This article contains spoilers from Pokemon Master Journeys Part 3

Ash starts off his Pokemon Journeys adventures with an almost empty inventory of Pokemon, having left the majority of his collection with Professor Oak. At his mother's insistence, Mimey becomes Ash's temporary companion and, along with Pikachu, the team has to be rebuilt from the ground up.

Goh starts off in the same predicament, but shows no struggles in quickly amassing a plethora of Pokemon, however, Ash is more selective about his choices. With only six Pokemon in hand so far, Ash has some careful decisions to make regarding his line-up as he battles his way to the top position of the Masters Eight in the World Coronation Series.

RELATED: Pokemon: Why is Pikachu Never Inside Its Poke Ball?

Pikachu

Since 1997, Pikachu has remained at Ash's side and has proven himself to be his most loyal Pokemon. Regardless of his choice to not evolve, Pikachu should not be underestimated, as his Thunder Shock certainly packs a mighty punch! As of "The Climb to Be the Very Best!" Pikachu has also been able to tap into his Dynamax form (which he achieves without the help of a Dynamax band), giving him access to powerful moves such as the G-Max Volt Crash.

Pikachu will have quite a bit of responsibility on his team, as possibly Ash's best bet against certain Dragon-type Pokemon, which is a tall order for the little Electric-type but probably unavoidable. In the past, Pikachu has been able to defeat Dragonite but has had difficulties against Charizard. So, with some intense training, Pikachu could have a shot at bringing home the gold for Ash.

Dragonite

Ash first met Dragonair in "A Test in Paradise!" and, as the story usually goes, the two started out as buddies. Whist helping the young Pokemon learn how to fly, the group is attacked by Team Rocket and Ash's life is put on the line, prompting Dragonair to evolve to save his friend. After waiting many years for this day, Ash finally adds Dragonite to his team (much to Charizard's annoyance)

Unfortunately, Dragonite does not have a perfect track record in Pokemon Journeys, having lost his battles with Flygon, Iris' Dragonite, and the rogue Centiskorch (not to mention his disastrous loss at the Pokemon Grand Eating Contest!) However, Dragonite earns his place in Ash's team with his victorious performances against Darmanitan, Mienshao, Haxorus, and Mega Lucario, and shows further potential as his Dragon Dance improves over time.

Gengar

Gengar's story is reminiscent of Ash's Charizard, having been abandoned by a selfish and cruel trainer who has no intention of returning. The hopeful Gengar eventually grew bitter and began to haunt his new home, which the 'courageous' Professor Cerise had turned into his research laboratory. Gengar's heart is broken when the truth is revealed in "A Chilling Curse!", but, after some reflection, the Dark/Poison-type Pokemon offered a PokeBall to Ash, and from then on has been a valuable addition to the team.

RELATED: Pokemon: Why Ash Released One of His Strongest Pokemon

Gengar shows his potential as a Gigantimax Pokemon after consuming some special Max Mushroom soup, which Ash prepared himself after tracking down all the necessary ingredients in "The Winding Path to Greatness!" Gengar also receives a substantial amount of screen time in the first trailer for Pokemon Master Journeys Part 3, suggesting that he will play a significant role in Ash's success in the World Coronation Series.

Lucario

Lucario has quickly become a fan favorite in Pokemon Journeys and is one of the few Pokemon owned by Ash since its egg form. The egg was gifted to the young trainer by Nurse Joy after it shows an interest in Ash. Riolu soon hatches but is dazed and confused, fleeing the Pokemon Center and ending up on the wrong end of a wild Onyx. After Ash saves him, Riolu joins his team, but they have a bumpy start as the Fighting-Type Pokemon loses his confidence along with his match against Grapploct, causing a slight rift between trainer and Pokemon.

After a few more losses, Riolu eventually evolves into Lucario in "The Legends Awaken!" and finally gets his groove back as Ash showers him with praise. With the help of a Mega Glove and Lucarionite, Lucario's skills advance even further in "An Adventure of Mega Proportions!" when his Mega Evolution is reached, making this Steel/Fighting-Type one of Ash's best weapons.

Sirfetch'd

Even though Ash defeats the Galarian Farfetch'd when they first met, he is still decent enough to ask the Pokemon if he wants to join in on their adventures instead of just catching him. Farfetch'd admires Ash's fighting spirit and becomes yet another Pokemon to choose Ash over Goh as the better trainer. The pair forms an unbreakable bond during the Castle of Chivalry training course where Ash and Sirfetch'd learn to work as a team, and the Fighting-Type Pokemon evolved into a Sirfetch'd shortly afterward.

Sirfetch'd obtained its shield in "Beyond Chivalry… Aiming to be a Leek Master!" when Gallade decapitated his leak stalk, prompting his evolution. In a combined effort with Dracovish in "Great Friendship Training!", Sirfetch'd learns his signature move Meteor Assault, which prohibits his opponent from carrying out their following attack, very useful indeed!

Dracovish

As the fifth member to join Ash's Pokemon Journeys team, Dracovish has had the least amount of time with his owner, however, they bonded quite nicely in the Kids Marine Athletic Race. Originally mere fossils, Dracovish's and Arctozolt's remains are reassembled in "A Pinch of This, a Pinch of That!" by Ash, Goh, and a team of researchers, and the two young trainers were fortunate enough to be gifted these rare and wonderful reanimated Pokemon.

RELATED: Pokemon Predictions: The Masters Eight Semi-Finals

This Water/Dragon Fossil-Type could prove to be very useful in the World Coronation Series, as the only one of Ash's Pokemon (so far) to have an ice attack. Dracovish's Ice Fang proves to be super effective against Iris's Dragonite (which is an exceptionally strong Dragonite) in "Thrash of the Titans!", and considering how many Dragon-type Pokemon Ash is expected to face, this move will undoubtedly be a vital component to his strategy.

Decisions Decisions...

Knowing full well who his opponents are, Ash can already start planning his attack plan for the final, vital battles of the World Coronation Series. With his current team in Pokemon Master Journeys episode 90, here are some options as to how Ash could gain the upper hand whilst battling the other Masters Eight.

It would be quite beneficial if Ash could add a Fairy or Ice-Type Pokemon to his team, to fully exploit the weaknesses of all the potential Dragon-Type opponents on the list. By assessing his team, these Dragon-Type Pokemon will undoubtedly give Ash a hard time (particularly against Iris or Lance who have more than one), and having a Xerneas or Aurorus on his side would be extremely beneficial. It would be a smart move if Ash brings Charizard or Lapras back onto his team for the rest of the World Coronation Series, considering he already has an established relationship with them and could therefore focus on honing everyone's skills.

MORE: Goh Officially Begins His Project Mew Journey