On July 9th and 10th, Pokémon GO will host the Battle Weekend. During this event, you can benefit from event attacks with certain Pokémon. We from MeinMMO have looked into which Pokémon you should definitely evolve.
What kind of event is this? Currently, the anniversary event is taking place in Pokémon GO for the 6th birthday of the game. This includes a mini-event in the form of a Battle Weekend. During this event, you can encounter Team GO Rocket and benefit from some bonuses.
One of these bonuses is special event attacks that the starter Pokémon from the first 5 game generations can learn when evolving this weekend. Below, we have created an overview of which Pokémon you should definitely evolve and, above all, why it is worth it.
When does the mini-event run? The Battle Weekend begins on July 9, 2022, at 00:00 local time and runs until July 10, 2022, at 23:59. During this time, you have the opportunity to secure the event attacks.
These are the 5 Pokémon you should evolve
What kind of attacks are these? The special event attacks are attacks that these Pokémon were able to learn in the past, for example, during Community Day.
Outside of such events, a switch to these attacks is only possible by using a Charged TM or Elite Charged TM. The following attacks can be learned:
| Event Attack | Evolution |
| Flora Statue (Charged Attack) | Bulbasaur to Venusaur Chikorita to Bayleef Treecko to Sceptile Turtwig to Torterra Snivy to Servine |
| Fire Spin (Charged Attack) | Charmander to Charizard Cyndaquil to Typhlosion Torchic to Blaziken Chimchar to Infernape Pignite to Emboar |
| Water Gun (Charged Attack) | Squirtle to Blastoise Totodile to Feraligatr Mudkip to Swampert Piplup to Empoleon Oshawott to Samurott |
| Ember (Fast Attack) | Charmander to Charizard |
What does the overview include? Not all of the above-mentioned Pokémon are used in raids or the GO Battle League. For this reason, we have listed 5 Pokémon below whose evolution is particularly worthwhile for you. We explain which areas each Pokémon is best suited for.
Mudkip to Swampert
Event Attack: Water Gun
What kind of Pokémon is Mudkip? Mudkip is a Water-type starter Pokémon from the 3rd generation. It evolves into Swampert through Marshstomp.
Why is the evolution worthwhile? Swampert is a true all-rounder and should definitely not be missing in your Poké bag. The Pokémon can score especially in stamina. But its attack and defense stats are also impressive.
Since Swampert is not solely a Water-type Pokémon, but also has the Ground type, it is not as susceptible to Electric, Rock, and Poison-type attacks compared to other Water starter Pokémon. Especially against Electric attackers, it is significantly more resilient.
With a moveset of Water Gun and Water Gun, it ranks among the best Water attackers in the game. The event attack charges relatively fast and deals significant damage.
However, Swampert is also more than suitable for the GO Battle League, which is why you should secure several specimens. The Pokémon is indeed among the top in all three leagues.
According to the ranking from PvPoke, it ranks 15th in the Great League, 4th in the Ultra League, and 29th in the Master League. In PvP battles, it is best to use a moveset of Mud Shot, Water Gun, and Earthquake.
Bulbasaur to Venusaur
Event Attack: Flora Statue
What kind of Pokémon is Bulbasaur? Bulbasaur is the Grass and Poison-type starter Pokémon from the 1st generation. You can evolve it into Venusaur through Ivysaur. Furthermore, Venusaur has a temporary Mega Evolution that you can trigger using the corresponding Mega Energy.
Why is the evolution worthwhile? Those who enjoy and frequently participate in raids should definitely have a Venusaur. With its good stats in attack, stamina, and defense, along with a moveset of Vine Whip and Flora Statue, the Pokémon ranks among the top 10 Grass attackers in Pokémon GO.
Since it additionally has a Mega Evolution, if possible, especially in battle, you should utilize it. This not only boosts your own attacks but also the attacks of your teammates.
In contrast to Petal Blizzard and Solar Beam, the two charged attacks that Venusaur can also learn, Flora Statue charges significantly faster and deals increased damage. Additionally, it benefits from its Poison type. This makes Venusaur less susceptible to Fighting and Fairy-type attacks.
However, Venusaur is not only impressive in raids. It also performs well in the Great and Ultra Leagues. Meanwhile, its low CP causes issues in the Master League. It’s possible that at some point it could even encounter its Mega Evolution if it should become available for the GO Battle League.
