The upcoming Pokémon GO Battle League will feature trainers competing in The Ultra League and the Color Cup: Great League Edition. As always, participants can earn a variety of rewards, ranging from encounters with rare Pokémon to essential items like Rare Candies. This GO Battle League event will run from January 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. to January 14, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. PT.
Both cups have specific entry requirements, but you’re free to choose either one, with both contributing to the same set of rewards. To qualify for the Ultra League, your team must consist of Pokémon with a CP of 2,500 or lower. In contrast, the Color Cup: Great League Edition restricts Pokémon to a CP of 1,500 or lower and allows only Fire, Water, Grass, and Electric-type Pokémon. This means many current Raid Bosses won’t be eligible in January 2025. Here’s a look at the top team compositions for both leagues.
Top Pokémon Teams for The Ultra League and Color Cup: Great League Edition
Outshine Your Rivals With the Best Teams
For the Ultra League, an excellent all-around team includes Shadow Feraligatr, Clefable, and Primeape. These three Pokémon rank among the top five in PvPoke‘s Ultra League tier list and provide outstanding support for one another. Shadow Feraligatr has maintained its position as the top Ultra League Pokémon since it gained the Ghost-type move Shadow Claw for its fast attack. Its speed is crucial for breaking through enemy shields quickly while charging up powerful moves like Hydro Pump and Hydro Cannon.
Similarly, Primeape’s quick attacks allow it to counter many popular meta Pokémon effectively. Clefable serves as a great complement to this trio, being the most formidable Fairy-type in the Ultra League and capable of absorbing significant damage from other heavy hitters.
With the 1,500 CP limit in the Color Cup, many of the top contenders from standard Great League events still reign supreme. Alolan Marowak stands out as one of the premier options in Pokémon GO, thanks to its dual Fire and Ghost typing, enabling it to overpower Grass-types while delivering troublesome attacks with its Ghost-type moves.
While the Color Cup has limited choices, it’s essential to leverage dual-type Pokémon to boost your winning potential.
Alolan Marowak does have a vulnerability to Water-type moves, so it’s wise to include an Electric-type that can be switched in. One excellent choice is Morpeko, which also has the added benefit of being a dual Dark-type, making it resilient against any of the core types permitted in the Color Cup. For your final pick, Quagsire, a Water- and Ground-type Pokémon, provides coverage against many popular meta Pokémon. It’s also one of the sturdier candidates for the event, able to endure some hits while you prepare for a better matchup.
Great Alternate Teams to Consider
Numerous Fantastic Options to Choose From
In the Ultra League, numerous meta alternatives allow flexibility, especially if you have other perfect IV Pokémon. Shadow Feraligatr can be a powerhouse when paired with Drapion and Electivire. Drapion, being a dual Poison- and Dark-type, counters a wide range of opponents with fewer weaknesses. It also holds its own against Grass-types, which are among Feraligatr’s significant vulnerabilities. Electivire is a strong addition, particularly when facing teams featuring their own Shadow Feraligatr, as its attack speed is a key asset.
Feel free to swap the Pokémon mentioned for similar types or mix them with other Pokémon.
For the Color Cup, it’s crucial to diversify your types as much as possible. Qwilfish is a formidable dual Water-type that could serve as a replacement for Quagsire. Most players should already have it in their collection, as it was once featured in one-star raids.
This team lacks a Grass-type Pokémon, which struggles against the widely-used Alolan Marowak. If you decide to include one, your best option is Jumpluff, which fares well against the most common Water-types in the Color Cup. Completing your team with the Electric- and Flying-type legendary Zapdos ensures you maintain dominance, as it remains a formidable threat with very few weaknesses in this competition.
With various excellent options for both The Ultra League and Color Cup: Great League Edition in Pokémon GO, you can secure victories by assembling teams that synergize well with each other.