When playing the classic Singles Format, players select three out of six Pokémon during Team Preview. The player whose party gets completely knocked out loses.
By determining how often a Pokémon’s species is chosen, you can learn which ones are the strongest and how to use them to their full potential.
1. Single Battle Strategies
No matter which Pokémon you have in your party, these essential strategies are always useful in Single Battles.
Snorlax is a ‘bulky physical attacker’ in Pokémon Champions.
Pokémon Roles
The best players recognize each Pokémon’s role at a glance. There are five roles to remember.
- Lead: Always sent out first. Often sets up weather or entry hazards, or pivots into a teammate.
- Wall: Has high defensive stats, many resistances, and a form of recovery.
- Sweeper: Has high Speed and offensive stats with many attack Type options. May also use setup moves.
- Bulky: Has a high offensive and defensive stat, but is slow.
- Utility: Anything that doesn’t fall under the other four roles.
Team Preview
Before battle, players have 90 seconds to choose their Pokémon. The opponent’s party is also shown on-screen. This is called ‘Team Preview’.
Compared to Double Battles, it’s much easier to determine which Pokémon are the right choices.
Players are about to choose their Pokémon during Pokémon Champion’s Team Preview.
During Team Preview, use your time to identify any exploitable weaknesses in your opponent’s team.
- Count matching vulnerabilities: Type weaknesses and entry hazard susceptibilities can expose how fragile the opponent’s team is. A team with many Fire, Ice, Flying, or Bug-type Pokémon is especially vulnerable to Stealth Rock.
- Consider potential Mega Evolutions: If a Pokémon’s base form is unremarkable, it is most likely holding its Mega Stone. In the image above, Venusaur is highly likely to be the opposing team’s Mega Evolution.
- Consider potential threats: Look for Sturdy users, Prankster users, status spreaders, and setup sweepers. Sableye, for example, has access to Prankster Will-O-Wisp to cripple non-Fire-type physical attackers.
- Consider potential leads: Team Preview helps you identify which Pokémon are leads. A Sun-based team, for example, will often lead with Torkoal.
Single Battle Tactics
Though Single Battles are simple on the surface, players have a multitude of tactics to steer the outcome in their favor.
The field beneath Garchomp is covered in a Sticky Web in Pokémon Champions.
As a prerequisite, all competitive Pokémon can perform at least one of these tactics.
- Defensive cores: Two Pokémon covering each other’s weaknesses make switching less risky. Scizor / Rotom-Wash is an excellent example.
- Setup sweeping: A single boosted Pokémon can annihilate a team, especially if they outspeed the opposing party.
- Entry hazards: Moves designed to punish defensive cores and constant switching. Even one is enough to break a Focus Sash.
- Pivoting: Moves that invoke switches offer momentum to keep opponents on the defensive.
2. Best Archaludon Builds
Without access to Power Herb, Archaludon relies on a Drizzle user (Pelipper or Politoed), or even Rain Dance, to unleash single-turn Electro Shots.
- Stats: 90 HP / 105 Atk / 130 Def / 125 Sp. Atk / 65 Sp. Def / 85 Spe
- Abilities: Stamina / Sturdy / Stalwart
- Types: Steel / Dragon
Archaludon charges up with Electro Shot in Pokémon Champions.
| Build | Main Strength |
|---|---|
| Bulky Offense | Always inflicts unresisted damage with four attack Types |
| Stealth Rock Utility | Sets up Stealth Rock and ‘paraflinch’ |
Bulky Offense
Archaludon relies on inflicting damage with four attacking Types. Nothing in Pokémon Champions resists all of these moves.
- SP Allocation: 32 HP, 32 Sp. Atk, 1 Def, 1 Sp. Def
- Nature: Modest
- Ability: Sturdy
- Held Item: Quick Claw
- Moves: Draco Meteor, Electro Shot, Flash Cannon, Aura Sphere
- Strategy: Use whichever move hits the opposing Pokémon hardest. Always use Electro Shot in the rain. Always switch after using Draco Meteor.
Stealth Rock Utility
Archaludon eschews its Special Attack prowess entirely to focus on racking up Stealth Rock damage and a 24% ‘Paraflinch’ combo.
