The Master League PvP competition returns to Pokémon Go for trainers to use their most powerful Pokémon against other players. The majority of the Pokémon you’re going to be fighting in this competition will be made up of choices that are being boosted by XL Candy, so you can expect to bring plenty of your own, along with several legendary Pokémon from countless five-star raids. We’ve listed out a handful of the best Pokémon teams you can use in the Master League, but we’re going to be detailing the overall tier list for many Pokémon that you can be used for the Lead, Switch, and Closer roles for your Pokémon team.
This Master League battle bracket will be available from November 9 to 22. This guide details a tier list of the best Lead, Switch, and Closer Pokémon you can use on your team for these battles.
The Master League tier list
Lead tier list
The Lead Pokémon on your team is going to be the first one you use against your opponent. Naturally, you want to make sure it has a decent amount of defenses, but it also has to be powerful enough to defeat at least one Pokémon. These are some of the best Lead Pokémon you can use in the Master League.
| Tier | Pokémon |
| S | Dialga, Groudon, Ho-Oh, Lugia, Mamoswine, Melmetal, Mewtwo (Shadow), Snorlax (Shadow), and Yveltal |
| A | Dragonite, Excadrill, Genesect (Burn), Giratina (Altered), Gyarados, Magnezone (Shadow), Togekiss, Zamzenta (hero), and Zapdos |
| B | Kyogre, Kyurem, Landorus (Therian), Moltres, Metagross, Reshiram, Sylveon, and Zacian (Hero) |
| C | Garchomp, Gardevoir, Genesect (Douse), Goodra, Latios, Regirock, Rhyperior, Swampert, and Tyranitar (Shadow) |
| D | Charizard, Cobalion, Darkrai, Electivire, Gengar, Hippowdon, Lapras (Shadow), Machamp (Shadow), and Meloetta (Aria) |
Your Lead Pokémon will probably want at least one shield dedicated to it, but if you can get by without using one, that’s just as good. Hopefully, this Pokémon can eliminate at least one from your opponent’s team.
Switch tier list
The Switch Pokémon on your team will swap out with your Lead Pokémon when a counter Pokémon fights it. If your Pokémon swaps to counter your Lead Pokémon, you swap for your Switch and use them. This Pokémon typically has far more attack power than any defenses, making it a glass cannon. These are some of the best Switch Pokémon you can use in the Master League.
| Tier | Pokémon |
| S | Dialga, Groudon, Gyarados, Landorus (Incarnate), Lugia, Mamoswine, Reshiram, Zacian (Hero), and Zekrom |
| A | Articuno (Shadow), Excadrill, Gengar, Milotic, Palkia, Porygon-Z, Regice, Snorlax, and Yveltal |
| B | Beartic, Lapras, Metagross, Mew, Moltres, Milotic, Suicune, Thundurus (Incarnate), and Zekrom |
| C | Arcanine (Shadow), Cloyster, Cresselia, Dragonite (Shadow), Heatran, Regirock, Roserade, Scizor (Shadow), Tangrowth, and Vaporeon |
| D | Gliscor, Drapion, Muk (Shadow), Mr. Rime, Bouffalant, Escavalier, Entei, Lapras, and Lickilicky |
The Switch Pokémon will require the most shields of all of the Pokémon on your team. They sometimes only need one, but don’t be afraid to reserve both shields for this Pokémon if you can make it work.
Closer tier list
The Closer Pokémon on your team will be the final Pokémon on your team that you use against your opponent. This one will probably have the highest amount of defenses, but they still want a decent amount of attack power to eliminate the final Pokémon your opponent is using. These are some of the best Closer Pokémon you can use in the Master League.
| Tier | Pokémon |
| S | Dialga, Giratina (Origin), Ho-Oh (Shadow), Melmetal, Metagross, Mewtwo, Raikou (Shadow), Yveltal, and Zekrom |
| A | Conkeldurr, Garchomp, Giratina (Origin), Gyarados (Shadow), Palkia, Regirock, Sylveon, Togekiss, and Zacian (Hero) |
| B | Electivire (Shadow), Heracross, Krookodile, Porygon-Z, Rayquaza, Raikou, Snorlax (Shadow), Xerneas, and Zamazenta (Hero) |
| C | Heatran, Hydreigon, Krookodile, Machamp (Shadow), Meloetta (Aria), Regigigas, Registeel, Ursaring (Shadow), Weavile (Shadow) |
| D | Braviary, Gigalith, Hariyama (Shadow), Latias, Milotic, Rhyperior, Salamence, Sirfetch’d, and Suicune (Shadow) |
The Closer Pokémon usually does not want any shields given to it, so make sure to use both of them on your Lead and Switch Pokémon. The Closer will be the final Pokémon standing on your side.
