Pokémon GO Willpower Cup – Great League Edition: Best Pokémon

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Having a strong determination is key to overcoming any challenge, whether it’s physical or mental. To succeed in the Pokémon GO Willpower Cup – Great League Edition, happening September 16-23, 2025, you’ll need to build a winning team with the right knowledge and strategy.

To make things even better, the developers are boosting Stardust rewards during the tournament – you’ll get four times the usual amount for each win!

In this battle format, Pokémon can have a maximum of 1,500 CP, which is why it’s called the Great League Edition. You can only use Dark, Psychic, and Fighting-type Pokémon. Gardevoir, Zorua, and Zoroark are not allowed in this league.

We’ve compiled a list of the top Pokémon for the Great League’s Willpower Cup in Pokémon GO, using data and simulations from PvPoke.com. This way, you can concentrate on strategy and winning!

Pokémon GO Willpower Cup – Great League Edition: Best Leads

It’s helpful to start a battle with one of these Pokémon. They’re strong and attack quickly, putting your opponent on the defensive. This lets you think strategically and potentially win a longer fight. Of course, the best outcome is to knock out your opponent’s Pokémon right away.

  1. Metang (Fury Cutter, Psyshock, Gyro Ball)
  2. Claydol (Mud Slap, Scorching Sands, Rock Tomb)
  3. Primeape [S] (Karate Chop, Rage Fist, Close Combat)
  4. Shadow Murkrow [XL] (Peck, Drill Peck, Foul Play)
  5. Annihilape [S] (Counter, Rage Fist, Ice Punch)
  6. Galarian Rapidash (Fairy Wind, Body Slam, Megahorn)
  7. Drapion (Poison Sting, Crunch, Aqua Tail)
  8. Mandibuzz (Air Slash, Foul Play, Aerial Ace)
  9. Pawniard [XL] (Fury Cutter, Night Slash, X-Scissor)
  10. Sableye [S] [XL] (Shadow Claw, Foul Play, Power Gem)

Pokémon with an [S] symbol are almost equally effective in their normal and Shadow forms. Pokémon with an [XL] symbol need to be upgraded with XL Candy to perform at their best.

Pokémon GO Willpower Cup – Great League Edition: Best Safe Switches

If your first Pokémon has a tough matchup, consider switching to a different one. This is where “safe switches” are useful. These Pokémon are either strong on their own or specifically good at beating common opponents. Switching Pokémon not only keeps your original choice available later, but can also make your opponent rethink their plan, potentially giving you an advantage.

  1. Shadow Metang (Fury Cutter, Psyshock, Gyro Ball)
  2. Galarian Rapidash (Fairy Wind, Body Slam, Megahorn)
  3. Malamar [S] (Peck, Foul Play, Superpower)
  4. Primeape (Karate Chop, Rage Fist, Close Combat)
  5. Shadow Sableye [XL] (Shadow Claw, Foul Play, Power Gem)
  6. Shadow Murkrow [XL] (Peck, Drill Peck, Foul Play)
  7. Drapion [S] (Poison Sting, Crunch, Aqua Tail)
  8. Hisuian Qwilfish (Poison Sting, Aqua Tail, Shadow Ball)
  9. Murkrow [XL] (Peck, Drill Peck, Foul Play)
  10. Shadow Primeape (Karate Chop, Rage Fist, Close Combat)

Pokémon GO Willpower Cup – Great League Edition: Best Closers

When both players have used all their shields, it’s time to bring out these Pokémon. They’re either very durable, with strong defenses and helpful resistances, or they can defeat opponents quickly with a powerful Charged Attack.

  1. Galarian Moltres (Sucker Punch, Fly, Brave Bird)
  2. Shadow Murkrow [XL] (Peck, Drill Peck, Foul Play)
  3. Morpeko (Full Belly) (Thunder Shock, Aura Wheel, Seed Bomb)
  4. Claydol (Mud Slap, Rock Tomb, Scorching Sands)
  5. Metang [S] (Fury Cutter, Psyshock, Gyro Ball)
  6. Mandibuzz (Air Slash, Foul Play, Aerial Ace)
  7. Shadow Sneasler (Shadow Claw, Close Combat, X-Scissor)
  8. Spiritomb (Sucker Punch, Rock Tomb, Shadow Ball)
  9. Kommo-o (Dragon Tail, Clanging Scales, Upper Hand)
  10. Pawmot (Thunder Shock, Brick Break, Wild Charge)

Pokémon GO Willpower Cup – Great League Edition: Best Attackers

When your shields are down and your opponent still has theirs, certain Pokémon can really turn the tide. They’re strong because they resist a lot of damage and have quick, powerful attacks, helping to make up for being at a disadvantage. That’s why you don’t often see Shadow Pokémon used in these situations – they’re more fragile and can take damage quickly, making them a risky choice when you need to defend.

  1. Mandibuzz (Air Slash, Foul Play, Aerial Ace)
  2. Pawniard [XL] (Fury Cutter, Night Slash, X-Scissor)
  3. Claydol [S] (Mud Slap, Scorching Sands, Rock Tomb)
  4. Guzzlord (Dragon Tail, Brutal Swing, Dragon Claw)
  5. Sableye [XL] (Shadow Claw, Foul Play, Power Gem)
  6. Annihilape (Counter, Rage Fist, Ice Punch)
  7. Drapion (Poison Sting, Crunch, Aqua Tail)
  8. Hatterene (Charm, Psyshock, Power Whip)
  9. Umbreon (Snarl, Dark Pulse, Last Resort)
  10. Shadow Annihilape (Counter, Rage Fist, Ice Punch)

The current competitive landscape in Willpower Cup seems well-established, with many experienced players and Pokémon performing strongly, and some even improving their rankings. Claydol and Primeape are good examples of this. This time around, Metang is proving to be a major threat, frequently appearing in top placements due to its useful type combination.

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2025-09-16 16:17