The Grasp League in Pokémon Go’s Go Battle League options one of the best of one of the best, due to its lack of CP cap — which means titans of the Pokédex lock heads in heated battles, and solely the perfect trainers stand to succeed in the highest of the rankings.
Whether or not you’re trying to introduce your Pokémon to battling for the primary time, or just need some ideas for the present Grasp League meta, we’re breaking down the highest threats within the Grasp League and which Pokémon so as to add to your group with this full information.
Replace (March 18): Up to date our greatest group strategies for the “May and Mastery” season.
What’s the Grasp League meta proper now?

Picture: Niantic / The Pokémon Firm
For seasoned Pokémon Go gamers, the dizzy heights of the Grasp League are an incredible place to indicate off the most important and greatest Pocket Monsters of their assortment. This bracket is dominated by Legendary Pokémon, or different beasts with equally whopping stats.
Nevertheless, this large energy ceiling signifies that in contrast to the Nice League or Extremely League, the Grasp League is far more durable to disrupt. Most new Pokémon added barely tickle the underside of the Grasp League rankings, however occasionally, one thing comes alongside that really modifications the hierarchy of energy.
Due to final season’s additions, gamers completely have to be looking out for Black Kyurem and White Kyurem within the “May and Mastery” season. The Go Tour Unova occasion lastly added these lengthy teased titans, and unsurprisingly, most groups in Grasp League now both embody one in all them, or plan to beat each of them.
That doesn’t imply that Grasp League is resistant to smaller modifications, nonetheless, because the changes to strikes nonetheless discover methods to assist or hinder the handfuls of viable entries on this higher echelon of PvP.
Niantic have decreased the vitality value for Psyshock, whereas sustaining it’s current harm, making this a viable transfer for mainstays like Meloetta, and maybe even Mew. In the meantime, whereas Dazzling Gleam has had a drop in harm output, it additionally has had it’s vitality value decreased, permitting customers to use stress and spam Charged Strikes faster.
Total, Grasp League hasn’t shifted an excessive amount of since final season, however the inclusion of the Kyurem Fusions has shifted the steadiness considerably, as gamers work out viable counters to those Unovan models.
Now, all eyes are on the eventual inclusion of Urshifu to see whether it is as a lot of a menace as it’s within the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet VGC. Plus, we all know Go Fest 2025 is including the Topped Sword and Topped Protect variations of Zacian and Zamazenta, respectively. These already lethal canine are about to have their day.
However till then, these are one of the best picks for Pokémon Go Grasp League groups.
Grasp League greatest group strategies
Assuming sourcing Legendaries isn’t any drawback, now we have two greatest groups for the Grasp League meta:
- Black Kyurem, Tapu Lele, and Landorus (Therian)
- Palkia (Origin), Solgaleo, and Ho-Oh
Let’s undergo them individually.
Black Kyurem, Tapu Lele, and Landorus (Therian)

Picture: Niantic/The Pokémon Firm through gamexplore
Can you’re feeling a chill within the air? It simply may be the superior energy of Black Kyurem, one of many two new fusions at present set to rock the Grasp League this season. As twin dragon- and ice-type, sadly it does have extra weaknesses than resistances, nevertheless it’s expanded movepool helps to steadiness issues out.
To start with, the frankly ridiculous Assault stat of Black Kyurem alongside the Quick Transfer Shadow Claw imply that this chilly creature is now the primary risk for Nightfall Mane Necrozma. Due to this, Nightfall Mane Necrozma has fallen significantly from grace, now outranked in aggressive viability by the (comparatively) humble Solgaleo.
On high of this, Black Kyurem now has entry to the signature ice-type transfer Freeze Shock, which even doubles as a model new Journey Impact that freezes Pokémon of their tracks, making them simpler to catch. The whopping energy of STAB Freeze Shock is a large drawback for Zygarde and Yvetal. Then, rounding out the bundle with the electric-type transfer Fusion Bolt helps to take down the occasional Ho-Oh.
Subsequent up, Tapu Lele is one in all many Pokémon grateful for the enhancements to the transfer Psyshock, as it may possibly now apply extra stress. Being psychic- and fairy-type provides it nice offensive vary, with the ghost-type transfer Astonish being your go to Quick Transfer to nudge that vary even additional.
