The Great League tier list in Pokémon Go – December 2022
The best Pokémon to use in the Great League Pokémon Go meta.

Image via Niantic
The Great League returns to Pokémon Go at the start of the Season of Light. Here, you will have a chance to face off against multiple trainers as you test out some of the best Pokémon combinations you can use, especially with multiple Pokémon receiving new moves and several attacks receiving some balance changes. This guide will cover the Battle League Great League tier list for Pokémon Go for the Season of Light.
Great league tier list
You can use any Pokémon in this category, so long as they do not exceed 1,500 CP.
Related: Best teams for the Great League in Pokémon Go
Lead tier list
The Pokémon in your lead spot will be the first one you use in battle. Therefore, you want to make sure they’re a bulky option, capable of handling whatever Pokémon type your opponent can throw at you during these battles.
Tier | Pokémon |
S | Charizard (shadow), Luxray, Medicham, Pidgeot, Scrafty, Sneasler, Swampert, and Trevenant |
A | Alolan Marowak, Altaria, Golbat, Kommo-o, Lickitung, Machamp, Mantine, and Togedemaru |
B | Alolan Ninetales, Aurorus, Diggersby, Gliscor, Magnezone (Shadow), Primeape, Walrein, and Registeel |
C | Obstagoon, Sirfetch’d, Lurantis, Overqwil, Vigoroth, Bewear, Gourgeist (Super) |
D | Alolan Ninetales, Buzzwole, Gardevoir (Shadow), Jellicent, Pachirisu, Tapu Fini, Tropius, and Whishcash |
You want to pick a suitable Lead Pokémon that will catch your opponent off guard and make sure they deal plenty of damage, but they also need to take a few punches. You want to avoid having any glass cannons in this role and use at least one shield for them.
Switch tier list
These will be the ideal switch Pokémon. These are normally in your second or third slot and will be the Pokémon you swap out when using your first or final Pokémon to protect against specific counters for your team.
Tier | Pokémon |
S | Gliscor, Lickitung, Medicham, Pelipper, Noctowl Trevenant, Walrein (shadow), and Zangoose |
A | Beedrill (Shadow), Diggersby, Galvantula, Sableye (Shadow), Samurott, Sneasler, Snorlax, and Vigoroth |
B | Araquanid, Bewear, Froslass, Hisuian Qwilfish, Lurantis, Machamp (Shadow), Overqwil, and Scrafty |
C | Blastoise, Gyarados (Shadow), Linoone, Lucario, Luxray (Shadow), Primeape, Regirock, and Sirfetch’d |
D | Abomasnow, Alolan Marowak, Cresselia, Drapion (Shadow), Gallade, Gliscor, Lapras, and Tapu Fini |
The Switch Pokémon will be the one causing quite a bit of damage that you can swap to prevent your Lead or Closer Pokémon from taking an attack. If you’re trying to save your Lead Pokémon from fainting from a straight battle, you can move your Switch Pokémon on, and they can do some serious damage. You want to reserve at least one shield for this choice or two if you’re more comfortable with your bulky Lead Pokémon.
Closer tier list
The Pokémon in the Closer position in your Battle League team will be the final Pokémon you use against your opponent. It needs to be a hybrid of being a bulky Pokémon and has enough power to defeat the final choice of your opponent.
Tier | Pokémon |
S | Altaria, Azumarill, Electivire (Shadow), Galarian Stunfisk, Regirock, Registeel, Skarmory, and Trevenant |
A | Bastiodon, Cofagrigus, Diggersby, Hitmontop, Magnezone (Shadow), Raikou, Regice, and Swampert |
B | Buzzwole, Defense Forme Deoxys, Falinks, Froslass, Medicham, Meganium, Quagsire (Shadow), and Sneasler |
C | Chesnaught, Cresselia, Escavalier, Excadrill, Lickitung, Steelix, Tapu Fini, and Venusaur |
D | Hariyama, Kommo-o, Ludicolo, Lurantis, Magcargo, Mandibuzz, Talonflame, and Umbreon |
Your Closer Pokémon will want to have a high amount of defense and stamina, but you don’t want to forget about making sure they have a decent amount of attack power, either. That’s what makes Registeel, Regice, and Regirock some of the best Pokémon to fill this role. They’re incredibly robust and have a good series of charged attacks to destroy opponents. In addition, your Closer Pokémon should not require any shields to be useful.