Published on November 23rd, 2013 | by Scott
23VGC ’14 Pokémon Speed Tiers
While together they look a bit like a reference table in a mathematics textbook, Speed tiers are what drive turns in Pokémon. Knowing whether your Pokémon is going to move before or after its opponents is essential to winning battles and avoiding unnecessary damage. This list should help you get a feel for the relative speed of each Pokémon and what nearby threats are faster or slower than them.
Some helpful hints about Speed before the table:
- Discounting the bonuses and penalties of a Pokémon’s Nature, the difference between a 0 IV in Speed and a 31 IV is 15 points in Speed and the difference between 0 EVs and 252 EVs in Speed is 32 points with an odd IV or 31 with an even IV.
- Choice Scarf boosts Speed by one level (*1.5). Tailwind boosts Speed by two levels (*2). Thunder Wave reduces speed to 1/4. Icy Wind reduces Speed by one level (2/3). Iron Ball reduces Speed by two levels (2/4).
- A Pokémon’s Speed is always a whole number. Like most of the math in Pokémon, Speed calculations round down, so a Pokémon with 101 Speed would have 151 Speed when holding a Choice Scarf, not 151.5 or 152.
- The turn order of Pokémon is decided before a turn starts. If you use a move that changes a Pokémon’s Speed level (like Icy Wind) or value (through Mega Evolving) you retain the Speed value you had before the turn started until the next turn. The only exception to this rule is the move Quash.
- There is a 50/50 chance of each Pokémon moving first if two Pokémon have the same Speed. This is some of how Speed Tiers got their name, though Game Freak has enjoyed putting Pokémon at a much greater variety of Speeds in recent iterations of the game compared to the older games, when any popular Pokémon were tied at base speeds like 100.
Every Pokémon listed below has either 0 or 252 EVs in Speed and a 31 or 0 IV in Speed. In real life, you’ll probably see more variance than this, so what a list like this really does is help you find absolutes: these are the fastest and slowest Pokémon can be with the given natures. Since taking unnecessary risks tends to be the fastest way to lose in Pokémon, you can use this information when planning your team to make sure that your Pokémon will move before important threats that can knock your Pokémon out, or if that is unreasonable or impossible, to know when defeat could be a turn away and you need to switch out to a more appropriate counter to fend it off. This list can also help you figure out how much Speed you really need: if all the things you want to counter only require your Pokémon to invest 100 EVs in Speed, you’re probably going to want to invest the rest of your EVs defensively instead of running more Speed EVs that might not accomplish very much.
The speeds listed here are broken up into three somewhat arbitrary groups to make the list a little more readable. There is almost too much data here already, so Pokémon not likely to be relevant to the metagame aren’t listed. Should there be a rise in Pidgeot usage, it would be added to the list.
Faster Than Base 100
Pokémon here are those faster than base 100 Pokémon with positive natures, which includes Pokémon with Speed boosts from weather abilities and Choice Scarf as well as most of the Pokémon that are used largely because of their innate Speed.
