This article will analyze 10 starting team compositions in Pokémon Champions , along with reviews to help you choose an effective team from the start.
Pokémon Champions immerses players in a fast-paced, ranked PvP environment where initial decisions can significantly impact their entire ranking progression. After completing the tutorial battle, you'll receive a free Pokémon along with five others to complete your team. There are a total of 10 starting lineups in Pokémon Champions, each centered around a unique starter Pokémon. Making the right choices will give you a competitive edge right from the first battles.
How does the starting lineup selection process work?
The starting lineup isn't chosen randomly. Each starter Pokémon comes with a fixed set of 5 Pokémon. For example, when you choose Pikachu, you'll know all the other members of the team beforehand.
The first selection is completely free, and this is also the only time you can own a complete battle team without spending VP (Victory Points). After selection, all players can add Dragonite to their team, regardless of their starter Pokémon. This increases stability and provides a power boost right from the start.
Note:
Dragonite can always be added to any team composition. It should be used early to compensate for weaknesses in offense.
All 10 starting lineups in Pokémon Champions
Below is a complete list of the lineups at launch:
The table above reflects the data at launch. Updates may change the team composition in the future.
Which starting lineup is the strongest?
Overall, the team composition centered around Pikachu is considered the best. The combination with Kingambit , Garchomp , Azumarill , Gyarados , and Gengar creates a balanced team capable of dealing with a wide variety of opponents and suitable for competitive environments.
However, Pikachu itself isn't the strongest starting choice. Some other Pokémon have superior individual power, but come with less effective support teams.
This creates a clear trade-off: you can get a strong starter Pokémon and then spend more VP points to complete the team, or choose Pikachu – you get a strong team right away and can upgrade it gradually from there.
For new players or those looking to climb the ranks quickly, a Pikachu team composition is the optimal choice . Meanwhile, experienced players can prioritize choosing a main Pokémon and build their team later.
Note:
Choosing powerful Pokémon but a weak team will put you at an initial disadvantage if you haven't had time to reinforce your forces with VP.
What elements make a good starting team in Pokémon Champions?
According to the Pokémon Champions mechanics, Double Battles (2v2) are the primary form of competition. Therefore, when evaluating your team composition, pay attention to the following:
- The combination of Pokémon types
- The ability to control the pace of the game.
- Pressure exerted from two locations simultaneously.
Pokémon suited for duo battles, such as Whimsicott , Azumarill , or Gyarados, often have higher strategic value than their individual stats. The highly-rated Pikachu team composition is also due to possessing many Pokémon that fit this mechanism.
Tips for choosing your starting lineup
Before making a decision, consider the following factors:
- Evaluate the entire team lineup, not just the starter Pokémon.
- Check for duplicate Pokémon selections in Roster Ranch.
- Always consider adding a free Dragonite.
- In Double Battles, teamwork is prioritized over individual strength.
- Choosing strong starter Pokémon usually comes with higher team building costs.