Summary
Niantic’sPokemon GOmobile game has come a long way since its initial release back in 2016. Out of the plethora of features introduced intoPokemon GOover the years, one of the rarest and most sought-after is that of the Lucky Pokemon. To make a Pokemon lucky requires quite a time commitment, raising friendship levels with other players in order to increase the chances oftraded Pokemonbecoming lucky, with the only guaranteed method being to trade with a Lucky Friend, and gaining such a friend is a completely random occurrence.
For the casual player, having a Lucky Pokemon is predominantly for bragging rights but, for the more competitive players, a Lucky Pokemon has many benefits. Lucky Pokemon, among other aesthetic changes, cost a considerable amount less in Stardust to power up and are guaranteed high IVs.In Gym battlesand Raids, this is great, but it is in competitive PvP that this really comes in handy. Of course, any Pokemon can be lucky, but there are a certain few that are more sought-after than the rest.
12Elgyem
A Psychic-Type Pokémon
Elgyem is a mysterious psychic-type Pokémon from the Unova region, and first introduced to the game in generation five. Most importantly, Elgyem has the opportunity to evolve into Beeheeyem, a high-potential Pokémon that offers better stats to players. Caught in the wild, Elgyem is easily found, offering lots of chances for players to capture and upgrade him.
This Pokémon offers a number of great Psychic-type moves in combat, including Psybeam and Confusion, which are solid for overpowering stronger enemies that are susceptible to psychic-type attacks. The Ghost-type move Astonish is also great against Ghost and Psychic-type Pokémon, meaning Elgyem isn’t left too vulnerable when fighting similar types.
11Meditite
A Fighting, Psychic-type Pokémon
Hailing from the Hoenn region, this fighting, psychic-type Pokémon presents a challenge in both PvP and PvE combat with its psychic, fighting and ice-type moves. In particular, equipping Meditite with Ice Punch can come in handy if opponents are resistant to psychic attacks, working well against ground, grass and flying-type Pokémon.
Meditite in its original form can serve as a good lucky Pokémon because it is relatively common and easily traded, requiring less stardust than others. While Meditite itself isn’t considered the strongest Pokémon in this game, its evolution, Medicham, is widely regarded as one of the strongest PvP individuals available, with good all-round abilities in combat.
10Machamp
A Fighting-type Pokémon
The classic Fighting-type evolution line of Machop, Machoke, and Machamp will be familiar toPokémonfans, having been introduced in the very first games of the franchise. The final evolution Machamp has always been a powerful addition to trainers' teams, and very little has changed in the years after its introduction.
In the context ofPokemon GO, Machamp is a powerful and reliable attacker, being able to counter variouschallenging Raid bosses, especially those of the tanky Steel or Rock types. In PvP, Machamp remains a great addition to teams despite not being the most powerful Fighting-type attacker, able to employ fast and powerful moves as well as learn valuable coverage moves for its weaknesses.
9Lugia
A Flying Psychic-type Legendary Pokémon
The Generation 2 cover legendary Lugia is a safe bet for anyPokémon GOplayer worried about what Pokemon to make lucky. Despite its lack of optimization for attacking Raid bosses, Lugia excels across the board in the GO Battle League, especially in theno-CP limit Master League.
Lugia’s Psychic/Flying-typing mixed with its varied move pool makes short work of many meta-relevant Pokemon that stalk the top rungs of the Master League like Garchomp and Groudon. Indeed, Lugia’s legacy charge move Aeroblast is a ferocious Flying-type move that can do serious damage even to Steel and Electric types, which resist Flying-type moves.
8Lucario
A Fighting Steel-type Pokémon
With movies made based around it and its inclusion in the roster ofSuper Smash Bros, it is safe to say that thePokémonfranchise rates Lucario highly. InPokemon GO, if one discounts Shadow and Mega Pokemon, Lucario sits at the top of the Fighting-type pile in PvE content like Raid battles, mainly due to the devastating charge move Aura Sphere.
