Top Pokemon Go Master League Teams and Strategies for Winning Battles

Unbeaten formulas, brutal matchups, and one perfect team comp can tilt the Master League in a single stunning battle.

Whether you’re looking to introduce your Pokémon to battling for the first time, or simply want some tips for the current Master League meta, we’re breaking down the top threats in the Master League and which Pokémon to add to your team with this full guide.

Update (March 18): Updated our best team suggestions for the “Might and Mastery” season.

What is the Master League meta right now?

The Master League meta right now centers on high-roll Legends and mythicals with strong coverage, including Dialga and Giratina Origin Forme, supported by solid steel-type pivots and anti-meta picks to counter popular threats like Togekiss and Kyogre. Movepools that generate energy quickly and carry bulky bulk are especially valuable, enabling fast tempo and shields management in open Master League battles. Team opinions emphasize balancing type matchups, securing lead flexibility, and having a reliable closer to close out games.​​

For seasoned Pokémon Go players, the dizzy heights of the Master League are a great place to show off the biggest and best Pocket Monsters in their collection. This bracket is dominated by Legendary Pokémon, or other beasts with similarly whopping stats.

However, this huge power ceiling means that unlike the Great League or Ultra League, the Master League is much harder to disrupt. Most new Pokémon added barely tickle the bottom of the Master League rankings, but once in a while, something comes along that truly changes the hierarchy of power.

Thanks to last season’s additions, players absolutely have to be on the lookout for Black Kyurem and White Kyurem in the “Might and Mastery” season. The Go Tour Unova event finally added these long teased titans, and unsurprisingly, most teams in Master League now either include one of them, or plan to beat both of them.

That doesn’t mean that Master League is immune to smaller changes, however, as the adjustments to moves still find ways to help or hinder the dozens of viable entries in this upper echelon of PvP.

Niantic have decreased the energy cost for Psyshock, while maintaining it’s existing damage, making this a viable move for mainstays like Meloetta, and perhaps even Mew. Meanwhile, while Dazzling Gleam has had a drop in damage output, it also has had it’s energy cost decreased, allowing users to apply pressure and spam Charged Moves quicker.

Overall, Master League hasn’t shifted too much since last season, but the inclusion of the Kyurem Fusions has shifted the balance somewhat, as players figure out viable counters to these Unovan units.

Now, all eyes are on the eventual inclusion of Urshifu to see if it is as much of a menace as it is in the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet VGC. Plus, we know Go Fest 2025 is adding the Crowned Sword and Crowned Shield versions of Zacian and Zamazenta, respectively. These already deadly dogs are about to have their day.

But until then, these are the best picks for Pokémon Go Master League teams.

Master League best team suggestions

Strong contenders include teams built around Giratina (Altered or Origin), Mewtwo, and Kyogre, complemented by resilient staples like Zekrom, Dragonite, and Lugia. Prioritize balanced typings, safe switches, and consistent energy generation to handle common Master League threats, while leveraging ice- or rock-type coverage to counter prevalent meta picks. Fine-tune movesets for bulk, speed, and spam potential, and adapt based on your local battles and partner trainers.

Assuming sourcing Legendaries is no problem, we have two best teams for the Master League meta:

• Black Kyurem, Tapu Lele, and Landorus (Therian)
• Palkia (Origin), Solgaleo, and Ho-Oh

Let’s go through them separately.

Black Kyurem, Tapu Lele, and Landorus (Therian)

Can you feel a chill in the air? It just might be the awesome power of Black Kyurem, one of the two new fusions currently set to rock the Master League this season. As dual dragon- and ice-type, sadly it does have more weaknesses than resistances, but it’s expanded movepool helps to balance things out.

First of all, the frankly ridiculous Attack stat of Black Kyurem alongside the Fast Move Shadow Claw mean that this cold creature is now the number one threat for Dusk Mane Necrozma. Thanks to this, Dusk Mane Necrozma has fallen considerably from grace, now outranked in competitive viability by the (relatively) humble Solgaleo.

On top of this, Black Kyurem now has access to the signature ice-type move Freeze Shock, which even doubles as a brand new Adventure Effect that freezes Pokémon in their tracks, making them easier to catch. The whopping power of STAB Freeze Shock is a huge problem for Zygarde and Yvetal. Then, rounding out the package with the electric-type move Fusion Bolt helps to take down the occasional Ho-Oh.

Next up, Tapu Lele is one of many Pokémon grateful for the improvements to the move Psyshock, as it can now apply more pressure. Being psychic- and fairy-type gives it great offensive range, with the ghost-type move Astonish being your go to Fast Move to nudge that range even further.

Fairy-type is always a great offensive choice, and the signature move Nature’s Madness as well as the STAB bonus make Tapu Lele a big problem for Master League mainstays like Palkia, Dialga, and Zygarde. Which means this is also a fantastic team mate for Black Kyurem.

Finally, round out this package is Landorus (Therian), which helps pick off some of the other possible opponents like Rhyperior, Xerneas, and Dusk Mane Necrozma.

Here you want to run the Fast Move Mud Shot, which you can spam for quick charge. Then, back this up with STAB-boosted Sandsear Storm, and round out the package with the rock-type move Stone Edge which is a death sentence for Ho-Oh.

