Pokémon GO has a specific set of Pokémon that tend to be used for the purpose of conquering gyms. You have your usual assortment of Vaporeons, Lapras, and Snorlaxes stationed at the highest levels, but there are several underrated Pokémon who are EXTREMELY powerful who get ignored by other players, either because they don’t know how much CP and HP they really have and how powerful their moves are, or they just don’t think about them. Read on for some tips on how to get the underrated Pokémon in Pokémon GO!
Golem just barely made this list because it has slightly lower CP than the others at 2303 max CP, but its rock type means that it has a strong defense against many other types. Its rock attacks make quick work of the fire types and flying types that gym leaders tend to fall in love with. Being both a ground and a rock type, you can find it (and Geodude and Graveler) pretty much anywhere, but especially in urban areas or suburbs with lots of concrete. The evolved forms are rather rare. Geodude, in contrast, is almost as common as Pidgey, so your best bet is to collect 125 Geodude Candy so that you can quick-evolve a high-CP Geodude twice – 25 for the first and 100 for the second evolution. Geodudes are common in 2K eggs, making candy acquisition much easier.
Arcanine almost didn’t make this list because it seems to get wide recognition due to the amount of them that are guarding gyms, but what most players don’t realize is that Arcanine is one of the strongest in the entire game at 2983 max CPM. It’s stronger than Dragonite and almost as strong as Snorlax, level-for-level. Drop a lure or two in a sandy location such as a desert or a beach, or in residential neighborhoods in cities with hot climates for your best chance at Arcanine – or just farm Growlithes until you get 50 Growlithes Candy.
Exeggutor is the most low key overpowered Pokémon on this entire list at 2980 max CP. It’s as strong as Arcanine and Dragonite, and stronger even than Articuno, and it’s by FAR the strongest grass type in the entire game, as well as the strongest psychic type besides Mewtwo (yes, it is stronger than Mew). Being a grass and psychic type, your best bet is hospitals, residential areas at night time, or at farmland, golf courses, parks, meadows and other grassy areas – preferably with Pokéstops so that you and others can drop lures.
Slowbro is stronger than most would expect at 2597 max CP, and it’s a far stronger psychic than Alakazam. It’s also a strong water type, but Vaporeon exists, so it doesn’t matter quite as much how strong Slowbro is. As a water and psychic type, look along bodies of water such as rivers, oceans, and lakes, but also look along farmland and hospitals.
Machamp is BY FAR the strongest fighting type of Pokémon in the entire game at 2594 max CP, making it perfect for mauling Snorlaxes. The normal method of acquisition, which is farming for Machops, is tedious. Fighting types tend to love real-life gyms and stadiums, as well as deserts and casinos (especially the major Nevada cities). However, Machop is common enough to appear in other places. Drop a lure near a gym or a stadium for a better chance at Machokes and Machamps, or farm for Machops.