Pokemon Go best Great League team | Go Battle League: World of Wonders season

Daniel Megarry
Pokemon Go Great League

Battle League is the most popular PvP format in Pokemon Go, and dominating every competitive battle is no easy feat. To help you build the most balanced team, here are the best Pokemon you can put in your Great League roster for the newest season.

The Go Battle League is Pokemon Go’s PvP mode that allows you to compete with Trainers from all across the globe. Through the course of the Season, players can rise through the ranks and earn some great rewards along the way.

It’s not as simple as taking your most powerful Pokemon into each battle, though. There are three main leagues to compete in – Great League, Ultra League, and Master League – and each one has its own rules and optimal teams.

The Great League differs from the Ultra League and Master League because of one simple rule: Only Pokemon lower than 1500 CP can enter, which rules out many of the most powerful Pokemon from the competition.

So let’s take a look at the best Pokemon to take into the Great League. This is typically the first league of each season, and it usually appears again later down the line, so there are plenty of chances to take part.

Contents

Best team for Pokemon Go Great League

Pokemon Go Great League
Pokemon Go’s Great League has a max CP of 1500.

One of the best teams Trainers can use in the Great League is Gligar, Lickitung, and Azumarill, as these are three of the strongest fighters and they’ll offer good coverage against most of the major Great League opponents.

It’s hard to say what a definitive ‘best’ team for the Great League looks like, though, as you’ll never know what types you’ll be up against. For example, a strong Azumarill can make light work of Bastiodon, but it will likely fall against Venusaur.

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Despite this, there are some Pokemon that are solid options in almost any situation. Choose a few different types from our recommendations below for optimal coverage, and you should be on your way to victory.

Best Pokemon for Pokemon Go Great League

Galarian Stunfisk

Galarian Stunfisk
Galarian Stunfisk has an incredible amount of type resistances.
  • Fast Move: Mud Shot
  • Charged Moves: Rock Slide and Earthquake
  • Resistances: Dragon, Psychic, Normal, Steel, Bug, Flying, Fairy, Electric, Rock, and Poison
  • Weaknesses: Fighting, Fire, Ground, and Water

As a regional variant, this is quite a difficult Pokemon to get hold of in Pokemon Go, but if you’re able to get your hands on a Galarian Stunfisk and power it up enough, it is – in our humble opinion – the number one choice for the Great League.

A unique Ground/Steel-typing means it’s resistant to most major Great League types and is particularly good at taking down Fairy-types. With Mud Shot as a Fast Move alongside Rock Slide and Earthquake as Charged Moves, Galarian Stunfisk is a winner.

Azumarill

Azumarill in the Catch Cup
Azumarill is an unexpected big-hitter.
  • Fast Move: Bubble
  • Charged Moves: Hydro Pump and Ice Beam
  • Resistances: Bug, Fighting, Water, Ice, Fire, Dark, and Dragon
  • Weaknesses: Electric, Grass, and Poison

It’s fair to say the dual Water/Fairy-type Azumarill is probably a Pokemon you wouldn’t expect to see near the top of this list. However, its impressive bulk and diverse moveset make it one of the best options for the Great League.

Azumarill’s best Fast Move is Bubble. As for Charged Moves, Hydro Pump hits hardest while Ice Beam will help negate its weakness against Grass. Azumarill can be quite costly to power up, but it’s worth it.

Annihilape

annihilapeThe raging ape, Annihilape, debuted this year and became a top fighter immediately.
  • Fast Move: Counter
  • Charged Moves: Shadow Ball and Ice Punch
  • Resistances: Poison, Rock, Normal, Fighting, and Bug
  • Weaknesses: Flying, Ghost, Psychic, and Fairy

Despite it being recently added to the game, Annihilape has been climbing the ranks ever since its debut. With Marshadow, these are the only two Fighting/Ghost creatures in the franchise, so this is a type to exploit.

Counter is a great Fast Move in Pokemon Go, so make sure you have that. When it comes to Charged Moves, you’ll want Shadow Ball for a big Ghost-type damage, and Ice Punch as a coverage alternative that can also help you bait shields.

Gligar (Shadow)

Arlo's Gligar in Pokemon Go
Gligar has the moves it needs to be a standout.
  • Fast Move: Wing Attack
  • Charged Moves: Aerial Ace and Dig
  • Resistances: Electric, Fighting, Poison, Bug, and Ground
  • Weaknesses: Ice and Water

Even though this small creature seems harmless, it is one of the best options for the battle league as it is very dynamic and can work perfectly as a lead, switch, charger, and even closer.

Its move Wing Attack allows it to gain energy fast so it can access its Charged Moves. While Aerial Ace is a more general attack, Dig is super useful and deals a great amount of damage.

