In Pokémon GO the team leaders have new Pokémon that can battle you in PvP. We will show you which ones they are and how you can defeat them the fastest.
This is about the changes: Since there have been changes to the PvP mode in Pokémon GO, the 3 team leaders also have new Pokémon that can battle you.
It is the first rotation since trainer battles were introduced in December 2018. Now the battles are supposed to be more challenging and not so easy anymore.
What has changed with the team leaders
How it will be harder: You will now not face Magikarp or Feebas, but at least a Sneasel or Formeo in front of you. This is supposed to make the battles harder.
Additionally, the team leaders now also use shields. They had not done this until now. A battle can therefore take a bit longer.
Is it going to be really difficult now? No, the team leaders are still quite easy to defeat. You will definitely face more challenges, and especially in the lower leagues, things have changed, but it isn’t really hard with the right counters.
How to defeat Blanche from Team Wisdom
How hard is she to defeat? Blanche is said to be the easiest to defeat. She primarily battles with Ice and Water-type Pokémon. Her teams in the 3 leagues look as follows:
Super League (up to 1500 CP):
- Sneasel: Counter: Any Fighting, Fire, Bug, Rock, Steel, and Fairy-type Pokémon
- Seaking: Counter: Any Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Rock-type Pokémon
- Ice-Formeo: Counter: Any Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel-type Pokémon
What should the team look like? You should be able to win even without a large team selection. However, it’s best to rely on Fighting and Rock-type Pokémon, as they are effective against all 3 Pokémon.
Hyper League (up to 2500 CP):
- Glaceon: Counter: Any Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel-type Pokémon
- Empoleon: Counter: Any Fighting, Electric, and Ground-type Pokémon
- Mamoswine: Counter: Any Grass, Fire, Water, Fighting, and Steel-type Pokémon
What should the team look like? Fighting-type Pokémon are effective against each of these Pokémon. So use Pokémon like Machamp, Leafeon, or Hariyama. This will give you the best results, and you won’t have to switch Pokémon too much.
Master League (no CP limit):
- Suicune: Counter: Electivire, Raikou, Roserade, Leafeon, Zapdos, and other Grass and Electric-type Pokémon
- Metagross: Counter: Sneasel, Tyranitar, Groudon, Gengar, and other Fire, Ground, Ghost, and Dark-type Pokémon
- Articuno: Counter: Tyranitar, Rhyperior, Rampardos, Metagross, Electivire, and other Rock, Steel, Electric, and Fire-type Pokémon
What should the team look like? You should definitely rely on the right Pokémon here. Additionally, you need to use Pokémon of various types to be effective. We recommend a team of Raikou, Tyranitar, and Rampardos
How to defeat Candela from Team Valor
How hard is she to defeat? Until now, she was considered of medium difficulty. She mainly relies on Fire-type Pokémon. Her teams look as follows:
Super League (up to 1500 CP):
- Jangmo-o: Counter: Any Flying, Psychic, Ground, and Water-type Pokémon
- Magcargo: Counter: Any Rock, Ground, Fighting, and Water-type Pokémon
- Fire-Formeo: Counter: Any Rock, Ground, and Water-type Pokémon
What should the team look like? This should currently be the easiest to defeat. Just use Rock-type Pokémon and you can easily defeat Candela here. A good candidate is Aerodactyl with its new Rock attacks.
Hyper League (up to 2500 CP):
- Flareon: Counter: Any Rock, Ground, and Water-type Pokémon
- Typhlosion: Counter: Any Rock, Ground, and Water-type Pokémon
- Magmortar: Counter: Any Rock, Ground, and Water-type Pokémon
What should the team look like? Your team should look the same here as in the Super League. The best Pokémon here are Rampardos or Tyranitar. Alternatively, Kyogre or Groudon also work. The selection is large and they are effective against all Pokémon here.
Master League (no CP limit):
- Entei: Counter: Rampardos, Groudon, Kyogre, Tyranitar, and other Ground, Water, and Rock-type Pokémon
- Dragonite: Counter: Mamoswine, Tyranitar, Rampardos, Rayquaza, and other Rock, Dragon, Fairy, and Ice-type Pokémon
- Zapdos: Counter: Rampardos, Tyranitar, Rhyperior, Kyogre, and other Rock, Electric, and Water-type Pokémon
What should the team look like? Simply equip your team with 3 Rock-type Pokémon and you shouldn’t have any problems here. A Tyranitar with Rock Slide and Stone Edge is even enough.
How to defeat Spark from Team Instinct
How hard is he to defeat? Spark has been considered the hardest team leader so far and even now he has some interesting Pokémon. But even then, the battle shouldn’t be a problem with the right counters. He mainly fights with Electric-type Pokémon:
Super League (up to 1500 CP):
- Plusle: Counter: Any Ground-type Pokémon
- Electrode: Counter: Any Ground-type Pokémon
- Water-Formeo: Counter: Any Grass and Electric-type Pokémon
What should the team look like? A team of Ground-type Pokémon should be sufficient here. The Formeo is very effective against Ground, but it shouldn’t be able to take down a 3-member team. If needed, you can also bring along a Pokémon of Electric or Grass type.
Hyper League (up to 2500 CP):
- Jolteon: Counter: Any Ground-type Pokémon
- Luxray: Counter: Any Ground-type Pokémon
- Magnezone: Counter: Any Ground, Fire, and Fighting-type Pokémon
What should the team look like? Again, a team of pure Ground-type Pokémon should suffice. Good candidates here are Groudon straight from the raid or Rhyperior.
Master League (no CP limit):
- Raikou: Counter: Groudon, Rhyperior, Garchomp, and other Ground-type Pokémon
- Garchomp: Counter: Machamp, Groudon, Kyogre, Hariyama, and other Fighting, Grass, Water, Ground, Bug, Steel, and Fairy-type Pokémon
- Zapdos: Counter: Rampardos, Tyranitar, Rhyperior, Mamoswine, and other Rock and Ice-type Pokémon
What should the team look like? To defeat Raikou and Tyranitar, a Ground-type Pokémon is sufficient. For Zapdos, you should switch to a Rock-type Pokémon. We recommend a team of Groudon, Garchomp, and Rampardos.
What do you think of the new team leaders? What Pokémon teams do you send into battle against them?