- SP Allocation: 32 HP, 32 Sp. Def, 2 Def
- Nature: Impish
- Ability: Stamina
- Held Item: Leftovers
- Moves: Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, Iron Head, Roar
- Strategy: After using Stealth Rock, phaze the opposing Pokémon with Roar or paralyze it. Use Iron Head on paralyzed Pokémon.
3. Best Charizard Builds
Charizard is the only Pokémon with access to two Mega Evolutions as of Champions‘ release date. With a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock, a field cleaner is mandatory.
- Stats: 78 HP / 84 Atk / 78 Def / 109 Sp. Atk / 85 Sp. Def / 100 Spe
- Mega X Stats: 78 HP / 130 Atk / 111 Def / 130 Sp. Atk / 85 Sp. Def / 100 Spe
- Mega Y Stats: 78 HP / 104 Atk / 78 Def / 159 Sp. Atk / 115 Sp. Def / 100 Spe
- Abilities: Blaze / Solar Power
- Mega Abilities: Tough Claws (Mega X) / Drought (Mega Y)
- Types: Fire / Flying (includes Mega Y)
- Mega X Types: Fire / Dragon
Charizard can Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X in Pokémon Champions.
| Build | Main Strength |
|---|---|
| Solar Scarf | Uses sunlight to inflict boosted damage |
| Dragon Dance Mega X | Sweeps teams with physical force |
| Sunnybeam Mega Y | Sets up sunlight |
Solar Scarf
With a Choice Scarf, Charizard reaches the 223 Speed Tier, thus outspeeding all Mega Evolutions without a Speed boost of their own.
- SP Allocation: 32 Sp. Atk, 29, Spe, 5 Def
- Nature: Modest
- Ability: Solar Power
- Held Item: Choice Scarf
- Moves: Weather Ball, Solar Beam, Scorching Sands, Ancient Power
- Strategy: After sunlight is up, switch to Charizard and use an appropriate choice-locked move. It loses 12.5% of its HP each turn, so it’s fragile.
Dragon Dance Mega X
Charizard sweeps with a nearly unresisted STAB after a Dragon Dance boost. Its Tough Claws Ability buffs its STABs by 30%
- SP Allocation: 32 Atk, 32 Spe, 2 Sp. Def
- Nature: Jolly
- Ability: Blaze
- Held Item: Charizardite X
- Moves: Dragon Dance, Flare Blitz, Dragon Claw, Earthquake
- Strategy: After a Dragon Dance, sweep the opposing team with the appropriate move.
Sunnybeam Mega Y
Charizard sets up its own sunlight upon Mega Evolution, taking advantage of its massive Special Attack to fire Fire-boosted Weather Balls and quick Solarbeams.
- SP Allocation: 32 Sp. Atk, 32 Spe, 2 HP
- Nature: Modest
- Ability: Blaze
- Held Item: Charizardite Y
- Moves: Weather Ball, Solar Beam, Scorching Sands, Roost
- Strategy: Upon setting sunlight, fire boosted Weather Balls or Solar Beams. Scorching Sands hits Fire-types while Roost wipes off damage.
4. Best Corviknight Builds
As the only Pokémon in Champions with Mirror Armor, Corviknight thwarts opponents’ attempts to Intimidate or to cause a defensive stat drop.
- Stats: 98 HP / 87 Atk / 105 Def / 53 Sp. Atk / 85 Sp. Def / 67 Spe
- Abilities: Pressure / Unnerve / Mirror Armor
- Types: Flying / Steel
Corviknight recovers with Leftovers in Pokémon Champions.
| Build | Main Strength |
|---|---|
| Iron Wall | Walls physical attackers indefinitely |
| Offensive Pivot | Removing entry hazards and maintaining momentum |
Iron Wall
Corviknight’s Mirror Armor Ability and self-sustenance with Roost let it wall physical attackers long enough to maximize Body Press.
- SP Allocation: 32 HP, 32 Def, 2 Sp. Def
- Nature: Impish
- Ability: Mirror Armor
- Held Item: Leftovers
- Moves: Iron Head, Iron Defense, Body Press, Roost
- Strategy: Switch Corviknight in on a physical attack, then use Iron Defense to double its Defense. Wipe off damage with Roost as necessary, then either boost Defense again or attack.