Feraligatr (Shadow)

feraligatr pokemonFeraligatr can be hard to take down.
  • Fast Move: Shadow Claw
  • Charged Moves: Hydro Cannon and Ice Beam
  • Resistances: Steel, Fire, Water, and Ice
  • Weaknesses: Grass and Electric

This happy crocodile works perfectly as a charger or closer thanks to its stats and moves. Despite its weaknesses, it can resist very used Pokemon types such as Stee and Fire, which is very handy.

Additionally, its move pool helps it reach Charged Moves faster, so it can force the enemy to use its shields early on.

Mandibuzz

Mandibuzz Pokemon
Mandibuzz is the best Dark-type choice for the Great League.
  • Fast Move: Snarl
  • Charged Moves: Dark Pulse and Aerial Ace
  • Resistances: Ghost, Grass, Dark, Ground, and Psychic
  • Weaknesses: Rock, Electric, Ice, and Fairy

Despite its lack of outstanding moves, and having fewer resistances than other Great League recommendations, Mandibuzz does make up for that with a very high Defense stat and a solid Stamina stat.

Snarl has quicker energy generation than Air Slash, so we’d recommend using that Fast Move. Mandibuzz’s best Charged Move is Dark Pulse, as it deals good damage and benefits from STAB. In case you’re looking for more coverage, Aerial Ace is a good choice.

Bastiodon

Bastiodon in the Pokemon GO Battle League
Bastiodon is a strong wall.
  • Fast Move: Smack Down
  • Charged Moves: Stone Edge and Flamethrower
  • Resistances: Dragon, Ice, Psychic, Fairy, Bug, Rock, Flying, Normal, and Poison
  • Weaknesses: Ground, Fighting, and Water

Even when compared to Legendaries and other powerful Pokemon, Bastiodon still has one of the best Defense stats in Pokemon Go. Its Attack stat pales in comparison, but that doesn’t stop it from excelling in the Great League.

Smack Down as a Fast Move hits hard, while Stone Edge is a powerful Rock-type Charged Move that takes advantage of Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB), and Flamethrower can be used against other Steel-types.

Whiscash

Whiscash
Whiscash has quick access to Charged Moves and only one weakness.
  • Fast Move: Mud Shot
  • Charged Moves: Mud Bomb and Scald
  • Resistances: Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock, and Steel
  • Weaknesses: Grass

The happy Whiscash is a really solid choice for the Great League, as it’s resistant to common types including Steel, Fire, and Rock, and only has one weakness: Grass. As a result, it can take down big players like Galarian Stunfisk, Altaria, and Bastiodon.

Mud Shot has incredible energy generation, so you’ll want that as your Fast Move. This will then give you access to two great Charged Moves: Mud Bomb, which is cheap and can be spammed, and Scald, which is a very useful high-energy debuff.

Lanturn

Lanturn in the Weather Cup
The Water/Electric Lanturn can resist the fan-favorite Steel-type.
  • Fast Move: Spark
  • Charged Moves: Surf or Thunderbolt
  • Resistances: Flying, Fire, Water, Ice, and Steel
  • Weaknesses: Ground and Grass

Lanturn has been gaining popularity in the League thanks to having a good amount of resistances and only a couple of weaknesses for enemies to exploit. Its offensive coverage can take down fan favorites like Azumarril and Skarmory.

The move combination of Spark and Surf gives Lanturn the perfect balance: it gains energy quickly with Sparks and spends only a low amount while using Surf, which is the perfect move to take down the many Ground-type Pokemon roaming around Great League.

Serperior

pokemon serperior Serperior is the best Grass-type Pokemon for Great League.
  • Fast Move: Vine Whip
  • Charged Moves: Frenzy Plant and Aerial Ace
  • Resistances: Ground, Water, Grass, and Electric
  • Weaknesses: Flying, Poison, Bug, Fire, and Ice

If you have a Serperior, then it’s a superb tank for the Great League. Weaknesses to Flying and Fire types can be dangerous, but it’s still a great counter against the likes of Azumarill and Lanturn.

Vine Whip is the best Fast Move here. Combined with the move Frenzy Plant, it easily becomes the best Grass type in the Great League. If you don’t have that, Grass Knot is still decent Charged Move and Aerial Ace can work for more coverage.

Carbink

Carbink in Pokemon Go
Carbink is a fresh contender for the Great League.
  • Fast Move: Rock Throw
  • Charged Moves: Rock Slide and Moonblast
  • Resistances: Bug, Dark, Dragon, Fire, Flying, and Normal
  • Weaknesses: Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water

A brand-new addition to this list is Carbink, which has quickly shot straight to the top of the Great League rankings. Only Trainers who purchased a Go Fest 2023 ticket before July 5, 2023, will have access to this Pokemon, though, so it’s going to be a fairly rare encounter for now.

Carbink’s best Fast Move is Rock Throw. When it comes to Charged Moves, go with Rock Slide for a relatively cheap Rock-type attack and Moonblast for some huge (albeit expensive) Fairy-type damage. This entire moveset has STAB, which makes it extra powerful.

