Gold and Silver overhauled Gen 1's balance. The Special split means Pokemon like Alakazam (135 Sp. Atk but only 95 Sp. Def now) aren't as tanky on the special side anymore. Dark and Steel types exist, so Psychic isn't unchecked. Typhlosion and Feraligatr are top-tier starters, and the free Red Gyarados at Lake of Rage is one of the best Pokemon you'll get handed in any game. Your picks need to hold up through both Johto and Kanto here.

How to read this tier list
Elite Pokemon
Base Stat Total of 600+i
Legendary
Story-central, catchable in-gamei
Mythical
Rare, event-exclusivei
BST
Base Stat Total (sum of all 6 stats)i
Fast with strong offensei
Bulky with good offensei
Very high offense, slowi
Extremely bulky, low offensei
High offense but fragilei
Bulky support, low offensei
Fast utility, momentum controli
C
Situational 108 Pokemon
Useful for one or two Johto gym matchups. Don't expect them to last through Kanto.
525
Venusaur
Venusaur#0003
GRASSPOISON
530
Blastoise
Blastoise#0009
WATER
395
Butterfree
Butterfree#0012
BUGFLYING
395
Beedrill
Beedrill#0015
BUGPOISON
479
PIVOT
Pidgeot
Pidgeot#0018
NORMALFLYING
413
Raticate
Raticate#0020
NORMAL
442
PIVOT
Fearow
Fearow#0022
NORMALFLYING
448
Arbok
Arbok#0024
POISON
320
Pikachu
Pikachu#0025
ELEC
485
PIVOT
Raichu
Raichu#0026
ELEC
450
Sandslash
Sandslash#0028
GROUND
505
Nidoqueen
Nidoqueen#0031
POISONGROUND
483
Clefable
Clefable#0036
FAIRY
505
PIVOT
Ninetales
Ninetales#0038
FIRE
270
Jigglypuff
Jigglypuff#0039
NORMALFAIRY
435
Wigglytuff
Wigglytuff#0040
NORMALFAIRY
490
Vileplume
Vileplume#0045
GRASSPOISON
405
Parasect
Parasect#0047
BUGGRASS
450
Venomoth
Venomoth#0049
BUGPOISON
265
Diglett
Diglett#0050
GROUND
425
SWEEP
Dugtrio
Dugtrio#0051
GROUND
440
PIVOT
Persian
Persian#0053
NORMAL
500
Golduck
Golduck#0055
WATER
455
Primeape
Primeape#0057
FIGHT
555
Arcanine
Arcanine#0059
FIRE
385
Poliwhirl
Poliwhirl#0061
WATER
510
Poliwrath
Poliwrath#0062
WATERFIGHT
310
Abra
Abra#0063
PSYCHIC
400
SWEEP
Kadabra
Kadabra#0064
PSYCHIC
490
Victreebel
Victreebel#0071
GRASSPOISON
300
Geodude
Geodude#0074
ROCKGROUND
390
Graveler
Graveler#0075
ROCKGROUND
500
SWEEP
Rapidash
Rapidash#0078
FIRE
490
TANK
Slowbro
Slowbro#0080
WATERPSYCHIC
465
GLASS
Magneton
Magneton#0082
ELECSTEEL
470
SWEEP
Dodrio
Dodrio#0085
NORMALFLYING
475
Dewgong
Dewgong#0087
WATERICE
325
Grimer
Grimer#0088
POISON
500
TANK
Muk
Muk#0089
POISON
310
Gastly
Gastly#0092
GHOSTPOISON
405
GLASS
Haunter
Haunter#0093
GHOSTPOISON
385
Onix
Onix#0095
ROCKGROUND
483
SUPPORT
Hypno
Hypno#0097
PSYCHIC
325
Krabby
Krabby#0098
WATER
475
BREAK
Kingler
Kingler#0099
WATER
490
PIVOT
Electrode
Electrode#0101
ELEC
320
Cubone
Cubone#0104
GROUND
455
GLASS
Hitmonlee
Hitmonlee#0106
FIGHT
455
Hitmonchan
Hitmonchan#0107
FIGHT
385
Lickitung
Lickitung#0108
NORMAL
490
Weezing
Weezing#0110
POISON
345
Rhyhorn
Rhyhorn#0111
GROUNDROCK
450
WALL
Chansey
Chansey#0113
NORMAL
435
Tangela
Tangela#0114
GRASS
490
Kangaskhan
