This article is part of a directory: Pokemon GO: Full Game Guide | Tips, Tricks, and Events
Table of contents

Highlights

  • Pokemon GO has different battle leagues, including the Great League, where players can compete with their most powerful fighters with a maximum CP of 1500.
  • The Great League requires players to select three monsters that fall under the CP cap to participate.
  • The article explores 18 of the most powerful performers in the Great League, including Shadow Machamp, Trevenant, Mantine, Cresselia, and more.

Pokemon GO developers at Niantic have presented different battle leagues, including the Great League. There are multiple battle leagues where players take out their most potent fighters in a PvP match with each other. Regarding the Great League, there is a restriction on the maximum Combat Power a monster can have.

Pokemon GO has several powerhouses running rampant for players to catch and compete with one another. There are three significant leagues: Great, Ultra, and Master League, and each has its limits. Only monsters below 1500 CP can participate in the Great League. Players must select three monsters that fall under the CP cap to be eligible to participate. That said, this listicle explores 18 of the most powerful performers in the Great League.

Updated October 11, 2023, by Diwas Budhathoki: Pokemon GO's metagame evolves with the addition of new Pokemon and features. Regular updates keep the game fresh, presenting players with new offensive and defensive challenges in the Great League. To improve their chances of success in local tournaments and battles with friends, players should consider using specific Pokemon. These are the best options for the Great League and top PvP Pokemon in Pokemon GO.

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1 Shadow Machamp

Shadow Machamp in Pokemon GO

Type: Fighting-type

Weaknesses: Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-type moves

Resistances: Bug, Dark, and Rock-type moves

Shadow Machamp is a solo Fighting-type monster with boosted offensive abilities as a Shadow Pokemon. The monster possesses a maximum Pokemon GO CP of 3455 and an attack-centric stat spread of 234 ATK, 159 DEF, and 207 STA. Using Shadow Machop during cloudy weather can significantly boost its performance even further.

Originally found in the Kanto region, the Shadow monster can access a total of 12 moves. The beast has 2 Fast Moves of Steel and Flying-type, 1 Elite Fast Move of Fighting-type, 6 Charged Moves of Steel, Fighting, Rock, and Normal-type, and 3 Elite Charged Moves of Rock, Fighting, and Dark-type. Shadow Machamp’s best moveset combines Counter and Dynamic Punch for a total DPS of 19.36.

2 Trevenant

Trevenant in pokemon go

Type: Ghost and Grass-type

Weaknesses: Dark, Fire, Flying, Ghost, and Ice-type moves

Resistances: Fighting, Normal, Electric, Grass, Ground, and Water-type moves

Trevenant is a Ghost/Grass-type Pokemon. At Level 50, it has a Max CP of 2,893, an Attack stat of 201, a Defense stat of 154, and 198 Stamina. Its best Quick moves are Shadow Claw (Ghost) and Sucker Punch (Dark), while its best Charge moves are Seed Bomb (Grass) and Shadow Ball (Ghost).

Providing Pokemon GO players can build up enough energy, Trevenant effectively counters many of the most popular Pokemon in the Great League. These include Swampert, Azumarill, and Galarian Stunfisk and help make the Pokemon a great all-rounder. It could be a bit bulkier, but it is a solid pick nonetheless.

3 Mantine

Mantine in Pokemon GO

Type: Water and Flying-type

Weaknesses: Electric and Rock-type moves

Resistances: Ground, Bug, Fighting, Fire, Steel, and Water-type moves

Mantine is a mighty monster with a maximum CP of 2383. The Johto region monster has a defense-centric stat spread of 148 ATK, 226 DEF, and 163 STA. Players can use the beast during rainy and windy weather to boost its battle performance.

Mantine has a total of 7 moves in its arsenal: 3 Fast Moves of Flying, Water, and Grass-type, and 4 Charged Moves of Ice, Flying, and Water-type. The best Pokemon GO moveset for Mantine comprises Wing Attack and Aerial Ace, combining them dishes out a total DPS of 8.72.

