The Ultra League in Pokémon Go’s Go Battle League and its 2,500 CP limit provides an opportunity for lesser-known Pokémon to shine in the competitive scene, offering a refreshing change from the dominance of Legendary Pokémon in the Master League and the lower tiers of the Great League.
While every Pokémon gets a chance to make an impact in the Ultra League, strategic team compositions and strong recommendations play a crucial role in achieving success in battles. Here are our top picks for the best Ultra League team and an overview of the current meta.
What is the Ultra League meta right now?
The Ultra League offers a diverse mix of Legendary and underappreciated Pokémon, making it a volatile environment where rankings can quickly shift due to new strategies and movesets. Recent tournaments, such as the Toronto Regionals, have seen unexpected Pokémon like Cursola making waves in the Great League.
Recent changes to move sets have had a significant impact on the Ultra League meta, with moves like Body Slam being nerfed and new moves being introduced for popular picks like Lickilicky and Clefable. Season 20 brought about notable nerfs to moves such as Counter, Body Slam, and Wing Attack.
Despite the differences between the Ultra League and the Master League, it’s essential to prepare for common threats like Zygarde (Complete Forme) that transcend both leagues. Sturdy Water-type Pokémon like Shadow Feraligatr and Azumarill are popular choices to counter Zygarde effectively.
One of the unique aspects of the Ultra League is the opportunity for favorite Legendary Pokémon to find their niche among more powerful picks, such as Registeel, Cobalion, and Cresselia, all of which are prevalent in battles. Now, let’s delve into the top team recommendations for the Ultra League.
Ultra League best team suggestions
- Feraligatr (Shadow), Drapion, Electivire
- Gastrodon, Clefable, Steelix
Now, let’s review each Pokémon individually.
Feraligatr has gained popularity in competitive battles due to the addition of Shadow Claw, enabling it to quickly accumulate energy and counter threats like Giratina and Cresselia with Charged Moves like Hydro Cannon and Ice Beam. Drapion, on the other hand, is a surprise contender in the Ultra League meta, offering strong coverage with moves like Crunch and Aqua Tail alongside resistances to common threats.
Electivire serves as a solid counter to Water-type Pokémon like Feraligatr and Azumarill, excelling with moves like Thunder Shock, Wild Charge, and Ice Punch. Its versatility allows it to handle various threats, making it a valuable addition to any Ultra League team.
This team’s best moves, IVs, and alternative suggestions:
| Pokémon | Type | Fast Move | Charged Moves | IVs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feraligatr | Water | Shadow Claw | Hydro Cannon/Ice Beam | 0/15/15 |
| Drapion | Poison/Dark | Poison Sting | Crunch/Aqua Tail | 0/15/15 |
| Electivire | Electric | Thunder Shock | Wild Charge/Ice Punch | 0/15/15 |
- Shadow Feraligatr alternatives: Feraligatr, Azumarill, and Tentacruel
- Drapion alternatives: Galarian Weezing, Dragalge, and Nidoqueen
- Electivire Alternatives: Bellibolt, Zapdos (Shadow), and Magnezone (Shadow)
Gastrodon stands out in the Ultra League meta with its diverse movepool and minimal weaknesses, making it a formidable choice against Poison-type Pokémon like Drapion. Similarly, Clefable utilizes its Fairy-type moves like Fairy Wind and Moonblast to counter Dragon-type threats effectively.
Lastly, Steelix provides defensive utility to the team with Thunder Fang and Dragon Tail as Fast Moves and Breaking Swipe and Psychic Fangs as Charged Moves, allowing it to handle common threats like Clefable and Drapion with ease.
This team’s best moves, IVs, and alternative suggestions:
| Pokémon | Type | Fast Move | Charged Moves | IVs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastrodon | Water/Ground | Mud Slap | Earth Power/Body Slam | 0/15/15 |
| Clefable | Fairy | Fairy Wind | Swift/Moonblast | 0/15/15 |
| Steelix | Steel/Ground | Thunder Fang | Psychic Fangs/Breaking Swipe | 0/15/15 |
- Gastrodon alternatives: Quagsire, Whiscash, and Golurk
- Clefable alternatives: Florges, Whimsicott, and Galarian Wheezing
- Steelix alternatives: Registeel, Ferrothorn, and Excadrill
In conclusion, the Ultra League’s diverse Pokémon pool offers a wide range of strategies and team compositions. It’s crucial to experiment with different Pokémon and movesets to keep your opponents on their toes and secure victories. Remember to prioritize specific IV spreads over maximum CP for Pokémon with a CP above 2,500, as lower Attack stats prove beneficial in reaching the ideal stat distribution within the CP limit.
Best of luck in your battles, and may the best trainer emerge victorious. For more Go Battle League tips and recommendations, check out our guide to the best teams for the Great League.