Pokémon Champions – Best Mega Evolutions

Since the majority of offense-oriented items (Choice Band, Choice Specs, Life Orb) are not available in Pokémon Champions at this time, Mega Evolutions are mandatory for a Pokémon to achieve its full potential.

With nearly 60 Mega Evolutions to choose from, some inevitably surpass others in a competitive format. This guide covers the strongest Mega Evolutions, how to use them, and how to counter them.

1. How Mega Evolution Works

All Mega Stones have unusual names that resemble a Pokémon’s, but with ‘ite’ and possibly a letter at the end (Garchompite, Charizardite X). Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces ‘Z-Mega Stones’ that grant alternative Mega Evolutions (Absolite Z, Lucarionite Z), though no Z-Mega Evolution is available in Pokémon Champions at this time.

These are the fundamental rules for all Mega Evolutions:

• Mega Stone requirement: All Pokémon must hold a compatible Mega Stone to be capable of Mega Evolving (e.g., Venusaur must hold a Venusaurite).
  While Rayquaza is the sole exception, it is not currently available in Pokémon Champions.
• Once per battle: Trainers can only Mega Evolve once per battle.
  This clause remains even if multiple Pokémon hold Mega Stones.
• Activation timing: A Mega Evolution can be activated during move selection in any turn of battle.
  Mega Evolutions take priority over all moves.
  All Pokémon begin battle in their base forms.
• Specific applicability: Mega Evolutions are unique and only apply to specific Pokémon.
  This differs from Dynamax and Terastallization, which work on any Pokémon.
• Permanent item: Mega Stones cannot be removed from their holders during battle (e.g., Knock Off).
• New form: Mega Evolutions change a Pokémon’s physical form and offer potential boons.
  Some gain unique Abilities (e.g., Aerialite, Piercing Drill)
  Some gain (or lose) a Type.
• Base Stat Total: A Mega Evolved Pokémon’s BST must be 100 points higher than its original form.
  Base HP never changes.
  Some base stats may be reduced to increase others while abiding by this rule.

Dragonite can Mega Evolve in Pokémon Champions.

2. Best Hawlucha Strategies

Mega Hawlucha has completely different tactics in Single and Double Battles, so its stats and moveset should be tailored around its intended role.

Hawlucha can Mega Evolve in Pokémon Champions.

Physical Attacks

Brave Bird, Drain Punch, Fire Punch, Flying Press, High Jump Kick, Poison Jab, Stone Edge, Throat Chop, Thunderpunch, Trailblaze, U-turn

Status Moves

Bulk Up, Defog, Encore, Entrainment, Quick Guard, Roost, Swords Dance, Taunt

Single Battles

• Fast physical striker: High Speed and Attack grant immediate offensive pressure.
• Sweeping potential: Bulk Up and Swords Dance let it grow into a late-game cleaner.
• Fast disruption: Encore and Taunt shut down set-up strategies.
• Field cleaner: Defog removes all entry hazards.
• Fast pivot: U-turn eases prediction.
  Nothing is immune to Bug-type attacks.
• Self-sustenance: Roost wipes off damage.
  Potentially weakens incoming Rock, Ice, and Thunder-type attacks against slower opposing Pokémon.
• No-risk attacks: No Guard ensures High Jump Kick and Stone Edge are reliable attack options.

Double Battles

• Guaranteed-hit strategies: No Guard can be applied to any partner Pokémon with Entrainment.
  If it has a one-hit KO move like Horn Drill or Fissure (Excadrill), it can pick off opposing Pokémon every turn.
  U-turn or switch out Mega Hawlucha into a defender. Friend Guard reduces incoming damage to the partner by 25% (Vivillon or Maushold), while Follow Me redirects all single-target attacks (Clefable).
• Priority protection: Quick Guard blocks speedy attacks like Fake Out.