Kangaskhan#0115
NORMAL
440
Seadra
Seadra#0117
WATER
460
Mr. Mime
Mr. Mime#0122
PSYCHICFAIRY
500
SWEEP
Scyther
Scyther#0123
BUGFLYING
490
PIVOT
Electabuzz
Electabuzz#0125
ELEC
495
Magmar
Magmar#0126
FIRE
500
BREAK
Pinsir
Pinsir#0127
BUG
490
SWEEP
Tauros
Tauros#0128
NORMAL
540
BREAK
Gyarados
Gyarados#0130
WATERFLYING
535
Lapras
Lapras#0131
WATERICE
525
BREAK
Flareon
Flareon#0136
FIRE
495
BREAK
Omastar
Omastar#0139
ROCKWATER
495
BREAK
Kabutops
Kabutops#0141
ROCKWATER
580
Articuno
Articuno#0144
ICEFLYING
525
Meganium
Meganium#0154
GRASS
530
Feraligatr
Feraligatr#0160
WATER
415
Furret
Furret#0162
NORMAL
452
Noctowl
Noctowl#0164
NORMALFLYING
390
Ledian
Ledian#0166
BUGFLYING
400
Ariados
Ariados#0168
BUGPOISON
535
PIVOT
Crobat
Crobat#0169
POISONFLYING
460
SUPPORT
Lanturn
Lanturn#0171
WATERELEC
405
Togetic
Togetic#0176
FAIRYFLYING
470
Xatu
Xatu#0178
PSYCHICFLYING
510
BREAK
Ampharos
Ampharos#0181
ELEC
490
Bellossom
Bellossom#0182
GRASS
420
Azumarill
Azumarill#0184
WATERFAIRY
410
Sudowoodo
Sudowoodo#0185
ROCK
500
Politoed
Politoed#0186
WATER
460
PIVOT
Jumpluff
Jumpluff#0189
GRASSFLYING
360
Aipom
Aipom#0190
NORMAL
425
Sunflora
Sunflora#0192
GRASS
390
Yanma
Yanma#0193
BUGFLYING
430
Quagsire
Quagsire#0195
WATERGROUND
405
Murkrow
Murkrow#0198
DARKFLYING
490
TANK
Slowking
Slowking#0199
WATERPSYCHIC
405
SUPPORT
Wobbuffet
Wobbuffet#0202
PSYCHIC
455
Girafarig
Girafarig#0203
NORMALPSYCHIC
430
Gligar
Gligar#0207
GROUNDFLYING
450
BREAK
Granbull
Granbull#0210
FAIRY
440
Qwilfish
Qwilfish#0211
WATERPOISON
505
Shuckle
Shuckle#0213
BUGROCK
430
PIVOT
Sneasel
Sneasel#0215
DARKICE
500
BREAK
Ursaring
Ursaring#0217
NORMAL
430
Magcargo
Magcargo#0219
FIREROCK
450
Piloswine
Piloswine#0221
ICEGROUND
410
Corsola
Corsola#0222
WATERROCK
480
Octillery
Octillery#0224
WATER
330
Delibird
Delibird#0225
ICEFLYING
485
Mantine
Mantine#0226
WATERFLYING
540
Kingdra
Kingdra#0230
WATERDRAGON
515
Porygon2
Porygon2#0233
NORMAL
465
Stantler
Stantler#0234
NORMAL
455
Hitmontop
Hitmontop#0237
FIGHT
D
Niche 100 Pokemon
Pokemon you can get earlier with better stats already fill these roles.
318
Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur#0001
GRASSPOISON
405
Ivysaur
Ivysaur#0002
GRASSPOISON
309
Charmander
Charmander#0004
FIRE
405
Charmeleon
Charmeleon#0005
FIRE
314
Squirtle
Squirtle#0007
WATER
405
Wartortle
Wartortle#0008
WATER
195
Caterpie
Caterpie#0010
BUG
205
Metapod
Metapod#0011
BUG
195
Weedle
Weedle#0013
BUGPOISON
205
Kakuna
Kakuna#0014
BUGPOISON
251
Pidgey
Pidgey#0016
NORMALFLYING
349
Pidgeotto
Pidgeotto#0017
NORMALFLYING
253
Rattata
Rattata#0019
NORMAL
262
Spearow
Spearow#0021
NORMALFLYING
288
Ekans
Ekans#0023
POISON
300
Sandshrew
Sandshrew#0027
GROUND
275
Nidoran♀ (female)
Nidoran♀ (female)#0029
POISON
365
Nidorina
Nidorina#0030
POISON
273
Nidoran♂ (male)
Nidoran♂ (male)#0032
POISON
365
Nidorino
Nidorino#0033
POISON
323
Clefairy
Clefairy#0035
FAIRY
299
Vulpix
Vulpix#0037
FIRE
245
Zubat
Zubat#0041
POISONFLYING
