Pokémon GO Summer Cup - Best Picks, Rules, And More

With the introduction of the Bug Out! event in Pokémon GO, Niantic implemented the Summer Cup to shake up the GO Battle League. A few weeks of the Summer festivities are left in the Season of GO, and now is the perfect time for the Cup to go live.

At this point in Pokémon GO, there have been plenty of new Cups, and they all add some new modifiers that change the formula. Some are remixes of competitive modes, and others are strictly for fun. The Summer Cup falls somewhere in between and offers up something new for the GO Battle League.

Pokémon GO Summer Cup Rules?

Most new PvP events in Pokémon GO, including the Summer Cup, will occur at 1,500 CP. This CP limit is considered the most competitive because it allows the largest range of Pokémon with the lowest barrier to entry. Some higher-level players can have XL options, but it won't tip the scales too far. The 1,500 CP also makes the Cup a Great League option.

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CP limits are just the start of a new Cup, though. There is always something else that separates the event, and it usually is tied to the types that are allowed. For the Summer Cup, there will only be six different types allowed for use in the league. That leaves a lot off the list, and each one fits the summer theme to some degree.

The types allowed include Normal, Fire, Grass, Water, Electric, and Bug-type Pokémon. Despite the Bug Out! event taking place at the same time, the new Cup will not be Bug-type exclusive. If you don't want to miss the fun, make sure to join in the Summer Cup between August 10 and August 17.

The best picks for the Pokémon GO Summer Cup

With only six types allowed in the new PvP Cup, the meta can lean towards two or three types over the others. In general, Normal-types and Electric-types seem to be the most dominant. Sprinkle some Ghost-tyes like Trevenant or other Bug-types, and you can get an idea of the full meta. Below you will find eight of the best picks and their most effective moves.

• Pachirisu - Volt Switch (Fast) and Thunderbolt / Thunder Punch (Charged)
• Trevenant - Shadow Claw (Fast) and Seed Bomb / Shadow Ball (Charged)
• Galvantula - Volt Switch (Fast) and Discharge / Lunge (Charged)
• Vigoroth - Counter (Fast) and Body Slam / Bulldoze (Charged)
• Lickitung XL - Lick (Fast) and Body Slam / Power Whip (Charged)
• Zapdos - Thunder Shock (Fast) and Drill Peck / Thunderbolt (Charged)
• Tropius - Air Slash (Fast) and Leaf Blade / Aerial Ace (Charged)
• Diggersby XL - Mud Shot (Fast) and Fire Punch / Earthquake (Charged)

There are shadow variants of some of these Pokémon, such as Zapdos, that will be even better with a Shadow variant, but it's not required. On the other hand, having XL candy for anything with that label is a must, or they will be too weak. Otherwise, try to stick to the moves listed to make the most of the team.

And that's all. For more awesome content, check out our section dedicated to Pokémon GO, news, guides, updates, and more!

Featured image courtesy of Niantic.