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Best All 22 Pokémon lineups

The highest-rated starting 22 for each way of playing, found by trying every swap until no change helps. Each one is shown in the formation where it scores best.

Original 150, no Legendaries

The lineup builder's default pool: the original 150, no Legendaries. Scored on the 151 Challenge scale. Best formation: 3-4 defense, fullback offense. Team Score 1000, average fit 71.0.

Offense
Spot	Pokémon	Fit
WR	Jolteon	79.2
LT	Golem	82.2
LG	Lapras	70.4
C	Onix	66.7
RG	Rhydon	77.9
RT	Cloyster	65.5
TE	Gyarados	74.1
WR	Electrode	75.2
QB	Alakazam	75.5
FB	Graveler	65.5
HB	Tauros	69.4

Defense
Spot	Pokémon	Fit
S	Starmie	65.7
S	Charizard	64.2
CB	Aerodactyl	77.7
OLB	Pinsir	66.2
ILB	Kingler	64.1
ILB	Machamp	65.1
OLB	Scyther	66.1
CB	Dodrio	67.6
DE	Dragonite	75.4
NT	Snorlax	81.3
DE	Arcanine	68.1

17–0 Challenge (all nine regions, up to 3 Legendaries)

Every region, at most three Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, as in the 17–0 Challenge. The rolls decide what you can pick, so this is the ceiling, not a plan. Best formation: 3-4 defense, fullback offense. Team Score 1000, average fit 85.4.

Offense
Spot	Pokémon	Fit
WR	Pheromosa	88.2
LT	Rhyperior	89.4
LG	Stonjourner	87.3
C	Metagross	86.7
RG	Stakataka	85.9
RT	Gigalith	84.1
TE	Gouging Fire	81.3
WR	Dragapult	87.6
QB	Lunala L	89.9
FB	Ursaluna	91.4
HB	Slaking	86.8

Defense
Spot	Pokémon	Fit
S	Scream Tail	75.3
S	Iron Crown	73.2
CB	Zamazenta L	90.8
OLB	Iron Valiant	76.7
ILB	Buzzwole	84.6
ILB	Great Tusk	83.0
OLB	Kartana	75.9
CB	Flutter Mane	81.7
DE	Koraidon L	95.2
NT	Iron Hands	95.7
DE	Roaring Moon	88.2

17–0 Challenge, Retro (Kanto to Sinnoh, up to 3 Legendaries)

Generations 1 to 4 only, at most three Legendary or Mythical Pokémon. Retro has its own, gentler Team Score scale. Best formation: 4-3 defense, fullback offense. Team Score 1000, average fit 80.3.

Offense
Spot	Pokémon	Fit
WR	Jolteon	79.2
LT	Aggron	83.0
LG	Steelix	82.8
C	Golem	82.2
RG	Hippowdon	82.0
RT	Rhyperior	89.4
TE	Mamoswine	75.7
WR	Sceptile	77.2
QB	Mewtwo L	88.9
FB	Rhydon	83.3
HB	Arceus L	88.0

Defense
Spot	Pokémon	Fit
S	Togekiss	69.0
S	Alakazam	66.9
CB	Crobat	79.1
OLB	Weavile	73.1
MLB	Tyranitar	74.0
DT	Metagross	85.3
OLB	Garchomp	74.9
CB	Aerodactyl	77.7
DE	Salamence	77.7
DT	Groudon L	92.4
DE	Slaking	85.5

151 Challenge (the original 151, Legendaries allowed)

The original 151 with every Legendary allowed. In the challenge you only choose where each rolled Pokémon plays. Best formation: 3-4 defense, slot offense. Team Score 1000, average fit 72.7.

Offense
Spot	Pokémon	Fit
WR	Alakazam	76.2
LT	Rhydon	77.9
LG	Lapras	70.4
C	Onix	66.7
RG	Cloyster	65.5
RT	Golem	82.2
TE	Gyarados	74.1
WR	Moltres L	73.6
QB	Mewtwo L	88.9
WR	Jolteon	79.2
RB	Tauros	69.4

Defense
Spot	Pokémon	Fit
S	Articuno L	71.4
S	Zapdos L	69.1
CB	Aerodactyl	77.7
OLB	Pinsir	66.2
ILB	Machamp	65.1
ILB	Mew L	66.5
OLB	Scyther	66.1
CB	Electrode	69.1
DE	Dragonite	75.4
NT	Snorlax	81.3
DE	Arcanine	68.1

Why these players

Quarterback alone is almost a quarter of the offense, and the two cornerbacks and two defensive ends are 11% of the defense each, so those five spots go to the best fits first. After that the weakest players matter: the four lowest fits on the field drag the whole Team Score down, so a lineup of solid 65s beats one with stars and a couple of 40s. How Team Score works explains the math.