Pokemon Go, despite its popularity at launch, was a game sparse with content. Its biggest flaw was being limited to only Kanto Pokemon for much of its first year. However, over the past three years, the developers at Niantic have been hard at work adding the later generations into the game.
This includes Generation 5, which was the last project of Niantic before their work on Kalosian Pokemon. There are some that can be found in the wild and others that can be hatched from eggs. But, many of the best and most powerful of these new Pokémon will need to be evolved by collecting candies.
Updated November 30th, 2020 by Tanner Kinney: The entire Unovan dex has nearly made its way into Pokemon Go. There are still some odd Pokemon missing, including Zorua, Munna, and the incredible Vanillite family, but the dex is nearly complete. Niantic, despite some of the choices they've made with the game in recent years, has done a solid job keeping interest in the game by adding new creatures to collect. However, this doesn't include the thrill of battling, and trainers may be more interested in which Pokemon are the best.
This list features the best Unovan Pokemon that Pokemon Go had to offer when they first dropped on September 16, 2019. However, for those interested in the best of the best, it's time to get mythical.
15 Terrakion
The best of the Swords of Justice, Terrakion holds a solid line at the top of the power rankings for Unovan Pokemon. In the mainline series, Terrakion is a terror and often is one of the Pokemon shaping the metagame around it. In Pokemon Go, there are better options, but not ones as easily available.
Terrakion's lowest CP at max level is around 3721, and it only goes up from there. Its attack stat is phenomenal, sitting at 260, while its defense is solid but not the best at 192. Its moveset of fast attack, however, aren't exactly that fast. Fortunately, its charged attacks can be used fairly quickly, allowing for high DPS.
14 Landorus-Therian
Another terror of the mainline metagame, Landorus-Therian tears up the competition in Pokemon Go as well. This beast is notoriously good with solid stats and great typing, making it a threat at all levels of play. In Pokemon Go, it's easily one of the top legendaries
Lando-T's minimum CP at level 50 is 3950, with 289 attack and 179 defense. It also has a couple of solid fast attacks paired with powerful techniques like Earth Power and Focus Blast. It even has a fairly high stamina, making it good at defending as well as attacking. It's a serious threat in battles that it can participate in.
13 Reshiram
One of the box legendaries, Reshiram is a fire and dragon type that, for some reason, released a couple months before its partner, Zekrom. This legendary was instantly a top threat, being dangerous to challenge in raids and a boon to capture and bring into battle against other raids.
Reshiram's minimum CP at level 50 is 4038, with attack at 275 and defense at 211. It's a powerful adversary, so if it ever appears in a raid, be sure to bring friends you can trust. However, once defeated, it will easily top your team in terms of strength. Its attacks are nothing to joke about either, making use of that huge attack stat.
12 Zekrom
The other of the two box legendaries, Zekrom is arguably better than its partner despite their similar statlines. Both have the same CP (4038), along with attack and defense. It's unique through its electric typing and a different set of moves unavailable to Reshiram.
In particular, it has access to Charge Beam, a fast attack that generates a ton of energy at a quick rate. Its charged attacks aren't as heavy hitting, but picking up Outrage to pair with Charge Beam isn't a terrible idea. When this Pokemon appears in raids, it'll likely be a menace to take down, so be prepared to go down swinging.
11 Fused-Kyurem
Normal Kyurem is actually worse than a few other legendaries that are a part of Gen 5. It's much worse than either Reshiram or Zekrom, although it does boast a better stamina than either of the two. Its attack and defense, on the other hand, are lacking.
Fortunately, regular Kyurem isn't the only option. By fusing it with either Zekrom or Reshiram, Kyurem alters its movepool and gains a huge boost in stats. Its CP goes up to 4690 at a minimum, with attack at 310 and defense at 183. Its stamina stays solid as well, meaning it's an all-around great Pokemon. This one is quite rare, but if it makes a reappearance, be sure to snag it.
10 Serperior
This is a grass-type Pokemon and is the last evolution of Snivy. While Snivy might be an adorable, lizard-like animal, Serperior is definitely a lot more fierce. This creature looks like a very elegant lizard/snake.
It’s max CP is 2,277, and it has a max attack of 161 and a max defense of 204. While not the most powerful of the big evolutions from the Unova region so far, it’s definitely a strong Pokemon that you’ll want to collect and have in your Pokedex. You’ll need to get catching Snivys to get Serperior.