4 Cresselia

Cresselia Weakness and Resistances in Pokemon GO

Type: Psychic-type

Weaknesses: Bug, Dark, and Ghost-type moves

Resistances: Fighting and Psychic-type moves

Cresselia is an excellent performer with a whooping maximum Pokemon GO CP of 3230. The monster possesses a powerful stat spread comprising 152 ATK, 258 DEF, and 260 STA. Although the beast lacks attacking power, its defense and stamina make up for it.

The Sinnoh region monster’s battle performance increases in windy weather and possesses a versatile move pool. Cresselia can access 2 Fast Moves of Psychic-types, 4 Charged Moves of Fairy, Ice, and Psychic-type, and 1 Elite Charged Move of Grass-type. The best moveset for Cresselia combines Psycho Cut and Future Sight for a total DPS of 10.15.

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5 Pelipper

Pelipper in Pokemon GO

Type: Water and Flying-type

Weaknesses: Electric and Rock-type moves

Resistances: Ground, Bug, Fighting, Fire, Steel, and Water-type moves

Pelipper has a maximum CP of 2404 and a balanced stat spread comprising 175 ATK, 174 DEF, and 155 STA. The monster experiences a performance boost when used in rainy and windy weather.

Originally found in the Hoenn region, Pelipper can use a total of 6 moves. Its move pool consists of 2 Fast Moves of Flying and Water-type and 4 Pokemon GO Charged Moves of Ice, Flying, and Water-type. The best moveset for Pelipper combines Water Gun and Weather Ball, inflicting a total DPS of 12.28.

6 Dubwool

Dubwool in Pokemon GO

Type: Normal-type

Weaknesses: Fighting-type moves

Resistances: Ghost-type moves

Dubwool has a maximum Pokemon GO CP of 2478. The Galar region monster possesses a balanced stat spread of 159 ATK, 198 DEF, and 176 STA. Using Dubwool in partly cloudy weather can boost its prowess significantly.

The monster has powerful moves in its move pool with 4 different typing. Dubwool can access 3 Fast Moves of Normal and Fighting-type and 3 Charged Moves of Normal, Dark, and Electric-type. Players can combine Tackle and Wild Charge as its best moveset, resulting in a total DPS of 10.22.

7 Scrafty

Scrafty in Pokemon GO

Type: Dark and Fighting-type

Weaknesses: Fairy, Fighting, and Flying-type moves

Resistances: Dark, Ghost, Psychic, and Rock-type moves

Scrafty is a Dark/Fighting-type Pokemon. At Level 50, it has a Max CP of 2,581, an Attack stat of 163, a Defense stat of 222, and 163 Stamina. Its best Quick moves are Snarl (Dark) and Counter (Fighting), while its best Charge moves are Foul Play (Dark) and Power-Up Punch (Fighting).

Though it might not look at it at first glance, Scrafty can make for a surprisingly good attacker due to the damage power its Charge Attacks deliver. It's also remarkably bulky, allowing it to withstand much punishment before it goes down. Granted, it is fragile to Fairy-type attacks but strong in other areas.

8 Sableye

pokemon sableye anime

Type: Dark and Ghost-type

Weaknesses: Fairy-type moves

Resistances: Normal, Psychic, Fighting, and Poison-type moves

Sableye is a Dark and Ghost-type Pokemon. At Level 50, it has a Max CP of 1,668, an Attack of 141, a Defense of 136, and a Stamina of 137. Its best Quick move is Shadow Claw (Ghost). It has four great Charge moves: Foul Play (Dark), Power Gem (Rock), Return (Normal), and Shadow Sneak (Ghost).

Sableye has good offensive and defensive capabilities in the Pokemon GO Great League. Its Dark/Ghost typing gives it an edge since Sableye is only weak to Fairy-type and is immune to Fighting, Psychic, and Normal-type moves. Players can rely on it to survive most damage while dishing out fantastic attacks.