Fairy-type is all the time an incredible offensive selection, and the signature transfer Nature’s Insanity in addition to the STAB bonus make Tapu Lele a giant drawback for Grasp League mainstays like Palkia, Dialga, and Zygarde. Which suggests that is additionally a improbable group mate for Black Kyurem.
Lastly, spherical out this bundle is Landorus (Therian), which helps choose off a few of the different potential opponents like Rhyperior, Xerneas, and Nightfall Mane Necrozma.
Right here you need to run the Quick Transfer Mud Shot, which you’ll spam for fast cost. Then, again this up with STAB-boosted Sandsear Storm, and spherical out the bundle with the rock-type transfer Stone Edge which is a loss of life sentence for Ho-Oh.
This group’s greatest strikes, IVs, and different strategies
Pokémon | Kind | Quick Transfer | Charged Strikes | IVs |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kyrurem (Black) | Dragon/Ice | Shadow Claw | Freeze Shock/Fusion Bolt | 15/15/15 |
Tapu Lele | Psychic/Fairy | Astonish | Psyshock/Natureâs Insanity | 15/15/15 |
Landorus (Therian) | Floor/Flying | Mud Shot | Sandsear Storm/Stone Edge | 15/15/15 |
- Kyurem (Black) alternate options: Palkia (Origin), Kyurem, and Baxcalibur
- Tapu Lele alternate options: Meloetta (Aria), Solgaleo, and Gardevoir (Shadow)
- Landorus (Therian) alternate options: Rhyperior, Groudon, and Swampert (Shadow)
Palkia (Origin), Solgaleo, and Ho-Oh
Whereas a number of issues have shifted in Grasp League, Palkia (Origin) remains to be probably one of the best Pokémon within the recreation. It balances a very fearsome Assault stat with admirable Defence and a few fairly good defensive typing.
The Quick Transfer Dragon Breath shortly places stress on large threats like Zygarde (Full Type) which is one in all Palkia’s fundamental rivals. Then, again this up with the STAB-boosted energy of Aqua Tail to mop up opponents like Ho-Oh and Rhyperior.
Whereas having the Charged Transfer Spacial Rend doesn’t provide one of the best sort protection, it’s nonetheless possible the most suitable choice for that closing slot as a result of it hits like a sledgehammer. Total, Palkia (Origin) remains to be the champ of hitting arduous, and hitting quick, so both get one or discover ways to beat one.
Subsequent up is Solgaleo, who’s a response to a response. With the Kyurem fusions becoming a member of the Origin types of Dialga and Palkia on the high of the Pokémon pops, fairy-type counters have develop into invaluable. Fortunately, Solgaleo is a fairy-type Pokémon’s worst nightmare.
Being twin psychic- and steel-type provides Solgaleo an enormous ten completely different resistances, which implies it’s improbable on your second choose as it may possibly doubtlessly swap in and wall most Pokémon. Plus with well-rounded defensive stats, Solgaleo has an excellent likelihood of staying within the recreation.
The Quick Transfer Fireplace Spin means bother for Dialga (Origin), after which the Charged Transfer Psychic Fands is only a nice use of STAB and offensive energy. Lastly, Iron Head is your fairy-bashing bonus, permitting Solgaleo to shortly dispatch of large threats like Zacian, Enamorus, and Xerneas.
Rounding out this bundle is the stalwart risk Ho-Oh, whom you may run in both its common or Shadow kind relying in your choice. Naturally, choose Shadow to deal with offense, or hold the conventional kind to maintain a few of these stats in Defence.
Much like Solgaleo, Ho-Oh has a bunch of resistances, and nice bulk to again all of it up. Use Quick Transfer Incinerate to shortly deal harm to Pokémon like Tapu Bulu, and equally the Charged Transfer Sacred Fireplace is a improbable signature transfer that’s Ho-Oh’s best instrument.
Filling up the transfer slots is Courageous Chicken, one other sensible use of STAB and helps to succeed in another threats like Marshadow, Zamazenta, and Annihilape. With Pokémon Go internet hosting a Shadow Ho-Oh Raid Day in early 2025, with a bit of luck you’ve a robust one already ready within the wings.
