There are hundreds of Pokemon available in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, but a select few define the meta for competitive play. Meta Pokemon consist of Pokemon that stand out among the rest and are must-have party members. If you hope to best opposing Trainers in battle, you’ll want to devise your party around the best meta Pokemon for competitive play in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Best Meta Pokemon For Competitive Play In Pokemon Scarlet And Violet: Gholdengo
Gholdengo stands out as the best all-around Pokemon for competitive play in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Gholdengo’s signature Ability, Good as Gold, gives it full immunity to other Pokemon’s status moves. Its signature move, Make it Rain, is also extremely potent.
Gholdengo is flexible too, able to succeed using various movesets and held items. Combined with its Steel/Ghost dual-typing and strong offensive stats, you cannot go wrong with adding a Gholdengo to your competitive party.
- Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Nasty Plot works amazingly in unison with Gholdengo.
Best Meta Pokemon For Competitive Play In Pokemon Scarlet And Violet: Dragapult
Dragapult is a well-balanced Dragon/Ghost dual-type Pokemon with impressive Attack, Special Attack, and Speed stats and a versatile arsenal of moves. And with the Clear Body Ability, opposing Pokemon cannot lower Dragapult’s stats.
Dragapult is especially fearsome after Terastallizing, as Ghost Tera-type Dragapult can use Tera Blast to deal physical damage.
Best Meta Pokemon For Competitive Play In Pokemon Scarlet And Violet: Dragonite
Dragonite has long been a mainstay of the competitive Pokemon meta, and it’s no different in Scarlet and Violet. This Dragon/Flying dual-type can learn all sorts of moves, making it a fan favourite for Trainers that like to be creative in their approach.
Dragonite has all the stats to dominate offensively, but with the Multiscale Ability, Dragonite can easily survive when hit with super-effective moves. Normal Tera-type Dragonite is exceptionally potent, as Extreme Speed is enhanced via a same-type attack bonus (STAB).
- Paradox Pokemon aren’t always legal in competitive play, but if they are, they’re among the best options. Learn where to find Paradox Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Best Meta Pokemon For Competitive Play In Pokemon Scarlet And Violet: Espathra
While the Physic-type Espathra’s stats aren’t anything to write home about, its Opportunist Ability negates its subpar stats entirely. Opportunist enables Espathra to mimic any stat boosts applied to an opponent’s Pokemon.
Speaking of Abilities, Espathra also has access to the Speed Boost Ability. With Speed Boost, Espathra’s Speed stat gradually increases as a battle progresses. Espathra’s Speed Boost Ability combined with its high Sp. Atk stat creates all sorts of outplay potential.
Finally, Espathra’s moveset isn’t too shabby either. Particularly, its signature move, Lumina Crash. Not only does Lumina Crash deal reasonable damage, but it also lowers the target’s Sp. Def, leaving it awfully vulnerable.
Best Meta Pokemon For Competitive Play In Pokemon Scarlet And Violet: Kingambit
Kingambit is a naturally durable Pokemon with a high Def stat. And as a Dark/Steel-type, Kingambit has resistance to a wide array of Pokemon. Pair Kingambit with an Armour Vest, and this beast is immensely difficult to make faint.
What makes Kingambit truly scary is its Supreme Overlord Ability. Supreme Overlord boosts Kingambit’s Attack and Sp. Attack for every Pokemon in its party that has been defeated. Stacking this buff on top of Kingambit’s remarkably high Atk stat produces a Pokemon that can run through ill-prepared opponents.
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Best Meta Pokemon For Competitive Play In Pokemon Scarlet And Violet: Garganacl
Garganacl is another defensive-oriented Pokemon that opposing Trainers will have a hard time taking out. This Rock-type Pokemon sports the Purifying Salt Ability, which negates all status conditions and halves the damage taken from Ghost-type moves. Garganacl’s other potential Abilities, Sturdy and Clear Body, further fortify its defensive capabilities.
If Garganacl’s Abilities weren’t enough to convince you of this Pokemon’s strength, Garganacl can Terastallize and use Iron Defense to raise its Defense stat to new heights. And to cap it all off, Garganacl’s signature move, Salt Cure, widdles down enemy Pokemon’s HP turn after turn, leaving room to mix in other moves.
So, if your goal is to get into PvP in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the list above consists of the top-tier meta Pokemon for competitive play.
- Prepare your party with the best EV training in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.