In regard to PvP, Lucario is admittedly a niche pick, excelling in Ultra League due to its access to the move Shadow Ball, which can counter the Ghost and Dark types that fill the meta at this level. Lucario is an excellent addition to trainers' teams and, if used correctly, can act as an unexpected counter to an opposing trainer’s ace Pokemon.
7Kyogre
A Water-type Legendary Pokémon
Generation 3’s legendary Kyogre sat on the non-ShadowWater-type Pokemonthrone even before its Primal Reversion was added toPokemon GO. After this, there is no doubt that Primal Kyogre outmatches other Water-type attackers through raw power alone, decimating Raid bosses weak to Water.
In PvP, the Master League is where Kyogre clearly flexes its power. Equipped with a fast-move, Waterfall, and charge-move, Surf, this legendary can relentlessly smack its opponents, with most types (as long as they are not resistant to Water) unable to hold up against the onslaught.
6Garchomp
A Ground-type Dragon Pokémon
A Generation 4 favorite, Garchomp is an intimidating Dragon/Ground-type that sets itself apart from the generally powerful Dragon-type pool of Pokemon with its key resistances due to its mixed typing. Powerful as it is as a Dragon-type attacker, Garchomp is one of the best Ground-type attackers inPokemon Go, especially when given its legacy charge move Earth Power.
The Master League is where Garchomp is most feared in the GO Battle League, being able to reliably defeat many top-tier Pokemon in the meta. Being strong against a multitude of types and only being threatened by Fairy and Ice, Garchomp is a prime candidate to make lucky so trainers do not have to bankrupt themselves by getting their CP maxed out.
5Giratina (Altered & Origin Forme)
A Legendary Dragon-type Ghost Pokémon
As for theGhost/Dragonlegendary, one powerful form clearly was not enough for Giratina. Its first form (Altered) was introduced inPokemon Diamond & Pearland its second (Origin) inPokemon Platinum. InPokemon GO, both of Giratina’s forms can compete at the highest levels, whether against Raid bosses or in PvP.
The Ultra and Master Leagues are where these two Giratina variations shine. Altered forme tends to get the leg up in Ultra League and Origin forme is better suited for the Master League with the added bonus of being excellent in Raid boss battles. Whilst having either on one’s team, especially as a Lucky Pokemon, is not to be sniffed at, Origin forme Giratina is a must-have in any high-performing PvP Master League team.
4Togekiss
A Fairy-type Flying Pokémon
After four generations, Togepi and Togetic finally received the final part of their evolution tree in the form of Togekiss. A strong attacker with a dragon type makes Togekiss a prime target for making lucky inPokemon GOas it is a feared match up for many trainer’s teams, especially against the meta-relevant Dragon-type.
Useful across PvE and PvP content, Togekiss is a reliable investment for any trainer’s resources. Able to counter some of the most powerful Pokemon lurking in every format of the Pokemon Battle League, this Fairy/Flying-type is the bane of any Dragon, Dark, or Fighting-type that has the misfortune of matching with it. Only meta-relevant Steel-types such as Metagross can threaten Togekiss, making it a powerful addition to any Great, Ultra, or Master League team.
3Rayquaza
A Flying-type Dragon Pokémon
Pokemon Emerald’slegendary Pokemon Rayquazawas the top Dragon attacker upon its release inPokemon GO. Whilst it has been power crept over the years, Rayquaza is by no means irrelevant. Indeed, Rayquaza now has access to the Flying-type move Dragon Ascent, which is undisputably the most powerful charge move in the game.
Not only does this spell terror for any Raid boss faced with Rayquaza, but it makes it the best Flying-type attacker in the game as well as a viable neutral damage attacker. In PvP, Rayquaza is best utilized in Master League where the lack of a CP limit allows it to truly flex its power. Additionally, when Mega Rayquaza, this Pokemon is ridiculously powerful and can pump out damage previously unheard of inPokemon GO.