9 Zebstrika
Zebstrika is obviously based off of a zebra. This electric type Pokemon is rather cute despite its relative power, and it was first discovered in the Unova region. It evolves from the smaller Blitzle Pokemon that is also Zebra looking.
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Its max CP is 2,428. Its max attack is 211 while its max defense is 138. This Pokemon can be evolved by collecting 50 of the Blitzle candies. Its most powerful move available includes Wild Charge.
8 Klingklang
While there are some Pokemon that are mostly recognizable as being similar to animals in our real world, there are others that look a lot more like machines or like things we’ve never seen before. Klinklang is the furthest evolved form of the Pokemon Klink.
Klink then evolves into Klang and then into Klinklang, This creature looks like the inner workings of a clock, making it definitely on the list of one of the strangest. It’s a steel type, and it has a max CP of 2637 making it a pretty solid fighter overall. Its max attack is 199 and its max defense is 214.
7 Unfezant
Unfezant is a bird Pokemon that evolves from Pidove. While Pidove might be a relatively small and weak Pokemon that mostly looks like a pigeon, Unfezant packs quite a powerful punch. It's also worth noting there are some of these new ones, like Pidove, that will likely be more common, while others are rare and regional.
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Its max CP is 2,734, which is definitely a respectable amount. Its max attack is 226, and it has a max defense of 146. Unfezant is a normal flying type Pokemon. In the game, it can be evolved by collecting 50 candies. Pidove will first evolve into Tranquil and then into Unfezant.
6 Stoutland
Pokemon Go has a variety of animals that look a lot like dogs. Stoutland is a strong, elegant looking dog type that looks similar to a Scottish highland terrier. This pup is the most evolved form of Lillipup. Lillipup is a small, cute terrier looking Pokemon that evolves into Herdier.
You will need 100 candy to evolve Stoutland. This Pokemon has a max CP of 2827, and its attack max is 206 with its defense max at 182. You’ll definitely want to collect this sweet, fierce-looking dog.
5 Samurott
Samurott is a water type Pokemon that looks more like a magical creature than any animal from our world. This Pokemon is quite strong as it has a max CP of 2,826. Its attack maxes out at 212 and its defense maxes out at 157.
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Samurott is the evolved form of Dewott which is the evolved form of Oshawott. These other two versions are much smaller and look a lot like otters. Samurott definitely looks intimidating, and its strongest attack is Hydro Pump.
4 Golurk
There are many new Unova Pokemon in Pokemon Go that can be evolved to forms with a max CP of just under 3,000. Golurk is one of these. This Pokemon has a max CP of 2,854. The attack max for Golurk is 222 while the max defense is 154.
Golurk evolves from Golett. You’ll need 50 Golet candies to evolve it. This is a ghost/ground type Pokemon that looks more like a robot than anything else. While it might not be a cute animal, it is very strong which makes it good if you’re trying to win gym battles.
3 Emboar
Emboar is a very strong Pokemon that has a high CP max. While it doesn’t quite get to the 3,000 mark, it comes quite close at 2,982. This Pokemon has a max attack of 235 and a max defense of 127. Its first form is Tepig which you can then evolve into Pignite.
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Pignite can be evolved into Emboar with 100 candies. Tepig is a smaller, boar looking Pokemon, and each evolution gets more fierce and intense-looking. Emboar is a fire/fighting type.
2 Excadrill
If you want a big powerhouse Pokemon, you'll definitely want to get your hands on an Excadrill. First of all, this Pokemon was the first new one from the Unova region that had a max CP of over 3,000.
It’s max CP is 3,244, and it has a max attack of 255. Its max defense comes in at 129. Excadrill is a ground and steel type that looks similar to a mole with metal hands. It evolves from the Pokemon Drilbur, and you’ll need candies to be able to do so.
1 Hydreigon
Hydreigon is the strongest new Pokemon available if you’re looking at max CP. This Pokemon is powerful and has a max CP of 3,625. Its max attack is 256, and it has a max defense of 188. It is a dark/dragon type. It’s boosted by fog and windy weather, and you’ll definitely want to get it if you can. You will need 100 Deino candies to evolve Hydreigon.