Over the years, the Pokemon franchise has significantly changed its games by introducing new features that affect its core gameplay. And its Mega Pokemon Pokedex is one of the features that has grown the most as of late. In Pokemon GO, Mega Pokemon are key to beating some of the most notorious challenges in the game, especially for 5-Star and Mega Raids.
However, with new Megas being constantly added to the roster, it is a bit hard to keep track of which of them are the best for PvE activities. And on top of that, not all Mega Pokemon are worth the investment, so players must carefully pick the ones that will help them clear difficult Raids with ease. This guide will analyze the current top of the meta Mega Evolutions in Pokemon GO, so that players know what they should invest their precious Stardust in.
Updated March 21, 2022, by Lucas Simons: Pokemon GO has been constantly expanding its repertoire of Mega Pokemon (after Legends Z-A brought a lot of new Megas), but still, there are a bunch of the original Megas missing from the game. Mega Malamar, Mega Dragonite, and Mega Victreebel might be some of the latest additions, and if players are looking for a solid analysis on the current strongest Megas in Pokemon GO, then they’ve come to the right place.
Mega Rayquaza
With a Max CP of 6458 CP, and a ridiculous stat spread of 377 ATK, 210 DEF, and 227 HP, Mega Rayquaza is at the top of the ranking in terms of power and utility for PvE Raids. Even its typing (Dragon/Flying) is considerably good despite having lots of powerful foes on the other side of the arena. Mega Rayquaza regained popularity when Mega Dragonite dropped, as it became its top counter and most notorious damage dealer during its raids.
Those who have the luck to have this Mega Evolution unlocked with its Dragon Ascent move have a monster in their team, and they know it. Mega Rayquaza can obliterate most foes vulnerable to Dragon and Flying moves, and despite not being super effective against certain types, it still dishes out a tremendous amount of damage per round. So, nothing to do here but place it as the strongest Mega Pokemon in the game.
Mega Dragonite
With 5452 CP and some great stat spread to boot (299 ATK, 255 DEF, 209 HP), Mega Dragonite is a powerful option for those who love Dragon-types but cannot afford having Mega Rayquaza in their parties. With Dragon Tail and Draco Meteor (Legacy Move), Mega Dragonite reigns supreme as a pure Dragon-type damage dealer.
Though some might call it slow or place it as a low-budget A+ Tier Pokemon, this beast is most definitely S Rank in terms of power, utility, and bulkiness. Despite not having good coverage (its movepool is really limited), Mega Dragonite still gets the job done in Raids.
Mega Gengar
Undoubtedly, Mega Gengar is the top gun of all Mega evolutions in Pokemon GO and must be in any player’s Raid team. And while it doesn’t have the highest CP, Mega Gengar has the best Attack stat in the entire game, 349. But, what makes Mega Gengar stand out is that almost any of the Fast Moves it can learn are viable for Raids.
These are some of the top picks for Fast Moves: Lick, Shadow Claw, Hex, and Sucker Punch. As for Charged Moves, Shadow Ball is by far the most effective one, but Focus Blast can also be used but is more of a niche Charged Move. Overall, Mega Gengar is the best Mega investment players can make while they play Pokemon GO.
Primal Kyogre
Though Primal Kyogre is not a Mega Evolution (Primal Regression), its similar mechanics make it fit the category, and since it’s currently the strongest Water-type attacker for PVE encounters, there’s no point denying its rightful place among the top choices for Raids.
Primal Kyogre can delete most Rock/Ground/Fire-type Raid Bosses with its Waterfall/Origin Pulse move combo, and it is also a great counter for Giovanni’s Lineup (most of the time).
Primal Groudon
Another heavy hitter and holder of the Primal Regression evolution-type. Though it’s not a Mega per se, Primal Groudon (as well as Kyogre) works as a Mega Evolution in everything but in name. Primal Groudon holds the title of strongest attacker from the Earth-type, with its Mud Shot and Precipice Blades combo that can obliterate Pokemon of the Electric, Steel, Fire, Grass, Ice, and Bug types.
