BEST GOLD & SILVER POKEMON
Game Notes
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.
Pokemon Spotlight
Tyranitar
Rock and Dark are both physical types in Gen 2, pairing perfectly with Tyranitar's 134 Attack. 110 Defense and 100 HP create a physical wall that also hits like a truck. Crunch punishes Psychics and Ghosts while Rock Slide handles Flying types across Johto.
View page detailsTyranitar — S Tier, 600 BST
Rock and Dark are both physical types in Gen 2, pairing perfectly with Tyranitar's 134 Attack. 110 Defense and 100 HP create a physical wall that also hits like a truck. Crunch punishes Psychics and Ghosts while Rock Slide handles Flying types across Johto.
Snorlax
The defining Pokemon of GSC competitive play. 160 HP and 110 Sp. Def soak special hits all day, while 110 Attack powers Curse-boosted Returns. Rest plus Sleep Talk makes it nearly impossible to wear down. Snorlax warps Gold and Silver's metagame around itself completely.
View page detailsSnorlax — S Tier, 540 BST
The defining Pokemon of GSC competitive play. 160 HP and 110 Sp. Def soak special hits all day, while 110 Attack powers Curse-boosted Returns. Rest plus Sleep Talk makes it nearly impossible to wear down. Snorlax warps Gold and Silver's metagame around itself completely.
Mewtwo
The Special split gave Mewtwo 154 Sp. Atk and 90 Sp. Def, but the offensive side barely matters when nothing outspeeds 130 base Speed anyway. Dark types exist now but none can take repeated Psychic hits at this power. Still the strongest Pokemon you can bring into Gold and Silver.
View page detailsMewtwo — S Tier, 680 BST
The Special split gave Mewtwo 154 Sp. Atk and 90 Sp. Def, but the offensive side barely matters when nothing outspeeds 130 base Speed anyway. Dark types exist now but none can take repeated Psychic hits at this power. Still the strongest Pokemon you can bring into Gold and Silver.
- #1MewtwoPsychicSPECIALHP106Atk110Def90SpA154SpD90Spe130Psychic90Future Sight120Dream Eater100Confusion50HP106Atk110Def90SpA154SpD90Spe130
- #2
LugiaPsychicMIXEDHP106Atk90Def130SpA90SpD154Spe110Psychic90Future Sight120Aeroblast100Dream Eater100HP106Atk90Def130SpA90SpD154Spe110 - #3
Ho ohFireMIXEDHP106Atk130Def90SpA110SpD154Spe90Rest–Sleep Talk–Fire Blast110Sacred Fire100HP106Atk130Def90SpA110SpD154Spe90 - #4TyranitarRockDarkMIXEDHP100Atk134Def110SpA95SpD100Spe61ItemMiracleberryRock Slide75Earthquake100Roar–Fire Blast110HP100Atk134Def110SpA95SpD100Spe61
- #5
ZapdosElectricMIXEDHP90Atk90Def85SpA125SpD90Spe100ItemMagnetHidden Power Ice60Thunder110Rest–Sleep Talk–HP90Atk90Def85SpA125SpD90Spe100 - #6
RaikouElectricSPECIALHP90Atk85Def75SpA115SpD100Spe115ItemMagnetRest–Sleep Talk–Thunder110Hidden Power Ice60HP90Atk85Def75SpA115SpD100Spe115 - #7SnorlaxNormalPHYSICALHP160Atk110Def65SpA65SpD110Spe30ItemMiracleberryRest–Earthquake100Curse–Sleep Talk–HP160Atk110Def65SpA65SpD110Spe30
- #8
