TL;DR
- Pokemon Champions launches with 187 Pokemon species and 59 Mega Evolutions
- Only fully evolved Pokemon are allowed — except Pikachu
- No Legendary or Mythical Pokemon are available at launch
- Several new Mega Evolutions from Pokemon Legends: Z-A appear in competitive play for the first time
- Some Pokemon shown in trailers (Metagross, Ursaluna, Dondozo, Tatsugiri) are in the game data but not yet usable
- More Pokemon will be added in future seasons and updates
Pokemon Champions is the new competitive battle platform from The Pokemon Works and Game Freak, released on April 8, 2026 for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. It is the official game for the 2026 Pokemon World Championships (VGC).
One of the first things every trainer wants to know is simple: which Pokemon can you actually use?
The answer is more specific than you might expect. The roster at launch sits at 187 Pokemon species plus 59 Mega Evolutions. That is a deliberately curated selection — not the full National Dex. Only fully evolved forms are eligible (with one exception), and no Legendary or Mythical Pokemon are available yet.
This page lists every Pokemon available in Pokemon Champions at launch, sorted by generation, followed by all Mega Evolutions and their abilities.
If you want to know how to bring your own Pokemon into the game, read our guide on Pokemon Champions shiny hunting and titles to understand what carries over and what does not.
Pokemon Champions Roster Rules
Before diving into the list, here is what you need to know.
Only final evolution forms are allowed. You cannot use unevolved Pokemon like Charmander or Gabite in Ranked or Casual Battles. Only their final forms — Charizard and Garchomp — are eligible. The one exception is Pikachu, which can be used despite not being a final evolution.
No Legendary or Mythical Pokemon at launch. Pokemon like Mewtwo, Rayquaza, and Zacian are not available. The roster is built around a balanced, tournament-legal selection.
Some Pokemon are in the data but not usable yet. Pokemon like Metagross, Ursaluna, Dondozo, and Tatsugiri appear in game data but cannot currently be transferred from Pokemon Home or recruited at the Roster Ranch. They will likely be unlocked in future seasons.
More Pokemon are coming. The dev team has stated they plan to keep updating Champions, potentially “forever.” Expect the roster to grow season by season.
All Pokemon in Pokemon Champions by Generation
Generation 1 — Kanto
Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Beedrill, Pidgeot, Arbok, Pikachu, Raichu, Clefable, Ninetales, Arcanine, Alakazam, Machamp, Victreebel, Slowbro, Gengar, Kangaskhan, Starmie, Pinsir, Tauros, Gyarados, Ditto, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Aerodactyl, Snorlax, Dragonite
Generation 2 — Johto
Meganium, Typhlosion, Feraligatr, Ariados, Ampharos, Azumarill, Politoed, Espeon, Umbreon, Slowking, Forretress, Steelix, Scizor, Heracross, Skarmory, Houndoom, Tyranitar
Generation 3 — Hoenn
Pelipper, Gardevoir, Sableye, Aggron, Medicham, Manectric, Sharpedo, Camerupt, Torkoal, Altaria, Milotic, Castform, Banette, Chimecho, Absol, Glalie
Generation 4 — Sinnoh
Torterra, Infernape, Empoleon, Luxray, Roserade, Rampardos, Bastiodon, Lopunny, Spiritomb, Garchomp, Lucario, Hippowdon, Toxicroak, Abomasnow, Weavile, Rhyperior, Leafeon, Glaceon, Gliscor, Mamoswine, Gallade, Froslass, Rotom
Generation 5 — Unova
Serperior, Emboar, Samurott, Excadrill, Audino, Whimsicott, Krookodile, Zoroark, Emolga, Hydreigon
Generation 6 — Kalos
Chesnaught, Delphox, Greninja, Diggersby, Talonflame, Meowstic, Aegislash, Sylveon, Hawlucha, Gourgeist, Noivern
Generation 7 — Alola
Decidueye, Incineroar, Primarina, Toucannon, Crabominable, Lycanroc, Toxapex, Mudsdale, Araquanid, Salazzle, Tsareena, Oranguru, Passimian, Mimikyu, Drampa, Kommo-o
Generation 8 — Galar & Hisui
Corviknight, Flapple, Appletun, Sandaconda, Polteageist, Hatterene, Mr. Rime, Runerigus, Alcremie, Morpeko, Dragapult, Wyrdeer, Kleavor, Basculegion, Sneasler
Generation 9 — Paldea & Kitakami
Meowscarada, Skeledirge, Quaquaval, Maushold, Garganacl, Armarouge, Ceruledge, Bellibolt, Scovillain, Espathra, Tinkaton, Palafin, Orthworm, Glimmora, Farigiraf, Kingambit, Sinistcha, Archaludon, Hydrapple
Regional Forms in Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Champions supports regional and alternate forms that are available through Pokemon Home transfers or seasonal Roster Ranch events. These include forms such as Hisuian Samurott, Hisuian Zoroark, Alolan Raichu, and other regionals — as long as the form appears in the supported roster. Check your Pokemon Home transfer screen for a red circle icon, which means a particular form is not yet supported.