Counters

• Can’t dodge: No Guard prevents it from avoiding attacks (outside of Protect or a similar move).
  Unreliable moves like Blizzard and Thunder are Mega Hawlucha’s bane, exploiting its Flying-type weaknesses.
  One-hit KO moves (except Fissure) can be used against it. In fact, an Excadrill holding a Choice Scarf outspeeds any Mega Hawlucha without an Agility boost and can snipe it with Horn Drill.
• Physical walls: Without boosting moves, Pokémon with high Defense (e.g., Skarmory, Hippowdon) can switch into its attack and phaze it out (Whirlwind or Roar).
  An Unaware Clefable ignores boosts entirely and can hit it super effectively with Moonblast.
• Status conditions: Getting paralyzed or burned utterly cripples Mega Hawlucha.
  Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp won’t miss due to No Guard.
  Prankster-users (like Sableye) can nullify Mega Hawlucha’s Speed to status it.

3. Best Meganium Strategies

Mega Meganium’s amazing new Ability, Mega Sol, is like a permanent Drought without the extra Fire weakness. It can shoot Solarbeams every turn, burn down opposing Grass-types with a flaming Weather Ball, and heal 2/3rd of its maximum HP with Synthesis.

Meganium’s Mega Evolution gains a Fairy-type in Pokémon Champions.

Physical Attacks

Bulldoze, Dragon Tail, Knock Off, Trailblaze

Special Attacks

Ancient Power, Dazzling Gleam, Solarbeam, Weather Ball

Status Moves

Charm, Encore, Heal Pulse, Helping Hand, Light Screen, Reflect, Safeguard, Synthesis

Single Battles

• Offensive check: After Mega Evolving, it can switch in on many attacks and threaten massive damage.
  Resists Water, Electric, Fighting, Ground, and Dark-type attacks. Immune to Dragon-type attacks.
• Sweeping potential: Trailblaze boosts its Speed, allowing late-game cleaning.
• Disruption: Charm and Encore shut down set-up strategies.
• Self-sustenance: Synthesis wipes off damage.
• Phazing: Dragon Tail forces switches.
  Useless against Fairy-types, though.

Double Battles

• Ignores weather: Other weather Abilities (e.g., Drizzle, Cloud Nine) don’t affect Mega Sol.
  Any alternative weather setter can safely be used.
• Multi-target attacks: Bulldoze and Dazzling Gleam hit both opponents.
  Dazzling Gleam gains STAB.
  Bulldoze hits partner Pokémon. Use Protect or Flying-type/Levitate switch-in to avoid self-damage.
• Bulldoze applications: Drops Speed of all damaged targets. Partner Pokémon may benefit.
  Serperior’s Contrary turns Speed drop into a boost.
  Orthworm absorbs Bulldoze, retaining Speed and healing 25% of maximum HP.
• Triple-screen support: Reflect, Light Screen, and Safeguard decrease incoming damage and negate status conditions.
  Pokémon Champions excludes Light Claw, rendering the ‘used item slot’ argument moot.
• Assists partner: Helping Hand and Heal Pulse strengthen and heal partner Pokémon, respectively.

Counters

• Extremely effective: Mega Meganium takes x4 damage from Poison-type attacks.
  Many Fighting-type Pokémon can learn Poison Jab as a Fairy-type counter.
• Slow: Meganium’s Speed doesn’t increase upon Mega Evolution, so faster Pokémon can wear it down.
• Fire-type Pokémon: Without Ancient Power or Earthquake/Bulldoze, most Fire-type Pokémon resist all of its attacks and can strike back super effectively.
  Earthquake is often ignored in favor of Bulldoze’s utility due to Mega Meganium’s average Attack.

4. Best Feraligatr Strategies

Mega Feraligatr’s monstrously strong Attack is complemented by its new Ability, Dragonize, which buffs its Normal-type moves into Dragon-type.

Feraligatr’s Mega Evolution gains a Dragon-type in Pokémon Champions.

Physical Moves

Aqua Jet, Body Slam, Brick Break, Bulldoze, Double-Edge, Earthquake, Facade, Flip Turn, Ice Punch, Liquidation, Psychic Fangs, Rock Slide, Trailblaze

Status Moves

Agility, Dragon Dance, Swords Dance

Single Battles

• Physical wallbreaker: A Dragonize-boosted Double Edge’s Power reaches 216 after counting STAB.
  Body Slam is a suitable alternative if recoil damage is an issue.
  Facade isn’t weakened by a burn.
• Sweeping potential: Agility and Dragon Dance let it grow into a late-game cleaner.
  Trailblaze also boosts Speed and is effective against a predicted Water-type switch-in.
• Avenger: Aqua Jet can pick off weakened Pokémon.
• Slow pivot: Flip Turn brings a teammate out safely.
  Water Absorb (Vaporeon, Araquanid) negates Flip Turn, though.