This team’s best moves, IVs, and alternative suggestions

• Kyurem (Black) alternatives: Palkia (Origin), Kyurem, and Baxcalibur
• Tapu Lele alternatives: Meloetta (Aria), Solgaleo, and Gardevoir (Shadow)
• Landorus (Therian) alternatives: Rhyperior, Groudon, and Swampert (Shadow)

Palkia (Origin), Solgaleo, and Ho-Oh

While a lot of things have shifted in Master League, Palkia (Origin) is still possibly the best Pokémon in the game. It balances a truly fearsome Attack stat with admirable Defence and some pretty good defensive typing.

The Fast Move Dragon Breath quickly puts pressure on huge threats like Zygarde (Complete Form) which is one of Palkia’s main competitors. Then, back this up with the STAB-boosted power of Aqua Tail to mop up opponents like Ho-Oh and Rhyperior.

While having the Charged Move Spacial Rend doesn’t offer the best type coverage, it is still likely the best option for that final slot because it hits like a sledgehammer. Overall, Palkia (Origin) is still the champ of hitting hard, and hitting fast, so either get one or learn how to beat one.

Next up is Solgaleo, who is a reaction to a reaction. With the Kyurem fusions joining the Origin forms of Dialga and Palkia at the top of the Pokémon pops, fairy-type counters have become invaluable. Thankfully, Solgaleo is a fairy-type Pokémon’s worst nightmare.

Being dual psychic- and steel-type gives Solgaleo a huge ten different resistances, which means it is fantastic for your second pick as it can potentially switch in and wall most Pokémon. Plus with well-rounded defensive stats, Solgaleo has a very good chance of staying in the game.

The Fast Move Fire Spin means trouble for Dialga (Origin), and then the Charged Move Psychic Fands is just a great use of STAB and offensive power. Finally, Iron Head is your fairy-bashing bonus, allowing Solgaleo to quickly dispatch of massive threats like Zacian, Enamorus, and Xerneas.

Rounding out this package is the stalwart threat Ho-Oh, whom you can run in either its regular or Shadow form depending on your preference. Naturally, pick Shadow to focus on offense, or keep the normal form to keep some of those stats in Defence.

Similar to Solgaleo, Ho-Oh has a bunch of resistances, and great bulk to back it all up. Use Fast Move Incinerate to quickly deal damage to Pokémon like Tapu Bulu, and similarly the Charged Move Sacred Fire is a fantastic signature move that is Ho-Oh’s greatest tool.

Filling up the move slots is Brave Bird, another smart use of STAB and helps to reach some other threats like Marshadow, Zamazenta, and Annihilape. With Pokémon Go hosting a Shadow Ho-Oh Raid Day in early 2025, with any luck you have a powerful one already waiting in the wings.

This team’s best moves, IVs, and alternative suggestions:

• Palkia (Origin) alternatives: Palkia (Shadow), Gyarados (Shadow), and Goodra
• Solgaleo alternatives: Heatran, Metagross, and Dialga (Origin)
• Ho-Oh alternatives: Skeledirge, Talonflame, Moltres (Shadow)

Non-Legendary best Master League team

A balanced Master League squad focuses on sturdy HP, solid bulk, and strong typings to counter popular Meta picks. Key roles include a reliable lead with high neutral damage, a bulky tank to soak hits, and a closer who can safely finish battles. Pair your core with versatile options that handle common threats, maintain energy, and preserve switch advantage to keep control of the match.

Not everyone wants to spend money on Pokémon Go raids. Or, you just may have missed some of the most important raids or Special research tasks over the years. So, if you want to jump into competitive but don’t quite have the elusive Legendary you need, here’s a team of Pokémon where most players can catch ’em all:

• Florges, Rhyperior, Shadow Gyarados

The humble Flabebe may not look like much, but it’s evolution Florges has been making huge waves in the competitive scene thanks to STAB Fairy-type moves and access to lots of Grass moves as well. Charged move Moonblast, meanwhile, is a huge problem for Pokémon like Zygarde, Yvetal, and Palkia.

You might be surprised at Florges’ bulk as well, which make it a great alternative to Xerneas if you don’t have access to the Legendary stag. It does not match up well against Dusk mane Necrozma, or Ho-Oh, but it’s still likely the best Fairy-type Attacker in the game.

What can be said about Rhyperior, the little rhino that could. It has consistently made a space for itself in the top of the competitive scene, you’ll just need a lot of XL Candy to get it to the CP cap needed. High attack, great type-coverage, and the powerful move Rock Wrecker make this a real threat. Though, if you don’t already have it, Rock Wrecker will require an Elite TM.

The reason Rhyperior is seen so much in Go Battle League is partly because it’s easy to build, but also because Ground-type is one of the best offensive types. Meanwhile, the STAB power of Rock Wrecker can wipe out an Yvetal before it’s had a chance. Of course, it has a huge weakness to Water-type moves, which is why you generally always need either a Water-type Pokémon or at least a Grass-type. Rhyperior is always waiting in the wings.

