This text has been up to date a number of occasions since unique publication, most lately in Might 2023 for the “Season Of Rising Heroes” return of the Component Cup format. The most important adjustments this time are the addition of Mareanie (and Deerling), updates to Ferroseed and a handful of others, and slight tweaking to Ducklett, who’s even scarier on this post-Wing-Assault-buff world.
The “Nifty Or Thrifty” article collection takes a complete take a look at the meta for PvP Cup codecs: Component Cup, on this case. As is typical for the NoT collection, I’ll cowl not solely the highest meta picks but in addition some Pokémon the place it can save you some mud with cheaper second transfer unlock prices or much less powering up.
As a result of for these on a stardust finances — and/or people making an attempt to save lots of up some mud for the longer term — it may be daunting making an attempt to determine the place to spend or not spend it. All of us wish to discipline aggressive groups, however the place can we get one of the best bang for our buck and the place ought to we maybe channel our interior scrooge?
As I attempt to normally do, I’ll begin with these Pokémon with the most cost effective second transfer unlock price and steam forward till we lastly arrive at the most costly (75,000 mud on this case, since no Legendaries or Mythicals are eligible). I’m going to attempt to be complete with this, however can’t go into element on all the pieces I wish to… it’s a giant meta!
To that finish, I may also solely be highlighting Shadow variations after they’re significantly related… many are worse, and that’s what you may infer if I don’t speak about them. I additionally wish to spotlight Pokémon that may be developed after Component Cup is over and their evolution nonetheless slot in Nice League, and for simplicity, will use the image by their identify to point that. Cool? Cool.
And yet another factor earlier than we get into the usual order of issues. There’s one explicit Pokémon I want to spotlight, as its significance can’t be understated. It’s THE central determine of this meta in a means we haven’t seen since Flying Cup Aerodactyl. And mockingly, it’s a Flyer too!
Ducklett UPDATED
Ducklett
Water
Wing Assault | Courageous Chook & Bubble Beam/Aerial Ace
So let’s simply get the apocalyptic numbers out of the best way from the get-go… however then stroll it again a bit. Sure, Ducklett is nice on this meta. REALLY good. But it surely’s not fairly as dangerous as that reveals. Firstly, these are the numbers with Bubble Beam constantly succeeding in baiting a defend from the opponent after which closing out with a giant fats Courageous Chook in practically each case, and there are hardly any Pokémon on this meta and at this degree (beneath 500 CP, the place something with over 100 HP is kind of uncommon) that may survive consuming a Courageous Chook. If all the pieces goes completely to plan, sure, Ducklett is able to that type of loopy good efficiency. However ought to all the pieces NOT go completely for Ducklett — if these baits don’t constantly steal away shields and the opponent is cautious and intelligent — The Duck can find yourself wanting a lot more pedestrian. The fact of its efficiency lies someplace between these two polar opposites, however make no mistake: Ducklett is THE Pokémon to beat on this meta, and you’ll guess the overwhelming majority of groups might be working one. They might even run it with Aerial Ace as a substitute of Bubble Beam, and whereas AA is about as mediocre a transfer as yow will discover in PvP (solely 55 injury for 45 power), at the very least it’s a heck of much more constant; Ducklett remains to be potent when it makes use of ONLY Ace, managing to beat most all the pieces that’s not a strong Duck counter with out having to depend on the double-edged sword of Courageous Chook. I DO suppose Bubble Beam is my private suggestion — each for the sky-high ceiling it provides and for the truth that the Water injury it gives, regardless that low, is good to have for any Fires that pop up — however mediocre or not, Aerial Ace deserves legit consideration right here too. No matter The Duck runs with, you NEED to have at the very least one strong reply to Ducklett or it can eat you up like bread crumbs from the kindly outdated soul on the native pond.
Shadow Ducklett is generally a downgrade, if I’m being trustworthy. It’s not a lot worse or something, but it surely IS barely worse, dropping a handful of Grasses that non-Shadow higher overcomes.
Now with that each one out of the best way, let’s get into the remainder of the choices on this Cup. I’ll make particular be aware of issues that beat the Duck, however in any other case, this must be a reasonably typical rundown from right here on out.