Double Battles

• Battering ram: Simple-minded damage output with a ‘Triple Direct + Protect’ build is viable.
  Means three direct attacks, while the fourth move slot is reserved for Protect.
• Multi-target attacks: Earthquake, Rock Slide, and Bulldoze hit both opponents.
  Earthquake and Bulldoze hit partner Pokémon. Use Protect or Flying-type/Levitate switch-in to avoid self-damage.
  Mega Feraligatr’s Attack is too high for Bulldoze applications.

Counters

• Extremely effective: Mega Feraligatr takes x4 damage from Freeze-Dry.
  Among Pokémon that can learn it, three have higher Speed (Alolan Ninetales, Glalie, Vanilluxe).
• Slow: Feraligatr’s Speed doesn’t increase upon Mega Evolution, so faster Pokémon can wear it down. Dragon Dance or Agility can address this, though.
• Burn: Without Facade, Mega Feraligatr is crippled by a burn.

5. Best Gengar Strategies

Mega Gengar’s frustrating Shadow Tag Ability remains as dangerous today as it was over a decade ago. Unfortunately, it lost Encore in Pokémon Champions.

Mega Gengar continues to haunt the competitive scene in Pokémon Champions.

Special Moves

Energy Ball, Focus Blast, Hex, Icy Wind, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, Sludge Wave, Thunderbolt, Venoshock

Status Moves

Destiny Bond, Disable, Nasty Plot, Perish Song, Reflect Type, Substitute, Taunt, Toxic, Toxic Spikes, Will-O-Wisp

Single Battles

• Premier trapper: Shadow Tag locks any opposing Pokémon in place.
  Ghost-type Pokémon cannot be trapped, though.
  Pivot moves (e.g., Flip Turn, Parting Shot) bypass Shadow Tag.
  Substitute, Protect, and Perish Song can force a KO on any opposing Pokémon, while Mega Gengar is free to switch at the last turn.
• Fast special striker: High Speed and Special Attack grant immediate offensive pressure.
• Special wallbreaker: Nearly any Pokémon can be hit for normal effectiveness with its STABs and Focus Blast.
  Assault Vest is not available in Pokémon Champions at this time.
• Sweeping potential: Nasty Plot lets it grow into a late-game cleaner.
  If an opposing Pokémon poses little to no threat, Substitute renders most incoming status moves useless. Mega Gengar is free to use Nasty Plot three times.
• Powerful hexes: Toxic, Toxic Spikes, and Will-O-Wisp inflict non-volatile status conditions to double Hex’s and Venoshock’s damage.
• Last-ditch KO: Destiny Bond takes an opposing Pokémon down with it.

Double Battles

• Battering ram: Simple-minded damage output with a ‘Triple Direct + Protect’ build is viable.
• Multi-target attack: Sludge Wave hits both opponents and is stronger than Sludge Bomb.
  Sludge Wave also hits partner Pokémon. Use Protect or Steel-type switch-in to avoid damage.
• Type change: Reflect Type can target its partner to avoid incoming damage.
  Dark-type avoids Psychic.
  Flying-type avoids Earthquake. A Flying-type partner that can use Earthquake (e.g., Gyarados, Dragonite) is an excellent option to avoid self-damage.

Counters

• Fragile: Even after Mega Evolution, Gengar has low HP and Defense.
  Many priority attacks (especially Shadow Sneak or Sucker Punch) hit Mega Gengar hard.
  Sound moves (especially Psychic Noise) bypass Substitutes. An Infiltrator Dragapult also bypasses Substitute and outspeeds Mega Gengar to KO it with Shadow Ball.
• Anti-ghost fighter: Hisuian Zoroark is immune to Shadow Ball and Focus Blast, and resists Sludge Bomb/Wave. It can KO Mega Gengar with Shadow Sneak.

6. Best Sableye Strategies

Mega Sableye is a prime example of how Mega Evolution completely changes a Pokémon’s role. It trades the quick status of Prankster for the status prevention of Magic Bounce.