Pokemon in the Game Data But Not Yet Available
Some Pokemon were shown in promotional materials or exist in the game’s code, but are not usable at launch. These include Metagross, Ursaluna, Dondozo, Tatsugiri, and Mega Raichu X. They will likely be added in future seasonal updates.
All Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Champions
Mega Evolution is one of the biggest features in Pokemon Champions. The game launched with 59 Mega Evolution forms — more than any other game in the series. A key part of this is the new Omni Ring, which replaces the Mega Ring from older games. Every trainer in Champions wears an Omni Ring, and it is the item that activates Mega Evolution in battle.
You can only Mega Evolve one Pokemon per match. Once a Pokemon Mega Evolves, it stays in that form for the rest of the battle — even if it gets switched out and back in. Choosing when and who to Mega Evolve is one of the most important decisions in every match.
To Mega Evolve, you need the correct Mega Stone for that Pokemon. Mega Stones can be purchased from the in-game shop using Victory Points, earned through Battle Pass rewards, or obtained through tutorial objectives.
Classic Mega Evolutions (from previous games)
These are the Mega Evolutions that first appeared in Pokemon X and Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, or other previous titles.
| Pokemon | Mega Type | Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Venusaur | Grass / Poison | Thick Fat |
| Mega Charizard X | Fire / Dragon | Tough Claws |
| Mega Charizard Y | Fire / Flying | Drought |
| Mega Blastoise | Water | Mega Launcher |
| Mega Beedrill | Bug / Poison | Adaptability |
| Mega Pidgeot | Normal / Flying | No Guard |
| Mega Alakazam | Psychic | Trace |
| Mega Gengar | Ghost / Poison | Shadow Tag |
| Mega Kangaskhan | Normal | Parental Bond |
| Mega Pinsir | Bug / Flying | Aerilate |
| Mega Gyarados | Water / Dark | Mold Breaker |
| Mega Aerodactyl | Rock / Flying | Tough Claws |
| Mega Ampharos | Electric / Dragon | Mold Breaker |
| Mega Scizor | Bug / Steel | Technician |
| Mega Heracross | Bug / Fighting | Skill Link |
| Mega Houndoom | Fire / Dark | Solar Power |
| Mega Tyranitar | Rock / Dark | Sand Stream |
| Mega Gardevoir | Psychic / Fairy | Pixilate |
| Mega Aggron | Steel | Filter |
| Mega Medicham | Fighting / Psychic | Pure Power |
| Mega Manectric | Electric | Intimidate |
| Mega Sharpedo | Water / Dark | Speed Boost |
| Mega Camerupt | Fire / Ground | Sheer Force |
| Mega Altaria | Dragon / Fairy | Pixilate |
| Mega Absol | Dark | Magic Bounce |
| Mega Glalie | Ice | Refrigerate |
| Mega Lopunny | Normal / Fighting | Scrappy |
| Mega Lucario | Fighting / Steel | Adaptability |
| Mega Garchomp | Dragon / Ground | Sand Force |
| Mega Abomasnow | Grass / Ice | Snow Warning |
| Mega Gallade | Psychic / Fighting | Inner Focus |
| Mega Audino | Normal / Fairy | Healer |
New Mega Evolutions from Pokemon Legends: Z-A
These Mega Evolutions are new to competitive play. They first appeared in Pokemon Legends: Z-A as transformations without abilities. Pokemon Champions gives them abilities for the first time, making them eligible for VGC-standard battles.
