyranitar. As long as it gets a double Dark moveset, even with the worst combination of them (Sucker Punch + Dark Pulse), Darkrai will have 13% more DPS than Tyranitar. If Darkrai gets Snarl and Foul Play, its DPS will be monstrous; it will then be the 2nd-highest DPS against Psychic-types, only second to Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball Gengar. Given that Dark-type is one of the most pervasive, neutral hitting types in Pokemon, Darkrai could even rival Dragonite as a generalist, albeit with less bulk.

No. 4

Projected Base Stats

Base HP Base Attack Base Defense Max CP
216 261 198 3823

Projected Moves

Fast Move Dragon Breath, Dragon Tail, Mud Shot, Mud Slap, Fire Fang, Take Down, Shadow Claw, Poison Jab, Iron Tail, Metal Claw
Charge Move Dragon Claw, Outrage, Twister, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Earthquake, Dig, Bulldoze, Crunch, Hyper Beam, Brick Break, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Rock Tomb, Aerial Ace, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Surf, Body Slam, Iron Head

Projected DPS/TDO

PokemonFast MoveCharged MoveDPSTDO
Rayquaza
Dragon Tail
Outrage
18.616492.3
Salamence
Dragon Tail
Draco Meteor
17.789463.1
Dragonite
Dragon Tail
Outrage
17.148506.4
Garchomp
Dragon Tail
Outrage
17.122584.6
Latios
Dragon Breath
Dragon Claw
15.991471.9

Against Raikou:

Groudon
Mud Shot
Earthquake
12.473717.9
Garchomp
Mud Shot
Earthquake
12.157914
Rhyperior
Mud Slap
Drill Run
11.994775.7

Comments

Yes, we do need to power up another Dragon-type!

Garchomp will be the strongest pseudo-Legendary ever, so strong that it even challenges some of the current Legendary Pokemon. With Dragon Tail and Outrage, it will be a direct upgrade of Dragonite, sporting 30% more bulk than the Legendary Rayquaza; with Mud Shot and Earthquake, against an Electric-type Pokemon with full Electric Attacks, it has about 27% more TDO than the Legendary Groudon. In a neutral setting, Garchomp’s DPS x TDO is king - it ranks higher than even Mewtwo!

No. 3

Projected Base Stats

Base HP Base Attack Base Defense Max CP
182 251 213 3521

Projected Moves

Fast Move Fire Spin, Fire Fang, Bug Bite, Mud Slap, Rock Smash
Charge Move Overheat, Flamethrower, Flame Charge, Heat Wave, Fire Blast, Flash Cannon, Iron Head, Ancient Power, Crunch, Dark Pulse, Dig, Dragon Pulse, Earthquake, Hyper Beam, Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, Solar Beam, Stone Edge

Projected DPS/TDO

PokemonFast MoveCharged MoveDPSTDO
Moltres
Fire Spin
Overheat
16.127434.3
Heatran
Fire Spin
Overheat
16.114502.3
Magmortar
Fire Spin
Overheat
15.682360.9
Flareon
Fire Spin
Overheat
15.456340.6
Entei
Fire Spin
Overheat
15.418500.7

Comments

The debate on the best Fire-type will finally come to an end - the answer is not Moltres or Entei nor Blast Burn Charizard; but the Volcano Pokemon Heatran. In a nutshell, it has the better of everything: the DPS of Moltres, the TDO of Entei, and the best possible defensively complementary typing for Fire - Steel, which gives Heatran an extra resistance against all Fire-type targets (Grass, Ice, Bug and Steel), further boosting its bulk to a monstrous level. Heatran will definitely be a Fire-type Pokemon you don’t want to miss.

No. 2

Projected Base Stats (post-nerf)

Base HP Base Attack Base Defense Max CP
164 280 225 3818

Projected Moves

Fast Move Dragon Breath, Dragon Tail, Cut, Fury Cutter, Mud Slap, Rock Smash, Shadow Claw
Charge Move Draco Meteor, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Dragon Pulse, Twister, Hydro Pump, Surf, Aqua Tail, Water Pulse, Aerial Ace, Ancient Power, Avalanche, Blizzard, Brick Break, Brine, Bulldoze, Earthquake, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Focus Blast, Hyper Beam, Ice Beam, Power Gem, Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, Stone Edge, Swift, Thunder, Thunderbolt

Projected DPS/TDO

PokemonFast MoveCharged MoveDPSTDO
Rayquaza
Dragon Tail
Outrage
18.616492.3
Palkia
Dragon Tail
Outrage
18.028537.5
Salamence
Dragon Tail
Draco Meteor
17.789463.1
Dragonite
Dragon Tail
Outrage
17.148506.4

Against Entei:

Kyogre
Waterfall
Hydro Pump
23.079851.5
Palkia
Dragon Tail
Surf
21.93920.6

Comments

Palkia is like a super Kingdra, the only other Pokemon across all generations with the unique typing Dragon-Water. Water is a great complementary typing for Dragon as it negates Dragon’s weakness to ice while Dragon negates Water’s weakness to Grass and Electric. The great Dragon-Water typing also accords Palkia some special advantages, such as doubly resisting Water and Fire-type attacks.

Aside from a great typing, Palkia can potentially learn Dragon Tail and Outrage and it is only 4 base Attack points short of Rayquaza. Due to the damage rounding, in most cases Palkia will have identical DPS to Rayquaza but noticeably more bulk, hence it can be seen as an upgrade to Rayquaza.