455
Golbat
Golbat#0042
POISONFLYING
320
Oddish
Oddish#0043
GRASSPOISON
395
Gloom
Gloom#0044
GRASSPOISON
285
Paras
Paras#0046
BUGGRASS
305
Venonat
Venonat#0048
BUGPOISON
290
Meowth
Meowth#0052
NORMAL
320
Psyduck
Psyduck#0054
WATER
305
Mankey
Mankey#0056
FIGHT
350
Growlithe
Growlithe#0058
FIRE
300
Poliwag
Poliwag#0060
WATER
305
Machop
Machop#0066
FIGHT
405
Machoke
Machoke#0067
FIGHT
300
Bellsprout
Bellsprout#0069
GRASSPOISON
390
Weepinbell
Weepinbell#0070
GRASSPOISON
335
Tentacool
Tentacool#0072
WATERPOISON
410
Ponyta
Ponyta#0077
FIRE
315
Slowpoke
Slowpoke#0079
WATERPSYCHIC
325
Magnemite
Magnemite#0081
ELECSTEEL
377
Farfetch'd
Farfetch'd#0083
NORMALFLYING
310
Doduo
Doduo#0084
NORMALFLYING
325
Seel
Seel#0086
WATER
305
Shellder
Shellder#0090
WATER
328
Drowzee
Drowzee#0096
PSYCHIC
330
PIVOT
Voltorb
Voltorb#0100
ELEC
325
Exeggcute
Exeggcute#0102
GRASSPSYCHIC
340
Koffing
Koffing#0109
POISON
295
Horsea
Horsea#0116
WATER
320
Goldeen
Goldeen#0118
WATER
450
Seaking
Seaking#0119
WATER
340
Staryu
Staryu#0120
WATER
200
Magikarp
Magikarp#0129
WATER
288
Ditto
Ditto#0132
NORMAL
325
Eevee
Eevee#0133
NORMAL
395
Porygon
Porygon#0137
NORMAL
355
Omanyte
Omanyte#0138
ROCKWATER
355
Kabuto
Kabuto#0140
ROCKWATER
300
Dratini
Dratini#0147
DRAGON
420
Dragonair
Dragonair#0148
DRAGON
318
Chikorita
Chikorita#0152
GRASS
405
Bayleef
Bayleef#0153
GRASS
309
Cyndaquil
Cyndaquil#0155
FIRE
405
Quilava
Quilava#0156
FIRE
314
Totodile
Totodile#0158
WATER
405
Croconaw
Croconaw#0159
WATER
215
Sentret
Sentret#0161
NORMAL
262
Hoothoot
Hoothoot#0163
NORMALFLYING
265
Ledyba
Ledyba#0165
BUGFLYING
250
Spinarak
Spinarak#0167
BUGPOISON
330
Chinchou
Chinchou#0170
WATERELEC
205
Pichu
Pichu#0172
ELEC
218
Cleffa
Cleffa#0173
FAIRY
210
Igglybuff
Igglybuff#0174
NORMALFAIRY
245
Togepi
Togepi#0175
FAIRY
320
Natu
Natu#0177
PSYCHICFLYING
280
Mareep
Mareep#0179
ELEC
365
Flaaffy
Flaaffy#0180
ELEC
250
Marill
Marill#0183
WATERFAIRY
250
Hoppip
Hoppip#0187
GRASSFLYING
340
Skiploom
Skiploom#0188
GRASSFLYING
180
Sunkern
Sunkern#0191
GRASS
210
Wooper
Wooper#0194
WATERGROUND
336
Unown
Unown#0201
PSYCHIC
290
Pineco
Pineco#0204
BUG
415
Dunsparce
Dunsparce#0206
NORMAL
300
Snubbull
Snubbull#0209
FAIRY
330
Teddiursa
Teddiursa#0216
NORMAL
250
Slugma
Slugma#0218
FIRE
250
Swinub
Swinub#0220
ICEGROUND
300
Remoraid
Remoraid#0223
WATER
330
Houndour
Houndour#0228
DARKFIRE
330
Phanpy
Phanpy#0231
GROUND
210
Tyrogue
Tyrogue#0236
FIGHT
305
Smoochum
Smoochum#0238
ICEPSYCHIC
360
Elekid
Elekid#0239
ELEC
365
Magby
Magby#0240
FIRE
300
Larvitar
Larvitar#0246
ROCKGROUND
410
Pupitar
Pupitar#0247
ROCKGROUND
  • Typhlosion is the most efficient pick for a playthrough. 109 Sp. Atk and 100 Speed make it the fastest special attacker you can get from the start. Espeon from Bill's Eevee in Goldenrod is a close second since Psychic is still strong even with Dark types now around. For raw stats, Tyranitar sits at 600 BST, but you won't get Larvitar until Mt. Silver.

