Pokemon GO Summer Cup: Ultra League edition best team choices for Season 23

Pokemon GO Summer Cup Ultra League edition will need you to use Normal-, Fire-, Water-, Grass-, Electric-, and Bug-type Pocket Monsters to participate. It began at 1 pm PDT on August 5, 2025, and will end at 1 pm PDT on August 12, 2025. This is a unique opportunity to participate in a limited meta with a 2,500 CP cap.

This article covers the best leads, switches, and closers for the Summer Cup Ultra League edition in Pokemon GO.

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Best leads for Pokemon GO Summer Cup: Ultra League edition

Best leads for Pokemon GO Summer Cup: Ultra League edition (Image via TPC)

1) Toxtricity

Stats

• Attack: 181.3
• Defense: 122.4
• Stamina: 155

Best IVs and Candy XL requirement

• 0/15/15
• Candy XL is recommended but not required

Recommended moves

• Fast Attack: Thunder Shock
• Charged Attacks: Aura Wheel and Psychic Fangs

2) Cradily (or Shadow Cradily)

Base stats

• Attack: 140.3
• Defense: 175.6
• Stamina: 180

Best IVs and Candy XL requirement

• 15/15/15
• Candy XL is strongly recommended.

Recommended moves

• Fast Attack: Acid
• Charged Attacks: Rock Tomb and Grass Knot

3) Bellibolt

Base stats

• Attack: 148
• Defense: 141.7
• Stamina: 200

Best IVs and Candy XL requirement

• 0/15/10
• Candy XL is recommended but not required.

Recommended moves

• Fast Attack: Sucker Punch
• Charged Attacks: Parabolic Charge and Zap Cannon

Honorable mentions

• Togedemaru: Thunder Shock + Fell Stinger and Wild Charge
• Lapras: Psywave + Sparkling Aria and Ice Beam
• Shadow Victreebel: Acid + Leaf Blade and Sludge Bomb
• Skeledirge: Incinerate + Torch Song and Shadow Ball
• Tentacruel: Acid + Scald and Sludge Wave

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Best switches for Pokemon GO Summer Cup: Ultra League edition

Best switches for Pokemon GO Summer Cup: Ultra League edition (Image via TPC)

1) Cradily (or Shadow Cradily)

Base stats

• Attack: 140.3
• Defense: 175.6
• Stamina: 180

Best IVs and Candy XL requirement

• 15/15/15
• Candy XL is strongly recommended.

Recommended moves

• Fast Attack: Acid
• Charged Attacks: Rock Tomb and Grass Knot

2) Shadow Samurott (or Samurott)

Base stats

• Attack: 165.1
• Defense: 130.7
• Stamina: 175

Best IVs and Candy XL requirement

• 1/15/15
• Candy XL is not required.

Recommended moves

• Fast Attack: Fury Cutter
• Charged Attacks: Hydro Cannon and Megahorn

3) Lapras (or Shadow Lapras)

Base stats

• Attack: 133.9
• Defense: 149.8
• Stamina: 231

Best IVs and Candy XL requirement

• 0/15/15
• Candy XL is recommended but not required.

Recommended moves

• Fast Attack: Psywave
• Charged Attacks: Sparkling Aria and Ice Beam

Honorable mentions

• Bellibolt: Thunder Shock + Parabolic Charge and Zap Cannon
• Shadow Victreebel: Acid + Leaf Blade and Sludge Bomb
• Golisopod: Fury Cutter + X-Scissor and Aqua Jet
• Shadow Typhlosion: Incinerate + Blast Burn and Thunder Punch
• Shadow Crustle: Fury Cutter + X-Scissor and Rock Slide

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Best closers for Pokemon GO Summer Cup: Ultra League edition

Best closers for Pokemon GO Summer Cup: Ultra League edition (Image via TPC)

1) Tentacruel (or Shadow Tentacruel)

Base stats

• Attack: 141.1
• Defense: 185.1
• Stamina: 169

Best IVs and Candy XL requirement

• 0/13/15
• Candy XL is strongly recommended.

Recommended moves

• Fast Attack: Acid
• Charged Attacks: Scald and Sludge Wave

2) Shadow Electivire

Base stats

• Attack: 185
• Defense: 128.4
• Stamina: 142

Best IVs and Candy XL requirement

• 1/15/15
• Candy XL is not required.

Recommended moves

• Fast Attack: Thunder Shock
• Charged Attacks: Wild Charge and Ice Punch

3) Shadow Raikou

Base stats

• Attack: 169.6
• Defense: 143
• Stamina: 151

Best IVs and Candy XL requirement

• 6/13/13
• Candy XL is not required.

Recommended moves

• Fast Attack: Thunder Shock
• Charged Attacks: Wild Charge and Shadow Ball

Honorable mentions

• Turtonator: Incinerate + Overheat and Dragon Pulse
• Cradily: Acid + Rock Tomb and Grass Knot
• Shadow Victreebel: Acid + Leaf Blade and Sludge Bomb
• Lapras: Psywave + Sparkling Aria and Ice Beam
• Kingdra: Dragon Breath + Outrage and Octazooka

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Check out our other guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Sierra counters
• Cliff counters
• Arlo counters
• Giovanni counters
• Team GO Rocket Grunts