Skarmory

Skarmory in the Flying Cup
Skarmory is a popular Great League choice.
  • Fast Move: Steel Wing
  • Charged Moves: Sky Attack and Flash Cannon
  • Resistances: Ground, Dragon, Psychic, Normal, Steel, Flying, Fairy, Grass, Bug, and Poison
  • Weaknesses: Fire and Electric

This is a Pokemon you’ll be seeing a lot of in the Great League. Skarmory is fairly well-rounded and its typing makes it resistant to several others. Its only real weaknesses are Electric, Fire, and other Steel types.

Steel Wing is Skarmory’s preferred Fast Move, as it has better energy generation and is effective against Fairy, Ice, and Rock. Sky Attack and Flash Cannon are clearly its best Charged Moves, as Brave Bird isn’t that good.

Swampert (Shadow)

Swampert in Pokemon Go
Swampert is great for taking down Steel types.
  • Fast Move: Mud Shot
  • Charged Moves: Hydro Cannon and Earthquake
  • Resistances: Electric, Steel, Rock, Poison, and Fire
  • Weaknesses: Grass

This is a well-rounded Water/Ground-type Pokemon, meaning it only has one weakness and is a great counter to the Fire and Steel types that dominate the Great League. However, Swampert is doubly weak to Grass, which can be dangerous.

Mud Shot is the best Fast Move here, but where Swampert really excels is when it has access to Hydro Cannon, a deadly Community Day Charged Move that can quickly be charged and spammed. Earthquake is a good second choice for massive damage.

Registeel

Registeel in the Fossil Cup
Registeel has great Defense capabilities.
  • Fast Move: Lock-On
  • Charged Moves: Focus Blast and Zap Cannon
  • Resistances: Dragon, Ice, Psychic, Normal, Grass, Bug, Steel, Rock, Flying, Fairy, and Poison
  • Weaknesses: Fire, Ground, and Fighting

The Steel-type Legendary titan Registeel is an interesting choice for PvP. Its incredible Defense stat makes it very durable, and its type means it has a ridiculous amount of resistances, so it can take plenty of hits.

Registeel should have Lock-On as its Fast Move, as it has a very high Energy-per-Second (EPS) of 16.67 which is required to break out its powerful (and expensive) Charged Moves: Focus Blast and Zap Cannon.

Lickitung

Lickitung in the Pokemon Go Summer Cup
The cute Lickitung is one of the bulkiest Pokemon in the League.
  • Fast Move: Lick
  • Charged Moves: Body Slam or Power Whip
  • Resistances: Ghost
  • Weaknesses: Fighting

Pokemon like Lickitung, with bulky HP and a strong DEF stat, are a must in any team, as they will endure tough and long battles.

Another strong characteristic of this particular ‘mon is its move pool, which thanks to its variety, can provide wide coverage. While Lick is the default Fast Move, players can go for Body Slam if they use an Elite TM or Hyper Beam which deals a lot of damage. More so, in case of needing a Grass move, Lickitung can learn Power Whip.

Cresselia

Cresselia in Pokemon Go's Sinnoh Cup
Cresselia is making waves across the Go Battle League.
  • Fast Move: Psycho Cut
  • Charged Moves: Grass Know and Future Sight
  • Resistances: Fighting and Psychic
  • Weaknesses: Bug, Ghost, and Dark

The single Psychic-type Legendary sits at the top of the ranking as it has proven to be a bulky Pokemon that combines strong stats with good moves.

With Psycho Cut as its Fast Move and Future Sight as its Charged Move, a powered-up Cresselia is a perfect choice to finish up a battle. However, be particularly wary of its weaknesses, mostly to Ghost and Dark types, as those are constantly exploited in the league.

Pokemon Go Great League start & end date

The latest Pokemon Go Battle League season will run from March 1, 2024, until June 1, 2024, at 10:00 AM local time.

During its run, the Great League will appear on:

  • March 1 – March 8
  • March 22 – March 29
  • March 29 – April 5
  • April 19 – April 26
  • April 26 – May 3
  • May 3 – May 17 (remix)
  • May 24 – May 31

You can see the current Pokemon Go Battle League Season schedule and rewards here.

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Those are the best Pokemon you can take to the Great League. For more Pokemon Go content, check our guides below:

Best Pokemon in Pokemon Go | How to get Rotom in Pokemon Go and can it be Shiny?All upcoming Spotlight Hours | Arlo counters guide | Cliff counters guide | Giovanni counters guide | Sierra counters guide | Grunt counters guide | How to catch a Ditto | What are Strange Eggs? | How to get Remote Raid Passes | Fastest way to get Best Buddy status | Pokemon Go catching tips | Pokemon Go promo codes

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About The Author

Daniel graduated from university with a degree in Journalism and English Language, before spending five years at GAY TIMES covering LGBTQ+ news and entertainment. He then made the switch to video game journalism where he produces news, features, and guides for Pokemon, Fortnite, Nintendo, and PlayStation games. Daniel also has a passion for any games with queer representation.