Pokémon Champions launched on April 7, 2026 for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and mobile, and the first question every trainer has is simple: which Pokémon can you actually use? The answer is more specific than you might expect. The roster sits at over 150 confirmed Pokémon at launch, with a separate pool of more than 28 Mega Evolution forms, and there is one significant restriction that affects every single Pokémon line in the game.
What Pokémon are available in Pokémon Champions?
Based on pre-release trailers, eShop screenshots, and hands-on gameplay footage, the confirmed launch roster contains at least 152 standard Pokémon. That number does not count Mega Evolutions, which are tracked separately. The Pokémon Company and Game Freak have not published an official final count, so treat these figures as a confirmed floor rather than a ceiling.
Champions roster selection screen
Here is the full confirmed list of standard Pokémon available in Pokémon Champions:
Generation I
- Venusaur
- Charizard
- Blastoise
- Beedrill
- Pidgeot
- Arbok
- Pikachu
- Raichu
- Alolan Raichu
- Clefable
- Ninetales
- Alolan Ninetales
- Arcanine
- Alakazam
- Machamp
- Victreebel
- Slowbro
- Gengar
- Kangaskhan
- Starmie
- Pinsir
- Tauros
- Gyarados
- Ditto
- Vaporeon
- Jolteon
- Flareon
- Aerodactyl
- Snorlax
- Dragonite
Generation II
- Meganium
- Typhlosion
- Feraligatr
- Ariados
- Ampharos
- Azumarill
- Politoed
- Espeon
- Umbreon
- Slowking
- Forretress
- Steelix
- Scizor
- Heracross
- Skarmory
- Houndoom
- Tyranitar
Generation III
- Pelipper
- Gardevoir
- Sableye
- Aggron
- Medicham
- Manectric
- Sharpedo
- Camerupt
- Torkoal
- Altaria
- Milotic
- Castform
- Banette
- Chimecho
- Absol
- Glalie
- Metagross
Generation IV
- Torterra
- Infernape
- Empoleon
- Luxray
- Roserade
- Rampardos
- Bastiodon
- Lopunny
- Spiritomb
- Garchomp
- Lucario
- Hippowdon
- Toxicroak
- Abomasnow
- Weavile
- Rhyperior
- Leafeon
- Glaceon
- Gliscor
- Mamoswine
- Gallade
- Froslass
- Rotom
Generation V
- Serperior
- Emboar
- Samurott
- Watchog
- Liepard
- Simisage
- Simisear
- Simipour
- Excadrill
- Audino
- Conkeldurr
- Whimsicott
- Krookodile
- Cofagrigus
- Garbodor
- Zoroark
- Reuniclus
- Vanilluxe
- Emolga
- Chandelure
- Beartic
- Stunfisk
- Golurk
- Hydreigon
- Volcarona
Generation VI
- Chesnaught
- Delphox
- Greninja
- Diggersby
- Talonflame
- Vivillon
- Floette (Eternal Flower)
- Florges
- Pangoro
- Furfrou (multiple trims: Natural, Dandy, Debutante, Diamond, Heart, Kabuki, La Reine, Matron, Pharaoh, Star)
- Meowstic (Male and Female)
- Aegislash (Blade and Shield Forme)
- Aromatisse
- Slurpuff
- Clawitzer
- Heliolisk
- Tyrantrum
- Aurorus
- Sylveon
- Hawlucha
- Dedenne
- Goodra
- Klefki
- Trevenant
- Gourgeist
- Avalugg
- Noivern
Generation VII
- Decidueye
- Incineroar
- Primarina
- Toucannon
- Crabominable
- Lycanroc (Midday Form)
- Toxapex
- Mudsdale
- Araquanid
- Salazzle
- Tsareena
- Oranguru
- Passimian
- Mimikyu (Disguised Form)
- Drampa
- Kommo-o
Generation VIII
- Corviknight
- Flapple
- Appletun
- Sandaconda
- Polteageist
- Hatterene
- Grimmsnarl
- Mr. Rime
- Runerigus
- Alcremie
- Morpeko
- Dragapult
Hisui and Legends forms
- Wyrdeer
- Kleavor
- Basculegion (Male and Female)
- Sneasler
- Ursaluna
- Hisuian Samurott
- Hisuian Zoroark
Generation IX
- Meowscarada
- Skeledirge
- Quaquaval
- Pawmot
- Maushold (Family of Four)
- Garganacl
- Armarouge
- Ceruledge
- Bellibolt
- Scovillain
- Espathra
- Tinkaton
- Palafin (Zero and Hero Form)
- Orthworm
- Glimmora
- Dondozo
- Tatsugiri (Curly, Droopy, and Stretchy Form)
- Farigiraf
- Kingambit
- Sinistcha
- Archaludon
- Hydrapple
What Mega Evolutions are in Pokémon Champions?
This is where Pokémon Champions does something genuinely exciting. The game launches with over 28 Mega Evolution forms, several of which are tied directly to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, including Mega Eternal Floette and Mega Dragonite. That makes Pokémon Champions the first game to bring those Z-A Megas into competitive play.
Roster sorted by generation
Here is every confirmed Mega Evolution at launch:
Why can't you use Bulbasaur or Charmander?
Here is the restriction that has caught a lot of players off guard. Pokémon Champions does not support non-final evolution forms at launch. That means no Bulbasaur, no Charmander, no Pichu, and no unevolved Pokémon of any line. You can only enter battle with fully evolved forms.
This is a meaningful design decision for competitive play. Some strategies in doubles formats specifically rely on unevolved Pokémon holding an Eviolite to boost their defenses. Those builds are not possible in Pokémon Champions right now.
Game Freak producer Masaaki Hoshino addressed this directly in a press interview, stating: "Yes, only final evolutions will be introduced at launch. But at some point we might consider earlier evolutions." That is not a commitment, but it does confirm the team knows the demand exists.
How do you get Pokémon into Pokémon Champions?
There are two routes. The first is through the in-game recruitment system, which lets you rent or acquire Pokémon using in-game currency. This is the fastest way to start battling without needing any prior save data.
The second route is transferring Pokémon from your existing games via Pokémon HOME. Compatible source games include Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Sword and Shield, Pokémon GO, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, among others. Only Pokémon that appear on the confirmed roster list can actually be used in battles, even if you transfer them successfully.
Which Pokémon should you prioritize?
Based on the confirmed roster and Mega Evolution pool, a few Pokémon stand out as immediate priorities for competitive players:
- Garchomp and Mega Garchomp have been doubles format staples for years and arrive with a Z-A variant (Mega Garchomp Z) that adds a new wrinkle to Dragon/Ground coverage.
- Grimmsnarl brings screens support that has been dominant in recent competitive formats.
- Incineroar remains one of the most reliable Intimidate users in doubles formats.
- Palafin (Hero Form) hits extremely hard and has been a top-tier threat since its introduction in Gen IX.
- Tinkaton offers a unique Steel/Fairy typing with access to Gigaton Hammer.
These picks are based on established competitive history and the confirmed presence of these Pokémon in the launch roster. The actual meta will shift as players discover what works in the Pokémon Champions format specifically.
For more guides covering Pokémon Champions and other games launching this month, browse the latest guides at GAMES.GG.