When you’re trying to figure out how to build your Pokémon team in Pokémon Go, you have a lot of options available to you. The Ultra League meta changes just a bit every season, and in Season 7, you can expect plenty of Pokémon that you normally saw in the Great League. More trainers have been able to acquire XL candy, increasing a Pokémon’s overall strength and enhancing them even further. Now, Pokémon you normally battle against in the Great League had transferred over into the Ultra League. You’ll have to rethink the Pokémon teams you previously used in Season 6. But these changes also mean you have the chance to bring some of your favorites over, so long as you have enough XL candy for that Pokémon.
The Season 7 Ultra League battles will happen from March 15 to March 29 in Pokémon Go. You have to use Pokémon that does not exceed the 2,500 CP cap.
Best Pokémon in the Ultra League
Abomasnow (XL)
Abomasnow has risen in the ranks for the Ultra League, and it’s become much more widely used by all trainers due to the addition of its mega evolved form. Not only can you reliably use it in five-star raids against some of the toughest legendary Pokémon, but it’s a strong Pokémon in the Ultra League. It’s a Grass and Ice-type, so that it will be extremely weak to any Fire-type moves or Pokémon. We recommend making sure you pair it with a Rock or Water-type Pokémon or a Pokémon capable of countering any of those choices.
Alolan Muk
Alolan Muk is another standard Pokémon in the Ultra League. It’s capable of taking on Cresselia, Melmetal, Giratina (Altered), and Togekiss, making it a widely used Pokémon capable of defeating some of the relatively high-quality teams in the Ultra League meta. Because Alolan Muk can counter Cresselia and Melmetal, we recommend, if you have it, to make sure you use it as a switch Pokémon. It has the potential to be a lead option, but it doesn’t have the best attack. It’s good to counter specific choices, so create a weak team to these two or similar options.
Gyarados
Everyone loves Gyarados, both in the Ultra League and the Master League. It’s far more likely to see Gyarados in the Master League, but if you’re using it alongside other Ultra League options, it won’t let you down. You want to use to take down most Charizard, Poliwrath, and Swampert. However, because you’re kneecapping its stats in the Ultra League, we highly recommend using it in the Master League meta, especially if you have an XL Lapras.
Lapras (XL)
For players who have been catching Lapras left and right for several years, now is the time to use your best one and level it up using XL candy. An XL Lapras is great for the Ultra League and nearly tops the charts as a great choice. Unfortunately, you also have to couple it with its exclusive moves, the fast move ice shard, and the charged move ice beam, to truly succeed. It’s a huge investment, but if you want an Ice or Water-type Pokémon in the Ultra League, Lapras makes for a solid choice.
Machamp
If you were lucky enough to catch a Machop and level it up into a Machamp during its Community Day, then you should have a Machamp that knows payback. You can use this Pokémon in the Ultra or Master Leagues, but the move payback will make the most sense in the Ultra League. You’ll be able to take on Swampert, Melmetal, Obstagoon, and Escavalier with Machamp, making it a worthwhile Pokémon to round out your team. It’s a fairly easy Pokémon to get your hands on, too, given the frequency of Machop spawns in Pokémon Go.
Obstagoon
When Obstagoon was initially announced to come to Pokémon Go, it was a mixed bag. It took several months for players to find their groove with the Pokémon, but after all this time, it’s become a solid fighter in the Ultra League. We highly recommend using it if you don’t access to an XL Umbreon. However, it’s more of a budget Pokémon capable of fighting most of the Water-type Pokémon in this league.
Perrserker (XL)
For those who have been catching Meowths left and right, you might have enough XL candy to level up a Perrserker. This Pokémon is not normally seen as an Ultra League fighter, but if you use one powered up with XL candy, the story changes, and it becomes a much more worthwhile option. It can take on Giratina (Altered), Cresslia, and Articuno in the Ultra League. It’s a good lead Pokémon to be the first out on your team.
Umbreon (XL)
A defensive Pokémon ready to compete in the Ultra League is Umbreon. We highly recommend level it up using XL candy, making it a sturdy Pokémon that can take on nearly every heavy-hitting legendary Pokémon in the Ultra League. It’s a fantastic lead Pokémon and is capable of doing reliable damage in most encounters. It is countered by Togekiss and Lapras, though.
Talonflame (XL)
Talonflame has become a new favorite for all players. The Pokémon received a March Community Day, and with it, the Fire-type incinerate fast move. This new move has made it a fantastic fighter in both the Great and Ultra Leagues. If you have a standard Talonflame, you probably want to keep it in the Great League. However, if you’re able to gather up enough XL candy to level it up for the Ultra League, then you can have a new flagship Pokémon lead the charge in nearly every battle.
