The S tier of our Pokémon Champions tier list, and the best Pokémon in the game right now, is Sneasler, Kingambit, Rillaboom, Garchomp and Incineroar. That is our reading of 4,318 published team lists from 63 Regulation M-C tournaments played between October 15 and 28, 2026. Rillaboom is the most-used Pokémon in the format even though it only became legal when M-C started on September 9. Mega Floette, Mega Charizard Y and Basculegion are the Pokémon that turn up in top cuts more often than their usage would suggest.
Below: the tier list, how we built it, the top sets, four winning teams, and what changes for the official Mega Evolution Battle (November 5-15), announced today.
Table of Contents
Quick answer: Pokémon Champions tier list (Regulation M-C)
- S tier: Sneasler, Kingambit, Rillaboom, Garchomp (mostly Mega Garchomp Z), Incineroar
- A tier: Mega Charizard Y, Mega Floette (Eternal Flower), Basculegion, Mega Raichu (X or Y), Sinistcha, Archaludon
- B tier: Pelipper, Whimsicott, Volcarona, Venusaur, Mega Staraptor, Mega Salamence, Mega Tyranitar, Mega Delphox, Kommo-o, Dragonite
- Popular but underperforming: Mega Golisopod, Farigiraf, Gholdengo, Sylveon, Indeedee (female), Grimmsnarl
- Most common pair: Incineroar + Rillaboom, on 18.7% of teams
- Format: Double Battles, bring 6 and pick 4, level 50, one Mega Evolution per battle. M-C runs until December 2, 01:59 UTC.
Data checked October 29, 2026, 14:20 UTC.
Only Mega-capable Pokémon can enter the Mega Evolution Battle, Nov 6-16 UTC. Image: The Pokémon Company
How this tier list was built
Most Pokémon Champions tier lists are one writer’s opinion. This one is based on tournament data. We pulled every Regulation M-C event on Limitless (the platform most online grassroots VGC events run on) dated October 15 to 28, 2026, with at least 32 players. That gives 63 tournaments, 4,410 players and 4,318 public team lists, 488 of which finished in the top 8.
For each Pokémon we looked at three numbers:
- Usage: the share of all teams that brought it.
- Top 8 share: the share of top 8 teams that brought it. If this is higher than its usage, the Pokémon converts into top cuts.
- Match win rate: the combined match record of every player who brought it.
Tiers combine all three. Usage alone would put a popular but struggling pick like Mega Golisopod in S tier. Win rate alone would crown niche picks used by a handful of strong players. Treat the tiers as our editorial reading of the numbers, not an official ranking. Win rates cluster around 50% because every match has a winner and a loser.
The wider tracker Pikalytics uses a bigger M-C sample and gets the same top three by usage on October 29: Rillaboom (35.2%), Sneasler (31.8%) and Incineroar (25.1%).
Usage, top 8 share and win rate for the top 20
| # | Pokémon | Usage | Top 8 share | Match win rate | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rillaboom | 35.6% | 33.4% | 47.8% | S |
| 2 | Sneasler | 34.7% | 39.1% | 49.0% | S |
| 3 | Garchomp | 32.1% | 34.0% | 48.9% | S |
| 4 | Incineroar | 31.3% | 32.2% | 48.2% | S |
| 5 | Raichu | 27.4% | 28.5% | 48.1% | A |
| 6 | Kingambit | 22.1% | 29.1% | 52.0% | S |
| 7 | Archaludon | 21.6% | 19.9% | 48.0% | A |
| 8 | Charizard | 20.1% | 23.4% | 49.8% | A |
| 9 | Pelipper | 18.2% | 16.6% | 48.4% | B |
| 10 | Basculegion | 15.9% | 19.7% | 51.5% | A |
| 11 | Gholdengo | 14.9% | 13.5% | 46.2% | Underperforming |
| 12 | Golisopod | 14.2% | 10.9% | 46.5% | Underperforming |
| 13 | Farigiraf | 13.0% | 10.5% | 46.6% | Underperforming |
| 14 | Floette (Eternal Flower) | 11.5% | 16.4% | 52.2% | A |
| 15 | Volcarona | 10.7% | 11.1% | 48.3% | B |
| 16 | Sylveon | 10.4% | 8.8% | 46.9% | Underperforming |
| 17 | Tyranitar | 10.1% | 9.2% | 48.1% | B |
| 18 | Indeedee (female) | 10.0% | 8.6% | 43.6% | Underperforming |
| 19 | Sinistcha | 9.9% | 12.9% | 51.8% | A |
| 20 | Whimsicott | 9.8% | 11.5% | 49.7% | B |
Source: our count of 4,318 Limitless team lists, 63 Reg M-C events, October 15-28, 2026. Basculegion’s female form is counted separately (6.1% usage, 7.8% top 8 share, 52.2% win rate).