This group’s greatest strikes, IVs, and different strategies:
Pokémon | Kind | Quick Transfer | Charged Strikes | IVs |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ho-Oh | Fireplace/Flying | Incinerate | Courageous Chicken/Sacred Fireplace | 15/15/15 |
Solgaleo | Psychic/Metal | Fireplace Spin | Psychic Fangs/Iron Head | 15/15/15 |
Palkia (Origin Forme) | Water/Dragon | Dragon Breath | Aqua Tail/Spacial Rend | 15/15/15 |
- Palkia (Origin) alternate options: Palkia (Shadow), Gyarados (Shadow), and Goodra
- Solgaleo alternate options: Heatran, Metagross, and Dialga (Origin)
- Ho-Oh alternate options: Skeledirge, Talonflame, Moltres (Shadow)
Non-Legendary greatest Grasp League group

Not everybody desires to spend cash on Pokémon Go raids. Or, you simply might have missed a few of the most necessary raids or Particular analysis duties through the years. So, if you wish to bounce into aggressive however don’t fairly have the elusive Legendary you want, right here’s a group of Pokémon the place most gamers can catch ‘em all:
- Florges, Rhyperior, Shadow Gyarados
The common-or-garden Flabebe might not appear like a lot, nevertheless it’s evolution Florges has been making large waves within the aggressive scene due to STAB Fairy-type strikes and entry to a lot of Grass strikes as nicely. Charged transfer Moonblast, in the meantime, is a large drawback for Pokémon like Zygarde, Yvetal, and Palkia.
You may be shocked at Florges’ bulk as nicely, which make it an incredible different to Xerneas if you happen to don’t have entry to the Legendary stag. It doesn’t match up nicely in opposition to Nightfall mane Necrozma, or Ho-Oh, nevertheless it’s nonetheless possible one of the best Fairy-type Attacker within the recreation.
What could be mentioned about Rhyperior, the little rhino that might. It has persistently made an area for itself within the high of the aggressive scene, you’ll simply want a number of XL Sweet to get it to the CP cap wanted. Excessive assault, nice type-coverage, and the highly effective transfer Rock Wrecker make this an actual risk. Although, if you happen to don’t have already got it, Rock Wrecker would require an Elite TM.
The rationale Rhyperior is seen a lot in Go Battle League is partly as a result of it’s simple to construct, but additionally as a result of Floor-type is among the greatest offensive sorts. In the meantime, the STAB energy of Rock Wrecker can wipe out an Yvetal earlier than it’s had an opportunity. In fact, it has an enormous weak spot to Water-type strikes, which is why you usually all the time want both a Water-type Pokémon or no less than a Grass-type. Rhyperior is all the time ready within the wings.
Sure, Gyarados is right here principally due to Rhyperior. Nevertheless, Shadow Gyarados has entry to Dragon Breath, Aqua Tail, and Crunch. Dragon Breath is nice for threats like Dialga. Crunch can hit Psychic-type Pokémon like Nightfall Mane Necrozma, and naturally Aqua Tail makes use of that highly effective STAB harm to wipe out Rhyperior, Zygarde, and Landorus.
The rationale for Shadow over the common right here is due to the extra Assault energy, which is able to actually push strikes like Aqua Tail over the sting. For those who don’t have a Shadow Magikarp or Gyarados, you may run the common Gyarados or another picks on your third slot may simply be Primarina, Feraligatr, and even Swampert.
This group’s greatest strikes, IVs, and different strategies:
Pokémon | Kind | Quick Transfer | Charged Strikes | IVs |
---|---|---|---|---|
Florges | Fairy | Fairy Wind | Disarming Voice/Moonblast | 15/15/15 |
Rhyperior | Floor/Rock | Mudslap | Breaking Swipe/Rock Wrecker | 15/15/15 |
Gyarados | Water/Flying | Dragon Breath | Aqua Tail/Crunch | 15/15/15 |
In abstract — Grasp League could be actually enjoyable if in case you have the Pokémon, however to make competitively viable, you’ll have to make investments a number of Sweet XL, or Uncommon Sweet XL. Virtually each Pokémon ideally must be at their CP restrict, so on high of utilizing Sweet XL, it’s useful to be as excessive a Coach Stage as potential and to make your greatest risk (say Zygarde) a Finest Buddy and your present Buddy for the CP enhance.
On high of that, whereas different leagues are extra forgiving with IVs, reminiscent of Nice League the place it’s higher to have 0 Assault however excessive Defence and HP, Grasp League calls for one of the best. You might be nearly all the time aiming for a Excellent IV Pokémon (you should use the search string ‘4*’ in Pokémon Go to search out your good IV Pokémon), or if not, then as close to as potential