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- Best Ultra League Lead Pokemon
- Best Ultra League Switches
- Best Ultra League Closers
- Pokemon Go Ultra League: Recommended Team Comps
Things get a little harder when the Ultra League swings back into rotation in Pokemon Go PvP. While your Pokemon are limited to 2,500 CP, this means a lot of heavy hitters can—and will—join the fray. In this case, Shadow Pokemon and XL Pokemon are frequent.
Like the other main leagues, you're not bound by specific Pokemon types. As long as you stick to the CP limit, anything goes. It's hard to build a team that is strong against the majority of types, so we've put together our suggestions for both individual choices and overall team comps.
Always be aware of a Pokemon's new CP level when you evolve it, as it may take you past the CP limit. You'll see the new amount before you confirm the evolution, and the game will warn you about potentially exceeding limits.
Best Ultra League Lead Pokemon
These four Pokemon are exceptional starters, bringing high shield pressure, a spammy nature, and sometimes incredible bulk to your opening gambit. The aim here is to force your opponent to waste their shields early, so that your other Pokemon can mop up later.
It's hard to prepare hard counters when there are no limits on type, so we've chosen reliable leads overall.
Fast Moves are in normal text, Charge Moves in italic.
Resistant means that the Pokemon takes less damage from moves of that type.
Weak means that the Pokemon takes more damage from moves of that type.
Shadow Pokemon are typically stronger than their normal counterparts, so if you have them, use them!
| Pokemon | Best Moves | Resistant | Weak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registeel (Steel) | Lock On Focus Blast Zap Cannon | Poison Steel Rock Psychic Normal Ice Grass Flying Fairy Dragon Bug | Fighting Fire Ground |
| Trevenant (Ghost/Grass) | Shadow Claw Shadow Ball Seed Bomb | Normal Fighting Water Ground Grass Electric | Dark Fire Flying Ghost Ice |
| Kommo-o (Dragon/Fighting) | Dragon Tail Close Combat Dragon Claw | Water Rock Grass Fire Electric Dark Bug | Fairy Dragon Flying Ice Psychic |
| Jellicent (Water/Ghost) | Hex Bubble Beam Shadow Ball | Normal Fighting Water Steel Poison Ice Fire Bug | Dark Electric Ghost Grass |
Registeel's Zap Cannon is a move typically unavailable through normal means. You'll either need to win a Registeel Raid, when they become available, or use an Elite TM.
Best Ultra League Switches
Ideally, a switch will come in only once your lead Pokemon has been knocked out, preferrably after having taken out at least one of your opponent's Pokemon and baited their shields.
However, sometimes you'll just need a spammy option to come in and shore things up. These are all viable options.
| Pokemon | Best Moves | Resistant | Weak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galarian Stunfisk (Ground/Steel) | Mud Shot Rock Slide Earthquake | Poison Rock Electric Steel Psychic Normal Flying Fairy Dragon Bug | Fighting Fire Ground Water |
| Drapion (Poison/Dark) | Poison Sting Crunch Aqua Tail | Psychic Poison Grass Ghost Dark | Ground |
| Zangoose (Normal) | Shadow Claw Close Combat Night Slash | Ghost | Fighting |
| Cresselia (Psychic) | Psycho Cut Grass Knot Moonblast | Psychic Fighting | Bug Dark Ghost |
Cresselia's Moonblast is a limited-availability move, only obtained when facing it in Raids or using an Elite TM.
Best Ultra League Closers
These four choices for closing Pokemon bring different characteristics to your party, whether you need a rapid assassin, a tanky survivor, or something in-between.
Choose carefully, as often your opponent's final Pokemon will be tricky to take down, and very unforgiving. This is especially true if you've long since used your own shields.
| Pokemon | Best Moves | Resistant | Weak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho-Oh (Fire/Flying) | Incinerate Brave Bird Sacred Fire | Grass Bug Steel Ground Fire Fighting Fairy | Rock Electric Water |
| Swampert (Water/Ground) | Mud Shot Hydro Cannon Earthquake | Steel Rock Poison Fire Electric | Grass |
| Steelix (Steel/Ground) | Dragon Tail Crunch Earthquake | Poison Rock Electric Steel Psychic Normal Flying Fairy Dragon Bug | Fighting Fire Ground Water |
| Escavalier (Bug/Steel) | Counter Mega Horn Drill Run | Poison Grass Steel Psychic Normal Ice Fairy Dragon Bug | Fire |
Brave Bird was a Raid-exclusive move for Ho-Oh, and as such is normally unavailable. Sacred Fire can be obtained via Elite Charged TM.
You can also use an Elite TM to obtain Hydro Cannon for Swampert.
Pokemon Go Ultra League: Recommended Team Comps
We've put together three teams that we think will help carry you up the ranks in the Ultra League. They offer great balance, tons of resistances, and fantastic shield baiting. Try them out and see!
Sometimes, STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) can change the course of a battle. When you use a move that has the same type as your Pokemon, you'll benefit from increased damage. Combo this with your opponent's type weakness for devastating results.
Trevenant – Galarian Stunfisk – Swampert
This team may double dip on the Ground-type Pokemon, but it's incredibly strong. Trevenant comes with great typing to start with, and some powerful Ghost-type moves, and should allow you to get ahead.
If not, then Galarian Stunfisk is the saviour you need. It has TONS of resistances, meaning you should be able to get back on track when behind. Finally, Swampert comes in last to deal heavy, spammy damage.
Jellicent – Drapion – Escavalier
Keeping with the Ghost-starter theme, this team leads with the ever-impressive Jellicent. This one should go longer than Trevenant, being more bulky and more damaging to the opponent.
Drapion is spammy with the troublesome Poison-type, while Escavalier is the very definition of rapid response. This team plays hard, and is higher-risk, faster-reward.
Kommo-o – Zangoose – Steelix
This team is stylish, and uses atypical types to what you'll normally see in the Ultra League. Kommo-o brings the Dragon type, a great way to open, while who doesn't love the Bowie-esque Zangoose and its lack of weaknesses?
And when things get a bit tense towards the end, Steelix can come in and offer incredbile bulk and defensive capabilities.
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