Offensive Pivot
Since this build switches often, Corviknight has the Pressure Ability. Its stats are carefully tailored to outspeed any non-Scarf Hisuian Decidueye to shut down Tailwind.
- SP Allocation: 32 Atk, 26 Spe, 8 Def
- Nature: Jolly
- Ability: Pressure
- Held Item: Leftovers
- Moves: Brave Bird, Defog, Taunt, U-turn
- Strategy: Shut down entry hazards and buffing with Defog and Taunt. U-turn maintains momentum. Brave Bird is used for sheer damage.
5. Best Dragonite Builds
The original ‘pseudo-legendary‘ is back with a new Mega Evolution. You can obtain a free Dragoninite Mega Stone with the Season M-1 Premium Battle Pass until May 13th.
- Stats: 91 HP / 134 Atk / 95 Def / 100 Sp. Atk / 100 Sp. Def / 80 Spe
- Mega Stats: 91 HP / 124 Atk / 115 Def / 145 Sp. Atk / 125 Sp. Def / 100 Spe
- Abilities: Inner Focus / Multiscale (Mega has Multiscale)
- Types: Flying / Dragon (includes Mega)
Dragonite can Mega Evolve in Pokémon Champions.
| Build | Main Strength |
|---|---|
| Dragon Dance Sweeper | Sweeps teams with physical force |
| Bulky Mega | Inflicts high special damage |
Dragon Dance Sweeper
Multiscale and a Lum Berry make this sweeping strategy very hard to stop. Only Flying (and Levitating) Steel-types resist all three attacks.
- SP Allocation: 32 Atk, 32 Spe, 2 Def
- Nature: Adamant
- Ability: Multiscale
- Held Item: Lum Berry
- Moves: Dragon Dance, Dragon Claw, Earthquake, Iron Head
- Strategy: After a Dragon Dance, use Dragon Claw unless the opposing Pokémon is weak to the other two moves. Earthquake is mainly for Steel-types, while Iron Head hits Fairy-types.
Bulky Mega
This build needs rain support to use unavoidable Thunder and Hurricanes.
- SP Allocation: 32 HP, 32 Sp. Atk, 2 Spe
- Nature: Modest
- Ability: Multiscale
- Held Item: Dragoninite
- Moves: Dragon Pulse, Hurricane, Thunder, Roost
- Strategy: If it’s raining, Hurricane is the strongest attack with a 30% confusion rate. Otherwise, Dragon Pulse is the only reliable attack. Thunder hits opposing Drizzle users, while Roost wipes off damage and reactivates Multiscale.
6. Best Garchomp Builds
Though Rough Skin is the optimal Ability, Sand teams may opt to use Sand Veil for the free 25% Evasion.
- Stats: 108 HP / 130 Atk / 95 Def / 80 Sp. Atk / 85 Sp. Def / 102 Spe
- Abilities: Sand Veil / Rough Skin (Mega has Sand Force)
- Types: Dragon / Ground (includes Mega)
Garchomp is sent out in Pokémon Champions.
| Build | Main Strength |
|---|---|
| Physical Scarf | Revenge KOs with physical attacks |
| Sand Mega | Getting the most out of a sandstorm |
Physical Scarf
Garchomp reaches the 253 Speed Tier, letting it Revenge KO +1 Dragon Dance Charizard X.
- SP Allocation: 32 Atk, 32 Spe, 2 Sp. Def
- Nature: Jolly
- Ability: Rough Skin
- Held Item: Choice Scarf
- Moves: Outrage, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Poison Jab
- Strategy: Use whichever choice-locked move is most effective. Make sure the opponent has no Steel or Fairy-types before using Outrage, though.
Sand Mega
With sand support, Garchomp’s three attacks gain a 30% boost in a Sandstorm with its Sand Force Ability after Mega Evolving.
- SP Allocation: 32 HP, 32 Atk, 2 Sp. Def
- Nature: Adamant
- Ability: Sand Veil
- Held Item: Sand Veil
- Moves: Substitute, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Iron Head
- Strategy: If possible, abuse Sand Veil to put up a Substitute before Mega Evolution. Afterwards, use whichever attack is appropriate.
7. Best Gengar Builds
Gengar remains as prevalent in Singles as ever, thanks to its Mega Evolution’s Ability, Shadow Tag.
