The Holiday Cup is one of Pokémon GO’s most approachable limited formats, but that does not mean you can win by throwing together random picks. With strict type rules and a 1,500 CP cap in the Great League edition, team balance, coverage, and energy management matter far more than raw power.
The Pokémon GO Holiday Cup: Great League Edition is available from December 17 to December 24, 2025, running alongside the Master League in the GO Battle League. With strict type restrictions in place, this limited-time cup rewards smart team building and matchup awareness.
Pokémon GO Holiday Cup Rules
Before choosing a team, it helps to be clear on the format restrictions and why they shape the meta so strongly.
- League: Great League Edition
- CP limit: 1,500
- Eligible types: Normal, Grass, Electric, Ice, Flying, Ghost
- Team size: Three Pokémon
A Pokémon only needs to have one of the allowed types to be eligible. Dual-typed Pokémon like Alolan Ninetales (Ice/Fairy) or Sableye (Dark/Ghost) are allowed because one of their typings fits the rules.
Because Fighting, Steel, and Fairy are mostly absent, certain bulky Normal- and Ghost-type Pokémon rise to the top, while common Great League threats from open formats disappear.
Holiday Cup Meta
The Holiday Cup meta revolves around three core ideas:
- Bulky Normal-types dominate
With very limited Fighting-type pressure, Pokémon like Lickilicky, Dunsparce, and Furret can absorb damage and spam Charged Attacks safely. - Ghost-types control momentum
Ghost Pokémon such as Sableye and Aegislash pressure Normals and Flyers while forcing shield decisions early. - Ice and Flying provide key coverage
Ice-types help check Flyers and Grass-types, while Flying-types pressure Grass and many Ghost matchups.
Strong teams usually include:
- One safe switch that can recover from bad leads
- One bulky generalist that soaks damage
- One closer capable of finishing games when shields are down
Core Pokémon to Build Around
Rather than chasing a single “best” lineup, it is smarter to choose from proven meta anchors and then build synergy around them.
Sableye
- Role: Safe switch / pressure pick
- Fast Attack: Shadow Claw
- Charged Attacks: Foul Play, Power Gem
Sableye thrives in this format because Fairy-type counters are rare. It generates energy quickly, forces shields, and can flip matchups with smart timing. It fits well on almost any Holiday Cup team.
Lickilicky
- Role: Bulky generalist
- Fast Attack: Rollout
- Charged Attacks: Body Slam, Shadow Ball
Lickilicky is a staple thanks to its bulk and consistent damage. Rollout builds energy rapidly, Body Slam applies constant pressure, and Shadow Ball gives it closing power against Ghosts.
Aurorus
- Role: Ice damage dealer / closer
- Fast Attack: Powder Snow
- Charged Attacks: Weather Ball (Ice), Meteor Beam
Aurorus brings fast Ice pressure and a dangerous nuke in Meteor Beam. When shields are down, it can swing games quickly, but it must be protected from Fighting-type coverage when Annihilape appears.
Corviknight
- Role: Defensive pivot
- Fast Attack: Sand Attack
- Charged Attacks: Air Cutter, Iron Head
Corviknight has excellent resistances in this meta and can quietly dismantle common picks through debuffs and steady pressure. It is not flashy, but it wins long games.
Alolan Ninetales
- Role: Ice/Fairy coverage
- Fast Attack: Powder Snow
- Charged Attacks: Weather Ball (Ice), Dazzling Gleam
While Fairy-types are limited, Alolan Ninetales still has value for checking Dragons, Flyers, and some Ghost matchups, especially when shield pressure is controlled well.
Best Holiday Cup Team Recommendations
Below are well-balanced team examples that cover common threats and playstyles. These are not rigid formulas, but strong starting points.
Team 1: Safe and Consistent
- Lead: Lickilicky
- Safe Switch: Sableye
- Closer: Aurorus
This team covers most of the meta with minimal risk. Lickilicky absorbs early damage, Sableye handles awkward switch scenarios, and Aurorus closes matches once shields are down.
Team 2: Defensive Control
- Lead: Corviknight
- Safe Switch: Sableye
- Closer: Lickilicky
Corviknight weakens opponents through debuffs, Sableye pressures shields, and Lickilicky finishes with bulk and spam. This team excels in longer, grindy matches.
Team 3: Ice Pressure Focus
- Lead: Aurorus
- Safe Switch: Lickilicky
- Closer: Alolan Ninetales
Double Ice pressure overwhelms Flyers and Grass-types. Lickilicky acts as the stabilizer when Ice matchups turn unfavorable.
Team 4: Ghost-Centric Play
- Lead: Sableye
- Safe Switch: Corviknight
- Closer: Aurorus
This lineup pressures Normal-types early and uses Corviknight’s resistances to reset alignment. Aurorus cleans up once shields are exhausted.
Team-Building Tips for the Holiday Cup
A few smart adjustments can make a big difference in your results.
- Always unlock a second Charged Attack: One-move Pokémon struggle badly in this format because coverage is everything.
- Plan for Normal-types: At least one team member should handle bulky Normals comfortably.
- Save shields for your closer: Pokémon like Aurorus and Sableye perform much better with shield support.
- Know when to switch: Blind matchups are common, so learning when to cut losses and pivot is key.
The Pokémon GO Holiday Cup rewards thoughtful team construction more than perfect execution. You do not need rare or expensive Pokémon to succeed, but you do need balance, coverage, and a clear game plan. By building around proven meta picks and understanding their roles, you can stay competitive throughout the event and adapt as matchups change.
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With the right preparation, the Holiday Cup becomes one of the most enjoyable and accessible PvP formats in Pokémon GO.