10,000 Mud/25 Sweet
Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur
GrassPoison
Vine Whip | Seed Bomb & Sludge Bomb
Previously, PvPoke advisable Bulba run with Sludge Bomb and Energy Whip, the moveset closest to massive brother Venusaur’s Sludge Bomb and Frenzy Plant… however that’s solely half proper, and leaves Bulbsaur looking very average. No, in Little League you normally need pace over brute power, and so regardless that Seed Bomb is a fairly mediocre 55 injury for 40 power (hey, at the very least it’s significantly better than Aerial Ace!) as in comparison with Energy Whip’s 90 injury for less than 10 extra power, it’s Seed Bomb that you want. Between that and the Sludge Bomb that makes Venusaur such a rockstar in PvP, Bulbasaur all of a sudden turns into arguably THE greatest Grass kind in your entire meta, in a position to beat each Water kind however Slowpoke (sure, that may include Ducklett) AND the overwhelming majority of different Grasses, with solely Ferroseed, Shadow Snover, Exeggcute, and the brand new Fomantis being the viable-ish ones that may survive Bulba. I don’t suppose I’d advocate Shadow Bulba although, because it loses to Tentacool and Ducklett and is simply typically shakier throughout the board.
Chikorita
Chikorita
Grass
Vine Whip | Physique Slam & Grass Knot
Replicates most of what Bulbasaur does (although struggles to beat Ducklett lately), and comes out with extra left within the tank within the majority of their shared wins, and the reason being easy: simply as issues work with their later evolutions Meganium and Venusaur in PvP, Chikorita is notably bulkier, however Bulbasaur and its Poison facet implies that it wins the face to face (and beats a number of different Grasses that Chika can not). Chika additionally advantages from NOT being half Poison, most notably by beating Slowpoke whereas Bulbasaur usually can not (as Poison is weak to Psychic). Chikorita is arguably a greater Grass-type, however Bulbasaur stays extra versatile. Nonetheless, Physique Slam is kind of good on this format and Chika makes nice use of it. Chikorita might be a well-liked Grass in Component.
SNIVY has the same however flipped moveset, with its spammy transfer being its Grass transfer (Seed Bomb) and its “nearer” being Regular (Wrap), although the latter is absolutely only a dearer Physique Slam. It’s a enjoyable thought however Chikorita is simply higher. And CHESPIN additionally has Vine Whip and Seed Bomb, AND Physique Slam, and appears greatest working with Slam and the weird Gyro Ball, although like Snivy, it fails to beat Ducklett and simply falls behind different Vine Whipping choices.
Cottonee
Cottonee
GrassFairy
Attraction | Seed Bomb & Grass Knot
Certainly one of few standouts from the unique Little Cup that is still related right here, and as earlier than, it’s all due to Charm. Cotton stays the one Fairy in the entire format, and until the opponent particularly hates on Charmers (Fires, Poisons) or represents a really arduous counter to Grass (Ducklett and Seel, and even they take a extreme beating and solely simply handle to limp away), likelihood is Attraction will win out. In actual fact, the ONLY issues in the entire format that basically beat Cottonee are Duck, Seel, and Fires and Poisons, and never even all of THOSE win (Cottonee can beat Houndour, Slugma, Budew, Oddish and S-Oddish, and Bellsprout and S-Sprout). Couple that with the truth that most everybody who performed Little Cup already has a Cottonee constructed, and I count on this little puffball to be in all places.
The ONLY different potential Charmer round is PETILIL, and uh… yeah, no. You’re higher off working it with certain Hidden Powers however I wouldn’t even advocate that… however we’ll revisit Hidden Energy later.
Budew
Budew
GrassPoison
Razor Leaf | Grass Knot & Power Ball
It’s not as heralded as others on this format, however Budew simply is perhaps one of the best Razor Leafer in Element Cup. It beats actually each Water right here that doesn’t rhyme with “Cluck it!” (or different issues you may consider, however this can be a household present, people), and its Grass/Poison typing implies that it double resists Grass and might beat all different Razor Leafers besides generally non-Shadow Oddish, and it additionally beats different notable Grasses like Treecko, Tangela, and Bellsprout. Clearly, preserve it away from Fireplace, however past that… effectively, perhaps this Bud’s for you! 
Far more common in discussions I’ve seen to date is TURTWIG, normally in Shadow form, however actually regular Turt is sort of similar in efficiency. And it’s advantageous, I suppose, however with low-cost strikes Physique Slam and Seed Bomb, you’d hope for a bit of higher. It really does a bit of higher without relying on any change moves, bringing in new wins in opposition to Slugma and, critically, Ducklett generally too, which is one of the best factor it has going for it, actually. However Budew does extra for you general.
Sewaddle
Sewaddle
BugGrass
Bug Chew | Seed Bomb & Silver Wind
Actually a Bug that sneaks in as half-Grass, and people two details alone actually paint the image of its role: beating most of its fellow Grasses (mainly all those you may count on to see besides Bulba and Cotton) whereas additionally nonetheless dealing with many Water sorts. But it surely’s not practically as robust a Water slicer as most different Grasses, leaving it a a lot softer counter than you’d like, and it has completely no probability of taking out Ducklett, being double weak to Flying injury.
