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What the best Ultra League teams in the current meta are will be of interest to players as the Pokemon GO World of Wonders has begun, and with it the 18th season of GO Battle League.
The first cycle of the Ultra League this season kicks off on Friday March 8, 2024, at 1 pm PT. Here are some of the best teams for you to try out in this PvP format of Pokemon GO.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions. Attacks marked with a * are Legacy Moves and require an Elite TM.
Best Ultra League teams in Pokemon GO Battle League League Season 18
1) Shadow Feraligatr, Cresselia, and Bellibolt
Shadow Feraligatr has emerged as one of the best picks in the Great League and the Ultra League formats of Pokemon GO Battle League. It has impeccable pacing with Shadow Claw and Hydro Cannon. Ice Beam also gives it much-needed coverage into Grass and Electric-type enemies.
Cresselia and Bellibolt are bulky teammates for Feraligatr who can help absorb damage and get you shield advantage so that the Water-type Johto starter can sweep in the endgame.
2) Shadow Gliscor, Virizion, and Shadow Empoleon
This team consists of two of the most potent Shadow Pokemon in the current PvP meta. Shadow Gliscor is great at opening matchups with its Flying, Ground, and Dark-type coverage. If you run into an Ice or Water-type attacker in the lead, you can switch into Virizion. This Sword of Justice threatens both of them with super effective damage and has the bulk to take a few hits.
Your goal with this Pokemon GO Ultra League team should be to set Shadow Empoleon with a shield advantage in the endgame. Up shields, there are few critters that can live through its damage output.
3) Mandibuzz, Defense Forme Deoxys, and Hippowdon
Mandibuzz is one of the best Ultra League picks to invest your Candy XL into. It is extremely bulky and has a very interesting type combination that leaves it with only three weaknesses. Combine that with Defense Deoxys, another tanky Pocket Monster, you have a core that is hard to defeat.
The final piece of this Ultra League team in Pokemon GO is the newly buffed Sand Attack Hippowdon. This Ground-type beast has excellent pacing and is one of the only critters in the game that can learn the Rock-type variant of Weather Ball.
4) Annihilape, Poliwrath, and Registeel
Annihilape in Pokemon GO came out only recently and the Gen IX monster has taken over all formats of GO Battle League with its fantastic stats, elemental typing, and move pool. It has excellent coverage with Ice Punch and can hit every other type in the game, at least neutrally, with Shadow Ball.
Registeel resists three out of four of Annihilape's weaknesses—Fairy, Psychic, and Flying. This makes it an excellent safe swap option. If you don't have an Ultra League Registeel already, you should consider grinding for one as it is one of the best critters to invest your Candy XL into.
To close, you have Poliwrath. The combination of STAB Counter, Icy Wind, and STAB Scald is deadly in the endgame, especially if you are up shields.
5) Guzzlord, Skeledirge, and Ampharos
Guzzlord is one of the best Ultra Beasts in Pokemon GO PvP. It has a massive Stamina stat backed by respectable offenses. It is usually not used on the lead because of the number Fairy and Fighting-type critters in the format. However, this can also throw off your opponent's game plan.
Skeledirge resists nearly everything Guzzlord is weak to and therefore can act as a good safe swap. In fact. with access to Disarming Voice, the creature can even take down Dragon-types in shielded combat. To wrap up the team you have Ampharos, who deals reliable damage with STAB Volt Switch and Brutal Swing and Trailblaze coverage.
6) Steelix, Tapu Fini, and Virizion
Even though Steelix has fallen from grace after the nerf to Breakin Swipe in Pokemon GO Battle League's Season 17 balance changes, it can still be a solid lead. It has good type matchups and solid defenses, which can allow you to take shield or switch advantage early on in the match.
You have Tapu Fini and Virizion in the back, who cover each other's weaknesses well. If you face a Poison-type attacker, make sure to align it with Steelix since its energy is completely walled there.
7) Poliwrath, Drapion, and Alolan Muk
These three Pocket Monsters might not be the most common picks in Pokemon GO's Ultra League, but they can perform exceedingly well. With the addition of Icy Wind, Poliwrath now has better leading matchups than ever before. By giving it one shield, you are certain to win against half the meta.
Drapion is an aggressive safe switch. Any opponent that doesn't respect the damage from this critter will suffer as it hits like a truck. Moreover, it is also defensively strong due to its elemental typing. Alolan Muk can clear up the endgame thanks to its decent bulk and impressive attack.
8) Regirock, Golisopod, and Trevenant
A Regirock lead may be considered a risky start in Pokemon GO's Ultra League. However, if you play it smartly, you can farm energy and dip out to nuke enemies later in the battle. This way, you can set up Regirock to come in and sweep the endgame.
Switching into a tanky Pocket Monster like Golisopod or Trevenant can help you exert meaningful shield pressure and chip down the enemy's health. X-Scissor and Seed Bomb can be used to bait, while, depending on the situation, Liquidation and Shadow Ball can finish off enemies.
9) Dragonite, Jellicent, and Registeel
Dragonite, or its Shadow Variant, can be impressive leads in Pokemon GO's Ultra League in Season 18. The Dragon Breath pressure this critter exerts is immense and will force most opponents to throw energy as soon as they get it. You can use this opportunity to either take switch advantage or get ahead on energy.
Between Jellicent and Registeel, you are covered on all hard counters Dragonite might face. If your opponent switches into any of these Pocket Monsters, you can promptly answer back and challenge them to either give up all their shields or switch advantage.
10) Alolan Sandslash, Cobalion, and Altered Forme Giratina
Alolan Sandslash is a powerful lead that can hit hard while tanking incoming damage with relative ease. If you are met with an unfavorable lead, you can switch into Altered Forme Giratina, as it resists nearly everything the former is weak to. Thanks to its massive bulk, it can hold down the fort and even win you switch advantage if you play your cards right.
Cobalion, up shields, can cause devastation on opponents as Double Kick and Sacred Sword spam can chip down unsuspecting opponents in the endgame.
Pokemon GO Ultra League Season 18 Schedule
The open Ultra League will be available during the following dates over the course of the World of Wonders season:
- March 8 - March 15
- March 22 - March 29
- April 5 - April 12
- April 19 - April 26
- May 3 - May 10
- May 21 - June 1
Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:
GBL Season 18 schedule || Ditto disguises || March 2024 infographic || Armarouge vs. Ceruledge in Pokemon GO: Who should you evolve Charcadet into? || Is the Wonder Ticket worth it in Pokemon GO World of Wonders? || GO Battle League World of Wonders || Buddy evolution Adventure Together guide || Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO || Sierra counters || Cliff counters || Arlo counters || Giovanni counters