- Stats: 60 HP / 65 Atk / 60 Def / 130 Sp. Atk / 75 Sp. Def / 110 Spe
- Mega Stats: 60 HP / 65 Atk / 80 Def / 170 Sp. Atk / 95 Sp. Def / 130 Spe
- Abilities: Cursed Body (Mega has Shadow Tag)
- Types: Poison / Ghost (includes Mega)
Mega Gengar continues to haunt the competitive scene in Pokémon Champions.
| Build | Main Strength |
|---|---|
| Sweep Breaker | Stopping opposing sweeps |
| Perish Trapper | Abusing Shadow Tag with Perish Song |
Sweep Breaker
With a Focus Sash, Gengar can survive any Pokémon’s attempt to sweep and wipe out its buffs with Clear Smog.
- SP Allocation: 32 Sp. Atk, 32 Spe, 2 HP
- Nature: Modest
- Ability: Cursed Body
- Held Item: Cursed Body
- Moves: Shadow Ball, Clear Smog, Focus Blast, Destiny Bond
- Strategy: Only switch Gengar in fresh after a teammate is knocked out or uses a slow pivot. Use whichever attack is appropriate, or wipe out buffs with Clear Smog. Only Hisuian Zoroark resists all three attacks. Destiny Bond makes a last-ditch KO.
Perish Trapper
As long as the opposing Pokémon can’t KO Gengar in one hit, it can set up Perish Song.
- SP Allocation: 32 HP, 32 Spe, 2 Def
- Nature: Timid
- Ability: Cursed Body
- Held Item: Gengarite
- Moves: Sludge Bomb, Perish Song, Disable, Protect
- Strategy: After using Perish Song, use Protect first, then Disable second. Switch on the third turn when Perish Song’s count is 1. Sludge Bomb is chosen over Wave for the 30% Poison chance.
8. Best Hippowdon Builds
As one of two Pokémon with Sand Stream, Hippowdon is vital in Sandstorm teams.
- Stats: 108 HP / 112 Atk / 118 Def / 68 Sp. Atk / 72 Sp. Def / 47 Spe
- Abilities: Sand Stream / Sand Force
- Type: Ground
Hippowdon’s Sand Stream summons a sandstorm in Pokémon Champions.
| Build | Main Strength |
|---|---|
| Stealth Rock Utility | Set up Stealth Rock and consistent phazing |
| Stockpile Wall | Boosts its defense to wall any attacks |
Stealth Rock Utility
Hippowdon racks up damage with Sand Stream and Stealth Rock.
- SP Allocation: 32 Def, 32 Sp. Def, 2 HP
- Nature: Careful
- Ability: Sand Stream
- Held Item: Leftovers
- Moves: Stealth Rock, Earthquake, Slack Off, Whirlwind
- Strategy: After using Stealth Rock, Whirlwind starts racking up damage. Use Slack Off as needed to restore HP. Earthquake is its STAB and its only attack.
Stockpile Wall
Stockpile can be used up to three times. Body Press lets it sweep, but most Flying-types wall this build.
- SP Allocation: 32 Def, 32 Sp. Def, 2 HP
- Nature: Impish
- Ability: Sand Stream
- Held Item: Leftovers
- Moves: Earthquake, Body Press, Stockpile, Slack Off
- Strategy: Stockpile boosts its Defense and Special Defense by 50% each. Body Press grows stronger with each Stockpile. Slack Off wipes off damage.
9. Best Hydreigon Builds
Hydreigon is a well-balanced ‘pseudo-legendary’, making its role difficult for opponents to guess.
- Stats: 92 HP / 105 Atk / 90 Def / 125 Sp. Atk / 90 Sp. Def / 98 Spe
- Ability: Levitate
- Types: Dragon / Dark
Hydreigon unleashes a Dark Pulse against Bellibolt in Pokémon Champions.
| Build | Main Strength |
|---|---|
| Scarf Attacker | Hits 12 out of 18 Types super-effectively |
| Stealth Rock Utility | Many support options, including Stealth Rock |
Scarf Attacker
Hydreigon reaches 225 Speed with a Choice Scarf, outspeeding all Mega Evolutions without a Speed boost.
