Pokemon GO Raid Attacker tier list (October 2024)

Pokemon GO raids remain the premier form of PvE combat in Niantic's mobile title and countless trainers participate in raids of varying difficulty both solo and together daily. However, to succeed at the highest level raids like 6-star raids, Mega Raids, and Primal Raids, trainers will need the best attackers they can get their hands on. This begs the question of which Pokemon can meet the standard of the best attackers in the game.

The answers fluctuate as Pokemon GO continues to evolve through sequential in-game seasons, but it doesn't hurt to rank the top attackers in the game (as well as those that aren't quite as great) with a tier list.

Note: This article is subjective and solely relies on the writer's opinion.

Pokemon GO raid attacker tier list rankings as of October 2024

S-Tier

Mega Groudon remains one of Pokemon GO's greatest raid attackers of all time (Image via Niantic)

S-Tier options in Pokemon GO are the perfect blend of firepower and versatility. They are also majorly compatible with other Pocket Monsters in a team configuration. These Pokemon can take on a wide range of different raid bosses and compete at the highest possible raid levels thanks to their movesets and stats. With few exceptions, these raid attackers can bring the pain in nearly any raid they step into.

S-Tier Raid Attackers

Rayquaza/Mega Rayquaza
Primal/Shadow Groudon
Dawn Wings Necrozma
Dusk Mane Necrozma
Shadow Mewtwo
Primal/Shadow Kyogre
Zarude
Xurkitree
Mega Gardevoir
Mega Sceptile
Mega Gengar

A-Tier

Mega Heracross has quickly become one of Pokemon GO's most dependable Bug and Fighting-type attackers (Image via Niantic)

The perfect complement to S-Tier Pokemon in a raid team is the A-Tier options, who still have fantastic damage per second (DPS) output and the ability to take on different raid boss types in difficulty levels. They may not be the apex of performance like the S-Tier options, but a full team of A-Tier picks will still carry trainers through to the finish line in almost any raid.

A-Tier Raid Attackers

Mega Heracross
Mega Tyranitar
Mega Garchomp
Mega Lucario
Mega Blaziken
Mega Charizard Y
Mega/Shadow Venusaur
Mega Lopunny
Decidueye
Meowscarada
Kartana
Shadow Sceptile
Sky Forme Shaymin
Groudon
Therian Landorus
Shadow Garchomp
Shadow Mamoswine
Shadow Weavile
Shadow Gengar
Shadow Rampardos
Shadow Rhyperior
Shadow Metagross
Shadow Excadrill
Kyogre
Shadow Chandelure
Origin Forme Giratina
Origin Forme Dialga
Reshiram
Zekrom
Darkrai

B-Tier

Lugia is a good raid attacker in Pokemon GO but doesn't have quite as high of a ceiling (Image via Niantic)

Pokemon GO's B-Tier raid attackers are the embodiment of "solid but unspectacular". They can be used to quality effect but won't max out DPS charts. Their type combinations/potential movesets sometimes limit the types of raid bosses they can take on, making them require a little help from S- and A-Tier picks.

B-Tier Raid Attackers

Mega Pinsir
Mega Beedrill
Mega Houndoom
Mega Salamence
Mega Manectric
Mega Alakazam
Mega Banette
Mega Charizard X
Mega Pidgeot
Mega Swampert
Mega Gyarados
Hoopa Unbound
Origin Forme Palkia
Shadow Honchkrow
Shadow Staraptor
Lugia
Shadow Zapdos
Galarian Articuno
Salamence
Braviary
Incarnate Tornadus
Dragapult
Shadow Chandelure
Altered Forme Giratina
Gengar
Shadow Torterra
Chesnaught
Shadow Cacturne
Tapu Bulu
Tangrowth
Venusaur
Shadow Exeggutor
Rillaboom
Shadow Alolan Exeggutor
Garchomp
Baxcalibur
Galarian Darmanitan
Weavile
Glaceon
Mamoswine
Cetitan
Shadow Articuno
Nihilego
Mewtwo
Shadow Tyranitar
Rampardos
Rhyperior
Terrakion
Shadow Aggron
Gigalith
Shadow Magnezone
Shadow Empoleon
Metagross
Excadrill
Melmetal
Jirachi
Shadow Feraligatr
Shadow Gyarados
Primarina
Shadow Swampert
Shadow Crawdaunt
Necrozma

C-Tier

C-Tier raid attackers can perform in a good capacity, particularly in 1- and 3-star raids in Pokemon GO. However, their performance begins to drop off in the 5-star arenas or when tackling Mega/Primal Raids. Their DPS falters, and they may not have the resilience to last long in the raid before fainting. Moreover, these picks' type combinations may not be as conducive to taking on a wide array of different raids.

C-Tier Raid Attackers

Mega Scizor
Mega Absol
Mega Latios
Mega Latias
Mega Ampharos
Mega Diancie
Mega Abomasnow
Mega Glalie
Mega Aggron
Mega Blastoise
Incarnate Enamorus
Shadow Dragonite
Galarian Moltres
Ho-Oh
Unfezant
Hisuian Braviary
Therian Tornadus
Moltres
Staraptor
Honchkrow
Zapdos
Gholdengo
Shadow Banette
Mewtwo
Blacephalon
Chandelure
Shadow Haunter
Lunala
Sceptile
Shadow Tangela
Roserade
Land Forme Shaymin
Torterra
Shadow Victreebell
Simisage
Tsareena
Breloom
Gogoat
Incarnate Landorus
Shadow Hippowdon
Shadow Flygon
Shadow Ursaluna
Shadow Piloswine
Genesect
Shadow Cloyster
Kyurem
Mr. Rime
Shadow Sneasel
Avalugg
Overqwil
Naganadel
Shadow Drapion
Shadow Tangrowth
Shadow Alolan Muk
Shadow Toxicroak
Shadow Crobat
Shadow Metagross
Shadow Alakazam
Tyranitar
Hero Zacian
Hero Zamazenta
Magnezone
Empoleon
Bisharp
Kingler
Greninja
Samurott
Gyarados
Feraligatr

Keep in mind that this Pokemon GO tier list doesn't include every single potential Pokemon that can be used as a raid attacker. It only contains the most notable examples across various species and elemental types.

As with all tier lists, this list is subjective and is likely to change over time as Pokemon GO continues to change with seasonal content, move changes, and the arrival of new Pocket Monsters.