It is one of the best Pokemon to have for PvE, but, of course, not accessible to all players since it was present on a past event and only a few veterans have its Primal Regression unlocked.
Mega Lucario
Mega Lucario is still the best Steel/Fighting-type Mega you can have in Pokemon GO. Its reliability, speed, and raw power turn it into one of the top choices for those attempting any Raid where either Steel or Fighting types thrive. With Force Palm and Aura Sphere, Mega Lucario reaches maximum TDO for Raids, though some also prefer it with Meteor Mash instead of Aura Sphere.
Mega Lucario has a maximum CP of 4325, and its stat spread (310 ATK, 175 DEF, 172 HP) turns it into an all-in attacker that can dish out tremendous amounts of damage before being downed. The good thing is that this Pokemon is relatively less expensive to max out than most Pokemon in the game, so that’s another strong point of picking it.
Mega Tyranitar
The definitive Tank for every Raid (as long as it doesn’t have type-disadvantage) Mega Tyranitar’s reign as the ultimate bulky defensive Pokemon in Pokemon GO has been undisputed since the moment it got released back during Adventure Week (2023 event). It is a bit expensive to max out, but once it reaches 6045 CP (Max Lv. at 100% IV), it becomes a true monster.
Its optimal moveset consist of Bite/Brutal Swing (as a Dark-type attacker) or Smack Down/Stone Edge (as a Rock-type attacker). Players can go for either of them and still get tremendous results on Raids, as this Pokemon is solid as a rock.
The Best Electric Pokemon, Ranked
The Pokemon games let you catch tons of unique Electric-types. If you’re looking for the best of the bunch, these should prove useful.
Mega Blaziken
Despite being vulnerable to Flying, Ground, Water, and Psychic-type attacks, Mega Blaziken is a top-tier pick in Pokemon GO. Mega Blaziken has one of the highest base Attack stats of all Mega Pokemon: a jaw-dropping 329. Of course, due to Blaziken’s many type weaknesses, it can’t be said that it’s the best Mega Pokemon in Pokemon GO.
Mega Blaziken’s best moveset includes Counter (Quick Move) and Blast Burn (Elite Charge Move). The main reason why Counter is the best Fast Move for Mega Blaziken is that it fills up the Charge Move significantly faster than other Quick Moves (8 per second).
Mega Diancie
Mega Latios & Latias
As players can imagine, the Mega versions of Latios and Latias are among the best Mega Pokemon in Pokemon GO, but not because of their super high CP (max of 5,000). It’s because they’re Dragon and Psychic-type Pokemon. Being this dual-type Pokemon, they’re more resistant to Fighting, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, and Psychic-type attacks and are thus the perfect counter for many of Sierra’s Pokemon.
For Mega Latios and Latias, the best Quick Move they can learn is Dragon Breath since it offers a decent amount of damage. As for Charge Moves, players should teach Mega Latios Psychic and Mega Latias Outrage. Players should keep in mind though, that Mega evolving both Pokemon can be quite expensive the first time (300 Mega Energy), so players will have to save up before adding them to their Raid team.
Mega Gardevoir
Mega Gardevoir is currently the best Fairy-type attacker in Pokemon GO, and a solid option to face all Dragon-type Raids in the game. With Charm and Dazzling Gleam, it reaches a ridiculous TDO of 360, making it absolutely essential for raids like Mega Dragonite, Mega Rayquaza (if it ever comes back), and Mega Garchomp.
As a Psychic-type attacker, Mega Gardevoir might be below the average (Mewtwo and Mega Alakazam are better) but it still packs a punch. With its Confusion/Psychic combo, it reaches 378+ TDO, a fair amount of damage, ideal for Fighting-type Raids.