Max Speed Stat | Pokémon | Nature | EVs | Boost | Base Speed |
294 | Yanmega | Neutral | 252 | +2 | 95 |
274 | Kingdra | Neutral | 252 | +2 | 85 |
264 | Venusaur | Neutral | 252 | +2 | 80 |
244 | Ludicolo | Neutral | 252 | +2 | 70 |
231 | Garchomp | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 102 |
228 | Salamence, Zapdos, Staraptor | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 100 |
225 | Hydreigon | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 98 |
222 | Mega Alakazam, Mega Aerodactyl | Positive | 252 | 0 | 150 |
220 | Yanmega | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 95 |
216 | Krookodile | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 92 |
213 | Moltres | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 90 |
208 | Smeargle | Positive | 252 | +1 | 75 |
207 | Rotom-A* | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 86 |
205 | Heracross | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 85 |
205 | Mega Manectric | Positive | 252 | 0 | 135 |
202 | Mega Alakazam, Mega Aerodactyl | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 150 |
200 | Mega Gengar, Crobat, Aerodactyl, Jolteon | Positive | 252 | 0 | 130 |
198 | Mamoswine, Chandelure | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 80 |
195 | Blastoise | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 78 |
195 | Talonflame | Positive | 252 | 0 | 126 |
194 | Weavile | Positive | 252 | 0 | 125 |
192 | Noivern | Positive | 252 | 0 | 123 |
191 | Greninja | Positive | 252 | 0 | 122 |
190 | Smeargle | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 75 |
187 | Mega Manectric | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 135 |
186 | Tyranitar | Positive | 252 | +1 | 61 |
184 | Abomasnow | Positive | 252 | +1 | 60 |
183 | Mega Absol, Mega Houndoom, Starmie | Positive | 252 | 0 | 115 |
183 | Politoed, Cloyster | Neutral | 252 | +1 | 70 |
182 | Mega Gengar, Crobat, Aerodactyl, Jolteon | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 130 |
180 | Mega Lucario | Positive | 252 | 0 | 112 |
178 | Talonflame | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 126 |
178 | Gengar, Raichu | Positive | 252 | 0 | 110 |
177 | Heliolisk | Positive | 252 | 0 | 109 |
177 | Weavile | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 125 |
175 | Noivern | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 123 |
174 | Greninja | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 122 |
173 | Liepard | Positive | 252 | 0 | 106 |
172 | Mega Pinsir, Manectric, Mienshao, Scyther | Positive | 252 | 0 | 105 |
171 | Meowstic, Delphox | Positive | 252 | 0 | 104 |
169 | Garchomp | Positive | 252 | 0 | 102 |
167 | Mega Absol, Mega Houndoom, Starmie | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 115 |
Middle of the Pack
The bulk of the available Pokémon fit into this group. Slower than the base 100s like Mega Kangaskhan, Charizard, Zapdos, and Salamence that will drive a lot of the metagame’s Speed decisions, but faster than Pokémon you’d see on a dedicated Trick Room team.
Max Speed Stat | Pokémon | Nature | EVs | Boost | Base Speed |
167 | Mega Kangaskhan, All Charizard, Salamence, Zapdos, Staraptor, Mega Medicham | Positive | 252 | 0 | 100 |
165 | Hydreigon | Positive | 252 | 0 | 98 |
164 | Mega Lucario | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 112 |
163 | Haxorus | Positive | 252 | 0 | 97 |
162 | Gengar, Raichu | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 110 |
161 | Yanmega, Houndoom | Positive | 252 | 0 | 95 |
158 | Mega Garchomp, Krookodile | Positive | 252 | 0 | 92 |
157 | Mega Pinsir, Manectric, Mienshao, Scyther | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 105 |
156 | Kangaskhan, Moltres, Lucario | Positive | 252 | 0 | 90 |
156 | Meowstic, Delphox | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 104 |
155 | Vivillon | Positive | 252 | 0 | 89 |
154 | Garchomp | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 102 |
152 | Mega Kangaskhan, All Charizard, Salamence, Zapdos, Staraptor, Mega Medicham | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 100 |
151 | Rotom-A | Positive | 252 | 0 | 86 |
150 | Hydreigon | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 98 |
150 | Kingdra, Heracross, Toxicroak, Nidoking, Pinsir | Positive | 252 | 0 | 85 |
149 | Haxorus | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 97 |
147 | Yanmega, Houndoom | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 95 |
146 | Talonflame | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 126 |
