Players ofPokemon GOcan take theWeather Cupas an example of a thrilling endgame mode to test their mettle against other Trainers in the hit ARG. The Weather Cup inPokemon GOworks similarly to other tournament formats in how the Cup imposes specific penalties that all participants need to follow. In the case of the Weather Cup, players need to maintain a three-Pokemon team within these Type restrictions: Fire, Ice, Rock, and Water.
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While some might think these restrictions are a bother, some players consider this caveat an exciting challenge to try and overcome with their available selection of Pokemon. And for both newcomers and veterans entering the Weather Cup, here are the most suitable Pokemon Teams out there.
Best Teams for the Pokemon GO Weather Cup
The Meta Sampler (Swampert, Toxapex, Cradily)
Thanks to the sheer firepower ofSwampert, it is easily considered one of the best meta options, especially with how it can dominate most other types with the right arsenal. However, opponents will likely prepare ways of dealing with Swampert on the player’s team, withMeta Samplerbeing an ideal way of protecting Swampert from immediate danger.
As a frontliner, Swampert is a great way of easily dominating foes should they come ill-prepared to face the powerhouse. And even if players come across a Pelipper or another anti-Swampert, a switch toToxapexshould be able to deal with these threats.Cradily,as a last resort, will still give players a shot against whatever defeated Toxapex and Swampert since Cradily is built precisely to neutralize Grass-Types, the type most likely to eliminate Swampert.
Snowy Setup (Lanturn, Abomasnow, Araquanid)
ALanturnon the lead of a team is a natural expectation inthePokemon GOmetafor the Weather Cup due to its sheer ferocity in most match-ups. Lanturn should theoretically have a shot against almost anyone the Weather Cup can throw at it, save for Grass-types and Ground-types that can demolish this powerhouse.
In that regard, a team likeSnowy Setupsecures the Lanturn’s defense with bulkierAbomasnowandAraquanid, both of which are equipped with Grass, Ice, and Bug Type Moves to precisely deal with advantages that may come at Lanturn’s direction.
Protect The Light (Abomasnow, Lanturn, Bastiodon)
WithLanturnbeing a popular member of thePokemon GOmeta, it’s natural for a lot of players to prepare counters in anticipation. However, players can’t easily disregard Lanturn’s presence on the battlefield, especially due to its potential to wreck most anti-meta counters. In that regard,Protect The Lightfocuses on providing Lanturn with enough defenses to endure tougher fights, particularly through tanks.
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In that regard,Abomasnowbecomes the frontline defender, with attacks such as Razor Leaf, Weather Ball, and Energy Ball theoretically being enough to dispose of most threats. Likewise,Bastiodonon the rear with Smack Down and Stone Edge can be debilitating to foes even when dealing neutral damage.
Surfing With The Sea (Pelipper, Lanturn, Toxapex)
Considering the likes of Swampert being a powerhouse in the currentPokemon GOmeta, players could do well building an anti-Water team viaSurfing With The Sea. TakingPelipperat the lead, its Wing Attack and Hurricane Moves could easilysecure the Type Advantage. Not to mention, added backup fromLanturnandToxapexcan ensure neutral damage with their more diversified Lightning and Poison Moves.
The team-up can be a decent performer across the board, with their moves capable of at least trying to deal with most threats while boasting enough durability to tank more powerful Moves. Likewise, they can pivot from one team member to another to deal with advanced threats. A key potential weakness here would be fighting against a Lanturn team, as Pelipper can’t do much against the Pokemon. An alternative in this regard would be switching Pelipper with the team’s own Lanturn and securing the Shield advantage for a victory in a war of attrition.
Leafy Domination (Ludicolo, Cradily, Bastiodon)
Despite the prevalence of Abomasnow as afrontline tank in thePokemon GOmeta,Ludicolobecomes a more reasonable choice due to its sheer countering power courtesy of its Razor Leaf and Leaf Storm. InLeafy Domination, Ludicolo gets a great swap option in the form ofCradily, whose extra Grass attacks can spell death to a lot of major attackers.
Bastiodonin the lead can make for a surprise last-ditch effort, especially due to its bulky nature and tendency to wreak havoc on most other teams with its Rock Moves. At the same time, this team doesn’t prioritize immediately dishing out heavy damage and instead goes slow and steady with securing the win.
An interesting alternative against the prevailing meta would be a reliance on neutral attacks, something the likes ofToxapexshould be able to handle with its Poison-heavy moveset. InToxin At The Lead, this type of team composition ensures Toxapex is capable of dishing out damage to most threats, withCradilyserving as a decent, safe swap to deal with the likes of Pelipper and Bastiodon who are likely going to be the mainline characters of other teams.
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The presence ofSwampertin the team is mainly for deterrence, as its tanky nature can be a last resort in teams where there’s a surefire absence of aGrass-typethat can eliminate this powerhouse quickly. Since many teams will likely prepare for a Swampert meta, the team’s own Swampert should only be used as a last resort.
Extra Hard Defense (Regirock, Abomasnow, Ludicolo)
Fans ofPokemon GOwho want a more slow and more careful experience in the Weather Cup should consider going forExtra Hard Defense. The key to this build is centering team play aroundRegirockas a frontliner, whose Moves like Stone Edge and Focus Blast can make quick work of most meta opponents in the mode.
Likewise,Abomasnow,as a safe swap, can easily make it a tank to endure much deadlier attacks, especially with its Razor Leaf that can obliterate the likes of Swampert. And for emergencies,Ludicolo,as another tanky last resort, can force enemies into a battle of attrition to ensure players get an opening to secure the win.
Tanking Supremacy (Bastiodon, Abomasnow, Swampert)
Taking practicality to the forefront would beTanking Supremacy, withBastiodontaking the lead to counter a lot ofmajor metaPokemon GOmemberswith its Smack Down and Stone Edge.Abomasnowbecomes the safe swap, courtesy of its Razor Leaf and Energy Ball that should dominate the likes of Swampert in the enemy’s meta. The key strategy here is to constantly swap the two of them to deal with various enemy threats.
Swampertbecomes the kill switch here, only taking the lead when there’s absolutely no way for the opponent to counter it or as a last resort. And even then, Swampert should take priority for Shields to secure its fragile defenses.
Pokemon GOis available on iOS and Android.