So transferring on to Fireplace sorts. It’s general the weakest of the three on this Cup, as its solely position is to deal with Grass, and as we’ve seen above there are Grasses that may additionally deal with the anti-Grass position fairly effectively, and as we’ll see shortly beneath, even many Waters can do the identical. (And never simply The Duck of Doom!) However there ARE some standouts it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate, and whereas most will present up within the 50k part, there are a few actual gems right here too…
Slugma
Slugma
Fireplace
Rock Throw | Flame Cost & Rock Slide
Okay, admittedly, Slugma kinda cheats. Sure, it’s a Fireplace-type, but it surely actually performs like a Rock. Because the pre-evolution of private favourite Magcargo, Slugma has sooner however weaker cost strikes (Flame Cost quite than Cargo’s Overheat and Rock Slide as a substitute of Stone Edge), however these are simply advantageous underneath the five hundred CP cap… and actually, Slugma lives or dies by Rock Throw anyway. Clearly, it’s a improbable counter to different Fires and even manages to beat a number of Waters, together with a convincing win over Ducklett (although Bubble Beam can throw issues off generally). The draw back is that it at the very least partially offers up the usual Fireplace position of toasting Grasses, nonetheless resisting their Grass strikes however, being considerably fragile, nonetheless shedding to issues like Budew, Cottonee, Lotad (even with Razor Leaf), and Chikorita. So sure, technically a Fireplace, however doesn’t actually behave like one.
Tepig
Tepig
Fireplace
Ember | Physique Slam & Flame Cost
As I used to be analyzing this meta, I found one thing I hadn’t realized earlier than… each single Fireplace starter within the sport has Ember (and both Scratch or Sort out), Flame Cost, and Flamethrower, with the third cost transfer being the one actual distinction between them. And up till Gen5, these third strikes are all fairly dangerous… till lastly, we arrive at Tepig and its Physique Slam. As such, it’s the ONLY Fireplace starter rated inside the High 50 on PvPoke, and handles itself alright, although even it is rather removed from spectacular. Nonetheless, it’s the one Fireplace starter that may actually beat all Grasses (the remaining wrestle with at the very least RL Lotad and Lileep) and Physique Slam offers it a leg up versus different Fires (in a position to beat all of them however Vulpix and Growlithe, who each even have Slam, and naturally Slugma). These Fireplace sorts I simply talked about are all higher, however Tepig is reasonable and nonetheless shut to their general efficiency, so in case you’re simply seeking to get out and in of this format for minimal funding, then maybe that’ll do, Tepig… that’ll do.
I’ll make a quick point out of LITLEO and its Crunch, but it surely’s no Physique Slam… Tepig is simply higher. FENNEKIN has one of the best non-Slam third transfer (Psyshock) apart from Tepig however is even an additional step down from Litleo. And the opposite low-cost Fires, even as Shadows… neglect about it. On to Waters!
Barboach
Barboach
WaterFloor
Mud Shot | Mud Bomb & Aqua Tail/Ice Beam
In Little Cup, Barboach was an underrated star with Ice Beam, and whereas on this meta it gives a pleasant reply to Grasses and the one non-resisted transfer to throw at Ducklett, I nonetheless suppose you need double spam with Mud Bomb and Aqua Tail. The very best factor going for it’s handily beating each single Fireplace kind (that in all probability sounds apparent however there are literally treasured few Waters with that distinction on this meta) whereas additionally making matchups with different Waters into true slugfests, beating the bulk together with Slowpoke, Skrelp, Tentacool, and a lot of the ones you’ll see listed later within the article. Simply make sure, as with every Mud Boy, you retain it FAR away from Grass.
Fellow Mud Shot consumer REMORAID is getting a bit of TOO cute, although. It’s just like its evolution Octillery, it feels prefer it ought to do lots higher than it really does.
Wailmer
Wailmer
Water
Water Gun | Physique Slam & Heavy Slam
Admittedly nothing particularly special, however greater than holds its personal, does all the pieces you’d count on of your Water kind, and hangs in there a LONG time and soaks up a variety of injury, with practically twice the HP of most issues on this checklist. (Critically, its 140 HP in this format makes it really feel like a Chansey.) I’m undecided I’d outright advocate it, however you are able to do far worse as a secure swap, at the very least.
Sadly, the Water starters aren’t actually any higher than the Fireplace starters. Not less than there’s extra moveset selection, however nonetheless, the one ones value any actual consideration are probably OSHAWATT (Aqua Tail and Evening Slash are spicy) and PIPLUP with actually superior cost strikes however not a terrific file with them. And sorry, however I don’t advocate going with the SQUIRTLE Squad both, as enjoyable as that concept sounds. Boo.
