There were some popular Pokemon released in Gen 4 of Pokemon GO; some prime examples are Palkia and Lucario. Although Lucario is often referred to as a “glass cannon,” it is still a more capable combatant than every Pokemon on this list.
The Pokemon listed below, with one exception (in a very specific instance), are generally only collected by players to complete their Pokedex. This list will focus on the final stages in a Pokemon's evolutionary line, as the earlier stages are meant to be weaker. All stats given for the Pokemon below (CP, attack, defense, and stamina) are the maximum values possible.
Updated on November 26th, 2021, by Jeff Drake: Updates to a particular generation of Pokemon GO generally only add Pokemon that would be on a "best of" list. These updates never add Pokemon to the roster that would make an appearance on this list. The original list identified ten horrible Pokemon to invest any time into training; it also explained why these Pokemon were so awful. This update will include five additional Pokemon that players should avoid - these Pokemon should be caught for collecting purposes only. Do not try to use any of these Pokemon in combat; that is, unless you like a challenge.
15 Skuntank
Skuntank is a Poison/Dark-type Pokemon that resembles a cross between a cat and a skunk. Skuntank is right on the line between the weak and the average Pokemon. It has a CP of 2666, an attack of 184, a defense of 132, and a stamina of 230. Skuntank would not be on this list if its defense would have been only 40 - 50 points higher.
The available fast moves are Poison Jab and Bite. Both of these fast moves are actually quite good - though, Poison Jab is the better of the two. Sludge Bomb, Flamethrower, and Crunch are Skuntank's charge moves. It gets a nice variety of types, and Sludge Bomb is a very strong charge move. If only that defense rating wasn't so low. Skuntank is the only Pokemon on this list that even begins to be worth training.
14 Spiritomb
Spiritomb is a Ghost/Dark-type Pokemon that's alright in some categories, but terrible in others. Spiritomb has a CP of 2343, an attack of 169, a defense of 199, and a stamina of 137. Its defense isn't too bad, but unfortunately, its stamina is so low that a high defense rating doesn't mean much.
Feint Attack and Sucker Punch are Spiritomb's available fast moves; both are fairly good. Shadow Ball, Ominous Wind, and Shadow Sneak are the choices for a charge move. Among the three, Shadow Ball is by far the best. If Spiritomb's attack and stamina were a little higher Spiritomb would be a candidate for a "best of" Gen 4 list.
13 Phione
Phione is a Water-type Pokemon that would probably have trouble defeating many Fire-types. It has a CP of 2380, an attack of 162, a defense of 162, and a stamina of 190. The one good thing Phione has going for it is that it has only two weaknesses (Grass and Electric) and four resistances (Fire, Water, Ice, and Steel).
All of Phione's available moves are Water-type; this single type move-set only makes a Pokemon weaker - never stronger. Waterfall and Bubble are Phione's fast moves. Surf, Bubble Beam, and Pulse are its choices for a charge move. The best move-set for DPS is Waterfall and Surf, but this move-set's DPS is far below average.
12 Froslass
Froslass is a Ghost/Ice-type Pokemon that's somehow one of the weakest Gen 4 Pokemon despite being a combination two of the more traditionally stronger types in the series. This icy ghost has a CP of 2306, an attack of 171, a defense of 150, and a stamina of 172. These stats are well below average.
Froslass has two choices for a fast move, Hex and Powder Snow - neither are very good. Surprisingly, the charge moves for Froslass aren't too bad. Shadow Ball and Avalanche are both about equal in terms of DPS. It's a shame that Froslass' poor stats limit the usefulness of these charge moves.
11 Vespiquen
Niantic has done a lot to make the Bug-types a little more competitive. In Vespiquen's case, they didn't do enough. This is a Bug/Flying-type Pokemon with less than desirable stats. Vespiquen has a CP of 2267, an attack of 149, a defense of 190, and a stamina of 172.
Vespiquen has one decent fast move - Bug Bite; this move has an okay DPS (damage per second). The choice of charge moves is even less appealing than the fast moves. X-Scissor is Vespiquen's best charge move; followed by Signal Beam and Bug Buzz. All of this Pokemon's best moves are Bug-type. That's not good.
10 Lopunny
Lopunny is a rabbit-like Normal-type Pokemon. This Pokemon isn’t completely awful in a fight, but there are many, many better Pokemon trainers can choose instead. Lopunny has a CP of 2059, an attack of 156, a defense of 194, and a stamina of 163. The fairly good defense of Lopunny makes it okay for defensive engagements, but only early in the game – before better Pokemon are caught. Its choice of fast moves are Pound and Low Kick, its choice of charge moves are Hyper Beam, Fire Punch, and Focus Blast. Pound and Hyper Beam is the best move-set in terms of DPS.
