PLAYER GUIDES · GUIDE 16

Kanto Tactics tier list: compare Pokémon families

Updated October 24, 2026 · Early ruleset-35 ranked snapshot

Pikachu artwork from the Kanto Tactics developer
THE DIRECT ANSWER

Moltres, Zapdos, Koga’s Weezing, Samurai’s Pinsir, Growlithe, Articuno and Mewtwo families lead this early v35 snapshot using the official Meta display formula. The data covers one day; it does not establish a stable best team.

Use the list to compare options for a team you can actually field. A late-game legendary appears in a different situation from a cheap opening unit; the average records that context as well as the Pokémon.

The v34 ranked tier list

Snapshot generated October 24, 2026 at 03:32 UTC. The feed covers October 17–23 and mixes versions; this page includes only records explicitly marked as ruleset 35. Those current-version records cover October 23 only, with 9,866 ranked seat records in the version summary. This is an early one-day sample, not a settled meta or a live dashboard. Composition and unit sample counts are their own observations; the feed’s 125,643 all-version seats are not all v35 records. Ranked results do not establish performance in Adventures or the Tower.

The table groups evolution families or named character lines, not each individual star form. The 67 displayed feed rows are not a count of collection entries. A family result does not assign the same measured strength to every evolution. Lower average finishing position is better.

Pokémon family / named line Tier Avg. place Sample
Moltres S 3.02 710
Zapdos S 3.15 844
Koga’s Weezing family S 3.26 589
Samurai’s Pinsir S 3.29 458
Growlithe S 3.37 368
Articuno S 3.47 740
Mewtwo S 3.48 869
Giovanni’s Persian family A 3.49 388
Aerodactyl A 3.51 1,659
Primeape A 3.64 510
Rhyhorn / Rhydon A 3.67 1,420
Hitmonlee A 3.68 591
Magmar A 3.70 534
Hitmonchan A 3.71 592
Victreebel A 3.72 1,227
Mew A 3.72 804
Chansey A 3.74 589
Flareon A 3.74 294
Ditto A 3.75 342
Nidoqueen A 3.79 1,682
Dratini / Dragonair / Dragonite A 3.79 1,543
Onix B 3.85 1,177
Rattata B 3.86 562
Paras B 3.88 1,069
Vulpix B 3.94 530
Kabutops B 3.96 1,107
Porygon B 3.97 382
Scyther B 3.98 2,048
Ponyta B 3.99 634
Venomoth B 4.00 1,348
Tauros B 4.00 505
Geodude / Graveler / Golem B 4.01 2,053
Tangela B 4.02 333
Magnemite / Magneton B 4.04 383
Diglett / Dugtrio B 4.04 1,494
Shellder / Cloyster B 4.05 676
Cubone B 4.07 460
Sandshrew B 4.10 763
Lapras B 4.12 1,148
Staryu / Starmie B 4.12 1,504
Charmander B 4.12 2,270
Machop B 4.13 1,213
Pidgey B 4.13 1,928
Snorlax B 4.15 891
Caterpie B 4.21 1,750
Omastar C 4.23 1,357
Electabuzz C 4.25 763
Jigglypuff C 4.29 467
Poliwag C 4.31 1,351
Weedle C 4.31 1,537
Nidoran C 4.34 2,466
Vaporeon C 4.36 614
Zubat C 4.36 2,547
Gastly C 4.40 2,317
Pikachu C 4.46 543
Oddish C 4.45 1,466
Seel C 4.46 1,238
Slowpoke / Slowbro C 4.53 2,016
Voltorb C 4.55 868
Magikarp / Gyarados C 4.58 1,965
Squirtle / Wartortle / Blastoise C 4.65 1,950
Bulbasaur C 4.66 2,543
Exeggcute C 4.84 993
Ekans C 4.85 679
Psyduck C 4.92 725
Jynx C 4.93 1,239
Abra C 5.15 1,170

What the tiers can and cannot tell you

Tiers use the official Meta display’s adjustment toward reference placement 4.01, with prior weight 20: (average × effective sample + 4.01 × 20) ÷ (effective sample + 20). The effective sample is the feed’s ne field when present, otherwise n. Relative to 4.01, adjusted placement below −0.50 is S, below −0.20 is A, up to +0.20 is B, and above +0.20 is C. The table shows unadjusted averages and n.

The raw API also supplies tier fields that can differ from this display calculation. We use the verified frontend formula consistently. This is particularly visible in the small current-version comp sample.

Expensive Pokémon often appear only in teams that survived long enough to buy them. That selection effect, the one-day window and the October 23 balance changes limit comparisons. A low placement average does not prove that buying the Pokémon causes wins. Recheck stars, item holders, sample and available copies before replacing your current team.

Turn a ranking into your next decision

  1. Check whether the shop actually offers the unit or a useful merge.
  2. Compare it with the unit it would replace, including current stars and equipment.
  3. Check whether the replacement activates or breaks a type bonus.
  4. Inspect the holder’s ability form before moving damage items.

Use concrete comps for team cores and item holders, or build decisions for choosing between a merge and another field slot. The meta overview explains the version changes behind this snapshot.

Quick questions

Is this a live tier list?

No. It is the October 24 official-feed snapshot, limited to explicit ruleset-35 records from October 23.

Does every evolution in a family have this rank?

No. The feed groups evolution families or named lines. These are not separate tests of every evolved form.

Sources & review

Official Meta snapshot generated 2026-10-24T03:32:46.853Z; only explicit ruleset-35 records are included. Labels reproduce the current official frontend formula with reference 4.01 and prior weight 20. Family-level observations are not individual evolved-form tests or firsthand win rates.

Game character artwork: Einoow / Kanto Tactics, with rights held by the respective owners. Editorial policy · Suggest a correction

Your next step

Kanto Tactics comps: five team cores to build towardKanto Tactics meta: what changed and what to playHow should I build my team?Kanto Tactics items: recipes and equipment choices