Mega Victreebel
Mega Victreebel might have been a recent addition to the world of Pokemon, but its sudden rise in popularity is due to its accessibility (it is a budget-friendly Pokemon that doesn’t consume a ton of Stardust and Candy) and raw firepower. True, its maximum CP is 3963, which is not overwhelmingly high for a Mega, but it compensates for it with 265 ATK, 181 DEF, and 190 HP, which are not negligible stats for a cheap Pokemon that holds the Grass/Poison-type.
Better than Mega Venusaur in some aspects, Mega Victreebel’s Magical Leaf and Sludge Bomb combo dishes out a respectable 280+ TDO, which doesn’t reach the levels of Mega Sceptile and Venusaur, but still does the job pretty nicely.
Mega Banette
Banette is already a force to be reckoned with before Mega Evolution is taken into account. That’s because Banette has a 218 Attack stat, which can wreak havoc on Psychic and Dark-type Pokemon. Once Mega Evolved, Banette transforms into one of the strongest Mega Evolutions in Pokemon GO. It has a Base Attack of 312 and a max CP of 3,590, making it a decent counter Terrakion.
The most optimal moves Mega Banette can have are Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball. Shadow Claw (Quick Move) may have low damage, but it also has one of the fastest attack animations in Pokemon GO. Shadow Ball (Charge Move) has an overall damage output of 100, which is quite decent for a Dark-type move.
Mega Swampert
At first glance, Mega Swampert may seem like an average Mega Pokemon since its base stats are quite balanced (Attack: 283, Defense: 218, and Stamina: 225). The reason why Mega Swampert is among the best Mega Evolutions in Pokemon GO is that its only weakness is Grass. In sharp contrast, Mega Swampert is resistant to Electric, Poison, Rock, Steel, and Fire-type Pokemon.
Mega Swampert’s best moves are Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon (Elite TM). If players don’t have access to an Elite TM, they can swap Hydro Cannon for Surf or Earthquake. So, as long as the Raid Pokemon isn’t mainly a Grass-type (like the legendary Pokemon Virizion), players should have no issues taking down a 3 and 4-star Raid.
Mega Sceptile
Mega Sceptile is yet another Hoenn Pokemon that earns a spot among the best Mega Evolutions in Pokemon GO. It does have some drawbacks, namely type weaknesses, but it still can pack a punch in the right Raid. That’s because this Mega Pokemon has a fairly decent Base Attack (320) and a total HP of 147, more than other Mega Pokemon.
When it comes to moves, Mega Sceptile performs well with Fury Cutter (Quick Move) and Frenzy Plant (Charge Move). Alternatively, players can use Bullet Seed (Quick Move) and Earthquake (Charge Move), but that moveset isn’t as powerful as the other one.
Mega Blastoise
One of the first water-type Pokemon to receive the “Mega” treatment in Pokemon GO, Blastoise is a must-have Pokemon for trainers that want to build an excellent Raiding Team. Once Mega evolved, a fully maxed-out Blastoise will have 264 Attack, 237 Defense, and 188 Stamina. And while its Attack stat isn’t the highest among Mega Pokemon, its high Defense makes it a sturdy tank that can soak up a massive amount of damage.
As for its moveset, the most optimal build players can have with Mega Blastoise is Bite (Fast Move) and Hydro Cannon (Charged Move). Due to Bite’s quick attack, players can charge Mega Blastoise’s Charged Move rather quickly. If a player has Squirtle Candies to spare, they can teach Blastoise Ice Beam as a second Charged Move.
Mega Venusaur
Mega Venusaur has been a worthy Mega evolution for a long time now, with stats of 241 ATK, 246 DEF, and 190 HP, making it a well-balanced Raid Pokemon. A Bulky attacker with overwhelming power against all Rock, Water, and Ground Raid Pokemon.
Its ideal moveset is Vine Whip (Fast Move) and Frenzy Plant (Charged Move). Frenzy Plant is one of the strongest Grass-type moves in Pokemon GO, especially since it’s a 2-bar charge move. Solar Beam (Charged Move) is a decent alternative, though Sludge Bomb grants this Pokemon Extra coverage and utility in PvE.