9 Bastiodon
Bastiodon is a Rock/Steel-type Pokemon that can be useful for beginning players, but quickly becomes obsolete. Bastiodon has a great defense and has some great resistances to accentuate that stout stat. It can shrug-off most attacks, but Fighting and Ground attacks can often make Bastiodon faint in a matter of seconds. It has a CP of 1539, an attack of 94, a defense of 286, and a stamina of 155. Smack Down and Iron Tail are Bastiodon’s available fast moves. Flash Cannon, Flamethrower, and Stone Edge are its available charge moves. Bastiodon is useful in the Great League and for low-level raiding, but in PVE (player versus environment) engagements it is found lacking.
8 Carnivine
Carnivine is a Grass-type Pokemon that resembles a Venus flytrap. This Pokemon has some decent stats, but it is a Grass-type Pokemon – making it weak against some of the more popular move types like Fire, Flying, and Ice. It has a CP of 2159, an attack of 187, a defense of 136, and a stamina of 179. Carnivine’s choice for a fast move is between Bite and Vine Whip. Energy Ball, Crunch, and Power Whip are its available charge moves. Vine Whip and Power Whip is its most damaging move-set, but Bite and Power Whip gives Carnivine more flexibility.
7 Purugly
Purugly is a cat-like Normal-type Pokemon that is further proof the developers of the Pokemon games are probably not cat lovers. Why are there no top tier cat Pokemon? The only “positives” about using Purugly is its lack of weaknesses to move types, flexibility in terms of moves types, and average attack and stamina. It has a CP of 1953, an attack of 172, a defense of 133, and a stamina of 174. Purugly’s available fast moves are Scratch and Shadow Claw; its available charge moves are Play Rough, Aerial Ace, and Thunder. Either fast move paired with Play Rough is its best move-set in terms of DPS.
6 Lumineon
Lumineon is a fish-like Water-type Pokemon. Like most fish Pokemon, Lumineon is not very effective in battle. It has a CP of 1814, an attack of 142, a defense of 170, and a stamina 170. Waterfall and Water Gun are Lumineon’s available fast moves. Water Pulse, Silver Wind, and Blizzard are its choices for a charge move.
The Waterfall/Blizzard and Water Gun/Water Pulse move-sets are about the same for DPS, but neither has a DPS over 8. Any move-set with a DPS less than 10 is an indicator that a Pokemon is probably not worth a major investment in stardust or candies.
5 Bibarel
Bibarel is a beaver-like Water/Normal-type Pokemon. The most intimidating thing about this cute little Pokemon is its cry, which isn’t saying much. Bibarel has a CP of 1823, an attack of 162, a defense of 119, and a stamina of 188. Its available fast moves are Take Down and Water Gun, its available charge moves are Hyper Fang, Surf, and Hyper Beam. Water Gun and Surf is the best move-set in terms of DPS, total damage output, and recharge time. If Baibarel’s attack rating was just a little higher this Pokemon would have been fairly effective in battle.
4 Kricketune
Kricketune is a mustachioed Bug-type Pokemon with some good choices for moves, but is held back by its below-average stats. Also, Bug types have traditionally been one of the weaker Pokemon types – and Kricketune is not an exception to this rule. It has a CP of 1653, an attack of 160, a defense of 100, and a stamina of 184. Fury Cutter and Struggle Bug are its available fast moves. Bug Buzz, Aerial Ace, and X Scissor are its available charge moves. Fury Cutter paired with X Scissor is its best move-set.
3 Mothim
Mothim is a moth-like Bug/Flying-type Pokemon that has some great resistances to Fighting, Ground, and Grass-type moves. However, its low defense rating lessens the usefulness of these resistances. Mothim has a CP of 1815, an attack of 185, a defense of 98, and a stamina of 172.
Its available fast moves are Air Slash and Bug Bite; its available charge moves are Psybeam, Aerial Ace, and Bug Buzz. Bug Bite paired with Bug Buzz has the highest DPS, but players wanting a more flexible move-set can use the Bug Bite/Aerial Ace or Bug Bite/Psybeam move-set with only a negligible loss to DPS.
2 Chatot
Chatot is a bird-like Flying/Normal-type Pokemon. Chatot has some strong resistances to Ghost, Ground, Bug, and Grass-type moves and some pretty good move-sets. It has a CP of 1791, an attack of 183, a defense of 91, and a stamina of 183. If its defense was a 191, instead of 91, Chatot would have been a great mid-tier Pokemon; sadly though, a 91 defense is just too low for this Pokemon to be worth the effort of leveling-up. For a fast move Chatot can choose between Peck and Steel Wing. Heat Wave, Sky Attack, and Night Shade are its available charge moves. Steel Wing or Peck paired with Sky Attack is a potent move-set, with a DPS of 12.1 and 11.9 respectively.
1 Pachirisu
Pachirisu is a small squirrel-like Electric-type Pokemon that was clearly inspired by Pikachu. This cute little Pokemon has below average stats and no variety in choice of moves – all of its available moves are Electric. It has a CP of 1213, an attack of 94, a defense of 172, and a stamina of 155. Volt Switch and Spark are its available fast moves; its available charge moves are Thunder, Thunderbolt, and Thunder Punch. Volt Switch and Thunderbolt is its best move-set, with a DPS of only 6. This Pokemon should only be caught for the sake of completion.