S tier: the five Pokémon that define Reg M-C
Sneasler
Sneasler is on 39.1% of top 8 teams, more than any other Pokémon. Most players run Unburden with a White Herb, an Electric Seed or a Psychic Seed. The item is used up early and Sneasler’s Speed doubles, so it can outspeed almost everything with Close Combat and Dire Claw. Some winning teams use the Focus Sash and Poison Touch version with Fake Out and Coaching instead.
Kingambit
Kingambit has the best numbers among the heavy hitters: 22.1% usage, 29.1% top 8 share and a 52% win rate. Defiant punishes the format’s many Intimidate users (Incineroar, Mega Salamence), and Sucker Punch gives it priority. Chople Berry and Life Orb are the two main items.
Rillaboom
Rillaboom joined the roster with M-C and immediately became the most-used Pokémon. Grassy Surge sets Grassy Terrain, which turns Grassy Glide into a priority move and weakens Earthquake. Its Fake Out supports the partner next to it. Almost every set is Miracle Seed with Fake Out, Grassy Glide, Wood Hammer and High Horsepower or U-turn.
Garchomp
Mega Garchomp Z is one of the six new Mega Evolutions in M-C. According to MetaVGC’s M-C breakdown, its Levitate ability makes it immune to Ground moves, including its partners’ Earthquake. It’s already the third most-carried Mega Stone (14.3% of teams). Non-Mega Garchomp with a Choice Scarf or Life Orb is just as common.
Incineroar
Incineroar is the most reliable support in the format. It runs Intimidate with Fake Out, Parting Shot and Flare Blitz on a Sitrus Berry. Its win rate is only average, but you’ll face it in roughly one match in three, and the Incineroar + Rillaboom pair is the most common pair in the data.
Mega Absol Z, Mega Garchomp Z and Mega Lucario Z arrived with Reg M-C; Garchomp Z is already on 14.3% of teams. Image: The Pokémon Company
A and B tier: strong picks worth building around
- Mega Charizard Y (A): Charizardite Y is the most-carried Mega Stone, on 19.7% of teams. Drought sun powers up Heat Wave and Weather Ball and makes Solar Beam a one-turn move.
- Mega Floette (Eternal Flower) (A): only 11.5% usage, but a 16.4% top 8 share and a 52.2% win rate. Calm Mind with Dazzling Gleam and Moonblast or Draining Kiss is the standard set.
- Basculegion (A): Last Respects grows stronger as your Pokémon faint. Aqua Jet gives it priority, and Choice Scarf or Life Orb gives it extra damage.
- Mega Raichu (A): Raichunite Y (17.0% of teams) usually runs Zap Cannon and Focus Blast. Raichunite X (10.2%) runs Volt Tackle and Volt Switch. Both carry Fake Out and Lightning Rod, which pulls Electric attacks away from water partners.
- Sinistcha (A): Hospitality heals its partner on entry, Rage Powder redirects attacks, and many sets carry Trick Room. It’s under 10% usage but on 12.9% of top 8 teams.
- Archaludon (A): it’s almost always paired with Pelipper (16.4% of all teams). Rain lets Electro Shot fire in one turn, and Stamina makes it bulkier each time it’s hit.
- B tier: Whimsicott (Prankster Tailwind), Volcarona (Rage Powder and Quiver Dance), Mega Staraptor, Mega Salamence (new in M-C, Aerilate Hyper Voice), Mega Tyranitar for sand, Mega Delphox, Kommo-o and Dragonite. Kommo-o and Dragonite are niche (about 5-6% usage) but post win rates above 51%.
Popular picks that underperform
Mega Golisopod is the second most-carried new Mega (14.2%), but it falls to a 10.9% top 8 share and a 46.5% win rate. Farigiraf (Trick Room with Armor Tail), Gholdengo, Sylveon and Indeedee (female) show the same gap. Indeedee is the weakest at 43.6%. In this sample their teams lost more than they won. The most common archetypes tell the same story. Trick Room appears on 31.9% of teams with a 47.1% win rate, while Tailwind (47.6% of teams) and sun (23.1%) both sit near 49%.
