Best Pokemon for Scarlet & Violet Ranked Battle Stadium: Competitive strategies & movesets

The meta for Scarlet and Violet competitive battling continues to develop and change, so here are the best Pokemon to use in the Ranked Battle Stadium mode.

While Pokemon fans can enjoy everything Scarlet and Violet has to offer with its three extensive storylines, there is much more to experience.

The Ranked Battle Stadium has been accessible since December 2022, and players have been climbing up the ladder. Ranked Battle Stadium Serie 3 Season 5 started on April 1 2023 and introduced new rules to competitive Pokemon play.

Given the competitive nature of the Scarlet and Violet mode, you’ll want to use the best Pokemon available in the Ranked Battle Stadium. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of which Pokemon you should prepare to succeed in Ranked battles.

Best Pokemon to use in Scarlet & Violet Ranked Battle Stadium mode

Series 3 Season 5 of the Ranked Battle Stadium will take place from April 1 to April 31. The meta has changed slightly since launch and the list of the best Pokemon to use is more evident now than it was in Series 1 or 2.

There are several viable Pokemon to use in Ranked from the new Generation 9 Pokemon that debuted in Scarlet and Violet.

In Series 3, Paradox Pokemon and the Treasures of Ruin are finally unbanned from Ranked Battles and can be used freely.

Annihilape

Game Freak/The Pokemon Company

Annihilape is proving to be one of the strongest new additions to competitive Pokemon battling. Annihilape’s signature move Rage Fist is completely overpowered as the move’s power increases by 50 after each time the Pokemon is hit.

This Chesto Berry set will allow players to set up a late-game sweep in combination with Bulk Up and Rest.

The Fire Tera Type will come in handy to grant Annihalape immunity from Will-O-Wisp, as well as resist incoming Fairy-types that might try to catch you off guard.

• Ability: Defiant
• Nature: Careful
• Item: Chesto Berry
• Tera Type: Fire
• Moveset: Bulk Up / Drain Punch / Rage Fist / Rest

Gholdengo

Gholdengo is an extremely versatile Pokemon and there are several sets Scarlet & Violet players can take advantage of. The Good as Gold ability is very strong as it prevents Gholdengo from any status moves, which primarily means it can’t be put to sleep with Spore.

In addition, Gholdengo is perhaps the best spin blocker in Scarlet and Violet as its Ability and typing prevent opponents from using, Rapid Spin, Defog, and Mortal Spin. Make it Rain packs a major punch that takes advantage of its high Special Attack stat.

Using Trick to cripple a defensive threat like Dondozo is a great strategy, which will also allow you to set up a few Nasty Plot.

• Ability: Good as Gold
• Nature: Timid
• Item: Choice Scarf
• Tera Type: Flying
• Moveset: Make it Rain / Nasty Plot / Shadow Ball / Trick

Baxcalibur

Baxcalibur is a classic physical attacker and its unique Ice/Dragon typing makes it a powerful Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet. For starters, Thermal Exchange will boost its Attack stat by +1 when hit with a Fire-type move.

This makes switching into a Fire-type move worthwhile, especially since Thermal Exchange also prevents Baxcalibur from getting burned, thus nullifying the threat of Will-O-Wisp.

With Dragon Dance at its disposal, Baxcalibur is one of the best Dragon-type sweepers around. You can opt for the Dragon Tera Type to make Glaive Rush hit extremely hard or the Fairy Tera Type to render opposing Dragon-type moves ineffective.

• Ability: Thermal Exchange
• Nature: Jolly
• Item: Heavy-Duty Boots
• Tera Type: Fairy or Dragon
• Moveset: Dragon Dance / Glaive Rush / Icicle Spear / Tera Blast or Earthquake

Palafin

Palafin is one of the most powerful Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet, but there’s a catch. Players will need to send in Palafin and switch it out from battle to activate its Hero form. Once in Hero form, Palafin’s stats grow to monstrous levels.

Using Flip Turn is the most ideal way to switch out Palafin and deal some damage to your opponent at the same time. When Palafin returns to the battle in its Hero form, it is considered one of the strongest physical attackers in the game.

