The Great League in Pokémon Go is a competitive battleground where trainers face off with Pokémon under a CP limit of 1,500. Success in this league demands not just strong Pokémon but also a strategic approach. With the right team, you can navigate the Great League’s challenges and climb the rankings. This guide explores the best Pokémon for Great League battles, providing insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal strategies.
Understanding the Great League Format
The Great League’s 1,500 CP limit means that trainers must select Pokémon that excel within this constraint. Unlike the Ultra and Master Leagues, where higher CP Pokémon dominate, the Great League requires a balance of offense, defense, and stamina. Pokémon with versatile movesets and strong resistances tend to perform well in this league.
Top 1: Altaria
Overview
Altaria, a Dragon/Flying-type Pokémon, is a standout choice for the Great League. Its combination of high defense, decent attack, and unique typing gives it an edge against many common opponents.
Strengths
- Bulk and Durability: Altaria’s high defense stats and stamina make it a tanky option in battles.
- Effective Typing: The Dragon/Flying type provides resistance to Grass, Bug, and Fighting moves.
- Charge Moves: With moves like Sky Attack and Dragon Pulse, Altaria can deal substantial damage and apply pressure to opponents.
Weaknesses
- Weak to Ice: Altaria is vulnerable to Ice-type moves, which can exploit its Flying type.
- Steel and Rock Vulnerabilities: Steel and Rock Pokémon can resist or counter Altaria effectively.
Top 2: Swampert
Overview
Swampert, a Water/Ground-type Pokémon, excels in the Great League due to its strong typing and powerful moves.
Strengths
- Dual Typing: Water/Ground provides immunity to Electric-type attacks and resistance to Fire, Steel, and Poison moves.
- High Attack Power: Swampert’s moves, such as Hydro Cannon and Earthquake, offer excellent coverage and high damage output.
- Flexibility: Swampert’s versatility allows it to counter many common threats in the Great League.
Weaknesses
- Grass Vulnerability: As a Ground-type, Swampert is weak to Grass moves, which can deal significant damage.
- Limited Coverage: While powerful, Swampert’s moveset can struggle against certain Pokémon types.
Top 3: Registeel
Overview
Registeel, a Steel-type Legendary Pokémon, is a dominant force in the Great League thanks to its impressive bulk and resistances.
Strengths
- Defensive Capabilities: Registeel’s high defense and stamina make it exceptionally durable in battles.
- Steel Typing: Provides resistance to many types, including Fairy, Ice, and Psychic.
- Powerful Moves: Registeel’s moveset, including Flash Cannon and Focus Blast, offers strong coverage and reliable damage.
Weaknesses
- Vulnerable to Ground: Registeel’s Steel typing makes it weak to Ground-type moves.
- Low Attack: Despite its defensive prowess, Registeel’s lower attack stats can make it less effective in dealing damage.
Top 4: Azumarill
Overview
Azumarill, a Water/Fairy-type Pokémon, is a versatile option in the Great League, offering a combination of offense and defense.
Strengths
- Excellent Typing: The Water/Fairy type provides resistances to Bug, Dark, and Fire moves, while also offering coverage against Dragon and Fighting types.
- High Stamina: Azumarill’s stamina allows it to endure longer battles and absorb more damage.
- Effective Moves: Moves like Play Rough and Hydro Pump make Azumarill a formidable opponent.
Weaknesses
- Steel and Poison Vulnerabilities: Azumarill struggles against Steel and Poison-type Pokémon.
- Low Attack: Despite its durability, Azumarill’s lower attack power can limit its effectiveness against some threats.
Top 5: Bastiodon
Overview
Bastiodon, a Rock/Steel-type Pokémon, is known for its exceptional defensive capabilities and utility in the Great League.
Strengths
- High Defense: Bastiodon’s defense and stamina make it incredibly durable in battles.
- Resistances: Its typing provides resistance to many common types, including Normal, Flying, and Psychic.
- Solid Moves: With moves like Stone Edge and Iron Head, Bastiodon can deal reliable damage and apply pressure to opponents.
