Playthrough tier listPlatinum

Best Fighting Pokémon in Platinum

Heracross, Primeape (post-game) and Gallade lead the 23 Fighting Pokémon for beating Platinum.

23gradedNov 11, 2026updated
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  • Post-game
  • Trade to evolve
  • Starter: pick 1 of 3
  • Gift
Rapid gradeTap a tier to start your own list · 23 Pokémon
STop3 PokémonCarries a Platinum run against most of the bossesClick any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade
HeracrossHeracross
PrimeapePrimeapePost-game
GalladeGallade
Click any Pokémon for its gradeTap a card for its grade
AStrong2 PokémonA strong pick for most of the game
InfernapeInfernapeStarter: pick 1 of 3
BreloomBreloomPost-game
BSolid6 PokémonDoes the job with some help
MachampMachampTrade to evolve
HariyamaHariyamaPost-game
HitmonleeHitmonleePost-game
PoliwrathPoliwrathPost-game
HitmonchanHitmonchanPost-game
MedichamMedicham
CSituational4 PokémonStruggles against several bosses
LucarioLucarioGift
HitmontopHitmontopPost-game
MankeyMankeyPost-game
MonfernoMonfernoStarter: pick 1 of 3
DBottom8 PokémonHard to use for beating the game
ToxicroakToxicroak
MachokeMachoke
MachopMachop
MakuhitaMakuhitaPost-game
TyrogueTyroguePost-game
MedititeMeditite
RioluRioluGift
CroagunkCroagunk

What each tier means

  • STop Carries a Platinum run against most of the bosses
  • AStrong A strong pick for most of the game
  • BSolid Does the job with some help
  • CSituational Struggles against several bosses
  • DBottom Hard to use for beating the game
2 reads blended into one listreblend in Showing23/ 23

Board breakdown

Among Fighting Pokémon in Platinum besides Infernape (if you start with Chimchar), Heracross does well in 7 of the 13 boss fights, Roark to Cynthia, and 2 fights have no Fighting answer.

Which tied Fighting pick should join Infernape (if you start with Chimchar): Heracross or Gallade?

Raise Heracross, which matches Gallade at 7 of 13 fights but joins 4 badges earlier.

A filled box is a fight the pick does well in: Heracross has 7 of 13, first at Gardenia.

Gym 1, RoarkGym 2, GardeniaGym 3, FantinaGym 4, MayleneGym 5, Crasher WakeGym 6, ByronGym 7, CandiceGym 8, VolknerElite Four, AaronElite Four, BerthaElite Four, FlintElite Four, LucianChampion, Cynthia
  • InfernapeGym 1 Roark: has troubleGym 2 Gardenia: does wellGym 3 Fantina: no clear edgeGym 4 Maylene: does wellGym 5 Crasher Wake: no clear edgeGym 6 Byron: does wellGym 7 Candice: does wellGym 8 Volkner: does wellAaron: does wellBertha: does wellFlint: does wellLucian: no clear edgeCynthia: no clear edgeStarterChimcharRoute 201#004ChimcharLevel 14#005MonfernoLevel 36#006Infernapefinal form by Byron
    Does wellGardeniaMayleneByronCandiceVolknerAaronBerthaFlintHas troubleRoarkNo clear edgeFantina, Crasher Wake, Lucian, Cynthia
  • HeracrossGym 1 Roark: not on your team yetGym 2 Gardenia: does wellGym 3 Fantina: no clear edgeGym 4 Maylene: does wellGym 5 Crasher Wake: no clear edgeGym 6 Byron: does wellGym 7 Candice: does wellGym 8 Volkner: does wellAaron: does wellBertha: no clear edgeFlint: no clear edgeLucian: does wellCynthia: no clear edgeAfter badge 1Floaroma MeadowHoney Tree
    Not yet: RoarkDoes wellGardeniaMayleneByronCandiceVolknerAaronLucianNo clear edgeFantina, Crasher Wake, Bertha, Flint, Cynthia
  • GalladeGym 1 Roark: not on your team yetGym 2 Gardenia: not on your team yetGym 3 Fantina: not on your team yetGym 4 Maylene: not on your team yetGym 5 Crasher Wake: not on your team yetGym 6 Byron: does wellGym 7 Candice: does wellGym 8 Volkner: does wellAaron: does wellBertha: does wellFlint: does wellLucian: no clear edgeCynthia: does wellGallade after badge 5RaltsAfter badge 2Route 20815% of encounters#157RaltsLevel 20#158KirliaDawn Stone ♂#160GalladeDawn Stone on Mt. Coronetneeds Surf
    Not yet: Roark to Crasher WakeDoes wellByronCandiceVolknerAaronBerthaFlintCynthiaNo clear edgeLucian
  • MachampGym 1 Roark: not on your team yetGym 2 Gardenia: not on your team yetGym 3 Fantina: has troubleGym 4 Maylene: no clear edgeGym 5 Crasher Wake: no clear edgeGym 6 Byron: does wellGym 7 Candice: does wellGym 8 Volkner: does wellAaron: does wellBertha: does wellFlint: does wellLucian: no clear edgeCynthia: no clear edgeAfter badge 2MachopRoute 20745% of encounters by day#040MachopLevel 28#041MachokeTrade#042Machamp
    Not yet: Roark, GardeniaDoes wellByronCandiceVolknerAaronBerthaFlintHas troubleFantinaNo clear edgeMaylene, Crasher Wake, Lucian, Cynthia
  • MedichamGym 1 Roark: not on your team yetGym 2 Gardenia: not on your team yetGym 3 Fantina: has troubleGym 4 Maylene: does wellGym 5 Crasher Wake: does wellGym 6 Byron: does wellGym 7 Candice: does wellGym 8 Volkner: no clear edgeAaron: no clear edgeBertha: does wellFlint: no clear edgeLucian: has troubleCynthia: no clear edgeAfter badge 2MedititeMt. Coronet route 211 entrance20% of encounters except at night#086MedititeLevel 37#087Medichamfinal form by Byron
    Not yet: Roark, GardeniaDoes wellMayleneCrasher WakeByronCandiceBerthaHas troubleFantina, LucianNo clear edgeVolkner, Aaron, Flint, Cynthia
  • LucarioGym 1 Roark: not on your team yetGym 2 Gardenia: not on your team yetGym 3 Fantina: not on your team yetGym 4 Maylene: not on your team yetGym 5 Crasher Wake: not on your team yetGym 6 Byron: not on your team yetGym 7 Candice: does wellGym 8 Volkner: no clear edgeAaron: does wellBertha: does wellFlint: no clear edgeLucian: no clear edgeCynthia: does wellAfter badge 6RioluIron Island b2f left caveLv 1#115RioluFriendship (Day)#116Lucario
    Not yet: Roark to ByronDoes wellCandiceAaronBerthaCynthiaNo clear edgeVolkner, Flint, Lucian
NextToxicroak 4