- SP Allocation: 32 Sp. Atk, 32 Spe, 1 Def, 1 Sp. Def
- Nature: Modest
- Ability: Levitate
- Held Item: Choice Scarf
- Moves: Draco Meteor, Dark Pulse, Flamethrower, Earth Power
- Strategy: Use whichever attack is most appropriate. Always have a switch ready after Draco Meteor.
Stealth Rock Utility
Hydreigon’s balanced stats make a support build viable. Stealth Rock and Tailwind are always useful, and it can U-turn quickly afterwards.
- SP Allocation: 32 HP, 32 Def, 2 Sp. Def
- Nature: Bold
- Ability: Levitate
- Held Item: Sitrus Berry
- Moves: Stealth Rock, Draco Meteor, Tailwind, U-turn
- Strategy: Set up Stealth Rock and Tailwind as needed. U-turn maintains momentum, while Draco Meteor is its strongest attack.
10. Best Primarina Builds
Since Throat Spray isn’t available in Champions, Liquid Voice has little use in competitive battling. Stick with Torrent for any build.
- Stats: 80 HP / 74 Atk / 74 Def / 126 Sp. Atk / 116 Sp. Def / 60 Spe
- Abilities: Torrent / Liquid Voice
- Types: Water / Fairy
Primarina is sent out in Pokémon Champions.
| Build | Main Strength |
|---|---|
| Calm Mind Attacker | Attacking with bolstered special stats |
| Dual Screen Utility | Setting up screens |
Calm Mind Attacker
Primarina is too slow to sweep, but this build performs amazingly against special attackers (except Empoleon).
- SP Allocation: 32 Sp. Atk, 32 Sp. Def, 2 Def
- Nature: Modest
- Ability: Torrent
- Held Item: Leftovers
- Moves: Calm Mind, Sparkling Aria, Psychic, Moonblast
- Strategy: Switch Primarina in on a special attack, then set up Calm Mind. Alongside its main STABs, it has Psychic to his Poison-types.
Dual Screen Utility
After using the appropriate screen move, Primarina can slowly pivot with Flip Turn.
- SP Allocation: 32 HP, 32 Def, 2 Sp. Def
- Nature: Impish
- Ability: Torrent
- Held Item: Leftovers
- Moves: Reflect, Light Screen, Encore, Flip Turn
- Strategy: Set up Reflect and/or Light Screen, depending on the attacker. Encore if the opposing Pokémon focuses on support. Flip Turn lets its teammate come out fresh.
11. Best Scizor Builds
Technician is the only Ability worth using for Scizor. Don’t bother with the other two Abilities.
- Stats: 70 HP / 130 Atk / 100 Def / 55 Sp. Atk / 80 Sp. Def / 65 Spe
- Mega Stats: 70 HP / 150 Atk / 140 Def / 65 Sp. Atk / 100 Sp. Def / 75 Spe
- Abilities: Swarm / Technician / Light Metal (Mega has Technician)
- Types: Bug / Steel (includes Mega)
Scizor is sent out in Pokémon Champions.
| Build | Main Strength |
|---|---|
| Offensive Pivot | Revenge KOs and disruption |
| Swords Dance Mega | Sweeping with high damage priority |
Offensive Pivot
A Technician-boosted Bullet Punch is amazing for picking off low-HP targets.
- SP Allocation: 32 Atk, 32 Spe, 2 HP
- Nature: Adamant
- Ability: Technician
- Held Item: Sitrus Berry
- Moves: Bullet Punch, U-turn, Thief, Defog
- Strategy: Bullet Punch is the main attack, ignoring Speed. Defog wipes off entry hazards. Thief steals an opponent’s item after Sitrus Berry is used. U-turn lets it pivot, but isn’t buffed by Technician.
Swords Dance Mega
A Swords Dance boosted Mega Scizor is almost impossible to wall.
- SP Allocation: 32 HP, 32 Def, 2 Sp. Def
- Nature: Adamant
- Ability: Technician
- Held Item: Scizorite
- Moves: Swords Dance, Bullet Punch, Bug Bite, Close Combat
- Strategy: After Mega Evolution and Swords Dance, Bullet Punch can 2-hit KO most Pokémon. Bug Bite doesn’t force a switch and gets a Technician boost. Close Combat hits Steel-type Pokémon.
