A first-pass competitive tier list for Pokemon Champions under Regulation M-A. Champions runs Double Battles with the return of Mega Evolution, and the meta is still forming, so treat everything here as an early read rather than a settled ladder.
Reading this tier list
Champions uses the VGC Double Battle format: bring six Pokemon, pick four, auto-set to level 50, with a 20 minute clock. At launch only fully evolved Pokemon are legal (no pre-evolutions or Eviolite), you cannot repeat a species or held item, and exactly one Mega Evolution is allowed per battle. Tiers below weigh how often a Pokemon anchors winning teams in early regionals, not raw stats.
Early top picks (provisional)
- Pokemon
- Incineroar
- Role
- Support / pivot
- Early Read
- Intimidate plus Fake Out remains the most common glue on early teams.
- Pokemon
- Garchomp
- Role
- Physical attacker
- Early Read
- Flexible spread attacker, strong into the sand and dragon cores being tested.
- Pokemon
- Talonflame
- Role
- Speed control
- Early Read
- Tailwind setter with priority Brave Bird, common lead.
- Pokemon
- Sneasler
- Role
- Fast breaker
- Early Read
- High-speed Fighting damage and Fake Out access, popular offensive piece.
- Pokemon
- Venusaur
- Role
- Sun / redirection
- Early Read
- Pairs with sun teams and absorbs spread targeting.
Mega Evolution picks (provisional)
- Mega
- Mega Charizard Y
- Why
- Drought plus heavy special damage anchors sun offense.
- Mega
- Mega Tyranitar
- Why
- Sand control and bulk for the opposing weather war.
- Mega
- Mega Froslass
- Why
- Fast utility, hail and disruptive support tools.
- Mega
- Mega Salamence
- Why
- Intimidate on the Mega turn plus strong spread coverage.
What is shaping the early meta
- Weather wars. Sun (Drought) and sand (Sand Stream) teams are the most visible archetypes, so the opposing weather setter is a core consideration.
- Intimidate and Fake Out. Incineroar-style support keeps damage in check and buys tempo, which is why it shows up on so many lists.
- Speed control. Tailwind and Trick Room are both being explored to dictate turn order in doubles.
- One-Mega timing. Because only one Mega is allowed, when you Mega Evolve is often the turn that decides the game.