Pokémon GO is still more alive than ever, maintaining its relevance as one of the most successful mobile titles in history. Its unique formula of exploration, collecting, and combat has managed to hook millions of Trainers, both new and experienced. In this article, you'll discover the best attacks and Pokémon to win battles with an ever-changing strategic perspective. You'll learn how to structure your team, choose the most effective moves, and make the most of every encounter, both in PvP and in Gyms and Raids.
Before we get into the tactical details, if you are new or playing solo, remember that Playing as a team enhances your experience. You Search for Pokémon GO Telegram groups and thus expand your circle of friends, find raid partners, and share essential information in real time.
Pokémon GO Battle Basics: Fast Attacks, Charged Attacks, and Types
The Pokémon GO battle system is based on two types of movements per Pokémon: quick attacks y charged attacksThe key to mastering any battle lies in understanding their differences and optimizing their use based on the game mode (GO Battle League, Raids, Gyms) and the strategic objective (attacking, defending, or participating in PvP).
- Quick Attacks: These are the basic moves you perform by tapping the screen. They serve both to deal continuous damage and to generate energy for charged attacks. Different quick attacks generate energy at different rates, and each one deals specific damage.
- Charged attacks: They activate once you've built up enough energy with quick attacks. These moves can cause large amounts of damage or trigger secondary effects, such as stat boosts or debuffs. In Trainer battles, they're often the deciding factor in a matchup.
An essential aspect is the synergy between the two. An efficient fast attack should generate energy quickly. so you can execute charged attacks more frequently, forcing your opponent to use up protective shields or fall quickly.
Types, damage and energy generation
Every Pokémon and every attack has a type: Water, Grass, Dragon, Steel, Fairy, Dark, and others. Using moves of a super-effective type against your opponent can make all the difference. Additionally, attacks that match the Pokémon's own type benefit from the attack. same type attack bonus (STAB), which increases its damage.
- When looking at an attack's information, look at its power (damage), energy generation rate, and the number of bars (one or two). Charged attacks with two bars typically require less energy and are faster, although they do less maximum damage.
- Remember that some Pokémon can have up to two charged attacks different, adding flexibility and coverage against various threats.
Strategic advantages of a second charged attack
The ability to teach a Pokémon a second Charged Attack is worth the Stardust and Candy investment, especially in PvP battles. This allows you to:
- Counteracting weaknesses of your own Pokémon.
- Using a low-cost move to force the opponent to use their shields and then finishing them off with your strongest attack.
- Create unpredictable and surprising combinations, complicating your opponent's strategies.
To select your second attack, look for ones that are "bait and switch" (fast and cheap) and others that cover typical weaknesses of your preferred species. For example, Swampert typically uses Hydro Cannon and Earthquake, but can learn Toxic Shock to surprise Plant targets.
Importance of protective shields and Pokémon switching
In GO Battle League, the management of protective shields It's essential. You have two Pokémon per battle, and using them correctly often decides victory. Plus, switching Pokémon at the right time allows you to avoid opponents' Charged Attacks and take advantage of type advantages.
Best Pokémon by Type: Choice, Utility, and Featured Moves
Pokémon are grouped by type, and each type has its own unique attributes for attacking and defending. Below, we'll review the most powerful Pokémon in each category and their primary purpose. We also include recommendations on the most iconic Fast and Charged Attacks for each type, a determining factor according to the best specialized sources:
| Use cases | Best Pokémon | Best use | Best Attacks (Quick/Charged) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Blissey, Snorlax, Slaking | Defender | Whip, Hyperbeam/Seismic Motion |
| Fight | Lucario, Conkeldurr, Machamp | Attack | Counterattack, Dynamic Punch/Point-Blank |
| Flying | Rayquaza, Honchkrow, Moltres | Attack | Wing Attack, Flight/Air Strike |
| Veneno | Roserade, Toxicroak | Attack and defend | Noxious Jab, Mud Bomb/Grime Lance |
| Rock | Tyranitar, Terrakion, Rampardos | Attack and defend | Anti-aircraft, Sharp Rock/Avalanche |
| Bug | Pinsir, Scizor, Yanmega | Attack and defend | Fury Cut, Scissor X |
| Ghost | Giratina, Chandelure, Gengar | Attack and defend | Shadow Claw, Shadow Ball/Shadow Punch |
| Maple | Metagross, Dialga, Excadrill | Attack and defend | Pure Metal, Meteor Fist/Iron Head |
| Fuego | Darmanitan, Entei, Moltres | Attack | Fire Spin, Flashover/Flare |
| Water | Kyogre, Swampert, Gyarados | Attack and defend | Waterfall, Hydropulse/Hydrocannon |
| Plant | Roserade, Alolan Exeggutor, Tangrowth | Attack and defend | Vine Whip, Sunbeam/Fierce Plant |
| Electric | Raikou, Electivire, Zapdos | Attack and defend | Thundershock, Thunder/Lightning |
| Psychic | Mewtwo, Metagross, Latios | Attack and defend | Confusion, Mental Wave/Psychic |
| Ice | Mamoswine, Weavile, Glaceon | Attack and defend | Powder Snow, Avalanche/Blizzard |
| Dragon | Rayquaza, Palkia, Garchomp | Attack and defend | Dragon Breath, Dragon Comet/Anger |
| Sinister | Darkrai, Hydreigon, Tyranitar | Attack | Quick Attack, Dark Pulse/Foul Play |
| Fairy | Togekiss, Gardevoir, Granbull | Attack and defend | Charm, Magical Shine/Moon Force |
These attacks stood out in simulations and damage per second (DPS) analyses from various sources, so Setting up your Pokémon with these moves is crucial to maximize performance in any fight.