50,000 Mud / 50 Sweet
Chinchou
Chinchou
WaterElectrical
Bubble/Spark | Bubble Beam & Thunderbolt
Let’s go in reverse order this time, beginning with the Waters. And it’s amongst them that we discover THE prime counter to Ducklett in Lanturn’s pre-evolution Chinchou, the one precise Electrical-type in Component Cup. That implies that it offers DOUBLE super-effective injury to The Duck whereas additionally resisting all of Duck’s strikes. Conveniently being a Water-type, Chinchou additionally resists Water injury (and hits again at Waters for super-effective Electrical injury) and resists Fireplace as effectively (and thus beating all Fires besides a few Shadows). So efficient (and tanky too, clearing that rare-in-Little-League 100 HP hurdle) is Chou that it nonetheless simply beats Duck even when it runs Bubble, and in reality beats ALL the identical issues within the core meta with both Bubble or Spark, leaving your alternative a matter of choice, with Spark clearly being more durable on Waters and Bubble shortly extinguishing all Fires (there are a pair that escape when going through Spark).
Seel
Seel
Water
Ice Shard/Lick | Aqua Tail & Icy Wind
One other hero of Little Cup, Seel was an effective way to manage a few of the greatest Pokémon in that format, so how about right here? Properly, on the floor, it’s slightly disappointing, however there are some simulation shenanigans happening right here. As a result of generally the correct reply is NOT to bait with Aqua Tail in any respect and simply go for it with double Icy Wind as a substitute. Committing to Wind nets a way more convincing win versus Cottonee and a win within the mirror match. Seel with Lick good points wins in opposition to Slowpoke (a uncommon case of Lick dealing tremendous efficient injury!), Fast Assault Vulpix, Tentacool, and much more simply wins the mirror match. It’s so good to have a number of viable choices to maintain the opponent on their toes!
Slowpoke
Slowpoke
WaterPsychic
Confusion | Psyshock & Psychic
Properly, I already wrote a complete article on Slowpoke in Component beforehand, however as a reminder, it’s really good here. It begins by beating all Fires however Houndour and Simisear regardless of by no means dealing tremendous efficient injury because you wish to run with all three of its Psychic-type strikes. However WHY would you like no Water strikes? As a result of with the all-Psychic set, it will probably additionally beat each Poison kind right here besides Budew and Shadow Oddish (which means it DOES beat Salandit, Bulbasaur, Bellsprout, Mareanie, Skrelp, and Tentacool), in addition to Seel (assuming it’s not working Lick) and Ducklett. As if writing a complete article on it wasn’t sufficient, then to reiterate once more: Slowpoke is a legit (and distinctive) star in Component Cup. However I don’t advocate Shadow Poke, because it loses arduous to The Duck. (Non-Shadow really has paths to victory relying on the timing of Courageous Chook.)
Dewpider
Dewpider
WaterBug
Bug Chew | Bubble Beam & Mirror Coat
Final time, Dewpider entered Component Cup with immediate value. A Water that may deal with a number of notable Grasses (together with Cottonee, Shadow Bulba, Exeggcute, and Chikorita) is at all times a superb place to begin, but it surely additionally manages to nonetheless beat (most) Fires, plus a lot of notable Waters as effectively (to incorporate Slowpoke, Seel, Wooper, Lotad, and Toxic Skrelp and Tentacool (thanks largely to Mirror Coat).
Wimpod
BugWater
Oh, and in case you’re fascinated with working the opposite Watery Bug, Level 50 WIMPOD, now that it’s within the sport… it’s time to guage your life decisions.
Wooper
Wooper
WaterFloor
Mud Shot | Mud Bomb/Physique Slam & Returnᴸ
That’s proper, I’m recommending Return. Why? As a result of Wooper beats mainly the identical issues with both Mud Bomb or Body Slam, the one distinction being that MB beats Skrelp and BS can win the mirror match. However throw in Return with Slam OR with Bomb and also you win the mirror and beat Skrelp, plus add on a brand new win over Seel (with both Shard or Lick) and a convincing win in opposition to Shadow Slowpoke (it’s a nailbiter with out Return’s closing energy, leaving Wooper underneath 5 HP). And the opposite upside to working Return, after all, is which means purified Wooper and critical price financial savings in powering and double transferring. Win-win!
Related however barely worse off is POLIWAG with Return, although it’s a must to have low-ish IVs (that sim matches at 5-7-5, however transferring any of these up a lot takes it beneath Degree 25 and thus unimaginable for purified Wag). It’s cheaper to construct however normally loses to Shadow Slowpoke and, not being an precise Mud Boy, loses to Chinchou as effectively. You MAY be higher off with Shadow Poliwag, working Slam/Bomb and now beating Chou and even Shadow Bulbasaur however shedding Slowpoke and Wooper to get there.