Weaknesses
- Vulnerability to Ground: Bastiodon’s Rock/Steel typing makes it weak to Ground-type moves.
- Limited Offensive Power: Despite its defensive strengths, Bastiodon’s offensive capabilities are relatively limited.
Top 6: Deoxys (Defense Form)
Overview
Deoxys (Defense Form) is a Psychic-type Pokémon that stands out in the Great League due to its impressive defensive stats and utility.
Strengths
- Exceptional Defense: Deoxys (Defense Form) has high defense and stamina, making it a durable option.
- Psychic Typing: Provides resistance to Fighting and Psychic moves, while also offering coverage against other types.
- Effective Moves: Moves like Psycho Boost and Rock Slide can provide significant coverage and damage.
Weaknesses
- Dark and Ghost Vulnerabilities: Deoxys (Defense Form) is weak to Dark and Ghost-type moves, which can exploit its weaknesses.
- Limited Offensive Power: Its primary focus is on defense, which can limit its offensive capabilities.
Top 7: Umbreon
Overview
Umbreon, a Dark-type Pokémon, is a solid choice for the Great League due to its strong defensive capabilities and utility in battles.
Strengths
- High Defense and Stamina: Umbreon’s high defense and stamina make it a durable option in battles.
- Dark Typing: Provides resistance to Psychic and Ghost-type moves, while also offering strong coverage against other types.
- Effective Moves: With moves like Foul Play and Last Resort, Umbreon can deal reliable damage and apply pressure to opponents.
Weaknesses
- Fighting and Fairy Vulnerabilities: Umbreon is weak to Fighting and Fairy-type moves, which can exploit its weaknesses.
- Limited Offensive Power: Despite its defensive strengths, Umbreon’s offensive capabilities can be somewhat limited.
Top 8: Tropius
Overview
Tropius, a Grass/Flying-type Pokémon, is a versatile option for the Great League, offering a combination of offense and defense.
Strengths
- Dual Typing: Grass/Flying provides resistances to Grass, Bug, and Fighting moves, while also offering coverage against Water and Ground types.
- High Stamina: Tropius’s stamina allows it to endure longer battles and absorb more damage.
- Effective Moves: Moves like Leaf Blade and Aerial Ace make Tropius a formidable opponent in battles.
Weaknesses
- Weak to Ice: Tropius is vulnerable to Ice-type moves, which can exploit its Flying type.
- Limited Offensive Power: Despite its durability, Tropius’s offensive capabilities can be somewhat limited.
Top 9: Skarmory
Overview
Skarmory, a Steel/Flying-type Pokémon, is a strong contender in the Great League due to its defensive capabilities and versatility.
Strengths
- High Defense: Skarmory’s high defense and stamina make it a durable option in battles.
- Steel/Flying Typing: Provides resistance to many common types, including Fairy, Grass, and Bug.
- Effective Moves: With moves like Sky Attack and Steel Wing, Skarmory can deal reliable damage and apply pressure to opponents.
Weaknesses
- Weak to Electric: Skarmory is vulnerable to Electric-type moves, which can exploit its Flying type.
- Limited Offensive Power: Despite its defensive strengths, Skarmory’s offensive capabilities can be somewhat limited.
Top 10: Medicham
Overview
Medicham, a Fighting/Psychic-type Pokémon, is a strong option for the Great League due to its unique typing and powerful moves.
Strengths
- Dual Typing: Fighting/Psychic provides resistances to Fighting and Psychic moves, while also offering coverage against other types.
- High Attack Power: Medicham’s moves, such as Dynamic Punch and Psychic, offer excellent coverage and high damage output.
- Flexibility: Medicham’s versatility allows it to counter many common threats in the Great League.
Weaknesses
- Vulnerable to Flying and Fairy: Medicham is weak to Flying and Fairy-type moves, which can exploit its weaknesses.
- Limited Defensive Capabilities: Despite its offensive prowess, Medicham’s defensive capabilities can be somewhat limited.
Top 11: Wigglytuff
Overview
Wigglytuff, a Normal/Fairy-type Pokémon, is a versatile option for the Great League, offering a combination of offense and defense.
