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Online competitive battles are a staple for Pokemon game generations. These battles can be standard Single battles or Doubles, with the latter being the primary format used in the Pokemon Video Game Championships (VGC). The VGC is the official tournament circuit under the Play! Pokemon Program and pulls in players and viewers worldwide, making Double battles extremely popular.
Double battles depend on team synergy, support moves, and abilities. Pokemon in Double battles can partner with allies that account for their weaknesses and strengths. On the same note, Pokemon that don't hold up much in Singles can thrive in Double battles. The format opens the door for unique strategies and combinations that would not be available otherwise. These are the best Pokemon for Doubles in competitive play.
6 Groudon
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Groudon is a Gen III Ground-type Legendary Pokemon. While its stats are impressive, it falls short against large Water-types, so Doubles battles are its best lane. Groudon's ability, Drought, activates Harsh Sunlight on the field. Its Fire-type moves and allies will benefit from this with the increased power to Fire while the weather condition is active.
Solar Beam, a Grass-type move with devastating power, no longer needs to charge up in the Sun. Groudon's other attack moves include Precipice Blades, Iron Head, and Dragon Pulse, so its type coverage and power are hard to beat under any condition. Other potential partners are Electric and Flying-types to prepare for common opponents like Kyogre and Venusaur.
5 Clefairy
Clefairy is a fantastic support and healer Pokemon in competitive battles. Players can use an Eviolite to boost its powers; even its evolved form falls short in comparison. Its benefits are found in many places, but its Hidden Ability Friend Guard protects it and allies from damage by reducing it by 25%, with the exception of direct damage.
Many of its moves also provide team support. Stealth Rock is an entry hazard whose power varies but causes problems for most Pokemon. Players can use Clefairy as a damage sponge with Follow Me, which directs moves to it and away from allies unless it faints or switches out. It also has two fantastic recovery moves with Healing Wish and Life Dew in its arsenal.
4 Incineroar
Incineroar is a team player through and through. Its power lies in its versatility, and players can equip it with movesets that serve different purposes. Regardless if it has an attack or support set, its ability Intimidate levels the field immediately by cutting its opponent's Attack stats.
Defensively Incineroar is a solid stall Pokemon with moves like Protect, Snore, and Fake Out. It also has the potential for passive damage with countless Burn moves and Fire Spin that make use of its flames. If players want to use it as an all-out attack Pokemon, they can with its Dark-type same-type attack bonus (STAB) moves. Darkest Lariat and Throat Chop are hard hitters against most targets.
3 Togekiss
Togekiss is a support healer with attack power behind it. Solo, Togekiss suffers from its dual Fairy/Flying-typing, but it's a stand-up Pokemon in Double battles. It Sp. Atk stats means it has serious STAB moves like Air Slash, Tri Attack, and Moonblast. It is also protected from entry hazards like Toxic Spikes, so players can use its support movesets.
Togekiss also has the handy Baton Pass move. Baton Pass takes all temporary stat changes inflected on the user and places them on the Pokemon that switches in and replaces them. Togekiss can preface this move with Calm Mind to boost its ally's attack. Furthermore, its recovery moves include Wish, Life Dew, and Draining Wish for a nice mix of self and team HP restoration.
2 Rillaboom
Rillaboom finds it difficult not to fit in anywhere. Players can use it as a tank on the field because its high HP gives it a decent bulk. This allows it the time to put in STAB work with Drum Beating and Wood Hammer. Drum Beating also lowers opponents' Speed, so players can potentially steal the priority if used enough times.
It pairs well with other Grass-types when its Hidden Ability Grassy Surge kicks in and activates Grassy Terrain on the field, giving all Grass-types a boost and automatic recovery, among other perks. Ground-types' typical attack moves like Earthquake and Bulldoze are halved, so Fire-types aren't as vulnerable. With Sunlight also triggered, that's a hard strategy to beat.
1 Kyogre
Kyogre is the counterpart to Groudon from Gen III. It has more resistance and fewer weaknesses than the Ground-type. Players can use it as an Attack Pokemon due to its great stats with Water-type STAB options like Water Spout, Liquidation, and Waterfall. It also has some surprising Ice moves like Ice Beam and Sheer Cold that players can utilize.
It is weak to Electric-types, and on Rain teams, it is at the mercy of Thunder users. However, when targeted, it has enough bulk to give its Water-type allies time to act. Additionally, the ability Swift Swim users like Swampert and Drednaw gain a Speed boost from the Rain. Kyogre can back up its allies with offensive or defensive support, even with a speed stat of 90.