Here's a list of notable and popular Gym Defenders used by many Trainers. Ranks are based from their individual stats, best defender move set's overall efficiency vs all types, energy gain to fire up Special Attacks, and more.
Important Note:
- MewTwo is probably the best Pokemon out there at the moment, but because of it's rarity, I will not include him here, including Mew and those Legendary Birds: Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos.
- Top Defensive Type Pokemon -
(After Major Re-balance Update: 7/29/16)
(After Major Re-balance Update: 7/29/16)
*For recommended Move Sets, refer to our Pokemon Lists here:
- Info List, Type, Resistances, Move Set and More.
Rank #1: Snorlax
Eggs: 10km; Evolution: n/a
- Zen Headbutt got it's energy gain buffed, so it is now useful for attacking, and especially for defending! Combo any of it's fast attacks with Hyper Beam to make your Snorlax a threat.
Rank #2: Lapras
Type: Water , Ice
Eggs: 10km; Evolution: n/a- Still one of the best because of it's newly buffed Ice Shard and undodgeable Blizzard!
Rank #3: Dragonite
Type: Dragon , Flying
Eggs: Dratini (10km); Evolution: Dratini (25) to Dragonair (100)
- Steel Wing is now a better defender fast attack.
- Steel Wing is now a better defender fast attack.
Rank #4: Exeggutor
Type: Grass , Psychic
Eggs: Exeggcute (5km); Evolution: Exeggcute (50)
Rank #5: Poliwrath
Eggs: Poliwag (5km); Evolution: Poliwag (25) to Poliwhirl (100)
- Hey! Poliwrath is now here because of it's buffed up Bubble + Hydro Pump move set!
Rank #6: Arcanine
Type: Fire
Eggs: Growlithe (5km); Evolution: Growlithe (50)
- Arcanine is also back here, now that it's Fire Fang + Fire Blast move set can really take a bite off of your Pokemon HPs fast!
- Arcanine is also back here, now that it's Fire Fang + Fire Blast move set can really take a bite off of your Pokemon HPs fast!
Rank #7: Slowbro
Eggs: Slowpoke (5km); Evolution: Slowpoke (50)
Eggs: Bulbasaur (2km); Evolution: Bulbsaur (25) to Ivysaur (100)
Eggs: Eevee (10km); Evolution: Eevee (25)
- Yup, despite it's Water Gun nerf, Vaporeon is still here because of it's nice HP and overall stats. Better watch out of it's Hydro Pumps now!
Eggs: Jigglypuff (2km); Evolution: Jigglypuff (50)
Rank #11: Rhydon
Eggs: Rhyhorn (5km); Evolution: Rhyhorn (50)
- A new Pokemon joins up the top rankings with his newly buffed up "Mud Slap" and "Stone Edge" move set!
Rank #12: Vileplume
Eggs: Oddish (5km); Evolution: Oddish (25) to Gloom (100)
Eggs: Nidoran♀ (5km); Evolution: Nidoran♀ (25) to Nidorina (100)
Eggs: Bellsprout (5km); Evolution: Bellsprout (25) to Weepinbell (50)
Rank #15: Muk
Eggs: Grimer (5km); Evolution: Grimer (50)
Rank #16: Golem
Type: Rock , Ground
Eggs: Geodude (2km); Evolution: Geodude (25) to Graveler (100)
Rank #17: Dewgong
Type: Water , Ice
Eggs: Seel (5km); Evolution: Seel (50)
Rank #18: Nidoking
Type: Poison , Ground
Eggs: Nidoran♂ (5km); Evolution: Nidoran♂ (25) to Nidorina (100)
Rank #19: Clefable
Type: Fairy
Eggs: Clefairy (2km); Evolution: Clefairy (50)
Rank #20: Charizard
Type: Fire , Flying
Eggs: Charmander (2km); Evolution: Charmander (25) to Charmeleon (100)
Rank #21: Hypno
Type: Psychic
Eggs: Drowzee (5km); Evolution: Drowzee (50)
Type: Water , Flying
Eggs: Magikarp (2km); Evolution: Magikarp (400)
Rank #23: Blastoise
Type: Water
Eggs: Squirtle (2km); Evolution: Squirtle (25) to Wartortle (100)
Rank #24: Golduck
Type: Water
Eggs: Psyduck (5km); Evolution: Psyduck (50)
Type: Water
Eggs: Psyduck (5km); Evolution: Psyduck (50)
Type: Fire
Eggs: Eevee (10km); Evolution: Eevee (25)
Rank #26: Tentacruel
Type: Water , Poison
Eggs: Tentacool (5km); Evolution: Tentacool (50)
Rank #27: Omastar
Type: Rock , Water
Eggs: Omanyte (10km); Evolution: Omanyte (50)
Rank #28: Machamp
Type: Fighting
Eggs: Machop (5km); Evolution: Machop (25) to Machoke (100)
Rank #29: Kangaskhan
Type: Normal
Eggs: 5km; Evolution: n/a
Type: Bug , Flying
Eggs: 10km; Evolution: n/a
Other Notes:
- Note that no matter which Pokemon you use for defending gyms, attackers will still have the upper hand because of the current battle mechanics. These Pokemon however, are your best shot to lessen the number of attack attempts.
- Defending gyms can be won by defeating attackers, win by timeouts, or by draining all of your attacker's potions forcing them to leave.
- Increase the Prestige Lvl of your Gyms to put in more Pokemon.
- Place some very high CP Pokemon to make them hesitate to attack, especially Trainers with "untrained eyes".
*Rankings might change in the future depending on new updates or findings.
Recommended Move Sets
- For the new recommended Move Sets, refer to our Pokemon Lists here: Info List, Type, Resistances, Move Set and More.
Related Pokemon GO Tips & Guides:
- Pokemon GO: Pokemon With Highest Attack, Defense, and Stamina
- Pokemon GO: Best Offensive Type Pokemon - Gym Attackers
- Pokemon GO: Best Balanced Non-Legendary Pokemon To Catch
- Pokemon GO: Best Offensive Type Pokemon - Gym Attackers
- Pokemon GO: Best Balanced Non-Legendary Pokemon To Catch
or