• Ability: Zero to Hero
• Nature: Adamant
• Item: Choice Band
• Tera Type: Water
• Moveset: Jet Punch / Wave Crash / Flip Turn / Zen Headbutt

Chi-Yu

Players can opt for a variety of sets when it comes to the Chi-Yu, the powerful Fire and Dark-type Pokemon including Choice Specs and Choice Scarf. However, we’ve opted for the Nasty Plot and Life Orb combination as it gives players more freedom to maneuver in battle.

The Beads of Ruin Ability will lower the opposing Pokemon’s Special Defense stat by 25%, making Chi-Yu’s moves hit that much harder.

• Ability: Beads of Ruin
• Nature: Modest
• Item: Life Orb
• Tera Type: Fire
• Moveset: Flamethrower / Overheat / Nasty Plot / Dark Pulse

Glimmora

Glimmora is proficient at setting up hazards in Scarlet and Violet. It has access to Stealth Rock and its Toxic Debris Ability will scatter Toxic Spikes on the battlefield when it gets hit with a physical attack.

With a Bold nature and Focus Sash Glimmora can increase its survivability and its 130-base Special Attack is nothing to scoff at.

• Ability: Toxic Debris
• Nature: Timid
• Item: Focus Sash
• Tera Type: Grass
• Moveset: Stealth Rock / Memento / Earth Power / Sludge Wave

Houndstone

Thanks to the Sand Rush ability, Houndstone received ban discussions in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. When paired with a Pokemon that sets up a Sandstorm with Sand Stream like Tyranitar, Houndstone’s speed is doubled.

Not only does this allow it to outspeed a ton of powerful Pokemon but the move Last Respects is one of the most broken new moves in the game. With each fainted Pokemon on your team, Last Respects increases by 50 power. With only two fainted Pokemon, Last Respects dishes out 150 base power, not to mention a Choice Band makes this number rise even higher.

• Ability: Sand Rush
• Nature: Adamant
• Item: Choice Band
• Tera Type: Ghost
• Moveset: Last Respects / Shadow Sneak / Play Rough / Body Press

Dondozo

Thanks to Tatsugiri’s Commander ability that boosts all of Dondozo’s stats by +2, this combination is extremely deadly in Double Battles. Dondozo is capable of holding its own, but when paired with Tatsugiri, it becomes unstoppable.

In 1v1 battles you’ll want to utilize a Curse set. Wave Crash will deal an immense amount of damage thanks to the stat increase, and at the same time, Dondozo’s defensive boosts will make it difficult to take down.

• Ability: Unaware
• Nature: Careful
• Item: Leftovers
• Tera Type: Grass
• Moveset: Wave Crash / Curse / Sleep Talk / Rest

Kingambit

Kingambit is yet another offensive Pokemon on this list that hits like a truck in Scarlet and Violet. Supreme Overlord makes Kingambit the perfect late-game sweeper thanks to the boost in power that it receives with each fainted ally.

This major increase will allow its already massive 135 base Attack stat to reach new heights. If you manage to get a Swords Dance off, you have a great shot at sweeping an entire team, especially with Sucker Punch making up for its low Speed.

You can opt for the Flying Tera Type that completely reverts its weaknesses by offering resistance to Ground and Fighting-type moves.

• Ability: Supreme Overlord
• Nature: Adamant
• Item: Sitrus Berry or Life Orb
• Tera Type: Flying
• Moveset: Kowtow Cleave / Iron Head / Sucker Punch / Swords Dance

Flutter Mane

Flutter Mane’s impeccable Special Attack and Speed stats make it one of the best Wallbreakers in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. With Choice Specs Flutter Mane’s STAB Shadow Ball and Moon Blast will eviscerate opposing Pokemon.

Mystical Fire will deal loads of damage to threats like Iron Treads and the annoying Corviknight. Rounding out its moveset with Psyshock is perfect for dealing with Special Defense walls like Blissey and Clodsire.

• Ability: Protosynthesis
• Nature: Timid
• Item: Choice Specs
• Tera Type: Fairy
• Moveset: Shadow Ball / Moon Blast / Mystical Fire / Psyshock

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For more Pokemon check out our other guides:

How to get Gimmighoul Roaming Form in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to catch Shiny Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet | How does EXP Share work in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet? | How to catch all Legendaries in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to breed eggs in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to check IVs in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

Image Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company