*UPDATED* BEST DEFENDERS IN POKÉMON GO - TOP TIER POKÉMON FOR GYM DEFENSE

Tier 1 : Snorlax & Lapras

These Pokemon are elite defenders in essentially all situations, and carry favorable matchups against the widest possible range of attackers. If they have a weakness, it is exploitable only by a very small number of relatively rare Pokemon.

Tier 1.5 : Dragonite, Omastar, Exeggutor, Vaporeon

These Pokemon are the best defenders of their type, and carry a similar number of favorable matchups as the Top Tiers. They defend well against many of the most common high-quality Pokemon. However, they either are less overwhelmingly dominant in their favorable matchups, or they have weaknesses that are exploitable by multiple species of more easily attained Pokemon.

Tier 2 : Slowbro, Poliwrath, Venusaur, Rhydon

These Pokemon are high-quality gym defenders with a plentiful array of favorable matchups. However, they are not as dominant as another Pokemon of their type, and/or they have well-known and readily available counters.

Tier 2.5 : Gyarados, Kangaskhan

These Pokemon are solid gym defenders but they possess at least one critical flaw or broad weakness. They maintain the ability to optimally fill a defensive role in the right gym composition.

Tier 3 : Hypno, Clefable, Tentacruel, Golem, Alakazam, Wingglytuff, Cloyster

These Pokemon are niche-fillers with at least one very important advantage or favorable matchup. They are only useful in situational gym compositions or in defending against particular higher-tier attackers. Their job is always done more optimally or in a less exploitable way by a different Pokemon in a higher tier.

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