Most common sets for the top 10
| Pokémon | Top item | Ability | Most common moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rillaboom | Miracle Seed | Grassy Surge | Fake Out, Grassy Glide, Wood Hammer, High Horsepower |
| Sneasler | White Herb (also Electric Seed, Focus Sash, Psychic Seed) | Unburden | Close Combat, Dire Claw, Protect, Fake Out |
| Garchomp | Garchompite Z (also Choice Scarf, Life Orb) | Rough Skin | Protect, Dragon Claw, Rock Slide, Stomping Tantrum |
| Incineroar | Sitrus Berry | Intimidate | Fake Out, Parting Shot, Flare Blitz, Darkest Lariat |
| Raichu | Raichunite Y (also Raichunite X) | Lightning Rod | Fake Out, Protect, Zap Cannon, Focus Blast |
| Kingambit | Chople Berry (also Life Orb) | Defiant | Kowtow Cleave, Sucker Punch, Protect, Iron Head |
| Archaludon | Leftovers | Stamina | Protect, Electro Shot, Dragon Pulse, Snarl |
| Charizard | Charizardite Y | Blaze | Protect, Heat Wave, Weather Ball, Solar Beam |
| Pelipper | Sitrus Berry or Damp Rock | Drizzle | Hurricane, Weather Ball, Wide Guard, Tailwind |
| Basculegion | Choice Scarf (also Life Orb) | Adaptability | Last Respects, Aqua Jet, Wave Crash, Protect |
Best Pokémon Champions teams right now
All four won a Reg M-C tournament in the last two weeks (links go to Limitless).
1. Mega Floette Grassy Terrain (won two events)
Mega Floette, Incineroar, Rillaboom, Sneasler, Kingambit and Garchomp. Vuultur won Friday Fight Night 78 with it on October 23 (134 players, 11-1). Force_India won ValkrixVGC League #07 with the same six on October 25 (115 players, 10-2). Both ran Focus Sash Sneasler (Poison Touch, Coaching), Life Orb Swords Dance Kingambit and the original Garchompite, not Z, as the second Mega. The Floette, Incineroar, Rillaboom and Sneasler core appears on 104 teams in our sample.
2. Rain: Mega Raichu X + Mega Golisopod
Raichu (Raichunite X), Golisopod (Golisopite), Archaludon, Pelipper, Basculegion (female) and Sneasler. This is the most-copied six in the format: 208 identical teams, 30 top 8 finishes and a 52.6% win rate. Tobi_Hope won VGC Indigo League #4 with it on October 23 (80 players, 9-2), with Swift Swim Basculegion on Muddy Water and Electric Seed Sneasler with Swords Dance.
3. Sun Tailwind: Mega Charizard Y + Whimsicott
Whimsicott, Charizard (Charizardite Y), Basculegion, Kingambit, Sneasler and Garchomp. BigMikeOG won Tuesday Throwdowns #2 undefeated on October 27 (119 players, 7-0). It has the best record of any common six in our data: 59 copies with a 58.6% win rate. Prankster Tailwind and Encore from a Focus Sash Whimsicott let Charizard and Basculegion attack first.
4. Mega Salamence Tailwind + Raichu Y
Salamence (Salamencite), Raichu (Raichunite Y), Sylveon, Basculegion, Kingambit and Incineroar. misoup won Maddo’s Cup #13 with it on October 24, one of the two biggest events in the sample (230 players, 12-2). Mega Salamence sets Tailwind and spreads Aerilate Hyper Voice. Raichu Y and Incineroar add Fake Out pressure, and Sylveon adds a second Hyper Voice.
The other 230-player event, the Spooky Cup on October 26, went to a completely off-meta team: Mega Tyranitar, Grimmsnarl (Reflect and Light Screen), Sinistcha, Annihilape, Wash Rotom and Mega Scovillain.
