Pokemon Champions Roster: All Confirmed Pokemon & Launch Pokédex Guide
With less than three weeks until launch, The Pokémon Company officially announced that Pokémon Champions will arrive on Nintendo Switch on April 8, 2026, with a mobile version expected to follow this summer.
For trainers everywhere, the biggest question is: Which Pokémon can be actually used at launch in Pokemon Champions? This article compiles the confirmed launch roster so far, along with a deep dive into the powerful new Abilities of three newly introduced Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
Launch Roster Highlights: Fan Favorites Galore
According to official announcements and promotional materials, Pokémon Champions will launch with a limited Pokédex format—not every Pokémon stored in Pokémon HOME will be immediately eligible for battle. However, the confirmed lineup is already stacked with heavy hitters.
Confirmed Launch Roster
It's not just the three starters—some of the most popular competitive Pokémon are also confirmed to join the battle. The following Pokémon have appeared in official trailers or on the official website, confirming their presence in the launch roster:
| Pokémon | Notes |
| Charizard | Can Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X |
| Garchomp | Cynthia's signature Pokémon; Sinnoh Champion's ace |
| Incineroar | Alola's VGC mainstay and Intimidate juggernaut |
| Pikachu | Series mascot |
| Lucario | Can Mega Evolve |
| Metagross | Steven Stone's signature Pokémon |
| Dragonite | Kanto pseudo-legendary; Lance's ace |
| Gengar | Can Mega Evolve |
| Gardevoir | Diantha's signature Pokémon |
| Milotic | Wallace's signature Pokémon |
| Hydreigon | Unova pseudo-legendary |
| Dragapult | Galar pseudo-legendary |
| Scizor | Beloved Bug/Steel type |
| Hisuian Samurott | Hisui regional form |
| Goodra | Kalos pseudo-legendary |
| Kommo-o | Alola pseudo-legendary |
| Archaludon | Paldea Pokémon |
| Ogerpon | Paldea Pokémon |
| Sinistcha | Paldea Pokémon |
| Meganium | Can Mega Evolve |
| Emboar | Can Mega Evolve |
| Feraligatr | Can Mega Evolve |
| Serperior | Unova starter |
| Empoleon | Sinnoh starter |
| Leafeon | Eeveelution |
| Sylveon | Eeveelution |
| Slaking | Hoenn's powerhouse |
| Aegislash | Kalos's forme-shifting sword |
| Oranguru | Alola support specialist |
| Dracovish | Galar fossil hybrid |
| Hawlucha | Kalos's wrestling bird |
| Talonflame | Kalos regional bird |
| Male Basculegion | Hisui regional evolution |
| Wyrdeer | Hisui regional evolution |
| Sneasler | Hisui regional evolution |
| Hydrapple | Paldea evolution of Dipplin |
Note: This roster is compiled from official trailers and promotional materials. Final lineup is subject to the actual game release.
Spotlight on Fan-Favorite Pokémon
Charizard: Mega Charizard X Confirmed
In the game's first trailer, a trainer's Charizard was shown undergoing Mega Evolution into Mega Charizard X. As one of the franchise's most beloved Pokémon, Charizard's inclusion is sure to reassure veteran trainers. It's also the signature Pokémon of Champion Blue and the legendary trainer Red—a fitting addition to any competitive roster.
Garchomp: The Sinnoh Champion's Ace
Garchomp, the fearsome ace of Cynthia—often called the strongest Champion in the series—has also been confirmed for the launch roster. Known for its devastating Attack and Speed stats, Cynthia's Garchomp remains one of the most intimidating forces in Pokémon history. For trainers seeking competitive power, this is excellent news.
Incineroar: The VGC Evergreen
A dominant force in the official Video Game Championships (VGC) for years, Incineroar brings its signature Intimidate Ability and Fake Out pressure to Pokémon Champions. Its inclusion suggests the game's competitive environment will closely mirror that of the main series titles.
Deep Dive: Three New Mega-Evolved Pokémon and Their Abilities
One of the biggest talking points from this week's announcement is the reveal of three new Mega-Evolved Pokémon, each debuting a brand-new Ability. Originally introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, these three starters are now bringing their unique power to Pokémon Champions.
Mega Meganium — Ability: Mega Sol
Ability Effect: When this Pokémon uses a move, the effect is as if the weather were harsh sunlight.