Charmander to Charizard
Event Attack: Ember and Fire Spin
What kind of Pokémon is Charmander? Another starter Pokémon from the 1st generation is Charmander. This Fire-type Pokémon evolves into Charizard through Charmeleon. Furthermore, you can evolve Charizard into one of two different Mega Pokémon using Mega Energy.
Why is the evolution worthwhile? Unlike all other starter Pokémon, Charizard can learn two event attacks during the Battle Weekend: Ember (Fast Attack) and Fire Spin (Charged Attack).
This Fire and Flying-type Pokémon has average stats in attack, stamina, and defense. Nonetheless, it can benefit from a fast and powerful moveset, making it one of the best Fire attackers in Pokémon GO.
With its two Mega Evolutions, Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y, it can perform even better with the same moveset and additionally boosts all other fire attacks in battle.
In the GO Battle League, you can particularly utilize Charizard in the Ultra League. According to PvPoke, it ranks 35th. Unlike in raids, the event fast attack Ember is also utilized here.
This attack is of the Dragon type, incredibly fast, and it deals solid damage as well. Therefore, in the GO Battle League, it is best to use a moveset of Ember, Fire Spin, and Dragon Claw.
Chikorita to Bayleef
Event Attack: Flora Statue
What kind of Pokémon is Chikorita? Chikorita is a Grass-type starter Pokémon from the 2nd generation that evolves into Bayleef via Bayleef.
Why is the evolution worthwhile? The Grass Pokémon Bayleef may not score highly in attack, but it impresses in stamina and defense. For this reason, it is one of the best candidates for the GO Battle League.
With a moveset of Vine Whip, Flora Statue, and Earthquake, it can particularly rank 44th in the Great League and 14th in the Ultra League. It’s advisable to also consider the Shadow variants of Bayleef, which even ranks 8th there.
Just like Venusaur, it has a fast and powerful charged attack with the event attack that you should secure for the Battle Weekend.
Squirtle to Blastoise
Event Attack: Water Gun
What kind of Pokémon is Squirtle? The Water-type starter Pokémon from the first generation is Squirtle. The little turtle evolves into Blastoise through Wartortle, which, just like Bulbasaur and Charizard, has a Mega Evolution.
Why is the evolution worthwhile? Examining the stats of Blastoise, one finds they are only average. It can score a bit more in defense and stamina than in attack. Therefore, the turtle doesn’t make it into the top 10 best Water attackers in the game.
Only in its Mega Evolution does it find use in raids with a moveset of Water Gun and Water Gun. It can benefit from a fast attack combination of Water Gun and Water Gun, dealing significant damage to opponents.
In the GO Battle League, it could also be interesting for you in the Ultra League. Even if it’s not as strong as Swampert, it ranks 34th there as a Water attacker and is a good alternative. Use a moveset of Water Gun, Water Gun, and Ice Beam.
Are there other strong starter Pokémon?
Yes, besides the 5 mentioned Pokémon, there are other starters worth considering. If you want a strong candidate for raids, you can also rely on these evolutions, as they are all among the best attackers in Pokémon GO:
- Sceptile
- Torterra
- Emboar
- Feraligatr
- Samurott
In the PvP League, the following evolutions are also suitable:
- Serperior
- Samurott
- Empoleon
Do Shadow Pokémon also get these event attacks?
You can also benefit from event attacks with your Shadow Pokémon if you evolve them. During the Battle Weekend, you also have the chance to make your Shadows forget the Charged Attack Frustration.
How does that work? What you need to pay attention to in order to secure the event attacks for your Shadow Pokémon is explained by user _The-Space_Monkey_ in his reddit post. Thus, if you want to develop a Shadow Mudkip into Shadow Swampert, you first have to use a Charged TM on it. If the Charged Attack Frustration has changed to any other attack, you can then evolve the Pokémon and finally get a Shadow Swampert with the event attack Water Gun.
Is it worth it? Shadow Pokémon benefit from a 20% higher attack than their normal forms. For this reason, they are particularly suitable for raids. Since they become weaker in defense, they do not last as long in battle. However, you can also find some strong Shadow Pokémon in the GO Battle League.
Are you already looking forward to the Battle Weekend? Which Pokémon will you evolve to secure the event attack? And which Shadows do you want to forget Frustration? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments here on MeinMMO and exchange ideas with other trainers.