9 Galarian Stunfisk

Galarian Stunfisk in Pokemon GO

Type: Ground and Steel-type

Weaknesses: Fighting, Fire, Ground, and Water-type moves

Resistances: Poison, Electric, Rock, Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Normal, Psychic, and Steel-type moves

Galarian Stunfisk is a Ground and Steel-type Pokemon. At Level 50, its Max CP clocks in at 2,445, its Attack at 144, Defense at 171, and Stamina at 240. Its best Quick move is Mud Shot (Ground), and its best Pokemon GO Charged Moves are Rock Slide (Rock) and Earthquake (Ground).

Galarian Stunfisk succeeds in the Great League because it tanks well and has fantastic typing. Although it is weak to Water-type moves, Galarian Stunfisk is immune to both Poison and Electric-type attacks and resists Grass-type and Steel-type as well. Given how common many of these types are in the Great League, Stunfisk can often hold its own.

10 Steelix

steelix-attacking-inside-arena

Type: Steel and Ground-type

Weaknesses: Fighting, Fire, Ground, and Water-type moves

Resistances: Poison, Electric, Rock, Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Normal, Psychic, Steel-type moves

Steelix is a powerful monster with a maximum CP of 2729. Its defense-centric stat spread of 148 ATK, 272 DEF, and 181 STA is perfect for the role of a tank. Snow and sunny weather can boost its performance during battles.

The Johto region monster can access a total of 8 moves: 3 Fast Moves of Electric, Steel, and Dragon-type, and 5 Charged Moves of Ground, Steel, Dark, Psychic, and Dragon-types. Steelix’s best Pokemon GO moveset combines Iron Tail and Heavy Slam, resulting in a total DPS of 9.62.

11 Shadow Poliwrath

Shadow Poliwrath in Pokemon GO

Type: Water and Fighting-type

Weaknesses: Electric, Fairy, Flying, Grass, and Psychic-type moves

Resistances: Bug, Dark, Fire, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Water-type moves

Shadow Poliwrath’s attacking power gets a significant boost as a Shadow Pokemon. The monster’s maximum Pokemon GO CP reaches 2923, with a balanced stat spread of 182 ATK, 184 DEF, and 207 STA.

Shadow Poliwrath’s versatile move pool makes it a serious contender in the Great League. The Shadow Pokemon can access a total of 11 moves: 3 Fast Moves, 1 Elite Fast Move, 6 Charged Moves, and 1 Elite Charged Moves. These moves are of Ground, Water, Fighting, Ice, and Normal-type. The best moveset for Shadow Poliwrath combines Counter and Dynamic Punch, resulting in a total DPS of 15.37.

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12 Swampert

Swampert in Pokemon GO

Type: Water and Ground-Type

Weaknesses: Ice and Water-type moves

Resistances: Ground, Bug, Electric, Fighting, and Poison-type moves

Swampert is a Water and Ground-Type Pokemon. At Level 50, its Max CP clocks in at 3,362, its Attack at 208, Defense at 175, and Stamina at 225. Swampert evolves from Marshtomp with 100 Candy, which evolves from Mudkip with 25 Candy. Swampert's best Quick move is Mud Shot (Ground), while its best Charge moves are Hydro Cannon (Water), Earthquake (Ground), and Sludge Wave (Poison).

Though it struggles against Grass-type Pokemon, Swampert is a severe threat in the Great League as its moves are phenomenal. Swampert offers excellent coverage and capitalizes on this due to killer attacking power. If the Pokemon GO trainer has Shadow Swampert instead of regular Swampert, that works, too!

13 Gligar

Gligar in Pokemon GO

Type: Ground and Flying-type

Weaknesses: Ice and Water-type moves

Resistances: Ground, Bug, Electric, Fighting, Poison-type moves

The dual Ground and Flying-type Gligar boasts a maximum CP of 2099. The monster possesses a balanced Pokemon GO stat spread of 143 ATK, 184 DEF, and 163 STA. Gligar has only two weaknesses, making it a great option with comprehensive battle coverage.

It can access various move types since its move pool consists of 5 moves: 2 Fast Moves of Flying and Bug-type, 3 Charged Moves of Flying, Dark, and Ground-type. Gligar’s best moveset combines Fury Cutter and Aerial Ace, inflicting a total DPS of 8.67. Using the monster in sunny and windy weather can significantly increase its offensive power.

