Pokémon GO: Best Movesets July 2022

Pokemon Go Battle League
(Image credit: Niantic)

While it may seem like Combat Power (CP) or stats (IVs) are the most important factors in Pokémon Go, movesets play a critical role as well. Movesets are the combination of the fast attack and charged attack your Pokémon uses in battles.

The wonderful, terrible thing about movesets is that they're usually determined at random. The good news is that, with Technical Machines (TMs) and Elite TMs, you change your old, terrible moves. But how do you know which movesets will help your Pokémon win at PvP Trainer Battles and decimate Gyms and Raids and which will make a fight simply unwinnable? Here's the newly updated list! And be sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories to take your game to the next level!

What are the best Pokémon GO movesets?

While we won't go into the best movesets for every single Pokémon — after all, even with the best moves, a Pidgey isn't getting you very far — we do have the best moves for all the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, as well as the best non-Legendary Pokémon. And now, with the introduction of Mega Evolution, we've got your Mega Pokémon too!

Mega Pokémon

(Image credit: Niantic)

Mega Evolution has finally made its way to Pokémon Go and it's quite the game changer! Mega Evolution gives your Pokémon a huge stat boost, as well as boosting other Pokémon you battle with during Raids.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokémonAttack
Mega VenusaurVine Whip + Frenzy Plant*
Mega Charizard XDragon Breath* + Dragon Claw
Mega Charizard YFire Spin + Blast Burn*
Mega BlastoiseWater Gun + Hydro Cannon
Mega BeedrillPoison Jab + Sludge Bomb
Mega PidgeotWing Attack* + Brave Bird
Mega SlowbroConfusion + Psychic
Mega GengarLick* or Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball
Mega KangaskhanMud Slap + Earthquake
Mega GyaradosWaterfall + Hydro Pump
Bite + Crunch
Mega AerodactylRock Throw + Rock Slide
Mega AmpharosVolt Switch + Zap Cannon
Mega SteelixIron Tail + Heavy Slam
Mega HoundoomSnarl + Foul Play
Mega ManectricCharge Beam + Wild Charge
Mega AltariaDragon Breath + Dazzling Gleam
Mega AbsolSnarl + Dark Pulse
Mega LatiasDragon Breath + Outrage
Zen Headbutt + Psychic
Mega LatiosDragon Breath + Dragon Claw
Zen Headbutt + Psychic
Mega LopunnyLow Kick + Focus Blast
Mega AbomasnowPowder Snow + Weather Ball

Legendary and Mythical Pokémon

(Image credit: Niantic)