Ranking: The 10 best attacking Pokémon in Pokémon GO
Below, discover the top Pokémon to attack with in different modes, taking into account their flexibility, type coverage, and attack stats:
| Pokémon | Better against | main reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Mewtwo | Virtually all | It stands out as all terrain with extremely high attack and an excellent combination of movements, including Confusion and Mental Wave, with access to secondary attacks such as Shadow Ball and Ice Beam for coverage. |
| Rayquaza | All except Fairy and Ice | Great pairing of moves and massive attack statistics, ideal for dealing with dragons and plants. Dragon Breath and Dragon Comet increase its lethality. |
| Dragonite | Many types | Its solidity and damage output make it optimal in most scenarios, with Dragon Breath and Rage being its standout attacks. |
| Garchomp | Many types | A unique combination of Dragon and Ground, it covers a variety of threats. It excels with Mud Shot as a fast attack and Ground Surge or Rage as charged attacks. |
| Tyranitar | Spread spectrum | Excellent offense with Bite and Crush, plus access to Razor Rock for coverage against flyers. |
| mamoswine | Flying, ground and dragon | Its Ice/Ground typing and moves like Powder Snow and Avalanche make it ideal against popular Dragon and Flying types in Gyms. |
| darmanitan | Grass, Steel and Ice | One of the most powerful Fire attackers thanks to Fire Spin and Smother. |
| Kyogre | Fire, Rock and Earth | Impressive Water-type attacker with Waterfall and Hydro Pump as a lethal combination. |
| Lucario | Dark, Ice, Normal, Rock, Steel | The most versatile fighter with Counter and Power-Up Punch, capable of priming shields and rampaging in PvP. |
| Raikou | Flying and Water | It shines for its access to Thunder Shock and Cruel Volt, maximizing aerial and water damage. |
The key is to combine the best set of fast and charged attacks in each case and consider adding a second attack to counter new threats in the meta.
The 10 Best Defending Pokémon in Pokémon GO
When defending a gym or your position in PvP, these Pokémon are the most recommended for their durability, coverage, and wear potential:
| Pokémon | Better against | main reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Blissey | Almost every | Her enormous durability and high HP make her the greatest barrier to any attacker. The combination of Whip and Hyper Beam is difficult to overcome. |
| metagross | Multiple tipos | It offers defensive and offensive solidity, especially with Meteor Punch and Bullet Punch. |
| Snorlax | Almost every | Robust alternative to Blissey, especially useful with Licker and Earthquake or Hyper Beam. |
| slacking | Almost every | Its durability deters prolonged attacks, especially when in gyms alongside Blissey and Snorlax. |
| Milotic | Dragons | Excellent for stopping Dragon attacks thanks to Dragon Tail and Surf. |
| Dragonite | machamp | With Dragon Breath and Rage, it is optimal for stopping Fighting-type attackers thanks to its double resistance. |
| Togekiss | Various types | Very durable in any league, especially with Charm and Magical Shine. |
| Gyarados | Electric | Cascade and Shred provide ample defensive coverage. |
| exeggutor | Electric, Rock and Plant | Vine Whip and Psychic allow you to resist and counter specific threats. |
| Charizard | Plant and Dragon | Fire Spin and Fire Ring show great strength in defending against Plant or Dragon attacks. |
The secret to optimal defense lies in the diversity of types in the gym and the combination of less predictable movements.
Advanced Guide: Best Fast and Charged Attacks for Each Type
Selecting the best attack for each type can make the difference between losing and winning. This list summarizes the moves with the highest DPS and energy efficiency:
- Normal: Quick: Whip; Charged: Hyper Beam.
- Fight: Quick: Counterattack; Charged: Dynamic Punch.
- Flying: Quick: Wing Attack; Charged: Flight.
- Poison: Fast: Harmful Jab; Charged: Mud Bomb.
- Earth: Rapid: Mud Shot; Charged: Earthquake.
- Rock: Fast: Anti-aircraft; Charged: Avalanche.
- Bug: Quick: Sting; Charged: Scissor X.
- Ghost: Quick: Shadow Claw; Charged: Shadow Ball.
- Steel: Quick: Bullet Punch; Charged: Meteor Punch.