This Ability is a game-changer for Meganium. Without needing a teammate to set up sun or holding a specific item, Mega Meganium can act as its own sun setter—at least for its own moves. This means:
- Solar Beam can be fired immediately without a charge turn
- Grass-type moves receive a significant power boost
Competitive Outlook: Long considered the weakest of the Johto starters, Mega Meganium may finally have its moment. Trainers can build around it as a self-sufficient special attacker, or use it to counter rain and sandstorm teams.
Mega Emboar — Ability: Mold Breaker
Ability Effect: The Pokémon's moves are unaffected by the target's Ability.
Mold Breaker is one of the most powerful offensive Abilities in the series. It allows Mega Emboar to bypass defensive Abilities that would otherwise interfere with its attacks—think Rough Skin, Cursed Body, or even Wonder Guard.
Competitive Outlook: As a Fire/Fighting type with high base Attack, Mega Emboar can now tear through walls that rely on their Abilities for survival. Facing a Flame Body Volcarona? A Water Absorb Quagsire? With Mold Breaker, those defensive crutches vanish.
Mega Feraligatr — Ability: Dragonize
Ability Effect: Normal-type moves become Dragon-type and receive a 20% power boost.
This is perhaps the most creatively disruptive Ability of the three. Mega Feraligatr is a pure Water type, but Dragonize allows it to convert high-power Normal-type moves—such as Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, or Double-Edge—into Dragon-type attacks with a 1.2× damage multiplier.
Competitive Outlook:
Expanded Coverage: Water + Dragon is resisted only by Fairy types. Steel types that normally wall Water moves now face a Dragon-type alternative.
Stab Dragon Moves: Feraligatr previously lacked a reliable high-power Dragon-type STAB option. Now, moves like Return or Thrash become powerful Dragon-type nukes.
Setup Potential: With Dragon Dance, Mega Feraligatr could become a terrifying sweeper that combines bulk, speed, and unpredictable coverage.
Ability Comparison
| Pokémon | New Ability | Core Value |
| Mega Meganium | Mega Sol | Self-contained sun effect; instant Solar Beam; Grass-type boost |
| Mega Emboar | Mold Breaker | Ignores target Abilities; breaks defensive cores |
| Mega Feraligatr | Dragonize | Normal → Dragon conversion + 20% boost; expands coverage |
These three new Abilities are already sparking speculation across the competitive community. Will Dragonize Feraligatr define the early meta? Can Mega Sol finally give Meganium a competitive identity? We'll find out on April 8.
Launch Pokédex Restrictions: What Can You Use?
Key Restriction
According to the official announcement and fine print in the trailer, Pokémon Champions will launch with a "Champions Pokédex" format. Not every Pokémon stored in Pokémon HOME can be transferred in at launch.
What this means:
- Pokémon you've raised in past games can be brought over via Pokémon HOME
- Only Pokémon included in the Champions Pokédex can be used in battle
- Pokémon not in the launch Pokédex cannot be used until a future update
- The Champions Pokédex is expected to expand over time through game updates
Pokémon Confirmed Usable
The confirmed usable Pokémon at launch are listed in the "Confirmed Launch Roster" table above—currently over 30 species spanning Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, Galar, Paldea, and Hisui.
Pokémon Not Yet Confirmed (May Not Be Usable at Launch)
The following categories of Pokémon have not appeared in official trailers or materials, and are unlikely to be available at launch (subject to final confirmation):
- Most legendary Pokémon (Mewtwo, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Kyogre, Groudon, etc.)
- Most Mythical Pokémon (Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, etc.)
- A significant number of Pokémon from Gen 6 and beyond (full list pending official announcement)
Special Note: Pokémon GO Transfers
One important detail: Pokémon transferred from Pokémon GO into Pokémon Champions are one-way transfers—once sent, they cannot return to GO. In contrast, transfers between main series titles like Pokémon Scarlet/Violet, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A allow for normal deposit and withdrawal.
Future Pokédex Expansion
With Pokémon Champions set to serve as the official platform for the 2026 Video Game Championships (starting with the Indianapolis Regional Championships, May 29–31), the Champions Pokédex is expected to expand via updates in the coming months to keep pace with the main series competitive environment.
With launch just weeks away, more details about the Champions Pokédex are expected to emerge. For trainers wondering whether their favorite Pokémon will be available at launch, staying tuned to pkmbuy's news is advised.