While there are some Trainers who have entire teams of each Legendary Pokémon, Legendaries and Mythicals are some of the rarest Pokémon in the game. On top of that, they require the most walking to earn Candies, so it can be extremely time-consuming and outright expensive to power them up and teach them new moves. However, they're also some of the most powerful Pokémon in the game, so you'll want them to have the best possible movesets.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokémonAttack
ArticunoFrost Breath + Ice Beam or Blizzard
ZapdosThunder Shock* + Thunder Bolt
MoltresFire Spin + Overheat
Wing Attack + Sky Attack*
MewtwoConfusion or Psycho Cut + Psystrike* or Shadow Ball*
Armored MewtwoConfusion + Psystrike*
MewShadow Claw + Psyshock
RaikouThunder Shock + Wild Charge
EnteiFire Fang + Overheat
SuicuneSnarl + Hydro Pump
LugiaExtrasensory + Aeroblast++*
Ho-OhIncinerate + Sacred Fire++*
Hidden Power (Flying) + Brave Bird
CelebiMagical Leaf + Leaf Storm
Confusion + Psychic
RegirockRock Throw or Lock-On + Stone Edge
RegiceFrost Breath or Lock-On + Blizzard
RegisteelMetal Claw or Lock-On + Flash Cannon
LatiasDragon Breath + Outrage
LatiosDragon Breath + Dragon Claw
KyogreWaterfall + Surf
GroudonMud Shot + Earthquake or Solar Beam
RayquazaDragon Tail + Outrage
JirachiConfusion + Doom Desire
Deoxys (Normal forme)Charge Beam + Thunderbolt
Deoxys (Attack forme)Poison Jab + Dark Pulse
Deoxys (Defense forme)Counter + Thunder Bolt or Rock Slide
Deoxys (Speed forme)Zen Headbutt + Thunderbolt
UxieConfusion + Future Sight
MespritConfusion + Future Sight
AzelfConfusion + Future Sight
DialgaDragon Breath + Draco Meteor
PalkiaDragon Tail + Draco Meteor
HeatranFire Spin + Flamethrower
RegigigasHidden Power + Giga Impact
Giratina (Origin forme)Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball
Giratina (Altered forme)Shadow Claw + Dragon Claw
CresseliaConfusion + Futuresight
DarkraiSnarl + Shadow Ball or Dark Pulse
Shaymin (Land)Hidden Power + Grass Knot
VictiniConfusion + V-Create or Psychic
CobalionMetal Claw + Sacred Sword*
TerrakionSmack Down + Rock Slide
VirizionZen Headbutt + Leaf Blade
Tornadus (Incarnate forme)Air Slash + Hurricane
Tornadus (Therian forme)Gust + Hurricane
Thundurus (Incarnate forme)Thunder Shock + Thunder Punch
Thundurus (Therian forme)Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
ReshiramFire Fang + Overheat
ZekromDragon Breath + Outrage
Charge Beam + Wild Charge
Landorus (Incarnate forme)Mud Shot + Earth Power
Landorus (Therian forme)Mud Shot + Earthquake
KyuremDragon Breath + Draco Meteor
Meloetta (Aria forme)Confusion + Psyshock
GenesectFury Cutter + X-Scissor
XerneasZen Headbutt + Moonblast
YveltalGust + Hurricane
Snarl + Dark Pulse
Hoopa (Confined)Confusion + Psychic
Hoopa (Unbound)Confusion + Psychic
Astonish + Shadow Ball
Tapu KokoVolt Switch + Thunderbolt
Tapu LeleConfusion + Psyshock
Tapu BuluBullet Seed + Grass Knot
Tapu FiniWater Gun + Surf or Moonblast
NihilegoAcid + Sludge Bomb
BuzzwoleCounter + Superpower
PheromosaLow Kick + Close Combat
MeltanThunder Shock + Thunderbolt
MelmetalThunder Shock + Thunderbolt
Zacian (Hero of Many Battles forme)Psycho Cut + Play Rough
Zamazenta (Hero of Many Battles forme)Bite + Focus Blast
ZarudeVine Whip + Power Whip

Note on Mew and Mewtwo: Mew's best moveset is technically Shadow Claw and Psyshock; however, Mew and Mewtwo's greatest strength is the wide variety in their movepools. Mewtwo can excel as with Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Thunderbolt in special cases. The big difference is that Mew's stats aren't particularly great, while Mewtwo is the best in the game.

Non-Legendary Pokémon

(Image credit: Niantic)

Most other species of Pokémon can be found more easily than Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Many are featured in Community Days and other events, so earning Candies for these Pokémon is easier. You probably won't want to waste Elite TMs on most of these Pokémon, but normal TMs can definitely get you some really good moves. While we won't tell you every single Pokémon's best moves (because, let's face it, even with the best moves and top CP, Pidgey isn't going to serve you well in any sort of fight,) here are some of the best non-Legendary Pokémon in the game, along with their ideal movesets:

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokémonAttack
VenusaurVine Whip + Frenzy Plant*
Razor Leaf + Sludge Bomb
CharizardFire Spin + Blast Burn*
BlastoiseWater Gun + Hydro Canon*
ArcanineFire Fang + Flamethrower
AlakazamConfusion + Psychic*
MachampCounter + Dynamic Punch
VictreebelRazor Leaf + Leaf Blade
GolemRock Throw + Stone Edge or Rock Blast
Alolan GolemRock Throw + Rock Blast
Volt Switch + Wild Charge
SlowbroConfusion + Psychic or Ice Beam
MukPoison Jab or Acid + Gunk Shot
Alolan MukPoison Jab + Gunk Shot
Bite + Dark Pulse
GengarShadow Claw + Shadow Ball
HypnoConfusion + Psychic
KinglerBubble + Crabhammer
Hisuian ElectrodeThunder Shock + Wild Charge or Energy Ball
ExeggutorConfusion + Psychic
Bullet Seed + Solar Beam
Alolan ExeggutorBullet Seed + Solar Beam
RhydonMud Slap + Stone Edge or Earthquake
Mr. MimeConfusion + Psychic
Galarian Mr. MimeConfusion + Psychic or Ice Punch
PinserBug Bite + X-Scissor
GyaradosWaterfall + Hydro Pump
LaprasFrost Breath + Blizzard
VaporeonWater Gun + Hydro Pump
JolteonThunder Shock + Thunderbolt
FlareonFire Spin + Overheat
OmastarRock Throw* + Rock Slide*
AerodactylRock Throw + Rock Slide
SnorlaxLick + Return*
DragoniteDragon Breath or Dragon Tail + Outrage
MeganiumVine Whip or Razor Leaf + Frenzy Plant
TyphlosionEmber + Overheat
FeraligatrWaterfall + Hydro Cannon
AmpharosCharge Beam + Zap Cannon
EspeonConfusion + Psychic
UmbreonSnarl + Foul Play or Psychic*
SlowkingConfusion + Psychic
SteelixIron Tail + Heavy Slam
ScizorBullet Punch + Iron Head
HeracrossCounter + Close Combat
UsaringCounter + Hyper Beam
DonphanCounter + Earthquake
TyranitarBite + Crunch
Smack Down* + Stone Edge
SceptileBullet Seed + Frenzy Plant*
BlazikenFire Spin + Blast Burn*
SwampertWater Gun + Hydro Cannon*
GardevoirCharm + Dazzling Gleam
Confusion + Synchronoise
BreloomCounter + Dynamic Punch
SlakingYawn + Hyper Beam
HariyamaCounter + Dynamic Punch
AggronIron Tail + Heavy Slam
WailordWater Gun + Surf
FlygonDragon Tail + Dragon Claw
Mud Shot + Earth Power
ArmaldoFury Cutter + Rock Blast
ClaydolConfusion + Psychic
MiloticWaterfall + Surf
BanetteShadow Claw + Shadow Ball
WalreinFrost Breath + Blizzard
SalamenceDragon Tail + Outrage*
MetagrossBullet Punch + Meteor Mash*
TorterraRazor Leaf + Frenzy Plant*
InfernapeFire Spin + Blast Burn*
EmpoleonWaterfall + Hydro Cannon*
StaraptorGust* + Brave Bird
RoseradeRazor Leaf + Grass Knot
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb
RampardosSmack Down + Rock Slide
MismagiusHex or Sucker Punch + Shadow Ball
HonchkrowPeck + Sky Attack
GarchompMud Shot + Earth Power
Dragon Tail + Outrage
LucarioCounter + Aura Sphere
WeavileSnarl + Foul Play
Ice Shard + Avalanche
MagnezoneSpark + Wild Charge
RhyperiorSmack Down + Rock Wrecker*
Mud Slap + Earthquake
TangrowthVine Whip + Power Whip
ElectivireThunder Shock + Wild Charge
TogekissCharm + Dazzling Gleam
YanmegaBug Bite + Bug Buzz
LeafeonRazor Leaf or Quick Attack + Leaf Blade
GlaceonFrost Breath + Avalanche
MamoswinePowder Snow + Avalanche
Porygon ZLock-On + Tri-Attack*
GalladeConfusion + Synchronoise
ProbopassSpark + Thunderbolt
FroslassPowder Snow + Avalanche or Shadow Ball
Rotom (Wash)Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
SerperiorVine Whip + Grass Knot
EmboarLow Kick + Focus Blast
SamurottWater Fall + Hydro Pump
UnfezantAir Slash + Sky Attack
ExcadrillMud Slap + Drill Run
ConkeldurrCounter + Dynamic Punch
DarmanitanFire Fang + Overheat
Galarian DarmanitanIce Fang + Avalanche
CofagrigusAstonish + Shadow Ball
GothitelleConfusion + Psychic
ReuniclusHidden Power + Shadow Ball
EscavalierBug Bite + Megahorn
FerrothornBullet Seed + Power Whip
KlinklangThunder Shock + Zap Cannon
ChandelureFire Spin + Overheat
Hex + Shadow Ball
HaxorusDragon Tail + Dragon Claw
BearticPowder Snow + Ice Punch
GolurkMud Slap + Earth Power
BisharpSnarl + Dark Pulse
DruddigonDragon Tail + Dragon Claw
BraviaryAir Slash + Brave Bird
MandibuzzSnarl + Foul Play
HydreigonBite + Dark Pulse
Dragon Breath + Dragon Pulse
ChesnaughtVine Whip + Solar Beam
DelphoxFire Spin + Flamethrower
Zen Headbutt + Psychic
GreninjaBubble + Surf
TalonflameFire Spin or Peck + Fire Blast or Brave Bird
PyroarFire Fang + Overheat
FlorgesVine Whip + Moonblast
PangoroLow Kick + Close Combat
Snarl + Night Slash
Meowstic (Female)Confusion + Shadow Ball
Meowstic (Male)Confusion + Psychic
ClawitzerWater Gun + Crabhammer
TyrantrumDragon Tail + Outrage
AurorusFrost Breath + Weather Ball
MalamarPsycho Cut + Foul Play
SylveonCharm + Dazzling Gleam or Psyshock*
TrevenantShadow Claw + Shadow Ball
GourgeistHex + Shadow Ball
AvaluggIce Fang + Avalanche
NoivernAir Slash + Hurricane or Psychic
GoodraDragon Breath + Draco Meteor
DecidueyeRazor Leaf + Energy Ball
IncineroarSnarl + Dark Pulse
Fire Fang + Fire Blast
PrimarinaWaterfall + Hydro Pump
Charm + Moonblast
Lycanroc (Midday)Rock Throw + Stone Edge
Lycanroc (Midnight)Rock Throw + Stone Edge
SalazzlePoison Jab + Sludge Wave
Kommo-oDragon Tail + Dragon Claw
ObstagoonLick + Night Slash
PerrserkerMetal Claw + Iron Head
Sirfetch'dCounter + Close Combat
Mr. RimeConfusion + Psychic
Ice Shard + Ice Punch

