Pokemon Go: The Best Psychic Cup Team Compositions
Quick Links
- Pokemon Go Psychic Cup Restrictions
- Best Psychic Cup Lead Pokemon
- Best Psychic Cup Pokemon Switches
- Best Psychic Cup Closers
- Psychic Cup Recommended Pokemon Comps
Pokemon Go continues to mix things up in the PvP portion of their game with the introduction of new and unique competitions. The latest competition added to the Go Battle League is the Psychic Cup; requiring the use of only Psychic-Type Pokemon in your team.
Although this may only be one major restriction, it massively impacts your Pokemon choice if you're looking for success. Keeping strengths, weaknesses, attacks, and many other factors in mind, achieving victory in this competition will be no easy feat. Here's what we recommend when deciding on your team for the Psychic Cup.
Pokemon Go Psychic Cup Restrictions
As its name implies, this cup requires all Pokemon to be Psychic-Types. This includes Psychic Dual-Types, proving to be the only variety offered when it comes to your team's Pokemon Types. This restriction greatly reduces your options, forcing you to focus more on attack choice when choosing your team.
The second restriction is that all Pokemon must have 1,500 CP or less to be used in this cup. This is a far less significant than the previous restriction, but it also may rule out some of your stronger Psychic-Types, especially those that are in their final evolution.
The final restriction is that Mew may not be used in your team. This ban is in place to minimize a Mew-dominated competition, as this Legendary Pokemon possesses power much greater than other Psychic-Types.
Best Psychic Cup Lead Pokemon
For this cup, you will want a lead Pokemon that has fast-charging attacks. This will force your opponent to use their shields early, allowing for you to deal significant damage with your Charged Attacks later on in the battle. Ideally, these attacks will be super effective, or at the very least effective.
Additionally, you will want to lead with a Pokemon that is tanky. This will allow you to absorb damage, and potentially Charged Attacks. It will give you an advantage in the long run, leaving you shields to defend yourself later on.
Fast Moves are in normal text, Charge Moves in italic.
Resistant means that the Pokemon takes less damage from moves of that type.
Weak means that the Pokemon takes more damage from moves of that type.
| Pokemon | Best Moves | Resistant | Weak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victini (Psychic/Fire) | Quick Attack V-Create Overheat | Fighting Steel Fire Grass Psychic Ice Fairy | Ground Rock Ghost Water Dark |
| Bronzong (Psychic/Steel) | Feint Attack Payback Heavy Slam | Normal Flying Rock Steel Grass Ice Dragon Fairy Poison Psychic | Ground Ghost Fire Dark |
| Cresselia (Psychic) | Psycho Cut Moonblast Grass Knot | Fighting Psychic | Bug Ghost Dark |
| Alolan Raichu (Electric/Psychic) | Volt Switch Wild Charge Thunder Punch | Fighting Flying Steel Electric Psychic | Ground Bug Ghost Dark |
Best Psychic Cup Pokemon Switches
When it comes to your switch Pokemon, you will want one that you can count on to deal damage. That being said, you will still want a Pokemon that can withstand some damage; otherwise, you won't survive long enough to make an impact.
With your lead hopefully forcing your opponent to use at least one of their shields, this will give you the opportunity to successfully land a few Charged Attacks. Due to this, it is helpful if this Pokemon has a Charged Attack that is super effective against your opponent. For the Psychic Cup, this would mean having attacks that are either Dark, Ghost, or Bug Type.
| Pokemon | Best Moves | Resistant | Weak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galarian Rapidash (Psychic/Fairy) | Fairy Wind Body Slam Megahorn | Psychic Fighting Dragon | Poison Ghost Steel |
| Claydol (Psychic/Ground) | Mud Slap Shadow Ball Rock Tomb | Fighting Poison Rock Psychic Electric | Bug Ghost Water Grass Ice Dark |
| Medicham (Psychic/Fighting) | Counter Ice Punch Dynamic Punch | Fighting Rock | Ghost Flying Fairy |
| Celebi (Psychic/Grass) | Magical Leaf Seed Bomb Leaf Storm | Fighting Ground Water Grass Electric Psychic | Bug Flying Poison Ghost Fire Ice Dark |
Best Psychic Cup Closers
For your closer, it is recommended that you use quick and powerful Pokemon. This will give you the ability to finish off any remaining enemies, hopefully left vulnerable at this point in the battle.
It is also useful if this Pokemon has some endurance, allowing you to withstand any last-ditch efforts made by your opponent. This does not have to be the tankiest member of your team, but you will want a closer that can survive an enemy Charged Attack if necessary.
| Pokemon | Best Moves | Resistant | Weak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malamar (Psychic/Dark) | Psycho Cut Foul Play Hyper Bean | Psychic | Bug Fairy |
| Metagross (Psychic/Steel) | Bullet Punch Meteor Mash Earthquake | Normal Flying Rock Steel Grass Ice Dragon Fairy Poison Psychic | Ground Ghost Fire Dark |
| Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy) | Charm Synchronoise Dazzling Gleam | Psychic Fighting Dragon | Poison Ghost Steel |
| Galarian Slowking (Psychic/Fairy) | Hex Shadow Ball Sludge Wave | Poison Grass Fairy Fighting | Ground Ghost Dark |
Psychic Cup Recommended Pokemon Comps
Now that we have covered leads, switches, and closers, it's time we cover possible team compositions. With all teams being composed of Psychic-Type Pokemon, your options are relatively limited, but we've got you covered with a few recommended possibilities.
Bronzong – Galarian Rapidash – Malamar
This team is designed to work around Malamar, the only Psychic-Dark Dual Type Pokemon. With an extreme resistance to Psychic-Type attacks, Malamar is an ideal choice for your team when competing in the Psychic Cup.
Use Bronzong and Galarian Rapidash to force your opponent to use their shields, giving you an easy opportunity for Malamar to strike using both Fast and Charged Attacks. Additionally, the variety in types and resistances with this team allows for quick switches to avoid any vulnerabilities.
Victini – Celebi – Galarian Slowking
This team centers around Victini and its extremely fast building Charged Attack. Open with Victini, most likely leading your opponent to use their shield to defend themselves against your Charged Attacks.
If your opponent has a Water-Type Pokemon to counter this, quickly switch to Celebi to be prepared. You will have the added security of Galarian Slowking, lacking in offensive capabilities but making up for this in endurance and survivability.
Cresselia – Claydol – Metagross
This team composition thrives in its well-roundedness as well as its overall tankiness and survivability. Use this to outlast the opposition, enduring their Charged Attacks when possible.
Cresselia proves to be one of the tankiest Psychic Types currently in Pokemon Go, so this will give you an advantage over the enemy, leaving you shields to defend yourself later on in the match. Do this to play the "long game," saving your shields and firepower until the latter portion of the battle.
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