Things are getting thrilling in Pokémon GO as the Halloween Cup returns to the GO Battle League for two whole weeks of exciting matches. There are two divisions to choose from: the Little Cup and the Great League Edition. Kicking things off is the Little Edition, where only Bug, Dark, Fairy, Ghost, and Poison-type Pokémon with a CP of 500 or less are allowed to compete.
This limited roster makes assembling the perfect team a real challenge, and the 500 CP cap means that many of your usual GO Battle League favorites will be sidelined. However, the lower CP threshold does offer a bit more accessibility, as you won’t need to rely on Legendaries or ultra-powerful Pokémon to have a shot at victory.
Best Team For The Halloween Cup: Little Edition
Shuckle Is The Star Of The Show, But You’ll Need Some Support
A top-notch team you can field for the Halloween Cup: Little Edition consists of Shuckle, Marill, and Clodsire. This lineup gives you the edge you need for just about any battle. But what makes Shuckle such a crucial member of this team?
The key player is Shuckle. This adorable Bug/Rock-type Pokémon may appear harmless, but it packs a powerful punch in the Halloween Cup: Little Edition. Despite having weak offensive stats (17 Attack and 85 Stamina), it boasts an impressive 396 Defense stat. Plus, with a max CP of only 458, it perfectly fits the Little Cup format.
Maxing out Shuckle to its full CP requires substantial Stardust and Candy, so make sure to invest only if you plan on battling often during the Halloween Cup: Little Edition.
According to PvPoke’s current rankings, Shuckle can win nearly all matches in the Halloween Cup: Little Edition, suggesting it will heavily influence the meta. Fortunately, two Pokémon can efficiently counter Shuckle, and one of them is likely already in your collection: Marill.
Just like Shuckle, maximizing Marill’s CP toward the 500 cap will demand significant Candy and Stardust investment, but it’s crucial for securing victories in the Halloween Cup: Little Edition. Marill has a Water-type moveset that can exploit Shuckle’s weaknesses and possesses enough bulk to outlast it in combat.
Another viable option against Shuckle is Clodsire, although finding one under the 500 CP cap might be tricky, given that it’s an evolved Pokémon. If you are fortunate enough to have an eligible one, you’ll find it doesn’t require many resources to reach the 500 CP limit, and most of its moves target Shuckle’s vulnerabilities, so you can avoid wasting TMs.
If you don’t have access to a suitable Clodsire, your next best alternative is choosing a Pokémon that can defeat either Marill or Clodsire as a backup for your Shuckle. While you probably won’t need it, since you can’t field three Shuckles on the same team, it’s wise to include something helpful for the third slot. You’ll find several good options listed in the table in the following section.
Best Pokémon For The Halloween Cup: Little Edition
Here Are The Top Pokémon & Their Best Movesets
Shuckle is undoubtedly the standout Pokémon for the Halloween Cup: Little Edition. However, if you’re curious about other contenders that can also be formidable, check out the table below:
| Pokémon | Fast Attack | Charged Attacks |
|---|---|---|
| Shuckle | Rock Throw | Stone Edge and Rock Blast |
| Marill | Bubble | Aqua Tail and Body Slam |
| Clodsire | Poison Sting | Stone Edge and Earthquake |
| Galarian Zigzagoon | Tackle | Swift and Dig |
| Qwilfish | Poison Sting | Aqua Tail and Ice Beam |
| Skorupi | Poison Sting | Aqua Tail and Cross Poison |
| Tentacool | Poison Sting | Water Pulse and Wrap |
| Skrelp | Water Gun | Aqua Tail and Sludge Bomb |
| Inkay | Psywave | Night Slash and Psybeam |
| Purrloin | Sucker Punch | Night Slash and Play Rough |
The disparity between Shuckle’s potential and the rest of the Pokémon listed in the table is significant when it comes to succeeding in this cup. If you don’t already possess one, it might be advisable to skip the Halloween Cup: Little Edition. There’s a good chance you will struggle to secure wins against teams that feature Shuckle.
Shuckle has often shown up as a wild spawn during special events, as a possible Egg hatch, as a reward from a Rocket Grunt, and as a One-Star Raid Boss in recent times. However, none of these opportunities are available right now. The best chance to find one now would be by exploring grassy or forested areas, but it’s important to note that encountering one isn’t guaranteed.
If you’re without a Shuckle and still want to participate in the Halloween Cup: Little Edition, your best strategy would be to rely on both Marill and Clodsire, with a third Pokémon that can effectively counter Marill. Your top choices include Foongus, Skorupi, Skrelp, or Tentacool; however, you can also consult PvPoke’s rankings to identify other suitable options in your collection that can challenge Marill.
As with any time-limited themed cup, the Halloween Cup: Little Edition will only be available for a short period and likely won’t make a return until October 2025. If you’re not close to having an optimal team, it might be more beneficial to allocate your resources to powering up Pokémon for the Great League or the Ultra League, as those formats come back every few weeks, allowing for greater use.
When Does The Halloween Cup Start & End?
One Week Of Competition Before The Great League Edition Takes Over
The Halloween Cup: Little Edition begins on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET / 9 PM BST and will continue until Tuesday, October 23, 2024. After that, it will be succeeded by the Halloween Cup: Great League Edition for just one week.
If you’re seeking a greater challenge, consider participating in the traditional Master League. This tier represents the highest level of competition in the Pokémon GO Battle League, allowing only the strongest Pokémon and Trainers in action, with no CP limits. Be warned: it’s not for the faint-hearted and will require substantial resources and practice to climb to the top tiers.