VGC
Tier List 2026
Complete Regulation I format (one restricted legendary allowed) tier list covering restricted legendary rankings and all non-restricted meta Pokémon from S to C tier. Based on competitive usage rates and top player team-building logic.
Regulation I Format Overview
VGC Regulation I is the primary 2026 competitive ruleset allowing one restricted legendary (box legend) per team. This tier list is split into two sections: ① Restricted legendary rankings (choose one for your team slot) ② Non-restricted Pokémon rankings (the remaining five team slots).
Restricted Legendary Tier List
Top Tier · Format Defining
Sun weather lord, Orichalcum Pulse physical dominance
Top rain restricted, Origin Pulse is unmatched
Hadron Engine Electric Terrain x1.3, Trick Room core
Fastest special attacker restricted, incredible momentum
Strong Tier · Top Competitive Pick
Crowned Sword 170 Atk, top speed control disruptor
Desolate Land sun, massive physical output
Top Trick Room physical attacker, Glacial Lance is brutal
Massive HP + Dynamax Cannon, unique offensive profile
Ice Scales or Ice Body, enormous special bulk or offense
Viable Tier · Shines in Specific Archetypes
Air Lock suppresses all weather — hard counter to Koraidon sun and Kyogre rain
Tera Shell blocks all OHKOs at full HP; Teraform Zero permanently clears all weather and terrain
Shadow Shield ability, exceptional special bulk support
Origin Dialga excellent resistances, speed control niche
Origin Palkia high Sp.Atk, rain cleanup hitter
Sun Fire explosion power, disrupts opposing weather
Physical Electric wallbreaker, Bolt Strike threatens hard
Origin forme Shadow Force tech, bulky niche pick
Non-Restricted Tier List
Format Staples · Extremely Rare Bench
Fake Out + Intimidate + Parting Shot: best support trinity
Protosynthesis sun boosts Sp.Atk massively, immune to Fake Out
Surging Strikes bypasses Protect, rain-boosted finisher
Rage Powder redirect core, present in nearly every top team
Strong Picks · Fit Multiple Archetypes
Priority Grassy Glide, Grassy Terrain disrupts Tailwind speed
Priority Tailwind setter, Taunts support Pokémon
Good as Gold blocks all status moves, neutralizes item interference
Sword of Ruin -25% Def aura, Icicle Crash OHKOs bulky targets
Four mask forms, Ivy Cudgel breaks the mask for boosted offense
154 base HP, Miraidon Electric Terrain combo is unstoppable
Rage Fist scales with hits taken, top Trick Room physical attacker
Minds Eye ignores evasion, sun-boosted speed rivals Flutter Mane
Common Picks · Strong in the Right Team
Bulkiest Trick Room setter, moon-themed support toolkit
Download boosted offense, Eviolite bulk, Trick Room + Recover
Armor Tail blocks priority moves, unique anti-Fake Out tech
Prankster Reflect + Light Screen, Spirit Break Sp.Atk drops
Prankster Tailwind or Encore, disrupts speed-dependent teams
Beads of Ruin -25% Sp.Def aura, terrifying sun Fire output
Solid spread attacker, Earthquake clips multiple targets
Flexible Intimidate pivot, Extreme Speed priority recovery
Quark Drive speed, dual physical/special attacker flexibility
Niche Picks · Work in Specific Strategies
Sand Rush doubles speed in sand, sand team staple
Tatsugiri partner boosts all stats, bulky win condition
Mind's Eye special powerhouse, Trick Room cannon
Intimidate pivot, spread Earthquake damage
Protosynthesis speed or attack, Booster Energy sweeper
Supreme Overlord stacks each fainted ally, late-game threat
Tier Methodology
Rankings are based on VGC major tournament usage (LAIC, EUIC, NAIC, etc.), Regulation I top player team trends, and Pokémon Showdown VGC ladder usage statistics.
S: Format core, nearly every top team runs one. A: Strong pick, effective in most archetypes. B: Effective in the right team context. C: Niche use case or meta-specific counter pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Pokémon in VGC 2026 Regulation I?
Among restricted legendaries, Koraidon and Kyogre are the top S-tier picks, dominating sun and rain archetypes respectively. Among non-restricted Pokémon, Incineroar, Flutter Mane, and Urshifu-Rapid Strike sit at the top of S tier.
What is the difference between Regulation I and Regulation G?
Regulation I allows one restricted legendary (box legendary) per team, such as Koraidon, Kyogre, or Miraidon. Regulation G banned all restricted legendaries, creating a more balanced non-restricted format.
What are the most common team cores in VGC 2026?
The three dominant cores are: ①Koraidon + Flutter Mane (sun speed/special) ②Kyogre + Urshifu-RS (rain water offense) ③Miraidon + Iron Hands (Electric Terrain Trick Room). Incineroar appears in nearly every top team as the universal support core.
Which Pokémon are worth training in VGC 2026?
Any Pokémon in A tier or above is worth building. For beginners, start with Incineroar (support), Flutter Mane (attacker), and Amoonguss (speed control) — these three flex into virtually every restricted legendary team archetype.