- Fire: Quick: Fire Spin; Charged: Smother.
- Water: Rapid: Waterfall; Charged: Hydrocannon.
- Plant: Quick: Vine Whip; Charged: Ferocious Plant.
- Electric: Fast: Thundershock; Charged: Cruel Volt.
- Psychic: Fast: Confusion; Charged: Mental Wave.
- Ice: Fast: Powder Snow; Heavy: Avalanche.
- Dragon: Fast: Dragon Breath; Charged: Dragon Comet.
- Sinister: Quick: Scream; Charged: Shadow Pulse.
- Fairy: Quick: Charm; Charged: Magical Shine.
Combining these attacks, selecting those with the highest DPS and lowest energy costs, will allow you to get the most out of your Pokémon in defense, offense, and in the different leagues.
Expert Tips: Strategy, Team Composition, and Resource Management
Beyond choosing the right Pokémon and moves, your victory depends on knowing compose balanced teams and anticipate your opponent's moves. Here are some helpful tips directly inspired by the top players in the competition:
- Form teams that cover each other's weaknessesA classic combination is Water, Grass, and Fire; or Dragon, Steel, and Fairy.
- Make sure your Pokémon have complementary types and moves to cover the widest variety of situations.
- Consider investing in a second charged attack only on species that prove useful in multiple game modes (e.g., PvP and PvE). You can also learn more about strategies in Pokémon Showdown.
- Prioritize power-ups only for Pokémon with proven high offensive and defensive potential.
- Manage your business intelligently protective shields. Don't spend them early unless the active Pokémon is vital to defeating the rest of the enemy team.
- Master strategic switching to avoid dangerous charged attacks or seek better type matchups.
- Remember that some not-fully-evolved Pokémon can be useful in low-CP leagues, thanks to surprising moves or unexpected combinations.
PvP Leagues: Adapting Your Attacks and Pokémon to the Format
In the GO Battle League there are three major formats classified according to the maximum CP allowed:
- Super Ball League: Maximum CP 1500. Favors less common Pokémon and opens the door to unconventional strategies.
- Ultra Ball League: Maximum CP 2500. Greater versatility in Pokémon selection and use of favorites that often fall short in the Master.
- Master Ball League: No CP limit. Legendary Pokémon and fully evolved Pokémon with improved overall stats reign supreme.
Tailor your composition to the format, prioritizing super-effective types and moves against the most popular Pokémon in each league. Keep an eye out for events like Community Day to earn exclusive moves.
Shadow Pokémon and their impact on battles
The Dark pokemon (rescued from Team GO Rocket) inflict more damage both in Quick Attack and Charge Attack, at the cost of taking more damage. They're especially useful in scenarios where offense is key, though you should be cautious when using them defensively. A Shadow Mewtwo, for example, can make a difference in raids and special events thanks to its increased damage potential.
Tools and resources to optimize your team
Not all players have the ideal Pokémon or the resources needed to maximize moves and EVs. There are free tools and applications that can help you analyze your possibilities:
- pokebattler: A free app for iOS and Android. It lets you input your Pokémon collection and level to offer optimal strategies for your opponent, simulating both raids and PvP battles. The free version is very comprehensive, and you can unlock upgrades through in-app purchases.
- Damage calculators and PvP ranking toolsSites like PvPoke and Pokémon GameInfo allow you to analyze the best attack combinations, simulate matchups, and suggest optimal moves for each format. They're helpful for deciding which Pokémon to invest Stardust in and choosing second Charged Moves.
- Communities like Telegram, Discord and specialized forums: They allow you to share experiences, coordinate raids, and learn firsthand about meta adaptations and recommended movements based on updates.
If you are interested in downloading Pokebattler on your device:
Common mistakes to avoid in combat
- Not varying the combination of types and attacks on your team, making you predictable against experienced opponents.
- Missing the second charged attack option on key Pokémon.
- Impulsively spending protective shields.
- Ignore event-exclusive moves like Ferocious Plant, Hydro Cannon, or Meteor Punch, many of which are more effective than normal attacks.
- Don't adapt your team after losing battles; continuous learning is key to progressing in the GO Battle League.
Updates and adaptability: how to stay competitive
The metagame and best moves in Pokémon GO are constantly evolving, so it's a good idea to:
- Check for updates on official sites or specialized guides after each patch.
- Actively participate in communities to learn firsthand about the changes in move rankings and featured Pokémon by format.
- Do not overinvest Stardust before ensuring the viability of the selected Pokémon in the current meta.
Constantly preparing, experimenting with new strategies, and taking advantage of events will allow you to stay among the elite of Trainers and enjoy the experience to the fullest.
Mastering the best moves and team composition in Pokémon GO requires dedication, analysis, and adaptability. Use all the information and tips we provide to build strong teams, take advantage of move and type synergies, and don't neglect the element of surprise and efficient resource management. With each battle, you'll learn to be more competitive and, above all, enjoy a game that combines strategy and adventure at every turn.
