What is the best Pokemon in Pokemon Champions?

Incineroar is widely considered the best Pokemon in Champions thanks to Intimidate, wide coverage moves, and unmatched utility in the 6-pick-4 doubles format. Other top S-tier picks include Kleavor (high win rate at 61.1%), Sinistcha (Rage Powder + Matcha Gotcha), and Mega Froslass (63.8% win rate with Trick Room support).

What is the current Pokemon Champions meta in 2026?

The Regulation M-A meta in April 2026 is defined by Intimidate chains (Incineroar, Sneasler), Trick Room teams with Mega Froslass or Farigiraf, and Tailwind offense. Key threats include Kleavor (61.1% WR), Wash Rotom (54.3% WR), and Mr. Rime (51.1% WR). Strong cores include Luxray + Mega Blastoise (73.4% WR) and Paldean Tauros Blaze + Kleavor (70% WR).

Is Incineroar S tier in Pokemon Champions?

Yes. Incineroar is S tier in Pokemon Champions. It provides Intimidate to lower opponent Attack, access to Fake Out for disruption, Parting Shot for momentum, and solid bulk. It appears on the majority of high-ranked teams and is a staple in every archetype from Trick Room to Tailwind offense.

How often is the Pokemon Champions tier list updated?

This tier list is updated as new tournament data and regulation changes emerge. Regulation M-A is the current active format (April 8 – June 17, 2026). Tier placements may shift as the meta develops and more tournament results are recorded.

Tier List Regulation M-A April 18, 2026 · 10 min read

Pokemon Champions Tier List (April 2026): Best Pokemon Ranked for Regulation M-A

This Pokemon Champions tier list ranks all competitive Pokemon in Regulation M-A from S tier (dominant meta picks) down to D tier (rarely effective). Rankings are based on win rate data, usage in high-ranked matches, role versatility in the 6-pick-4 VGC doubles format, and peer analysis. Last updated: April 2026.

1. How Tiers Are Determined

Tier placement in this list is based on three factors: individual win rate (how often teams featuring this Pokemon win), usage rate (how frequently top-ranked players pick it), and role versatility (whether it fills multiple functions). A Pokemon can be high usage but mid-tier if it wins less often than expected, or low usage but high tier if its win rate is exceptional.

The Regulation M-A format is active from April 8 to June 17, 2026. This tier list reflects the early-to-mid meta. As more tournament results come in, some rankings will shift — Mega Evolutions in particular are still being explored.

Note: Tiers reflect team slots, not solo power. A Pokemon with a 48% win rate might still be S tier if it appears on nearly every top team because it enables the win conditions of the whole squad.

2. S Tier — Dominant Meta Picks

S-tier Pokemon are found on the majority of high-ranked teams. They provide irreplaceable utility, exceptional win rates, or both. Building around one or more S-tier picks is the standard starting point for team construction.

Tier	Pokemon	Role	Why It's S Tier
S	Incineroar	Support / Lead	Best utility Pokemon in the game. Intimidate lowers opposing Attack on entry, Fake Out disrupts speed, Parting Shot generates momentum. Appears on nearly every archetype.
S	Mega Froslass	Trick Room setter	63.8% win rate. Sets Trick Room while threatening with Blizzard/Shadow Ball. Cursed Body ability disrupts opponents. Dominant on Trick Room teams.
S	Kleavor	Physical attacker	61.1% win rate. Stone Axe sets Stealth Rock and deals reliable damage. Wide Lense + Quick Attack priority makes it a menace on offense teams.
S	Sinistcha	Redirection / Attrition	Rage Powder + Matcha Gotcha drains HP while redirecting moves away from your attacker. Passive damage adds up to force pivots.
S	Sneasler	Sweeper	Poison Touch + Dire Claw poisons on contact. High Speed stat lets it outpace most threats without Tailwind. Unburden sets can be devastating after item consumption.

3. A Tier — High-Value Flex Picks

A-tier Pokemon are excellent in most team compositions. They fill defined roles reliably and have strong matchups against the meta, but require slightly more support or have a clearer counter than S-tier picks.

