Pokemon Go Battle League – Best NAIC 2026 Cup: Great League Edition team

The North America International Championships 2026 Cup is now live in Pokemon Go‘s Battle League, bringing a competitive format inspired by one of the biggest Pokemon events.

Unlike many themed Cups, this competition follows standard Great League rules. That means only Pokemon with 1,500 CP or less are eligible, allowing a wide range of popular battlers to enter the arena.

With no type restrictions in place, trainers can expect a diverse and competitive meta featuring some of the strongest Battle League picks. Building a balanced team will be key to climbing the ranks and securing victories.

So, we’ve rounded up some of the best creatures for this cup during its return in the Forever Forward season.

Best team for the Pokemon Go NAIC 2026 Cup: Great League Edition

DEXERTO

One of the best team combinations for the North America International Championships 2026 Cup includes Miltank, Hypno, and Grumpig, as they are some of the strongest Pokemon with wide coverage.

Another team that players could try out is Blastoise, Munchlax, and Toucannon.

However, as with the rest of the Go Battle League, it’s hard to say what a ‘best team’ looks like because you’ll never know what Pokemon you’re going up against. You can have a very solid team, but a lot of it comes down to type combinations.

Still, there are a few that can perform well in most situations, which we’ve listed below alongside their optimal movesets and weaknesses.

Best NAIC 2026 Cup: Great League Edition Pokemon

Aromatisse

Niantic / The Pokemon Company

• Fast Move: Fairy Wind
• Charged Move: Psyshock and Moonblast
• Type: Fairy
• Resistances: Bug, Dark, Dragon, and Fighting
• Weaknesses: Poison and Steel

Aromatisse is a bulky Fairy-type that excels at handling Dragons, Dark-types, and Fighters while applying steady pressure throughout a battle. Its solid durability allows it to stay on the field long enough to take advantage of its powerful Charged Moves.

Fairy Wind is the ideal Fast Move thanks to its excellent energy generation, helping Aromatisse reach its Charged Moves quickly. Psyshock provides a cheap option for shield pressure and coverage, while Moonblast is the heavy-hitting STAB attack that can deal massive damage and potentially lower the opponent’s Attack.

Galarian Slowking

DEXERTO

• Fast Move: Acid
• Charged Moves: Psyshock and Shadow Ball
• Type: Poison/Psychic
• Resistances: Fighting, Fairy, Grass, and Poison
• Weaknesses: Dark, Ghost, and Ground

Galarian Slowking found its niche thanks to its solid bulk and access to a deceptively strong coverage-heavy moveset.

Acid is the preferred Fast Move, offering steady energy generation while pressuring Fairy and Grass-type opponents. Psyshock is cheap and reliable for shield baiting and consistent damage, while Shadow Ball is the real threat, giving Galarian Slowking a powerful nuke that can flip matchups against Ghost and Psychic-type creatures if it lands unshielded.

Linoone

DEXERTO

• Fast Move: Shadow Claw
• Charged Moves: Swift and Grass Knot
• Type: Normal
• Resistances: Ghost
• Weaknesses: Fighting

Linoone is a speedy Normal-type that relies on fast energy generation and wide coverage to pressure opponents. While it isn’t particularly bulky, its versatile moveset allows it to threaten a variety of creatures and keep shields under constant pressure.

Shadow Claw is the preferred Fast Move thanks to its excellent energy generation and solid neutral damage. Swift acts as the main spam move for consistent pressure, while Grass Knot gives Linoone valuable coverage against Water, Ground, and Rock-types that might otherwise be difficult to deal with.

Azumarill (XL)

Niantic / The Pokemon Company

• Fast Move: Bubble
• Charged Moves: Play Rough and Ice Beam
• Type: Water/Fairy
• Resistances: Bug, Fighting, Water, Ice, Fire, Dark, and Dragon
• Weaknesses: Electric, Grass, and Poison

Azumarill is, without a doubt, one of the best Fairy-type Pokemon ever. This is mainly due to its solid moveset, great coverage, and massive bulk that allows it to outlast most other opponents.

Bubble is the best Fast Move to use, with a good balance between damage and energy generation. Play Rough is the Charged Move you need, as it’s cheap and powerful. Plus, it benefits from STAB and will target Dark and Poison-type opponents. For some extra coverage, use Ice Beam.

Dewott

DEXERTO

• Fast Move: Fury Cutter
• Charged Moves: Aqua Tail and X-Scissor
• Type: Water
• Resistances: Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass

Dewott is a fast-paced Water-type that excels at applying constant pressure with its low-cost Charged Moves. While it lacks the bulk of some other Water Pokemon, its ability to quickly reach attacks makes it a surprisingly effective shield breaker.

