Summary
Pokemon GOplayers can participate in numerous battle leagues, and the Great League is one of the most popular. Trainers battle with each other in a PvP match and compete with their best fighters. However, one must remember that there is a limit to the fighters' maximum Combat Power (CP).
Pokemon GOdevelopers at Niantic have set three major league battles for players. The Great League, Ultra League, and Master League, while all of these leagues are open for participation, each has its own restrictions. Regarding theGreat League, players can only participate withPokemon below 1500 CP. In a three-round battle, one can select three monsters under the CP cap and duke it out with others. Although several monsters fall under these categories, some perform the best in the current meta. That said, this guide explores some of the best monsters to use in the Great League.
Updated July 27, 2025, 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. Players should consider using specific Pokemon to improve their chances of success in local tournaments and battles with friends. These are the best options for the Great League in Pokemon GO.
1CarbinkXL
Carbink boasts a maximum CP of 1658and 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 inPokemon 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.
2MedichamXL
Medicham comes with a maximumPokemon GOCPof 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 notablethreat in PvP battles.
3Annihilape
Annihilape has a maximum Combat Power(CP) of 3695 and aPokemon GOstat spread comprising 220 ATK, 178 DEF, and 242 STA. The Fighting and Ghost-type monster is known for its endurance and attack power during battles. Using the beast during cloudy and foggy weather further increases its damage output.
The best Fast Move for Annihilape is Counter (Fighting), and the best Charged Move is Shadow Ball (Ghost). Combining them makes its best moveset with a total DPS of 15.71. Counter deals increased damage to Dark, Ice, Normal, Rock, Steel-type opponents, and Shadow Ball inflicts more damage to Ghost and Psychic-type monsters.
4Skarmory
Skarmony has a maximum CP of 2383 and possesses stats of 148 ATK, 226 DEF, and 163 STA. The defense stat makes it a fantastic tank during intensive battles.Pokemon GOtrainerscan use Steel Wing (Steel), Skarmony’s best Fast Move, and Brave Bird (Flying) as the best Charged Move. Using these moves together makes up the best moveset for Skarmory, with a combined DPS of 10.97.
5Mantine
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. ThebestPokemon GOmovesetfor Mantine comprises Wing Attack and Aerial Ace, combining them dishes out a total DPS of 8.72.
6Shadow Feraligatr
The Shadow Pokemonhas a maximum CP cap of 3230 and a balanced stat spread comprising 205 ATK, 188 DEF, and 198 STA. Shadow Feraligatr’s battle performance boosts in areas with rainy weather. The bestPokemon GOmoveset for Shadow Feraligatr combines Water Gun and Hydro Cannon with a combined 18.49 DPS. Since both Water Gun and Hydro Cannon are Water-type moves, they can deal boosted damage to Ground, Rock, and Fire-type Pokemon.
7Shadow Quagsire
Shadow Quagsire’s maximumPokemon GOCP reaches 2252, and the Shadow Pokemon possesses a stat spread of 152 ATK, 143 DEF, and 216 STA. The Water and Ground-type Pokemon possess high battle endurance, and using it in rainy and sunny weather further boosts its damage output.
Water Gun (Water) is the monster’s best Fast Move, which deals increased damage to Ground, Rock, and Fire-type monsters. Thebest Charged Movefor Shadow Quagsire is Earthquake (Ground); the move inflicts extra damage to Poison, Rock, Steel, Fire, and Electric-type Pokemon. The combination of these attacks is the best moveset for Shadow Quagsire, with a total DPS of 12.09.
8BastiodonXL
Bastiodon has a maximum Combat Power of 1741. Its stat spread comprises 94 ATK, 286 DEF, and 155 STA, making it a fantastic tank in battles. Using the monster in areas with partly cloudy and snowy weather boosts its damage output.
The best Fast Move for Bastiodon is Iron Tail (Steel), and the best Charged Move is Stone Edge (Rock). While Iron Tail deals increased damage to opponents of Rock, Ice, and Fairy-type, Stone Edge inflicts more damage to Flying, Bug, Fire, andIce-type monsters inPokemon GO. Combining them makes its best moveset with a total DPS of 6.43.
9Shadow Gligar
Shadow Gligar shows more offensive capabilities when compared to its standard variant. The Shadow Pokemon has a maximumPokemon GOCP 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 Flyingand 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.
10LickitungXL
The Kanto region’s Lickitungpossesses 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 inPokemon GOcombines Lick and Hyper Beam for a total DPS of 8.00.