Yes, Gyarados is here mostly because of Rhyperior. However, Shadow Gyarados has access to Dragon Breath, Aqua Tail, and Crunch. Dragon Breath is great for threats like Dialga. Crunch can hit Psychic-type Pokémon like Dusk Mane Necrozma, and of course Aqua Tail uses that powerful STAB damage to wipe out Rhyperior, Zygarde, and Landorus.

The reason for Shadow over the regular here is because of the additional Attack power, which will really push moves like Aqua Tail over the edge. If you don’t have a Shadow Magikarp or Gyarados, you can run the regular Gyarados or some other picks for your third slot could easily be Primarina, Feraligatr, or even Swampert.

This team’s best moves, IVs, and alternative suggestions:

In summary – Master League can be really fun if you have the Pokémon, but to make competitively viable, you will have to invest a lot of Candy XL, or Rare Candy XL. Almost every Pokémon ideally needs to be at their CP limit, so on top of using Candy XL, it’s beneficial to be as high a Trainer Level as possible and to make your biggest threat (say Zygarde) a Best Buddy and your current Buddy for the CP boost.

On top of that, while other leagues are more forgiving with IVs, such as Great League where it’s better to have 0 Attack but high Defence and HP, Master League demands the best. You are almost always aiming for a Perfect IV Pokémon (you can use the search string ‘4*’ in Pokémon Go to find your perfect IV Pokémon), or if not, then as near as possible

Best Master League team comps with Dialga and Palkia

Dialga and Palkia form a strong core for Master League teams in Pokémon Go due to their Steel/Dragon typing, high bulk, and versatile movesets that pressure common meta threats like Zygarde and Zacian. Recent guides emphasize pairing them with switches or closers that cover their shared Dragon and Fighting weaknesses.​

Dialga Core Teams

Dialga (with Dragon Breath, Iron Head, and Draco Meteor) excels as a lead or anchor, resisting Fairies and Dragons while baiting counters.

• Dialga, Kyogre/Giratina-O, Melmetal: Kyogre handles Grounds and Fires; Giratina-O or Melmetal walls Waters and Fighters; double Steel backline overwhelms after drawing threats.​

• Dialga, Mewtwo/Yveltal, Kyogre/Groudon: Mewtwo or Yveltal safe-swaps against Steels; Kyogre/Groudon covers Dialga’s Ground and Fighting flaws with Water/Ground pressure.​

• Origin Forme Dialga, Zygarde (Complete), Landorus (Therian): Zygarde adds bulk vs. Dragons; Landorus sweeps Steels and Electrics for synergy.​

Palkia Core Teams

Palkia (Origin Forme XL with Dragon Breath, Aqua Tail, Spacial Rend) shines as a charger, topping PvPoke rankings for its anti-Steel output.​

• Palkia (Origin), Solgaleo, Ho-Oh: Solgaleo counters Dragons and Fairies with Fire/Psychic; Ho-Oh resists Fighters and provides Flying coverage.​

• Palkia, Excadrill, Lugia: Excadrill beats Dialga and Togekiss; Lugia acts as a bulky safe swap against Dragons.​

Synergy Tips

Both Pokémon struggle against strong Fighting or Dragon leads, so prioritize XL builds at level 50 and practice farming energy on shields. Use PvPoke simulations for local meta tweaks, as teams evolve with balance patches.​

Best team comps pairing Dialga with Zekrom or Kyogre in Master League

Dialga pairs effectively with Zekrom or Kyogre in Pokémon Go Master League teams, leveraging its Steel/Dragon bulk to wall Fairies and Dragons while partners cover its Ground and Fighting weaknesses.​​

Dialga + Kyogre Teams

Kyogre counters Excadrill, Melmetal, and Grounds that threaten Dialga, often using Waterfall/Surf/Origin Pulse for Water pressure.

• Mewtwo/Yveltal (lead), Dialga, Kyogre: Mewtwo or Yveltal safe-swaps to bait shields; Dialga anchors mid-game; Kyogre cleans up Steels and Fires.​​

• Kyogre (lead), Dialga (switch), Togekiss/Floges: Kyogre pressures meta leads; Dialga farms energy post-swap; Togekiss handles Dragons.​​

• Lugia, Dialga, Kyogre: Lugia leads with Dragon Tail for bulk; Dialga resists Steels; Kyogre sweeps Fighters and Grounds.​

Dialga + Zekrom Teams

Zekrom (Charge Beam/Wild Charge/Fusion Bolt) provides Electric/Dragon coverage against Waters and Flyers, acting as a strong switch or closer.​

• Mewtwo (lead), Zekrom (switch), Origin Dialga (closer): Mewtwo draws shields; Zekrom baits and pressures; Dialga closes with Iron Head/Draco Meteor.​

• Origin Dialga, Zekrom, Landorus-T: Dialga leads; Zekrom swaps vs. Waters; Landorus covers Poisons and Electrics.​

Strategy Notes

Prioritize Dialga’s Dragon Breath/Iron Head/Draco Meteor moveset at level 50 XL; shield Kyogre/Zekrom’s Charged moves to force unfavorable opponent switches. Test on PvPoke for current meta tweaks.​