ExeggutorGrassPsychicSPECIALHP95Atk95Def85SpA125SpD75Spe55ItemMiracleberryPsychic90Giga Drain75Hidden Power Fire60HP95Atk95Def85SpA125SpD75Spe55 - #9
CloysterWaterIceSPECIALHP50Atk95Def180SpA85SpD45Spe70ItemMiracleberrySurf90Toxic–HP50Atk95Def180SpA85SpD45Spe70 - #10
GengarGhostPoisonPHYSICALHP60Atk65Def60SpA130SpD75Spe110ItemLeftoversIce Punch75Destiny Bond–Dynamic Punch100HP60Atk65Def60SpA130SpD75Spe110
- #11
BlisseyNormalPHYSICALHP255Atk10Def10SpA75SpD135Spe55ItemMiracleberrySoft-Boiled–Heal Bell–Light Screen–Fire Blast110HP255Atk10Def10SpA75SpD135Spe55 - #12
JolteonElectricSPECIALHP65Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe130ItemMiracleberryThunder Wave–Thunder110Roar–Hidden Power Water60HP65Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe130 - #13
StarmieWaterPsychicSPECIALHP60Atk75Def85SpA100SpD85Spe115ItemMiracleberrySurf90Recover–Rapid Spin50Psychic90HP60Atk75Def85SpA100SpD85Spe115 - #14
SteelixSteelGroundPHYSICALHP75Atk85Def200SpA55SpD65Spe30ItemLeftoversEarthquake100Roar–Curse–Rock Slide75HP75Atk85Def200SpA55SpD65Spe30 - #15
MachampFightingPHYSICALHP90Atk130Def80SpA65SpD85Spe55ItemScope LensCross Chop100Earthquake100Curse–Fire Blast110HP90Atk130Def80SpA65SpD85Spe55 - #16
HeracrossBugFightingPHYSICALHP80Atk125Def75SpA40SpD95Spe85ItemMiracleberryMegahorn120Curse–Rest–Sleep Talk–HP80Atk125Def75SpA40SpD95Spe85 - #17
SkarmorySteelPHYSICALHP65Atk80Def140SpA40SpD70Spe70ItemLeftoversDrill Peck80Rest–Curse–Whirlwind–HP65Atk80Def140SpA40SpD70Spe70 - #18
SeakingWaterSPECIALHP80Atk92Def65SpA65SpD80Spe68ItemMiracleberryReturn–Rest–Sleep Talk–Surf90HP80Atk92Def65SpA65SpD80Spe68 
ElekidElectricSPECIALHP45Atk63Def37SpA65SpD55Spe95ItemLeftoversThunder110Psychic90Ice Punch75Thunderbolt90HP45Atk63Def37SpA65SpD55Spe95
GrowlitheFireSPECIALHP55Atk70Def45SpA70SpD50Spe60ItemMetal CoatCrunch80Agility–Body Slam85Curse–HP55Atk70Def45SpA70SpD50Spe60
RhyhornGroundRockPHYSICALHP80Atk85Def95SpA30SpD30Spe25ItemHard StoneEarthquake100Rock Slide75Curse–Toxic–HP80Atk85Def95SpA30SpD30Spe25
AbraPsychicSPECIALHP25Atk20Def15SpA105SpD55Spe90ItemTwisted SpoonPsychic90Ice Punch75Thunder Punch75Fire Punch75HP25Atk20Def15SpA105SpD55Spe90
- #19
DragoniteDragonMIXEDHP91Atk134Def95SpA100SpD100Spe80ItemScope LensDynamic Punch100Thunder110Hidden Power Flying60HP91Atk134Def95SpA100SpD100Spe80 - #20
ArticunoIceMIXEDHP90Atk85Def100SpA95SpD125Spe85ItemMiracleberryIce Beam90Rest–Sleep Talk–Toxic–HP90Atk85Def100SpA95SpD125Spe85 - #21
MoltresFireMIXEDHP90Atk100Def90SpA125SpD85Spe90ItemCharcoalRest–Sleep Talk–Fire Blast110Sunny Day–HP90Atk100Def90SpA125SpD85Spe90 - #22
EnteiFireSPECIALHP115Atk115Def85SpA90SpD75Spe100ItemCharcoalFire Blast110Sunny Day–Solar Beam120Hidden Power Fighting60HP115Atk115Def85SpA90SpD75Spe100 - #23
SuicuneWaterSPECIALHP100Atk75Def115SpA90SpD115Spe85ItemMiracleberrySurf90Rest–Sleep Talk–Roar–HP100Atk75Def115SpA90SpD115Spe85 - #24