And even one other slight step down from THAT is TYMPOLE, who matches most of Poliwag’s wins and, whereas it typically gala’s a bit of higher when it comes to remaining HP, Tympole lacks Physique Slam (having a closing transfer, Sludge Wave, as a substitute) and can’t overcome Wooper.
Shellos
Shellos
Water
Hidden Energy | Physique Slam & Mud Bomb
Not technically a Mud Boy (solely its evolution Gastrodon picks up that Floor sub-typing), however you wouldn’t understand it by it, as Shellos normally defaults to Mud Slap/Mud Bomb together with Physique Slam in sims, and that shakes out like this. Nonetheless, regardless that the transfer is generally a awful alternative in PvP, I believe you as a substitute wish to run with Hidden Energy, most ideally Electric, however even Rock is okay too. Why? Fairly merely, as a result of you may beat Ducklett that means, and at the very least within the case of Electrical HP, it offers up solely a pair Fireplace sorts (QA Vulpix, Salandit, and Shadow Growlithe) amongst its core meta wins to get it. Hidden Energy really works actually effectively on Shellos right here, since Shelly has cost strikes (Slam and Bomb) that work with HP’s lower-than-average power technology and threaten just about your entire meta (with Mud Bomb particularly hurting Fires and Poisons). Rock-type HP is rather less thrilling, regaining that trio of Fires however shedding to Slowpoke, Skrelp, and Lick Seel (which Electrical HP and even Mud Slap beat). Electrical OR Rock additionally sneakily beat Dewpider too! See in case you occur to have one, or can GET one earlier than Component Cup is over!
Skrelp
Skrelp
PoisonWater
Water Gun | Aqua Tail & Sludge Bomb
Final yr, it was Tentacool on this spot, however Skrelp is just better general on this developed meta, way more effectively beating the Fireplace sorts (together with the potential look of Salandit, which Cool can not beat in any respect) in addition to Seel with both of its quick strikes and Tentacool itself within the face to face. Oh, and regardless of Water Gun and Aqua Tail being resisted, Skrelp can normally depend on beating Cottonee ultimately anyway with an eventual Sludge Bomb.
Mareanie NEW!
Mareanie
PoisonWater
Poison Sting | Brine & Gunk Shot
Not as wholly dominant as its evolution Toxapex could be, principally because of the lack of Poison Jab. However make no mistake… Mareanie can still be impactful. Suggest Gunk Shot because the nearer, at the very least partly as a result of it extra simply wins the mirror.
Binacle
Binacle
RockWater
Scratch/Mud Slap | Cross Chop & Historical Energy
You’ll be able to go certainly one of two specialised methods with Binacle. In Mud Slap mode it places out all Fires and (non-Grass) Poisons, buoyed by double resisting Fireplace, resisting Poison, and in addition resisting the Regular strikes lots of these Fires (and Tentacool) tote round as effectively. However there’s additionally Scratch, which is definitely a extremely dangerous PvP quick transfer, however coupled with one other Binacle built-in resistance — to Flying — permits it to probably beat Ducklett (with JUST quick strikes!) whereas nonetheless getting the Fires and Tentacool. That’s fairly a distinct segment position, however one that may (and can!) completely catch many opponents off guard and win you some video games anyway in case you’re searching for some spicy enjoyable!
Clauncher
Clauncher
Water
Smack Down | Crabhammer (& Aqua Jet… perhaps?)
In reality, Clauncher will hardly ever even want any charge moves, because it actually does all its work with just Smack Down. And that work is smashing all of the Fires, together with Seel and, sure, Ducklett. It doesn’t do a lot exterior of these particular roles, but it surely goes out and does them effectively, and that has actual worth. And once more, since we’re speaking about worth, you may simply run it with out a second cost transfer and save your self some mud when you’re at it!
Shadow Carvanha
Carvanha (Shadow)
WaterDarkish
Chew | Poison Fang
One other one the place it’s all about that fast move damage… say howdy to the equal of Little Cup’s Shadow Stunky. S-Carv can tear aside all Fires besides Darkish-resistant Houndour and Rock-chucking Slugma, AND gnaws by means of Ducklett and most different Waters too. (The one escapees are Lotad, Shellos, Clauncher, Binacle, Surskit, and naturally Chinchou.) Whereas it will probably nonetheless outrace a handful of Grasses, the overwhelming majority slam the door on it, however in case you can keep away from Grasses typically, S-Carv appears to be like fairly terrifying in opposition to all the pieces else. Keep in mind how I stated triple digit HP was a rarity right here? Triple digit Assault is mainly extraordinary, however Carv crosses into that territory. 
