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

The best teams for Scarlet and Violet’s competitive battling are constantly changing, and here’s a list of the best Pokemon to use in the current meta of Ranked Battle Stadium mode according to Regulations F, including build, strategy, and moveset.

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

The Ranked Battle Stadium has been accessible since December 2022, and players have been climbing up the ladder and collecting rewards each season. Ranked Battle Stadium Season 16 started on March 1, 2024, and the Pokemon meta play has changed quite a lot.

Given the competitive nature of the Scarlet and Violet Battle Stadium mode, you’ll want to use the best species available in the Ranked meta roster. 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
  • Ogerpon (Hearthflame)
  • Flutter Mane
  • Dragonite
  • Bloodmoon Ursaluna
  • Urshifu Rapid Strike
  • Gohldengo
  • Chin-yu

Best Pokemon to use in Scarlet & Violet Ranked Battle meta

Season 16 of the Ranked Battle Stadium is currently ongoing in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and will last until March 31, 2024. The meta has changed significantly since launch, and the list of the best Pokemon to use includes several new additions from the Kitakami and Indigo Disk Pokedex.

There are still several viable Pokemon to use in Ranked from the Generation 9 Pokemon that debuted in Scarlet and Violet, but most of the original meta was swapped by newer additions, including those Pokemon returning from Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Sword and Shield.

Legendary Pokemon are still banned according to the current Regulations F, but some are still usable in ranked battles, like the powerful Ogerpon. Some of the newly added Pokemon also include all starter lines from prior generations and returning Pokemon such as Duraludon, Toucannon, Reuniculus, and Zebstrika.

This guide will offer you some insight into which Pokemon are best for your team, according to the current meta.

Ogerpon (Hearthflame)

Ogerpon Hearthflame Mask has the same unique offensive type combination as Scovillain but with better stats and moveset. It also has strong STAB moves integrated into its moveset, an Attack bonus with the Embody Aspect ability when it terastalizes, access to power-ups, and synergizes well with field support moves like Sunny Day.

Ivy Cudgel is its main STAB attack, which almost any time guarantees a one-hit KO and also changes its type according to which Mask it has equipped. The only negative aspect is that Ogerpon requires its held item slot to unleash its full potential.

• Ability: Mold Breaker
• Nature: Jolly
• EV Spread: Full Attack and Speed
• Item: Hearthflame Mask
• Tera-type: Fire
• Moveset: Wood Hammer / Ivy Cudgel / Knock Off / Spiky Shield

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
• EV Spread: Full Speed and Sp. Attack
• Item: Choice Specs
• Tera Type: Fairy
• Moveset: Shadow Ball / Moon Blast / Mystical Fire / Psyshock

Dragonite

Dragonite is undoubtedly a powerful Pokemon, but since Gen 1, its reign as the ultimate pseudo-legendary has suffered considerable challenges from Pokemon like Tyranitar, Garchomp, Salamence, and others. On top of that, its x4 Weakness to Ice-type moves makes it a poor choice for inexperienced players.

However, with the Flying Tera-type and this build, it becomes an unstoppable force. This strategy uses the move Protect as a scouting/stalling move and Flying Tera Blast as its main weapon against Sp. Def Pokemon like Flutter Mane. Extreme Speed is good for culling down unresisting Pokemon, and Ice Spinner is great if you are going against Great Tusk or other Dragon types.

• Ability: Multiscale
• Nature: Adamant
• EV Spread: 4 Hp, 252 Attack, 252 Speed
• Item: Lum Berry
• Tera Type: Flying
• Moveset: Extreme Speed / Tera Blast / Ice Spinner / Protect

Bloodmoon Ursaluna

Bloodmoon Ursaluna is the new Convergent form Pokemon added in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet The Teal Mask DLC. Contrary to what it seems, this bulky Pokemon can become a powerful Special Attacker with its signature move Blood Moon, which destroys everything that is not Sp. Def-based.

It also possesses a strong Ground Type STAB move (Earth Power) that can deal huge chunks of damage to opponents like Heatran. Also, Vacuum Wave combined with Mind’s Eye, Bloodmoon Ursaluna’s ability, allows this Pokemon to bypass Ghost-type walling and still gain priority attacks.

• Ability: Mind’s Eye
• Nature: Modest
• EV Spread: 252 HP, 252 Sp. Atk, 4 Sp. Def
• Item: Assault Vest
• Tera Type: Normal
• Moveset: Blood Moon / Earth Power / Moonblast / Vacuum Wave

Urshifu Rapid Strike

Urshifu Rapid Strike style can outspeed the fastest Pokemon like Flutter Mane thanks to Choice Scarf, and it is a great shield breaker against Protect and Substitute users. Its overall stat spread, massive damaging moves, and unique ability make it a solid option for competition.

Using Unseen Fist combined with its signature move, Surging Strikes can ensure almost certain OHKOs. If not, it will cause severe damage to the opponent and leave it ready for a takedown. Close Combat is a secondary STAB move, Aqua Jet is for outspending opponents when Choice Scarf is not enough, and U-Turn is for switching in case Urshifu faces heavy counters like Amoongus or Iron Bundle.

• Ability: Unseen Fist
• Nature: Adamant
• EV Spread: 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 Sp. Def
• Item: Choice Scarf
• Tera Type: Water
• Moveset: Surging Strikes / Close Combat / Aqua Jet / U-turn

Gholdengo

Gholdengo is an extremely versatile Pokemon, and there are several sets Scarlet and 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
• EV Spread: 4 HP, 252 Sp. Atk, 252 Speed
• Item: Choice Scarf
• Tera Type: Flying
• Moveset: Make it Rain / Nasty Plot / Shadow Ball / Trick

Chi-Yu

Players can opt for a variety of sets when it comes to 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
• EV Spread: HP 4, Sp.Atk 252, Speed 252
• Item: Life Orb
• Tera Type: Fire
• Moveset: Flamethrower / Overheat / Nasty Plot / Dark Pulse

And that’s all you need to know about the best Pokemon for Scarlet and Violet Ranked Battle Stadium. For more Pokemon content, you can check out our other guides:

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