Best Defenders Tier List

Discover the toughest Pokémon to take down in Pokémon GO. This Defenders Tier List ranks Pokémon by their defensive power — combining high stamina, defense, and advantageous typings to resist common raid attackers. Perfect for Trainers looking to build sturdy gym defenders and reliable raid tanks.

Note: Pokémon inside every tier are sorted by their overall defensive potential.

Jump to Tier:

S Tier

S Tier Pokémon are the most dominant gym and raid defenders in Pokémon GO. With unmatched bulk and strong defensive typings, these Pokémon are incredibly difficult to defeat and form the backbone of any gym defense.

Blissey

Chansey

A+ Tier

A+ Tier defenders are powerful and reliable walls that offer high stamina, resistance coverage, and defensive typing, making them excellent for gym placement and raid durability.

A Tier

A Tier defenders are dependable and bulky Pokémon that excel in gyms or PvE defense. They may not have the absolute best stats, but they’re durable and reliable.

B Tier

B Tier defenders are solid choices that may have specific weaknesses or limited versatility but still bring valuable durability and type resistance to gyms.

C Tier

C Tier Pokémon are situational defenders. They can serve decently in gyms or certain PvE contexts but are generally less efficient than top-tier options. Many here shine due to unique typing, bulk, or niche coverage.

Shadow Alolan Golem

Audino

Volcarona

Toxapex

Gourgeist (Large Size)

Feraligatr

Forretress

Politoed

Primarina

Oinkologne

Araquanid

Serperior

Tyrantrum

Mantine

Skarmory

Conkeldurr

Porygon2

Bronzong

Centiskorch

Hisuian Decidueye

Claydol

Mamoswine

Appletun

Alolan Sandslash

Shadow Alolan Sandslash

Carracosta

Magnezone

Gothitelle

Crobat

Palossand

Arboliva

Kingdra

Noctowl

Cloyster

Clefable

Ampharos

Seismitoad

Torkoal

Krookodile

Whiscash

Lanturn

Bewear

Empoleon

Dewgong

Armarouge

Altaria

Tropius

Salamence

Scrafty

Barbaracle

Stoutland

Passimian

Gigantamax Venusaur

Venusaur

Reuniclus

Nidoqueen

Cofagrigus

Runerigus

Swalot

Grumpig

Leafeon

Hisuian Arcanine

Gastrodon (East Sea)

Gastrodon (West Sea)

Dubwool

Drapion

Gourgeist (Average Size)

Dragapult

Noivern

Amoonguss

Omastar

Hariyama

Crustle

Arcanine

Tsareena

Houndstone

Delphox

Ceruledge

Azumarill

Braviary

Alolan Ninetales

Shadow Alolan Ninetales

Shuckle

Ninetales

Munchlax

Ludicolo

Glaceon

Wyrdeer

Decidueye

Turtonator

Hisuian Braviary

D Tier

D Tier Pokémon are niche or outdated defenders. They can fill space in gyms but are generally easy to defeat and not worth investing Stardust or Candy in for defensive purposes.