Which Ultra Beast Is Best in Pokémon GO? All Nine Ranked for Raids
By Matt · Published · Updated Nihilego is my pick for the best Ultra Beast: it has a solid balance of damage and bulk with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb, and it's the 5th best Poison attacker on Pokémon GO Hub. Guzzlord and Buzzwole round out my top three thanks to how tanky they are, and Kartana deserves a shout out as a glass cannon that's a top 5 Grass attacker.
When all nine Ultra Beasts were in raids in March 2026, I ranked the three most powerful. Here’s my list, plus where every Ultra Beast stands today.
My top three
3. Buzzwole (Counter and Superpower). It doesn’t do as much damage as some of the others, but it’s tanky, so it sticks around to do a lot of damage before fainting.
2. Guzzlord (Snarl and Brutal Swing). Even less damage, but even more bulk, which puts it ahead of Buzzwole overall.
1. Nihilego (Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb). A solid balance of both damage and bulk.
Special shout out: Kartana (Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade). It’s a bit of a glass cannon, but it’s one of the best Grass attackers in the game.
Matt's takeNihilego is number 1, with a solid balance of both damage and bulk.
During that event, Nihilego appeared globally while some of the others were regional, which made it the easiest one to focus on.
Every Ultra Beast on Pokémon GO Hub
Here’s where all nine rank in their best type today, with their best moveset, on Pokémon GO Hub:
| Ultra Beast | Best type ranking | Moveset |
|---|---|---|
| Kartana | 4th best Grass | Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade |
| Nihilego | 5th best Poison | Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb |
| Blacephalon | 5th best Fire | Incinerate and Mind Blown |
| Xurkitree | 10th best Electric | Thunder Shock and Discharge |
| Guzzlord | 32nd best Dark | Snarl and Brutal Swing |
| Pheromosa | 33rd best Bug | Bug Bite and Bug Buzz |
| Buzzwole | 41st best Fighting | Counter and Superpower |
| Stakataka | 41st best Rock | Rock Throw and Stone Edge |
| Celesteela | 85th best Steel | Smack Down and Heavy Slam |
Type rankings focus on damage, which is why Kartana, Blacephalon and Xurkitree look better here than in my list, while bulky Guzzlord and Buzzwole drop down. Blacephalon in particular hits very hard but faints quickly.
Want more raid partners when they come back? My Discord is friendly and always willing to help.
FAQ
What is the best Ultra Beast in Pokémon GO?
Nihilego. It balances damage and bulk well with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb, and Pokémon GO Hub ranks it the 5th best Poison attacker.
Is Kartana good in Pokémon GO?
Yes. It's a glass cannon, but with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade it's the 4th best Grass attacker on Pokémon GO Hub.
Which Ultra Beast does the most damage?
Blacephalon, with Incinerate and Mind Blown. It's a top 5 Fire attacker on Pokémon GO Hub, but it's very fragile.
Are Ultra Beasts regional?
Some have been regional in past raid events. In March 2026, Nihilego appeared globally. Check each event's details, as it changes.
Get Matt's full take
The extended write-up on Patreon has Matt’s commentary, what to prioritise and Matt’s own plan.