146 | Mega Gyarados, Gyarados | Positive | 252 | 0 | 81 |
145 | Mega Venusaur, Mamoswine, Goodra, Chandelure, Gardevoir, Gallade, Dragonite, Venusaur, Medicham | Positive | 252 | 0 | 80 |
144 | Mega Garchomp, Krookodile | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 92 |
143 | Blastoise | Positive | 252 | 0 | 78 |
142 | Kangaskhan, Moltres, Lucario | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 90 |
141 | Vivillon | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 89 |
139 | Smeargle, Mega Scizor, Mega Heracross, Mega Banette, Florges, Absol, Klefki | Positive | 252 | 0 | 75 |
138 | Rotom-A | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 86 |
137 | Kingdra, Heracross, Toxicroak, Nidoking, Pinsir | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 85 |
137 | Malamar | Positive | 252 | 0 | 73 |
135 | Mega Tyranitar | Positive | 252 | 0 | 71 |
134 | Politoed, Ludicolo, Bisharp, Magneton | Positive | 252 | 0 | 70 |
133 | Mega Gyarados, Gyarados | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 81 |
132 | Mega Venusaur, Mamoswine, Goodra, Chandelure, Gardevoir, Gallade, Dragonite, Venusaur, Medicham | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 80 |
132 | Exploud | Positive | 252 | 0 | 68 |
130 | Blastoise | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 78 |
128 | Scizor | Positive | 252 | 0 | 65 |
127 | Smeargle, Mega Scizor, Mega Heracross, Mega Banette, Florges, Absol, Klefki | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 75 |
125 | Malamar | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 73 |
124 | Meowstic, Delphox | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 104 |
124 | Tyranitar | Positive | 252 | 0 | 61 |
123 | Mega Tyranitar | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 71 |
123 | Abomasnow, Sylveon, Aegislash | Positive | 252 | 0 | 60 |
122 | Politoed, Ludicolo, Bisharp, Magneton | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 70 |
120 | Exploud | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 68 |
120 | Mega Kangaskhan, All Charizard, Salamence, Zapdos, Staraptor, Tentacruel, Mega Medicham | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 100 |
118 | Hydreigon | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 98 |
117 | Scizor | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 65 |
112 | Abomasnow, Sylveon, Aegislash | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 60 |
110 | Scrafty, Pangoro | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 58 |
110 | Murkrow | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 91 |
109 | Vivillon | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 89 |
106 | Rotom-A | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 86 |
105 | Toxicroak, Heracross | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 85 |
104 | Gourgeist (Medium Size) | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 84 |
102 | Azumarill | Neutral | 252 | 0 | 50 |
101 | Mega Gyarados, Gyarados | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 81 |
100 | Mega Venusaur, Mamoswine, Goodra, Chandelure, Gardevoir, Gallade, Dragonite, Venusaur, Medicham | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 80 |
98 | Meowstic, Delphox | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 104 |
98 | Blastoise | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 78 |
95 | Smeargle, Mega Scizor, Mega Heracross, Mega Banette, Florges, Klefki | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 75 |
93 | Malamar | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 73 |
91 | Mega Tyranitar | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 71 |
90 | Politoed, Ludicolo, Bisharp, Magneton | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 70 |
90 | Amoonguss | Positive | 252 | 0 | 30 |
85 | Scizor, Gothitelle, Vaporeon | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 65 |
81 | Tyranitar | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 61 |
80 | Abomasnow, Sylveon, Aegislash | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 60 |
79 | Clawitzer | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 59 |
78 | Scrafty, Pangoro | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 58 |
76 | Trevenant | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 56 |
Trick Room Zone
Below are the slowest Pokémon, most of which have had their Speed lowered further by a negative Nature and a 0 IV in order to optimize their effectiveness in Trick Room.