| Pokemon | Mega Type | New Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Meganium | Grass | Mega Sol |
| Mega Feraligatr | Water / Dragon | Dragonize |
| Mega Emboar | Fire / Fighting | Mold Breaker |
| Mega Dragonite | Dragon / Flying | Multiscale |
| Mega Chesnaught | Grass / Fighting | Bulletproof |
| Mega Delphox | Fire / Psychic | Levitate |
| Mega Greninja | Water / Dark | Protean |
| Mega Clefable | Fairy | Magic Bounce |
| Mega Victreebel | Grass / Poison | Innards Out |
| Mega Starmie | Water / Psychic | Huge Power |
| Mega Skarmory | Steel / Flying | Stalwart |
| Mega Chimecho | Psychic | Levitate |
| Mega Excadrill | Ground / Steel | Piercing Drill |
| Mega Froslass | Ice / Ghost | Snow Warning |
Several more new Mega Evolutions from Legends: Z-A are available in Champions. The abilities listed above are the confirmed standouts, with additional forms receiving existing abilities from the competitive move pool.
How Mega Evolution Works in Pokemon Champions
Getting your Mega Stone is the first step. Once a Pokemon is holding the correct Mega Stone and you have the Omni Ring equipped (which all trainers have by default), you can trigger Mega Evolution in battle.
During a match, press the Mega Evolution button before selecting your move. The Pokemon will transform into its Mega form and the boosted stats and ability will apply immediately for that turn and every turn after.
Remember: one Mega Evolution per match. If you have two Pokemon that could Mega Evolve, you still only get to do it once. Plan your team around which Mega makes the biggest impact.
New Abilities Introduced in Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Champions introduces several brand-new abilities that did not exist in previous games. These are tied specifically to the new Mega Evolutions from Legends: Z-A.
Mega Sol — Mega Meganium’s signature ability. It acts as if the weather is harsh sunlight at all times for this Pokemon, without actually changing the weather on the field. Solar Beam fires without a charge turn and Fire-type moves are not boosted for opposing Pokemon.
Dragonize — Mega Feraligatr’s signature ability. All Normal-type moves become Dragon-type and receive a 20% power boost. Combined with Mega Feraligatr’s Water/Dragon typing, this opens up powerful offensive combinations.
Piercing Drill — Mega Excadrill’s signature ability. Its contact moves pierce through defensive abilities like Protect, dealing 25% of the normal damage even when Protect is active.
Spicy Spray — Another new ability introduced for a Legends: Z-A Mega Evolution, with specific details still being explored by the competitive community.
What Is Missing from the Pokemon Champions Roster?
Pokemon Champions launched with a deliberate subset of the full National Dex. Here is what is notably absent right now.
No Legendary or Mythical Pokemon. Mewtwo, Rayquaza, Arceus, Zacian, Koraidon — none of them are available. The game is built for balanced competitive play, and Legendaries would shift the meta dramatically. They may be added in specific seasonal formats later.
No unevolved Pokemon (mostly). Strategies built around unevolved Pokemon holding an Eviolite to boost their defenses are not possible in Champions right now. The producer acknowledged this and said earlier evolutions may be considered in the future.
Several Gen 9 Pokemon are absent. The Gen 9 section is smaller than earlier generations. Pokemon like Baxcalibur, Gholdengo, Iron Bundle, and Chi-Yu are not in the current roster. They may be added via future season updates.
Some promoted Pokemon are locked. Metagross, Ursaluna, Dondozo, and Tatsugiri were shown in trailers and official materials but are not available at launch. They exist in the game data and should become accessible in a future update.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Pokemon are in Pokemon Champions at launch?
There are 187 Pokemon species available at launch, plus 59 Mega Evolution forms, totalling 269 usable entries according to tracked data.
Can I use Pikachu in Pokemon Champions?
Yes. Pikachu is the only exception to the fully evolved rule. It can be used in Ranked and Casual Battles despite not being a final evolution.
Are there Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Champions?
No. There are no Legendary or Mythical Pokemon available at launch. More may come in future seasonal formats.
Can I use any Pokemon from Pokemon Home?
Only Pokemon that appear on the supported roster can be transferred and used in battles. A red circle on a Pokemon’s icon in Pokemon Home means it cannot be transferred to Champions yet.
How do I get Mega Stones in Pokemon Champions?
Mega Stones can be bought with Victory Points in the shop, earned through Battle Pass rewards, or obtained by completing tutorial objectives. Some specific stones like Feraligite and Dragonitite are available as Battle Pass rewards.
Will more Pokemon be added to Champions?
Yes. The development team has confirmed they plan to keep adding Pokemon in seasonal and format updates over time.
