The Pokemon Go Battle League’s Ultra League format is getting a big shake-up with the UL Premier Classic, which means Trainers will need to rethink their best team picks.
Niantic regularly introduces variations of the three main Pokemon Go Battle Leagues, such as the Master League Classic or the Great League Remix, but in Season 12, they’re bringing back the Ultra League Premier Classic.
Just like the regular Ultra League, only Pokemon under 2500 CP are allowed to enter. The Premier ruleset means Legendary and Mythical Pokemon are excluded, while the Classic ruleset means Pokemon powered up with XL Candy are banned.
This rule change means that many of the best Ultra League competitors aren’t allowed, so Trainers will have to revisit their best team lineups with some new picks. Below, you’ll find out recommendations to take you to victory.
Contents
- Best team for the Ultra League Premier Classic
- Best Pokemon for the Ultra League Premier Classic
- Ultra League Premier Classic date & time
Best team for Ultra League Premier Classic in Pokemon Go
One of the best teams for Pokemon Go’s Ultra League Premier Classic is Trevenant, Sylveon, and Walrein, as these are three of the strongest fighters in the meta and provide a good range of coverage against common enemies.
As always, it’s hard to say what the ultimate Ultra League Premier Classic team is, as it really depends on the opponents you’ll go up against. For example, Trevenant may be king, but it will always be weak against a powered-up Obstagoon.
Having said that, there are a few Pokemon that will perform well in most situations, which we’ve listed below. Premier Classic restrictions mean that none of these fighters require XL Candy, which makes them a lot more accessible.
Best Pokemon for the Ultra League Premier Classic
Trevenant
- Fast Move: Shadow Claw
- Charged Moves: Seed Bomb and Shadow Claw
- Resistances: Electric, Fighting, Grass, Ground, Normal, and Water
- Weaknesses: Dark, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Ice
Trevenant is a relatively new addition to Pokemon Go, having debuted during the 2021 Halloween event, but it’s already become a Go Battle League standout. That’s especially true in the Ultra League Premier Classic, where it’s arguably the top contender.
Shadow Claw has the best damage output and energy generation, so choose that as Trevenant’s Fast Move. As for Charged Moves, the low-cost Seed Bomb is great for taking out your opponent’s shields, while Shadow Claw acts as the perfect follow-up for huge damage.
Walrein
- Fast Move: Powder Snow
- Charged Moves: Icicle Spear and Earthquake
- Resistances: Ice and Water
- Weaknesses: Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Rock
Ever since it got access to a good moveset during the January 2022 Community Day, Walrein has risen to the top tier of various formats in the Go Battle League, and the UL Premier Classic is arguably where it shines the brightest.
You’ll need Powder Snow as a Fast Move, as this gives Walrein quick enough energy to access two powerful Charged Moves: Icicle Spear which can be spammed to take down shields, and Earthquake for huge damage and extra coverage.
Sylveon
- Fast Move: Charm
- Charged Moves: Moonblast and Psyshock
- Resistances: Bug, Dark, Dragon, and Fighting
- Weaknesses: Poison and Steel
Sylveon doesn’t always work in the Go Battle League, but the Fairy-type Eeveelution finally gets a chance to rise to the top ranks in the Ultra League Premier Classic as the best Charmer, where it can take on Machamp, Obstagoon, and Dragonite with ease.
You’ll want Charm as Sylveon’s Fast Move as it has the benefit of STAB. When it comes to Charged Moves, Moonblast is the strongest Fairy-type attack on offer. If you have access to Psyshock (via Community Day or Elite TM), that should help Sylveon’s standing with extra coverage.
Swampert
- Fast Move: Mud Shot
- Charged Moves: Hydro Cannon and Earthquake
- Resistances: Electric, Steel, Rock, Poison, and Fire
- Weaknesses: Grass
Swampert is a relatively accessible Pokemon that’s already proven itself in countless leagues and cups, and it once again proves its worth in the Ultra League Premier Classic. It only has one weakness (Grass) and can counter the likes of Sylveon, Snorlax, and Charizard.
