Gen 5 of Pokemon GO was introduced in September of 2019 and added many new, powerful Pokemon to the game’s Pokedex. In fact, many of the Pokemon in Gen 5 are so over-powered that many players have claimed it “broke” the game. If one compares the Pokemon on this list to the best Pokemon of previous generations it is easy to see why many players have this opinion.

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This list will not include any Mega, Shiny, or Primal Pokemon. Also, Gen 5 has a lot of variant forms of the same Pokemon; only one version of a Pokemon will be included on this list. The stats given for these Pokemon (CP, attack, defense, and stamina) are their maximum possible stats.

Updated May 18th, 2021, by Jeff Drake: Now that Gen 5 has been out for a while in Pokemon Go, it's time to revisit this list. For the most part, the ranking of the Pokemon remains unchanged. However, there are some Gen 5 Pokemon that were not available when this article was originally published. The best of these new Pokemon have been added to this list and ranked accordingly.

15 Hydreigon

The profile of Hydreigon in Pokemon GO

Hydreigon is a three-headed, Ghidorah-looking Dragon/Dark-type Pokemon. It has a phenomenal CP of  4098, an attack of 256, a defense of 188, and a stamina of 210. Such great stats make Hydreigon a capable combatant. Hydreigon can take on all but the top-tier Pokemon like Mewtwo or Kyurem.

The one thing holding Hydreigon from being a top-tier Pokemon is its available move-sets. Bite and Dragon Breath are Hydreigon's choices for a quick move. These two moves are identical in terms of damage, recharge time, and energy produced. It's up to the player whether they want a Dark or Dragon-type for their quick move. Dragon Pulse, Dark Pulse, and Flash Cannon are its available charge moves. Dragon Breath and Dark Pulse is the best move-set with a DPS of 15.60.

14 Victini

The profile of Victini in Pokemon GO

Victini is a cute, unassuming-looking little Fire/Psychic-type Pokemon that is exceptionally dangerous in battle. It has some of the best all-around ratings of the Pokemon on this list. Its attack is 210, its defense is 210, and its stamina is 225. Having such good ratings gives Victini the ability to outlast an opposing Pokemon. One drawback to using Victini is its long list of weaknesses: Dark, Ground, Water, Ghost, and Rock-type moves.

Confusion and Quick Attack are Victini's available quick moves. Confusion takes longer to recharge than Quick Attack but deals quite a bit more damage. Victini's choices for a charge move are V-Create, Overheat, Psychic, and Focus Blast. Confusion and V-Create is the best move-set with a DPS of 17.93.

13 Volcarona

The profile of Volcarona in Pokemon GO

Volcarona is a Fire/Bug-type Pokemon. This Pokemon is one of the better Fire-type Pokemon and possibly the best Bug-type in GO, although the latter's not saying much as Bug types have never been very strong in any of the Pokemon games. Volcarona has a CP of 3632, an attack of 264, a defense of 189, and a stamina of 198.

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Volcarona’s available quick moves are Bug Bite and Fire Spin. Its available charge moves are Hurricane, Overheat, Solar Beam, and Bug Buzz. The best move set in terms of DPS (damage per second) and TDO (total damage output) is Bug Bite and Overheat.

Update: Volcarona is not currently available.

12 Haxorus

The profile of Haxorus in Pokemon GO

Haxorus is a Dragon-type Pokemon that resembles a cross between a lizard and an insect. It has the third-highest attack rating (284) of the Pokemon ranked in this article. Unfortunately, its defense and stamina ratings are not nearly as high, coming in at 172 and 183, respectively. These defense and stamina ratings aren't awful, but they're low enough to keep Haxorus from the top tiers.

As one would expect from a Dragon-type Pokemon, Haxorus has great offensive capabilities. Its available quick moves are Dragon Tail and Counter. Haxorus has four choices for a charge move: Surf, Night Slash, Earthquake, and Dragon Claw. The Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw move-set has the highest DPS at 18.56, but it is limiting due to both moves being of the same type. Counter and Dragon Claw offer a little more flexibility with a DPS of 17.70.