Legacy Moves are indicated with an asterisk.

Shadow Pokémon

(Image credit: Niantic)

With the rebalance of Shadow Pokémon and the addition of events where you can change Frustration for another Charged attack, there are Shadow Pokémon that you will want in your roster too. You can only change a Shadow Pokémon's Charged attack during specific events, but once it knows a normal attack, you can change it again and again. Here are the Shadow Pokémon worth keeping and investing in:

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokémonAttack
Shadow VenusaurVine Whip + Frenzy Plant
Shadow CharizardFire Spin + Blast Burn
Shadow BlastoiseWater Gun + Hydro Cannon
Shadow AlakazamConfusion + Psychic
Shadow MachampCounter + Dynamic Punch
Shadow VictreebelRazor Leaf + Leaf Blade
Acid + Sludge Bomb
Shadow GolemRock Throw + Rock Blast
Shadow ExeggutorConfusion + Psychic
Bullet Seed + Solar Beam
Shadow Alolan ExeggutorBullet Seed + Solar Beam
Shadow PinsirBug Bit + X-Scissor
Shadow GyaradosWaterfall + Hydro Pump
Shadow OmastarRock Throw + Rock Slide
Shadow AerodactylRock Throw + Rock Slide
Shadow ArticunoFrost Breath + Ice Beam or Blizzard
Shadow ZapdosThunder Shock + Thunderbolt
Shadow MoltresFire Spin + Overheat
Wing Attack + Sky Attack
Shadow DragoniteDragon Tail + Outrage
Shadow MewtwoConfusion + Psystrike or Shadow Ball
Shadow ScizorFury Cutter + X-Scissor
Bullet Punch + Iron Head
Shadow HoundoomSnarl + Foul Play
Shadow RaikouThunder Shock + Wild Charge
Shadow EnteiFire Fang + Overheat
Shadow SuicuneSnarl + Hydro Pump
Shadow TyranitarSmack Down + Stone Edge
Bite + Crunch
Shadow LugiaExtrasensory + Aeroblast
Apex Shadow LugiaExtrasensory + Aeroblast+
Shaodw Ho-OhIncinerate + Sacred Fire
Apex Shadow Ho-OhIncinerate + Sacred Fire+
Shadow SwampertWater Gun + Hydro Cannon
Mud Shot + Earthquake
Shadow ShiftryRazor Leaf + Leaf Blade
Shadow GardevoirCharm + Dazzling Gleam
Shadow HariyamaCounter + Dynamic Punch
Shadow AggronIron Tail + Heavy Slam
Shadow BanetteShadow Claw + Shadow Ball
Shadow AbsolSnarl + Dark Pulse
Shadow SalamenceDragon Tail + Outrage
Shadow MetagrossBullet Punch + Meteor Mash
Shadow LatiasDragon Breath + Outrage
Zen Headbutt + Psychic
Shadow LatiosDragon Breath + Dragon Claw
Shadow TorterraRazor Leaf + Frenzy Plant
Shadow StaraptorGust + Brave Bird
Shadow HonchkrowPeck + Sky Attack
Shadow WeavileIce Shard + Avalanche
Snarl + Foul Play
Shadow MagnezoneSpark + Wild Charge
Shadow TangrowthVine Whip + Power Whip
Shadow ElectivireThunder Shock + Wild Charge
Shadow MamoswinePowder Snow + Avalanche
Shadow Porygon-ZLock-On + Tri-Attack
Shadow GalladeConfusion + Psychic