Max Speed Stat | Pokémon | Nature | EVs | Boost | Base Speed |
76 | Chandelure, Gardevoir, Gallade | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 80 |
75 | Ampharos, Machamp, Crawdaunt, Gothorita | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 55 |
74 | Gourgeist (Super Size) | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 54 |
74 | Blastoise | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 78 |
72 | Smeargle, Mega Scizor, Mega Heracross, Mega Banette | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 75 |
70 | Malamar | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 73 |
70 | Mega Mawile, Mega Aggron, Azumarill, Sableye, Mawile, Aggron, Hariyama | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 50 |
68 | Mega Tyranitar | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 71 |
65 | Exploud | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 68 |
65 | Conkeldurr, Mega Ampharos, Marowak | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 45 |
64 | Dragalge | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 44 |
63 | Scizor, Gothitelle | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 65 |
60 | Rhydon, Rhyperior | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 40 |
58 | Abomasnow, Sylveon, Aegislash | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 60 |
57 | Clawitzer | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 59 |
56 | Scrafty | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 58 |
54 | Ampharos, Machamp, Crawdaunt, Gothorita | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 55 |
54 | Trevenant | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 56 |
53 | Gourgeist (Super Size) | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 54 |
50 | Mega Abomasnow, Amoonguss, Slowking, Slowbro, Reuniclus, Snorlax | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 30 |
49 | Aromatisse | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 29 |
49 | Mega Mawile, Mega Aggron, Azumarill, Sableye, Mawile, Aggron, Hariyama | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 50 |
45 | Conkeldurr, Mega Ampharos, Marowak | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 45 |
44 | Dragalge | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 44 |
40 | Rhydon, Rhyperior | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 40 |
40 | Ferrothorn, Torkoal, Escavalier | Neutral | 0 | 0 | 20 |
33 | Politoed | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | -2 | 70 |
31 | Mega Abomasnow, Amoonguss, Slowking, Slowbro, Reuniclus, Snorlax | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 30 |
30 | Aromatisse | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 29 |
29 | Tyranitar | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | -2 | 61 |
29 | Abomasnow | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | -2 | 60 |
22 | Ferrothorn, Torkoal, Escavalier | Negative | 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 20 |
4 | Aron | Negative | Level 1, 0 EVs, 0 IV | 0 | 20 |
23 Responses to VGC ’14 Pokémon Speed Tiers
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I should note I blew threw this pretty quickly, so there’s probably a couple things I didn’t include I should have… if there’s something obvious I missed, feel free and suggest it, but it should be mostly complete. I’ll gradually update it over the season if we get surprised by some strange stuff being decent or if Choice Scarf is common on things that don’t have +1s listed.
Positive Gyarados should be at 146, not 145
Thanks for putting this together!
Mega Manectric has “positive” nature for both its listings.
Fixed that stuff (how did I even do that with Gyarados…), thanks. I’m sure there’s probably a few more but most of it should be right.
nice article scott, really was looking forward to this rather than having to look at every mon on PS! to get speed stats.
This article is super helpful, nice job! LOL. A couple things I saw while perusing the list:
Very handy reference, thanks for putting together one.
This list is very helpful, thank you Scott for putting this together!
I also see quite some Ddance Mega Tyranitar, so you should add this to the list, too.
It reaches 205 after a Ddance which is noteworthy since it speed ties with Mega Manectric.
149 Haxorus, Positive etc should be Neutral
Ok I’m a noob, what is the boost (+1,+2, etc). I don’t understand how a Venusaur with 80 base stats could be 4th fastest pokemon. Help! PLZ 🙂
+1 Is a choice scarf, and +2 could be either under Tailwind, Chlorophyll, Swift Swim, Sand Rush, etc.
+1 multiplies the base stat by 1.5, and +2 multiplies it by 2.
Just wanted to give a thank you to this list, I always have it as one of my resources when building my teams now. Much appreciated!
So what is the max speed of a Jolly Choice Scarf Garchomp?
Being new to competitive battling I wanted to see if I could figure this out:
Jolly garchomp with 31 iv speed + 252 EV’s with +3 (+1 for scarf, +2 for tailwind) would be 422.
Am I right?
Not quite. Flat modifiers may act like +X modifiers by themselves, but they stack multiplicatively. 1.5x from scarf and 2x from Tailwind actually combine to 3x (which is the equivalent of +4), or 507 for Jolly Garchomp.
253 assuming no other modifiers.
Good to know, thanks!
Cool, nice one. Just wanted to know if a fully invested Modest Ludiculo in the rain would still outspeed it, but obviously it doesn’t. So I may as well EV to outspeed an Adamant one and put the spare EV’s in HP or Defence.
Thank you very much for this information, this will greatly assist me in building my team and knowing what to expect from the teams of others in this coming season. Thank you Scott.
0 spe Brave Tyranitar comes in at 59. Something people are often looking to underspeed for weather.
Why is the max speed stat for level 100 Pokemon? Doesn’t the VGC 2014 ruleset use level 50 Pokemon?
Probably because it’s not for level 100 Pokemon.
You’re right, I misread the boosts the Pokemon get in the first couple of entries.