Mud Shot has the fastest energy generation of Swampert’s Fast Moves, which will grant you better access to its powerful Charged Moves. Ideally, you’ll want the Elite TM or Community Day-exclusive attack Hydro Cannon, but Earthquake is a solid backup otherwise.
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Nidoqueen
- Fast Move: Poison Jab
- Charged Moves: Poison Fang and Earth Power
- Resistances: Bug, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Poison, and Rock
- Weaknesses: Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water
Nidoqueen is already good in the regular Ultra League meta, but in the UL Premier Classic, it becomes one of the absolute best choices you can take into battle, with key wins against top-tier fighters like Venusaur, Sylveon, and Machamp.
Go with Poison Jab as Nidoqueen’s Fast Move, as it has the best energy gains (as well as STAB damage). The low-cost Poison Fang is an essential Charged Move, while Earth Power is a strong secondary option for Ground-type coverage.
Dragonite
- Fast Move: Dragon Breath
- Charged Moves: Dragon Claw and Superpower
- Resistances: Bug, Fighting, Fire, Grass, Ground, and Water
- Weaknesses: Dragon, Fairy, Ice, and Rock
Legendaries aren’t allowed in the Ultra League Premier Classic, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use pseudo-Legendaries. Dragonite is a bulky option that can beat the likes of Swampert, Trevenant, Venusaur, and Obstagoon so it’s a worthy investment.
Dragon Breath remains Dragonite’s best Fast Move, while Dragon Claw is a low-cost Charged Move that can be spammed for decent STAB damage. If you can afford a secondary move, go with the Fighting-type attack Superpower for extra coverage.
Venusaur
- Fast Move: Vine Whip
- Charged Moves: Frenzy Plant and Sludge Bomb
- Resistances: Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, and Water
- Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Ice, and Psychic
Venusaur is another Pokemon that relies on a Community Day-exclusive move to really shine in the Ultra League Premier Classic. It’s one of the tankiest Grass-types you can get and has resistance to some of the most popular types here, including Fairy, Fighting, and Water.
Make sure you have Vine Whip as Venusaur’s Fast Move, as it has the best energy generation. The Elite TM or Community Day-exclusive attack Frenzy Plant is the superior Charged Move here, while Sludge Bomb is a good secondary choice that gets STAB and some extra Poison-type coverage.
Machamp
- Fast Move: Counter
- Charged Moves: Cross Chop and Rock Slide
- Resistances: Bug, Rock, and Dark
- Weaknesses: Fairy, Flying, and Psychic
The ol’ faithful Fighting-type Machamp gets a higher standing in the Ultra League Premier Classic, where it can defeat big players like Snorlax, Obstagoon, and Charizard. Shadow Machamp performs slightly better, but standard Machamp will serve you just fine too.
Counter is one of the best Fast Moves across Pokemon Go, so make sure you have that. Cross Chop is a great Charged Move that benefits from STAB and can be spammed to take out shields, while Rock Slide gives coverage against one of Machamp’s weaknesses, Flying-types.
Snorlax (Shadow)
- Fast Move: Lick
- Charged Moves: Body Slam and Superpower
- Resistances: Ghost
- Weaknesses: Fighting
With Trevenant being such a powerhouse in the Ultra League Premier Classic, every Trainer needs a solid counter on their team. Shadow Snorlax fills this niche brilliantly, while also countering Sylveon, Gallade, and Empoleon – although regular Snorlax can still claim victories against Trevenant.
Lick is the only Fast Move you should consider with Snorlax, so make sure you have it. Body Slam is a great Charged Move for taking out your opponent’s shields, while the Fighting-type attack Superpower is a good secondary choice to increase Snorlax’s coverage.
Pokemon Go Ultra League Premier Classic date & time
The Ultra League Premier Classic kicks off on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 1PM PT / 4PM ET / 9PM BST and runs until Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 1PM PT.
It will run alongside the regular Ultra League, so make sure you check out our team recommendations for the best Pokemon to use in Season 12.
You can see the current Pokemon Go Battle League schedule and rewards here.