ArcanineFireSPECIALHP90Atk110Def80SpA100SpD80Spe95ItemCharcoalExtreme Speed80Fire Blast110Crunch80Body Slam85HP90Atk110Def80SpA100SpD80Spe95 - #25
GyaradosWaterMIXEDHP95Atk125Def79SpA60SpD100Spe81ItemMystic WaterSurf90Hydro Pump110Hidden Power Flying60Thunder110HP95Atk125Def79SpA60SpD100Spe81 - #26
CrobatPoisonPHYSICALHP85Atk90Def80SpA70SpD80Spe130ItemLeftoversToxic–Confuse Ray–Giga Drain75Haze–HP85Atk90Def80SpA70SpD80Spe130 - #27
CharizardFireMIXEDHP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100ItemMiracleberryEarthquake100Fire Blast110Belly Drum–Rock Slide75HP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100 - #28
TyphlosionFireSPECIALHP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100ItemCharcoalFire Blast110Sunny Day–Dynamic Punch100Hidden Power Grass60HP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100 - #29
VaporeonWaterSPECIALHP130Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe65ItemMintberrySurf90Rest–Acid Armor–Sleep Talk–HP130Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe65 - #30
FlareonFireSPECIALHP65Atk130Def60SpA95SpD110Spe65ItemCharcoalFire Blast110Shadow Ball80Quick Attack40Flamethrower90HP65Atk130Def60SpA95SpD110Spe65
- #50
MewPsychicSPECIALHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100Psychic90Dream Eater100Hyper Beam150Rest–HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100 - #51
CelebiPsychicGrassSPECIALHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100Psychic90Future Sight120Solar Beam120Baton Pass–HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100 - #52
KingdraWaterDragonSPECIALHP75Atk95Def95SpA95SpD95Spe85ItemLeftoversSurf90Dragon Breath60Rest–Sleep Talk–HP75Atk95Def95SpA95SpD95Spe85 - #53
LaprasWaterIceSPECIALHP130Atk85Def80SpA85SpD95Spe60ItemLeftoversIce Beam90Confuse Ray–Surf90Thunder110HP130Atk85Def80SpA85SpD95Spe60 - #54
BlastoiseWaterSPECIALHP79Atk83Def100SpA85SpD105Spe78ItemMystic WaterSurf90Rapid Spin50Earthquake100HP79Atk83Def100SpA85SpD105Spe78 - #55
FeraligatrWaterSPECIALHP85Atk105Def100SpA79SpD83Spe78ItemMystic WaterEarthquake100Hydro Pump110Crunch80Surf90HP85Atk105Def100SpA79SpD83Spe78 - #56
VenusaurGrassPoisonMIXEDHP80Atk82Def83SpA100SpD100Spe80ItemLeftoversLeech Seed–Sleep Powder–Giga Drain75Synthesis–HP80Atk82Def83SpA100SpD100Spe80 - #57
MeganiumGrassSPECIALHP80Atk82Def100SpA83SpD100Spe80ItemLeftoversSynthesis–Body Slam85Leech Seed–Light Screen–HP80Atk82Def100SpA83SpD100Spe80 
Porygon2NormalPHYSICALHP85Atk80Def90SpA105SpD95Spe60ItemLeftoversRecover–Curse–Psychic90HP85Atk80Def90SpA105SpD95Spe60- #58
PoliwrathWaterFightingMIXEDHP90Atk95Def95SpA70SpD90Spe70ItemLeftoversEarthquake100Submission80HP90Atk95Def95SpA70SpD90Spe70 - #59
AmpharosElectricSPECIALHP90Atk75Def85SpA115SpD90Spe55ItemLeftoversThunderbolt90Thunder Wave–Fire Punch75Hidden Power Ice60HP90Atk75Def85SpA115SpD90Spe55 - #60
NidoqueenPoisonGroundPHYSICALHP90Atk92Def87SpA75SpD85Spe76ItemLeftoversEarthquake100Toxic–Roar–HP90Atk92Def87SpA75SpD85Spe76