The last word BOOM or bust possibility, and could be constructed fairly low-cost because it, like Clauncher, has no actual want for a second cost transfer. (Poison Fang is what you wish to make these Chews damage much more! 
)
Frillish
Frillish
WaterGhost
Hex | Ice Beam & Ominous Wind
Very a lot Jellicent Lite, although with the cost transfer roles reversed a bit, with Ghost injury because the defend baiter and potential stat altering transfer (Ominous Wind quite than Jelli’s Bubble Beam) and is locked in on Ice injury because the closing transfer (Ice Beam quite than Jelli’s usually most popular Shadow Ball). With these present strikes representing its greatest, Frillish is viable if unexciting. It may possibly’t fairly overcome Ducklett, and a pair viable Fires (Litleo, Shadow Vulpix) can slip by means of its tentacles too, but it surely does a superb job in opposition to the remaining, obliterates Psychic-type Slowpoke, and handles most of the different prime Waters capably too, and at the very least retains Grasses trustworthy with the specter of Ice Beam. Not as spectacular right here as I hoped, to be trustworthy, however definitely usable.
Lotad
Lotad
WaterGrass
Water Gun/Razor Leaf | Bubble Beam & Power Ball
Absolutely one of many first Pokémon that involves thoughts in a format like this, the uncommon Water/Grass Lotad solely has two cost strikes however they’re each advantageous, and two viable quick strikes too. And it’s the quick strikes that decide its position: beating Fires with Water Gun (Growlithe, Tepig, Shadow Vulpix particularly, and the brand new Salandit too!) or arduous countering Waters with Razor Leaf (and particularly gaining common and Shadow Slowpoke, Shadow Carvanha, and Shadow Poliwag). It’s good that it beats stuff like Seel, Chinchou, Slugma, and Wooper both means, however Lotad’s position is extra restricted than I hoped for going into the evaluation. You’ll nonetheless see it although, for certain.
And with that, let’s pivot to extra Grass. Many of the greatest ones had been really coated among the many 10ks, however there are a pair extra value discussing….
Fomantis
Fomantis
Grass
Fury Cutter | Leaf Blade & Grass Knot
So that you bear in mind what I wrote about Sewaddle up within the 10k part, about the way it was the Grass that may beat different Grasses? Yeah, mainly Fomantis does that, but better. The one factor Sewaddle can get that Fomantis can not is Shadow Slowpoke, and Fomo goes out and nails Bulbasaur, Ice Shard Seel, and even Slugma as a substitute, wins that Sewaddle can solely dream of. For my cash (and a bit extra mud), I believe it’s Fomantis or bust this time round.
Hoppip
Hoppip
Grass
Bullet Seed | Seed Bomb & Grass Knot/Return
Really not all that totally different from different Grasses we’ve already checked out, as Hoppip, regardless of being a Flying kind, lacks any precise Flying strikes. However it’s blessed with above-average bulk and a double resistance to Grass injury, so it takes out most all Flyers (Ducklett is the only significant exception) and plenty of opposing Grasses (together with all of the Razor Leafers). But it surely doesn’t do much that is particularly special and is a heck of much more costly than Bulbasaur and Chikorita and the like. Use it in case you prefer it and also you’ll be pleased, however in case you’re constructing one good Grass from the bottom up, that is in all probability not one of the simplest ways to go.
Rowlet
Rowlet
Grass
Razor Leaf | Seed Bomb & Power Ball
ROWLET is a more moderen, cheaper different…it really belongs up within the 10k part, however I lumped it in right here to check and distinction with Hoppip. Total they do just about the identical factor, the variations being that Hoppip higher handles Chikorita (and Grasses typically) whereas Rowlet as a substitute takes out Tentacool (and usually shreds Waters extra effectively). And that’s actually what it comes right down to: which do you worry extra? If Grass, go together with Hoppip, and if Waters/Grounds, roll with Rowlet. Typically it truly is simply that simple!
Deerling NEW!
Deerling
RegularGrass
Sort out | Seed Bomb & Wild Cost
I nonetheless don’t know that I’d name this a robust suggestion, however Deerling is at least interesting now that Sort out has turn out to be a viable quick transfer. Wild Cost usually fails even in opposition to Ducklett, however in case you catch one napping (I imply, who would usually know what cost strikes Deerling has off-hand?), Bambi may sneak up on a variety of unsuspecting gamers, at the very least early within the week.
Exeggcute
Exeggcute
GrassPsychic
Confusion | Seed Bomb & Historical Energy/Psychic
On the floor, that is Grass-type Slowpoke, although there are literally a good variety of variations between them on account of one being Water and the opposite Grass. Briefly:
- Slowpoke tends to beat Fires (Salandit, Vulpix, Tepig, Growlithe) in addition to Seel and, after all, Ducklett. These all beat Exeggcute.