11 Thundurus – Therian Form

The profile of Thundurus in Pokemon GO

Thundurus (Therian) is an Electric/Flying-type Pokemon. The Therian variant of Thundurus is something that has become very common in Pokemon GO – a Pokémon with excellent stats but lacking in top-tier move-sets. If it had better available moves this Pokémon would be considered a top-tier combatant; alongside player favorites like Machamp and Palkia.

Thundurus has a CP of 3659, an impressive attack rating of 295, a defense of 161, and a stamina of 188. Players can choose between Thunder Shock and Astonish for a quick attack. Thunder, Brick Break, Thunder Punch, and Crunch are its available charge moves. Thunder Shock and Brick Break is by far its best move-set.

10 Chandelure

The profile of Chandelure in Pokemon GO

Chandelure is a Ghost/Fire-type Pokemon. This chandelier Pokemon is a perfect example of a glass cannon. It has a great attack rating of 271, which is one of the highest in Gen 5. Chandelure's defense is a 182, while its stamina rating is a 155. This means Chandelure is only good against Pokemon with a lower defense.

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One thing Chandelure has going for it is its large list of available moves. It has three quick moves: Incinerate, Fire Spin, and Hex. Shadow Ball, Energy Ball, and Overheat are Chandelure's choices for a charge move. The best combination is Fire Spin and Shadow Ball; which has a great DPS of 19.72.

9 Conkeldurr

The profile of Conkeldurr in Pokemon GO

Conkeldurr is a Fighting-type Pokemon. This stout Pokemon evolves from Gurdurr, which evolves from Timburr. Conkeldurr has a strong attack rating of 243 and a stamina rating of 233. These two stats are as good, or better, than many of the Pokemon ranked higher. Its defense is a 158. Such a low defense rating puts Conkeldurr into a lower tier of Pokemon and dropped its CP to 3773.

One thing players like about Conkeldurr is its ability to inflict a lot of damage quickly. Poison Jab and Counter are Conkeldurr's choices for a quick attack, with the latter being the better choice. Stone Edge, Dynamic Punch, and Focus Blast are the available charge moves. When Counter and Dynamic Punch are used for Conkeldurr's move-set it has a DPS of 18.71.

8 Terrakion

The profile of Terrakion in Pokemon GO

Terrakion is a Rock/Fighting-type Pokemon. This is one of the best Rock-type Pokémon in the game, but unfortunately, it is weak against many popular types – like Fighting, Psychic, Fairy, and Water. Terrakion has a CP of 3698, an attack of 260, a defense of 192, and a stamina of 209.

For quick moves, Terrakion can pick between Zen Headbutt and Smack Down. Terrakion’s available charge moves are Close Combat, Rock Slide, and Earthquake. In terms of DPS and TDO this Pokémon’s best move-set is Smack Down and Close Combat.

7 Keldeo

Keldeo in the wild in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Keldeo is a Water/Fighting-type Pokemon that comes in two forms – Original and Resolute. Both forms have the same stats, available move-sets, strengths, and weaknesses. Much like Terrakion, Keldeo is weak against many popular move-types; otherwise, it would rank higher on this list.

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Keldeo’s maximum stats are identical to Terrakion’s; it has a CP of 3698, an attack of 260, a defense of 192, and a stamina of 209. Its available quick moves are Low Kick and Poison Stab; its available charge moves are Aqua Jet, Hydro Pump, X Scissor, and Close Combat. Low Kick and Close Combat is Keldeo’s best move-set.

Update: Keldeo is not currently available.

6 Darmanitan – Zen Form

The profile of Darmanitan in Pokemon GO

Darmanitan (Zen Form) is a Fire/Psychic-type Pokémon. This odd-looking Pokemon (even for a Pokemon) is on this list due to its well-balanced and exceptional stats, as well as its resistance to powerful move-types like Fire, Fighting, and Psychic.