Mega Pidgeot
The old and reliable Mega Pidgeot boasts an attack stat of 280, turning it into one of the best Flying-type attackers in the game. With a combination of Gust and Brave Bird as the perfect moves, it reaches a TDO of 292+ at top performance (that is, not missing the attack windows once Charged moves are ready).
Plus, Mega Pidgeot is a budget-friendly option that every rookie Trainer in Pokemon GO can obtain without too much trouble. The candies required to level Pidgey and max it out are easy to obtain, since it is a Buddy Pokemon that requires only a few steps per drop. When evolving Pidgeot to Mega Pidgeot, it only requires 100 Mega Energy (the first time), so players can easily obtain it in one go by beating Mega Pidgeot in a Raid.
Mega Houndoom
Mega Houndoom is one of the best dual-type Mega Pokemon in Pokemon GO. Being a Dark- and Fire-type, Houndoom is the perfect counter for Ghost, Psychic, Bug, Grass, Ice, and Steel Raid Pokemon. Moreover, Mega Houndoom can learn one of the strongest DPS attacks in Pokemon GO (Snarl), melting Legendary Pokemon like Deoxy with relative ease.
However, for Mega Houndoom to be a Dark-type powerhouse Pokemon, players will want to teach it Snarl (Fast Move) and Foul Play (Charged Move). Alternatively, if a trainer already has a solid Mega Absol build, then players can use Fire Fang (Fast Move) and Fire Blast (Charged Move) to make Mega Houndoom more focused on Fire-type damage.
Mega Ampharos
Mega Ampharos is among the least popular Mega evolution in Pokemon GO since it’s relatively squishy in terms of Defense. But, aside from the weak Defense, Mega Ampharos has a base Attack of 294, higher than most of the other Mega evolution mentioned previously.
The only real threat against Mega Ampharos is a Ground-type Pokemon since it’s an Electric-type Pokemon. Fortunately, there are very few Ground-type Raid Pokemon, so players won’t have to worry too much. Players should teach Ampharos Volt Switch or Charge Beam (Fast Moves) and Zap Cannon (Charged Move) for the most optimal damage.
Mega Aerodactyl
Despite being a Flying-type Pokemon, Aerodactyl can’t learn any Flying-type move, meaning players are mostly limited to Rock-type moves. Fortunately, nearly all Rock-type moves Aerodactyl can learn are quite powerful against any Raid Pokemon. For its Fast Move, players can teach Aerodactyl Rock Throw, and for the Charged Move, players can choose either Ancient Power or Rock Slide.
The only downside of using Mega Aerodactyl as the go-to Raid Pokemon is that obtaining Mega Aerodactyl Energy isn’t easy, mainly because Aerodactyl is not frequent in the current Raid rotations. However, some Special Research Tasks reward players with Mega Aerodactyl Energy. Getting enough candy to max out Aerodactyl is also quite hard, and unfortunately, if there’s no particular event where Aerodactyl is being spotlighted, it takes a lot of time and effort to get the required Candy to max it out, so this is not a budget-friendly Pokemon to have.
Mega Charizard Y
Without any doubt, Mega Charizard Y is the best Fire-type Mega evolution in Pokemon GO. On top of that, Mega Charizard Y can reach a maximum CP level of 5,037 (one of the highest in the game). In terms of power, Mega Charizard Y has an Attack power of 319 and a Defense capability of 212.
As for moves, players have several choices for Fast Moves, all of which work effectively against Raid Pokemon. The first option for players to use for their Mega Charizard Y is Fire Spin (Fast Move) and Blast Burn (Charged Move). The other options are Air Slash and Wing Attack (Fast Move), but they are less popular among players.
Pokemon GO
- Released
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July 6, 2016
- Engine
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Unity
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