- Cutie as a substitute beats Grasses like Oddish and Chikorita, and Waters like Lotad, Wooper, Chinchou, and Slowpoke within the face to face.
- Each normally beat Bulbasaur, Tentacool, Skrelp, and Slugma.
Whereas not beating The Duck is a giant strike, Exeggcute DOES capably deal with most all the pieces that beats Ducklett (actually each single one in 1v1 shielding besides Shadow Growlithe) and that makes it a terrific possibility to think about on this meta. Exeggcute is sneaky harmful right here.
Snover
Snover
GrassIce
Powder Snow | Stomp & Power Ball/Ice Beam
Sadly missing the Climate Ball that makes massive bro Abomasnow excel, Snover has Stomp for baiting/chip injury as a substitute. With Stomp alone it capably handles (practically) all Grasses and Chinchou, which is already a superb begin. Including a second transfer tacks on AA Ducklett and Wooper, after which Ice Beam can beat Cottonee, however surprisingly, Energy Ball can ALSO beat Cottonee and topples Seel (with both quick transfer), Slowpoke, and Skrelp too. (Shadow is a slight downgrade, BTW, lacking out on Slowpoke.) Snover was underrated final time… let’s see if people decide up on its potential this time round.
Lileep
Lileep
RockGrass
Bullet Seedᴸ | Historical Energy & Grass Knot
Gonna need to dig DEEP to even have certainly one of these, as Bullet Seed was obtainable solely as soon as for a really transient interval when Niantic tousled. They by no means reverted it, however there’s additionally no solution to purchase a Lileep with the transfer anymore, not even through Elite TM. So IF you occur to have one underneath 500 CP, contemplate your self very fortunate. It’s not a rock star (haha I so humorous) right here, but it surely definitely is quite viable, doing most traditional Grass issues whereas additionally beating a number of meta Fireplace sorts. Like many others, it can not beat Ducklett until it appropriately sniffs out and shields the Courageous Chook, however at the very least it retains it on its toes way more than most Grasses on account of taking impartial from Flying and Water and carrying that scary Historical Energy. That is THE time to flex it in case you received it!
Shadow Oddish
Oddish (Shadow)
GrassPoison
Razor Leaf | Seed Bomb (& Sludge Bomb? Moonblast?)
Shadow Oddish has hassle outright profitable in opposition to Ducklett, however can at the very least power a tie and restrict The Duck to only that one Bubble Beam, and that’s a win in and of itself. By just sticking to Razor Leaf, Shadow Oddish can really take out each single Water in Component Cup, and places the damage even on Grasses and Fires that resist Razor Leaf. Technically it’s in all probability a good suggestion so as to add on Sludge Bomb or Moonblast for protection and having one thing to do with any power constructed up, however greater than possible you’ll solely ever end up perhaps popping off a Seed Bomb or two. Razor Leaf must be doing 95% of the work anyway. There are very slight variations between Shadow and non-Shadow Oddish, however essentially the most notable one is large: common normally can not tie or beat Ducklett, and Shadow can.
And now, time to set issues ablaze… 
Vulpix
Vulpix
Fireplace
Fast Assault/Ember | Climate Ball (Fireplace) & Physique Slam
So that is one to construct the case for, as a result of in case you begin with the “default” moveset of Ember/Body Slam/Weather Ball, Vulpix appears to be like fairly bland, dealing with Grasses however just about nothing else. Excellent news, then: it will get higher. Operating it with Quick Attack appears to be like fairly a bit higher, with it nonetheless beating all these Grasses however now additionally beating (Ice Shard) Seel and each different Fireplace kind besides Slugma (and Salandit and generally Hisuian Growlithe, ought to individuals discover a solution to sneak them in underneath 500 CP). Sure, a few of the Grass matchups are nearer, however Vulpix can nonetheless beat each certainly one of them too. To reiterate, which means Vulpix can deal with roughly ⅔ of the Component Cup meta. Shadow Vulpix, by the best way, beats Slowpoke too, however loses to Seel and Lotad and is shakier in different wins and, IMO, probably not well worth the hassle. Remember that it does NOT acquire a leg up in CMP versus common QA Vulpix both, as CMP is calculated based mostly on base Assault, not readjusted Shadow Assault, so no benefit there both. Simply persist with non-Shadow, I’d say.