  • Cyndaquil. Fire-type has almost no competition in Johto since wild Fire Pokemon are rare. Typhlosion's 109 Sp. Atk and 100 Speed carry through both regions. Totodile is the runner-up with solid physical stats and Ice-type coverage. Chikorita is the hardest start because Grass is resisted by most early gyms and Meganium's defensive stats don't speed up battles.

  • The Special stat splits into Sp. Atk and Sp. Def, which reshuffles the power rankings. Dark and Steel types are new, giving Psychic real weaknesses for the first time. Held items exist now, so Leftovers and type-boosting items matter. Breeding lets you pass down moves and create stronger teams. And the day/night cycle affects which wild Pokemon appear. Browse the full Gen 2 roster in the Gold & Silver Pokedex.

  • Gold gets Ho-Oh at Level 40 before the Elite Four and exclusives like Teddiursa and Growlithe. Silver gets Lugia at Level 40 and exclusives like Phanpy and Skarmory. Ho-Oh hits harder offensively while Lugia is one of the best defensive walls in the game. Both legendaries are available at similar points, so it comes down to preference.

  • It's the weakest of the three for in-game play. Chikorita's Grass typing is resisted by Falkner, Bugsy, and later gyms don't get much easier. Meganium's stats lean defensive (100 Def, 100 Sp. Def) which keeps you alive but doesn't speed up battles. Absolutely usable if you like a challenge, but you'll lean harder on your other five team members to carry damage.

  • Typhlosion as your starter, Espeon from Bill's Eevee in Goldenrod, Red Gyarados from Lake of Rage, Heracross from headbutting trees, Ampharos from an early Mareep, and a flyer like Crobat. Strong through Johto and into Kanto without any major type holes.

  • Tyranitar has 600 BST and is one of the strongest Pokemon in the game. The problem: you can't get Larvitar until Mt. Silver, which is endgame. It also needs Level 55 to fully evolve. For a main playthrough, it shows up way too late to justify the grind. For post-game battles and competitive play though, it's S-Tier material with Rock/Dark typing and massive stats across the board.