1. machamp
Machamp is ESSENTIAL in both the Gym system and Raid system. Even after the rework, Snorlax and Blissey are still very common in Gyms. Tyranitar and Lapras also take increased damage from Fighting-type moves. Snorlax, Lapras, and Tyranitar are all Level 4 Raid Bosses, meaning Type-effectiveness is paramount when choosing a battle team. Four of the best Pokémon in the current meta-game all share a weakness to Fighting-types, so having a good Fighting-type Pokémon is all but required. It is also worth noting that Blissey will likely become a Raid Boss eventually, meaning Machamp will have even more value.
The best moveset for Machamp is Counter and Dynamic Punch. Close Combat is also an acceptable charge move. If you do not have a Machamp with a good moveset (and good IVs), using your TMs on this Pokémon is one of the best things you could do.
The best moveset for Machamp is Counter and Dynamic Punch. Close Combat is also an acceptable charge move. If you do not have a Machamp with a good moveset (and good IVs), using your TMs on this Pokémon is one of the best things you could do.
2. golem, rhydon, and donphan
These three Pokémon are all Ground-types that have access to Earthquake. A Golem, Donphan, or Rhydon will resist a defending or Raid Boss Jolteon's Electric-type moves. They also can be used for battling an Arcanine with Wild Charge, an Electric-type move that will be resisted. Prioritize Rhydon and Golem over Donphan, as their Rock-type personas can also be utilized.
A Rhydon with Rock Smash is also useful against Snorlax and Blissey.
A Rhydon with Rock Smash is also useful against Snorlax and Blissey.
3. jolteon, ampharos, and magneton
JOLTEON: Jolteon is the highest CP Electric-type. It is great offensively against defenders and Raid Bosses like Lapras, Croconaw, and Vaporeon. Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt is Jolteon's best offensive moveset. Thunder is a good alternative for Thunderbolt. A Jolteon with Volt Switch is now a good defender.
AMPHAROS: Ampharos, although difficult to obtain, is now a very good defender. In fact, it's fifth overall. It's best defensive moveset is Volt Switch and Zap Cannon. As with Jolteon, it is a terrific counter for common, Water-type defenders and high-tier Raid Bosses like Vaporeon and Lapras.
MAGNETON: Magneton is a great Electric-type counter for Lapras. Being a Steel-type, Magneton will resist Lapras' Ice-type attacks. A note does need to made, though. Although may be to a Trainer's advantage to power up Magneton, it is not a good idea to use TMs on it. Magneton gains an evolved form in Magnezone in Generation 4, meaning any TMs used will be forfeit. With the rarity of TMs from lower-level Raids, it is best to save them for more useful Pokémon. (Electabuzz is another Electric-type Pokémon that gains an evolution, so don't use TMs on it, either).
AMPHAROS: Ampharos, although difficult to obtain, is now a very good defender. In fact, it's fifth overall. It's best defensive moveset is Volt Switch and Zap Cannon. As with Jolteon, it is a terrific counter for common, Water-type defenders and high-tier Raid Bosses like Vaporeon and Lapras.
MAGNETON: Magneton is a great Electric-type counter for Lapras. Being a Steel-type, Magneton will resist Lapras' Ice-type attacks. A note does need to made, though. Although may be to a Trainer's advantage to power up Magneton, it is not a good idea to use TMs on it. Magneton gains an evolved form in Magnezone in Generation 4, meaning any TMs used will be forfeit. With the rarity of TMs from lower-level Raids, it is best to save them for more useful Pokémon. (Electabuzz is another Electric-type Pokémon that gains an evolution, so don't use TMs on it, either).
4. Alakazam and espeon
Alakazam and Espeon are now very useful in Level 2 Raids. Both Muk and Weezing both take increased damage from Psychic-type attacks. Be cautious, though. Muk and Weezing both have access to moves that are super effective to Psychic-types. Both Alakazam and Espeon's best moveset is Confusion and Future Sight.
5. Venusaur, Exeggutor, and victreebel
VENUSAUR AND VICTREEBEL: A Venusaur or Victreebel (or Exeggutor) with Solar Beam is the best counter for a Raid Boss Vaporeon or Blastoise, as long as the Blastoise does not have Ice Beam.
EXEGGUTOR: Exeggutor, with the 3000CP decay rate increase in mind, is now the best defender. Its best defensive moveset is Confusion (a legacy move) and Solar Beam. In it's current movepool, Extrasensory is another good defensive move.
Even though Exeggutor is the new best defender, it does have a double weakness to Bug-types. Pinsir, Scizor, and Heracross can easily take down a defending or Raid Boss Exeggutor.
EXEGGUTOR: Exeggutor, with the 3000CP decay rate increase in mind, is now the best defender. Its best defensive moveset is Confusion (a legacy move) and Solar Beam. In it's current movepool, Extrasensory is another good defensive move.