It has a decent move-set that is not quite top tier but is definitely not weak either. Darmanitan has a CP of 3738, an attack of 243, a defense of 202, and a stamina of 233. Its choice of quick move is between Tackle and Fire Fang, and Psychic, Rock Slide, Focus Blast, and Overheat are its available charge moves. Focus Blast paired with either quick move is its best move-set.

Update: (Zen) Darmanitan is not currently available.

5 Landorus – Therian Form

The profile of Landorus in Pokemon GO

Landorus is a Ground/Flying-type Pokemon. Landorus is not only one of the best Ground-type Pokemon (it is slightly better than Groudon), but it is also one of the best Pokemon to use against Ground types. It is also strong against Fighting, Electric, and Poison types.

It has a CP of 3922, an attack of 289, a defense of 179, and a stamina of 205. Mud Shot and Rock Throw are its choices of quick moves. Outrage, Earth Power, Focus Blast, and Rock Slide are its available picks for a charge move. Mud Shot and Focus Blast is its best move-set.

4 Meloetta – Aria Form

An Aria Meloetta preparing to fight a battle

Meloetta (Aria Form) is a Normal/Psychic-type Pokemon with two forms – the other is the Pirouette Form. Both forms are excellent combatants; and while the Pirouette Form has better possible move-sets the Aria Form’s stats are better balanced, and it has far fewer weaknesses. The Aria Form of Meloetta has a CP of 3972, an attack of 250, a defense of 225, and a stamina of 225.

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The Aria Form’s available quick attacks are Confusion and Quick Attack; its available charge attacks are Hyper Beam, Dazzling Gleam, Psyshock, and Thunderbolt. Sadly, the Aria Form’s best move-set is made of legacy moves (Low Kick and Close Combat). The best non-legacy move-set is Confusion and Hyper Beam.

Update: (Aria) Meloetta is not currently available.

3 Reshiram

The profile of Reshiram in Pokemon GO

Reshiram is a Fire/Dragon-type Pokemon. Although there are many Dragon-type Pokemon that are better than Reshiram, it is considered by most players to be the best Fire-type Pokemon in the game. It has excellent stats and few weaknesses, but unfortunately not the best of move-sets.

Reshiram has a CP of 4038, an attack of 272, a defense of 211, and a stamina of 205. Its choice of quick move is between Dragon Breath and Fire Fang. Crunch, Stone Edge, Overheat, and Draco Meteor are its available charge moves. Fire Fang and Overheat have the highest DPS and TDO; though Dragon Breath and Overheat is almost as good (and more varied).

2 Zekrom

The profile of Zekrom in Pokemon GO

Zekrom is a top-tier Dragon/Electric-type Pokemon. This is possibly the best Electric-type Pokemon in GO, but like Reshiram, there are many better Dragon types. Zekiram also has a good variety of resistances to powerful move-types. It has a CP of 4038, an attack of 275, a defense of 211, and a stamina of 205.

Dragon Breath and Charge Beam are its available quick moves. Flash Cannon, Crunch, Outrage, and Wild Charge are its available charge moves. Dragon Breath and Wild Charge is Zekiram’s best move-set in terms of DPS and TDO; however, Dragon Breath and Outrage is a close second.

1 Kyurem – Black Form

The profile of Kyurem in Pokemon GO

Kyurem is a Dragon/Ice-type Pokemon with two forms – White and Black. Both forms have the same maximum stats, strengths, and resistances. The White Form is strong, but the Black Form has better possible move-sets. The Black Form of Kyurem is considered the best Dragon-type by many players. It is also considered one of the better Ice Pokemon in the game.

It has a CP of 4605, an incredible attack of 310, a defense 183, and a stamina of 245. Shadow Claw and Dragon Claw are its available quick moves. Iron Head, Blizzard, Stone Edge, and Outrage are the choices for a charge move. Dragon Tail and Outrage is the best move-set, but Dragon Tail and Blizzard is also a potent combination.

Update: Black Kyurem is not currently available.

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