Growlithe
Growlithe
Fireplace
Ember/Chew | Physique Slam & Flamethrower
Growlie, sadly, lacks the Fast Assault AND Climate Ball spam of Vulpix, so it’s left playing second fiddle with Ember and Flamethrower as a substitute, which limits its usefulness to extra of a straight anti-Grass position, although it CAN beat Ember Vulpix face to face due to a superior Assault stat (and equally manages to beat out most different Fires within the format too). In actual fact, so excessive is its Assault that Shadow Growlithe can overpower (Aerial Ace) Ducklett! (For the low price of giving up Lotad.) However that’s, admittedly, quite area of interest and never a battle you really WANT to march into, as Ducklett with Bubble Beam reliably fends off S-Lithe. However hey, in case your coronary heart is ready on working Growlithe, that win possible WILL occur in some unspecified time in the future and also you’ll really feel like the neatest particular person on the planet, so go for it.
Growlithe (Hisuian)
FireplaceRock
HISUIAN GROWLITHE plays somewhat similarly, being shakier in opposition to Grasses (on account of taking impartial quite than resisted injury), stronger in opposition to Fires (beating Fast Assault Vulpix, for instance, which is definitely a actually massive deal for a Fireplace kind), and in a position to beat Ducklett so long as it will probably keep away from taking too many double-super-effective Bubble Beams. The most important concern with it in Component Cup? Degree 20 hatched ones are too massive, so getting one underneath 500 CP presently requires shenanigans.
Salandit
Salandit
PoisonFireplace
Poison Jab | Poison Fang & Flamethrower
Talking of shenanigans, technically, Little League Salandit shouldn’t be doable, since a Degree 20 (hatched) Salandit can’t sneak in underneath 500 CP even with 0-0-0 IVs, and there’s no solution to get them exterior of eggs. However you ALSO know that people have snuck freaking Mandibuzz into different Little League codecs, so there WILL be somebody on the market that finds a means. And sure, Salandit can absolutely FEAST on this meta. Don’t count on to face many, however you’d be silly to not put together to face at the very least a pair. Good luck!
75,000 Mud / 75 Sweet
Operating out of room, so going to hit these in rapid-fire fashion. None are meta-defining and all are fairly costly, however in case you really feel like spicing it up, there ARE legit choices right here…
Ferroseed 
UPDATED
Ferroseed
GrassMetal
Sort out | Iron Head & Flash Cannon
The one Metal in Component Cup and performs prefer it by working all Metal strikes… or at the very least, it did till now. Metal Claw was its solely viable quick transfer earlier than the buff to Tackle, which is now most popular for its potential to tack on wins versus stuff like Salandit and Slowpoke. Humorous sufficient, it someway manages to beat Rock Throw Slugma too, however clearly, aside from that and Salandit’s resisted Poison strikes, it desires no a part of anything with Fireplace.
Litwick
GhostFireplace
- I very a lot want LITWICK had a Grass protection transfer like its later evolutions, as that may be REALLY useful on this format. However alas, it’s caught with all Fireplace strikes, and that is mediocre at best. About one of the best I can say for it’s that, in resisting Regular injury, it does fairly effectively versus Fast Assault Vulpix.
Tirtouga
WaterRock
- TIRTOUGA, sadly, lacks the Rock Throw of Carracosta, but it surely nonetheless manages to beat all Fires within the format and a number of other different good names. Area of interest, however not a nasty one!
Pumpkaboo
GhostGrass
- PUMPKABOO is a new-ish Razor Leaf possibility, however actually doesn’t have a ton going for it. The Ghost typing has far much less benefits on this meta than the Poison typing of Oddish, and the cost strikes are a bit of dearer than you’d like. Use it in case you actually prefer it, but it surely doesn’t come as a powerful suggestion, sorry.
Omanyte
WaterRock
- OMANYTE fills mainly the identical position, additionally beating Ducklett, however including on Tentacool too. And hey, if EVER there was a time to run Brine in PvP…
Kabuto
WaterRock
- Identical story with KABUTO… and that’s about all I’ve to say about it.
And that’s it! There are just a few extra I checked out however finally dismissed (Goldeen, Seedot, Spheal, Psyduck, Paras and others) that simply didn’t fairly make the lower, however you might even see them right here or there.
However there we’re… a fairly complete overview of one other fascinating meta! Hopefully, this provides you some concepts for teambuilding. Good luck!
Till subsequent time, you may at all times discover me on Twitter for near-daily PvP evaluation nuggets, or Patreon. And please, be at liberty to remark right here with your personal ideas or questions and I’ll attempt to get again to you!
Thanks for studying! I sincerely hope this helps you grasp Component Cup (once more!), and in essentially the most inexpensive means doable. Better of luck, Pokéfriends, and catch you subsequent time!
The put up Nifty Or Thrifty: Component Cup appeared first on Pokémon GO Hub.