Even though Exeggutor is the new best defender, it does have a double weakness to Bug-types. Pinsir, Scizor, and Heracross can easily take down a defending or Raid Boss Exeggutor.
6. dragonite and tyranitar
Dragonite and Tyranitar are two of the highest CP Pokémon currently in the game. With the new motivation system, any Pokémon 3,000CP or above will loose motivation faster than those 2,999 and below. Tyranitar and Dragonite have been seriously wounded as defenders, but they are still great attackers (especially against Raid Bosses).
DRAGONITE: A Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Outrage is still a DPS-dealing machine. Against a Snorlax Raid Boss, having a Dragonite to deal DPS when all else Fighting fails is a good idea.
TYRANITAR: Tyranitar is also a DPS machine. Like Dragonite, Tyranitar is no longer a great defender, but still a great attacker. A Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch deals super effective damage to Psychic-types like Alakazam. A Tyranitar with Bite and Stone Edge is also a good choice against many other Pokémon.
DRAGONITE: A Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Outrage is still a DPS-dealing machine. Against a Snorlax Raid Boss, having a Dragonite to deal DPS when all else Fighting fails is a good idea.
TYRANITAR: Tyranitar is also a DPS machine. Like Dragonite, Tyranitar is no longer a great defender, but still a great attacker. A Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch deals super effective damage to Psychic-types like Alakazam. A Tyranitar with Bite and Stone Edge is also a good choice against many other Pokémon.
7. Heracross, scizor, and pinsir
HERACROSS: If you have access to Heracross, it is the second best counter (after Machamp) to Lapras, Blissey, Snorlax, and Tyranitar. As discussed below, it is also a good alternative for Scizor and Pinsir. Heracross' best Fighting-type moveset is Counter and Close Combat.
SCIZOR AND PINSIR: Pinsir and Scizor, along with Heracross, are the three best Bug-type attackers. They are doubly-effective on Exeggutor, a Level 2 Raid Boss. Alakazam, a Level 3 Boss and a now-more-common defender, is also weak to Bug-types.
Heracross' best Bug-type moveset is Struggle Bug and Megahorn. Pinsir's best Bug moveset is Bug Bite and X-Scissor. Scizor's best moveset is Fury Cutter and X-Scissor.
SCIZOR AND PINSIR: Pinsir and Scizor, along with Heracross, are the three best Bug-type attackers. They are doubly-effective on Exeggutor, a Level 2 Raid Boss. Alakazam, a Level 3 Boss and a now-more-common defender, is also weak to Bug-types.
Heracross' best Bug-type moveset is Struggle Bug and Megahorn. Pinsir's best Bug moveset is Bug Bite and X-Scissor. Scizor's best moveset is Fury Cutter and X-Scissor.
8. other honorable mentions: Charizard, Umbreon, lapras, etc.
An Ursaring with Counter and Close Combat can also be used as an alternative for Machamp and Heracross.
A Flareon, Typhlosion, or Charizard with Fire Spin and Overheat, as well as an Arcanine with Fire Fang and Fire Blast, are good counters for Grass-type defenders and Raid Bosses, such as Exeggutor and Venusaur.
Vaporeon with Water Gun and Hydro Pump is, as always, the best Water-type attacker and counter to a Raid Boss Charizard, although not to Arcanine. Arcanine can learn Wild Charge, which could easily wipe out a Vaporeon with one hit. As a counter for Arcanine, an Omastar with Water Gun and Hydro Pump will be best.
Umbreon and Houndoom (along with a Bite-and-Crunch Tyranitar) are good Dark-type counters to a Raid Boss Alakazam.
As before, Lapras is the best counter to a defending Dragonite (and a possible future Raid Boss version). Lapras having Ice Shard (a legacy move) are also one of the best defenders.
A Flareon, Typhlosion, or Charizard with Fire Spin and Overheat, as well as an Arcanine with Fire Fang and Fire Blast, are good counters for Grass-type defenders and Raid Bosses, such as Exeggutor and Venusaur.
Vaporeon with Water Gun and Hydro Pump is, as always, the best Water-type attacker and counter to a Raid Boss Charizard, although not to Arcanine. Arcanine can learn Wild Charge, which could easily wipe out a Vaporeon with one hit. As a counter for Arcanine, an Omastar with Water Gun and Hydro Pump will be best.
Umbreon and Houndoom (along with a Bite-and-Crunch Tyranitar) are good Dark-type counters to a Raid Boss Alakazam.
As before, Lapras is the best counter to a defending Dragonite (and a possible future Raid Boss version). Lapras having Ice Shard (a legacy move) are also one of the best defenders.
Credit for this information goes to Trainer Tips.