Fury Cutter is the preferred Fast Move thanks to its excellent energy generation, allowing Dewott to spam Charged Moves at a rapid pace. Aqua Tail serves as the main STAB attack for reliable damage and shield pressure, while X-Scissor provides cheap coverage and gives Dewott another option to keep opponents guessing throughout the battle.

Rufflet (XL)

DEXERTO

• Fast Move: Peck
• Charged Moves: Brave Bird and Fly
• Type: Normal/Flying
• Resistances: Ghost, Ground, Bug, and Grass
• Weaknesses: Electric, Ice, and Rock

Rufflet is a surprisingly aggressive Flying-type that focuses on dealing heavy damage before opponents can take advantage of its limited bulk. Its strong Flying-type attacks make it especially effective against Grass and Bug creatures.

Peck is the preferred Fast Move, providing steady damage and energy generation while benefiting from STAB. Fly serves as the safer Charged Move for consistent pressure, while Brave Bird acts as a devastating nuke capable of knocking out opponents in a single hit, though its self-debuff means it should be used carefully.

Blastoise

DEXERTO

• Fast Move: Rollout
• Charged Moves: Hydro Cannon and Skull Bash
• Type: Water
• Resistances: Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass

Blastoise is back in the Battle League this season, mainly due to its massive bulkiness, spammy capabilities, and wonderful moveset.

This top-tier Water-type beast should be equipped with Rollout as its Fast Move, as it offers high energy generation. This will allow Blastoise to unlock its Charged Moves sooner.

Players can use Hydro Cannon (one of the best Charged Moves in the game) to bait the opponent’s shields and leave them defenseless early on, and Skull Bash to increase their own Defense stat by 25%.

Pelipper

DEXERTO

• Fast Move: Wing Attack
• Charged Moves: Weather Ball (Water) and Hurricane
• Type: Water/Flying
• Resistances: Ground, Bug, Fighting, Fire, Steel, and Water
• Weaknesses: Electric and Rock

Pelipper is one of the most reliable Water/Flying-types thanks to its combination of bulk, fast energy generation, and spammy Charged Moves. It excels at wearing opponents down while maintaining constant pressure throughout a battle.

Wing Attack is the preferred Fast Move due to its excellent energy generation, allowing Pelipper to reach its Charged Moves quickly. Weather Ball (Water) is the main pressure tool, offering cheap and consistent STAB damage, while Hurricane acts as a powerful finisher that can deal massive damage once shields are out of the way.

Munchlax

DEXERTO

• Fast Move: Tackle
• Charged Moves: Body Slam and Bulldoze
• Type: Normal
• Resistances: Ghost
• Weaknesses: Fighting

Munchlax is a bulky Normal-type that excels at outlasting opponents and applying steady pressure throughout a battle. Its impressive stamina allows it to absorb a lot of damage, making it a reliable safe switch in many matchups.

Tackle is the preferred Fast Move, providing consistent damage and energy generation. Body Slam is the main Charged Move thanks to its low energy cost and excellent shield pressure, while Bulldoze offers valuable coverage against Steel, Rock, and Poison-types that might otherwise be difficult for Munchlax to handle.

Pidgeot

Niantic / The Pokemon Company

• Fast Move: Wing Attack
• Charged Moves: Twister and Brave Bird
• Type: Normal/Flying
• Resistances: Bug, Ghost, Grass, and Ground
• Weaknesses: Electric, Ice, and Rock

Pidgeot is a well-rounded Flying-type that combines solid bulk with strong Charged Move pressure. Its ability to consistently generate energy and threaten heavy damage makes it a dependable choice in a variety of matchups.

Wing Attack is the ideal Fast Move thanks to its excellent energy generation, allowing Pidgeot to reach its Charged Moves quickly. Twister serves as a cheap option for shield pressure and chip damage, while Brave Bird is a devastating Flying-type nuke that can knock out opponents in a single hit, though its self-debuff means it should be used carefully.

Mantine

Niantic / The Pokemon Company

• Fast Move: Wing Attack
• Charged Moves: Twister and Water Pulse
• Type: Water/Flying
• Resistances: Fighting, Bug, Steel, Fire, Water, and Ground
• Weaknesses: Electric and Rock

One of Mantine’s biggest strengths is its Water/Flying typing, which grants it a wide range of useful resistances while leaving it vulnerable to only Electric and Rock-type attacks. Combined with its solid bulk, Mantine can comfortably absorb damage and stay in battles long enough to wear opponents down.