Best pair

Heracross + Gallade10/13 togetherall Fighting picks: 11

After the creditsOnly after you beat CynthiaCounted in no fight

  • PrimeapeAfter the Hall of Fame
  • BreloomAfter the Hall of Fame
  • HariyamaAfter the Hall of Fame
  • HitmonleeAfter the Hall of Fame
  • PoliwrathAfter the Hall of Fame
  • HitmonchanAfter the Hall of Fame
  • HitmontopAfter the Hall of Fame

Which gym leaders, up to the Champion, have no Fighting answer?

Fighting has no answer you can get for Roark and Fantina.

The best Fighting pick you can have by each fight, Roark to Cynthia. First with none: Roark.

Gyms

  1. Has trouble: Chimchar

    Team

    1. GeodudeLv 12RockGround
    2. OnixLv 12RockGround
    3. CranidosLv 14RockAce

    Has trouble (1)Infernape Starter: pick 1 of 3as Chimchar

    Full fight

  2. Heracross+1 more

    Team

    1. TurtwigLv 20Grass
    2. CherrimLv 20Grass
    3. RoseradeLv 22GrassPoisonAce

    Does well (2)HeracrossMoves: Aerial AceInfernape Starter: pick 1 of 3as MonfernoMoves: Flame Wheel

    Full fight

  3. Closest: Heracross

    Team

    1. DuskullLv 24Ghost
    2. HaunterLv 24GhostPoison
    3. MismagiusLv 26GhostAce

    No clear edge (2)HeracrossInfernape Starter: pick 1 of 3as Monferno

    Has trouble (2)Machamp Trade to evolveas MachopMedicham

    Full fight

  4. Heracross+2 more

    TeamFighting-type team

    1. MedititeLv 28FightingPsychic
    2. MachokeLv 29Fighting
    3. LucarioLv 32FightingSteelAce

    Does well (3)HeracrossMoves: Aerial Ace and Focus BlastMedichamMoves: Psychic and High Jump KickInfernape Starter: pick 1 of 3as MonfernoMoves: Aerial Ace and Focus Blast

    No clear edge (1)Machamp Trade to evolve

    Full fight

  5. Medicham

    Team

    1. GyaradosLv 33WaterFlying
    2. QuagsireLv 34WaterGround
    3. FloatzelLv 37WaterAce

    Does well (1)MedichamMoves: Thunder Punch and High Jump Kick

    No clear edge (4)Machamp Trade to evolveHeracrossInfernape Starter: pick 1 of 3as MonfernoToxicroakas Croagunk