14 Registeel

Registeel in Pokemon GO

Type: Steel-type

Weaknesses: Fighting, Fire, and Ground-type moves

Resistances: Poison, Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Grass, Ice, Normal, Psychic, Rock, and Steel-type moves

Registeel is a Steel-type Pokemon, one of the Legendary Titans. At Level 50, it boasts a Max CP of 2,766, an Attack of 143, a Defense of 285, and a Stamina of 190. Registeel's best Quick move is Lock-On (Normal). For charge moves, the best options are Flash Cannon (Steel) and Focus Blast (Fighting).

Registeel offers decent offense and exceptional defense in the Great League. In addition, Steel typing provides many resistances — Registeel is only going down from Fire, Ground, or Fighting-type moves. Although Registeel's Charge moves are expensive, they pack a punch that's well worth it.

15 Shadow Gligar

Shadow Gligar in Pokemon GO

Type: Ground and Flying-type

Weaknesses: Ice and Water-type moves

Resistances: Ground, Bug, Electric, Fighting, and Poison-type moves

Shadow Gligar shows more offensive capabilities when compared to its standard variant. The Shadow Pokemon has a maximum Pokemon GO CP of 2099. The Johto region monster has a balanced stat spread of 143 ATK, 184 DEF, and 163 STA.

Players can use Shadow Gligar during sunny and windy weather to inflict boosted damage in PvP battles. Shadow Gligar’s move pool comprises 6 moves: 2 Fast Move of Flying and Bug-type, and 4 Charged Move of Normal, Ground, Dark, and Flying-type. Players can access its best moveset by combining Fury Cutter and Aerial Ace for a combined DPS of 10.15.

16 Lickitung

lickitung pokemon anime who is that pokemon?

Type: Normal-type

Weaknesses: Fighting-type moves

Resistances: Ghost-type moves

The Kanto region’s Lickitung possesses a maximum CP of 1595. It has a stamina-focused stat spread of 108 ATK, 137 DEF, and 207 STA. Players using this monster in partly cloudy weather can juice out more damage power.

Regarding its move pool, the monster can access a total of 6 moves of distinct types. Lickitung’s moves include 2 Fast Moves of Ghost and Psychic-type, 3 Charged Moves of Normal and Grass-types, and 1 Elite Charged Move of Normal-type. The monster’s best moveset in Pokemon GO combines Lick and Hyper Beam for a total DPS of 8.00.

17 Carbink

Carbink in Pokemon GO

Type: Rock and Fairy-type

Weaknesses: Steel, Grass, Ground, and Water-type moves

Resistances: Dragon, Bug, Dark, Fire, Flying, and Normal-type moves

Carbink boasts a maximum CP of 1658 and possesses a defense-centric stat. Its stat spread comprises 95 ATK, 285 DEF, and 137 STA, making it a suitable monster to act as a tank for the team.

The dual Rock and Fairy-type monster can access a total of 5 moves in Pokemon GO. Its move pool includes 2 Fast Moves of Normal and Rock-type, and 3 Charged Moves of Normal, Rock, and Fairy-type. While there are multiple moves it can access, Carbink’s best moveset is the combination of Rock Throw and Rock Slide, inflicting a total DPS of 6.88.

18 Medicham

Medicham in Pokemon GO

Type: Fighting and Psychic

Weaknesses: Fairy, Flying, and Ghost-type moves

Resistances: Fighting and Rock-type moves

Medicham comes with a maximum Pokemon GO CP of 1618. The Hoenn region monster performs weakly against Fairy, Flying, and Ghost-type moves but can flaunt high defense against Fighting and Rock-type attacks.

The best moveset for Medicham combines the Fast Move Counter and the Charged Move Dynamic Punch, resulting in a total DPS of 9.20. The monster has 6 moves: 2 Fast Moves of Fighting and Psychic-type, and 4 Charged Move of Ice, Psychic, and Fighting-type. These moves, coupled with its balanced stat spread of 121 ATK, 152 DEF, and 155 STA, make it a notable threat in PvP battles.

Pokemon GO is available for Android and iOS.

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