Currently, Palkia doesn’t learn any Water-type fast move in the game. Despite this, it already surpasses Kyogre in TDO with Dragon Tail + Surf against Fire-types. Should Palkia receive a decent Water-type fast move, it will then outclass Kyogre.

Honorable Mentions

Check back here for a longer list of the Pokemon that didn't make the top ten.

Roserade is likely to claim two titles: Highest DPS Grass and Highest DPS Poison. It will be a formidable Glass Cannon.

Evolved from: Roselia

Weavile could surpass Tyranitar in DPS as a dark attacker. Also, if Mamoswine doesn’t get Avalanche while Weavile does, it will claim the highest DPS Ice-type.

Evolved from: Sneasel

Like Electivire, Magnezone has access to Thunder Shock and Wild Charge. Magnezone also has the most resistances (a total of 12) in the franchise. It will be a great budget Electric-type.

Evolved from: Magneton

Tangrowth has very solid stats. If it gets Vine Whip + Grass Knot or Power Whip, it will be a TDO upgrade to Frenzy Plant Venusaur.

Evolved from: Tangela

Magmortar, with Fire Spin + Overheat, will be an enhanced Flareon. While it does not quite compete with the Legendary Fires, it will surely be a Fire-type contender.

Evolved from: Magmar

Togekiss will be the bulkiest Fairy-type. It also has to potential to receive the first Fairy-type fast move - Fairy Wind and earn the title “Dragon Slayer”.

Evolved from: Togetic

Yangema competes with Scizor and Pinsir, sporting marginally better TDO by trading off a little bit of DPS.

Evolved from: Yanma

Leafeon, with Razor Leaf and Grass Knot, has the DPS of Frenzy Plant Venusaur but higher TDO. It will be a welcomed addition to the Grass-type family, no less.

Evolved from: Eevee

Glaceon is guaranteed to have Ice moves. Fortunately, its move pool includes Avalanche. If neither Mamoswine or Weavile gets Avalanche but Glaceon does, it’ll best the ice department.

Evolved from: Eevee

With Tackle + Hyper Beam, Porygon-Z makes a great generalist. It also has access to a great variety of moves, making it viable in some specialized matchups.

Evolved from: Porygon2

Gallade is a Fighting-type that is not weak to Psychic. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite compete with Counter + Dynamic Punch users despite its stellar stats.

Evolved from: Kirlia

The Altered Forme is just an enhanced Dragon/Ghost version of Lugia but the Origin Forme will be crazily good. We'll have to see how Niantic handles Deoxys's forms before considering Giratina's.

Like Giratina, one form (Land Forme) will be just mediocre but the other (Sky Forme) will make some huge waves. We'll have to see how Niantic handles Deoxys's forms before considering Shaymin's.

Behold, the god of Pokemon, an enhanced Mew.

No. 1

Projected Base Stats (post-nerf)

Base HP Base Attack Base Defense Max CP
182 275 220 3897

Projected Moves

Fast Move Dragon Tail, Dragon Breath, Iron Tail, Metal Claw, Mud Slap, Rock Smash, Shadow Claw
Charge Move Dragon Claw, Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Draco Meteor, Twister, Iron Head, Flash Cannon, Aerial Ace, Ancient Power, Blizzard, Brick Break, Bulldoze, Earthquake, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Hyper Beam, Ice Beam, Overheat, Power Gem, Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Thunder, Thunderbolt

Projected DPS/TDO

PokemonFast MoveCharged MoveDPSTDO
Rayquaza
Dragon Tail
Outrage
18.616492.3
Palkia
Dragon Tail
Outrage
18.028537.5
Dialga
Dragon Tail
Outrage
17.799571.8
Salamence
Dragon Tail
Draco Meteor
17.789463.1
Dragonite
Dragon Tail
Outrage
17.148506.4
Dialga
Metal Claw
Iron Head
15.895510.6
Rampardos
Iron Tail
Iron Head
14.73275.6
Metagross
Bullet Punch
Flash Cannon
13.444427.8

Comments

Behold, the single best attacker of the game - Dialga.

Like any other powerful Dragon, Dialga has access to Dragon Tail and Outrage. What makes it stand out of the crowd is its fabulous Dragon-Steel dual typing, even better than Palkia’s Dragon-Water. The Dragon-Steel typing leaves Dialga with only two weaknesses - Fighting and Ground, but as many as 10 resistances (2 of which are double resistance)! Offensively, only one type resists both Dragon and Steel attacks - Steel. Dialga would be the greatest generalist ever.

As a Dragon attacker, Dialga has Rayquaza-tier DPS. Not only that, it will also be the first Dragon that is not weak to Dragon attacks. Therefore, Dialga will be a highly effective counter to Dragon-types. Considering that there are many more Dragon-type Legendary Pokemon to come, Dialga will be extremely valuable.

As a Steel attacker, its Legendary stats and the potential to get better Steel-type moves will immediately make Dialga the best Steel attacker, something that its counterpart Palkia cannot achieve easily.

To sum up, Dialga has the potential to be best in not one, not two, but three roles: Generalist, Steel-type attacker, and Dragon-type counter.

Conclusion

We don't know when Gen 4 is coming. With events like the Battle Showdown Event and the Earth Day Event, Niantic has shown that content will be available without the release of new Pokemon. Nevertheless, Gen 4 gets people very excited. There will likely be a burst of players joining for the release, battling gyms and raid bosses will have a plethora of new contenders, and trainers will get to catch new Pokemon in a new chapter of our PoGO adventure. There aren't any hints about when we will see Gen 4, but it will be terrific.