Strengths
- Dual Typing: Normal/Fairy provides resistances to Bug, Dark, and Fighting moves, while also offering coverage against Dragon and Dark types.
- High Stamina: Wigglytuff’s stamina allows it to endure longer battles and absorb more damage.
- Effective Moves: Moves like Play Rough and Hyper Beam make Wigglytuff a formidable opponent in battles.
Weaknesses
- Steel and Poison Vulnerabilities: Wigglytuff struggles against Steel and Poison-type Pokémon.
- Limited Offensive Power: Despite its durability, Wigglytuff’s offensive capabilities can be somewhat limited.
Top 12: Bastiodon
Overview
Bastiodon, a Rock/Steel-type Pokémon, is known for its exceptional defensive capabilities and utility in the Great League.
Strengths
- High Defense: Bastiodon’s defense and stamina make it incredibly durable in battles.
- Resistances: Its typing provides resistance to many common types, including Normal, Flying, and Psychic.
- Solid Moves: With moves like Stone Edge and Iron Head, Bastiodon can deal reliable damage and apply pressure to opponents.
Weaknesses
- Vulnerability to Ground: Bastiodon’s Rock/Steel typing makes it weak to Ground-type moves.
- Limited Offensive Power: Despite its defensive strengths, Bastiodon’s offensive capabilities are relatively limited.
Top 13: Galarian Stunfisk
Overview
Galarian Stunfisk, a Ground/Steel-type Pokémon, is a strong contender in the Great League due to its defensive capabilities and versatility.
Strengths
- Dual Typing: Ground/Steel provides resistances to many common types, including Electric, Fairy, and Grass.
- High Defense: Galarian Stunfisk’s defense and stamina make it a durable option in battles.
- Effective Moves: With moves like Earthquake and Rock Slide, Galarian Stunfisk can deal reliable damage and apply pressure to opponents.
Weaknesses
- Weak to Water: Galarian Stunfisk is vulnerable to Water-type moves, which can exploit its Ground type.
- Limited Offensive Power: Despite its defensive strengths, Galarian Stunfisk’s offensive capabilities can be somewhat limited.
Top 14: Noctowl
Overview
Noctowl, a Normal/Flying-type Pokémon, is a solid choice for the Great League due to its strong defensive capabilities and utility in battles.
Strengths
- High Defense: Noctowl’s high defense and stamina make it a durable option in battles.
- Normal/Flying Typing: Provides resistances to many common types, including Grass, Bug, and Fighting.
- Effective Moves: With moves like Sky Attack and Night Shade, Noctowl can deal reliable damage and apply pressure to opponents.
Weaknesses
- Weak to Electric: Noctowl is vulnerable to Electric-type moves, which can exploit its Flying type.
- Limited Offensive Power: Despite its defensive strengths, Noctowl’s offensive capabilities can be somewhat limited.
Top 15: Sableye
Overview
Sableye, a Dark/Ghost-type Pokémon, is a unique choice for the Great League due to its diverse typing and utility in battles.
Strengths
- Unique Typing: Dark/Ghost provides resistances to many common types, including Psychic, Ghost, and Dark.
- High Stamina: Sableye’s stamina allows it to endure longer battles and absorb more damage.
- Effective Moves: With moves like Foul Play and Shadow Claw, Sableye can deal reliable damage and apply pressure to opponents.
Weaknesses
- Vulnerable to Fairy: Sableye is weak to Fairy-type moves, which can exploit its weaknesses.
- Limited Defensive Capabilities: Despite its unique typing, Sableye’s defensive capabilities can be somewhat limited.
Conclusion
Choosing the best Pokémon for the Great League requires a balance of offense, defense, and strategic movesets. Pokémon like Altaria, Swampert, and Registeel stand out for their versatility and effectiveness in battles.
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each Pokémon and tailoring your team to address common threats can significantly enhance your chances of success in the Great League. By leveraging the top picks mentioned in this guide, you can build a formidable team and rise through the ranks in Pokémon Go’s competitive battles.
