Pokemon Sword and Shield: Ranked Tier List for January 2020

Pokemon Sword and Shield have been out for a few months now. In early January, Pokemon Sword and Shield also introduced "Battle Series 2", changing up a few rules but the format largely remains the same.

In that time we have seen some slight changes since the December Ranked Tier List. Here is the updated version for January's Ranked Tier List for Pokemon Sword and Shield. Below is a list of all the best Pokemon for Ranked Battles. Scroll down further for more details.

S Tier

Dragapult
Mimikyu
Tyranitar
Excadrll

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A Tier

Gyarados
Heat Rotom
Togekiss
Corviknight

B Tier

Grimmsnarl
Galarian Darmanitan
Duraludon
Cloyster
Snorlax
Sylveon
Cinderace
Conkeldurr
Quagsire

S Tier

#1. Dragapult

Type: Ghost/Dragon

Best Nature: Jolly

Recommended Item: Choice Band/Choice Scarf/Focus Sash

Recommended Ability: Clear Body

Recommended Moveset: Phantom Force / Dragon Darts / Fire Blast / Steel Wing

Dragapult still remains on of the best Pokemon to have. It is one of the very few Pokemon that can have its base stats at over 600 in max level. It can learn a variety of moves to counter its weaknesses. Feel free to replace Fire Blast or Steel Wing with another move that you feel is effective.

#2. Mimikyu

Type: Ghost/Fairy

Best Nature: Jolly

#3. Tyranitar

Type: Rock/Dark

Best Nature: Adamant

#4. Excadrill

Type: Ground/Steel

Best Nature: Jolly

Recommended Item: Focus Sash/Assault Vest/Choice Scarf/Choice Band

Recommended Ability: Mold Breaker

Recommended Moveset: Earthquake / Iron Head / Rock Tomb / Horn Drill

Remember how almost everyone runs Mimikyu in their team? An Excadrill with Mold Breaker is their worst nightmare. Excadrill can hit Mimikyu for double damage and any Mimikyu with Disguise will get knocked out before they have the chance to drop an attack.

Excadrill is also a great choice to run because it has fantastic stats and its typing helps with many difficult battles. This has helped Excadrill upgrade its way into S Tier.

A Tier

#1. Gyarados

Type: Water/Flying

Best Nature: Jolly

Recommended Item: Focus Sash/Choice Scarf/Choice Band

Recommended Ability: Moxie

Recommended Moveset: Waterfall / Bounce / Earthquake / Dragon Dance

Gyarados is a classic that still remains very powerful in Sword and Shield. Dragon Dance can help Gyarados gain a massive power boost and use its remaining moves to deal massive damage to your opponents. When Dynamaxed, Max Airstream (from Bounce) can get you a huge power boost equal to Dragon Dance.

#2. Heat Rotom

Type: Fire

Best Nature: Timid

Recommended Item: Choice Scarf/Choice Band/Choice Specs

Recommended Ability: Levitate

Recommended Moveset: Overheat / Discharge / Volt Switch / Dark Pulse

Heat Rotom is the best Fire Type Pokemon for Ranked Battles. Overheat deals much more damage than what most Fire Types can do. Rotom can also switch between forms in battle which makes it very versatile. Heat Rotom is the best of the forms so far.

#3. Togekiss

Type: Fairy/Flying

Best Nature: Timid

Recommended Item: Choice Scarf/Weakness Policy

Recommended Ability: Serene Grace

Recommended Moveset: Air Slash / Fire Blast / Dazzling Gleam / Nasty Plot

Togekiss can deal a massive amount of damage with the Weakness Policy item and a well-timed Nasty Plot. Serene Grace also gives it a much higher flinching rate which you can achieve with Air Slash and numb your opponents. Togekiss also has overall very strong base stats as well.

#4. Corviknight

Type: Flying/Steel

Best Nature: Impish

B Tier

Below are some B Tier Pokemon that are not as great the S and A Tier Pokemon. But they still prove very useful and can be a very strong addition to your party.