Mega Sableye continues to repel the competitive scene in Pokémon Champions.

Physical Moves

Fake Out, Knock Off, Shadow Sneak

Special Moves

Hex, Shadow Ball

Status Moves

Bulk Up, Calm Mind, Disable, Encore, Helping Hand, Light Screen, Pain Split, Recover, Reflect, Taunt, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp

Single Battles

• First-turn stun: Fake Out adds free chip damage.
• Item removal: Knock Off negates opposing held items, except Mega Stones.
• Dual-screen support: Reflect and Light Screen halve incoming damage.
  Sableye’s Prankster gives them priority before Mega Evolution.
• Longevity: Mega Sableye has strong defenses.
  Recover and Pain Split wipe off damage.
• Disruption: Has an abundance of status moves to mess up an opponent’s strategy.
• Sweeping potential: Ironically, Bulk Up and Calm Mind can bolster Mega Sableye’s mediocre offenses to threatening levels.

Double Battles

• First-turn stun: Fake Out ensures one less incoming attack.
• Reflects entry hazards: Only one Magic Bounce user bounces incoming entry hazards, regardless of partner.
• Assists partner: Helping Hand boosts the partner’s damage.

Counters

• One weakness: Mega Sableye takes x2 damage from Fairy-type attacks.
• Extremely slow: Without Trick Room, virtually any Pokémon is faster than it.
• Mirror match: It can do little against an opposing Magic Bounce, especially another Mega Sableye.

7. Best Starmie Strategies

Thanks to its Mega Evolution, Starmie’s role can’t easily be deciphered in Team Preview. The excellent Type coverage it has also helps.

Starmie can Mega Evolve in Pokémon Champions.

Physical Moves

Aqua Jet, Ice Spinner, Flip Turn, Liquidation, Rapid Spin, Self-Destruct, Zen Headbutt

Special Moves

Blizzard, Dazzling Gleam, Ice Beam, Psychic, Scald, Surf, Thunderbolt

Status Moves

Agility, Bulk Up, Recover

Single Battles

• Fast multi-striker: High Speed and Special Attack grant immediate offensive pressure. Mega Starmie gains Huge Power and superb Attack.
• Avenger: Aqua Jet can pick off weakened Pokémon.
• Fast pivot: Flip Turn eases prediction.
  Water Absorb (Vaporeon, Araquanid) negates Flip Turn, though.
• Field cleaner: Rapid Spin removes entry hazards from the player’s side.
• Sweeping potential: Bulk Up and Agility let it grow into a late-game cleaner.
• Self-sustenance: Recover wipes off damage.

Double Battles

• Battering ram: Simple-minded damage output with a ‘Triple Direct + Protect’ build is viable.
• Multi-target attack: Surf, Dazzling Gleam, and Blizzard hit both opponents.
  Surf also hits partner Pokémon. Use Protect or Water Absorb switch-in to avoid damage.
• Surprise bomb: A Huge Power-boosted Self-Destruct inflicts massive damage to everything on the field. Few opponents will anticipate this.
  Using it KOs Mega Starmie, though.
  It also hits partner Pokémon. Use Protect or Ghost-type switch-in to avoid damage.

Counters

• Discovery: Once an opposing Mega Starmie’s moveset is learned, it becomes much easier to counter.
  An Imposter Ditto with a Choice Scarf can reveal its moves instantly upon switch-in. If it knows Thunderbolt, it will even threaten it.
• Outspeeding: Though Mega Starmie is fast, many Electric-types holding a Choice Scarf are faster and can threaten it, no matter its moveset.
  Jolteon and Mega Manectric don’t even need a Choice Scarf.

8. Best Clefable Strategies

Like Mega Sableye, Mega Clefable also has Magic Bounce to keep status moves away. It also has Magic Guard or Unaware before Mega Evolution.

Clefable’s Mega Evolution gains a Flying-type in Pokémon Champions.