Mega Evolution Battle (Nov 5-15): which Megas to bring
Pokémon announced the Mega Evolution Battle online competition on October 29. It’s a Double Battles event where only Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution are eligible.
| Detail | Official info | UTC |
|---|---|---|
| Registration opens | Thursday, Nov 5, 2026, 6:00 p.m. PST | Nov 6, 02:00 UTC |
| Event ends | Sunday, Nov 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m. PST | Nov 16, 02:00 UTC |
| Where | Battle > Online Competitions > Mega Evolution Battle | – |
| Participation reward | “Mega Evolution Battle Challenger” title for 3+ finished matches | – |
| Rank rewards | Titles: Master (1-100), Veteran (101-1,000), Ace (1,001-10,000), Rising Star (10,001-100,000) | – |
Seven of the 11 S and A tier picks are out: Sneasler, Incineroar, Rillaboom, Kingambit, Basculegion, Sinistcha and Archaludon. They have no Mega Evolution, and none of the 4,318 teams gave them a Mega Stone. Start from the Megas already proven in M-C. The most-carried stones are Charizardite Y (19.7% of teams), Raichunite Y (17.0%), Garchompite Z (14.3%), Golisopite (14.2%), Floettite (11.4%), Raichunite X (10.2%), Tyranitarite (8.8%), Salamencite (8.5%), Staraptite (8.2%), Delphoxite and Gengarite (6.9% each). Pokémon’s event page doesn’t list other rules such as level or item restrictions, so check the in-game rules screen when registration opens.
Free Champions rewards: bring a Vivillon from Legends: Z-A
Pokémon also opened a Vivillon campaign today. Send a Vivillon you befriended in Pokémon Legends: Z-A to Pokémon Champions through Pokémon HOME and you get a Meadow Pattern Vivillon Trainer icon, six Training Tickets and 666 VP. It runs from October 28, 11:00 p.m. PDT (October 29, 06:00 UTC) to January 30, 2027, 6:59 a.m. PST (14:59 UTC). You can claim it on Switch or mobile. It ties in with the special Spewpa distribution now running in Legends: Z-A.
Send a Legends: Z-A Vivillon via Pokémon HOME by Jan 30, 2027 for this Meadow Pattern icon, six Training Tickets and 666 VP. Image: The Pokémon Company
Regulation M-C rules at a glance
| Rule | Reg M-C |
|---|---|
| Dates | Sep 8, 7:00 p.m. PDT to Dec 1, 5:59 p.m. PST (Sep 9, 02:00 to Dec 2, 01:59 UTC) |
| Battle type | Double Battles, bring 6, pick 4 |
| Level | All Pokémon auto-levelled to 50 |
| Clauses | No duplicate species, no duplicate held items |
| Mega Evolution | One per battle (you can carry more than one Mega Stone; 74% of teams in our sample carry two) |
| Timers | Team preview 90 s, 45 s per move, 7 min “Your time”, 20 min game |
| What’s new | 24 newly available Pokémon (including Rillaboom) and six Megas: Salamence, Golisopod, Baxcalibur, Absol Z, Garchomp Z, Lucario Z. Everything legal in M-A and M-B stays legal. |
Dates and additions are from Pokémon’s official M-C announcement. Battle and team rules are from Victory Road’s Champions regulations page. M-C is also the format for the 2027 Latin America International Championships. Pokémon hasn’t announced what follows it after December 2.
More Pokémon from us: the TCG Pocket Dual Fusion set guide, the Pokémon GO November 2026 events calendar, Pokémon GO raids this week, and what the Pokémon UNITE end of service means for its players.
FAQ
What is the best Pokémon in Pokémon Champions?
By usage it’s Rillaboom (35.6% of teams). By results it’s Sneasler, which is on 39.1% of top 8 teams. Kingambit has the best win rate of the heavily used picks (52%).
What is the best Mega Evolution in Reg M-C?
Mega Charizard Y is the most-carried stone (19.7% of teams) and performs above its usage. Mega Floette has the strongest results per use (16.4% top 8 share on 11.5% usage). Mega Garchomp Z is the most-carried of the six new Megas (14.3% of teams).
When does Regulation M-C end?
December 1, 2026, at 5:59 p.m. PST, which is December 2, 01:59 UTC.
Sources: Pokémon (Regulation Set M-C), Pokémon (Mega Evolution Battle), Pokémon (Vivillon rewards), Limitless tournament team lists (63 Reg M-C events, Oct 15-28, 2026; our count), Pikalytics, MetaVGC, Victory Road. Checked October 29, 2026, 14:20 UTC.
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Featured image: AI-generated illustration