Note: While most Shadow Pokémon have the same ideal movesets as their normal counterparts, Shadow Mewtwo is in a class unto itself. It is by far the strongest Pokémon in the game. As such, many of its Charged attacks are well worth having. Shadow Ball is exceptionally useful against other Psychic types. Psystrike makes it the most powerful Psychic-type attacker. Even some of its other attacks, like Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Thunderbolt are very useful in particular Raids and PVP fights. Focus Blast and Hyper Beam are the only Charged attacks without good uses.

What if you don't have the best movesets in Pokémon Go?

Pokemon Go How To Use Tms

(Image credit: Source: iMore/Rene Ritchie)

Since the introduction of the Raid Battle system in June 2017, you can get Technical Machines to change your movesets. Two of the possible rewards for beating Raid Bosses are Quick TM and Fast TM, which can be used to change Quick Moves and Charge Moves respectively. Regular TMs are completely random and cannot access Legacy Moves.

Legacy Moves are special moves that were once available for a Pokémon but are no longer. Sometimes they were removed when Niantic re-balanced the game. Some were only available on Community Day or in special Raids. Either way, if a Legacy Move happens to be the best possible move for a Pokémon and you don't have it, you cannot get it with a normal TM. Before you use a TM on any Pokémon, you should always check to see if the move you're changing is a Legacy Move and if that move is worth having. A lot of Legacy Moves don't perform well, but some of them are the best moves in the game.

More recently, Niantic introduced Elite TMs. These TMs are rare, and often difficult to get or expensive, but allow you to choose from any move a Pokémon can have, including Legacy Moves. They aren't random either. You get to choose the move. Because of how hard it is to get Elite TMs, you'll want to save them for your very best Pokémon, but hey, now you can have a Mewtwo with Shadow Ball and Psystrike!

Here's how to change movesets in Pokémon Go? With Technical Machines (TM)!

What about Types in Pokémon Go?

It's also important to keep in mind types! While some Pokémon only have one type, most have two and all Pokémon can learn moves from multiple types. Although most Pokémon have a single moveset that is the best for their whole species, there are some Pokémon who have multiple sets. Take Chandelure, for example; Chandelure is a Fire and Ghost type and can be one of the best of either. If you're using your Chandelure as a Fire type, you'll want it to know Fire Spin and Overheat, but if you're going for Ghost type, you'll want Hex and Shadow Ball.

What about secondary Charge Moves in Pokémon Go?

With PvP Trainer Battles, Niantic also introduced secondary Charge Moves. You can buy them with Stardust and Candy, and TM them to whatever it is you need. So, what do you need? Typically, variety. If the best Charge Move is a full bar, get a secondary that's multi-bar. If there are two possible types for the Charged move, get both. For example, a Mewtwo with Shadow Ball or Psystrike is incredible, but one with both? Gamebreaker! However, adding a second Charge Move is expensive (up to 100K Stardust on the Legendaries) so make sure there is a good secondary move before spending on this upgrade.

Dish out devastating moves to win!

These are the best Pokémon Go movesets I've seen for the toughest Pokémon and best counters currently in the game. If you have a favorite that didn't make the list, let us know in the comments. And be sure to check out our Best Portable Battery Packs so your phone never runs out of juice on the way to becoming a Pokémon Master!

Casian Holly

Casian Holly has been writing about gaming at iMore since 2019, but their real passion is Pokémon. From the games to the anime, cards and toys, they eat, sleep, and breathe all things Pokémon. You can check out their many Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sword and Shield guides and coverage here on iMore.

With contributions from