Physical Moves

Knock Off

Special Moves

Air Slash, Dazzling Gleam, Flamethrower, Focus Blast, Grass Knot, Ice Beam, Misty Explosion, Moonblast, Mystical Fire, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Stored Power, Thunderbolt

Status Moves

Calm Mind, Cosmic Power, Encore, Heal Pulse, Helping Hand, Life Dew, Light Screen, Moonlight, Reflect, Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, Tickle, Wish

Single Battles

• Special striker: High Special Attack grants offensive pressure.
• Sweeping potential: Calm Mind lets it grow into a late-game cleaner.
  Clefable can learn Calm Mind in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, but not in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
• Longevity: Cosmic Power bolsters its Defenses, while Moonlight and Wish wipe off damage.
  Wish can restore a teammate’s HP as well.
• Bulky striker: With enough Cosmic Power boosts, Stored Power inflicts exceptional damage, even without STAB.
• Item removal: Knock Off negates opposing held items, except Mega Stones.
• Dual-screen support: Reflect and Light Screen halve incoming damage.
• Disruption: Encore, Thunder Wave, and Tickle mess up an opponent’s strategy.
• Entry hazard set-up: Can use Stealth Rock.

Double Battles

• Battering ram: Simple-minded damage output with a ‘Triple Direct + Protect’ build is viable.
• Multi-target attack: Dazzling Gleam hits both opponents.
• Assists partner: Helping Hand and Heal Pulse strengthen and heal partner Pokémon, respectively. 
  Life Dew restores less HP, but heals Mega Clefable and its partner.
• Fairy bomb: A Misty Explosion inflicts massive damage to everything on the field. Nothing is immune to Fairy-type attacks.
  Using it KOs Mega Clefable, though.
  It also hits partner Pokémon. Use Protect to avoid damage.

Counters

• Slow: Clefable’s Speed doesn’t increase much upon Mega Evolution, so faster Pokémon can wear it down.
• Stat boost nullification: Haze and/or Unaware Pokémon easily nullify Mega Clefable’s stat boosts. Stored Power may still threaten the latter, though.
• Flying-type weaknesses: The additional Type gives it three more weaknesses (Ice, Thunder, Rock). All of them are common attacking Types.

9. Best Froslass Strategies

Mega Froslass is the fastest snow setter in the game, though it’s vulnerable to all entry hazards. Having at least one field cleaner is a must.

Froslass can Mega Evolve in Pokémon Champions.

Special Moves

Blizzard, Draining Kiss, Hex, Icy Wind, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, Weather Ball

Status Moves

Aurora Veil, Destiny Bond, Disable, Haze, Nasty Plot, Spikes, Taunt, Thunder  Wave, Will-O-Wisp

Single Battles

• Fast special striker: High Speed and Special Attack grant immediate offensive pressure.
  During snow, Blizzard never misses.
  If a weather setter replaces it, Weather Ball’s Type changes accordingly (Sun = Fire, Rain = Water, Sand = Rock).
• Fast veil: Can use Aurora Veil to halve all incoming damage without any set-up.
• Powerful hexes: Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp inflict non-volatile status conditions to double Hex’s damage.
• Fast haze: Haze shuts down an opponent’s sweep attempt.
• Sweeping potential: Nasty Plot lets it grow into a late-game cleaner.
• Last-ditch KO: Destiny Bond takes an opposing Pokémon down with it.

Double Battles

• Battering ram: Simple-minded damage output with a ‘Triple Direct + Protect’ build is viable.
• Multi-target attack: Blizzard and Icy Wind hit both opponents.
  Icy Wind is weaker, but applies Speed drops.

Counters

• Entry hazards: As mentioned above, Froslass (regardless of form) is vulnerable to all entry hazards.
  Stealth Rock, in particular, inflicts 25% of its maximum HP in damage each time it switches in.
• Fragile: Froslass has low HP and Defense, though a snowstorm will boost the latter by 50% upon Mega Evolution. It’s still fragile, though.
  An absurd number of priority attacks (Shadow Sneak, Sucker Punch, Accelerock, Bullet Punch) hit Mega Froslass super effectively.
• Screen shatters: While Mega Froslass is immune to Brick Break and any Raging Bull coming from a Kantonian or Combat Breed Paldean Tauros, Defog and Psychic Fangs destroy Aurora Veil instantly.
  Mr. Rime’s Screen Cleaner also destroys it the moment it’s switched in.
  Any Pokémon with Infiltrator bypasses Aurora Veil entirely. Noivern and Dragapult are faster than Mega Froslass, and the latter threatens it with Shadow Ball.