PidgeottoNormalPHYSICALHP63Atk60Def55SpA50SpD50Spe71Agility–Fly90Return–Swift60HP63Atk60Def55SpA50SpD50Spe71
SeelWaterSPECIALHP65Atk45Def55SpA45SpD70Spe45Surf90Waterfall80Rain Dance–Whirlpool35HP65Atk45Def55SpA45SpD70Spe45
EeveeNormalPHYSICALHP55Atk55Def50SpA45SpD65Spe55ItemFocus BandToxic–Quick Attack40Curse–Hidden Power Ghost60HP55Atk55Def50SpA45SpD65Spe55
PsyduckWaterSPECIALHP50Atk52Def48SpA65SpD50Spe55Hydro Pump110Surf90Waterfall80Whirlpool35HP50Atk52Def48SpA65SpD50Spe55
GoldeenWaterSPECIALHP45Atk67Def60SpA35SpD50Spe63Hydro Pump110Surf90Waterfall80Rain Dance–HP45Atk67Def60SpA35SpD50Spe63
BulbasaurGrassPoisonMIXEDHP45Atk49Def49SpA65SpD65Spe45ItemMiracle SeedSleep Powder–Giga Drain75Solar Beam120HP45Atk49Def49SpA65SpD65Spe45
ChikoritaGrassSPECIALHP45Atk49Def65SpA49SpD65Spe45Body Slam85Synthesis–Giga Drain75Leech Seed–HP45Atk49Def65SpA49SpD65Spe45
CharmanderFireSPECIALHP39Atk52Def43SpA60SpD50Spe65ItemBerry JuiceFire Blast110Belly Drum–Rock Slide75Return–HP39Atk52Def43SpA60SpD50Spe65
CyndaquilFireSPECIALHP39Atk52Def43SpA60SpD50Spe65ItemCharcoalFlamethrower90Quick Attack40Swift60Smokescreen–HP39Atk52Def43SpA60SpD50Spe65
VenonatBugPoisonPHYSICALHP60Atk55Def50SpA40SpD55Spe45Sludge Bomb90Leech Life80Poison Powder–Toxic–HP60Atk55Def50SpA40SpD55Spe45
BellsproutGrassPoisonMIXEDHP50Atk75Def35SpA70SpD30Spe40Sleep Powder–Giga Drain75Solar Beam120Swords Dance–HP50Atk75Def35SpA70SpD30Spe40
DratiniDragonSPECIALHP41Atk64Def45SpA50SpD50Spe50Outrage120Dragon Breath60Thunder Wave–HP41Atk64Def45SpA50SpD50Spe50
Pokemon Comparison
FAQ
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.
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.
GAME AVAILABILITY
- Gen IY
Yellow151 Pokemon - Gen IRB
Red & Blue151 Pokemon - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver251 Pokemon - Gen IIC
Crystal251 Pokemon - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire202 Pokemon - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen151 Pokemon - Gen IIIE
Emerald202 Pokemon - Gen IVPt
Platinum210 Pokemon - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver256 Pokemon - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl151 Pokemon - Gen VBW
Black & White156 Pokemon - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2301 Pokemon - Gen VIXY
X & Y457 Pokemon - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire211 Pokemon - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon403 Pokemon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon302 Pokemon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee153 Pokemon - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield400 Pokemon - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus242 Pokemon - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl151 Pokemon - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet400 Pokemon - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A364 Pokemon - Gen XWW
Winds & Waves51 Pokemon