As a lead, Mantine can quickly access its Charged Moves thanks to Wing Attack, which benefits from STAB and provides excellent energy generation. Twister is a cheap option that helps apply shield pressure throughout a battle, while Water Pulse serves as the stronger STAB attack, allowing Mantine to deal reliable damage against neutral targets and Fire, Ground, and Rock-types.

Uxie

DEXERTO

• Fast Move: Confusion
• Charged Moves: Swift and Thunder
• Type: Psychic
• Resistances: Fighting and Psychic
• Weaknesses: Bug, Dark, and Ghost

Uxie is an incredibly bulky Psychic-type that excels at wearing opponents down over long battles. While it lacks the offensive power of some other Psychic creatures, its impressive defenses allow it to stay in play and consistently pressure opposing teams.

Confusion is the preferred Fast Move, dealing heavy STAB damage while generating energy at a steady pace. Swift acts as a reliable low-cost move for shield pressure, while Thunder provides valuable coverage against Water and Flying-types, giving Uxie a way to threaten opponents that might otherwise resist its Psychic damage.

Hypno

Niantic / The Pokemon Company

• Fast Move: Confusion
• Charged Moves: Shadow Ball and Thunder Punch
• Type: Psychic
• Resistances: Fighting and Psychic
• Weaknesses: Bug, Dark, and Ghost

Hypno has one of the most diverse movesets in Pokemon Go, which means it can excel in quite a lot of the sub-1,500 CP Cups. In the NAIC Cup, it rises to the top with good bulk and one of the best performances of any Psychic-type.

Confusion is the ideal Fast Move, delivering heavy damage while steadily building energy. Shadow Ball serves as the main high-damage option to threaten Ghost and Psychic-types, while Thunder Punch provides quick coverage against Water and Flying-types, allowing Hypno to pressure shields and keep opponents guessing.

Grumpig

DEXERTO

• Fast Move: Psywave
• Charged Moves: Dynamic Punch and Shadow Ball
• Type: Psychic
• Resistances: Psychic and Fighting
• Weaknesses: Bug, Dark, and Ghost

Even though Grumpig doesn’t have others’ impressive bulk, this Pokemon is a great choice for the NAIC Cup as it offers wide coverage and decent, solid stats.

While Charge Beam is a good fast-charge Fast Move, Psywave is way better, as it also benefits from STAB. Pair it with the Charged Move Dynamic Punch. It is cheap and can expand – even more – this Pokemon’s coverage.

As a secondary Charged Move, go for Shadow Ball. It is actually not expensive at all, and it is a Ghost-type nuke that will leave your Grumpig protected against several opponents.

Miltank

NIANTIC/DEXERTO

• Fast Move: Rollout
• Charged Moves: Body Slam and Thunderbolt
• Type: Normal
• Resistances: Ghost
• Weaknesses: Fighting

Miltank is a bulky Normal-type that excels at applying constant pressure thanks to its fast energy generation and solid durability. Its ability to repeatedly fire off Charged Moves makes it a frustrating opponent to deal with in longer battles.

Rollout is the ideal Fast Move, generating energy extremely quickly and allowing Miltank to reach its Charged Moves with ease. Body Slam serves as the main spam move for reliable damage and shield pressure, while Thunderbolt provides useful coverage against Water and Flying-types, helping Miltank threaten a wider range of opponents.

Pokemon Go NAIC 2026 Cup rules & restrictions explained

The North America International Championships 2026 Cup: Great League Edition is one of the most unique challenges in the Go Battle League, as only Fairy, Normal, Psychic, and Water-type Pokemon at or below 1,500 CP can enter.

While Pokemon with a secondary type not included in the previous list can participate (like Water/Flying Pelipper), those with Dark, Grass, and Steel typings are not eligible to compete. Additionally, Shadow creatures are eligible, but Mega Evolutions are not.

Moreover, there’s a quite long list of banned creatures:

North America International Championships 2026 Cup: Great League Edition start & end date

The latest Battle League season is underway, running from June 2, 2026, until September 8, 2026. For the rest of its run, the NAIC 2026 Cup will appear on:

• June 2 – June 9: Along with the Great League
• June 9 – June 16: Along with the Ultra League

This means you’ll have two weeks to dominate this Go Battle League cup and work your way to the top.

Those are the best Pokemon you can add to your (NAIC) North America International Championships 2026 Cup: Great League Edition team during the current Pokemon Go season. For more content, check our guide with the Battle League schedule and rewards, as well as all the best attackers, defenders, and PvP champions.