    Full fight

  6. Heracross+5 more

    Team

    1. MagnetonLv 37ElectricSteel
    2. SteelixLv 38SteelGround
    3. BastiodonLv 41RockSteelAce

    Does well (6)HeracrossMoves: Earthquake and Close CombatMachamp Trade to evolveMoves: Earthquake and Focus BlastInfernape Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Earthquake and Close CombatGalladeMoves: Earthquake and Focus BlastToxicroakMoves: Earthquake and Focus BlastMedichamMoves: High Jump Kick

    Full fight

  7. Heracross+6 more

    Team

    1. SneaselLv 40DarkIce
    2. PiloswineLv 40IceGround
    3. AbomasnowLv 42GrassIce
    4. FroslassLv 44IceGhostAce

    Does well (7)HeracrossMoves: Focus Punch, Fury Cutter and Night SlashLucario GiftMoves: Focus Punch and Iron TailInfernape Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Focus Punch and Fire BlastGalladeMoves: Focus Punch, Fire Punch and Knock OffMachamp Trade to evolveMoves: Focus Punch, Fire Blast and ThiefToxicroakMoves: Focus Punch and Sucker PunchMedichamMoves: Focus Punch and Fire Punch

    Full fight

  8. Heracross+4 more

    Team

    1. JolteonLv 46Electric
    2. RaichuLv 46Electric
    3. LuxrayLv 48Electric
    4. ElectivireLv 50ElectricAce

    Does well (5)HeracrossMoves: EarthquakeInfernape Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: EarthquakeGalladeMoves: EarthquakeToxicroakMoves: EarthquakeMachamp Trade to evolveMoves: Earthquake

    No clear edge (2)Lucario GiftMedicham

    Full fight

League

  1. Heracross+4 more

    Team

    1. YanmegaLv 49BugFlying
    2. ScizorLv 49BugSteel
    3. VespiquenLv 50BugFlying
    4. HeracrossLv 51BugFighting
    5. DrapionLv 53PoisonDarkAce

    Does well (5)HeracrossMoves: Stone Edge, Focus Punch and Aerial AceInfernape Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Stone Edge, Fire Blast and Aerial AceGalladeMoves: Stone Edge, Fire Punch and Aerial AceLucario GiftMoves: Stone Edge, Focus Punch and PsychicMachamp Trade to evolveMoves: Stone Edge, Fire Blast and Earthquake

    No clear edge (2)ToxicroakMedicham

    Full fight

  2. Gallade+4 more

    Team

    1. WhiscashLv 50WaterGround
    2. GliscorLv 53GroundFlying
    3. HippowdonLv 52Ground
    4. GolemLv 52RockGround
    5. RhyperiorLv 55GroundRockAce

    Does well (5)GalladeMoves: Magical Leaf and Ice PunchMachamp Trade to evolveMoves: Focus Punch and Ice PunchInfernape Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Solar Beam and Fire BlastLucario GiftMoves: Focus Punch, Ice Punch and Water PulseMedichamMoves: Focus Punch and Ice Punch

    No clear edge (2)HeracrossToxicroak

    Full fight

  3. Gallade+3 more

    Team

    1. HoundoomLv 52DarkFire
    2. FlareonLv 55Fire
    3. RapidashLv 53Fire
    4. InfernapeLv 55FireFighting
    5. MagmortarLv 57FireAce

    Does well (4)GalladeMoves: Focus Punch, Earthquake and PsychicMachamp Trade to evolveMoves: Focus Punch and EarthquakeToxicroakMoves: Focus Punch and EarthquakeInfernape Starter: pick 1 of 3Moves: Focus Punch, Earthquake and Aerial Ace

    No clear edge (3)HeracrossMedichamLucario Gift

    Full fight

  4. Heracross

    Team

    1. Mr MimeLv 53Psychic
    2. EspeonLv 55Psychic
    3. BronzongLv 54SteelPsychic
    4. AlakazamLv 56Psychic
    5. GalladeLv 59PsychicFightingAce

    Does well (1)HeracrossMoves: Megahorn and Aerial Ace

    No clear edge (5)Infernape Starter: pick 1 of 3GalladeLucario GiftToxicroakMachamp Trade to evolve

    Has trouble (1)Medicham

    Full fight

  5. Gallade+1 more

    Team

    1. SpiritombLv 58GhostDark
    2. RoseradeLv 58GrassPoison
    3. TogekissLv 60NormalFlying
    4. LucarioLv 60FightingSteel
    5. MiloticLv 58Water
    6. GarchompLv 62DragonGroundAce

    Does well (2)GalladeMoves: X-Scissor, Psychic and ThunderboltLucario GiftMoves: Iron Tail, Ice Punch and Thunder Punch

    No clear edge (5)Infernape Starter: pick 1 of 3HeracrossMachamp Trade to evolveToxicroakMedicham

    Full fight

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