Tier	Pokemon	Role	Notes
A	Wash Rotom	Pivot / Speed control	54.3% win rate. Electric + Water coverage, Levitate, and Trick/Will-O-Wisp utility. Excellent on balance teams.
A	Mr. Rime	Trick Room setter / attacker	51.1% win rate but high impact on TR teams. Psychic + Ice coverage covers a wide range of threats. Screen setter variant is also viable.
A	Garchomp	Physical attacker	Rough Skin + Rocky Helmet punishes contact moves. Earthquake + Dragon Claw offers dual STAB coverage. Mega Garchomp adds Sand Force power.
A	Amoonguss	Redirection / Spore	Rage Powder redirects single-target moves, Spore puts threats to sleep. Bulky and self-sufficient. Core on many balance and Trick Room teams.
A	Rillaboom	Support / Sweeper	Grassy Surge sets terrain that powers up Grassy Glide priority and weakens Earthquake damage to your team. Strong physical attacker with built-in speed control.
A	Farigiraf	Trick Room setter	Cud Chew + Berry allows double activation. Sets Trick Room and blocks Encore/Taunt with Armor Tail. Reliable and bulky.
A	Urshifu (Single Strike)	Physical attacker	Wicked Blow bypasses Protect. Unseen Fist ability ignores evasion. Dark + Fighting coverage is excellent in the current meta.
A	Mega Blastoise	Bulky attacker	Shell Smash + Mega launcher. Part of the Luxray + Mega Blastoise core (73% win rate). Exceptional mixed bulk after Mega evolution.
A	Tornadus	Speed control	Prankster Tailwind sets speed control before opponents move. Taunt stops support Pokemon. Essential on Tailwind offense teams.

4. B Tier — Solid Role Players

B-tier Pokemon fill important niches but are outclassed in some scenarios, or require specific team support to perform optimally. They are excellent choices when you need a specific type of coverage or support function.

Mega Charizard Y Mega Salamence Mega Kangaskhan Whimsicott Grimmsnarl Annihilape Dondozo Tatsugiri Mega Tyranitar Mega Lucario Dragapult Mega Greninja Landorus-T Flutter Mane Garganacl Clodsire Hatterene Mega Meganium Inteleon Coalossal Iron Hands Regieleki Tinkaton Palafin

Notable B-tier highlights: Whimsicott provides Prankster Tailwind alongside Encore and priority moves. Dondozo + Tatsugiri is a powerful core if you can fit both. Mega Tyranitar activates Sand Stream and has exceptional mixed bulk.

5. C Tier — Niche or Matchup-Dependent

C-tier Pokemon can be effective in specific team compositions or against particular matchups, but they are outclassed in open team sheets or general play. Use these as a tech pick when you have a specific meta read.

Mega Scizor Mega Metagross Mega Alakazam Ninetales (Alolan) Abomasnow Mega Gallade Kingambit Iron Valiant Roaring Moon Spectrier Boltund Toxapex Chandelure Mega Chandelure Obstagoon Mudsdale Mega Starmie Serperior Goodra Mega Drampa

6. D Tier — Rarely Effective

D-tier Pokemon are difficult to use effectively in Regulation M-A. They may have appealing designs or lore but face competitive challenges: poor base stats relative to the pool, weak typing in this meta, or no reliable way to contribute to a 6-pick-4 doubles game plan.

Ariados Arbok Victreebel Flamigo Veluza Crabominable Drampa Floette Brambleghast Scovillain

Remember: D tier does not mean unplayable. Every Pokemon can win games with the right synergy, skill, and matchup. Pokemon Champions' roster was designed to make most Pokemon viable — D tier just means you're working harder for the same results.

7. Best Team Cores in Regulation M-A

Individual tier placement matters less than how Pokemon work together. These are the strongest documented cores in the current meta, based on win rate data across thousands of matches:

Core	Win Rate	Archetype	Why It Works
Luxray + Mega Blastoise	73.4%	Offense	Intimidate from Luxray softens hits while Mega Blastoise sets up Shell Smash and overwhelms with Mega Launcher-boosted moves.
Paldean Tauros Blaze + Kleavor	70%	Offense	Double physical powerhouse. Tauros' Raging Bull pairs with Kleavor's Stone Axe. Stealth Rock and speed pressure make this core suffocating.
Mega Froslass + Slow Trick Room attacker	62.3%	Trick Room	Hard Trick Room team archetype. Froslass sets TR while a slow, powerful attacker like Mega Kangaskhan or Dondozo overwhelms.
Incineroar + Amoonguss	60%+	Balance	The classic "double redirection + support" core. Fake Out + Rage Powder creates free turns for your sweepers to set up or attack safely.
Tornadus + Fast Physical attacker	58%+	Tailwind Offense	Prankster Tailwind doubles speed for 3 turns. Pair with Kleavor, Sneasler, or Urshifu for maximum pressure.

8. Build Your Team Around the Tier List

A tier list is only useful if you translate it into actual team building. The best approach: pick 1–2 S-tier anchors that fit a coherent archetype (Trick Room, Tailwind, Balance, Weather), then fill the remaining slots with A or B-tier Pokemon that cover your weaknesses.

Use the PikaChampions team builder to test your ideas. The Analysis tab shows your team's type weaknesses in real time, and the Warnings panel flags issues like missing speed control, shared weaknesses on 3+ Pokemon, and no Fake Out user — exactly the kinds of oversights that lose games against meta teams.

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More Guides

Pokemon Champions Team Building Guide — Complete strategy guide for VGC doubles
Pokemon Champions Mega Evolutions Guide — All Mega Evolutions ranked and explained