Pokemon Go Halloween Cup: Best Great League Team

To build a strong Pokemon Go Halloween Cup team for the Great League, you need a balanced core of three Pokemon that resist common Ghost, Poison, and Dark-type attacks while covering each other’s weaknesses. The Halloween Cup has a 1,500 CP limit and only allows Dark, Ghost, Poison, and Fairy-type Pokemon, so choosing the right mix of these types is key to winning matches.

Formula

The calculator above works out your average pace and speed for a run or walk. The formulas are simple:

• Pace = time (t) ÷ distance (d), measured in minutes per kilometer (min/km).
• Speed = distance (d) ÷ time (t) in hours, measured in kilometers per hour (km/h).

To convert minutes to hours, divide the time by 60. For example, 50 minutes is 50 ÷ 60 = 0.833 hours. The variables are: t = time in minutes, d = distance in kilometers, pace = minutes per kilometer, and speed = kilometers per hour.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: t = 50 minutes and d = 10 km.

1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.0 min/km.
2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.0 km/h.

So a 10 km run in 50 minutes gives an average pace of 5:00 per kilometer and an average speed of 12 km/h. The calculator shows the same results.

How the Halloween Cup Works

The Halloween Cup is a limited-time PvP format in Pokemon Go, usually running for about two weeks in October. It uses the Great League CP cap of 1,500, meaning each Pokemon must have a CP at or below 1,500 to enter. Only Pokemon with the types Dark, Ghost, Poison, or Fairy are allowed. That excludes common Great League picks like Azumarill (Water/Fairy, but the Water type is not allowed) and Registeel (Steel, not allowed).

The cup has been held in various seasons, and the rules have stayed consistent: no more than one of each species, no duplicates, and no Pokemon above 1,500 CP. You build a team of three, and you face other players in the same format. The meta shifts each year as new moves and Pokemon are added, but the core types remain the same.

How to Choose Your Team

Building a Halloween Cup team is about covering the four allowed types. You want a lead, a safe switch, and a closer. A balanced team usually has:

• One Pokemon that resists Dark and Ghost (Fairy or Poison).
• One Pokemon that resists Poison (Poison or Steel, but Steel is not allowed, so Poison or Dark).
• One Pokemon that resists Fairy (Poison or Steel, so Poison or Dark).

Since Steel is banned, Poison is the best defensive type. A Poison-type like Toxicroak or Swalot can take hits from Fairy and Grass moves. Fairy-types like Wigglytuff or Clefable resist Dark and Ghost, but they are weak to Poison and Steel. Dark-types like Umbreon or Sableye resist Ghost and Dark, but they are weak to Fairy and Fighting.

You also need to consider moves. A Pokemon with a fast move that deals super-effective damage to a common type can swing a match. For example, a Poison-type with a Ground or Psychic move can hit other Poison-types hard, since Poison is weak to Ground and Psychic.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common mistake is bringing a team with three Pokemon that all share the same weakness. For instance, a team of three Dark-types will all take super-effective damage from Fairy moves, and a single Azumarill (if it were allowed) would sweep. In the Halloween Cup, a Fairy-type like Wigglytuff can beat most Dark-types, so you need at least one Poison-type to counter it.

Another misconception is that the highest CP Pokemon is always the best. In Great League, stats matter more than raw CP. A Pokemon with a low Attack stat and high Defense and HP can have a higher stat product, which means it survives longer. For example, Umbreon is often used because it has high Defense and HP, even though its Attack is low.

Also, don’t ignore moves. A Pokemon with a poor moveset can be useless even if its type is good. Always check the fast and charge moves before investing in a Pokemon. For instance, a Toxicroak with Counter and Mud Bomb is much better than one with Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb, because Counter deals Fighting damage that hits Dark-types super effectively.

Comparing Top Picks

Here are some of the most reliable Pokemon in the Halloween Cup, based on their typing and moves:

• Umbreon (Dark) – High bulk, resists Ghost and Dark, but weak to Fairy and Fighting. Best used as a safe switch or closer.
• Toxicroak (Poison/Fighting) – Beats Dark-types with Counter, resists Poison and Fairy, but weak to Psychic and Flying. A strong lead.
• Wigglytuff (Normal/Fairy) – Resists Dark and Ghost, but weak to Poison and Steel. Has Charm for fast Fairy damage.
• Sableye (Dark/Ghost) – Only weak to Fairy, resists Normal, Psychic, and Ghost. Requires a Purified Sableye with Return for best coverage.
• Swalot (Poison) – Resists Fairy and Poison, but weak to Ground and Psychic. Has access to Sludge Bomb and Ice Beam for coverage.

Compare these with banned types. For example, Azumarill is Water/Fairy, but because Water is not allowed, it cannot enter. Similarly, Galarian Stunfisk is Ground/Steel, but Steel is banned. Always check the type list before building a team.

Costs and Resources

Building a competitive Halloween Cup team requires stardust and candy to power up Pokemon to around 1,500 CP. A typical Pokemon needs about 100,000 stardust and 100 candy to go from level 20 to level 30, which is the usual range for Great League. You also need to unlock a second charge move, which costs 10,000 to 75,000 stardust depending on the species.

To get the right IVs (Individual Values), you want a Pokemon with low Attack and high Defense and HP, as this maximizes stat product under the CP cap. Finding such a Pokemon may require catching many of the same species or trading with friends. Trading can also give you a Lucky Pokemon, which costs less stardust to power up.

If you are new, focus on one or two Pokemon first. You don’t need a full team of perfect IVs to win matches. A team of three decent Pokemon with the right moves can reach rank 20 in the Battle League, which is where the rewards are.

Safety and Fair Play

When playing Pokemon Go, always be aware of your surroundings. Do not play while driving or in unsafe areas. The game is meant to be played outdoors, but you should never put yourself in danger to catch a Pokemon or battle in a raid. For PvP battles, you can play from home using the Battle League, so no extra safety concerns apply.

Fair play is also important. Do not use third-party apps or bots to automate gameplay. Niantic’s terms of service prohibit such tools, and using them can result in a ban. Stick to the official app and play honestly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best lead for the Halloween Cup?

Toxicroak is often a strong lead because it beats Dark-types with Counter and resists Poison and Fairy. It struggles against Psychic-types like Cresselia, so pair it with a Dark-type like Umbreon to cover that weakness.

Can I use Shadow Pokemon in the Halloween Cup?

Yes, Shadow Pokemon are allowed as long as they fit the type restrictions and CP cap. Shadow Pokemon deal 20% more damage but take 20% more damage, which can be a trade-off. Some Shadows, like Shadow Toxicroak, are very strong, but they cost more stardust to power up.

How do I get a low Attack IV Pokemon?

You can catch many of the same species and check their IVs using the in-app appraisal. Focus on ones with low Attack and high Defense and HP. Trading with a friend can also produce a Lucky Pokemon, which has a minimum IV of 12 in each stat, but that may not give you a low Attack. Alternatively, use a Pokemon from a raid or research task, which have higher IVs but may have higher Attack.

Is the Halloween Cup the same every year?

The type restrictions and CP cap are the same, but the meta changes as new Pokemon and moves are introduced. For example, a new Pokemon released in a recent event might become a top pick. Always check the current season’s announcements for any changes.

What should I do if I don’t have many Pokemon?

Start with what you have. Many common Pokemon like Wigglytuff, Umbreon, and Toxicroak are obtainable from eggs, raids, or community days. You can also use the Pokemon Go Battle League to earn stardust and candy, which helps you power up your team over time.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2