Best PokéSurvivor builds
Last updated · Unofficial fan guide · Facts checked against the official site and game source
Five build templates that work with real move evolutions, card requirements and items from the current version. Swap in moves from your own partner's types.
Build principles
- One killer, one bodyguard. Only the active move fires, so pick one move that deals damage at range and one that protects you up close, and switch between them as the situation demands.
- Finish evolutions. An evolved move is worth far more than two half-levelled ones. Take its stat card early: the game remembers it for the whole run.
- Work with your move pool. Your partner learns Normal moves plus its own types. Check the Pokédex for typing.
- Use bonds when you get them. After you beat a rift legendary you can fuse moves into one slot (up to four), which turns a two-move build into a full kit.
Fire Blast gunner (beginner friendly)
- Partner: Any Fire starter (Charmander, Torchic, Scorbunny, Litten, Fuecoco…)
- Moves: Ember → Fire Blast (Power) as the main gun; Fire Spin → Sacred Fire (Synthesis) for close defense
- Card priority: Power early (unlocks Fire Blast), then Ember to level 5, then Synthesis for Fire Spin
- Held item: Quick Claw (-20% cooldown) or Life Orb (+30% damage) once you are comfortable
Ember starts in your kit, so you reach the evolution fastest. Fire Blast adds +2 projectiles and +2 pierce, which shreds lines of chasers. Avoid lingering in rain, which weakens Fire.
Aura tank
- Partner: High-HP partners (Slowpoke, Snorlax, Blissey, Electric or Ground types)
- Moves: Discharge → Electric Terrain (Armor) or Bulldoze → Earthquake (Power) plus one ranged move
- Card priority: Armor / Vigor for survivability, Power for Earthquake
- Held item: Leftovers (1.5% max HP per second) or Assault Vest (+20% damage reduction)
Auras damage everything near you all the time, so you can kite slowly through the horde. Evolutions add ×1.8 damage and 35% more radius.
Meteor & chain crowd control
- Partner: Rock, Electric, Ghost or Ice types
- Moves: Rock Slide → Stealth Rock (Reflexes), Thunderbolt → Zap Cannon (Reflexes), Hex → Poltergeist (Magnet), Hail → Avalanche (Reflexes)
- Card priority: Reflexes (most of these evolve with it) and Magnet for Hex
- Held item: Quick Claw
These moves find targets on their own. Hex deals much more damage to burned, poisoned or slowed enemies, so pair it with slows (Hail, Ice) or poison.
Melee bruiser
- Partner: Fighting, Dark, Steel or Normal types with good HP (Hariyama, Conkeldurr, Ursaluna…)
- Moves: Karate Chop → Close Combat, Bite → Crunch, Metal Claw → Iron Head or Body Slam → Giga Impact (all Power)
- Card priority: Power, then Vigor/Armor
- Held item: Shell Bell (heal from damage dealt) or Rocky Helmet
Since 12 Oct, melee moves hit 20% harder, reach 25% further and you take 25% less damage while one is active. Evolved melee moves swing 360°.
Co-op support
- Partner: Grass, Water or Fairy types
- Moves: Bubble → Surf (Sprint) and Powder Snow → Icy Wind (Sprint) for slows; Dazzling Gleam → Misty Terrain (Synthesis)
- Card priority: Sprint, Synthesis, Magnet
- Held item: Lucky Egg (+30% XP; experience is shared in co-op)
Slowing the horde protects the whole team, and your mobility lets you reach and revive fallen teammates.
Permanent upgrade order
Upgrades are bought per Pokémon with PokéCoins, and each level costs more than the last. A practical order for a new main:
- Strength and Vitality to a few levels each (more damage, more HP).
- Reflexes (cooldown) and Stride (speed).
- Repertoire (start with 2 moves) once you can afford it; it costs much more than other first levels but changes your openings.
- Fortune and Wisdom to speed up farming.
- Critical Hit, Card reroll and Ban to shape your card offers. Ban is great for removing moves your build never wants.
See also: tier list · all move evolutions · tips
FAQ
What is the best build in PokéSurvivor?
A reliable all-round build pairs one auto-targeting damage move (a projectile, chain or meteor move) with one protective move (an aura or orbit), takes Power early for the most common evolution requirement, and carries Leftovers or Shell Bell for sustain. Details depend on your partner's types.
Should I use Choice Band?
Choice Band gives +40% damage but locks you into one move. It is strongest once bonds let you fuse several moves into one slot, or with a single evolved move that handles everything.
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